cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral contraceptive-induced hypertension—Nine years later

Nine years have gone by since oral contraceptive hypertension was first recognized as a clinical entity. In that time it has become apparent that what at first was thought to be a rare disorder is extremely common. Indeed, overt hypertension develops, in time, in about 5 per cent of Pill users. Increases in blood pressure, albeit within the normal range, are still more common. Pill hypertension may develop gradually. It is sometimes quite severe, and it is characteristically reversible within a few months after therapy is stopped. Oral contraceptives produce changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, particularly a consistent marked increase in the plasma renin substrate concentration which may be associated with increases in plasma renin activity and aldosterone excretion. The estrogenic component of contraceptive pills appears to be the more important factor in producing abnormalities in the renin system. The mechanisms for the hypertensive response are not entirely clear since normotensive women using the pill may exhibit similar or even more marked changes in the renin axis. The pressor response could have both volume and vasoconstrictor components mediated by the sodium-retaining effects of the estrogen in the presence of a relatively, if not an absolutely, higher plasma renin activity, with the latter being held abnormal by the high plasma renin-substrate levels. A failure of the kidneys to fully suppress renal renin secretion could thus be an important predisposing factor. Our in vitro experiments support the idea that the increased substrate is involved in pathogenesis because they indicate that in normal subjects plasma renin substrate is not present in "excess". Thus, a doubling of the physiologic levels of substrate by oral contraceptives leads to an almost twofold increase in the capacity for angiotensin production as indicated by studies of the initial reaction velocity. These observations define certain guidelines for applying oral contraceptive therapy. At least one base-line blood pressure measurement should be obtained, and blood pressure and weight should be followed a two- or three-month intervals during treatment. Furthermore, oral contraceptive therapy may be contraindicated in women with a history of hypertension, renal disease, toxemia, or fluid retention. Others in whom oral contraceptives are relatively contraindicated include those with a positive family history of hypertension, younger women in whom a longer term commitment is likely, and groups, such as blacks, especially prone to hypertensive phenomena.
Integrating Archaeological Demography: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Prehistoric Population

Integrating Archaeological Demography: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Prehistoric Population. Richard R. Paine. ed. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1997.396pp.
The future of aeronautics

MANY contradictory pictures of air transportation in the future have been painted which vary from rosy optimism to the darker shades of pessimism. Just what may be expected realistically during the first ten years of peace?
Pure transvaginal excision of mesh erosion involving the bladder.

Introduction and hypothesis We present a pure transvaginal approach to the removal of eroded mesh involving the bladder secondary to placement of transvaginal mesh for management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using a mesh kit.
Input-to-state stability of hybrid systems with receding horizon control in the presence of unreliable network packet dropouts

This article studies the stability of a constrained piecewise continuous nonlinear and hybrid system that is controlled by a receding horizon controller across an unreliable communication network. We assume the presence of a buffer in the plant that stores the predicted control inputs received from the controller to compensate for any possible packet dropouts in future transmissions. We use tightened state constraints in receding horizon control to counteract the disturbances due to the piecewise continuous nature of the system and imperfect transmission. Input-to-state stability is considered under the assumption that the number of consecutive packet dropouts is bounded.
Calibration, validation, and sensitivity analysis: What's what

Abstract One very simple interpretation of calibration is to adjust a set of parameters associated with a computational science and engineering code so that the model agreement is maximized with respect to a set of experimental data. One very simple interpretation of validation is to quantify our belief in the predictive capability of a computational code through comparison with a set of experimental data. Uncertainty in both the data and the code are important and must be mathematically understood to correctly perform both calibration and validation. Sensitivity analysis, being an important methodology in uncertainty analysis, is thus important to both calibration and validation. In this paper, we intend to clarify the language just used and express some opinions on the associated issues. We will endeavor to identify some technical challenges that must be resolved for successful validation of a predictive modeling capability. One of these challenges is a formal description of a “model discrepancy” term. Another challenge revolves around the general adaptation of abstract learning theory as a formalism that potentially encompasses both calibration and validation in the face of model uncertainty.
Nickel Hexacyanoferrate Nanoparticle Electrodes For Aqueous Sodium and Potassium Ion Batteries

The electrical power grid faces a growing need for large-scale energy storage over a wide range of time scales due to costly short-term transients, frequency regulation, and load balancing. The durability, high power, energy efficiency, and low cost needed for grid-scale storage pose substantial challenges for conventional battery technology.(1, 2) Here, we demonstrate insertion/extraction of sodium and potassium ions in a low-strain nickel hexacyanoferrate electrode material for at least five thousand deep cycles at high current densities in inexpensive aqueous electrolytes. Its open-framework structure allows retention of 66% of the initial capacity even at a very high (41.7C) rate. At low current densities, its round trip energy efficiency reaches 99%. This low-cost material is readily synthesized in bulk quantities. The long cycle life, high power, good energy efficiency, safety, and inexpensive production method make nickel hexacyanoferrate an attractive candidate for use in large-scale batteries to ...
Cation exchange properties of crown ether-phosphotungstic acid precipitates

