cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation and decay of 164Yb* in near- and below-barrier fusion reactions.

A consistent description of the formation and decay of $^{164}\mathrm{Yb}^{\mathrm{*}}$ in the fusion of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$${+}^{148}$Sm and $^{64}\mathrm{Ni}$${+}^{100}$Mo is presented in a bombarding energy range from near to well below the entrance channel Coulomb barrier. Fusion excitation functions and angular momentum distributions are described well with a recently proposed one-dimensional barrier penetration model with energy-dependent fusion barriers. The main features of fusion and angular momentum distribution data in $^{64}\mathrm{Ni}$${+}^{100}$Mo are also reproduced with simplified coupled channel calculations. The statistical model accounts well for the decay of $^{164}\mathrm{Yb}^{\mathrm{*}}$ in the $^{16}\mathrm{induced}$ reaction and for most of the data in the $^{64}\mathrm{induced}$ reaction. The evaporation residue fractional cross sections as a function of the compound nucleus excitation energy show trends that correlate with the low- and high-spin regions of the compound nucleus angular momentum distributions populated in the two reactions.
Absence of prostaglandin changes associated with protamine administration in patients with pulmonary hypertension

In patients with pre-existing pulmonary hypertension, severe pulmonary vasoconstriction has been observed following protamine administration. Thromboxane A 2 , a potent vasoconstrictor, is capable of producing increases in pulmonary vascular resistance, and animal studies suggest that heparinprotamine complexes stimulate thromboxane A 2 synthesis. This study assessed the effect of protamine administration on hemodynamics and on plasma thromboxane A 2 and its biologic antagonist, prostacyclin, by serial measurement of the stable metabolites, thromboxane B 2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α , respectively. Ten adults with pulmonary artery hypertension undergoing elective mitral valve replacement were studied. After termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, baseline hemodynamic measurements were obtained and arterial blood for prostanoid analysis was sampled. Hemodynamic and prostanoid measurements were obtained 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after the protamine infusion began. Prostanoid levels were performed by double antibody radio-immunoassay. No significant hemodynamic changes occurred and no significant changes in prostanoid levels were observed. It is concluded that in patients with pulmonary hypertension, heparin-protamine complexes do not consistently raise circulating thromboxane levels, and the relationships among prostanoids, pulmonary hypertension, and systemic hypotension are still not clear.
Studies of the Numbers and Morphology of the Intracellular Form of Leishmania donovani Grown in Cell Culture

SYNOPSIS. Macrophages were infected in vivo with the intracellular form of Leishmania donovani (LDs), harvested from the previously saline-stimulated peritoneal cavities of hamsters and explanted into Leighton tubes containing removable coverslips. Serum from either rabbit, chicken, human, calf, hamster or cotton rat blood was used as the 40% component of a Hanks' BSS60 serum40 medium used to maintain these Leighton tube cultures at 37 C. After varying lengths of time coverslips were removed from tubes, stained with Giemsa, and the parasites per infected macrophage, total number of hamster cells and total number of parasites on each coverslip were counted. Maerophages constituted more than 90% of the explanted cells on the coverslips. When cotton rat serum was used as a component of the medium, fibroblastic overgrowth of the coverslips followed. Some similarities and differences in the numbers of macrophages, fibroblasts and parasites were noted with regard to the serum used as part of the medium. Except for cotton rat serum, the serum component of the medium used apparently did not influence, to any great degree, the morphology of either the macrophages or parasites therein. Thus, vacuolarization and granularization of macrophages did not appear to be very distinctly correlated with the time of sampling or the type of serum in the medium used for maintenance nor could any morphologic variations of the LDs be ascribed to these factors. When cotton rat serum, but not any of the other sera, was the serum component of the medium, leptomonads were noted in the overlay fluid of the cultures after 6 days. Under these conditions of cell culture, fibroblasts could not be infected with LDs although macrophages on the same coverslip were heavily parasitized.
The oxidase systems of Ascaris-muscle mitochondria.

Abstract 1. The oxidase systems of Ascaris-muscle mitochondria were investigated by polarographic and spectroscopic techniques. 2. Spectrophotometric studies at −196° revealed that Ascaris-muscle mitochondria contained low levels of substrate-reducible a-, b- and c-type cytochromes. Cytochrome a3, present in very low concentrations, was shown to be functional by photochemical action spectrum. 3. Ascaris-muscle mitochondria oxidized (in decreasing order of respiratory activity) succinate, malate, NADH and α-glycerophosphate with H2O2 as end-product. 4. The antimycin A-insensitive ascorbate-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) oxidase activity was inhibited 33% by 1.0 mM CN−, 58% by CO and 100% by CO plus 1.0 mM CN−. CO inhibited 50% of succinate oxidation. 5. Fluorescence spectrum confirms and further identifies the two flavin components involved with malate oxidation in Ascaris-muscle mitochondria.
Differential expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in the cochlear nucleus of the mouse

