cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Puerto Rican Elders and Natural Support Systems

There is a growing body of literature on the importance of natural support systems in the lives of elders of color. It is impossible to talk about cultural competence without utilizing natural support systems as a central component in service delivery. This article will report the result of key informant survey of Puerto Rican academics with an interest in Puerto Rican elder natural support systems; the reader will have a better appreciation of the challenges and rewards confronting agencies wishing to involve Puerto Rican natural supports in their efforts to reach elders.
An Analytic Model for Real-Time Multimedia Disk Scheduling

Traditionally, storage systems have been designed to provide good average performance without requiring explicit knowledge of the application requirements. However, with real-time multimedia applications, the knowledge of the requirements can be used by a storage system to schedule the real-time access of multiple streams. In this paper, we present an analytical model for a simple class of multimedia system, and examine classes of deterministic open-loop and closed-loop disk scheduling policies suggested by existing results from manufacturing system scheduling problems. The buffer requirements, system stability and convergence dynamics of these disk scheduling policies are presented, accompanied by numerical and simulation results.
Overview of embedded DSP design

Many researchers are looking to take their work from a simulation environment and implement it on an embedded DSP platform. This is primarily driven by the need to demonstrate that the research is viable commercially. This paper will provide an overview of the different types of hardware and software development platforms that are available. It will then provide a summary of the software design techniques that are required to maximise the efficiency of code on current embedded DSP platforms. These will be demonstrated using an implementation of a Canny Edge Detection algorithm on a DM6437 Evaluation Module.
Antitrust Stare Decisis

The concept of stare decisis, the idea that the Supreme Court follows its own precedents, presumes that settled law offers advantages that may outweigh the costs of its imprecision. Explaining its antitrust jurisprudence, the Supreme Court occasionally argues that stare decisis has “less-than-usual force in cases involving the Sherman Act.” This narrative, however, doesn’t describe correctly the law. The concept of stare decisis has produced specific applications in antitrust law that follow five general patterns: the traditional, post-traditional, methodological, anomalous, and neglected antitrust stare decisis. (1) The “traditional pattern” consists of the old per se illegality rules, which the Court was reluctant to overturn on stare decisis grounds. (2) The “post-traditional pattern” emerged in the late 1970s as a judicial policy that intended to update antitrust law by narrowing and even overruling precedents. The Court sometimes presents this pattern as its general antitrust stare decisis jurisprudence. (3) The “methodological pattern” is the practice of relying on judicial statements to structure antitrust analysis. (4) The “anomalous pattern” is comprised of antitrust doctrines, such as the baseball exemption, that were created because of peculiar beliefs and have survived because of stare decisis even though antitrust lawyers and economists generally consider them misguided. (5) The “neglected pattern” refers to the underdevelopment of antitrust stare decisis resulting from the Court’s limited interest in antitrust law. This paper explains the patterns of antitrust stare decisis and the relationships among them.
Surveying justice : a practical guide to household surveys

Though household surveys have long been an established part of development practice and regularly used to gather data on poverty incidence and the range of associated indicators, they have not yet become a common tool of justice reform practitioners. This guide aims to be a practical starting point for integrating justice work and household data collection, targeted both towards justice practitioners interested in survey design, as well as survey researchers interested in incorporating justice questions into their work. It provides guidance on designing a survey, suggested topics and questions, and ideas to facilitate a constructive engagement in discussions around justice in development practice.
Do Not Count Them Out Just Yet: Assessing the Impact of Religious Conservatives on Charter School Regulations

Objective Past research has omitted religious explanations from analyses of charter school adoption and regulation. The following analyses suggest that religion is more of a factor in state charter school regulations than previously thought. Methods Ordinal logistic regression is utilized to test the influence of religious conservatives on state charter school regulations. Results The findings support the assertion that religious interests—particularly evangelicals—are influential in state charter school regulation. Conclusion Consistent with Deckman (2004), it is suggested that religious factors should not be overlooked when analyzing education policy.
Comment: Empty Creditors and Debt Exchanges

This Comment reviews recent proposals to address the “empty creditor” problem. The author argues that previous proposals would do little to reduce the risk that empty creditors will block debt-for-equity exchanges in order to collect credit default swap payments. The author presents an alternative approach that would contain the dangers of empty crediting by modifying the standardized language of swap agreements. Specifically, the author argues for widening the definition of “credit events” to encompass voluntary debt-for-equity exchanges that surpass a certain participation threshold. This reform would benefit the vast majority of credit protection buyers and sellers, while simultaneously reducing deadweight losses due to unnecessary bankruptcy filings.
Gamma interferon stimulates rat alveolar macrophages to kill pneumocystis carinii by L-arginine- and tumor necrosis factor-dependent mechanisms

