cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Current and future treatment paradigms

Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by excess levels of circulating androgens and by chronic anovulation. Although the fundamental pathophysiologic defect has not been determined, women with polycystic ovary syndrome are known to be uniquely insulin resistant. Obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome aggravates the underlying predisposition towards insulin resistance. Diagnostic criteria that focus on menstrual irregularity are more likely to discriminate insulin-resistant women than are such criteria as abnormal gonadotropin secretion or ovarian morphologic characteristics. About 40% of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome demonstrate glucose intolerance (either impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes) in response to an oral glucose challenge. The lack of a clear causal mechanism in the syndrome has led to a multitude of symptom-oriented treatments, with few therapies improving all aspects of the endocrine abnormalities associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Many of these therapies-such as ovulation induction with medical agents-hold increased risks for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple gestation. Empirical studies of interventions that improve insulin sensitivity in polycystic ovary syndrome (either weight loss and diet programs or pharmaceutical agents) have been shown to improve the endocrine abnormalities in the syndrome. Initial results with antidiabetic agents (specifically insulin-sensitizing agents) are promising but need to be confirmed with larger, randomized studies.
Postconditioning recovery from the latent inhibition effect in conditioned taste aversion.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted examining the effects of flavor (CS) preexposure on the retention of conditioned taste aversion. In Experiment 1, rats received preexposure to sucrose solution followed by a sucrose-illness pairing. The expected “latent inhibition” effect was obtained when testing occurred after a two-day but not an eleven-day training-to-test interval. Experiment 2 extended these results by employing five- and twenty-one-day training-to-test interval parameters and provided evidence that the stronger taste aversion displayed by preexposed subjects following long retention intervals is not attributable to differences in training consumption of sucrose solution. This posttraining increase in conditioned taste aversion (CTA) suggests that preexposure blocks expression of memory.
Immigration Policy and Security, U.S., European, and Commonwealth Perspectives

Terri Givens, Gary P. Freeman and David L. Leal (eds), Immigration Policy and Security,U.S., European, and Commonwealth Perspectives New York: Routledge, 2008, 232pp., £85.00 hb. (ISBN 978-0-415-99...
A treaty of Silicon for the treaty of Westphalia? New territorial dimensions of modern statehood

(1998). A treaty of Silicon for the treaty of Westphalia? New territorial dimensions of modern statehood. Geopolitics: Vol. 3, Boundaries Territory and Postmodernity, pp. 106-131.
Snoring During Early Childhood and Academic Performance at Ages Thirteen to Fourteen Years

Objectives. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in young children is associated with an adverse effect on learning. However, the long-term impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) during early childhood on learning remains unknown. Methods. Questionnaires were mailed to seventh and eighth graders attending public schools whose class ranking was either in the top 25% (high performance [HP]) or bottom 25% of their class (low performance [LP]), and who were matched for age, gender, race, school, and street of residence. Snoring frequency and loudness at 2 to 6 years of age, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) for snoring or recurrent infection, school grades, and parental smoking and snoring were assessed. Results. The questionnaire response rate was 82.8%. Because of ongoing snoring, 13 responders were excluded, such that 1588 questionnaires could be analyzed (797 in LP and 791 in HP group). Frequent and loud snoring during early childhood was reported in 103 LP children (12.9%) compared with 40 HP children (5.1%; odds ratio: 2.79; confidence interval: 1.88–4.15). Furthermore, 24 LP and 7 HP children underwent TA confidence interval: 1.47–7.84), while 21 LP and 19 HP children required surgery for recurrent tonsillitis. Conclusions. Children with lower academic performance in middle school are more likely to have snored during early childhood and to require T&A for snoring compared with better performing schoolmates. These findings support the concept that SDB-associated neurocognitive morbidity may be only partially reversible or that a “learning debt” may develop with SDB during early childhood and hamper subsequent school performance.
The “Liberation” of Margaret Drabble

(1980). The “Liberation” of Margaret Drabble. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 61-72.
Exploring the relationships between work task and search task in information search

To provide a basis for making predictions of the characteristics of search task (ST), based on work task (WT), and to explore the nature of WT and ST, this study examines the relationships between WT and ST (inter-relationships) and the relationships between the different facets of both WT and ST (intra-relationships), respectively. A faceted classification of task was used to conceptualize work task and search task. Twenty-four pairs of work tasks and their associated search tasks were collected, by semistructured interviews, and classified based on the classification. The results indicate that work task shapes different facets or sub-facets of its associated search tasks to different degrees. Several sub-facets of search task, such as Time (Length), Objective task complexity, and Subjective task complexity, are most strongly affected by work task. The results demonstrate that it is necessary to consider difficulty and complexity as different constructs when investigating their influence on information search behavior. The exploration of intra-relationships illustrates the difference of work task and search task in their nature. The findings provide empirical evidence to support the view that work task and search task are multi-faceted variables and their different effects on users' information search behavior should be examined. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of a phase-only correlation technique for anatomical alignment of portal images in radiation therapy

