cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term tillage and crop rotation determines the mineral nutrient distributions of some elements in a Vertic Epiaqualf

Abstract Understanding the effects of tillage and rotation on plant available nutrients is critical to develop nutrient management strategies to optimize yield while maintaining cropping system sustainability. Our hypothesis is that tillage, and crop rotations with corn ( Zea mays L.) compared to continuous soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Moench) affects the distribution of not only P and K, but other elements and pH. The objective of this study was to determine differences in soil pH and the distribution of 15 nutrients after 18 years of continuous tillage and no-tillage corn/soybean and continuous soybean rotations, and to highlight differences and similarities with other studies. Nutrient distribution in the soil profile was assessed by ICP-OES at depth intervals of 0–0.05, 0.05–0.1, 0.1–0.2, 0.2–0.4, and 0.6–1.0 m in a Mexico silt loam (fine, smectitic, mesic, Vertic Epiaqualf) soil in Central Missouri. There was no effect of tillage or rotation on nutrient concentration below 0.2 m except for S and Mn. Soil pH, Ca, S, Fe and Mn were affected by rotation and tillage; P and K were affected by tillage only, and Al was affected by rotation only. No-tillage resulted in a 2.7-fold increase in P at the 0–0.05 m depth relative to P at the 0.05–0.1 m depth, and at 0–0.05 m, P was 35% greater under no-tillage than under tillage. Potassium concentration in the 0–0.05 m soil layer was 13% greater in no-till than tilled systems. Compared to corn/soybean rotations, continuous soybean resulted in pH that was 1.3 and 0.8 units greater at 0–0.05 and 0.05–0.1 m depths, respectively. Extractable Mg, Na, Cu, Co, B, Mo, and Ni were unaffected by rotation or tillage. The results show that not only is P and K affected by these treatments, but also other important nutrients that affect crop growth. Further, results suggest the need for different fertility management in no-till systems — particularly for P and K and show the effect of continuous cropping compared to rotations on some elements. These results share similarities and differences with other studies and highlight how broad generalizations concerning nutrient behavior under tillage and rotation can be made for some elements but not others.
An Exploratory Study of the Potential Prognostic Usefulness of the Routinely Conducted Computed Tomography Scan in Patients Hospitalized for a First Episode of Psychosis

Rationale: The clinical utility of routinely conducted computed tomography (CT) brain imaging during the evaluation of first-episode psychosis is often very limited, results typically relegated to ruling out gross intracranial pathology. Little is known about whether more commonplace findings and variants, often unreported in the radiological summary, could provide prognostic information. This study, focused on a low-income, predominantly African-American sample of public-sector, first-episode patients, addressed the understudied question of whether or not findings on routine clinical CT scans are associated with variables that may have prognostic importance. Methods: The sample included seventy-five consecutively admitted patients, aged 18-40 years, who were hospitalized for a first episode of psychosis. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained by a psychiatrist through a structured retrospective chart review based on dictated discharge summaries. Radiological variables were recorded by a neurora...
Gastric obesity surgery combined with partial ileal bypass for hypercholesterolemia.

Background: It is unusual for a patient to manifest both morbid obesity and hyperlipidemia. Certain of these individuals may also have a history of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis. We report six morbidly obese hypercholesterolemic patients, two with recurrent hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis, who were managed by concurrent gastric restrictive surgery and a partial ileal bypass operation. Methods: The first dual procedure was performed on January 6 1992, and the most recent on February 20 1997. Our series consists of two males and four females, with an average age of 35.5 years at the time of surgery. The mean preoperative weight of these patients was 116.8 kg, and the mean BMI was 39.7 kg/m2. The preoperative mean total plasma cholesterol was 5.5 g/l and the mean plasma triglyceride was 30.61 g/l; the two patients with a history of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis had plasma triglyceride levels of 33.6 g/l and 65 g/l. Results: The average weight reduction, using available follow-up intervals was 40.3 kg (34.5%), with a mean postoperative BMI of 20.0 kg/m2 (34.8% reduction). The markedly elevated total plasma cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels were normalized, with a postoperative mean total plasma cholesterol of 1.47 g/l (73.3% reduction) and a concomitant mean plasma triglyceride of 1.63 g/l (94.7% reduction). The two patients with a history of pancreatitis sustained triglyceride reductions of 96.5% and 94.1%, and neither patient has had an episode of pancreatitis following the dual operative procedures. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of a gastric restrictive operation with a partial ileal bypass procedure represents excellent management for patients with both morbid obesity and hypercholesterolemia, especially if the hypercholesterolemia is accompanied by hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.
Substance Use Prevention and Students with Behavioral Disorders: Guidelines for School Professionals

The use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is a serious problem in the United States today. Some groups of individuals are more vulnerable to illegal substances than others; one such group is students with behavioral disorders. The purpose of this article is to describe what we know about preventing substance use among students with behavioral disorders. The extent of the problem of substance use is examined first. Second, the reasons why some students are at risk for substance use are explored. The effectiveness of different types of substance use prevention programs is reviewed, and several school-based curricula that have potential for use with students with behavioral disorders are highlighted. Finally, recommendations for research and practice in the area of substance use prevention for students with behavioral disorders are offered.
Recovery of impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation after fluid-percussion brain injury in cats.