Precipitate formation between phosphotungstic acid and crown ethers is a general phenomenon, producing solids with selective ion exchange behavior for the alkali metal ions. Distribution coefficients for Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+ were measured for a series of these precipitates with different crown ethers. The sorption data are more complicated than for the corresponding phosphomolybdates and indicate a variability in the number of exchangeable sites with H+ and M+ concentration. The crown ether used markedly affects the cation selectivity of the phosphotungstate precipitates.
Surface modification of colloidal CdX-based quantum dots for biomedical applications

Colloidal CdX (X = Se, S, and Te) and their core/shell quantum dots (QDs) have narrow and size-dependent emission spectra, multicolor excitation with large extinction coefficients, and excellent photostability against photobleaching. Because of these unique photoluminescence properties of QDs over conventional fluorescent organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, QDs are useful for various applications such as biological labeling, biosensing and detection, light emitting diodes (LED), and solar cells (photovoltaics). Toward successful biological applications, control of the surface chemistry of QDs is required, enabling the preparation of QDs with water-solubility (or colloidal stability), biocompatibility, nonspecific adsorption to cells, efficient fluorescence, and active targeting. This highlight describes recent strategies developed for the modification of the surface of CdX-based QDs for biological applications.
Gas discharge modulation noise in He-Ne lasers

This paper reports measurements on laser light noise and discharge current noise in a 6328 A He-Ne laser. A cross-correlation experiment shows a strong correlation between the two noise phenomena, indicating that the laser light noise is caused by the modulation of the light beam by the discharge current noise. The discharge current noise has a spectrum with a sharp resonance at 40 kc/s that does not show up in the laser light noise. The noise is represented by an equivalent circuit. By measuring the two noise spectra and the absolute value and the phase of the cross-correlation coefficient c as functions of frequency, it is possible to evaluate some of the components of the equivalent circuit. The values thus obtained turn out to be quite reasonable, which supports the assumptions on which the equivalent circuit is based.
Shell Hoop Prestress Generated by Welding

For some magnet designs it is desirable to generate a prestress, approaching the yield strength, in the shell surrounding the yoke. If that prestress can be generated by weld shrinkage, then more expensive methods of prestressing can be avoided. Shell-to-yoke friction can reduce the prestress, so it is desirable to minimize it. A quick-and-dirty test was performed to address these matters. While the scatter of the data was large, it appears that weld shrinkage can indeed generate the required prestress. The scatter was too large to give any information about the friction, however. The experiment raised more questions than it answered.
Introduction to a Supplemental Issue of the Journal of Applied Gerontology: Research on American Indian and Alaska Native Aging

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has been committed to better understanding the health disparities experienced by older adults from racial and ethnic minority populations, and in 2000, published their Strategic Plan to Address Health Disparities. The primary focus of this plan is to develop and sustain research initiatives that will ultimately reduce and eliminate health disparities among these populations. The three major focus areas of the plan include (a) research, (b) research infrastructure, and (c) public information, outreach, and education. There are more than 60 research initiatives the NIA will pursue to address health disparities. This plan, in combination with the NIA Strategic Plan for Aging Research and the Review of Minority Aging Research by the National Advisory Council on Aging, provides guidance to researchers on how to best address health disparities in older adults (NIA, 2000). Since 1997, when the NIA established the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMARs), this program has been an integral part of the NIA mission. The long-term goal of the RCMARs is to decrease health disparities among racial and ethnic minority elders by developing research infrastructure, improving the effectiveness of health interventions in these special populations (Stahl & Vasquez, 2004), and training junior minority investigators to work in the field of racial and ethnic minority health research. The six funded RCMARs work* with a Coordinating Center that supports and fosters communication among the centers. Each RCMAR is organized into four cores each linked to an aim and specified activities. The
Residual strength of metal particulate reinforced ceramics with parallel cracks