Abstract Glutamate is used in the cochlear nucleus as a neurotransmitter by cochlear nerve synapses and by local circuits of granule cell axons. In the present study, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to identify different types of neurons expressing N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) in the mouse cochlear nucleus. N -Methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1 was expressed in most neuronal types, but granule cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus had little, if any, expression, unlike their heavily labeled counterparts in the small cell shell and cerebellum. The findings do not support an analogy between the dorsal cochlear nucleus and the cerebellar cortex. In the cochlear nucleus the most heavily labeled structures were dendrites in the small cell shell and superficial dorsal cochlear nucleus, including the fusiform cell apical dendrites, which are targets of granule cell axons. However, fusiform cell basal dendrites, which are the synaptic sites of cochlear nerve fibers, did not express N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1. Thus different parts of the fusiform cells can have different subunits in their glutamte receptors. Also branches of the same cochlear nerve axons projecting to the octopus, stellate, and bushy cells of the ventral cochlear nucleus can use N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor, while their branches to fusiform cells cannot. Each cochlear nucleus neuron type has a characteristic level of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1 expression. Each type differs in its auditory response properties, which may depend on synaptic activities requiring different glutamate subunit patterns.
Vitreous fluorophotometry in patients with cataract surgery.

Cystoid macular edema frequently complicates recovery from cataract surgery. Our understanding of this disease would be enhanced by more sensitive and quantitative methods to evaluate it. We performed vitreous fluorophotometry in 66 nondiabetic patients who had recently undergone cataract surgery. Eyes with definite macular edema on fluorescein angiography were ranked according to the severity of the leakage. The rank of the leakage correlated significantly with the vitreous fluorophotometry values (P < 0.01). The mean fluorophotometry result in the eyes with cystoid macular edema was greater than that in the phakic, control group (P < 0.01). However, eyes with minimal or no leakage visible on fluorescein angiography had fluorophotometry values indistinguishable from normal. The quantitative vitreous fluorophotometry results provided an indicator of cystoid macular edema that may prove useful in following this problem and evaluating therapy for it.
Trigonelline accumulation in salt-stressed legumes and the role of other osmoregulators as cell cycle control agents

Abstract Plants, when exposed to excess salt, accumulate osmoregulators such as glycine betaine, proline and trigonelline to prevent water loss. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) shows a five-fold proline increase and a two-fold trigonelline increase after salt-stress. Trigonelline also has a second function as a cell cycle regulator during the early growth of many legume root meristems. In this study, greenhouse grown soybeans (Glycine max) were exposed to salt-stress and levels (μg g−1, dry wt) of trigonelline were determined in leaf samples until senescence. Significant trigonelline increases occurred, beginning several weeks after salt exposure. Further experiments determined if other known osmoregulators (proline, glycine betaine) could affect the cell cycle parameters in cultured root meristems of peas (Pisum sativum), in a manner similar to trigonelline. Mitotic values remained near 4% of controls. At concentrations of 10−4–10−7 M trigonelline, an accumulation of G2 nuclei occurred, whereas proline was ineffective and glycine betaine only slightly effective in promoting G2 nuclei accumulation. These results demonstrate that the cell cycle effects of the trigonelline molecule are indeed specific and that its role as an osmoregulator in salt-stressed legumes is strengthened.
EMX2 Regulates Sizes and Positioning of the Primary Sensory and Motor Areas in Neocortex by Direct Specification of Cortical Progenitors

Genetic studies of neocortical area patterning are limited, because mice deficient for candidate regulatory genes die before areas emerge and have other complicating issues. To define roles for the homeodomain transcription factor EMX2, we engineered nestin-Emx2 transgenic mice that overexpress Emx2 in cortical progenitors coincident with expression of endogenous Emx2 and survive postnatally. Cortical size, lamination, thalamus, and thalamocortical pathfinding are normal in homozygous nestin-Emx2 mice. However, primary sensory and motor areas are disproportionately altered in size and shift rostrolaterally. Heterozygous transgenics have similar but smaller changes. Opposite changes are found in heterozygous Emx2 knockout mice. Fgf8 expression in the commissural plate of nestin-Emx2 mice is indistinguishable from wild-type, but Pax6 expression is downregulated in rostral cortical progenitors, suggesting that EMX2 repression of PAX6 specification of rostral identities contributes to reduced rostral areas. We conclude that EMX2 levels in cortical progenitors disproportionately specify sizes and positions of primary cortical areas.
NMR insights into protein allostery

Abstract Allosterism is one of nature’s principal methods for regulating protein function. Allosterism utilizes ligand binding at one site to regulate the function of the protein by modulating the structure and dynamics of a distant binding site. In this review, we first survey solution NMR techniques and how they may be applied to the study of allostery. Subsequently, we describe several examples of application of NMR to protein allostery and highlight the unique insight provided by this experimental technique.
Pathways to Careers in Medicine and Health