The effect of a moderate level of fluid-percussion brain injury on acetylcholine-induced cerebral arteriolar vasodilation was examined for 12 hours after trauma in anesthetized cats equipped with cranial windows. The cats were then perfused with aldehydes, and the pial arteries were prepared for electron microscopy. Immediately after brain injury, the normal vasodilator response to topical application of acetylcholine was converted to vasoconstriction. By 4 hours after trauma, the ability of small pial arterioles (diameters less than 100 microns) to dilate after acetylcholine application had returned to the pretrauma level and was observed to be normal at both 8 and 12 hours after trauma (p less than 0.05). The vasodilator response of large caliber arterioles (diameters greater than or equal to 100 microns) at 4, 8, and 12 hours after injury was reduced relative to the pretrauma response but was significantly improved relative to their response at 30 minutes after trauma (p less than 0.05). Moreover, the ...
Photochemistry of (Me3P)4Mo(η-CO2)2: Deoxygenation of coordinated carbon dioxide and phosphine oxidation

Abstract Irradiation of the title compound 1 through quartz in toluene solution at − 20°C produces cis-Mo(CO)2(PMe3)4 and OPMe3 as the major products along with lesser amounts of mer- and fac-Mo(CO)3(PMe3)3 and Mo(CO)PMe3) 5. Irradiation of 1 through Pyrex produces in addition substantial amounts of an unstable species formulated as trans-Mo (CO)2(PMe3)4.
Exponential approximation for the density matrix and the Wigner's distribution

Abstract It is shown that the local thermodynamic description of the ground state of a many-electron system, earlier proposed by Ghosh, Berkowitz and Parr, is equivalent to a well defined approximation for the density matrix and therefore for the Wigner's distribution.
Scientific Method without Metaphysical Presuppositions

As the title of this article indicates, I contend that there are no philosophical postulates of science, i.e., that the scientific method can be explicated and justified without metaphysical presuppositions about the order or structure of nature. My positivistic or logical empiricist background, I must admit, may have made me somewhat allergic to the term ‘metaphysics.’ I realize full well that there are uses of this word that cover quite respectable or at least semi-respectable endeavors. If ‘metaphysics’ designates the examination and explication of the basic concepts, methods, and assumptions of the quest for knowledge, then, surely, logical empiricists are metaphysicians — only they prefer to label this sort of study ‘Logical Analysis’, ‘Theory of Knowledge’, or ‘Philosophy of Science.’ The term ‘metaphysics’ is sometimes used also for the highly extrapolative — and in this sense precariously speculative — pursuits of the synthesis of a well-rounded world view. ‘Inductive Metaphysics’ is perhaps a good label for this type of endeavor. But metaphysics in this sense is continuous with science. It is merely the most venturesome part of scientific theorizing. Modern cosmological theories in physics and astronomy furnish a good example of this sort of speculation. Generally, it seems scientists are much more competent than professional philosophers to judge to what extent, if any, hypotheses of this more sweeping sort are warranted by the empirical evidence on hand.
Changes in electroshock convulsive response with repeated seizures.

This report describes the changes in the relationship between stimulus intensity and seizure duration with repeated shocking in rats during an experimental period of 47 days. The dependence of seizure duration on stimulus intensity diminishes with repeated shocking until finally all seizure durations become approximately equal. The decrease in duration of seizures after a relatively strong stimulating current occurs faster with more frequent shocking. The results are discussed in terms of two parameters, a, the decay constant of an excitatory state, and h/K, the minimal threshold for excitation.
Die hyalinen Membranen im Rahmen der Lungenbefunde bei Frühgeborenen

Unter 75 Sektionen von Fruhgeborenen sahen wir 35mal hyaline Membranen. Diese waren in 20 Fallen die allein nachweisbare Todesursache. Regelmasig sind die hyalinen Membranen mit Atelektasen verbunden, haufig mit einem eiweisreichen Lungenodem und unterschiedlich ausgedehnten Hamorrhagien. Todliche Lungenblutungen fanden sich in 14 Fallen.
Confidence at recognizing psychological implications

This study assessed the correspondence between judgment and confidence in those judgments on a task requiring subjects “to read between the lines” and recognize the implications of target persons’ word associations. College students attempted to detect which of three “suspects” had imagined committing a theft, on the basis of the “suspects’” responses to a word-association test. In addition to the standard preparatory information given to no-clues subjects, half of the subjects received a list of clues that were diagnostic or contradiagnostic of thief status. Successful judgment was not related to self-evaluated performance or to confidence. However, with aggregations across subjects, a significant correlation was found between group hit rate and mean confidence across the 10 items of the judgment task. This relationship held true for subjects given the standard information and for subjects provided with additional information about valid clues. Finally, calibration curves revealed that subjects tended to be overconfident of their judgments whenever they estimated their success probabilities above 70%. Clue information had a weak effect on hit rate but no effect on confidence.
Low-energy phenomenology of superstring-inspired E6 models

