cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monopoly power and the problem of CLEC access charges

Abstract The analysis in this paper considers the problem of excessive originating and terminating access charges imposed by some competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) in the United States. The problem arises because the current institutional structure provides an incentive for CLECs to charge for access service in excess of what a competitive market would indicate. An examination of the data shows that the problem of excessive access charges imposed by CLECs is very real. An analysis of terminating access charges for September 2000 reveals that average terminating access charges billed to three interexchange carriers (IXCs) are excessive, exceeding average price cap regulated incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) access charges by 370–470 percent. Some solutions to the problem are offered including a first-best solution whereby the calling party would be required to pay for originating access service and have the receiving party pay for terminating access service. A second-best solution would be to limit CLEC's access charges to an IXC to be less than or equal to the access charges of the ILEC with which it directly competes for customers.
Thermal Analysis of Continuous Filament-Wound Composites:

A transient thermal model for the continuous filament winding process using an infrared energy source has been transformed into a quasi-steady problem by working in a Eulerian reference frame. The model has been subdivided into two regimes. A one-dimensional, Cartesian coordinate, heat transfer analysis of the tape regime is coupled with a three-dimensional, cylindrical coordinate, heat transfer analysis of the composite substrate in the mandrel regime. Together, the temperature distribution of the filament winding process is predicted as a function of the power of the infrared energy source, location of the infrared spot, infrared spot size, mandrel rotational speed, and material properties.The temperature distribution determined in the numerical analysis is then compared with temperatures measured with an infrared camera attached to a small-scale filament winding apparatus. While the infrared camera cannot determine temperatures within the composite, a measure of the accuracy of the thermal model can be...
High resolution 3D imaging of the inner ear with a modified fast spin‐echo pulse sequence

A fast spin-echo pulse sequence is described that produces high resolution images of the inner ear without susceptibility artifacts. It uses thin overlapping slices that can be reformatted in multiple projections to provide a view of the 3D geometry of inner ear structures, such as the cochlea, vestibule, semicircular canals, and internal auditory canal. It has proven useful in screening adults for the presence of acoustic schwannoma and in identifying structural congenital lesions in children with sensorineural hearing loss.
A Search for Molecular Hydrogen Fluorescence near 100 km

The fluorescence of H2 in the Lyman band system, excited by solar extreme ultraviolet radiation, provides a means for the optical detection of H2 in the upper atmosphere. In particular, the Ly beta line of hydrogen is nearly degenerate with the (6,0) P1 transition, and absorption in this line produces fluorescence in the v-prime = 6 progression, principally at 1265, 1366, 1462 and 1608 A. Absorption by O2 rapidly attenuates the Ly beta from an overhead sun below 100 km and also significantly attenuates the fluorescent radiation. Far-ultraviolet dayglow spectra from 1130 to 1510 A obtained from an Aerobee rocket experiment on 11 December 1972 give an upper limit for any H2 emission which is a factor of 5 higher than expected according to recent hydrogen models.
Prevalence of upper urinary tract anomalies in hospitalized premature infants with urinary tract infection.

Prevalence of upper urinary tract anomalies in hospitalized premature infants with urinary tract infection
Updates on acute and chronic rejection in small bowel and multivisceral allografts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The surgical management of short bowel syndrome now includes intestinal (ITx) and multivisceral transplantation (MVTx), which has advanced and is now a sustainable option for the treatment of intestinal failure. Improvements in immunosuppressive therapies, excellence in surgical and medical management and enhanced post-transplant monitoring have all contributed to optimizing this solid organ transplant as a means of supplanting the diseased native bowel and alimentary tract with a functional alternative. RECENT FINDINGS Post-transplant management is a critical and challenging phase of gastrointestinal transplantation, and the transplant pathologist is an essential member of the transplant team who identifies many of the early and late complications after ITx and MVTx. Among the most injurious and common complications of ITx and MVTx is acute rejection and, to a lesser degree, chronic rejection. Both of these broad categories of rejection are principally identified by histopathological changes in the allograft; however, biomarkers and other laboratory analytes are rapidly evolving into critical ancillary tools in identifying and further characterizing the rejection process. Thus, the transplant pathologist must also be able to utilize numerous other laboratory tests and panels of molecular biomarkers that provide supplementary information to accompany the biopsy interpretation and clinical suspicion of rejection. SUMMARY Using biopsies and an assortment of additional approaches, the transplant pathologist is now able to provide swift and detailed information regarding the rejection process in the gastrointestinal transplant. This enables the clinical team to properly and successfully intercede, contributing to enhanced patient and graft survival.
Rotator cuff injuries in overhead athletes

Sporting activities, such as throwing, swimming, tennis, and the javelin, require the shoulder to rotate at high speeds with the arm abducted, which places the rotator cuff at risk for microtraumatic injury. The rotator cuff works with the labrum and glenohumeral ligaments to restrain abnormal motion of the humeral head on the glenoid. If microtraumatic injury occurs to one component of this restraint system, greater forces are placed on the other components, often resulting in combined injuries, for example to the rotator cuff and labrum. The clinician should be aware that combined injuries are common, and it is difficult to isolate an injury to a single structure by using history, physical examination, or imaging.
A method for the simultaneous measurement of the new anthracycline derivative 4'-deoxydoxorubicin and its metabolites by reversed phase liquid chromatography.