Physicians and other health professionals are an important part of the national scientific and technical workforce, and it is important to understand the factors that attract (or fail to attract) young adults into these fields. Using data from the 20-year record of the Longitudinal Study of American Youth (LSAY) and working within a social learning paradigm, this analysis uses a set of variables to predict employment in medicine or other health professions for a national sample of young adults aged 36 to 39. The LSAY is one of the longest longitudinal studies of the impact of secondary education and postsecondary education conducted in the United States. A structural equation model found that early home and parental factors provided substantial encouragement toward a career in medicine or health but that the net impact of these early advantages was slightly less for medicine and health than for other STEMM professions. Early school success and early algebra and calculus enrollment were important factors i...
Unpacking the racial disparity in HIV rates: the effect of race on risky sexual behavior among Black young men who have sex with men (YMSM)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the large disparity in HIV prevalence rates between young Black and White Americans, including young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Research focusing on individual behaviors has proven insufficient to explain the disproportionately high rate of HIV among Black YMSM. The purpose of the present study was to gain a greater understanding of the pronounced racial disparity in HIV by evaluating whether YMSM are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors as a function of their partner’s race. Participants included 117 YMSM from a longitudinal study evaluating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (ages 16–20 at baseline), who reported characteristics and risk behaviors of up to 9 sexual partners over an 18-month period. Results indicated that participants were less likely to have unprotected sex with Black partners, and this finding was not driven by a response bias (i.e., Black YMSM did not appear to be minimizing their reports of unprotected sex). Furthermore, there was support for the hypothesis that participants’ sexual networks were partially determined by their race insofar as sexual partnerships were much more likely to be intra-racial (as opposed to interracial). It is possible that dyad- and sexual network-level factors may be needed to understand racial disparities in HIV among YMSM.
Development of a Point-of-Care device to quantify serum zinc to aid the diagnosis and follow-up of pediatric septic shock

In the Unites States Pediatric septic shock is a major health problem with about 42,000 cases per y ear and a mortality rate of about 10% [1]. Studies have indicated that children with pediatric septic shock have demonstrated critically low levels of serum z inc (Zn) and supplementation of Zn is being suggested as a therapeutic strategy. However, to protect patient safety, it is v ital that Z n levels be monitored during supplementation to insure the Zn concentration levels remain at or near physiologic normal levels. Currently Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is used to quantify Zn levels in serum samples. Unfortunately, AAS frequently involves sending serum samples to external laboratory facilities which yields measurement turnaround time that range from hours to days. Thus, timely monitoring of Zn levels is critical to preventing over supplementation that could result in critical conditions such as heavy metal (Zn) toxicity. This paper reports on the development of a Point-of-Care device for rap id electrochemical measurement of Zn. The prototype device is able to accurately quantify Zn in serum with a turn-around time of about 30 minutes. The devices is based on a three electrode sensor which uses Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) for sensing Zn levels. The ASV electrode sensor is read using a reader that has be en developed using commercially available embedded system components and custom analog circuitry.
Arabidopsis nucleolin affects plant development and patterning.

Nucleolin is a major nucleolar protein implicated in many aspects of ribosomal biogenesis, including early events such as processing of the large 35S preribosomal RNA. We found that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) parallel1 (parl1) mutant, originally identified by its aberrant leaf venation, corresponds to the Arabidopsis nucleolin gene. parl1 mutants display parallel leaf venation, aberrant localization of the provascular marker Athb8:β-glucuronidase, the auxin-sensitive reporter DR5:β-glucuronidase, and auxin-dependent growth defects. PARL1 is highly similar to the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) nucleolin NUCLEAR SIGNAL RECOGNITION 1 (NSR1) multifunctional protein; the Arabidopsis PARL1 gene can rescue growth defects of yeast nsr1 null mutants. This suggests that PARL1 protein may have roles similar to those of the yeast nucleolin in nuclear signal recognition, ribosomal processing, and ribosomal subunit accumulation. Based on the range of auxin-related defects in parl1 mutants, we propose that auxin-dependent organ growth and patterning is highly sensitive to the efficiency of nucleolin-dependent ribosomal processing.
Reproducible Synthesis of C60@SWNT in 90% Yields

In previous works, we have shown our discovery of C60@SWNT and first described the general mechanism of filling, which involves the vapor phase transport of C60 molecules to openings in the SWNTs' walls. Here, we discuss the high-yield synthesis of C60@SWNT by refinements to our method. Yields are measured by a calibrated weight uptake technique, a methodology that is not subject to many of the potential pitfalls inherent to other techniques that have been applied. At certain processing conditions, yields exceeding 90% were obtained and corroborated by transmission electron microscopy. From our data, we determine the parameters most important for creating endohedral SWNT supramolecular assemblies by the vapor phase method. Our results pave the way for successful single-tube measurements and for high-yield filling with non-fullerenes.
Depression-related variables and breast self-examination in single older african-american women.