Abstract In this report we survey the low-energy phenomenological implications of superstring-inspired E 6 models. The motivation for such models is reviewed. New particles including new gauge bosons, exotic fermions, Higgs bosons, and their superpartners are expected to exist in models of this type. We summarize the present experimental limits on these particles from both accelerator and non-accelerator data. Techniques for producing these new particles directly at existing and planned colliders as well as for searching for their indirect effects are examined in detail. Other phenomenological implications of such models are also reviewed.
Nature of leisure activities among the Chinese‐American elderly

Abstract Despite the growing literature on the elderly population, there has been relatively little research on the nature of leisure among culturally diverse elderly populations. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the patterns and nature of leisure among a particular ethnic population, the Chinese‐American elderly. Qualitative techniques were used to identify the types of activities engaged in, the nature of those activities, and the reasons for continued participation among 25 Chinese‐American elderly residing in a large southwestern metropolitan community. Results indicated that these individuals, many of whom had lived in the United States for most of their adult lives, were involved in a wide range of leisure activities including tai chi, mah‐jongg, television watching, walking, reading, gardening, and sewing. Participants engaged in many of these activities for entertainment and personal development. These activities served educational and cultural functions as well. For example, ...
Efficacy and selectivity of phosphodiesterase-targeted drugs in inhibiting photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE6) in retinal photoreceptors

PURPOSE Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors are important therapeutic agents, but their effects on photoreceptor PDE (PDE6) and photoreceptor cells are poorly understood. The potency and selectivity of various classes of PDE inhibitors on purified rod and cone PDE6 and on intact rod outer segments (ROS) were characterized. METHODS The inhibition constant (K(i)) of isozyme-selective PDE inhibitors was determined for purified rod and cone PDE6. Perturbations of cGMP levels in isolated ROS suspensions by PDE inhibitors were quantitated by a cGMP enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS Most PDE5-selective inhibitors were excellent PDE6 inhibitors. Vardenafil, a potent PDE5 inhibitor (K(i) = 0.2 nM), was the most potent PDE6 inhibitor tested (K(i) = 0.7 nM). Zaprinast was the only drug that inhibited PDE6 more potently than did PDE5. PDE1-selective inhibitors were equally effective in inhibiting PDE6. In intact ROS, PDE inhibitors elevated cGMP levels, but none fully inhibited PDE6. Their potency for elevating cGMP levels in ROS was much lower than their ability to inhibit the purified enzyme. Competition between PDE5/6-selective drugs and the inhibitory gamma-subunit for the active site of PDE6 is proposed to reduce the effectiveness of drugs at the enzyme-active site. CONCLUSIONS Several classes of PDE inhibitors inhibit PDE6 equally as well as the PDE family to which they are targeted. In intact ROS, high PDE6 concentrations, binding of the gamma-subunit to the active site, and calcium feedback mechanisms attenuate the effectiveness of PDE inhibitors to inhibit PDE6 and disrupt the cGMP signaling pathway during visual transduction.
Cataloging Must Change! and indexer consistency studies : Misreading the evidence at our peril

ABSTRACT An article published in 1991 “Cataloging Must Change!” by Dorothy Gregor and Carol Mandel, has popularized the belief that there is only “ten to 20 percent” agreement among subject catalogers in assigning LC subject headings. Because of this alleged lack of consistency, the article suggests, catalogers “can be more accepting of variations in subject choices” in copy cataloging. This inference, however, is based on a serious misreading of previous studies of indexer consistency. The “ten to 20 percent” agreement figure actually derives from studies of people trying to guess the same natural language key words, precisely in the absence of vocabulary control mechanisms such as thesauri or Library of Congress Subject Headings. The sources cited by Gregor and Mandel fail to support their conclusion; in fact, some of the sources directly contradict it. A naive acceptance by the library profession of the “ten to 20 percent” claim can only have negative consequences for the quality of subject cataloging ...
Effects of zeolite channel walls and cation migration on N2O decomposition energies in Fe/ZSM-5

Abstract Density functional theory was used to compute minimum energy structures for surface intermediates involved in the catalytic decomposition of N 2 O over Fe/ZSM-5. The calculations were performed using a computational cluster containing only 5 tetrahedral zeolite atoms, and then repeated using a cluster with two full 10-membered zeolite rings. The differences between these two sets of calculations suggest that using a larger computational cluster allows the iron cation to occupy a site of higher coordination. This is accompanied by small changes in the computed values of Δ E for the five mechanistic reaction steps of N 2 O decomposition. Replicating the final geometry of the smaller cluster within the larger cluster indicated that longer-range interactions with the zeolite channel walls do not significantly affect the energies of the mechanistic steps studied.
Risk, resilience, and natural recovery: a model of recovery from alcohol abuse for Alaska Natives