A new image registration algorithm based on phase-only correlation is applied to portal images in radiation therapy to detect translational shift. The phase-only correlation shows a sharp peak in the correlation distribution as compared to the broad peak computed from conventional correlation using fast Fourier transform. In this paper, the algorithm of phase-only correlation is described and its applicability and robustness are tested when applied to portal images used in clinical radiation oncology. The results achieved give evidence that the phase-only correlation will deliver an alternative approach for image registration and image comparison, that may be applicable in routine clinical practice.
Identifying Emotional Disturbance in Children: The Professionals Differ.

Abstract This study investigated perceptions of conduct and personality indicators of elementary school age children as perceived characteristics of emotional disturbance. The indicators were ranked by teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists, using a Q-sort. It was found that teachers and school counselors did not distinguish between conduct and personality indicators, while the other remaining professional groups demonstrated a significant preference for the personality indicators as characterizing emotional disturbance.
Dimensions of parenting in families having children with disabilities

Abstract In this study, we examined relationships between parenting, severity of disability, and five aspects of family ecology for 83 preschool and 69 elementary school children with disabilities. Family ecology variables included socioeconomic status, coping styles, social support, stressful life events, and marital quality. We noted significant positive correlations between parenting (as measured by the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment [HOME] inventory) and both marital quality and social support (especially perceived helpfulness, instrumental support from father, involvement in social groups, and emotional support network). We noted significant negative correlations between parenting and stressful events. The relationship between coping styles and parenting was mixed, but negative coping styles were negatively correlated with parenting. Partial correlations, controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), resulted in a diminishment of some correlations, especially those for social suppo...
MicroRNA regulation of integrins

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small RNAs that are ∼20 nucleotides in length and are nontranslated. To date, more than 700 miRNAs have been identified, and their involvement in many essential cellular processes is now apparent. By binding with target messenger RNAs (mRNA), miRNAs are able to regulate both mRNA stability and mRNA translational efficiency. Integrins are a family of transmembrane proteins that both regulate cell matrix interactions and serve as receptors that mediate intracellular signaling and a variety of cellular processes, including inflammatory responses, immunoresponses, and tumorigenesis. Integrin expression may also be regulated by miRNAs, which can also modulate integrin signaling and function. Integrins are heterodimer adhesion proteins comprised of an α and a β subunit. Cumulatively, there are 18 α subunits and 8 β subunits that can combine to form 24 distinct αβ receptor complexes. In addition, each integrin can be classified into 1 of 4 groups based on its extracellular binding ligand: collagen, laminin, RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) or leukocyte-specific receptors. Collagen ligand integrins include integrins α1 and α2 subunits, known to be regulated by specific miRNAs. Among the laminin ligand integrins, there are no integrin α subunits known to be regulated by miRNA. As for the RGD ligand integrins, integrin α5 is the only α subunit found to be regulated by miRNAs (miR-31, miR-17-92 cluster, and miR-148 b). Finally, among the α subunits that comprise the leukocyte-specific receptor ligand integrins, integrins αD, αL, αM, and αX have shown regulation by different miRNAs. As for the integrin β subunits, regulation by miRNAs has been reported for all but β5 and β6 to date. However, computational predictions suggest that numerous miRNAs potentially regulate a variety of target integrins. These predictions will undoubtedly guide future investigations of mechanisms underlying integrin expression mechanism and may ultimately yield new therapeutic tools.
The 2011 Virginia earthquake: What are scientists learning?

Nearly 1 year ago, on 23 August, tens of millions of people in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada were startled in the middle of their workday (1:51 P.M. local time) by the sudden onset of moderate to strong ground shaking from a rare magnitude (M) 5.8 earthquake in central Virginia. Treating the shaking as if it were a fire drill, millions of workers in Washington, D. C., New York City, and other eastern cities hurriedly exited their buildings, exposing themselves to potentially greater danger from falling bricks and glass; “drop, cover, and hold” would have been a better response. Fortunately, the strong shaking stopped after about 5 seconds and did not cause widespread severe damage or serious injuries. The central Virginia earthquake, among the largest on the eastern seaboard during the approximately 400-year historic record, occurred as the result of reverse slip on a previously unrecognized north-to-northeast striking fault within the Central Virginia seismic zone (CVSZ) (Figure 1a). Many old faults are mapped in the CVSZ, yet no individual strands were previously confirmed to be active. However, persistent low-level seismicity has been observed during historical times, and instrumental recordings since about 1970 detect ongoing distributed seismicity within the CVSZ [Bollinger and Hopper, 1971], which has been identified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as an area of elevated earthquake hazard since 1976 [Algermissen and Perkins, 1976].
Don't Forsake Mongolia