PURPOSE: Depression-related symptoms, such as despair and loneliness, may prevent women from using preventive screening for diseases. This study aimed to assess if depression-related variables affect the likelihood of implementation of breast self-examination (BSE) in single African-American women aged 65 and older. METHODS: Subjects for this study included 325 African-American women, aged 65 and older, who were widowed, divorced, separated, or never-married, and lived in ten public housing tenements in Nashville, Tennessee. In-person interviews were conducted to collect information on breast screening behavior, knowledge and attitudes, social networks and activities, medical care use and depression. Depression variables included 19 factors, such as feeling guilty, feeling sad or blue, and feeling worthless. RESULTS: Using logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders, we found that, compared with women who did not perform BSE, those who performed BSE were less likely to have felt guilty in the preceding year (p < 0.05, odds ratio (OR) = 0.3, confidence interval (CI) = 0.13–0.71). However, the other depression-related variables were not associated with BSE. For example, women who performed BSE and those who did not perform BSE reported feeling sad or blue in equal frequencies (OR = 0.93, CI 0.49–1.7). CONCLUSIONS: In general, this study suggests that there is no overall association between depression-related symptoms and breast self-examination in single African-American women aged 65 and older.
Tfm-AR modulates the effects of ApoE4 on cognition

Female mice are more susceptible to apolipoprotein E (apoE4)-induced cognitive deficits than male mice. These deficits can be antagonized by stimulating androgen receptors (ARs). To determine the role of AR in the cognitive effects of apoE4, we backcrossed mutant mice with a naturally occurring defect in the AR [testicular feminization mutant (tfm)] onto the Apoe-/- background to eliminate mouse apoE gene resulting in non-functional AR, and crossed the tfm/Apoe-/- female mice with apoE4 transgenic male mice. We behaviorally compared Apoe-/-, apoE4, tfm, and tfm/apoE4 male mice. Apoe-/-, apoE4, and tfm mice showed hippocampus-dependent novel location recognition but tfm/apoE4 mice did not. In contrast, all groups showed hippocampus-independent novel object recognition. Hippocampus-dependent learning and memory were also assessed in the water maze. In the water maze probe trial following the second day of hidden platform training, Apoe-/- and apoE4 mice showed spatial memory retention, but tfm and tfm/ApoE4 mice did not. In the water maze, probe trial following the third day of hidden platform training, Apoe-/-, apoE4, and tfm/Apoe-/- mice showed spatial memory retention, but tfm mice did not. These data support an important role for AR in protecting against the detrimental effects of apoE4 on hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.
Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic-Optical Co−Au Core−Shell Nanoparticles

We report the successful synthesis of Co−Au core−shell nanoparticles by reducing an organo-gold compound onto cobalt seeds with a weak reducer in a nonpolar solvent. The core−shell morphology was unequivocally confirmed by complementary structural, magnetic, and optical property measurements. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Z-contrast imaging shows a gold shell composed of multiple grains. Electron-energy loss spectroscopy confirms the chemically distinct characteristics of the core (Co) and shell (Au). Temperature-dependent magnetic property measurements confirm that the particles are superparamagnetic with a blocking temperature, TB ∼ 55 K, consistent with a magnetic diameter ∼6 nm. The UV−visible absorption spectra of these nanoparticles show a red shift (relative to pure gold nanoparticles) in agreement with a Au-shell morphology.
International Trade In Living Modified Organisms: The New Regimes

New technologies bring new problems as well as benefits. New technologies also involve unknown dangers and fears. So it is with biotechnology and living modified organisms (LMOs).
Extending the Metaphor: Notions of Jazz in Portraiture:

Portraiture, as a qualitative research methodology, challenges how we define objectivity and rigor in the social science research tradition. More recently, and in this “seventh moment” of qualitati...
A bulk microfabricated multi-axis capacitive cellular force sensor using transverse comb drives

This paper presents design, fabrication and calibration results for a novel 2-DOF capacitive force sensor capable of resolving forces up to 490 µN with a resolution of 0.01 µN in x, and up to 900 µN with a resolution of 0.24 µN in y. A simple fabrication process using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers forms the 3D high aspect ratio structure. A transverse mode comb drive movement is used to greatly improve device sensitivity. Among other advantages of the developed process is a dice-free release of wafer structures, allowing fragile structures to be individually packaged. Notching or footing effects and bowing effects are well-known problems in DRIE on SOI wafers. Techniques to overcome notching and bowing effects using a PlasmaTherm SLR-770 etcher are presented that do not require hardware modifications. The application of the force sensor is for providing real-time force feedback during individual cell manipulation tasks.
Nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure for solid-state NMR powder patterns