Aim The People Awakening (PA) study explored an Alaska Native (AN) understanding of the recovery process from alcohol abuse and consequent sobriety. Design PA utilized a cross-sectional, qualitative research design and community-based participatory research methods. Setting and participants The study included a state-wide convenience sample of 57 participants representing all five major AN groups: Aleut/Alutiiq, Athabascan, Inupiaq, Yup'ik/Cup'ik and Tlingit/Haida/Tsimshian. Participants were nominated and self-identified as being alcohol-abstinent at least five years following a period of problem drinking. Measurements Open-ended and semistructured interviews gathered extensive personal life histories. A team of university and community co-researchers analyzed narratives using grounded theory and consensual data analysis techniques. Findings A heuristic model of AN recovery derived from our participants' experiences describes recovery as a development process understood through five interrelated sequences: (i) the person entered into a reflective process of continually thinking over the consequences of his/her alcohol abuse; (ii) that led to periods of experimenting with sobriety, typically, but not always, followed by repeated cycling through return to drinking, thinking it over, and experimenting with sobriety; culminating in (iii) a turning point, marked by the final decision to become sober. Subsequently, participants engaged in (iv) Stage 1 sobriety, active coping with craving and urges to drink followed for some participants, but not all, by (v) Stage 2 sobriety, moving beyond coping to what one participant characterized as ‘living life as it was meant to be lived. Conclusions The PA heuristic model points to important cultural elements in AN conceptualizations of recovery.
Assessment and adoption of web-based health information systems

The Personal Health Record (PHR) is an emerging web-based healthcare IT system, which is a hot topic of discussion among healthcare professionals and many other people. It is a very new concept and many companies are now offering PHR services to their customers. The PHR is created and kept up to date by the user, healthcare providers or insurance companies. Users can enter their information and manage their PHR. The PHR can include everything from medical histories to test results, physician's notes, prescriptions and information from their pharmacies and insurance companies. Hence PHR empowers the patients and gives them full access to their healthcare data. Many employers, insurance companies, hospitals and physicians are offering PHR services to their consumers. There are also many websites from where consumers can sign up for free PHR services. Due to the many benefits associated with PHR services, consumers find it very attractive to use. But there are also many concerns hindering the adoption of PHR. In this paper we shall review the factors affecting adoption of PHR systems using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and formulate hypotheses for PHR adoption.
Optical Constants of Sodium and Potassium from 0.5 to 4.0 eV

Ellipsometric experiments have been performed on thick evaporated films of Na and K both by single reflection at free surfaces and by multiple reflection at metal-fused silica interfaces. The results are in qualitative agreement with the nearly-free-electron model, exhibiting no anomalous peaks and showing interband transitions with thresholds at the expected frequencies. The values deduced for the optical masses are $1.14m$ for Na and $1.17m$ for K.
Determination of plasma lactic acid concentration and specific activity using high-performance liquid chromatography

Assessment of lactate metabolism is of particular interest during exercise and in disease states such as diabetes, shock, and absorptive abnormalities of short-chain fatty acids by the colon. We describe an analytical method that introduces radio-active tracers and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to simultaneously analyze concentrations and specific activities (SAs) of plasma lactate. The HPLC conditions included separation on a reversed-phase column (octadecylsilane) and an isocratic buffer (30% acetonitrile in water). [3H]Acetate served as an internal standard. Lactate and acetate were extracted from plasma samples with diethyl ether following a pH adjustment to less than 1.0 and back-extracted into a hydrophilic phase with sodium carbonate (2 mM, pH greater than 10.0). Lactate is detected in the ultraviolet range (242 and 320 nm) by derivatization with alpha-bromoacetophenone. Control plasma samples were studied after an overnight fast for precision and analytical recovery. Calibration curves were linear in the range 0.18-6.0 mM (r = 0.92). The precision was 3% and the analytical recovery was 87%. The detection limit of the method was 36 pmol. Determination of lactate metabolism was performed in a patient with chronic congestive heart failure who was administered primed-continuous L-[U-14C]lactate (10 microCi bolus and 0.3 microCi/min continuously) during a 60-min rest period. Mean arterial lactate concentration and SA were 1.69 +/- 0.2 mM and 253.8 +/- 22 dpm/mumol, respectively. Systemic lactate turnover was 25.65 mumol/kg per min. Lactic acid systemic turnover, organ uptake and release rates can be accurately determined by isocratic HPLC.
Fine structure of gustatory cells in rabbit taste buds.