M easured in terms of security, survival, or economic well-being, the United States has no vital interest in Mongolia. Yet it would be a colossal error to forsake Mongolia. The modest—but meaningful—mission of the United States in Mongolia should be maintained. In Mongolia, the United States offers succor to an independent, democratic state that has emerged from decades of Soviet domination determined to help itself. Providing $285 million through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, military training and assistance, USAID funding, Peace Corps volunteers, and other forms of political and economic support, Washington has underscored its commitment to Mongolia’s self-sufficiency, prosperity, democracy, and quality of life. Mongolia has been an appreciative and cooperative partner, sending troops to Iraq and to Afghanistan. However, U.S. policy toward Mongolia is not so much about what the United States “gets” by assisting as about what the United States is. Washington’s credibility, relevance, and integrity are at stake. In 1990, when Mongolia undertook the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, from planned to market economy, from dependence on Soviet assistance to independence and international citizenship, Washington may have imagined geopolitical advantage resulting from support of Mongolia. Although U.S. and Mongolian statesmen speak of common values, geopolitics has surely suffused Washington’s calculus. After all, Mongolia is landlocked, with Russia to the north and China to the south. Washington’s impulse to seek strategic advantage in that neighborhood must be compelling. For two decades, Mongolia has been visited by a stream of high-ranking U.S. officials and dignitaries, including President George W. Bush in 2005. Washington’s fascination must stem not only from Mongolia’s determination to embrace democracy but also from its steely, yet tactful, determination to
Colorimetric Detection of Warfare Gases by Polydiacetylenes Toward Equipment-Free Detection

Rationally designed polydiacetylene (PDA) molecules have been developed for rapid, selective, sensitive, and convenient colorimetric detection of organophosphate (OP) nerve agents, a mass destruction weapon. Oxime (OX) functionality was incorporated into diacetylene molecules to utilize its strong affinity toward organophosphates. The diacetylene molecules having an OX functional group (OX-PDA) were self-assembled to form PDA liposomes in an aqueous solution. Upon exposure to organophosphate nerve agent simulants, OX at the OX-PDA liposome surface interacts with nerve agent simulants, which results in intraliposomal repulsive stress due to steric repulsion between OP-occupied OX units at the liposome surface as well as interliposomal aggregation induced by increased hydrophobicity of the liposome surface via OP-OX complex formation. The resulting intra- and interliposomal stress causes disturbance of the conjugated backbone of OX-PDA, producing color change as a label-free and sensitive sensory signal. The effects of molecular structure on selectivity and sensitivity of OX-PDA liposome solution, OX-PDA liposome-embedded agarose gels, and OX-PDA liposome-coated cellulose acetate membranes were systematically investigated. The optimized OX-PDA liposome in the solid state showed selective and rapid optical transition upon exposure down to 160 ppb of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), a nerve agent simulant. The results provide an insightful molecular design principle of PDA-based colorimetric sensor and suggest portable sensory patches for rapid, selective, sensitive, and convenient colorimetric detection of organophosphate nerve agents.
Detection of Intergalactic He II Absorption at Redshift 3.5

The large number of quasars found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey has allowed searches for elusive, clear lines of sight toward He II Lyα absorption, a sensitive probe of the intergalactic medium. The few known systems indicate that He II reionization occurs at z > 3. We report the detection of a He II Lyα absorption edge in a quasar spectrum at z = 3.50, the most distant such feature found to date. The candidate quasar was selected from a z ~ 3 sample in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectroscopic quasar survey and confirmed as part of an HST Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph SNAP survey. We discuss the general characteristics of the absorption feature, as well as the probability for the discovery of additional such objects.
Photic Responses in Hyperkinesis of Childhood

Intravenous injections of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system decreased photic driving responses and photoinyoclonic responses in hyperkinetic children. Neither injections of saline in these children nor injections of stimulant drugs in normal subjects produced such diminution. The neurophysiological implications are discussed.
How deterministic must a real-time controller be?

Real-time computing platforms are ubiquitous in the fields of automation, robotics and control. These are often based on a real-time operating system that offers a high level of determinism to support processes such as discrete-event and feedback control. Using methods derived the theory of dynamic systems on time scales, this paper discusses through modeling and simulation the effects of non-determinism. The paper's conclusion supports the hypothesis that strict determinism is not always required to obtain adequate overall system performance.
Synergy between a NR2B receptor antagonist DHQ and 3-methyl-gabapentin in mice with neuropathic pain.

