cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opiate receptor mediated hyperthermic responses in rat following Ca++ channel antagonists.

Abstract The effects of morphine sulfate on rectal temperature and on Ca++-stimulated Mg++ATPase activity in crude synaptosomal fraction (P2) of cortex, hypothalamus and cerebellum were investigated in rat. Morphine (3–15 mg/kg, SC) produced hyperthermia at 30–120 min after the drug administration. The Ca++/Mg++ ATPase activity in hypothalamus and cortex was decreased while there was no change in Mg++ATPase activity. The enzyme activity in cerebellum was not affected. The opiate antagonist naloxone hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, SC) antagonized the effect of morphine on rectal temperature and Ca++/Mg++ATPase activity. The effects of different calcium channel antagonists (nimodipine 1 mg/kg, verapamil 2,5 mg/kg and diltiazem 10 mg/kg, SC) on the changes induced by morphine were also investigated. These antagonists not only antagonized morphine hyperthermia, but also the inhibitory effect of morphine on Ca++/Mg++ATPase activity in hypothalamus. The calcium channel agonist BAY K8644 (3 mg/kg, SC) produced hypothermia and also stimulation of Ca++/Mg++ATPase activity in hypothalamus. Naloxone failed to alter these effects of BAY K8644. These studies demonstrate that Ca++ transport in hypothalamus, as indicated by Ca++/Mg++ATPase activity, plays an important role in thermoregulation and thermoregulatory changes induced by opiates.
Intensity of Aggression in the Crayfish, Orconectes virilis (Hagen)

PREVIOUS studies on dominance hierarchies in crayfish examined the parts played by size, sex and age1–3, but none has dealt with the influence of specific postures on the intensity of aggressive encounters. We sought to determine whether aggressive postures represented threat displays, and whether a posture could be an indicator of the intensity of the ensuing encounter.
Comparison of the Effects of Hypothermia at 33°C or 35°C after Cardiac Arrest in Rats

Objectives Hypothermia of 32 degrees C-34 degrees C induced after resuscitation from cardiac arrest improves neurologic recovery, but the optimal depth of cooling is unknown. Using a rat model, the authors tested the hypothesis that cooling to 35 degrees C between hours 1 and 24 after resuscitation would improve neurologic outcome as much as cooling to 33 degrees C. Methods Halothane-anesthetized rats (n = 38) underwent 8 minutes of asphyxial cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Cranial temperature was maintained at 37 degrees C before, during, and after arrest. Between one and 24 hours after resuscitation, cranial temperature was maintained at 33 degrees C, 35 degrees C, or 37 degrees C using computer-controlled cooling fans and heating lamps. Neurologic scores were measured daily, and rats were killed at 14 days for histologic analysis. Neurons per high-powered field were counted in the CA1 region of the anterior hippocampus using neuronal nuclear antigen staining. Results After 14 days, 12 of 12 rats (100%) cooled to 33 degrees C, 11 of 12 rats (92%) cooled to 35 degrees C, and ten of 14 rats (71%) cooled to 37 degrees C survived, with hazard of death greater in the rats cooled to 37 degrees C than in the combined hypothermia groups. Neurologic scores were worse in the rats cooled to 37 degrees C than in the hypothermia groups on days 1, 2, and 3. Numbers of surviving neurons were similar between the groups cooled to 33 degrees C and 35 degrees C and were higher than in the group cooled to 37 degrees C. Conclusions These data illustrate that hypothermia of 35 degrees C or 33 degrees C over the first day of recovery improves neurologic scores and neuronal survival after cardiac arrest in rats. The benefit of induced hypothermia of 35 degrees C appears to be similar to the benefit of 33 degrees C.
Optimal interceptor for frequency-hopped DPSK waveform

In this paper we study the optimal interceptor for a frequency-hopped binary differential phase shift keying (FH-DPSK) waveform. We derive the detection algorithm based on the maximum likelihood principle. The likelihood ratios of all signal levels-the chip (symbol), hop, frame, and message level are thoroughly derived. The complete block diagram of the optimal interceptor is presented. We show an approximation of the optimal interceptor, illustrating the underlying operation principles. Furthermore, we propose a novel performance evaluation approach and illustrate it through numerical examples. The optimal interceptor and the well-known filler-bank combiner (FBC) interceptor are compared in performance. Under the considered detection quality requirements and the transmission modes, the gain ranges from 1 to 7 dB.
Interaction between protein phosphatase 2A and members of the importin β superfamily

While performing a yeast two-hybrid library screen to uncover novel PP2A-interacting proteins, we discovered a specific interaction between a member of the importin beta/karyopherin beta superfamily, importin 9, and the A subunit of PP2A (PR65). This interaction between importin 9 and the A subunit was confirmed by in vitro pulldown, immunoprecipitation, and microcystin-Sepharose chromatography. We also found that another family member, importin beta, interacted specifically with the A subunit of PP2A. Finally, we showed that treatment of cells with a concentration of okadaic acid known to inhibit PP2A impeded the nuclear localization of an NLS-containing protein. These results provide evidence that these importins can exist in a native complex with endogenous PP2A and that this serine/threonine phosphatase plays a role in regulating the nuclear import of NLS-containing proteins in vivo.
Improved-Processing GR-S by Variations in Compounding