A fitting procedure for the extraction of the characteristic NMR parameters from solid-state NMR powder patterns is described at an introductory level. The Levenberg-Marquardt nonlinear least-squares algorithm is recoded in Matlab, a vector-oriented programming language, so that the NMR simulation programs are more condensed than are those in traditional programming languages. Three examples of line-shape fitting are shown: the deuterium powder pattern for the bridging deuterium site in [Et4N] [2HCr2(CO)10], the proton-coupled 13C powder pattern for the bridging methylene site in cis-(μ-CH2)(μ-CO)[FeCp(CO)]2, and the (14N, 195Pt)-coupled 13C powder pattern for the Pt-CN system in K2Pt(CN)4 · 3H2O. The results provide information about quadrupolar, dipolar, and chemical-shielding tensors. In each case, the line-shape is calculated from the spin Hamiltonian expressed in a simple, uncoupled basis set. The variables in each case are a small set of NMR parameters: the quadruple-coupling constant and the asymmetry parameter. The effects of finite pulse-lengths or anisotropic cross-polarization are not included in the line-shape simulations. The line-shapes are powder patterns; averaging over the Euler angles, θ and x, is done either with constant angle step size or by the Conroy-Wolfsberg tiling scheme.
Spiritual Dimensions in Rehabilitation from Addiction

ABSTRACT Spirituality is an important component of human life and can play a role in the recovery from addictions. Six dimensions of spirituality (community, creativity, ethics, mysticism, theology, revelation) are discussed within the framework of psychology of religion and world religions and examples are given from the phenomonological framework of the recovery from addictions.
Near-field microwave imaging of biologically-based materials using a monopole transceiver system

A prototype monopole-transceiver microwave imaging system has been implemented, and initial single and multitarget imaging experiments involving biologically relevant property distributions have been conducted to evaluate its performance relative to a previously developed-waveguide system. A new, simplified, but more effective calibration procedure has also been devised and tested. Results show that the calibration procedure leads to improvements which are independent of the type of radiator used. Specifically, data-model match is found to increase by 0.4 dB in magnitude and 4/spl deg/ in phase for the monopoles and by 0.6 dB in magnitude and 7/spl deg/ in phase for the waveguides (on average) on a per measurement basis when the new calibration procedure is employed. Enhancements are also found in the reconstructed images obtained with the monopole system relative to waveguides. Improvements are observed in: 1) the recovered object shape; 2) the uniformity of the background; 3) edge detection; and 4) target property value recovery. Analyses of reconstructed images also suggest that there is a systematic decrease of approximately 10% in the reconstruction errors for the monopole system over its waveguide counterpart in single-target experiments and as much as a 20% decrease in multitarget cases. Results indicate that these enhancements stem from a better data-model match for the monopoles relative to waveguides which is consistent across the type of calibration procedure used. Comparisons of computations and measurements show an average improvement in data-model match of approximately 0.25 dB in magnitude and near 7/spl deg/ in phase in favor of the monopoles in this regard. Beyond this apparent imaging performance enhancement, the monopole system offers economy-of-space and low construction-cost considerations along with computational advantages (as described herein) which make it a compelling choice as a radiator/receiver element around which to construct a clinically viable near-field microwave imaging system.
A rule-based expert system for music perception

We describe an expert system written in Pascal to simulate part of Lerdahl and Jackendoff’s (1983) theory of music perception. This program, a production system based on a Hearsay II architecture (Nii, 1986), illustrates a number of techniques, including program modularity, complex data structures, and simulated parallelism using operating system concepts.
INFLUENCE OF SODIUM NITRITE ON THE AEROBIC CATABOLISM OF GLUCOSE BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS1

The inhibitory effect of sodium nitrite upon glucose catabolism by Staphylococcus aureus was investigated using [U–1 4C] glucose, liquid chromatography, and gas-liquid chromatography. Acetate and acetoin are the end-products of glucose metabolism by S. aureus at 37°C and pH 6.3. In the presence of inhibitory levels of sodium nitrite, acetate and lactate with traces of pyruvate and acetoin are the end products. Acetate production per unit of growth is significantly lower in the sodium nitrite inhibited cultures. The decreased acetoin accumulation was not due to inhibition of diacetyl reduction. The production of acetoin was induced by the addition of acetate to the sodium nitrite containing medium.
Two-Dimensional Fourier Transform Infrared-Visible and Infrared-Raman Spectroscopies

Femtosecond nonlinear spectroscopies using new IR and visible pulse sequences are demonstrated, including 2D IR-visible spectroscopy to study vibrational-electronic couplings and 2D IR-Raman spectroscopy to study anharmonic inter- and intramolecular vibrational couplings.
CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIONS IN ASPHYXIA AND THE POSTASPHYXIAL STATE.