Abstract The synergistic effect of a selective NR2B NMDA receptor antagonist, (−)-(R)-6-{2-[4-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxyethyl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone (DHQ), and a α2δ ligand, 3-methyl-gabapentin (3M-GBP), was investigated in the mouse partial sciatic nerve model. The interaction was observed after administration of DHQ and 3M-GBP combination at fixed dose ratios of 1:10 and 1:30 and the dose–response curves shifted approximately 13- and 17-fold leftward, respectively, from the theoretical additive values. However, a fixed dose ratio of 1:50 resulted only in an additive effect. These results indicate the synergistic interaction between DHQ and 3M-GBP in this animal model of neuropathic pain.
Lateral Coupling in Baroclinically Unstable Flows

Abstract A two-layer quasigeostrophic model in a channel is used to study the influence of lateral displacements of regions of different sign mean potential vorticity gradient (Πy) on the growth rate and structure of linearly unstable waves. The mean state is very idealized, with a region of positive Πy in the upper layer and a region of negative Πy in the lower layer; elsewhere Πy is zero. The growth rate and structure of the model’s unstable waves are quite sensitive to the amount of overlap between the two regions. For large amounts of overlap (more than several internal deformation radii), the channel modes described by Phillips’ model are recovered. The growth rate decreases abruptly as the amount of overlap decreases below the internal deformation radius. However, unstable modes are also found for cases in which the two nonzero Πy regions are separated far apart. In these cases, the wavenumber of the unstable waves decreases such that the aspect ratio of the wave remains O(1). The waves are characte...
Thermal study of bare tips with various system parameters and incision sizes.

Purpose To identify major and minor surgeon-controlled parameters that affect incision temperature when performing microincision lens removal using the Alcon Infiniti Vision System. Setting In vitro research and development laboratory, Alcon Research, Irvine, California, USA. Method Phacoemulsification was performed in eye-bank cadaver eyes and the following parameters evaluated: incision, duty cycle, ultrasound (US) power, aspiration flow rate (AFR), vacuum, pulse, bottle height and balanced salt solution temperature, and tip design/size. Each parameter was varied while the others remained constant. The resulting temperature of the incision and US tip was measured using a thermal camera. Results Major contributors to elevated incision temperature included incision size, US power, duty cycle, AFR, vacuum setting, tip design, and presence of an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). Minor contributors included pulse frequency, bottle height, and temperature of the infusate. Conclusion Microincision lens removal can be performed at safe temperatures with the knowledgeable selection of surgeon-controlled parameters.
Esophageal cannulation for intragastric delivery of fluids to unrestrained dogs

Abstract A method of esophageal cannulation for intragastric administration of solutions or suspensions to the dog is described. Postoperative recovery time was short, and vomiting was absent. The method enables single or repeated oral dosing without stress to the dog. Additionally, it permits study of drug self-administration behavior with compounds not readily examined by oral ingestion because of their taste or by parenteral routes because of their insolubility or toxicity.
Evidence for a local site of action for glucocorticoids in inhibiting CRF and vasopressin expression in the paraventricular nucleus

Local intracerebral implants of the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, prevented the expected adrenalectomy-induced enhancement of both corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and vasopressin immunoreactivity in parvocellular neurosecretory neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Control experiments employing either cholesterol-filled cannulae aimed at the PVH, or dexamethasone-filled cannulae aimed at parts of the septum, amygdala or basomedial hypothalamus were ineffective in this paradigm. Coupled with recent evidence for existence of glucocorticoid receptors on CRF-containing neurons in the PVH, the results suggest that the inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on the expression of both CRF and vasopressin in the parvocellular neurosecretory system can be mediated by receptors on the peptide-synthesizing neurons, themselves.
Thermal study of II–IV semiconductors: Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of Mg2Pb from 5–300°K

Abstract The heat capacity of Mg2Pb has been measured at 5–300°K, and the lattice heat capacity, Debye temperature, and thermodynamic functions have been tabulated. The following values were found for the thermodynamic functions at 298.15°K: S°298.15 = 72.85 J (mole°K)−1 and −(G° 298.15 − H 0 °) T = 59.50 J (mole°K) −1 . The values of the experimentally determined thermodynamic functions are compared with values predicted utilizing a reduced temperature function, and are found to differ by more than experimental error.
Automated contact lens measurement using optical coherence tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-destructive imaging modality that has proven to be a useful tool for making quantitative measurements in a variety of applications. One area where non-destructive quantitative measurement is important is contact lens metrology, specifically prism. Prism is defined as the difference between the largest and smallest thickness measured at a fixed distance from the contact lens edge. We developed and tested an algorithm that automatically analyzes OCT images to accurately measure contact lens thickness. Images were obtained with the Thorlabs OCT930SR spectral radar OCT system. An automated rotation stage was used to precisely rotate the OCT probe 360° in small increments to acquire OCT images along the entire outer edge of the contact lens. The algorithm was able to successfully analyze hundreds of OCT images. For comparison, measurements were taken by physically slicing contact lenses and manually measuring their thickness using a microscope. The error between the two measurements had a mean of -1.268 μm and a range of 9.041 μm. Thickness measurements were repeatable with a maximum range of 1.8 μm. The success of the algorithm has demonstrated the possibility of using OCT images for performing non-destructive contact lens metrology.
A spatially structured tagging model to estimate movement and fishing mortality rates for the blue shark (Prionace glauca) in the North Atlantic Ocean