The anthracycline analog 4′-deoxydoxorubicin (4′ -deoxyDX) is a clinically promising antineoplastic agent due to its high potency, broad spectrum of activity, and decreased cardiotoxicity relative to DX. To assess its physicochemical properties and disposition kinetics, we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and precise HPLC assay for the simultaneous analysis of 4′ -deoxyDX and its potential metabolites in biological samples. The assay has a detection limit of 5 ng/ml with an average recovery of 95 ± 5%. Precision of the assay is less than 7%. Using this assay we have measured the concentrations of 4′-deoxyDX in patient plasma and urine after an intravenous injection of 4′-deoxyDX. A major metabolite, which co-eluted chromatographically with 4′-deoxydoxorubicinol, was observed in both plasma and urine.
Effect of multiple metal resistant bacteria from contaminated lake sediments on metal accumulation and plant growth

Naturally occurring bacteria play an important role in bioremediation of heavy metal pollutants in soil and wastewater. This study identified high levels of resistance to zinc, cesium, lead, arsenate and mercury in eight copper resistant Pseudomonas strains previously isolated from Torch Lake sediment. These strains showed variable susceptibility to different antibiotics. Furthermore, these metal resistant strains were capable of bioaccumulation of multiple metals and solubilization of copper. Bacterial strains TLC 3-3.5-1 and TLC 6-6.5-1 showed high bioaccumulation ability of Zn (up to 15.9 mg/g dry cell) and Pb (80.7 mg/g dry cell), respectively. All the strains produced plant growth promoting indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), iron chelating siderophore and solubilized mineral phosphate and metals. The effect of bacterial inoculation on plant growth and copper uptake by maize (Zea mays) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was investigated using one of the isolates (Pseudomonas sp. TLC 6-6.5-4) with higher IAA production and phosphate and metal solubilization, which resulted in a significant increase in copper accumulation in maize and sunflower, and an increase in the total biomass of maize. The multiple metal-resistant bacterial isolates characterized in our study have potential applications for remediation of metal contaminated soils in combination with plants and metal contaminated water.
Geologically recent gully–polygon relationships on Mars: Insights from the Antarctic Dry Valleys on the roles of permafrost, microclimates, and water sources for surface flow

We describe the morphology and spatial relationships between composite-wedge polygons and Mars-like gullies (consisting of alcoves, channels, and fans) in the hyper-arid Antarctic Dry Valleys (ADV), as a basis for understanding possible origins for martian gullies that also occur in association with polygonally patterned ground. Gullies in the ADV arise in part from the melting of atmospherically-derived, wind-blown snow trapped in polygon troughs. Snowmelt that yields surface flow can occur during peak southern hemisphere summer daytime insolation conditions. Ice-cemented permafrost provides an impermeable substrate over which meltwater flows, but does not significantly contribute to meltwater generation. Relationships between contraction crack polygons and sedimentary fans at the distal ends of gullies show deposition of fan material in polygon troughs, and dissection of fans by expanding polygon troughs. These observations suggest the continuous presence of meters-thick ice-cemented permafrost beneath ADV gullies. We document strong morphological similarities between gullies and polygons on Mars and those observed in the ADV Inland Mixed microclimate zone. On the basis of this morphological comparison, we propose an analogous, top–down melting model for the initiation and evolution of martian gullies that occur on polygonally-patterned, mantled surfaces.
HIV swiftly guts the immune system.

Two studies show that SIV directly kills massive numbers of immune cells in the gut within days of infection. The results come on the heels of similarly dramatic findings for HIV, and could radically shift the focus of HIV research and therapy.
Removal of nitrate and hexavalent uranium from groundwater by sequential treatment in bioreactors packed with elemental sulfur and zero‐valent iron