Abstract This work investigates the residual strength of metal particulate reinforced ceramic matrix composites with periodically spaced, parallel cracks. A Fourier transform/integral equation method is used to obtain the stress intensity factor at the tips of the cracks bridged by the plastically stretched metal particulates. The crack bridging of metal particulates is described by a linear softening bridging law that relates the bridging stress and crack opening. The residual strength of the cracked composites is calculated using a stress intensity factor criterion with consideration of crack bridging. Numerical results are presented for three composite systems, i.e., WC/Co, Al 2 O 3 /Ni, and glass/Al composites to illustrate the effects of interactions between multiple cracks/bridging zones on the residual strength behavior of the reinforced ceramics with parallel cracks. It is found that for given volume fraction of metal particulate and debonding length of the particulate–matrix interface the residual strength increases with decreasing crack spacing. For a given crack spacing, the residual strength initially decreases dramatically with an increase in initial crack length and levels off for long initial cracks.
Exact calculation of probabilities of false positives and false negatives for low background counting.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the derivation and use of exact formulas, and their algorithms, for calculating the probabilities alpha of Type I errors, and beta of Type II errors, for low blank total counts (Poisson-distributed). The calculations are carried out to examine the alpha and beta probabilities at low blank levels of the decision level (DL) and minimum detectable amount (MDA) formulations as adopted in the Health Physics Society Standard, "Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay." These formulations are consistent with those published by L.A. Currie, which have received wide acceptance in defining lower limits of detection (LLD). Although Currie's formulation was derived assuming a normal distribution in net counts, the behavior of the distribution of net counts at low count levels, which is a distribution of the difference between two Poisson variates, is such that the MDA formulation in the standard could be considered acceptable for the purpose of providing one simple formulation of MDA. The derivations in this note can also be useful in other problems involving differences in Poisson variates, such as those in certain population studies.
Techniques for cloning cDNAs encoding interactive transcriptional regulatory proteins

Several approaches aimed at detecting and cloning interactive transcriptional regulatory proteins have been presented. All of the techniques can effectively identify specific interactions between two transcription proteins. However, interaction cloning and the two hybrid system have the added advantage of yielding a cDNA expression clone directly. The other methods, EMSA-mediated cloning, co-immunoprecipitation, oligonucleotide/PCR-facilitated cloning, Southwestern, and Farwestern, require additional manipulations to obtain a cDNA clone. Clearly, the interactive cloning system of choice will depend on the proteins under investigation.
Current and potential U.S. corn stover supplies.

Agricultural residues such as corn (Zea mays L.) stover are a potential feedstock for bioenergy and bio-based products that could reduceU.S. dependence on foreign oil. Collection of such residues must take into account concerns that residue removal could increase erosion, reduce crop productivity, and deplete soil carbon and nutrients. This article estimates where and how much corn stover can be collected sustainably in the USA using existing commercial equipment and estimates costs of that collection. Erosion constraints to collection were considered explicitly, and crop productivity and soil nutrient constraints were considered implicitly, by recognizing the value of residues for maintaining soil moisture and including the cost of fertilizer to replace nutrients removed. Possible soil carbon loss was not considered in the analysis. With an annual production of 196 million Mg of corn grain (about9.2 billion bushels), the USA produces 196 million Mg of stover. Under current rotation and tillage practices, about 30% of this stover could be collected for less than $33 per Mg, taking into consideration erosion and soil moisture concerns and nutrient replacement costs. Wind erosion is a major constraint to stover collection. Analysis suggests three regions of the country (central Illinois, northern Iowa/southern Minnesota, and along themore » Platte River in Nebraska) produce sufficient stover to support large biorefineries with one million Mg per year feedstock demands and that if farmers converted to universal no-till production of corn, then over 100 million Mg of stover could be collected annually without causing erosion to exceed the tolerable soil loss.« less
LATEST RESULTS ON DIAMOND PIXEL DETECTORS

We present results on the performance of diamond pixel detectors using the highest quality available Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond. CVD diamond has been discussed extensively as an alternate sensor material for use very close to the interaction region of the LHC where extreme radiation conditions exist. Devices with the pixel patterns of both the ATLAS and CMS experiments have been tested with their respective electronics. The results presented include pulse height spectra, spatial resolution, and plans for future studies.
Induction of donor-specific unresponsiveness by intrathymic islet transplantation

The application of isolated pancreatic islet transplantation for treatment of diabetes mellitus has been hampered by the vulnerability of islet allografts to immunologic rejection. Rat islet allografts that were transplanted into the thymus of recipients treated with a single injection of anti-lymphocyte serum survived indefinitely. A state of donor-specific unresponsiveness was achieved that permitted survival of a second donor strain islet allograft transplanted to an extrathymic site. Maturation of T cell precursors in a thymic microenvironment that is harboring foreign alloantigen may induce the selective unresponsiveness. This model provides an approach for pancreatic islet transplantation and a potential strategy for specific modification of the peripheral immune repertoire.
Nucleon-nucleon t-matrix interaction for scattering at intermediate energies

A local nucleon-nucleon effective interaction based on current phenomenological nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitudes has been constructed at several bombarding energies between 50 and 1000 MeV/nucleon within a dynamically nonrelativistic framework. The form of the interaction has been chosen for convenience in performing nucleon-nucleus scattering calculations in this energy range and for ease of comparison with one-boson-exchange potential models. Some properties of this interaction are compared with those of an earlier version based on an older set of nucleon-nucleon amplitudes.
Site interconversion in chemisorbed CO on Ni(111): IRAS and work function studies