Large numbers of blue sharks are caught as bycatch, and have even become the target species in pelagic longline fisheries in the North Atlantic Ocean. The status of the stock is ambiguous due to the limitations of the fishery-dependent data. This study presents a spatially structured tagging model to estimate blue shark movement and fishing mortality rates in the North Atlantic Ocean. The model uses the blue shark tag-recovery data collected by the United States National Marine Fisheries Service Cooperative Shark Tagging Program (1965–2004). Four major geographical regions (two on each side of the ocean) are assumed. The blue shark fishing mortality rates (F) were found to be heterogeneous across the four regions. While the estimates of F obtained for the western North Atlantic Ocean were historically lower than 0.1 year–1, the F estimates over the most recent decade (1990s) in the eastern side of the ocean are rapidly approaching 0.2 year–1. Because of the particular life-history of the blue shark, these results suggest careful monitoring of the fishery as the juvenile and pregnant female segments of the stock are highly vulnerable to exploitation in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean.
Nuclear magnetic relaxation of water in ionic‐liquid solutions: determining the kosmotropicity of ionic liquids and its relationship with the enzyme enantioselectivity

The nuclear magnetic relaxations of water in ionic-liquid (IL) solutions were examined at various IL concentrations in order to better understand their hydration behaviors (in terms of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) B′-coefficients). From these B′-values of ILs, the individual ion's B′-coefficients were further calculated based on the additivity. These coefficients represent the hydration behavior (‘kosmotropicity’) of ILs in aqueous solutions. Using these data, a linear correlation was found between enzyme enantioselectivity in aqueous solution and the δ′ parameter (difference in NMR B′-coefficients of anion and cation). In general, high enzyme enantiomeric ratios (E) could be achieved in solutions of ILs with high δ′ values. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
A recursive approach to parameter estimation in regression and time series models

In this paper we discuss the recursive (or on line) estimation in (i) regression and (ii) autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time series models. The adopted approach uses Kalman filtering techniques to calculate estimates recursively. This approach is used for the estimation of constant as well as time varying parameters. In the first section of the paper we consider the linear regression model. We discuss recursive estimation both for constant and time varying parameters. For constant parameters, Kalman filtering specializes to recursive least squares. In general, we allow the parameters to vary according to an autoregressive integrated moving average process and update the parameter estimates recursively. Since the stochastic model for the parameter changes will "be rarely known, simplifying assumptions have to be made. In particular we assume a random walk model for the time varying parameters and show how to determine whether the parameters are changing over time. This is illustrated wit...
Neon heavy charged particle radiotherapy of glioblastoma of the brain.

Abstract Purpose: High-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation beams have potential applications in the treatment of glioblastoma, but have not yet demonstrated significant improvement in results. However, some patients have had local control of glioblastoma with high-LET irradations such as neutrons and heavy charged particles. Methods and Materials: In this collaborative study, 15 patients were entered into a randomized protocol comparing two dose levels fo 20 and 25 Gy in 4 weeks of neon ion irradiation. This trial was intended to determine the optimal neon dose in terms of survival and effects of radiation. Results: Fourteen patients were evaluable wtih no significatn differences in median survival (13 and 14 months; p = NS) or median time to failure (7 and 9 months; p = NS) between the two dose arms. Three patients died of nontumor-related causes, of whom one (who died 19 months posttreatment) had autopsy confirmation of no tmor on pathological exam. The other two patients had stable magnetic resonance imaging scans at 6 and 22 months posttreatment. Conclusion: Although the results did not demonstrate the optimal high-LET dose level, there is an intriguing effect in that two patients had control of glioblastoma until death at 19 and 22 months. This suggests that better conformation of the high-LET dose to the tumor with neutron capture therapy or dynamic conformal heavy charged particle therapy might control glioblastoma while minimizing brain damage from radiation.
Intoxicated sexual risk taking: an expectancy or cognitive impairment explanation?