The bioreduction of soluble hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) to insoluble tetravalent uranium (U(IV)) is an attractive bioremediation strategy for the clean-up of contaminated groundwater. High levels of the common occurring co-contaminant, nitrate (NO3(-)), can potentially interfere with uranium bioremediation. In this study, treatment of a synthetic groundwater containing a mixture of NO3(-) and U(VI) was investigated in a sulfur-limestone autotrophic denitrifying (SLAD) bioreactor that was coupled in series with a bioreactor packed with zero-valent iron (Fe(0), ZVI) and sand. An additional aim of the study was to explore the possible role of biological activity in enhancing the reduction of U(VI) by Fe(0). The SLAD reactor removed NO3(-) efficiently (99.8%) at loadings of up to 20 mmol NO3(-) L(r)(-1) d(-1), with near stoichiometric conversion to benign dinitrogen gas (N(2)). The ZVI bioreactor subsequently removed uranium (99.8%) at high (0.22 mM) and low (0.02 mM) influent concentrations of the radionuclide. Aqueous uranium was reliably eliminated to below the maximum contaminant level of 30 µg L(-1) (0.13 µM) when the ZVI reactor was operated at average empty bed hydraulic retention times as low as 2.3 h, demonstrating the feasibility of the sequential treatment strategy in packed bed bioreactors. Sequential extraction of the ZVI reactor packing confirmed that uranium was immobilized as U(IV). Uranium removal was enhanced by microbial activity as confirmed by the increased rate of uranium removal in batch assays inoculated with effluent from the ZVI bioreactor and spiked with Fe(0) compared to abiotic controls.
Positive experience with medical savings accounts in Singapore.

Medical savings accounts (MSAs) may, by introducing personal responsibility into individual decision making, reduce overall health care costs.’ This has attracted policymakers’ attention in the United States and in other countries. In fact, a mandatory MSA program has financed personal health care expenditures in the Republic of Singapore since 1984. Here we outline the operational characteristics of MSAs in Singapore and highlight the issues to be considered in any attempt to replicate such a program in the United States.
Computing scattering amplitudes for arbitrary cylinders under incident plane waves

A numerical method to compute scattering amplitudes for time harmonic waves scattered from infinite cylinders with arbitrary uniform cross section is described. A nonlocal boundary condition is used to develop a variational formulation of the scattering problem, and the finite element method is applied to determine approximations to the near field. Scattering amplitudes are then determined by means of an integral representation obtained from Green's formula and properties of the nonlocal boundary operator. Computational results are presented to illustrate the method's application.
Fexofenadine: biochemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and its unique role in allergic disorders.

Background: Fexofenadine is one of several second-generation H1-antihistamines approved for the treatment of various allergic disorders; however, it shows numerous unique properties that make it an optimal choice for many patients. Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy and safety of fexofenadine and the attributes differentiating it from other H1-antihistamines. Methods: We performed a literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE (1966 – March 2009) using the keywords fexofenadine, antihistamine, allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria. We also reviewed data provided by the manufacturer in addition to reports from various governmental agencies. Results/conclusions: Fexofenadine is devoid of sedative and anticholinergic effects and may offer equivalent or greater efficacy in treating allergic disorders compared with other currently available second-generation H1-antihistamines. In addition, fexofenadine may offer cost savings over other selected H1-antihistamines owing to its recent availability in generi...
Metacognition and higher-order thoughts

Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to Kati Balog, Thomas Nelson, and Georges Rey for their thoughtful comments. It has been a pleasure reading and responding to their careful and provocative challenges, Because there is a fair amount of overlap in the points by Balog and Rey, I will organize this response topically, referring specifically to each commentator as relevant. And, because much of the discussion focuses on my higher-order-thought (HOT) hypothesis independent of questions about metacognition, I will begin by addressing a cluster of issues that have to do with the status, motivation, and exact formulation of that hypothesis.
Saturation Clipping in the LHS and YIQ Color Spaces

A common approach for color image processing is to first transform the RGB image to a new color space (such as LHS and YIQ), do the processing, and then transform back to RGB space. in many applications, only the luminance component is processed, and the hue and saturation are preserved. However, when the processed values in the new color system are transformed back to RGB, the transformed values may lie outside the RGB cube. Some researchers clip the processed luminance values before transformation from the processing color space to RGB space. This can lead to a loss of luminance contrast because many pixels may be clipped to approximately the same luminance value. Instead of clipping the luminance, this paper investigates clipping the saturation component. The gamuts of two color coordinate systems, LHS and YIQ, are studied. The procedures for saturation clipping are presented for both systems. Experimental results of clipping saturation and luminance in histogram equalization are presented in the paper. The results show that the contrast of the processed image is much better when saturation clipping is used. The luminance of the image can utilize the full dynamic range, thereby resulting in improved contrast enhancement.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The dual effect of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) on the growth of cultured mouse melanoma cells.

Summary Melanotropin (melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH) can either stimulate or inhibit the rate of proliferation of melanocytes. Stimulation was observed in cultures of mouse melanoma cells that had low tyrosinase activity and in cells that had normal tyrosinase activity but were grown in medium that was changed frequently or was deficient in tyrosine. In contrast, inhibition of growth was associated with high tyrosinase activity and the presence of tyrosine in the culture medium. Small amounts of exogenous adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) stimulate the growth rate of these cells [1] . Since MSH causes an increase in intracellular levels of cAMP 2. , 3. , 4. , it is likely that the stimulation of growth is due to the ability of this hormone to increase the intracellular levels of cAMP. Inhibition of growth in turn is related to the activation of tyrosinase by MSH and the accumulation of toxic substances produced by the tyrosinase reaction.
Sensitivity of near-surface atmospheric circulation to tropical instability waves