Previous reports of the existence of two distinct cell types in the taste buds of rabbit foliate papillae must now be modified to include a third type. This cell resembles many of the “light cells” in general shape, location, and density of cytoplasm, but differs from all of them in containing aggregates of vesicles in the deeper parts of the cytoplasm of a type commonly found in relation to synaptic regions. These are of two types, one empty of density and of the size range of synaptic vesicles, and the other less frequent and less regular in size, but always larger, and containing a dense core. These cells extend from the pit to the base of the bud, they are usually in contact with one or more cells of the same type, but are largely isolated from the light cells, the perigemmal cells, and from direct contact with underlying connective tissue, by intervening cytoplasmic processes of the dark cells. Their contact with nerves is their most striking feature, consisting of “typical” chemical synapses, with presynaptic densities against which the vesicles, particularly the synaptic vesicles, are crowded. These features mark this cell type as a gustatory receptor. They are, with the exception of the lack of a taste hair, compatible with classic light microscopic descriptions. They do not rule out gustatory function for the light cells, or even for the dark cells.
AN INTENSITY-BASED APPROACH TO THE VALUATION OF MORTGAGE CONTRACTS AND COMPUTATION OF THE ENDOGENOUS MORTGAGE RATE

This paper gives a general mortgage model subject to sub-optimal prepayment behavior of borrowers. The proposed classification of approaches to the option-based and mortgage-rate-based (MRB) specification is validated by the fact that these two approaches require different analytical and numerical tools. With the option-based specification of the prepayment intensity, our model is the first continuous-time model; this gives advantage in the numerical treatment of the model. We propose a new approach based on the MRB idea with the endogenous mortgage rate process. The mortgage rate process is defined and the existence of a solution is proven for the option-based specification of the prepayment process. A numerical procedure for finding the endogenous mortgage rate is proposed.
Impact of Neuro-Psychological Factors on Smoking-Associated Lung Cancer

Smoking has been extensively documented as a risk factor for all histological types of lung cancer and tobacco-specific nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons reproducibly cause lung cancer in laboratory rodents. However, the most common lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), frequently develops in never smokers and is particularly common in women and African Americans, suggesting that factors unrelated to smoking significantly impact this cancer. Recent experimental investigations in vitro and in animal models have shown that chronic psychological stress and the associated hyperactive signaling of stress neurotransmitters via β-adrenergic receptors significantly promote the growth and metastatic potential of NSCLC. These responses were caused by modulation in the expression and sensitization state of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that regulate the production of stress neurotransmitters and the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Similar changes in nAChR-mediated neurotransmitter production were identified as the cause of NSCLC stimulation in vitro and in xenograft models by chronic nicotine. Collectively, these data suggest that hyperactivity of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system caused by chronic psychological stress or chronic exposure to nicotinic agonists in cigarette smoke significantly contribute to the development and progression of NSCLC. A recent clinical study that reported improved survival outcomes with the incidental use of β-blockers among patients with NSCLC supports this interpretation.
Ontogeny of cranial ossification in the eastern newt, Notophthalmus viridescens (Caudata: Salamandridae), and its relationship to metamorphosis and neoteny

62901 ABSTRACT The ontogenetic sequence of cranial osteogenesis through adulthood is described in samples of newts from completely metamorphosing and partially neotenic populations. Cranial ossification proceeds in the same sequence in both samples. Seven stages of cranial development are described on the basis of conspicuous events that occur during ontogeny. These include four larval stages, metamorphs, efts, and adults. Neotenic adults have skulls that are metamorphosed completely and indistinguishable from the skulls of non-neotenic adults. Neoteny in these newts does not involve the skull and is limited to the postmetamorphic retention of some gill structures and, thus, is termed "limited neoteny." The evolution of limited neoteny in newts as a correlated response to the inhibition of land-drive behavior is discussed. Adult cranial osteology has played an im- portant role in the classification of salaman- ders (notably, Cope, 1889; Dunn, '26; Noble, '31; Regal, '66; Tihen, '58; Wake, '66; Wake and Ozeti, '69). Many previous studies have detailed aspects of cranial structure and on- togeny, and related them to ecological spe- cializations and metamorphosis (Fox, '54; Monath, '65; Papendieck, '54; Parker and Dunn, '64; Regal, '66; Srinivasachar, '62; Worthington and Wake, '71; and references therein). Because neoteny (Pierce and Smith, '79) occurs in all families of urodeles (Porter, '721, meaningful comparisons of adult cranial structures are sometimes difficult to achieve. Likewise, because of differences in larval on- togeny, comparisons of larval cranial struc- tures are also difficult to use (Larsen, '63). Comparisons of complete ontogenetic se- quences can provide a better basis from which to group salamander taxa and to inter- pret the ontogenetic details of neoteny and metamorphosis that are needed to support theoretic models relating ontogeny to ph;-Lg- eny (Alberch et al., '79; Alberch, '85; Fink, '82). Nevertheless, whole sequences of skull development have been described for only seven species of salamanders (Salamandra salamandra, Stadtmuller, '24; Eurycea bisli- neata, Wilder, '25; Triturus vulgaris, Erd- mann, '33; Ambystoma mexicanum, Keller, '46; Ambystoma texanum, Bonebrake and Brandon, '71; Rhyacotriton olympicus, Wor- thington and Wake, '71; and Aneides lugub ris, Wake et al., '83).
Expression of junctional proteins in human platelets