Objective: Two experimental studies tested expectancy and impairment explanations for the association between alcohol consumption and unsafe sexual behaviors. Method: Young adults, who were administered alcohol (blood alcohol concentration mean = .08 mg%), placebo or water, rated the likelihood that potential consequences would result from risky sexual practices (Study 1, N = 161) and listed potential consequences that could result from having sex without a condom (Study 2, N = 135). Results: Intoxicated participants reported lower perceptions of risk (mean [+/-SD] = 4.5+/-2.1) than those who received placebo (mean = 5.8+/-1.3) or water (mean = 5.5+/-1.7). Intoxicated participants also listed fewer negative consequences (mean = 1.3+/-1.2) than those who received placebo (mean = 1.5+/-1.2) or water (mean = 2.1+/-1.5). In addition, participants who expected alcohol to disinhibit their sexual behavior reported stronger postdrinking perceptions of benefit (mean = 2.6+/-1.8) and indicated that they were more l...
Spin-orientation-dependent spatial structure of a magnetic acceptor state in a zinc-blende semiconductor

The spin orientation of a magnetic dopant in a zinc-blende semiconductor strongly influences the spatial structure of an acceptor state bound to the dopant. The acceptor state has a roughly oblate shape with the short axis aligned with the dopant’s core spin. For a Mn dopant in GaAs the local density of states at a sit e8Aa way from the dopant can change by 90% when the Mn spin orientation changes. These changes in the local density of states could be probed by scanning tunneling microscopy to infer the dopant’s spin orientation.
Role of surface speciation in the low-temperature dissolution of minerals

Surface species control the mechanism and rate of low-temperature silicate dissolution and precipitation reactions in dilute solutions. This has been repeatedly emphasized1–;7. The interaction between dissolved species and silicate surfaces involves exchange and adsorption phenomena, which equilibrate rapidly, and are accessible to determination by surface titration8,9. Here we report a comparison of surface species concentrations with the dissolution rates of olivine and albite which indicates that while the dissolution rates are a complex function of solution pH, the dissolution rates have a simple first-order dependence on surface concentrations of specific surface species. Thus, the interpretation of the kinetic data for olivine and albite dissolution becomes simple when the chemical speciation at the mineral surface is incorporated, and this approach holds great promise for unifying the rate data for many important silicates.
Freezing-controlled penetration of a saturated liquid into a cold tube

The penetration of a saturated liquid (a liquid at its freezing temperature) into a tube that is initially empty and maintained at a temperature below the freezing temperature of the liquid is treated theoretically and experimentally. A convenient approximate method is introduced which involves postulating a reasonable functional form for the instantaneous shape of the frozen layer along the tube wall. Graphical velocity-time and penetration distance-time curves are presented displaying the principal effects of a single dimensionless parameter. In the limit of negligible liquid inertia, shown to be relevant to high Prandtl number materials, a closed-form expression for the liquid penetration length is obtained. The expression compares well with the experimental results.
COUNTERPOINT: AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE IS NOT USEFUL

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the appendix of the lung. That is the succinct description rendered by Wayne Mitzner ([15][1]). Chun Seow and I had argued similarly that airway smooth muscle serves no useful function ([22][2]). Certainly there is no known disease entity or appreciable physiological
Interaction between nitric oxide and prostaglandin H synthase.

Abstract Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) is a hemeprotein, and thus its catalytic activity potentially could be modulated by direct interaction with nitric oxide (NO). We have monitored spectroscopic and activity changes in pure ovine PGHS isoform-1 to investigate its interaction with NO in more detail. The binding kinetics for NO and the ferric heme in resting PGHS were analyzed by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 21°C. The rate constants for association and dissociation were estimated to be 6.5 × 10 4 M −1 s −1 and 60 s −1 , respectively, leading to an equilibrium dissociation constant ( K d ) of 0.92 mM. NO thus has a relatively weak affinity for heme in ferric PGHS, the resting oxidation state of this hemeprotein. NO did react strongly and completely with ferrous PGHS under anaerobic conditions, displacing the proximal histidine ligand to the prosthetic group. Dissolved NO at up to 2 mM produced only slight decreases in the cyclooxygenase activity of microsomal, detergent-extracted, or homogeneous preparations of ovine PGHS. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside and glyceryl trinitrate at levels of up to 1 mM also had little effect on the activity of the PGHS preparations. Thus, there was no evidence for significant direct interaction of PGHS with NO at concentrations likely to be encountered in vivo .
Regulation of calcium distribution in bovine sperm cells: Cytochemical evidence for motility control mechanisms