Abstract The data indicate that treating GR-S for 5 minutes in the Banbury at 380° F in the presence of the combinations of cross-linking agents listed brings about improvement in processing and stress-strain properties, equal or superior to those produced by sulfur and Captax together. In turn, this GR-S polymer, treated with sulfur and Captax, was shown to be superior to GR-S-60 and to GR-S-60/GR-S blends in ratios higher than 30/70, after mastication and compounding of the polymers in a hot Banbury at about 380° F. The properties of the sulfur-Captax cross-linked GR-S closely approached the excellent processibility and excelled the poor stress-strain characteristics of GR-S-60 compounded by milling at normal temperatures.
Was Arthur Andersen Different? An Empirical Examination of Major Accounting Firms' Audits of Large Clients

Enron and other corporate financial scandals focused attention on the accounting industry in general and on Arthur Andersen in particular. Part of the policy response to Enron, the criminal prosecution of Andersen, eliminated one of the few major audit firms capable of auditing many large, public corporations. This article explores whether Andersen's performance, as measured by frequency of financial restatements, measurably differed from that of other large auditors. Financial restatements trigger significant negative market reactions and their frequency can be viewed as a measure of accounting performance. We analyze the financial restatement activity of approximately 1,000 large, public firms from 1997 through 2001. After controlling for client size, region, time, and industry, we find no evidence that Andersen's performance significantly differed from that of other large accounting firms.
Two earner family migration: a search theoretic approach.

This paper represents the first attempt to model the two earner family decision to migrate using a joint search theoretic approach. In so doing, the paradox of a couple whose members would both migrate if single but decide not to migrate because they are married to each other is discovered and explained. Furthermore the impact of the rising number of working women and reentry of wives into the labor force on the extent and regional pattern of migration is discussed. Extensions to the model are addressed, as well as future avenues of research, both theoretical and empirical. It is suggested that the search theoretic approach, not previously applied to models of family migration, is the most appropriate.
Cerebrospinal Fluid IL-12p40, CXCL13 and IL-8 as a Combinatorial Biomarker of Active Intrathecal Inflammation

Diagnosis and management of the neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are hindered by the lack of reliable biomarkers of active intrathecal inflammation. We hypothesized that measuring several putative inflammatory biomarkers simultaneously will augment specificity and sensitivity of the biomarker to the clinically useful range. Based on our pilot experiment in which we measured 18 inflammatory biomarkers in 10-fold concentrated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derived from 16 untreated patients with highly active multiple sclerosis (MS) we selected a combination of three CSF biomarkers, IL-12p40, CXCL13 and IL-8, for further validation. Concentrations of IL-12p40, CXCL13 and IL-8 were determined in a blinded fashion in CSF samples from an initial cohort (n = 72) and a confirmatory cohort (n = 167) of prospectively collected, untreated subjects presenting for a diagnostic work-up of possible neuroimmunological disorder. Diagnostic conclusion was based on a thorough clinical workup, which included laboratory assessment of the blood and CSF, neuroimaging and longitudinal follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA), which was used to combine information from all three biomarkers, assessed the diagnostic value of measured biomarkers. Each of the three biomarkers was significantly increased in MS and other inflammatory neurological disease (OIND) in comparison to non-inflammatory neurological disorder patients (NIND) at least in one cohort. However, considering all three biomarkers together improved accuracy of predicting the presence of intrathecal inflammation to the consistently good to excellent range (area under the ROC curve = 0.868–0.924). Future clinical studies will determine if a combinatorial biomarker consisting of CSF IL-12p40, CXCL13 and IL-8 provides utility in determining the presence of active intrathecal inflammation in diagnostically uncertain cases and in therapeutic development and management.
Successful Conversion of TandemHeart Left Ventricular Assist Device to Right Ventricular Assist Device After Implantation of a HeartMate XVE

A 60-year-old man with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction, 10%) was admitted in cardiogenic shock, which was unresponsive to maximum inotropes and an intraaortic balloon pump. The TandemHeart (TH) left ventricular assist device (Cardiac Assist Inc, Pittsburgh, PA) was placed in the standard percutaneous transseptal configuration with improved hemodynamics. The HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) implantation was performed as a bridge to transplant 5 days after TandemHeart insertion. The TandemHeart was converted to a temporary right ventricular assist device during the HeartMate XVE (Thoratec Corp) implantation due to right ventricular failure. The right ventricular assist device was weaned 3 days later. This strategy was useful, technically easy, and cost effective.
Reactions of Tributylstannyl Anionoids with Alkyl Bromides

Abstract The reactions of tributylstannyl anionoids (BU3SnM, M  Li, K, Cs) with alkyl bromides have been studied. Tributylstannyl-potassium and -cesium were prepared by deprotonation of tributyltin hydride with the mixed deprotonating agents potassium (cesium) diisopropylamide/lithium t-butoxide. The most likely mechanism for alkylation of tributylstannyl anionoids by primary bromides is an SN2 displacement or its mechanistic equivalent. Dicyclohexylphosphine, which serves as a trapping agent for intermediate free radicals, was found to react relatively slowly with tributylstannyllithium to give hexabutylditin. This reaction points out a limitation in the use of dialkylphosphines as trapping agents.
Tyrosine substitutions resulting from suppression of amber mutants of iso-1-cytochrome c in yeast.