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia remains a serious complication for immunocompromised patients. In the present study, P. carinii organisms interacted with gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-stimulated alveolar macrophages (AMs) to activate the L-arginine-dependent cytocidal pathway involving reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) that were assayed as nitrite (NO2-). Unstimulated cultures of AMs produced negligible quantities of RNI. Addition of P. carinii organisms to IFN-gamma-primed AMs resulted in greatly enhanced production of RNI. NO2- levels increased from 0.8 +/- 0.4 to 11.1 +/- 3.8 microM as early as 6 h after P. carinii organisms were incubated with IFN-gamma-stimulated AMs and to 35.1 +/- 8.9 microM after a 24-h incubation, a near-maximum level. High levels of NO2- were produced by AMs primed with as little as 10 U of IFN-gamma per ml in the presence of P. carinii, and a 20-fold increase in IFN-gamma concentration resulted in only a further 65% increase in NO2- production. RNI-dependent killing of P. carinii was demonstrated by both a 51Cr release assay and a [35S]methionine pulse immunoprecipitation assay. Addition of either monoclonal tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) neutralizing antibody or 200 microM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NGMMA), a competitive inhibitor of the L-arginine-dependent pathway, significantly decreased NO2- production and reduced P. carinii killing. TNF-alpha alone had no effect on P. carinii viability. These results suggest that (i) the specific interaction of P. carinii organisms with IFN-gamma-primed AMs triggers the production of RNI, (ii) RNI are toxic to P. carinii, and (iii) TNF-alpha likely plays a central role in mediating P. carinii killing by IFN-gamma-stimulated AMs.
Exact Age Prediction in Social Networks

Predicting accurate demographic information about the users of information systems is a problem of interest in personalized search, ad targeting, and other related fields. Despite such broad applications, most existing work only considers age prediction as one of classification, typically into only a few broad categories. Here, we consider the problem of exact age prediction in social networks as one of regression. Our proposed method learns social representations which capture community information for use as covariates. In our preliminary experiments on a large real-world social network, it can predict age within 4.15 years on average, strongly outperforming standard network regression techniques when labeled data is sparse.
Development of highly sensitive handheld device for real-time detection of bacteria in food

To ensure the safety of food, a detection device, which can detect/monitor the present of bacteria in a real-time manner and can be easily used for in-field tests, is highly desirable. Recently, magnetostrictive particles (MSPs) as a new type of high-performance biosensor have been developed. The detection of various bacteria and spores in food with high sensitivity has already been experimentally demonstrated. To fully use the technique for food safety, two miniaturized interrogation systems based on frequency-domain and time-domain technique are developed to fabricate a handheld detection device. The detection of Salmonella typhimurium ( S. typhimurium ) in liquid using a time-domain based interrogation system was demonstrated.
Comeback Player of the Year: A Conceptual Model on Former Student-Athletes Returning as Adult Students

Student-athletes endure a myriad of academic challenges upon entering higher education that increase the likelihood of them leaving school without completing their degree. Thousands of student-athletes fail to receive their degree after completing their athletic eligibility (Eckard, 2010), and many of them return as adult students with significantly different life responsibilities. With adult student enrollment on the rise (Carnevale, Smith, & Strohl, 2010), “re-recruiting” these former student-athletes can be crucial for the university. The purpose of this article is to summarize the literature on (a) challenges student-athletes face that may lead to them leaving higher education without a degree, (b) why these former student-athletes come back to higher education, (c) what challenges they encounter when coming back to college, and (d) recommendations on the services and support available from both the university’s athletic department and academic affairs.
EFFECTIVENESS OF CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMIES IN CHANGING THE ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIOR OF CITIZEN PARTICIPANTS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the citzen police academies (CPA) in two cities were effective in changing participants’ attitudes, beliefs, and behavior toward police. Pre-and post-test questionnaires were used to obtain participants’ ratings of their attitudes and beliefs concerning police officers and their willingness to cooperate with police. Participants were also asked to indicate what cooperative behaviors they had actually engaged in before and/or during the CPA. At the end of the CPA, participants in both cities rated themselves as having more positive attitudes toward police, and more willingness to engage in behaviors that would help police. There was also an increase in actual performance of some cooperative behaviors during the CPA. These changes did not seem to be overly dependent on the jurisdiction (large versus small city), the demographics of the CPA participants, or the specific characteristics of the CPA curriculum.
Characterization of the promoter for the rat and human link protein gene