Behavioral responses of mature spermatozoa treated with neurotropic factors suggest that calcium entry and intracellular transport may be regulated by a cholinergic mediated program. To test the validity of this proposed mechanism, the effect of several agents on Ca distribution in the sperm cell was examined cytochemically. Sites of Ca accumulation were visualized in thin sections of bull spermatozoa by the application of a modification of Gomori's histochemical procedure for phosphatases. Intact bull sperm cells incubated at room temperature in a buffered balanced salt solution containing 5 mM/liter of CaCl2 showed small, randomly scattered deposits of the reaction product. Similarly treated sperm cells, plasmolyzed in hypoosmotic KCl, revealed a greatly increased amount of deposit associated with the cell membranes (mitochondrial surfaces and plasmalemma), the axonemal complex components, and satellite fibers adjacent to the outer dense fibers. Preincubation of intact cells in nicotine or eserine considerably enhanced the entry of calcium into the cell and its association with the membranes and other intracellular organelles. Decamethonium, an irreversible depolarizer and blocker of cholinergic receptors, interfered with the uptake and intracellular distribution of the calcium. Ouabain, the digitalis glycoside that decreases progressive motility of bull sperm and inhibits Na-, K-ATPase, appears to block Ca efflux, causing an intense accumulation of electron-opaque particles in the plasma membrane while smaller numbers of particles are distributed sparsely throughout the cell interior. The cytochemical results showing enhanced calcium entry in the presence of cholinergic agents, depressed intracellular calcium in cells treated with cholinergic receptor blocker, and intense accumulation of calcium within the cell membrane in the presence of ouabain are consistent with spermatozoan behavioral responses to these agents. These observations support the concept that neurotropic factors may be involved in regulating transmembrane and intracellular transport of ions in control of sperm cell function.
Application of in vivo EPR in brain research: monitoring tissue oxygenation, blood flow, and oxidative stress.

Although oxygen levels are critical to tissue survival, monitoring tissue oxygen levels in vivo, in real time, remains a technical challenge. This is especially so for repetitive measurements in non-superficial tissue. There currently exist several techniques that can be utilized for tissue oxygen measurement, but technical difficulties have limited their usefulness and general application. Here we describe a relatively new method, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, for in vivo measurement of brain tissue oxygen, as well as information on blood flow and oxidative stress. In this paper we report experiments designed to assess and illustrate the effectiveness of this new method. Using the unique capability of this approach, we have measured both absolute values and temporal changes of pO2 in ischemic penumbra and core during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in a rat model. EPR oximetry with particulate probe sensitively reflected differential changes in oxygenation in the core and penumbra during ischemia, reperfusion and also hyperoxic conditions. Simultaneous two-site detection with particulate probes was also obtained with good spatial resolution. Additionally, EPR measurement of oxidative stress, EPR imaging of brain with nitroxide and triarylmethyl soluble probes are also described. These results demonstrate that EPR oximetry with particulate probe can provide accurate and reproducible measurements of localized pO2 in the brain, and it is a versatile and useful method in the measurement of tissue pO2 under a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The incidence and nature of surgical adverse events in Colorado and Utah in 1992

Background: Despite more than three decades of research on iatrogenesis, surgical adverse events have not been subjected to detailed study to identify their characteristics. This information could be invaluable, however, for guiding quality assurance and research efforts aimed at reducing the occurrence of surgical adverse events. Thus we conducted a retrospective chart review of 15,000 randomly selected admissions to Colorado and Utah hospitals during 1992 to identify and analyze these events. Methods: We selected a representative sample of hospitals from Utah and Colorado and then randomly sampled 15,000 nonpsychiatric discharges from 1992. With use of a 2-stage record-review process modeled on previous adverse event studies, we estimated the incidence, morbidity, and preventability of surgical adverse events that caused death, disability at the time of discharge, or prolonged hospital stay. We characterized their distribution by type of injury and by physician specialty and determined incidence rates by procedure. Results: Adverse events were no more likely in surgical care than in nonsurgical care. Nonetheless, 66% of all adverse events were surgical, and the annual incidence among hospitalized patients who underwent an operation or child delivery was 3.0% (confidence interval 2.7% to 3.4%). Among surgical adverse events 54% (confidence interval 48.9% to 58.9%) were preventable. We identified 12 common operations with significantly elevated adverse event incidence rates that ranged from 4.4% for hysterectomy (confidence interval 2.9% to 6.8%) to 18.9% for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (confidence interval 8.3% to 37.5%). Eight operations also carried a significantly higher risk of a preventable adverse event: lower extremity bypass graft (11.0%), abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (8.1%), colon resection (5.9%), coronary artery bypass graft/cardiac valve surgery (4.7%), transurethral resection of the prostate or of a bladder tumor (3.9%), cholecystectomy (3.0%), hysterectomy (2.8%), and appendectomy (1.5%). Among all surgical adverse events, 5.6% (confidence interval 3.7% to 8.3%) resulted in death, accounting for 12.2% (confidence interval 6.9% to 21.4%) of all hospital deaths in Utah and Colorado. Technique-related complications, wound infections, and postoperative bleeding produced nearly half of all surgical adverse events. Conclusion: These findings provide direction for research to identify the causes of surgical adverse events and for targeted quality improvement efforts. (Surgery 1999;126:66-75.)
Shear zone structures in the Øygarden area, West Norway