Abstract The IRAS (infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy) and work function methods have been used to study the temperature dependent adsorption site interconversion of CO on Ni(111). It has been found that a fast and reversible site interconversion exists between the more stable two-fold bridged CO and the terminally bonded CO species in the temperature range of 90 to 288 K. Both IRAS and work function measurements show that terminally bonded CO increases in surface coverage and that the bridged CO decreases in coverage in a reversible manner when the temperature is increased. The binding energy difference between the two kinds of CO ranges between 0.9 and 0.3 kcal/mol in the coverage range studied (0.2−0.43 CO/Ni). At θ CO =0.5, no terminally bonded CO has been found in this temperature range. The zero coverage dipole moment of bridged CO is 0.65 debye while that of terminal CO is 0.17 debye according to detailed work function measurements. It was found that the integrated intensity of the bridged CO band was strongly non-linear in comparison to bridged CO coverage as determined by work function measurements. The terminal CO band intensity exhibited a more linear dependence on terminal CO coverage as determined by the work function changes during adsorption. At certain CO coverages, skewing of the bridged CO lineshape may indicate inhomogeneous effects, and this may be correlated with an increased linewidth dependence on temperature. The results obtained here conform with earlier HREELS studies, and provide a deeper understanding of the behavior of the CO/Ni(111) system.
Decreased secretion of triacylglycerol by exogenous cholesterol in high sucrose-fed rabbits

Triacylglycerol secretion rates were studied in high-sucrose-fed rabbits in order to understand the effect of exogenous cholesterol on the serum triacylglycerol levels. Four groups of male rabbits were fed for 16 days as follows: Group 1, rabbit chow (basal); Group 2, chow + 1 mg/kcal cholesterol; Group 3, high sucrose (76% of calories); Group 4, high sucrose + 1 mg/kcal cholesterol. TGSR was measured in fasting animals by intravenous injection of Triton WR 1339. The fasting TG level in Group 4 was 49% lower than that in Group 3 (P < 0.001). Among the dietary groups TGSR was lowest in sucrose with cholesterol group (P < 0.001). Exogenous cholesterol increased the VLDL total protein (pre-Triton) in chow-fed animals by 65% while it decreasd the same by 30% in sucrose-fed animals. The newly secreted VLDL (post-Triton) in the cholesterol-supplemented sucrose diet group had less triacylglycerol and ApoB relative to cholesterol. We suggest that dietary cholesterol results in the secretion of relatively triacylglycerol-poor and cholesterol-rich VLDL at a reduced rate in high sucrose-fed rabbits.
New Developments in Fourier Transform Infrared Vibrational Circular Dichroism Measurements

A new FT-IR vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrometer has been assembled to record VCD spectra with excellent signal quality up to ~650 cm−1. A special detector with 600 cm−1 cutoff (D* = 4 × 1010), a ZnSe modulator, and a KRS-5 polarizer were used in these measurements. Typical VCD spectra at 4 cm−1 resolution, can be obtained within a one-hour data acquisition period, while those at 1 cm−1 resolution, in the ~1500-650 cm−1 region, can be obtained within four hours of data acquisition per sample. VCD spectra for α-pinene, 3-bromocamphor, and propylene oxide are presented.
Propagation of Growth Uncertainty in a Physiologically Structured Population

In this review paper we consider physiologically structured population models that have been widely studied and employed in the literature to model the dynamics of a wide variety of populations. However in a number of cases these have been found inadequate to describe some phenomena arising in certain real-world applications such as dispersion in the structure variables due to growth uncertainty/variability. Prompted by this, we described two recent approaches that have been investigated in the literature to describe this growth uncertainty/variability in a physiologically structured population. One involves formulating growth as a Markov diffusion process while the other entails imposing a probabilistic structure on the set of possible growth rates across the entire population. Both approaches lead to physiologically structured population models with nontrivial dispersion. Even though these two approaches are conceptually quite different, they were found in [] to have a close relationship: in some cases with properly chosen parameters and coefficient functions, the resulting stochastic processes have the same probability density function at each time.
Bone involution decrease in exercising middle-aged women

Physical activity is an important stimulus in the prevention of bone involution. Bilateral bone mineral mass and width of the radius, ulna, and humerus were measured by single photon absorptiometry on 200 women between the ages of 35 and 65 over a 3–4 year period. Two groups were formed: 80 in a control group and 120 in a physical activity group exercising 45 min/day, 3 days/week. The control and physical activity groups were similar in age, height, weight, and level of physical fitness at the beginning of the study. The control group lost bone mineral mass at a rate similar to that of the general population. The left radius bone mineral declined 2.44% per year. Similar rates of decline were observed in the other bones measured. The physical activity group increased in fitness by 13% in the first year of the study. The bone mineral mass of the exercise group declined the first year and then increased; thereby the bone mineral data for the exercise group was analyzed in two sets. During the first year of the program, a decline of 3.77% in bone mineral mass of the left radius, a significantly greater loss than that of the control group, was observed. Decline rates were similar in the other bones measured. In the second and third years, bone mineral mass of the left radius increased by 1.39% per year, and the rate of change was significantly different from that of the control group. There were similar increases in the other bones measured. The data from this study support the importance of physical activity in the prevention of bone mineral loss in the aging female.
Selective mode splitting in high-Q microresonator for dispersion engineering

We demonstrate selective mode splitting (SMS) in microresonators. SMS can split one selected optical mode up to 1.25 nm with other modes unperturbed. This opens a new gate for phasematching in parametric oscillations in microresonators.
Partly Accommodative Esotropia: Should You Overcorrect and Cut the Plus?