We have isolated the 5'-end of the gene for the rat and human link protein by screening genomic libraries with oligonucleotides corresponding to the 5'-cDNA sequence. Several overlapping clones were isolated for the human link protein gene, while only one clone was obtained for the rat. All the clones contained a single exon of which the sequence was identical to the most 5'-end of the rat and human cDNAs. Transcription initiation sites for the rat link gene were identified by primer extension and S1 protection analysis using total RNA from the rat Swarm chondrosarcoma. Transcriptional initiation sites for the human link gene were determined by specific primer extension of RNA from human fetal cartilage. Comparison of 1500 bp of 5'-flanking sequence between the rat and human link protein genes showed strong sequence conservation near the start site of transcription with 80% overall identity. Analysis of the 5'-flanking regions also revealed a large inverted repeat consisting of repeating purine-pyrimidine, which has the potential to form left-handed Z-DNA. Transcriptional regulation of the link protein gene was studied by coupling either 7.0 kb or 0.85 kb of 5'-flanking rat DNA to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene followed by transfection into chick embryonic chondrocytes (CEC) and HeLa cells. Both constructs had considerable CAT activity in CEC cells and less activity in HeLa cells. Furthermore, inclusion of a DNA fragment from the first intron increased relative CAT activity in both of these cell types. The increased activity from the first intron was shown to be orientation independent in CEC. These results indicate the presence of positive cisacting regulatory elements in both the promoter and first intron of the rat gene for link protein.
Flow Coefficients for the Orifice of a Hydrostatic Bearing

Test results are presented for the flow coefficient of a hydrostatic bearing orifice. Details of the test apparatus and facility are presented. Flow coefficient results were calculated from measurements of orifice leakage and pressure drop. The results presented are for freon, oil, and gaseous nitrogen. The results include both laminar and turbulent flow and show that the flow coefficient is highly Reynolds' number dependent. Presented at the 35th STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida October 16–19, 1989
X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy of transition metal thin films

Abstract A review is given of the principles underlying X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy. The main strengths of the technique are highlighted. They are the quantitative determination of spin and orbital magnetic moments and their anisotropies through sum rule analysis of experimental spectra. A discussion is given why and how the spin and orbital magnetic moments in transition metal thin films are modified relative to the bulk. Selected XMCD results for thin films are discussed. “Non-magnetic” spacer layers sandwiched between magnetic layers are shown to become magnetic. The orbital moment is shown to become anisotropic in thin films, revealing that it is the microscopic origin of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
D-Limonene, Linalool, and Crude Citrus Oil Extracts

Cats are susceptible to poisoning by insecticidal products containing D-limonene, linalool, and crude citrus oil extracts. Signs of toxicosis include hypersalivation, muscle tremors, ataxia, depression, and hypothermia.
The Birth of the Clinic and the Advent of Reproduction: Pregnancy, Pathology and the Medical Gaze in Modernity:

In conjunction with the growing feminist literature on pregnancy and visualization, this paper uses Foucault’s The Birth of the Clinic to demonstrate how the effort to make the interior of the pregnant body visible in medical discourse was a crucial part of the development of the modern medical gaze. In doing so I develop two concurrent arguments. First, I argue that the pathological corpse of the Clinic can conceptually serve as a double for the pregnant body as it emerged in modern medicine in the 20th century. At the same time I use the insights of the Clinic to illustrate changes in pregnancy from early modernity to the 20th century. In early modernity, the pregnant body was understood in terms of generation, as a tree that bears fruit; by the 19th century, the pregnant body was a machine that reproduced the species. This transition can be seen in the overlap of pathology and pregnancy in early modernity, an overlap that continued throughout the 19 century and is inadvertently reinforced through the p...
PCR and Invasive Candidiasis: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Studies of invasive candidiasis (IC) consistently show that a delay of 12 to 48 hours in administering appropriate antifungal therapy is associated with significantly increased all-cause mortality that is independent of other risk factors for mortality. Despite this information, the diagnosis of IC continues to be plagued by the lack of both rapid and sensitive diagnostic tools. Non–culture-based methods, such as the detection of nucleic acids by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed to aid in the diagnosis of IC but are currently not widely available. There is a need for a systematic review of the existing experience with PCR for the diagnosis of IC in order to make a case for the broader application of this potentially valuable technology.
Release of Lateral Buds from Apical Dominance

IT has been shown with isolated stem sections bearing a single bud that the development of this bud can be inhibited by indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA) or other auxins, and this inhibition released by kinetin1. The concentrations of IAA needed are physiological, and the whole phenomenon appears identical with that of normal apical dominance. Nevertheless, the question remains as to whether the same release can be obtained in the intact plant, that is, under conditions of apical dominance sensu stricto.
Reduction in costs of diets for the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), by the use of non-algal supplements

Abstract A series of growth experiments was carried out with juvenile Crassostrea virginica fed algal rations of Thalassiosira pseudonana and Tahitian Isochrysis aff. galbana which were supplemented with yeast and other non-algal foods. The growth of oysters fed algae/yeast diets was mainly dependent on the proportion of algae in the diet, and yeast was not a satisfactory substitute for algae. Oyster growth was only slightly improved when supplements of lipid encapsulated vitamins were added to algae/yeast diets. Rice starch, cheese whey, blood meal, a bacterial fermentation product, a marine shrimp diet, and a trout diet were each tested in combination with algae/yeast diets. Only rice starch and the shrimp diet improved oyster growth compared with the growth of oysters fed on algae/yeast diets alone. However, the addition of kaolinite to each of the supplemented algae/yeast diets resulted in greatly improved growth, which was comparable to that of oysters fed on a 100% algal ration. Food costs of culturing juvenile oysters could be reduced by 56% using a 50% algal ration supplemented with yeast, rice starch and kaolinite instead of using a 100% ration of algae alone.
Tetracene derivatives as potential red emitters for organic LEDs.