Abstract Investigation of shear-related sheath-like folds from blastomylonitic gneisses in the Oygarden Complex, Norway, shows that the folds have not initiated with fold axes systematically normal to or with another fixed angle to the lineation. Their short limbs do, however, pass from a period of thickening to final thinning as the folds close and the short limbs become inverted. The formation of the folds appears to be controlled by local geometries within the shear zone, and we suggest three fold-generating mechanisms. In one, the mylonitic foliation curves ahead of a tectonic lens and starts to fold and in another, mesoscopic shear bands with normal fault geometries cut subplanar mylonites and folds are generated by the accretion of material in the evolving gap between the “hangingwall” and the “footwall”. The third mechanism involves perturbation of the main foliation by slip along an inclined S-foliation so that shear folds may develop. All the mechanisms involve a rotation of the mylonitic foliation into the compressional field of the instantaneous strain ellipse.
Optical Properties and Biosensor Application of Ultrathin Silver Films Prepared by Oblique Angle Deposition

The optical properties of thin silver films fabricated by the oblique angle deposition method are investigated. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength can be easily tuned from 401 to 666 nm in the visible range by changing the film thickness from 5 to 100 nm and the deposition angle from 0 to 85°. Atomic force microscope images reveal that the LSPR peak position and the shape of the absorption spectra are associated with the nanoparticle size and distribution. The nanoparticles deposited at higher deposition angles are elongated and more uniform, and their polarized absorption spectra are shifted by changing the polarization of the incident light. The ability of the silver nanoparticle film to be a biosensor was explored by studying the stability of the silver film under liquid environment and by demonstrating the capability of detecting 10−10 M NeutrAvidin. The easy fabrication and fine LSPR tunability give the thin silver films great potentials in optical and biological applications.
Sex Differences in Physical Attractiveness Preferences

Summary The present study investigated the validity of stereotyped beliefs about sex differences in preferences for opposite sex coloration. The likes and dislikes of 482 female and 549 male Caucasian college students for eye color, hair color, and complexion color of the opposite sex were investigated by means of a sexual selection questionnaire. Results indicated sex differences in both likes and dislikes for all three features. Males indicated somewhat greater preference for lighter female coloration, while females indicated somewhat greater preference for darker male coloration. These results were discussed in terms of the “kernel of truth” hypothesis of stereotyping, and the possible relationship to earlier research on semantic meanings of color and gender words. Special attention was paid to the tremendous aversion of both sexes to redheads, and to the possible implications of the study for understanding the predominance of black male/white female couplings in black-white interracial marriage in con...
Effect of a significant other on client change talk in motivational interviewing.

Objective:To examine significant-other (SO) and therapist behaviors as predictors of client change language within motivational interviewing (MI) sessions. Method: Participants from an emergency department received a single session of MI that included SO participation (N = 157). Sessions were coded using therapy process coding systems. Sessions were subdivided into 10 equal deciles to facilitate sequential analyses. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the relationships among the following variables: therapist MI-consistent and MI-inconsistent behaviors; client change talk and sustain talk; and SO Support Change and SO Against Change. Results: Therapist MI-consistent and MI-inconsistent behaviors failed to predict either client change talk or sustain talk at the decile level. Global measures of therapist MI spirit and acceptance were associated with lower levels of client sustain talk (p = .002 and p Language: en
Waxing Grave About Adipocere: Soft Tissue Change in an Aquatic Context*

When postmortem environmental conditions are "just right," according to the "Goldilocks Phenomenon," soft tissues (and associated fatty acids) are converted into and preserved as adipocere. To better understand this conversion process and the development of adipocere three human cadavers were immersed in outside, water-filled pits for over 3 months to observe adipocere formation in an underwater context simulating actual field conditions. Recordings of environmental conditions showed that temperatures were between 21 degrees C and 45 degrees C, a range sufficient for the growth of Clostridium perfringens. Chemical analysis of liquid and tissue samples revealed an increase in palmitic acid and decrease in oleic acid. This study tracked the remarkable gross morphological changes that can occur in human bodies subjected to an aquatic postmortem environment. The results support the "Goldilocks Phenomenon" and substantiate previous findings that the presence of bacteria and water is crucial for adipocere to form.
Experimental argon laser photocoagulation. II. Effects on the optic disc.

• Eight monkeys and five humans were subjected to photocoagulation with single argon laser burns of varying intensity on the optic nerve head. Energies greater than 400 milliwatts, 0.2 second and 100μ spot size consistently caused neural parenchymal damage, even in the absence of heat-generating pigment epithelium. Papillary burns in monkeys and humans created with powers less than 400 mW showed only small, focal submicroscopic areas of degeneration, and were therefore considered relatively safe except for the occasional involvement of critical foveal fibers in which scotomas of disproportionately greater severity than one would expect from the size of the lesion could result. The threshold for toxicity following peripapillary photocoagulation is lower, because the burned pigment epithelium can radiate heat into the adjacent optic nerve fibers. Normal capillaries within the optic nerve were seldom destroyed or occluded, even after high energy densities. In normal vessels, we have found it impossible to create a highly selective lesion without concurrently causing neural damage about the vessel.