Platelets play a major role in thrombosis and hemostasis by binding the sub-endothelial matrix at sites of injury, but also participate in vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis. Recently, junctional proteins like PECAM-I and JAM-family members have been recovered from platelets, therefore we examined what other junctional molecules may be present in platelets. We observed immunoreactivity for APC (147 kD), beta-catenin (92 kD), E-cadherin (120 and 84 kD) and occludin (70-85 kD) by western blotting. Additionally, beta-catenin, pan-reactive cadherins, E-cadherin and occludin were seen to partition with the triton insoluble cytoskeleton in platelets. These proteins were also found in a megakaryocyte (platelet precursor) line, MEG-01. Our data suggest that conventional junctional molecules are expressed in platelets and could possibly participate in aggregation, clot formation and wound healing.
The Structure of Potentially Semi-Stable Deformation Rings

Inside the universal deformation space of a local Galois representation one has the set of deformations which are potentially semi-stable of given p-adic Hodge and Galois type. It turns out these points cut out a closed subspace of the deformation space. A deep conjecture due to Breuil-Mezard predicts that part of the structure of this space can be described in terms of the local Langlands correspondence. For 2-dimensional representations the conjecture can be made precise. We explain some of the progress in this case, which reveals that the conjecture is intimately connected to the p-adic local Langlands correspondence, as well as to the Fontaine-Mazur conjecture.
Prevalence of giardiasis in patients with cystic fibrosis.

A group of 107 patients with cystic fibrosis and a control group of 64 norm members of households of patients with cystic fibrosis were surveyed for Giardia lamblia cysts and trophozoites by counterimmunoelectrophoresis of fecal samples. The patient group had a significantly higher rate of infestation than the control group (28.0% vs 6.3%, P=0.0006), and the disparity between the two groups increased with age (P=0.005). Aside from cystic fibrosis, all risk factors examined were without influence, except for the presence of house-hold members ≤5 years of age. We conclude that our patients with cystic fibrosis have a previously unrecognized increased prevalence of giardiasis compared with that in a control population.
Depression and body image problems in adolescence

A lthough most previous studies in this area were done on clinical or college-aged populations, researchers are now finding that approximately one in four adolescent,girls has a serious eating disorder, in contrast to (from Dr. Petersen s own data) about 6% of boys. Also from her own research, which is one of the first studies to look at measures of depression or depressive affect among nonclinical populations followed longitudinally over the adolescent decade, Dr. Petersen found that about 60% of girls and 40% of boys in the 12th grade reported at least one serious depressive episode within the previous four years. This rate is much higher than that reported by this sample in early adolescence (eighth grade) or late adolescence. The gender differences seen in adolescence persist into adulthood in both these areas, Dr. Petersen added, leading her and other researchers to ask, "Why are they more prevalent among women then among men?" In general, however, and in contrast to what most people believe, studies of national populations reflect steadily increasing trends of self-esteem over the adolescent decade---although some of these data have not been tabulated separately by gender. Dr. Petersen's data on boys and girls aged 11 to 21 reflect steady positive increases in emotional tone for boys, and for girls, a steady increase in early adolescence and then some decline. The popular notion of puberty as a period fraught with emotional difficu l ty -which is only partially borne out--is a corollary to the negative views that our society holds about adolescence is general. Dr. Petersen illustrated this point with a number of cartoons featuring despondent youth. The hormonal milieu of puberty is typically held accountable, and, indeed, these biologic changes "are second only in rate and significance only to what we see in infancy," Dr. Petersen agreed. However, "so far, at least, we have not been able to document that pubertal changes are linked to moodiness in general," she said. "We also need to look at the social factors involved with adolescent mood states." Dr. Petersen underscored this point, as did numerous other speakers and participants at the conference, as a means of cautioning against the tendency © 1994 by The Jacobs Institute of Women's Health 1049-3867/94/$7.00
Gas-phase nucleophilic displacement reactions

Displacement reactions of each of a variety of anionic nucleophiles reacting with each of a variety of neutrals have been studied by pulsed ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) spectroscopy. Rate constants for these reactions are interpreted in terms of a three-step reaction sequence. RRKM calculations are used to obtain information about the energy of transition states. The origin of the barrier to reaction in solution is discussed.
Rapid Thermal Oxidation of GeSi Strained Layers

A cold-wall rapid thermal processor is used for the oxidation of commensurately grown GexSi1−x layers on Si substrates. It is shown for dry oxidation that the oxidation rate of GeSi is the same as that of Si. The dry oxidationrate of GeSi is independent of Ge concentration (up to 20 % considered in this study) in the GeSi layer. For wet oxidation, however, the rate of oxidation of the GexSi1−x layer is found to be significantly higher than that of pure Si, and the oxidation rate increases with the Ge concentration in GexSi1−x layer. Employing highfrequency and quasistatic Capacitance-Voltage measurements, it is found for a thin oxide that a fixed negative oxide charge density in the range of 1011 – 1012/cm2, and the interface trap level density (in the mid-gap region) of about 1012 /cm2.eV are present. Further, the density of this fixed oxide charge at the SiO2 /GeSi interface is found.to increase with the Ge concentration in the commensurately grown GeSi layers.
Forces acting on misfit dislocations during interdiffusion