The suppressors SUP6-2 and SUP7-2 can cause the production of approxi- mately 25 to 60% of the normal amount of iso-1-cytochrome c when they are coupled to the amber (UAG) mutants cy1–179 and cy1–76. The iso-1-cytochromes c contain residues of tyrosine at the positions which correspond to the sites of the amber codons. SUP6-2 and SUP7-2 do not suppress ochre (UAA) mutants. The SUP6-2 and the SUP7-2 genes are apparently alleles of the SUP6-1 and SUP7-1 genes, respectively, which cause the insertion of tyrosine at ochre (UAA) codons (ochre-specific suppressors). It is suggested that the gene products of the allelic amber suppressors and ochre-specific suppressors (the SUP6-1 and SUP6-2 suppressors and theSUP7-1 andSUP7-2 suppressors) are two differently altered forms of the same tyrosine tRNA.
The long and short of it: the influence of N-carboxyethyl versusN-carboxymethyl pendant arms on in vitro and in vivo behavior of copper complexes of cross-bridged tetraamine macrocycles.

A cross-bridged cyclam ligand bearing two N-carboxymethyl pendant arms (1) has been found to form a copper(II) complex that exhibits significantly improved biological behavior in recent research towards 64Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals. Both the kinetic inertness and resistance to reduction of Cu–1 are believed to be relevant to its enhanced performance. To explore the influence of pendant arm length on these properties, new cross-bridged cyclam and cyclen ligands with longer N-carboxyethyl pendant arms, 2 and 4, and their respective copper(II) complexes have been synthesized. Both mono- as well as di-O-protonated forms of Cu–2 have also been isolated and structurally characterized. The spectral and structural properties of Cu–2 and Cu–4, their kinetic inertness in 5 M HCl, and electrochemical behavior have been obtained and compared to those of their N-carboxymethyl-armed homologs, Cu–1 and Cu–3. Only the cyclam-based Cu–1 and Cu–2 showed unusually high kinetic inertness towards acid decomplexation. While both of these complexes also exhibited quasi-reversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) reductions, Cu–2 is easier to reduce by a substantial margin of +400 mV, bringing it within the realm of physiological reductants. Similarly, of the cyclen-based complexes, Cu–4 is also easier to reduce than Cu–3 though both reductions are irreversible. Biodistribution studies of 64Cu-labeled 2 and 4 were performed in Sprague Dawley rats. Despite comparable acid inertness to their shorter-armed congeners, both longer-armed ligand complexes have poorer bio-clearance properties. This inferior in vivo behavior may be a consequence of their higher reduction potentials.
Swallowing Dysfunction in Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Several studies have suggested that swallowing dysfunction and pulmonary aspiration occur in patients receiving prolonged ventilation. However, the incidence of swallowing dysfunction, its rate of resolution, and the sensitivity of tests used to characterize swallowing abnormalities are not well defined. The goals of our study were to evaluate swallowing function in this group of patients by (1) defining the specific swallowing abnormalities that occur in this patient population, (2) comparing the sensitivity of bedside evaluations to modified barium swallow with videofluoroscopy (MBS/VF), (3) performing endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway to characterize glottic function during swallowing, (4) evaluating the relationship between swallowing dysfunction and neuromuscular disorders, and (5) studying the temporal resolution of swallowing abnormalities. Swallowing function was evaluated in 35 patients receiving prolonged ventilation ( ie , ≥3 weeks) admitted to a specialized rehabilitation unit dedicated to the care of patients requiring prolonged ventilation. The average age of the 35 patients was 61 ±15 years. The total duration of intubation at the time of the initial swallowing evaluation was 29 ±34 days via a cuffed tracheostomy tube and 15 ±9 days via an endotracheal tube. Neuromuscular disorders were present in 16 patients (45%). Thirty-four percent of the patients had at least one swallowing abnormality detected by bedside examination. Results of bedside swallowing examination were abnormal in 31% of patients with a neuromuscular disorder and 37% of patients without a neuromuscular disorder. MBS/VF was abnormal in 83% of patients (85% in patients with and 80% in patients without a neuromuscular disorder). Results of early (
Peak Learning Experiences and Language Learning: A Study of American Learners of Japanese

This study aimed at exploring motivational factors among American college and university students studying Japanese (as a second/foreign) language by examining their Peak Learning Experiences (Anderson et al., 2001; Bloom, 1982). In all, 128 students studying intermediate Japanese at five different schools returned their answers to this study’s survey questionnaire. They were asked to write about (1) the most helpful/encouraging experience that had assisted them in learning Japanese and (2) the most difficult/discouraging experience that had prevented them from learning it well. The most frequently mentioned ‘positive’ Peak Learning Experiences (PLEs) were (1) being understood by native speakers of Japanese (58%), (2) the enthusiasm and patience of the teachers (13%), (3) classroom immersion in authentic Japanese materials (12%) and (4) use of authentic materials in the classroom (8%). The most common ‘negative’ Peak Learning Experiences (NLEs) for students were when they failed to see any progress in the...
Thrombospondin-1, a natural inhibitor of angiogenesis, is present in vitreous and aqueous humor and is modulated by hyperglycemia.