A set of atmospheric general circulation model experiments were performed where the Community Atmospheric Model version 3.1 is forced with sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) that have the imprint of tropical instability waves (TIWs) of varying strengths. The presence of TIWs in the SSTs increased the variance in the large-scale circulation in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The impact of TIWs in the SST anomalies is directly seen in enhanced mixing of the air temperature anomalies, thereby diffusing the air temperature gradients setup by the oceanic fronts throughout the ABL. The presence of TIWs transformed the diffusive-natured ABL to advection-dominated regime. This implies that within the ABL, the presence of TIWs leads to the enhanced interactions among the neighboring grid cells and prompts greater horizontal communications among atmospheric variables. However, the advection in the ABL due to the TIWs is not a linear function of increasing TIW strength. Unlike air temperature, zonal, and vertical velocity, the variance in the meridional velocity changes at the top of the ABL due to the momentum mixing across the ABL in the vertical direction. This causes the ABL to be more turbulent beyond seasonal time scales. This analysis also suggests that a simple parameterization is not sufficient to take the account of rectification effects on the atmospheric variables that are missing due to the lack of TIW representation in the coarse-resolution coupled general circulation models.
QUASI - MACKEY TOPOLOGY

Let E1, E2 be Hausdorff locally convex spaces with E2 quasi-complete, and T : E1 → E2 a continuous linear map. Then T maps bounded sets of E1 into relatively weakly compact subsets of E2 if and only if T is continuous with quasi-Mackey topology on E1. If E1 has quasi-Mackey topology and E2 is quasi-complete, then a sequentially continuos linear map T : E1 → E2 is an unconditionally converging operator.
Transcription-coupled and Transcription-independent Repair of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers in the Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene *

Using a ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction technique, we have mapped the repair of ultraviolet light-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) at the nucleotide level in exons 1, 2, and 5 of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We found that CPDs are preferentially repaired in the transcribed strand (T strand) and that the order of repair efficiency is exon 1 > exon 2 > exon 5. In the cells with a deletion of the DHFR gene encompassing the promoter region and the first four exons, CPDs are not repaired in the T strand of the residual DHFR gene. These results substantiate the idea that the preferential repair of CPDs in the T strand is transcription dependent. However, in the wild type gene we have found that CPDs are efficiently repaired in the nontranscribed strand (NT strand) of exon 1 but not in the NT strand of exons 2 and 5. Probing the chromatin structure of exons 1, 2, and 5 of theDHFR gene with micrococcal nuclease revealed that the exon 1 region is much more sensitive to micrococcal nuclease digestion than the exon 2 and exon 5 regions, suggesting that the chromatin structure in the exon 1 region is much more open. These results suggest that, although preferential repair of the T strand of the DHFRgene is transcription dependent, repair of the NT strand is greatly affected by chromatin structure.
Dairy Operation Management Practices and Herd Milk Production

A national US survey collected data on herd milk production and management of Holstein herds. Stepwise selection identified management practices that were related to herd milk production using only operations that calculated herd milk production as well as using data from all operations. Results were similar. Milk production was highest in the West. Operations with e100 dairy cows had lower production than did larger operations. Operations with >25% registered cattle had higher production than operations with no registered cattle. Dairy operations that reported a mean BW >545 kg at first calving had higher mean milk production than operations with a mean BW 5545 kg at first calving. Operations that reported mean age at first calving 527 mo had higher mean milk production than operations with a mean age >27 mo at first calving. In addition, use of the following management practices was associated with higher rolling herd average milk production: calves born in individual areas in buildings, calves hand-fed first colostrum, starter grain fed to preweaned calves, ionophores fed to heifers from birth to first calving, DHIA record-keeping system used, computerized records, and no new cattle introduced in the previous 12 mo.
Marginal tests with sliced average variance estimation

SUMMARY We present a new computationally feasible test for the dimension of the central subspace in a regression problem based on sliced average variance estimation. We also provide a marginal coordinate test. Under the null hypothesis, both the test of dimension and the marginal coordinate test involve test statistics that asymptotically have chi-squared distributions given normally distributed predictors, and have a distribution that is a linear combination of chi-squared distributions in general.
Evaluating the Department Chairperson.