Objectives: To investigate the long-term motor stability and sensory outcome of patients with partly accommodative esotropia who were overcorrected surgically and in whom the hyperopic correction was reduced postoperatively, and to determine if those results depended on the amount of hyperopia present. Design: A 15-year prospective study that analyzed 5-year outcome. Patients whose esotropia was not initially overcorrected were used as controls. Patients: Of 382 patients who underwent surgery for partly accommodative esotropia, 22 were surgically overcorrected and were followed up for 5 years. Results: Of the eight patients in the study group with 2.5 diopters or less of hyperopia in their fixing eye, seven had good motor alignment compared with four of 14 patients who had more than 2.5 diopters of hyperopia. Ninety-one percent (148/163) of the control patients who had greater than 2.5 diopters of hyperopia maintained good motor alignment 5 years after surgery compared with 29% of the study group patients. This difference was statistically significant. Of the eight study patients with less than 2.5 diopters of hyperopia, five developed good stereopsis compared with one of 14 patients with greater hyperopia. Conclusions: Surgical overcorrection in patients with partly accommodative esotropia with greater than 2.5 diopters of hyperopia may not be reversible by postoperative reduction in the hyperopic correction. It often is reversible, however, in patients with 2.5 diopters or less of hyperopia.
Epidemiologic characteristics of anotia and microtia in California, 1989-1997.

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of epidemiologic information about the external ear malformations anotia and microtia. METHODS Using data from a large population-based registry, we explored prevalences and maternal/infant characteristics associated with anotia and microtia. Data were derived from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, a population-based active surveillance system for collecting information on infants and fetuses with congenital malformations using multiple source ascertainment. Approximately 2.5 million births (live-born and stillborn) occurred during the ascertainment period, 1989–1997. Information on maternal and infant/fetal characteristics was obtained from California birth certificate and fetal death files. RESULTS The prevalence of anotia/microtia was 2.50 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Isolated cases, i.e., those live births and stillbirths with no other accompanying anomaly diagnoses, revealed a prevalence of 0.63 per 10,000, whereas among nonisolated cases, the prevalence was 1.53 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Prevalences of isolated anotia/microtia were substantially higher among U.S.-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, and Asians compared to non-Hispanic whites, with relative risks ranging from three- to seven-fold. Similar prevalences for maternal race/ethnicity (except for Asians) were observed for live births and stillbirths with nonisolated cases of anotia/microtia, but the magnitude of risks were lower than those observed for isolated cases. Prevalence of nonisolated anotia/microtia was substantially lower among women whose education was 12 years or more. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal descriptive epidemiologic features of anotia/microtia most notably substantial risks associated with race/ethnic groups and lower maternal education. Additional study for factors associated with these characteristics could reveal clues for the etiology of these ear anomalies. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Homopolymer Solubilization and Nanoparticle Encapsulation in Diblock Copolymer Micelles

We use self-consistent mean-field theory to investigate a system of A homopolymer, AB copolymer, and C homopolymer, where there are attractive interactions between the B and C components. We calculate volume fraction profiles and chemical potentials of formation for unswollen micelles, swollen micelles, and flat interfaces using a theory that is generalized for multiple components and a general copolymer composition distribution. We find that swollen spherical AB copolymer micelles form in the A matrix with a preferred radius that controls the amount of C homopolymer solubilized in the center of the micelle and that they form at chemical potentials lower than the chemical potential of micelle formation in the absence of C homopolymer. The swollen spherical micelles are also preferred over a flat interface geometry because the copolymer changes the preferred interfacial radius of curvature. The calculations also show that nanoparticles can be encapsulated in the center of swollen micelles by introducing an...
Thermal initiation of high explosives by electron beam heating

Abstract A 40-MeV electron beam has been used to uniformly heat confined samples of high explosives until explosion occurs. From observations of temperature vs time, values were obtained for the thermal initiation thresholds (deposited energy per gram until explosion) and explosion temperatures. These are good indicators of thermal explosion sensitivity. In many cases, the specific heat or the latent heat of fusion were obtained. Data were obtained on the following materials: HMX, PBX-9404, RDX, HBX-1, Comp. A-3, PBXW-109, TATB, TNT, ONP, DIPAM, NDAC, TNB and TNBA. Thermal threshold values vary from 57 cal/gm to 168 cal/gm for these materials. There is some indication that these results are correlated with data from impact sensitivity tests. Radiationinduced decmposition is shown to be very small.
What does it take to satisfy Koch’s postulates two centuries later? Microbial genomics and Propionibacteria acnes

For two centuries, Koch's postulates have set the gold standard for establishing the microbiological etiology of infection and disease. Genomic sequencing now brings finer resolution to both bacterial strain variation and the host genetic state that may predispose to disease. In this issue of the JID, Fitz-Gibbons and colleagues present strain-based resolution of Propionibacterium acnes and its association with the common teenage malady acne vulgaris. Here I examine how Koch's postulates were envisioned and incorporate this finer resolution of both host and microbial states.
Semantic Differentiation in the Acquisition of English as a Second Language.