Abstract The reactivity of the autonomic nervous system was investigated in anesthetized cats during and after a period of asphyxia. The findings made were these: (1) In early asphyxia and immediately after the readmission of air or oxygen after a period of 60 to 90 seconds of asphyxia there is a phase of rising blood pressure and heart rate which indicates increased sympathetic discharges. During this phase of sympathetic “tuning” the sympathetic reactivity is increased. (2) In late asphyxia and also in the late postasphyxial phase there is a period in which parasympathetic discharges are dominant. This is seen in the fall of blood pressure and heart rate during late asphyxia, whereas a slowing of the heart rate in the late postasphyxial state occurs while the blood pressure remians elevated, as though a marked adrenomedullary secretion had taken place. During this state of parasympathetic “tuning” the parasympathetic reactivity is increased. The validity and limits of the law of reciprocal relations in asphyxial and postasphyxial states are discussed. The laws of “tuning” of the autonomic nervous system established earlier in experiments involving alterations of autonomic functions as the result of direct or reflexly induced excitation of autonomic centers are confirmed in states in which the internal environment is changed. It is stressed that not the level of blood pressure but the nature of the autonomic discharges which produce this level determine sympathetic and parasympathetic reactivity quantitatively and qualitatively. A rise in blood pressure which results from asphyxia in its early phase is accompanied by an increase in sympathetic and a decrease in parasympathetic reactions, but a similar rise in blood pressure which occurs in the late postasphyxial phase is associated with the reverse changes in autonomic excitability.
Theory of constraint: In the tight space of freedom

Theory of constraint: In the tight space of freedom, I Want to Be Ready: Improvised Dance as a Practice of Freedom, by Danielle Goldman, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 2010, 186 pp., US$6...
Comparative Study of Hemp Fiber for Nonwoven Composites

Abstract Hemp fiber is a strong natural fiber similar to flax, kenaf, and ramie, possessing very good fiber quality and physical properties of strength, durability, and absorbency. Hemp fiber has been increasingly used for making nonwoven composites that are ideal for the production of biobased auto interior parts. This paper studies the physical properties of a hemp/polypropylene composite and compares these properties with those of a kenaf/polypropylene composite, a ramie/polypropylene composite, and a bagasse/polypropylene composite. The hemp/polypropylene nonwoven was produced by carding and needle-punching techniques and was thermo-bonded to form a hemp composite. Tensile and bending properties were measured using an Instron tensile tester. Dynamic mechanical properties were tested using a DMS instrument. The thermal property was analyzed using a TG instrument. A preliminary study on the ability of the hemp fiber composite to resist termite attack was also conducted. In comparison, the hemp composite...
Astrophysical consequences of a neutrinophilic two-Higgs-doublet model

In a recently proposed neutrinophilic two-Higgs-doublet model, the low-energy (sub-MeV) effective theory consists of a real scalar with a vacuum expectation value of $O(0.1)\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$ and three Dirac neutrinos. Other models could lead to the same low-energy theory. In this Brief Report, we study constraints on the parameter space of the model, including vacuum stability, unitarity, perturbativity, and the effects on the invisible $Z$ width. Interestingly, we find that all neutrinos become massless at temperatures above approximately 1000 K, but can find no phenomenological effects of this finding. The most direct test of the model is that it predicts that, in a galactic supernova, the energy distributions of the electron, muon, and tau neutrinos will be Fermi-Dirac with identical temperatures, unlike the conventional distributions.
Anatomy, dissection, and mechanics of an introductory cyber-security course's curriculum at the United States naval academy

Due to the high priority of cyber-security education, the United States Naval Academy rapidly developed and implemented a new cyber-security course that is required for all of its first-year students. During the fall semester in 2011, half of the incoming class (about 600 students) took the course through a total of 31 sections offered by 16 instructors from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. In the following spring semester, the remaining half of the first-year students will take the course. This paper explains the motivation that instigated and drove course development, the curriculum, teaching mechanics implemented, personnel required, as well as challenges and lessons learned from the first offering of the course. The information contained in this paper will be useful to those thinking of implementing a technical course required of all students at the same level in an institution (in our case first-year students) and particularly those interested in implementing such a course in cyber security.
Perinatal complications and child abuse in a poverty sample.

Abstract Objective: Perinatal medical illness has been associated with child maltreatment. Using a Child Protective Service (CPS) report as the defining event, this study explores to what extent perinatal morbidity is a risk factor for maltreatment. Method: Medical charts of 206 children ages 0–3 years were reviewed. Data regarding birth history were collected and analyzed in three groups of children: children whose medical record indicated a report to CPS based on prenatal findings (Early Maternal Inadequacy group [EMI]), children whose medical record indicated a report to CPS based only on postnatal findings (Child Maltreatment group [CM]), and a control group without CPS report (NM). Results: Compared to the CM and the NM groups, children in the EMI group showed significantly lower birth weight and higher neonatal morbidity as measured by Apgar scores, frequency of oxygen requirement and intubation at birth, frequency of admission to Neonatal Intensive Care unit, and frequency of neonatal medical problems. There was no significant difference between the CM and the NM groups in birth weight, gestational age, and other measures of morbidity. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that perinatal complications are associated with prenatal maltreatment. Previously reported strong associations between neonatal morbidity and child abuse are more likely a result of antecedent prenatal maternal behaviors (early maternal inadequacy). Early maternal inadequacy, a clinically and demographically distinct phenomenon, is important due to serious health, development and financial implications and deserves further exploration.
The Evolution of Municipal Accounting in the United States: 1900–1935