A procedure for evaluating the department chairperson is described. The benefits and importance of such evaluations are emphasized.
Post-embryonic development of cuticular caps of campaniform sensilla of the cockroach leg: potential implications in scaling force detection

Abstract All animals generate progressively larger forces as they increase in size and mass. Their abilities to detect these forces must be similarly adjusted. In insects, campaniform sensilla monitor strains in the exoskeleton and provide information about forces acting upon the legs. Each sensory neuron possesses a dendrite that inserts into a cuticular cap in the exoskeleton. The cap is the site of mechanotransduction. We measured the sizes and numbers of receptor caps on the cockroach hindleg at different developmental stages. Our goal was to identify morphological features that could be correlated with the range of forces that must be detected. As cockroaches increase in size through successive molts, the number of cuticular caps in each group increases. The tibial group, for example, has two sensilla in first instar animals and 10–12 in the adult. There is also an increase in the range of cap sizes within each group. Observations of animals and their molted exoskeletons suggest that this increase occurs as the caps of existing receptors increase in size and smaller ones are added with each molt. These changes may be important in increasing the range of forces the receptors can signal while retaining sensitivity to low levels of force.
Peripheral mediation of effects of clenbuterol on locomotor and investigatory behavior in rats

Clenbuterol is one of the few beta adrenergic agonists that readily passes the blood-brain barrier. Hence, the behavioral effects in rats of systemic administrations of Clenbuterol have been used as a reflection of the activation of central beta receptors. The present experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that the reduction in Locomotor activity induced by Clenbuterol is mediated by central rather than peripheral beta receptors. First, dose-dependent reductions in ambulation, holepoking, and rearing were established following intraperitoneal injections of 0.004 to 1.0 mgfkg Clenbuterol. These effects were then found to be similar to those of 0.4 mglkg isoproterenol, a mixed beta adrenergic agonist that does not enter the brain after systemic administration. The behaviorally suppressive effects of either 0.4 mgfkg isoproterenol or 0.05 mglkg Clenbuterol were found to be completely antagonized by pretreatment with a 10.0 mgfkg dose of nadolol, a beta antagonist that does not penetrate the brain when administered systemically. Nadolol itself had no significant effects on behavior. These results indicate that these behavioral effects of systemic administrations of Clenbuterol are mediated by the activation of peripheral rather than central beta adrenergic receptors.
An object‐oriented approach to plant configuration management information systems analysis

Plant configuration management systems address all phases of the plant’s life cycle, from engineering design, re‐design, maintenance, to operations. However, as yet little research has been reported on plant configuration management information systems analysis. During the past decade, the object‐oriented approach has received much attention in information systems development. This paper describes an object structure for plant configuration management systems analysis. Three major aspects of configuration management (maintenance, re‐design change, and business process) and fundamental types of objects engaged in configuration management are described. The association between these objects is then built through identifying the messages between the objects. Practical application of this framework shows that it is useful for the analysis and design of a plant configuration management information system.
Syllable onsets as a factor in stress rules

One of the common assumptions of standard metrical phonology (Hayes 1981) is that rules of stress placement do not refer to the weight or nature of syllable onsets. This is most clearly stated in Halle & Vergnaud (1980:93): ‘in all languages known to us, stress assignment rules are sensitive to the structure of the syllable rime, but disregard completely the character of the onset’. This assumption has been attacked by both Davis (1982, 1985a, b) and Everett & Everett (1984). These researchers have pointed to a number of languages which seem to have stress-placement rules that are sensitive to the nature of the syllable onset. For example, Davis (1985a, b) notes that Western Aranda (an Arandic language of Australia) has a stress rule that places main stress on the initial syllable if it begins with a consonant; otherwise stress falls on the second syllable. However, if the word is bisyllabic, stress must fall on the initial syllable, since final syllables are always extrametrical.
A Survey of Fourth-Year Medical Students' Decisions regarding Family Practice as a Career.

With a decline in the proportion of medical students pursuing family practice careers, it is necessary to better understand the factors influencing their career decisions. The Fishbein model of attitude formation was used as a framework for developing a questionnaire to measure students' attitudes toward a career in family practice and the social support students perceived they had for that career. The questionnaire was administered to fourth-year-medical students a short time before residency match day. Both the attitude and social support scales had excellent psychometric characteristics. The usefulness of these scales in discriminating between career choices of family practice and other clinical careers was tested. The social support scale did not discriminate well, whereas the attitude scale discriminated quite well. The students who chose careers in family practice differed from students who chose other careers in 14 of 19 values about characteristics of family practice but differed from them in only two of 19 beliefs about family practice. The implications for advising medical students about careers in family practice are discussed.
A New Class of Theta-Function Identities Originating in Ramanujan′s Notebooks

Abstract In the unorganized pages of his second notebook, Ramanujan offers two new theta-function identities that have a form different from other identities found in the literature. Using the theory of modular forms, we prove a general theorem containing Ramanujan′s two identities as special cases.
Structures and syntheses of layered and framework amine-bearing uranyl phosphate and uranyl arsenates