I analyzed the mental organizations of two sets of fuzzy lexical items by 70 native speakers (NSs) of English and 185 learners of English as a second language (ESL). They provided pair-wise comparisons of a set of degree adverbs and a set offrequency terms, respectively. I subjected their judgments to unidimensional scaling and circular triad analysis, which indicated that: (a) despite their apparent familiarity with the items, ESL learners' semantic organizations deviated from the NSs' model; (b) the location and extent of semantic mismatch can be identified at different levels of ESL proficiency; (c) consistent approximation to the target model improved as ESL proficiency improves; (d) the structural stability of an individual's private semantic model is not readily generalizable between sets of lexical items or levels of proficiency; and (el consensus among ESL learners improves as proficiency increases. The findings suggest that a discernible approximative pattern exists in the acquisition of ESL semantics, with the differentiation of certain words acquired before the differentiation of others.
Low-Complexity MIMO Detection Based on Post-Equalization Subspace Search

Two low-complexity effective detection schemes for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems based on post-equalization subspace search are proposed in this paper. With the initial solution given by the linear detector, calibrated constellation search is conducted in symbol subspace and eigenspace associated with the largest estimation errors in linear detection to identify improved solutions. Complexity analysis is performed to understand the cost of the proposed add-on procedures. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed schemes yield noticeable performance gains over linear detectors at moderate additional computational cost.
Assessment of sleep problems in preschool aged children: an adaptation of the children's sleep habits questionnaire

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the factor structure of the children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ) when used with preschool and toddler age children. Mothers of 105 children ages 2-5 completed the CSHQ, the child behavior checklist (CBCL), and a sleep diary. Internal consistency for the original subscales on the CSHQ ranged from .55 to .82 and factor analysis resulted in four factors that tap into critical aspects of sleep. The concurrent validity of the revised scales of the CSHQ was adequate. Overall the results from this study suggest a revised factor structure may be more appropriate for use with preschool and toddler age children.
Effects of catecholamine uptake blockers in the caudate-putamen and subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat

Altered dopamine regulation in the medial prefrontal cortex has been linked to drug abuse and disorders such as schizophrenia. Heterogeneous expression of the dopamine transporter, as well as the ability of the norepinephrine transporter to clear dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, delineates two potential sites for the regulation of synaptic dopamine within the cortex. The present study used in vivo microdialysis to compare the effects of local infusions of dopamine and norepinephrine uptake blockers in the caudate putamen and two subregions of the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate and prelimbic/infralimbic cortices. Results revealed that all dopamine uptake blockers produced greater increases in dopamine efflux in the caudate-putamen relative to the prefrontal cortex. In addition, amphetamine administration increased dopamine efflux to a greater degree in the prelimbic, relative to the anterior cingulate, cortex. In contrast, the increase in dopamine efflux was similar in both subregions in the presence of nomifensine and desmethylimipramine. Infusions of the selective dopamine uptake blocker GBR 12909 failed to alter dopamine efflux in any prefrontocortical subregion. These data indicate a more prominent role for the dopamine transporter in the clearance of extracellular dopamine in the caudate-putamen relative to the prefrontal cortex and an important role for NET in the clearance of dopamine in both the prelimbic and anterior cingulate subregions of the rat medial prefrontal cortex.
Clinicopathologic study of retinoblastoma including MIB-1, p53, and CD99 immunohistochemistry.