As part of our program investigating the use of ethynylated acenes in organic electronics, we have prepared a series of functionalized tetracene derivatives in search of a material with red emission suitable for use in display technologies. A number of such compounds with functionalization on the alkyne and/or the acene ring were easily prepared in one or two steps from commercially available materials. Solution fluorescence quantum efficiencies were generally good for these derivatives, which possessed emission maxima spanning the range 540−637 nm. Simple light-emitting diodes fabricated from these compounds showed that one of the derivatives did exhibit red electroluminescence.
Effect of attic ventilation on the performance of radiant barriers

The objective of the experiments was to quantify how attic ventilation would affect the performance of a radiant barrier. Ceiling heat flux and space cooling load were both measured. Results of side-by-side radiant barrier experiments using two identical 13.38 m[sup 2] (nominal) test houses are presented in this paper. The test houses responded similarly to weather variations. Indoor temperatures of the test houses were controlled to within 0.2 [degrees] C. Ceiling heat fluxes and space cooling load were within a 2.5 percent difference between both test houses. The results showed that a critical attic ventilation flow rate of 1.3 (1/sec)/m[sup 2] of the attic floor existed after which the percentage reduction in ceiling heat fluxes produced by the radiant barriers did not change with increasing attic airflow rates. The ceiling heat flux reductions produced by the radiant barriers were between 25 and 35 percent, with 28 percent being the percent reduction observed most often in the presence of attic ventilation. The space-cooling load reductions observed were between two to four percent. All results compiled in this paper were for attics with unfaced fiberglass insulation with a resistance level of 3.35 m[sup 2]K/W (nominal) and for a perforated radiant barrier withmore » low emissivities (less than 0.05) on both sides.« less
Influences of hyperbaric oxygen on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Background We investigated the influences of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO 2 ) on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and blood glucose level (BGL). Methods Forty one patients with hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), HTN and DM and/or no HTN or DM underwent HBO 2 sessions (15–40 sessions for each patient). SBP, DBP, HR and BGL (for diabetics) were recorded before and after each session. Results HBO 2 caused significant elevation in SBP (11%) and DBP (12%) and a decrease in HR (18%) ( p 2 lowered BGL by 23% ( p 2 caused a marked elevation in SBP and DBP when basal SBP was >140 mmHg. Critical elevation was obtained when SBP was >160 mmHg. The use of beta blockers caused significant elevation of blood pressure while reducing HR. Conclusions HBO 2 causes elevation of blood pressure and lowering of HR and BGL, which were augmented in the presence of HTN, DM, or beta blocker. The use of beta blockers for the management of HTN should be avoided during HBO 2 therapy.
Biplane Center of Gravity Procedures

Biplane center of gravity procedures which determine the vertical projection of the line of gravity in any two planes have been described. The triangular center of gravity platform provides a means...
Cloning of the cDNA and genomic clones for glutathione synthetase from Arabidopsis thaliana and complementation of a gsh2 mutant in fission yeast.

Glutathione is essential for protecting plants from a range of environmental stresses, including heavy metals where it acts as a precursor for the synthesis of phytochelatins. A 1658 bp cDNA clone for glutathione synthetase (gsh2) was isolated fromArabidopsis thaliana plants that were actively synthesizing glutathione upon exposure to cadmium. The sequence of the clone revealed a protein with an estimated molecular mass of 53858 Da that was very similar to the protein from higher eukaryotes, was less similar to the gene from the fission yeast,Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and shared only a small region of similarity with theEscherichia coli protein. A 4.3 kbSstI fragment containing the genomic clone for glutathione synthetase was also isolated and sequenced. A comparison of the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed that the gene was composed of twelve exons.
A Multi-Process User Interface

MENCOM and GLOBAL MENU provide solutions for software engineering problems encountered while implementing VAX/VMS based data acquisition systems at Fermilab. Taken together, this software provides a programming philosophy that is consistent with the needs of both experimenters and DAQ group staff. MENCOM provides a user interface for developing or debugging programs `standalone'. The very same program may then, without even re-linking, be incorporated into a larger system of many processes, governed by the GLOBAL MENU program.
The association between nonmedical use of prescription medication status and change in health-related quality of life: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey

Abstract Background Nonmedical use of prescription medication (NUPM) is associated cross-sectionally with a host of medical and psychosocial consequences. Few studies, however, have examined longitudinal outcomes based on NUPM indicators. This study aimed to address this gap by examining change in health-related quality of life as a function of NUPM status. Methods Data are from waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcoholism and Related Conditions (NESARC) a household-based, nationally-representative survey of the US population. 34,653 participants who completed both NESARC waves were included in analyses. The primary outcome measure was the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), with history of NUPM of opioids, tranquilizer/sedatives and stimulants (examined separately) at wave 1 and any NUPM between waves 1 and 2 used to group participants. Sociodemographic characteristics were used as control variables. Results Across medication classes, results indicated that individuals who initiated NUPM between waves (initiators) had greater declines or smaller increases on many SF-12 scales, when compared to other groups. Individuals with a history of NUPM at wave 1 but no use between waves (quitters) and never users generally had the best outcomes in terms of change in SF-12 scales, with quitters making larger gains (or smaller losses) in mental health-related quality of life. Persistent users were generally intermediate between initiators and quitters or never users. Conclusions These data reinforce the importance of preventing NUPM initiation and of promoting NUPM cessation, highlighting the need for greater use of NUPM-related public health interventions.
Measuring respect in close relationships

We developed a brief rating scale to measure participants’ respect for their romantic partner. Factor analyses (including confirmatory factor analysis) and correlations of Study 1 (N = 257 college participants) data provided initial validation of a 6-item scale entitled the Respect Toward Partner Scale. The scale correlated with several love and sexual attitudes, relationship satisfaction, commitment, and self-disclosure, as hypothesized. Study 2 (N = 214 college participants) employed this new scale, the other measures used in Study 1, and Frei and Shaver’s (2002) Respect for Partner Scale. The two respect measures were correlated; other results were largely consistent with Study 1. Study 3 largely replicated previous results, but with an older, nonstudent sample (N = 236). Respect merits increased attention in future relationship research.
Antifertility effect of gossypol in male Japanese quail

Abstract Conventionally housed 130–160 g adult male Japanese quail were given gossypol acetic acid (gossypol) im at 25 mg/kg in 0.5 ml of 10% EtOH for 12 and 24 days (Groups 1 and 2), respectively. One day after treatment was terminated they were allowed to mate with laying females individually for 20 days. Fertility was 0% from mating of the Group 1 birds on days 1–2 and increased to 25, 35, 55 and 65% on days 3–6 after cessation of gossypol treatment. At day 11, fertility was 80 vs 84% in controls, whereas hatchability was 70% for both. By comparison, eggs from Group 2 mated quail were infertile for up to 20 days after the termination of gossypol treatment. In a parallel experiment, the percent testes to body weight ratio in control and 7, 14, 21, and 28-day gossypol-treated quail was 2.5, 2.2, 1.8, 0.5, and 0.2%, respectively. In 12 vs 24-day treated birds, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after gossypol treatment, the ratios were 1.0 vs 0.5%, 2.0 vs 0.8% and 2.8 vs 1.9%, respectively. The decreased fertility and hatachability, and testicular atrophy resulting from gossypol given to male quail was dose-time related. Furthermore, the androgen-dependent cloacal gland was drastically reduced in size by the treatment with gossypol. The mode of action of gossypol in male quail is different than it is in mammals in that the testicular size of mammals remains unchanged with long-term gossypol treatment. It is concluded that quail may be a useful avian animal model for investigating the antifertility effects of gossypol.
Enamel matrix derivative for replanted teeth in animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on periodontal healing of replanted teeth in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge and Scopus for articles published up to Oct 2012. Animal studies in which EMD was applied in transplanted or replanted teeth with adequate controls and histological data were considered. Normal periodontal healing or root resorption determined by histology after EMD was applied in replanted teeth with adequate controls was used as outcome measures. The following search strategy was used: ('Emdogain' OR 'enamel matrix proteins' OR 'enamel matrix derivative') AND ('avulsion' OR 'transplantion' OR 'autotransplantation' OR 'replantation'). RESULTS Six animal studies were included in the final review. There was great heterogeneity in study design among included studies. Two studies with similar study designs were identified and analyzed by a meta-analysis. The pooled estimates showed a significantly higher normal healing and surface resorption and significantly less inflammatory and replacement resorption in EMD-treated groups compared with non-EMD-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS With the limitations of this systematic review, the use of EMD led to greater normal periodontal healing and surface root resorption and less inflammatory and replacement root resorption in the presence of periodontal ligaments. However, no definite conclusion could be drawn with regard to the effect of EMD on periodontal healing and root resorption when no periodontal ligaments exist.
E-068 Dual Lumen Balloon Assisted Pre-operative Embolization With Onyx for Hypervascular Head and Neck Tumors