Abstract The behaviour of misfit dislocations introduced to accommodate differences in lattice parameter at the interface between two epitaxially oriented crystals of different materials is studied as a function of the degree of interdiffusion of the constituents. The forces considered to be acting on the dislocations are the elastic interaction force between misfit dislocations, the homogeneous force arising from the difference in atomic volume of the constituents, and the osmotic force produced by the net vacancy flux accompanying interdiffusion. In the elasticity calculations, image forces and end effects, including buckling terms, are analysed. The results are compared with prior treatments of related problems, all of which have involved different boundary conditions, and none of which has included considerations if the osmotic force together with the other forces.
Response functions and collective modes of superfluid 3He-B in strong magnetic fields.

The field dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and collective mode frequencies of superfluid /sup 3/He-B are calculated perturbatively in (..gamma..H/..delta..) using the quasiclassical theory. With the aid of this perturbation theory, we interpret the gap distortion, nonlinear susceptibility, and collective excitations of the order parameter in terms of additional correlations between Cooper pairs that are induced by a magnetic field. We also calculate the dispersion splittings of the real squashing modes in a magnetic field. In addition to the nonlinear Zeeman shifts of these modes, which occur in strong magnetic fields (..gamma..Happrox.0.10..delta..), there are low-field (..gamma..Happrox.q/sup 2/v/sub f//sup 2//..delta..) nonlinearities of the collective mode frequencies resulting from the field dependence of the quantization axis. Our results for all of these response properties of /sup 3/He-B depend upon a small number of material parameters; thus measurements of these properties can provide detailed information on the quasiparticle interactions.
Chronic administration of the selective dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12909, but not cocaine, produces marked decreases in dopamine transporter density

The chronic continuous infusion of cocaine produces partial behavioral tolerance to cocaine and tolerance to the inhibition of dopamine uptake by cocaine, without changing dopamine transporter binding. In order to examine more closely the dopaminergic contribution to this effect, the selective dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (30mg/kg/day), cocaine (50mg/kg/day), or vehicle, were continuously infused via osmotic minipump, and their effects on the dopamine transporter examined. Drug and vehicle pumps were implanted into male Sprague-Dawley rats and removed after seven days. [3H]WIN 35,428 binding and [3H]dopamine uptake were measured in caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens at varying intervals after pump removal. The B max for [3H]WIN 35,428 binding was decreased by approximately 75% in the caudate putamen and by 40% in the nucleus accumbens of GBR 12909-treated rats both 1 and 4 days after pump removal, and was still significantly decreased after 10 days, but had returned to normal by 20 days post-treatment. In contrast, cocaine did not significantly alter [3H]WIN 35,428 binding. GBR 12909 produced both tolerance to the inhibition of [3H]dopamine uptake by cocaine, and a decrease in total uptake of dopamine, in the caudate putamen, with no change in the nucleus accumbens. The persistent reduction of [3H]WIN 35,428 binding following continuous GBR 12909 does not appear to result from residual drug binding. These findings suggest that GBR 12909 and cocaine may bind to and regulate the dopamine transporter in different ways.
Sex chromosome inactivation in germ cells: emerging roles of DNA damage response pathways

Sex chromosome inactivation in male germ cells is a paradigm of epigenetic programming during sexual reproduction. Recent progress has revealed the underlying mechanisms of sex chromosome inactivation in male meiosis. The trigger of chromosome-wide silencing is activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway, which is centered on the mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1), a binding partner of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX). This DDR pathway shares features with the somatic DDR pathway recognizing DNA replication stress in the S phase. Additionally, it is likely to be distinct from the DDR pathway that recognizes meiosis-specific double-strand breaks. This review article extensively discusses the underlying mechanism of sex chromosome inactivation.
Effect of Phosphomimetic Mutation of Caldesmon on the Migration Activity of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Migration of differentiated smooth muscle cells is usually pathogenic. It contributes to diseases such as atherosclerosis. The low molecular weight isoform of caldesmon (l-CaD) binds actin filaments in mammalian cells and modulates the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. To determine the effect of phosphorylation of l-CaD on the mobility of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, we have performed Transwell migration assays on A7r5 cells expressing l-CaD variants with mutations at the phosphorylation sites mediated by PAK (Ser452 and Ser482) and/or ERK (Ser497 and Ser527). The chemotactic migration activity of transfected cells compared to the normal, untransfected cells was evaluated. Among all constructs the A1234 mutant (Ser residues at all 4 positions changed to Ala) resulted in most hindered mobility. The relative migration activity for the A1234-transfected cells was about 13% of the vehicle-transfected cells. Transfection with wild-type l-CaD decreased the rate of cell migration to a lesser extent (∼50% of the control cells). Cells transfected with l-CaD mutated only at the PAK sites (A1A2) or the ERK sites (A3A4) also migrated approximately 50% slower than those control cells. Apparently, both ERK and PAK contribute to the mobility of A7r5 cells and the effects are comparable and additive. Phosphorylation was indeed found at the ERK sites of ectopically expressed A1A2 and l-CaD, but not that of A3A4 and A1234. The mobility of cells transfected with D1234 (all 4 Ser changed to Asp) was higher than that of cells transfected with all other CaD variants, but still about 20% lower than the control cells. Taken together, these results suggest l-CaD plays a role in controlling the migration activity of smooth muscle cells, and reversible phosphorylation of l-CaD facilitates this activity. Supported by NIH (HL-92252).
Effect of aging heat treatment on the magnetic behavior of a gold-iron alloy