Abstract Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor of childhood and has served as a model for the understanding or tumorigenesis. This study retrospectively examines the clinicopathologic features of 19 retinoblastomas and defines the MIB-1 (cell proliferation marker), p53 (tumor suppression gene), and CD99 (HBA71 or MIC2 antibody) immunoreactivity in 10 selected cases. Nineteen patients (11 boys), ranging in age from 6 to 47 months (mean, 20 months), were included for study. Clinical presentations included: leukocoria (n = 12), strabismus (n = 6), apparent decreased visual acuity (n = 5), and proptosis (n = 1). Five patients had bilateral tumors and one neoplasm arose in a patient with a known family history of retinoblastoma. All tumors were histologically characterized by a proliferation of small cells with high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios. Commonly encountered histologic features included necrosis (n = 17, 89%), calcification (n = 16, 84%), fleurettes (n = 14, 74%), and Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes (n = 11, 58%). Retinal involvement was noted in 18 tumors (95%) and optic nerve invasion in six cases (32%). The surgical optic nerve margin was positive in one case. Mitosis counts were evaluable in 18 cases and ranged from 1 to 42 mitotic figures/10 high power field (mean, 13 mitotic figures/10 high power field). Ten tumors were evaluated with MIB-1, p53, and CD99 antibodies by paraffin immunohistochemistry. MIB-1 labeling indices ranged from 31.4 to 77.1 (mean, 49.4). p53 immunostaining was observed in six tumors; less than 10% of tumor cells were noted to be p53 positive in each case. CD99 positivity was demonstrable focally in three tumors. Adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy was administered in six patients. Tumor recurrence was not observed in any of the patients with a mean follow-up of 8.9 years. Only one patient died (20 years after enucleation) because of metastatic osteosarcoma. In conclusion: (1) Fleurettes and Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes are variable findings in retinoblastoma. (2) Retinoblastomas are characterized by marked cell proliferation as evidenced by generally high mitosis counts and extremely high MIB-1 labeling indices, but this does not appear to adversely impact on prognosis. (3) Unlike peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors, most retinoblastomas do not stain positively with antibody to CD99. (4) Limited p53 immunostaining was present in 60% of tumors studied. (5) Enucleation with negative optic nerve margin is potentially curative in patients with retinoblastoma. Ann Diagn Pathol 5: 148-154, 2001.
The Transnationalism of the Embattled State

In the past few decades, states across several disparate geographical contexts have adopted policies and initiatives aimed at institutionalizing their relationship with groups constituted as “their” diasporas. These practices, which range from creating new ministries for diaspora affairs and reserving seats in the national legislature to granting dual citizenship and allowing members of the diaspora to participate in domestic elections, seem to have a very specific purpose. They are aimed at integrating diasporas as part of a larger “global” nation that is connected to, and has claims on the institutional structure of the home state. This article argues that the best way to understand this phenomenon, conceptualized here as the “domestic abroad”, is to see it as the product of two simultaneous, ongoing processes: the diasporic imagining of the nation, and the neoliberal restructuring of the state. Furthermore, to make sense of the nature and relationship of these processes, we need to focus on the develop...
Thermolysis of (MeCp) 2Nb(η2−CO2)R complexes: decarbonylation vs. insertion

Abstract A series of carbon dioxide complexes of the type Cp′ 2 Nb( η 2 −CO 2 )R (Cp′ = MeC 5 H 4 ; R = −CH 2 SiMe 2 , 1a ; -CH 2 CMe 3 , 1b ; -CH 2 Ph, 1c ; -CH 3 , 1d ) was prepared and the thermolyses of 1a – 1c investigated. When heated at 60°C in THF, complexes 1a and 1b are converted to the corresponding oxo derivatives (MeC 5 H 4 ) 2 Nb(=O)R(2 a,2b ) and CO. The structure of 2a was established 1840 by X-ray diffraction and consists of a pseudotetrahedral Cp 2 MXY arrangement. That the oxo group of 2 is derived from coordinated CO 2 was confirmed by 13 C labeling. Thermolysis of benzyl derivative 1c exhibits concentration dependent behavior, converting to the corresponding oxoalkyl derivative 2c in dilute solutions but forming a mixture of 2c and the carbonyl complex (MeC 5 H 4 ) 2 Nb(CO)CH 2 Ph ( 4 ) in more concentrated solutions. With extended reaction times 2c and 4 decompose producing PhCH 3 , PhCH 2 CH 2 Ph, PhCH 2 OH, and PhCHO, the products of apparent MC homolysis and oxidation.
Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of zirconium substituted SBA-15 mesoporous silica

Zirconium substituted mesoporous SBA-15 molecular silica with Si/Zr ratios of 10, 20, 40, and 80 have been successfully synthesized at 373 K under microwave-hydrothermal conditions within about 2 h. The degree of framework substitution has been monitored by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption, and UV−vis diffuse reflectance (DRUV) spectroscopy techniques. Nitrogen adsorption data and XRD patterns confirmed that, the structure, high surface area, and uniform pore size distribution are maintained in the crystallized samples with Si/Zr ratio of 20. Further increase in zirconium loading (Si/Zr = 10) showed the loss of textural properties. The Zr−SBA-15 samples with Si/Zr = 20, 40, and 80 showed a characteristic oxygen to zirconium charge-transfer band at about 210 nm in DRUV−vis spectra consistent with monoatomic dispersion of zirconium in these samples, whereas the presence of a shoulder band at about 240 nm is observed for the sample having Si/Zr ratio of 10 which indicated the form...
Probing the properties of the strongly-interacting quark gluon plasma at RHIC