The American city, following a half-century of rapid and choatic growth, was the subject of much attention after 1900. Efforts to reform its political structure and to improve and expand its service facilities demanded improvements in municipal accounting procedures as well. Professor Potts discusses the relative merits of commercial accounting, as applied to cities, and of new philosophies of accounting advanced in the light of the city's unique place in society. He explains how cities have oscillated between the two approaches, and concludes that the problem may be more adaptable to accounting philosophies designed for profit-making enterprises than has been generally supposed.
Developing and validating process measures of health care quality: an application to alcohol use disorder treatment.

Background:Health care process quality measures usually are designed by expert panels attempting to synthesize nuanced clinical evidence and subsequently operationalized using administrative data. Many quality measures are then adopted without directly validating their presumed links with outcomes.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial on Dexmedetomidine for Providing Adequate Sedation and Hemodynamic Control for Awake, Diagnostic Transesophageal Echocardiography

Objective Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become established as a sensitive and accurate diagnostic method for the rapid assessment of myocardial function. It was theorized that dexmedetomidine (Precedex; Hospira, Inc, Lake Forest, IL) might prove to be useful for sedating patients while undergoing TEE. Design A prospective, randomized trial was designed comparing dexmedetomidine versus standard therapy (eg, midazolam and opioids) for sedation. Setting This trial was performed in a tertiary care, single-institution university hospital. Participants Males and females, American Society of Anesthesiologists I to IV, ages 18 to 65 years, requiring diagnostic TEE. Patients were excluded if pregnant, if they had taken benzodiazepines or opioids within 24 hours, or if they were deemed to be too unstable to receive any kind of sedation. Interventions Patients were randomized to standard therapy or dexmedetomidine infusion groups. Sedation was assessed at 6 time points. Pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, and respiratory rate were monitored. Additional variables measured were the amount of each drug given, the time of the TEE procedure, and the time to recovery. Measurements and Main Results A survey about the quality of sedation, the level of comfort, and whether or not they would accept this type of sedation again was administered after recovery from sedation. Demographic data and patient questionnaire responses were reported as means and standard errors or percents and were analyzed with the t test and chi-square test. Twenty-two patients were enrolled. Hemodynamics were statistically different between the two groups at several time points. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were elevated in the standard therapy group, whereas the dexmedetomidine group had a lower BP. Heart rate was elevated significantly in the standard therapy group compared with the dexmedetomidine group. There was no statistical or clinical difference between the groups in terms of oxygenation or respiratory rate. Conclusions The authors concluded that dexmedetomidine appears equivalent in achieving adequate levels of sedation without increasing the rate of respiratory depression or decreasing oxygen saturation compared with standard therapy, and it may be better in achieving desired hemodynamic results.
Assessment of patellofemoral relationships using kinematic MRI: comparison between qualitative and quantitative methods.

Purpose To compare the level of agreement between quantitative and qualitative methods in determining patellofemoral relationships, since controversy exists regarding the use of quantitative vs. qualitative criteria to interpret images of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) obtained using kinematic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods One hundred twenty mid-patellar axial plane images obtained using kinematic MR imaging from fifteen subjects were randomly selected for analysis. MR images represented various knee flexion angles ranging from 0 to 60 degrees. Quantitative analysis (bisect offset and patellar tilt angle) was performed by two examiners using a computer-assisted software program. Based on data from previously published literature, MR images were characterized as demonstrating normal, medial, or lateral patellar subluxation, and/or normal, medial, or lateral tilt. Using similar categories, two different examiners experienced in reading MR images of the PFJ then applied qualitative criteria to the same images. Results The average agreement between the quantitative and qualitative assessments of horizontal patellar displacement and patellar tilt ranged from poor to moderate (Kappa coefficient values of 0.27 and 0.45, respectively). Quantitative and qualitative techniques demonstrated acceptable intra- and inter-observer reliability. Conclusion These findings indicate that the use of quantitative criteria does not compare well to qualitative criteriain the analysis of kinematic MR images of the PFJ. One explanation for this discrepancy relates to the fundamental difference between the techniques. That is, quantitative measurements are based on the use of osseous landmarks, while the qualitative assessments tend to rely on a description of patellofemoral relationships based on joint surfaces. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;16:69–74. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Left ventricular remodeling in preclinical experimental mitral regurgitation of dogs