Negative regulators of angiogenesis play a major role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) is a natural inhibitor of angiogenesis. This report examines the presence of TSP1 in ocular samples and determines whether its production is altered in diabetes. Western blot analysis detected a 140 kDa antiangiogenic fragment of TSP1(gp140) in vitreous samples prepared from normal human and rat eyes. Intact TSP1 was detected in aqueous humor samples prepared from normal rat and bovine eyes. In contrast, TSP1 was virtually absent in vitreous and aqueous humor samples prepared from diabetic rat eyes. Furthermore, production of TSP1 by microvascular endothelial cells in culture was sensitive to high concentrations of glucose. Retinal blood vessels appeared nonuniform and dilated in diabetic animals when compared to control animals. These results demonstrate that TSP1 and its antiangiogenic fragment are present in aqueous humor and vitreous of normal rat eyes and are dramatically reduced in diabetes. Thus, TSP1 may play a role in ocular vascular homeostasis and its absence may contribute to vascular dysfunctions associated with diabetes.
Signalling and phosphorus: correlations between mate signalling effort and body elemental composition in crickets

Recent findings in the field of ecological stoichiometry indicate that the relationships among key macronutrient elements (e.g. carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) of organisms and their resources may underlie variation in fitness-conferring behaviours. The amount of phosphorus in an individual’s body is often correlated with its rate of growth and reproduction, and low-phosphorus diets are known to reduce growth in a number of insect and crustacean herbivores. These findings suggest that the stoichiometric imbalance between organismal biomass requirements and the relative scarcity of nutrients in nature may underlie variation in condition-dependent behaviours. Here we investigate relationships between body elemental composition and long-distance mate attraction signals produced by male Texas field crickets, Gryllus texensis. Signalling was strongly and positively correlated with the percentage of phosphorus present in the body, but was not correlated with the percentage of carbon or nitrogen present. We also found evidence suggesting that callers and noncalling satellites differ in their elemental composition. To our knowledge, our data are the first to indicate that there may be a relationship between total body phosphorus content and a sexually selected trait. We present a preliminary evaluation of proximate hypotheses to account for the observed patterns. Our results indicate that a stoichiometric perspective may help us to understand the causes of variation in behaviour.
The Adaptive Significance of Cultural Behavior

In this article, I argue that human social behavior is a product of the coevolution of human biology and culture. While critical of attempts by anthropologists to explain cultural practices as if they were independent of the ability of individual human beings to survive and reproduce, I am also leery of attempts by biologists to explain the consistencies between neo-Darwinian theory and cultural behavior as the result of natural selection for that behavior. Instead, I propose that both biological and cultural attributes of human beings result to a large degree from the selective retention of traits that enhance the inclusive fitnesses of individuals in their environments. Aspects of human biology and culture may be adaptive in the same sense despite differences between the mechanisms of selection and regardless of their relative importance in the evolution of a trait. The old idea that organic and cultural evolution are complementary can thus be used to provide new explanations for why people do what they do.
Missense mutation in Btk Exon 15 results in variant X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) with mild clinical phenotype

Abstract Rationale Classic XLA is characterized by recurrent viral and bacterial infections, paucity or absence of peripheral lymphoid tissue, absence of circulating B cells, marked depression of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM; absent specific antibody production and mutations in the Btk gene. We report a variant form of XLA with partial B cell function resulting from a mutation in Exon 15 of the Btk gene. Methods Phenotyping was performed by standard flow cytometry. Immunoglobulin and specific antibody levels were performed in CLIA certified laboratories. Btk expression was screened by flow cytometry on platelets and mutation analysis was performed using dye termination sequencing of cDNA and gDNA. Results The proband presented at 7 yo with pneumonia, a history of croup at 18 mo and mild cellulitis at 6 yo but no other serious infections. He had normal growth and development and immunizations were current. At presentation his IgG, A, and M were 671, 192, 5.1 mg/dl respectively with normal IgG subclasses. Diphtheria and tetanus antibody levels were normal. Flow studies showed Conclusions This report extends the spectrum of XLA and provides insight into the role of Btk protein in humoral immunity.
The Small GTP-Binding Protein RhoA Regulates a Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel

Abstract Tyrosine kinases activated by G protein–coupled receptors can phosphorylate and thereby suppress the activity of the delayed rectifier potassium channel Kv1.2. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified the small GTP-binding protein RhoA as a necessary component in this process. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that RhoA associates with Kv1.2. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that overexpression of RhoA markedly reduced the basal current generated by Kv1.2 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Furthermore, in 293 cells expressing Kv1.2 and m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, inactivating RhoA using C3 exoenzyme blocked the ability of m1 receptors to suppress Kv1.2 current. Therefore, these results demonstrate that RhoA regulates Kv1.2 activity and is a central component in the mechanism of receptor-mediated tyrosine kinase–dependent suppression of Kv1.2.
Fish communities in a diked Lake Erie wetland and an adjacent undiked area

Most (84%) of Ohio’s remaining Lake Erie wetlands are diked to maximize food production and habitat for migrating waterfowl. Typically these wetlands are partially drained during spring and refilled the following fall. Fish populations have not been managed extensively, probably because few quantitative data are available on fish communities in diked wetlands and on how water-level manipulations affect these communities. We used trap nets to sample fish monthly (April–August) in diked West Marsh and in the formerly diked Muddy Creek Bay. We compared fish communities on the basis of species richness, composition, and equitability; relative abundance; and mean length and body condition of species common to both areas. We collected 23 species from the diked area and 40 species from the undiked area. Although there were more species collected in the undiked area, species equitability was greater in the diked wetland. The five most abundant species in the diked wetland were white crappiePomoxis annularis, brown bullheadAmieurus nebulosus, black bullheadA. melas, goldfishCarassius auratus, and common carpCyprinis carpio. The dominant species in the undiked area were white perchMorone americana, gizzard shadDorosoma cepedianum, white crappie, brown bullhead, and yellow perchPerca flavescens. Neither area contained a classical, diverse wetland fish community. Mean lengths of white crappie, common carp, goldfish, and brown bullhead were significantly greater from the undiked area during all months. Body condition indices of > 150 mm white crappies and > 225 mm brown bullheads were significantly greater in the undiked area after June The large differences in length and condition indices indicate that fish communities in the diked wetland may be biologically isolated from those in the adjacent undiked area. This has management implications given that an almost complete exchange of water occurs annually and could result in extensive movement of fish in and out of the diked wetland. Management strategies compatible with or enhancing existing wildlife management strategies need to be developed for improving fish communities in diked wetlands and enhancing their contribution to Lake Erie.
Analysis of troponin I levels after spontaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks.

Troponin I Levels After Spontaneous ICD Shocks.Introduction: Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive and specific marker for myocardial injury. Myocardial ischemia and/or injury can be a trigger for ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and significance of elevated serum cTnI levels after spontaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks. Methods and Results: Serial cTnI measurements and ECGs were performed in 35 patients with transvenous ICDs who were admitted after spontaneous ICD shocks. Elevated cTnI levels were found in 18 patients (51%). Acute coronary syndrome was diagnosed in 5 (22%) of 23 patients with known coronary artery disease. After excluding the patients with acute coronary syndrome, elevated cTnI levels were present in 13 (43%) of 30 patients: 18% of patients with 3 shocks. Patients with elevated cTnI levels received a higher number of shocks (16 ± 18 vs 5 ± 7; P < 0.05) and had higher total delivered energies (475 ± 538 J vs 128 ± 184 J; P < 0.05) compared with patients with normal cTnI. Patients with acute coronary syndrome had higher peak cTnI levels (18 ± 16 ng/mL) compared with patients with elevated cTnI without acute coronary syndrome (3.8 ± 4.3 ng/mL; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Serum cTnI rises occur in the majority of patients after multiple (> 3) spontaneous ICD discharges but are due to acute coronary syndrome only 14% of the time (22% of the time in patients with known coronary artery disease).
The Use of Staples in Dermatologic Surgery

Staples are an excellent form of wound closure for certain types of cutaneous surgery, namely, scalp reductions, application of split-thickness grafts, axillary vault resections, and truncal excisions. Various staplers currently in use, their advantages and disadvantages, are reviewed in the context of these aforementioned procedures.
Clinical decision-making tools for exam selection, reporting and dose tracking

Although many efforts have been made to reduce the radiation dose associated with individual medical imaging examinations to "as low as reasonably achievable," efforts to ensure such examinations are performed only when medically indicated and appropriate are equally if not more important. Variations in the use of ionizing radiation for medical imaging are concerning, regardless of whether they occur on a local, regional or national basis. Such variations among practices can be reduced with the use of decision support tools at the time of order entry. These tools help reduce radiation exposure among practices through the appropriate use of medical imaging. Similarly, adoption of best practices among imaging facilities can be promoted through tracking the radiation exposure among imaging patients. Practices can benchmark their aggregate radiation exposures for medical imaging through the use of dose index registries. However several variables must be considered when contemplating individual patient dose tracking. The specific dose measures and the variation among them introduced by variations in body habitus must be understood. Moreover the uncertainties in risk estimation from dose metrics related to age, gender and life expectancy must also be taken into account.
Complex collagen fiber and membrane morphologies of the whole porcine aortic valve.