Experimental evidences at RHIC, for a strongly-interacting quark gluon plasma (sQGP), are reviewed. We discuss three related phenomena, elliptic flow, jet quenching and medium responses, that have provided much of the evidences. We examine current constraints on the transport properties of sQGP from these phenomena, point out their intrinsic connections and uncertainties, and outline future improvements on the study of the sQGP, particularly those using heavy flavor probes.
Physical parameters associated with the dielectric breakdown of MgO crystals at high temperatures

The dielectric breakdown of MgO crystals at elevated temperatures is investigated as a function of such parameters as temperature, thickness, electric field, ambient atmosphere, electrode material, and impurity content. The prebreakdown electrical characteristics induced by these parameters are studied. Each parameter is investigated individually. The results are found to be compatible with the double injection model.
Crater drilling enhancement obtained in parallel non-collinear double-pulse laser ablation

In order to investigate the double-pulse ablation mechanism, two parallel but non-collinear laser beams, delayed with respect to each other by 1 μs, were focussed on an aluminium sample, so that a lateral distance of 600 microns exists between the centres of the two craters and no superposition of the laser-ablation zones is present. The use of such configuration results in a signal and in a plasma mass enhancement with respect to the single-pulse case almost equal to that obtained in the double-pulse collinear case. However, such a non-collinear geometry evidences a much more effective drilling of the surface. Such unexpected drilling seems to be related to a hydrodynamic drainage out of aerosol and molten material, hindering its re-deposition in and around the crater.
The role of amniotic fluid assessment in indicated preterm delivery.

Measuring amniotic fluid pockets with ultrasound is an efficient and reasonably reliable method of evaluating amniotic fluid volume and categorizing relative risk of perinatal morbidity. The most commonly used ultrasound criteria for oligohydramnios, SDP
PReS-FINAL-2178: Clinical and microarray follow-up of SJIA patients treated with anakinra over the past 10 years in a single institution.

Results 51 SOJIA patients (30 F/21 M) with median disease duration of 1.0 years (range 0 days post dx-11.6 years) and median of 4 active joints (range 0-40) at initiation of anakinra were treated with a mean dose of 2.67 mg/kg (range 1-10) with an average follow-up of almost 5 years (range 0.49-9.75) on anakinra. All children had a sJIA signature as previously described (1) by microarray analysis. After 1L-1 blockade, significant improvements were seen in rash (p = 0.0008), fever (p < 0.0001), number of active joints (p = 0.0002), WBC (p < 0.0001), hemoglobin (p < 0.0001), platelets (p < 0.00001), and ESR (p < 0.0001). Twenty-two patients (17 new, 5 with flares) were treated without any steroids on anakinra alone (18), or concomitantly with methotrexate (4). 37/51 (72%) patients met Wallace criteria for inactive disease, 30/51 (59%) for clinical remission on medications, and 13/51 (25%) met criteria for clinical remission. Eight children (16%) had a partial response with important clinical improvements and were able to stop or greatly wean steroids. Five children (10%) had no sustained response. Most side effects were minor although 1 patient had sepsis immediately after IVMP. One patient had a drug induced hepatitis necessitating discontinuation of anakinra. One patient continued anakinra throughout pregnancy and delivered a normal term baby. Four patients with clinical MAS have resolved on anakinra. Gene expression profiling showed a remarkably homogeneous pattern of IL-1 related gene dysregulation (1), which normalized in most patients after anakinra. In some patients there was a time lapse between clinical response and correction of gene expression, suggesting that immune alterations are not completely resolved at time of first clinical response. Most upregulated transcripts encoded innate immunity related proteins. Down regulated transcripts encoded proteins involve in cytoxic/NK cell function and protein synthesis. In a small number of patients, interferon inducible genes were upregulated, especially in patient who had never received steroids and 5/7 of these showed normalization post anakinra.
IKKα stabilizes cytosolic β-catenin by inhibiting both canonical and non-canonical degradation pathways

Beta-catenin is a bi-functional protein. It is not only a major component of the cellular adhesion machinery, but is also a transcription co-activator of the Wnt signaling pathway. The cytosolic levels of the beta-catenin protein, as well as its subcellular localization, are tightly regulated due to its oncogenic potentials. Two independent pathways are found to regulate beta-catenin. The canonical pathway is induced by the Axin/adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) complex which is dependent on GSK-3beta phosphorylation. The non-canonical pathway is mediated by p53-induced Siah-1 which is GSK-3beta phosphorylation-independent. Recently, several studies reported that IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) could stabilize beta-catenin and stimulate beta-catenin/T cell factor (Tcf)-dependent transcription. Here we report that IKKalpha could inhibit beta-catenin degradation mediated not only by the Axin/APC/GSK-3beta complex, but also by the Siah-1 pathway. Consistently, we found that IKKalpha abolished the inhibition of beta-catenin/Tcf-dependent transcription by Siah-1. Furthermore, we found that IKKalpha interacted with beta-catenin and inhibited beta-catenin ubiquitination. Taken together, our results provide a new insight into IKKalpha-mediated beta-catenin stabilization.