Abstract Two hydrated uranyl arsenates and a uranyl phosphate were synthesized by hydrothermal methods in the presence of amine structure-directing agents and their structures determined: (N2C6H14)[(UO2)(AsO4)]2(H2O)3, DabcoUAs, {NH(C2H5)3}[(UO2)2(AsO4)(AsO3OH)], TriethUAs, and (N2C4H12)(UO2)[(UO2)(PO4)]4(H2O)2, PiperUP. Intensity data were collected at room temperature using MoKα X-radiation and a CCD-based area detector. The crystal structures were refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques on the basis of F2 to agreement indices (DabcoUAs, TriethUAs, PiperUP) wR2=5.6%, 8.3%, 7.2% for all data, and R1=2.9%, 3.3%, 4.0%, calculated for 1777, 5822, 9119 unique observed reflections (|Fo|⩾4σF), respectively. DabcoUAs is monoclinic, space group C2/m, Z=2, a=18.581(1), b=7.1897(4), c=7.1909(4) A, β=102.886(1)°, V=936.43(9) A3, Dcalc=3.50 g/cm3. TriethUAs is monoclinic, space group P21/n, Z=4, a=9.6359(4), b=18.4678(7), c=10.0708(4) A, β=92.282(1)°, V=1790.7(1) A3, Dcalc=3.41 g/cm3. PiperUP is monoclinic, space group Pn, Z=2, a=9.3278(4), b=15.5529(7), c=9.6474(5) A, β=93.266(1)°, V=1397.3(1) A3, Dcalc=4.41 g/cm3. The structure of DabcoUAs contains the autunite-type sheet formed by the sharing of vertices between uranyl square bipyramids and arsenate tetrahedra. The triethylenediammonium cations are located in the interlayer along with two H2O groups and are disordered. Both TriethUAs and PiperUP contain sheets formed of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and tetrahedra (arsenate and phosphate, respectively) with the uranophane sheet-anion topology. In TriethUAs, triethlyammonium cations are located in the interlayer. In PiperUP, the sheets are connected by a uranyl pentagonal bipyramid that shares corners with phosphate tetrahedra of adjacent sheets, resulting in a framework with piperazinium cations and H2O groups in the cavities of the structure.
Investigational Therapies for Ischemic Stroke: Neuroprotection and Neurorecovery

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Current treatment strategies for ischemic stroke primarily focus on reducing the size of ischemic damage and rescuing dying cells early after occurrence. To date, intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is the only United States Food and Drug Administration approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke, but its use is limited by a narrow therapeutic window. The pathophysiology of stroke is complex and it involves excitotoxicity mechanisms, inflammatory pathways, oxidative damage, ionic imbalances, apoptosis, angiogenesis, neuroprotection, and neurorestoration. Regeneration of the brain after damage is still active days and even weeks after a stroke occurs, which might provide a second window for treatment. A huge number of neuroprotective agents have been designed to interrupt the ischemic cascade, but therapeutic trials of these agents have yet to show consistent benefit, despite successful preceding animal studies. Several agents of great promise are currently in the middle to late stages of the clinical trial setting and may emerge in routine practice in the near future. In this review, we highlight select pharmacologic and cell-based therapies that are currently in the clinical trial stage for stroke.
Transient effect of intravenous potassium on A-V conduction and ventricular ectopic beats: Clinical study☆

Abstract 1. 1. Fourteen infusions of potassium phosphate to 12 digitalized individuals with persistent ventricular ectopic rhythms resulted in a transient depression of the ectopic focus in 12 experiments. In one there was no effect and in another the ventricular premature beats increased in number during the infusion. In 4 additional patients the ventricular ectopic beats first appeared during or after the infusion. 2. 2. Depression of A-V conduction with resultant slowing of the ventricular rate was observed during 11 of the 18 infusions. 3. 3. The parallel depression of A-V conduction and the ectopic ventricular foci suggests that the effect of potassium is one of myocardial depression. Furthermore, the short-lived beneficial effect of potassium suggests that the mechanism may be due to a transient elevation of the extracellular level of the cation.
TgrC1 Has Distinct Functions in Dictyostelium Development and Allorecognition

The cell adhesion glycoproteins, TgrB1 and TgrC1, are essential for Dictyostelium development and allorecognition, but it has been impossible to determine whether their pleiotropic roles are due to one common function or to distinct functions in separate pathways. Mutations in the respective genes, tgrB1 and tgrC1, abrogate both development and allorecognition and the defects cannot be suppressed by activation of the cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase PKA, a central regulator of Dictyostelium development. Here we report that mutations in genes outside the known PKA pathway partially suppress the tgrC1-null developmental defect. We separated the pleiotropic roles of tgrC1 by testing the effects of a suppression mutation, stcinsA under different conditions. stcAins modified only the developmental defect of tgrC1– but not the allorecognition defect, suggesting that the two functions are separable. The suppressor mutant phenotype also revealed that tgrC1 regulates stalk differentiation in a cell-autonomous manner and spore differentiation in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Moreover, stcAins did not modify the developmental defect of tgrB1–, but the less robust phenotype of tgrB1– obscures the possible role of stcA relative to tgrB1.
Surgical Management of Essential Blepharospasm