Introduction Pre-operative embolization of hypervascular head and neck tumors can be achieved using particulate agents or liquid embolic agents. Particulate agents are preferable due to the lower cost. However, the presence of intra-tumoral arteriovenous shunts in these tumors may occasionally result in shunting of particles to the pulmonary circulation with the risk of pulmonary or paradoxical embolism. Liquid embolic agents too may be shunted to the venous side. Additionally, there may be reflux of liquid embolics into the proximal external carotid artery or the common carotid. Therefore, reducing the flow rate into the tumor during trans arterial injection of a liquid embolic agent as well as preventing unwanted reflux of the liquid embolic agent may be advantageous. Herein, we report our experience in the embolization of hypervascular head and neck tumors with high flow intra-tumoral arteriovenous shunts using a dual lumen balloon microcatheter and Ethylene Vinyl alcohol Co-polymer (Onyx). Material and Methods A series of four patients, 4 patients with glomus jugulare and one with Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (mean age 34 years, 2 males and 2 females) underwent pre-operative tumor embolization. In all patients, transarterial embolization was initially attempted using particle agents. However, the presence of high flow intra-tumoral arteriovenous shunts prevented achievement of tumor ischemia even when large particles (300–500 microns) were used. Thereafter, embolization was performed by navigating a dual lumen Sceptre C balloon microcatheter into one or more of the arterial feeders to the tumor, inflating the balloon and then injecting Onyx 18 into the tumors through the balloon-microcatheter. Results We were successfully able to navigate a 4 × 10 mm Sceptre C balloon microcatheter into one or more arterial feeders arising from the external carotid artery branches (ascending pharyngeal or occipital or internal maxillary arteries) such that the tip of the microcatheter was close to the tumor in each instance. We were then able to achieve excellent penetration of Onyx into the tumor beds in every instance following injection of Onyx 18 after balloon inflation. There was no instance of embolization of Onyx into the draining venous system or the lungs. There was also no instance of reflux of Onyx into the parent artery. There were no immediate clinical complications. Mean fluoroscopy time was 51.2 min (AP and lateral), and all patients subsequently underwent successful tumor resection. Conclusion Balloon assisted Onyx embolization performed by transarterial injection of Onyx through a dual lumen balloon microcatheter may be a safe and efficient alternative to other methods for pre-operative embolization in the case of highly vascular skull base tumors with high flow intra-tumoral arteriovenous shunts. Disclosures S. Mortazavi: None. R. Tummala: None. A. Grande: 2; C; Covidien. S. Moen: None. B. Jagadeesan: 2; C; Microvention, Covidien, Lake Regional.
Sex difference in cellular calcium metabolism of rat hepatocytes and in α-adrenergic activation of glycogen phosphorylase

Abstract Three topics were the subject of these investigations: (i) the difference between males and females in the basal calcium metabolism of hepatocytes; (ii) the source of the calcium which triggers the phosphorylase a stimulation induced by epinephrine through alpha-adrenergic receptors; (iii) the time relation between the rise in phosphorylase activity and the increase in calcium efflux. We found that there was no difference between males and females in total or exchangeable cell calcium. However, there were significant differences in the mitochondrial calcium pool and fluxes measured by steady-state kinetic analyses: they were smaller and the rate constants of mitochondrial calcium influx and efflux were lower in males than in females. The 45Ca content of isolated mitochondria and microsomes was also significantly lower in males than in females. In both males and females, epinephrine stimulated phosphorylase activity and calcium efflux even in the absence of extracellular calcium, indicating that the principal source of calcium which triggers the enzyme stimulation is intracellular. During the first 10 min following stimulation by 10−6 M epinephrine, the total cell calcium, 45Ca and the mitochondrial calcium were significantly depressed in male hepatocytes. After 10 min, these changes were reversed and the cell or mitochondrial calcium content was greater than in controls. In females, on the other hand, changes could only be detected if the cells were transferred to calcium-free media before the stimulation. In both males and females, there was a good temporal relationship between the stimulation of calcium efflux and the rise in phosphorylase a activity when hepatocytes were exposed to increasing concentrations of epinephrine: both rose at least 75% in less than 15 s. We conclude that there are important differences in cellular calcium metabolism between males and females. The rise in cytosolic calcium induced by alpha-adrenergic activation is principally due to a mobilization of calcium from an intracellular pool, probably the mitochondria.
Kinetics and mechanism of back-extraction: selected palladium extraction systems

Abstract The equilibrium and kinetics of back-extraction (stripping) of palladium originally extracted as PdCl2−4 from the chloroform extracts obtained with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN), 7-(4-ethyl-1-methyloctyl)quinolin-8-ol (Kelex 100) or dioctyl sulfide (R2S) were investigated. Replacement of chloride in extracted species by thiocyanate occurs prior to back-extraction. The back-extraction equilibria have been described by Pd(SCN)2(R2S)2(o) + 2SCN−KBX1 Pd(SCN)2−4 + 2R2S(o), with KBX1=10−(1.16±0.05), and Pd(SCN)PAN(o) + 3SCN− + H+KBX2 Pd(SCN)2−4 + PAN(o), with KBX2=104.89±0.06. The rate of stripping from PdPAN and PdKelex 100 displayed an inverse first-order dependence on the solution pH, a second-order dependence on the thiocyanate concentration and was zero order in both the chloride and the organic phase chelate concentration. More complicated kinetics were observed for palladium stripping in the dioctyl sulfide system. In all systems, the enhancement in stripping rate parallels the size of the “trans effect”.
Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase influence oocyte maturation in rats.