Dogs with experimental mitral regurgitation (MR) provide insights into the left ventricular remodeling in preclinical MR. The early preclinical left ventricular (LV) changes after mitral regurgitation represent progressive dysfunctional remodeling, in that no compensatory response returns the functional stroke volume (SV) to normal even as total SV increases. The gradual disease progression leads to mitral annulus stretch and enlargement of the regurgitant orifice, further increasing the regurgitant volume. Remodeling with loss of collagen weave and extracellular matrix (ECM) is accompanied by stretching and hypertrophy of the cross-sectional area and length of the cardiomyocyte. Isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes demonstrate dysfunction based on decreased cell shortening and reduced intracellular calcium transients before chamber enlargement or decreases in contractility in the whole heart can be clinically appreciated. The genetic response to increased end-diastolic pressure is down-regulation of genes associated with support of the collagen and ECM and up-regulation of genes associated with matrix remodeling. Experiments have not demonstrated any beneficial effects on remodeling from treatments that decrease afterload via blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Beta-1 receptor blockade and chymase inhibition have altered the progression of the LV remodeling and have supported cardiomyocyte function. The geometry of the LV during the remodeling provides insight into the importance of regional differences in responses to wall stress.
Understanding paediatric resident-continuity preceptor relationships through the lens of apprenticeship learning.

CONTEXT Apprenticeship learning is common in medical education, but is often situated in theoretical frameworks which highlight its cognitive but not its social dimension. METHODS We conducted an ethnographic case study of paediatric residents' learning relationships with their preceptors in a community-based paediatric continuity site. It included 5 months (100 hours) of direct observation, and semi-structured interviews with 10 residents (before and after observation) and 10 primary care paediatricians who served as their continuity preceptors (after observation). Interview transcripts and notes from observations were inductively coded and analysed for major themes. RESULTS Our observations and reports of resident learning trajectories fit well with the concept of legitimate peripheral participation. Residents learned the everyday practice of primary care as they worked alongside experienced paediatricians in the continuity clinic. Although the direction of learning was towards central participation in patient care, residents learned during transient shifts to the periphery of practice. As a function of residents' increased participation, preceptors moved into more supportive roles. Residents were not only learners; at times they were teachers who facilitated preceptors' learning. CONCLUSIONS Legitimate peripheral participation is a concept that helps to explain apprenticeship as a dynamic social relationship which shapes, and is shaped by, learning that takes place in clinical practice. Other concepts shed light on the bidirectional nature of apprenticeship learning.
Spatial transformations in the parietal cortex using basis functions

Sensorimotor transformations are nonlinear mappings of sensory inputs to motor responses. We explore here the possibility that the responses of single neurons in the parietal cortex serve as basis functions for these transformations. Basis function decomposition is a general method for approximating nonlinear functions that is computationally efficient and well suited for adaptive modification. In particular, the responses of single parietal neurons can be approximated by the product of a Gaussian function of retinal location and a sigmoid function of eye position, called a gain field. A large set of such functions forms a basis set that can be used to perform an arbitrary motor response through a direct projection. We compare this hypothesis with other approaches that are commonly used to model population codes, such as computational maps and vectorial representations. Neither of these alternatives can fully account for the responses of parietal neurons, and they are computationally less efficient for nonlinear transformations. Basis functions also have the advantage of not depending on any coordinate system or reference frame. As a consequence, the position of an object can be represented in multiple reference frames simultaneously, a property consistent with the behavior of hemineglect patients with lesions in the parietal cortex.
Analysis of Multiple Noninvasive Test Procedures for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

All noninvasive tests used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease are imperfect, both in sensitivity and in specificity. Accordingly, we evaluated the accuracy of four different diagnostic tests in various combinations in a population of 43 patients undergoing coronary angiography to determine if accuracy could be improved by multiple testing. These tests included stress electrocardiography for evaluation of exercise-induced ST-segment depression, stress cardio-kymography (CKG) for detection of exercise-induced precordial regional left ventricular dysfunction, stress 201thallium scintigraphy for assessment of exercise-induced regional myocardial hypoperfusion, and cardiac fluoroscopy for detection of coronary artery calcification. A total of 46 (27%) of the 172 test responses observed were incorrect relative to angiography. These “false” responses were uniformly distributed over the four test procedures (12 ECG, 11 CKG, 10 201thallium, 13 fluoroscopy). Thus, a single test had a limited predictive accuracy for the detection or exclusion of coronary artery disease. The greater the number of abnormal responses observed in a given patient the greater the predictive accuracy for disease, especially multi-vessel disease. Analysis of various combinations of these procedures revealed substantial differences both in cost of testing and net diagnostic yield. These data suggest that the four procedures employed are functionally independent and highly accurate relative to the diagnosis of coronary artery disease when used in combination. Cost-effectiveness of diagnostic testing might be improved with the use of combinations of the less expensive and more accurate of these tests.