There are few conditions seen by the facial plastic surgeon as disabling as blepharospasm. The anguish and frustration felt by patients suffering from this disease are profound. Although many conditions treated by the facial plastic surgeon are amenable to surgical intervention, blepharospasm is unique in that the majority of patients will not go on to need surgical treatment. To that end, it is important to understand the natural course of the disease and the overall response of patients to medical treatments. Thus one can identify the best candidates for surgical intervention. Blepharospasm is a progressive involuntary contraction of the entire orbicularis oculi muscles (pretarsal, preseptal, and periorbital) and the procerus, depressor supercilii, and corrugator muscles (Fig. 1). The onset is usually spontaneous with the spasms being bilateral, intermittent, or persistent. Isolated spasm involving the orbicularis oculi, procerus, depressor supercilii, and corrugator muscles is termed essential blepharospasm. As many as 80% of patients exhibit dystonic movements of other facial, oral, mandibular, or cervical muscles and many patients with essential blepharospasm go on to develop such associated spasms. Appropriate medical and surgical treatment of blepharospasm requires a clear understanding of the clinical features and differential diagnosis of the condition [1–26].
Biceramic nozzles for the intermediate ladles in continuous steel casting

A technology was developed for producing biceramic nozzles giving a firm bond between the chamotte and zirconia parts or between the chamotte and alumina/silicon carbide parts respectively. The service trials of the biceramic nozzles showed that they are superior to all-zirconia nozzles in terms of thermostability and wear resistance. Biceramic nozzles give better casting conditions and help to reduce consumption of a costly starting material.
Simultaneous microscopic measurements of photodarkening and photoexpansion in chalcogenide films

A near-field scanning optical microscopic analysis is performed on As2S3 film gratings in order to simultaneously collect index and topography images with sub-micrometre resolution. This technique makes it possible to unambiguously study the correlation between photodarkening and photoexpansion at the local scale. The development of a positive index change concomitantly with expansion or contraction in films of different thermal histories suggests that homopolar bonds are not a major contributor to the darkening effect. Photodarkening is instead associated with structurally stable defects that appear to be largely decoupled from the volume change mechanism. While photoexpansion and photodarkening follow the same growth kinetic during irradiation of annealed films with band-gap light, it is clearly shown that their structural origin is different. These results have relevance for grating fabrication since both the relief and the index patterns contribute to the grating efficiency, yet they appear to have distinct behaviour during processing or long-term stability.
Topological and statistical properties of a constrained Voronoi tessellation

Voronoi tessellation has been used widely to approximate and model various cellular structures and stochastic patterns appearing in nature. In this work, we present an extended version of the Voronoi tessellation method that partitions the space with certain constraints commonly encountered in either experimental measurements or theoretical models, such as cell volume or size distribution. The new Voronoi method is implemented using an inverse Monte Carlo method. We calculate the topological and statistical properties of tessellated Voronoi cells in several model systems with cell volumes obeying lognormal and bimodal distributions. We also compare the results with those obtained using the conventional Poisson–Voronoi method. We observed systematic changes in the topological properties as well as deviations from some established topological relations as the parameters in the constraint were varied. The application of this constrained Voronoi method in microstructure modelling and characterization in poly-...
Uniaxial tension inhibits tendon collagen degradation by collagenase in vitro

Tendon structure is governed largely by factors regulating the anabolic and catabolic phases of tenocyte metabolism. Little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the synthesis, activation, and action of metalloproteinases, which are key enzymes in a multifactorial cascade controlling homeostasis of the extracellular matrix. In the present study, we investigated the effect of tension on collagenase-induced degradation of the tendon in vitro by assessing changes in structural and material properties measured during tensile failure tests. Devitalized right-left pairs of rabbit patella-patellar tendon-tibia units were maintained under culture conditions in the presence of 60 U/ml highly purified collagenase for 20 hours. One randomly selected unit from each animal was subjected to a tension that produced a constant 4% elongation or strain (n = 10); the contralateral unit served as a slack comparison (n = 10). In one series of experiments (immediate, n = 5), the tension was applied immediately prior to collagenase exposure. In a second series (delayed, n = 5), it was delayed for 4 hours to allow time for the collagenase to diffuse into the tendon. Additional devitalized and nonincubated units (n = 6) were used as normal controls. Collagenase exposure caused large decreases in stiffness and elongation to failure in slack units. This resulted in greater than 80% reductions in both maximum failure force and energy to failure. In contrast, the loaded unit in both experimental protocols had significantly greater stiffness than control units. In both the immediate and the delayed protocols, the loaded tendons had significantly higher stiffness and failed at significantly higher elongations and maximum forces than the slack tendons. Diffusion studies with and without tension showed the tension did not inhibit diffusion of collagenase into the tendon but did significantly decrease the water content from 64.6 to 57.8%. The data suggest that stresses and strains of the extracellular matrix may modify the kinetics of the bacterial collagenase-collagen interaction. Matrix stress and strain may be an important and overlooked factor that modulates the susceptibility of collagen to proteolytic degradation.
Improved corrosion resistance of Ni–22Cr–13Mo–4W Alloy by surface nanocrystallization