TO examine the effect of inhibiting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on the number of ovulated oocytes and on oocyte meiotic maturation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (25 days old) were superovulated with a subcutaneous injection of 10 U pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin, followed 52 hours later by a subcutaneous injection of 10 U human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Three hours before and 3 hours after hCG injection, the rats were treated orally with the vehicle (0.5% methylcellulose) as the control or with either of two NOS inhibitors, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine (L-NIL). The rats were killed 20 hours after hCG injection, and oocytes present in the oviduct were flushed, counted, and classified for stages of meiosis. In addition, ovarian oocytes (12 hours post-hCG) and ovulated oocytes were treated with an immunofluorescent stain for the presence of endothelial NOS (eNOS). Strong positive staining for eNOS was observed in the cytoplasm of ovarian and ovulated oocytes. Control rats ovulated an average 43.0 ± 4.1 oocytes each, which was lowered with either L-NAME or L-NIL (23.8 ± 4.3 and 23.5 ± 4.0 oocytes per rat, respectively; P < .002). We observed that significantly fewer ovulated oocytes obtained from rats treated with NOS inhibitors were at metaphase II (P < .006), the normal stage of meiosis for unfertilized oocytes, and a significantly greater percentage of oocytes displayed atypical morphology as compared with control oocytes (P < .0001). Ovarian nitric oxide synthesis is required for maximal ovulation, and a lack of nitric oxide during the periovulatory period results in severe defects in oocyte maturation.
The Early Effects of Short-Term Dexamethasone Administration on Hepatic and Serum Alanine Aminotransferase in the Rat

Dexamethasone (DEXA) administration has been associated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations that may result from enhanced ALT expression. The aim of our current study was to compare liver vs. serum ALT activity and to examine the onset of any hepatocellular changes. Groups of 4 male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single dose of DEXA or corn oil at 12, 16, and 24 h prior to euthanasia or once-daily for 2, 3, or 4 days. All (nonfasted) rats were necropsied together on Day 5. While DEXA incrementally increased liver ALT activity in the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day treatment groups (maximal, 3.7-fold), liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST) never exceeded 1.4-fold over control. Significant hepatic glycogen elevations were detected after DEXA treatment, which correlated with microscopic observations. Serum ALT, AST, sorbitol dehydrogenase, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) increased after 2, 3, and 4 days of DEXA dosing (1.3-10.3-fold). DEXA-related necropsy findings included pale livers consistent with glycogen deposition. The relative percent liver to body weight was elevated in all DEXA-treated rats. Hepatocellular necrosis was observed in 1/4 rats at 12 h, 2/4 rats at 2 days, 4/4 rats at 3 days, and 3/4 rats at 4 days. DEXA treatment <2 days failed to produce consistent evidence of hepatic injury, as detected by serum biomarkers and pathology assessment. However, early DEXA treatment did correlate with apparent ALT induction. Ultimately, this may explain some early asymptomatic serum ALT elevations seen clinically.
Digital Computer Calculation of Internal Fault Currents in a Synchronous Machine

A synchronous machine with a fault in its armature winding may be represented by an equivalent circuit in three symmetrical components. The line and neutral terminals of the equivalent circuit are connected to a system network in each sequence. The fault point of the positive sequence is connected to the neutral of the negative sequence, and so forth, representing a single phase- to-ground, or turn-to-turn, fault. Electromotive forces behind the corresponding reactance are introduced in every branch of the positive-sequence network of the faulty machine and an equivalent electromotive force of the system is considered. The resulting network consists of three loops with four electromotive forces. The calculation of the current flow in this network is programmed for solution on the IBM-7090 digital computer.
Temperature effects on toxicity of synergized carbamate insecticides on house flies.

Carbaryl, Pyrolan® (3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolyl dimethylcarbamate) and N -methyl m -isopropylphenyl carbamate (IPC) are slightly more toxic to house flies, Musca domestica L., at 30° than at 20° (positive temperature coefficient) in the absence of synergists. When large doses of scsamex or of the selective amine synergists 2,4-dichloronaphthoxyethyl diethylamine and 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxyethyl diethylamine are applied, the toxicity of all 3 carbamates is greatly increased but the temperature coefficient becomes zero or slightly negative. Flies reared from the early pupal stage at 20° are somewhat more resistant to synergized carbaryl and IPC, but not to Pyrolan, than flies reared at 30°.
Timecourse of coactivation in bimodal divided attention

Reaction time distributions were obtained from practiced subjects in a go/no-go detection task with attention divided across the visual and auditory modalities. Redundant signals were sometimes presented asynchronously on the two modalities, with the time between signals varying from 0 to 167 msec. An extension of the inequality derived by Miller (1982) was used to test between separate-decisions models, in which the response is initiated solely by whichever signal is detected first, and coactivation models, in which both signals contribute to the activation of a single response. As in previous studies with bimodal detection tasks, the results contradicted separate-decisions models and favored coactivation models. The largest violations of separate-decisions models were observed when the visual signal was presented 67–100 msec before the auditory signal. A new inequality was also derived to discriminate between two classes of coactivation models that differ about whether responses are generated by processes combining activation across time as well as across signals. Violations of this inequality ruled out exponential coactivation models, in which activation processes are sensitive only to the instantaneous properties of the signal(s). Instead, the results require an accumulation model of coactivation, in which both signals provide input to a process that accumulates activation over a considerable period of time, even if signal conditions change during that time.
Copy number variation and human genome maps

Maps of human genome copy number variation (CNV) are maturing into useful resources for complex disease genetics. Four new studies increase the resolution of CNV maps and seek to locate human phenotypic variation on these maps.
Experimental production of tuberculous pericarditis.