Objectives Replacement aortic valves endeavor to mimic native valve function at the organ, tissue, and in the case of bioprosthetic valves, the cellular levels. There is a wealth of information about valve macro and micro structure; however, there presently is limited information on the morphology of the whole valve fiber architecture. The objective of this study was to provide qualitative and quantitative analyses of whole valve and leaflet fiber bundle branching patterns using a novel imaging system. Methods We developed a custom automated microscope system with motor and imaging control. Whole leaflets (n = 25) were imaged at high resolution (e.g. 30,000×20,000 pixels) using elliptically polarized light to enhance contrast between structures without the need for staining or other methods. Key morphologies such as fiber bundle size and branching were measured for analyses. Results The left coronary leaflet displayed large asymmetry in fiber bundle organization relative to the right coronary and non-coronary leaflets. We observed and analyzed three main patterns of fiber branching; tree-like, fan-like, and pinnate structures. High resolution images and quantitative metrics are presented such as fiber bundle sizes, positions, and branching morphological parameters. Significance To our knowledge there are currently no high resolution images of whole fresh leaflets available in the literature. The images of fiber/membrane structures and analyses presented here could be highly valuable for improving the design and development of more advanced bioprosthetic and/or bio-mimetic synthetic valve replacements.
The effect of day and night temperatures on bud initiation and flowering in diploid potatoes

Eight clones from a diploid hybrid population ofSolanum tuberosum subsp.phureja andstenotomum were grown at the Southeastern Plant Environmental Laboratories under simulated long day conditions under six day/night temperature regimes: 22/18, 22/14, 22/10, 26/18, 26/14 and 26/10 C.
Evaluation of SAR ATR

The application and utility of multivariate data analysis techniques to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognizer (ATR) analysis and design is demonstrated on synthetically generated image data sets from the Xpatch scattering prediction code. The multivariate techniques and tools demonstrated include sampling interval estimation, intrinsic dimensionality estimation, nonparametric Bayes error estimation for performance evaluation, and estimation of the number of Gaussian modes that approximate the data sets. The utility of these techniques and tools to SAR ATR analysis and design are elucidated through quantitative results and discussions. The analysis techniques and tools discussed are enhancements of earlier ones that have been successfully applied to data sets consisting of a small number of samples of moderate dimensionality. References are given to those earlier reports that describe these methods, their theory, and earlier results. This paper focuses on the analysis and results of the enhanced methods and tools as applied to SAR data sets consisting of a small number of samples of large dimensionality. A considerable synergy of these combined multivariate statistical tools and image simulation tools is demonstrated. A general and powerful methodology for the quantification and evaluation of SAR ATR designs based upon a combination of these analysis and simulation tools is proposed.
Hyperuniformity, quasi-long-range correlations, and void-space constraints in maximally random jammed particle packings. I. Polydisperse spheres.

Hyperuniform many-particle distributions possess a local number variance that grows more slowly than the volume of an observation window, implying that the local density is effectively homogeneous beyond a few characteristic length scales. Previous work on maximally random strictly jammed sphere packings in three dimensions has shown that these systems are hyperuniform and possess unusual quasi-long-range pair correlations decaying as ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, resulting in anomalous logarithmic growth in the number variance. However, recent work on maximally random jammed sphere packings with a size distribution has suggested that such quasi-long-range correlations and hyperuniformity are not universal among jammed hard-particle systems. In this paper, we show that such systems are indeed hyperuniform with signature quasi-long-range correlations by characterizing the more general local-volume-fraction fluctuations. We argue that the regularity of the void space induced by the constraints of saturation and strict jamming overcomes the local inhomogeneity of the disk centers to induce hyperuniformity in the medium with a linear small-wave-number nonanalytic behavior in the spectral density, resulting in quasi-long-range spatial correlations scaling with ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}(d+1)}$ in $d$ Euclidean space dimensions. A numerical and analytical analysis of the pore-size distribution for a binary maximally random jammed system in addition to a local characterization of the $n$-particle loops governing the void space surrounding the inclusions is presented in support of our argument. This paper is the first part of a series of two papers considering the relationships among hyperuniformity, jamming, and regularity of the void space in hard-particle packings.
Study of direct-photon and pion production

We present comparisons of high-pT photon and pion production in hadronic interactions with expectations from next-to-leading order perturbative QCD (NLO pQCD). We also comment on phenomenological models of kT smearing (which approximate effects of additional soft-gluon emission) and on the status of resummation calculations.
Two pathways for the degradation of the H2 subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum

An intermediate of 35 kD accumulates transiently during ER degradation of the H2 subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor; it is derived by an endoproteolytic cleavage in the exoplasmic domain near the transmembrane region. In the presence of cycloheximide all of the precursor H2 is converted to this intermediate, which is degraded only after cycloheximide is removed (Wikstrom, L., and H. F. Lodish. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 113:997-1007). Here we have generated mutants of H2 that do not form the 35-kD fragment, either in transfected cells or during in vitro translation reactions in the presence of pancreatic microsomes. In transfected cells the kinetics of ER degradation of these mutant proteins are indistinguishable from that of wild-type H2, indicating the existence of a second pathway of ER degradation which does not involve formation of the 35-kD fragment. Degradation of H2 in the ER by this alternative pathway is inhibited by TLCK or TPCK, but neither formation nor degradation of the 35-kD fragment is blocked by these reagents. As determined by NH2-terminal sequencing of the 35-kD fragment, formed either in transfected cells or during in vitro translation reactions in the presence of pancreatic microsomes, the putative cleavage sites are between small polar, uncharged amino acid residues. Substitution of the residues NH2- or COOH-terminal to the cleavage site by large hydrophobic or charged ones decreased the amount of 35-kD fragment formed and in some cases changed the putative cleavage site. Cleavage can also be affected by amino acid substitutions (e.g., to proline or glycine) which change protein conformation. Therefore, the endoprotease that generates the 35-kD fragment has specificity similar to that of signal peptidase. H2a and H2b are isoforms that differ only by a pentapeptide insertion in the exoplasmic juxtamembrane region of H2a. 100% of H2a is degraded in the ER, but up to 30% of H2b folds properly and matures to the cell surface. The sites of cleavage to form the 35-kD fragment are slightly different in H2a and H2b. Two mutant H2b proteins, with either a glycine or proline substitution at the position of insertion of the pentapeptide in H2a, have metabolic fates similar to that of H2a. These mutations are likely to change the protein conformation in this region. Thus the conformation of the juxtamembrane domain of the H2 protein is important in determining its metabolic fate within the ER.
Efficacy of US Legislation in Military Acquisition Programmes: Nunn–McCurdy Act Unveiled†

This study analyses the impact of regulatory legislation, specifically the Nunn–McCurdy Act, by the United States Congress on major military acquisition programmes. Nunn–McCurdy's stated objective is to curtail cost growth in weapon system acquisitions. To achieve this end, the legislation threatens cancellation of military acquisition programmes that breach specified cost growth thresholds. This effort collects and analyses a unique data set spanning the lifetime of the Nunn–McCurdy legislation to reveal the threat of termination is rarely enforced. Secondary effects, in the form of programme restructuring are found to be prevalent, but not in those areas that most adversely affect the programme. Thus, Nunn–McCurdy does not provide a strong incentive for acquisition programmes to change processes or procedures. As a result, the legislation is ineffectual in achieving its objective, and cost growth in major US military acquisition programmes remains problematic.
The management of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

A series of 63 patients with primary bile duct carcinomas seen at the UCLA Hospital since 1955 have been analyzed and divided into four groups, depending upon the site of the tumor in the extrahepatic ductal system. More than half of the tumors occurred in the upper one-third, while the other half was about equally divided between those occurring in the middle and lower thirds of the extrahepatic duct system. Three wide-spread intraluminal papillary tumors have been placed in a special category. The difficulties of establishing a correct diagnosis at the time of operation are again demonstrated in this series. The most commonly used palliative procedure has been the insertion of a tube into the duct that passes above and below the tumor through the site of obstruction. The tumors are generally small, well-localized, and frequently slow-growing. Tumors in the lower one-third of the duct may be treated by radical en bloc resection (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and offer the best prognosis, both for long-term palliation and cure. More than half of the tumors in this series were located at or near the confluence of the hepatic ducts, and resection of the tumor was attempted in only six of 34 cases. It is possible that, were procedures available that would permit a more extensive en bloc resection of tumors in the middle and upper thirds of the duct system, the period of palliation might be extended and more “cures” obtained. Detailed anatomical studies of the hepatic ducts, arteries, and portal veins at the hilus support the concept of combining extended hepatic resection with tumor excision and including segments of the hepatic blood supply in selected patients with tumors in the upper one-third of the duct. Operative procedures for resection of the right and left lobes have been proposed. One such operation has been performed; in a second patient, hepatic lobectomy and tumor excision were performed without interruption of the blood supply to the remaining lobe.
Endogenous component chemotactic assay (ECCA).

We have developed a chemotactic assay in which migrated cells are quantitated by measuring levels of an endogenous cellular component. The endogenous component chemotactic assay (ECCA) employs standard double-membrane, blind-well methodologies but is unique in that leukocyte migration is quantitated by measuring lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity endogenous to cells that have migrated. This approach avoids the tedium of microscopic counting as well as the problems associated with cell-labeling techniques. Using the ECCA technique we have shown: (1) thatN-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) is both chemokinetic and chemotactic for human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs); (2) that both incubation time and starting PMN density affect the proportion of cells that migrate; (3) that approximately 30% of the available PMNs eventually migrate; and (4) that PMN “fall off” from membranes, readily detectable by this assay, is affected by starting PMN density, incubation period, and nature of the attractant. The technique as presented can detect migration when a starting cell density as low as 7×104 PMNs/well is employed and can be made more sensitive by increasing the period over which LDH is allowed to act. Considerable potential exists to further apply the ECCA concept to the study of the migration of subpopulations of cells in mixtures by assaying for distinguishing endogenous cellular markers.
ABNORMAL REACTION TO PROCAINE AND SUCCINYLCHOLINE IN A PATIENT WITH INHERITED ATYPICAL PLASMA CHOLINESTERASE: CASE REPORT