Abstract Surface modification treatments were carried out on Alloy 22, a nickel base Ni–22Cr–13Mo–4W alloy, using shot peening process followed by low-temperature annealing. Electrochemical corrosion experiments were carried out on the surface modified specimens in hot acid chloride solution. Passivation and Mott–Schottky (M–S) analysis were carried out in sulfuric acid solution at room temperature. Improved passivity and better electronic properties of passive film were observed on the surface modified specimens that could be attributed to the surface nanocrystallization.
Whole Brain Expression of Bipolar Disorder Associated Genes: Structural and Genetic Analyses

Studies of bipolar disorder (BD) suggest a genetic basis of the illness that alters brain function and morphology. In recent years, a number of genetic variants associated with BD have been identified. However, little is known about the associated genes, or brain circuits that rely upon their function. Using an anatomically comprehensive survey of the human transcriptome (The Allen Brain Atlas), we mapped the expression of 58 genes with suspected involvement in BD based upon their relationship to SNPs identified in genome wide association studies (GWAS). We then conducted a meta-analysis of structural MRI studies to identify brain regions that are abnormal in BD. Of 58 BD associated genes, 22 had anatomically distinct expression patterns that could be categorized into one of three clusters (C1–C3). Brain regions with the highest and lowest expression of these genes did not overlap strongly with anatomical sites identified as abnormal by structural MRI except in the parahippocampal gyrus, the inferior/superior temporal gyrus and the cerebellar vermis, regions where overlap was significant. Using the 22 genes in C1–C3 as reference points, additional genes with correlated expression patterns were identified and organized into sets based on similarity. Further analysis revealed that five of these gene sets were significantly associated with BD, suggesting that anatomical expression profile is correlated with genetic susceptibility to BD, particularly for genes in C2. Our data suggest that expression profiles of BD-associated genes do not explain the majority of structural abnormalities observed in BD, but may be useful in identifying new candidate genes. Our results highlight the complex neuroanatomical basis of BD, and reinforce illness models that emphasize impaired brain connectivity.
Utilization deficiency and working memory capacity in adult memory performance: not just for children anymore

In acquiring mnemonic strategies, children may demonstrate a utilization deficiency phase in which they successfully execute a strategy but it does not facilitate memory performance. The present experiment suggests that utilization deficiencies are not a developmental phenomenon per se, but rather a byproduct of diminished working memory capacity for any reason (i.e., maturation, knowledge base, context, individual differences, etc.). Adults performing a series of study-test memory trials using nonsense words exhibited characteristics of utilization deficiencies, with increased strategy use not contributing to increased memory performance. Furthermore, adults’ working memory capacity modified the effect. Implications of these findings for developmental models of strategy acquisition are discussed.
Polyneuropathy syndromes associated with serum antibodies to sulfatide and myelin-associated glycoprotein.

We studied a series of 64 patients with sensory ± motor peripheral neuropathies by comparing clinical and physiologic features to serum antibody reactivity against compounds containing sulfated carbohydrate moieties. We determined antibody reactivity by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using purified glycolipids and glycoproteins as antigens, and we used high-performance thin-layer chromatography and Western blotting to test the specificity of results. Twelve patients with high titers of IgM antibodies directed against the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) had sensory-motor polyneuropa-thies with physiologic evidence of demyelination. IgM antibody reactivity to MAG was associated with an IgM serum M protein in five patients. Eight other patients, most with sensory >motor polyneuropathies, had high titers of antibody reactivity to sulfatide but not of IgM to MAG. TWO had an associated IgM paraprotein. None of the patients with selective serum antisulfatide activity had predominantly demyelinating features on physiologic testing. We conclude that (1) high ELISA titers of antibodies to MAG may be more common than previously suspected in patients with chronic demyelinating sensory-motor neuropathies, and (2) the presence of high titers of antisulfatide antibodies in serum may provide clues to the pathogenesis of otherwise idiopathic, axonal, predominantly sensory neuropathies.
An experimental and kinetic study of alkane autoignition at high pressures and intermediate temperatures

Abstract Autoignition delay times of individual alkanes and mixtures of alkanes were measured experimentally in a high pressure, intermediate temperature, turbulent flow reactor. The mixtures are intended to simulate various natural gas compositions from around the world. Testing was conducted from 7 to 15 atm and from 785 to 935 K which mimic the inlet conditions to the premixing zone in many modern lean premixed gas turbine engines. It is also in the kinetics region where reactions involving RO 2 and H 2 O 2 control the ignition process. The results are compared to higher temperature autoignition data from the literature which reveals several interesting differences between the two regimes. Finally, the data are compared to simulations using comprehensive chemical kinetics mechanisms to elucidate the dominant reactions at these conditions.