Susceptibility and magnetization measurements at temperatures below 200 K indicate the absence of long-range ferromagnetic spin order in ${\mathrm{Au}}_{82}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{18}$, aged at 200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, in spite of a considerable increase of the internal susceptibility as a result of the aging treatment.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Salinity on Three Common Texas Amphibians

Amphibian populations worldwide are experiencing declines and contaminants are hypothesized to be one of the leading contributors to these declines. In particular, the salinization of amphibian habitats is a global issue that has received relatively little attention. Of the recent studies that have emerged, the majority focus on single-species responses, and because these studies often vary in methodology, assessing tolerances across species can be challenging. Thus, one step toward a broader understanding of salt loading is to assess tolerances across multiple species using similar methodologies. Additionally, in nature, amphibians can face low, sublethal concentrations of increased salinity. Though not lethal, these low concentrations can have long-term impacts on amphibian traits such as mass or their responses to future stressors. To address these issues, we first compared relative salinity tolerances of three common frogs in central Texas (Incilius nebulifer, Gulf Coast Toad; Lithobates berlandieri, ...
Anterior cruciate ligament graft choices.

Context: Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common surgical procedure; however, there is no consensus to what the best graft option is to replace the injured ACL. The main ...
Sonographic Imaging of the Obturator Nerve for Regional Block

Background and Objectives: Today, there is a growing appreciation of the importance of the obturator nerve in clinical anesthesia. The aim of this study is to describe the ultrasound appearance of the obturator nerve for potential utility in guiding these nerve blocks. Methods: We scanned left and right inguinal regions of 20 volunteers lateral and distal to the pubic tubercle (PT) and assessed visibility, size and shape, and depth from the skin of common obturator nerves and their associated divisions. In addition to the volunteer study, we retrospectively reviewed a clinical series of obturator nerve blocks performed with ultrasound guidance and nerve stimulation. Results: The obturator nerve can be sonographically visualized by scanning along the known course of the nerve; the anterior division characteristically converges toward the posterior division along the lateral border of the adductor brevis muscle to form the common obturator nerve more proximally. In the set of 20 volunteers, 25% (10/40) of common, 85% (34/40) of anterior, and 87.5% (35/40) of posterior obturator nerves were sonographically identified. The common obturator nerve was visualized 1.3 ± 1.5 cm distal and 2.3 ± 1.2 cm lateral to the PT. Divisions were visualized 2.1 ± 2.0 cm distal and 2.1 ± 1.2 cm lateral to the PT. The nerves (common, anterior, and posterior) averaged 2.7 ± 1.2 mm, 1.4 ± 0.6 mm, and 1.7 ± 0.6 mm in anterior-posterior dimension and 9.0 ± 4.3 mm, 9.6 ± 3.9 mm, and 10.9 ± 4.1 mm in medial-lateral dimension and were 25.9 ± 7.6 mm, 15.5 ± 3.9 mm, and 29.3 ± 7.9 mm below the skin surface. The common obturator nerve and its anterior and posterior divisions are all relatively flat nerves with average anterior-posterior/medial-lateral dimension ratios of 0.32, 0.18, and 0.18, respectively. In the clinical series, nerve identification was confirmed with nerve stimulation (n = 6 block procedures, mean threshold stimulating current for evoked adductor contraction = 0.70 ± 0.14 mA). Conclusions: The obturator nerve and its divisions are the flattest peripheral nerves yet described with ultrasound imaging. Knowledge of the obturator nerve9s ultrasound appearance facilitates localization of this nerve for regional block and may increase success of such procedures.
Mobile computing with the Rover toolkit

Rover is a software toolkit that supports the construction of both mobile-transparent and mobile-aware applications. The mobile-transparent approach aims to enable existing applications to run in a mobile environment without alteration. This transparency is achieved by developing proxies for system services that hide the mobile characteristics of the environment from applications. However, to excel, applications operating in the harsh conditions of a mobile environment must often be aware of and actively adapt to those conditions. Using the programming and communication abstractions present in the Rover toolkit, applications obtain increased availability, concurrency, resource allocation efficiency, fault tolerance, consistency, and adaptation. Experimental evaluation of a suite of mobile applications demonstrates that use of the toolkit requires relatively little programming overhead, allows correct operation, substantially increases interactive performance, and dramatically reduces network utilization.