Prolonged postoperative apnoea has been reported to occur frequently after the intravenous injection of succinylcholine in patients possessing atypical plasma cholinesterase. Reduced hydrolysis rates of ester-type local anaesthetics were also found to be associated with this condition. This is the first documented case in which the same patient developed prolonged apnoea after the use of succinylholine and peripheral cardiovascular collapse after the use of procaine for dental surgery on two other occasions. Determination of plasma cholinesterase activity and the dibucaine number revealed that the patient possessed an atypical homozygous plasma cholinesterase. Of the available four relatives of the patient, three proved to be atypical-normal heterozygotes and one a normal homozygote. One of the relatives, a heterozygote, developed severe systemic toxic reactions after the administration of procaine for pudendal nerve block. The presence of atypical plasma cholinesterase may explain some of the unclarified “anaphylactic” reactions to local anaesthetics in patients.
s dependence of proton fragmentation by hadrons. I. Incident laboratory momenta 4--24 GeV/c

Measurements of the dependence on $s={({p}_{a}+{p}_{b})}^{2}$ of the cross sections for production of single charged hadrons in the reactions $a+b\ensuremath{\rightarrow}c+\mathrm{anything}$ are presented. Particle $c$ was detected in a fixed interval of laboratory momentum and angle in the fragmentation region of the target proton. The ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ and ${K}^{+}$ production data are consistent with the Mueller-Regge prediction of an approach to scaling as $A+B{s}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$. Further tests of a simple Regge-pole model indicate that the $s$ dependence measured is fortuitous, and that higher-energy data are required in order to make detailed tests of the model.
Hypermutability and silent mutations in human carcinogenesis.

Silent or synonymous mutations are nucleotide changes which do not result in an amino acid change. Such alterations make up approximately 4% of the total TP53 mutations in a database of almost 10,000 mutations. Insofar as these changes do not confer a selective advantage, silent mutations make it possible to estimate an unbiased mutation frequency. Since this frequency is at least 100 times higher than would be expected for normal tissue, tumors must be hypermutable. In addition, a class of tumors may be supermutable with a mutation frequency comparable to that observed in the generation of immune diversity.
Comparative effect of aureomycin and chloromycetin on psittacosis infection in chick embryos.

ConclusionsBoth aureomycin and Chloromycetin prolong the life of chick embryos infected with the 6BC strain of psittacosis virus. There is a direct relation between the dose of antibiotic and the prolongation of life of the embryos, the infecting dose being kept constant. With equal doses of the antibiotics, aureomycin prolonged the life of the embryos for an average of from 2 to more than 3 days longer than Chloromycetin, depending on the dose used.On a weight basis, aureomycin was more than 3 times as effective in protecting chick embryos against the dose of virus that was used in this study. On a molecular basis the aureomycin was more than 5 times as effective as Chloromycetin in this infection.
Effects of Ethanol on Cultured Fetal Astroglia

This study investigated the effects of a 4-day ethanol exposure on cultured rhombencephalic astroglia. The contents of astroglial protein and DNA, and astroglial uptake of serotonin (5-HT) were determined. Fetal rhombencephalic astroglia were examined because of this laboratory's evidence that in utero ethanol exposure markedly impairs the development of serotonergic neurons, which are located in this fetal brain area, and because of the recently demonstrated importance of local support glia in neuronal development. The results of these experiments demonstrated that protein was significantly reduced in astroglia cultured in ethanol at either 150 or 300 mg/dl. In addition, these astroglia exhibited decreased [3H]5-HT uptake per well. However, no significant ethanol-associated differences were detected when [3H]5-HT uptake was expressed per mg protein rather than per well. In contrast to the effects of a 4-day ethanol exposure, the acute ethanol exposure did not significantly alter astroglial uptake of [3H]5-HT/well. In addition, the 4-day exposure to 50 to 300 mg/dl of ethanol did not significantly alter astroglial DNA content. In summary, it appears that a 4-day exposure of cultured fetal rhombencephalic astroglia to 150 to 300 mg/dl of ethanol reduces astroglial protein content and astroglial 5-HT uptake. A reduction in total astroglial proteins, potentially including those that act as essential growth factors, could contribute to some of the ethanolassociated alterations in central nervous system development.
MR4UM: A framework for adding fault tolerance to UML state diagrams

Modern systems often need to address the challenges brought about by a changing environment and/or newly identified faults. The economic and practical issues dictate that the existing models and/or programs be reused while providing tolerance in the presence of faults. In this paper, we propose a framework, namely MR4UM, for applying model revision for the existing program design modeled in a UML state diagram to add tolerance to newly identified faults. In particular, MR4UM starts with program design modeled in a UML state diagram, and automatically transforms the design model in the UML state diagram to the corresponding program actions in the underlying computational model (UCM). Then, MR4UM applies the techniques of model revision to the program in the UCM and generates a fault-tolerant program in the UCM. Finally, MR4UM automatically converts the fault-tolerant program in the UCM into a fault-tolerant program design in the UML state diagram. We illustrate the stepwise procedure of MR4UM with two case studies: the adaptive cruise control program from an automotive system and the altitude switch program from an aircraft altitude control system.