SummaryTuberculous pericarditis was produced in sensitized rabbits by the intra-pericardial injection of live bovine tubercle bacilli.
De la chute du mur de Berlin au 11 septembre 2001: le journal télévisé, les memoires collectives et l’écriture de l’histoire

Katharina Niemeyer Lausanne Editions Antipodes, 2011 342 pp., bibliography, 30.00 EUR (paper) Hegel once remarked that reading the morning newspaper was the realist’s morning prayer. Katharina Niem...
The rheumatoid factor activity of dextran eluates of erythrocytes and platelets.

A material which can cause agglutination of latex particles can be eluted by dextran from erythrocytes and platelets obtained from normal humans, from patients with non-rheumatoid diseases, and from rabbit erythrocytes. A report by others had suggested that such an eluate was a rheumatoid factor. The lack of disease specificity suggests that this agglutinating substance may differ from rheumatoid factor. A substance eluted from platelets by dextran appears to be rheumatoid factor. Un material capace a causar agglutination de particulas de latex pote esser eluite per medio de dextrano ab erythrocytos e plachettas obtenite ab humanos normal, ab patientes con morbos non rheumatoidee, e ab erythrocytos de conilio. Un reporto de altere autores suggere que un tal eluato es un factor rheumatoidee. Le absentia de specificitate morbic suggere que iste substantia agglutinatori differe ab factor rheumatoidee. Un substantia eluite ab plachettas per dextrano pare esser factor rheumatoidee.
Effects of sediment-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on feeding behavior in juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus Lacépède: Pisces)

Abstract Juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus Lacepede) feed by obtaining sediment and manipulating it in its buccal cavity to remove meiobenthic prey. As meiofaunal densities increase, spot increase their number of feeding strikes and manipulation (processing) time. We used these behaviors to determine the effects of sediment contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the ability of spot to use meiofauna as prey. Laboratory experiments were conducted with produced-water (at 22 mg PAH kg−1 dry sediment) and diesel-contaminated (at 122 mg PAH kg−1 dry sediment) sediments. In an avoidance experiment (at 22 ppm PAH), spot were allowed to choose between contaminated and uncontaminated sediment in the same aquarium to determine if they were capable of detecting and avoiding PAH. Based on the location and pattern of feeding strikes, spot did not avoid contaminated sediments. Two selectivity experiments were conducted to determine whether sediment-bound PAH interfere with spot's ability to locate and utilize high-density patches of meiofauna. In sediments contaminated at 22 ppm PAH, significant differences were found among meiofauna densities in mean per-strike processing times. Cumulative processing time (a function of per-strike processing time and the number of strikes) was not affected by 22 ppm PAH. Burrowing avoidance by meiofauna may have contributed to a non-significant increase in feeding strikes in contaminated sediment. At 122 ppm PAH, cumulative processing time significantly decreased in contaminated sediments due to decreased feeding strikes. Seven out of ten fish stopped feeding before the end of 30 min feeding trials, probably due to a narcotic effect of PAH released into the water column as sediments were resuspended during feeding. Spot did not alter feeding behavior at moderate–high PAH concentrations, which puts them at risk for both sublethal and lethal effects – immune-system suppression, reduced growth, endocrine disorders, fin erosion, skin lesions, cataracts, and ultimately death.
A multi-decision procedure related to the analysis of single degrees of freedom

This note gives the derivations of optimum invariant multi-decision rules for certain problems relevant to the analysis of factorial experiments on the basis only of a set of “orthogonal contrasts,” in the absence of an unbiased estimator of the variance. The results are of interest in comparison with the graphical method of analysis of such experimental results, developed by Daniel [1] and the present writer [2]. In addition these multi-decision rules are applicable to restricted cases of the slippage-test problem treated by Paulson [3]. It is shown that ify1, ⋯,y m are observed values of independent normally distributed statistics with unknown common variance, with at most one statistic having non-zero expected value, then the (m+1)-decision rule: “If max i \({{y_i^2 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{y_i^2 } {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^m {y_i^2< c} }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^m {y_i^2< c} }}\) (a constant), conclude that all m statistics have zero means; otherwise conclude that the expected value corresponding to max i y i 2 is non-zero,” is optimum among symmetric invariant rules. The case in which two expected values may be non-zero is also considered.