cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A methodology for testing unmanned vehicle behavior and autonomy

This paper discusses approaches developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for quantifying and analyzing the performance of human-robot teams across different domains. These methods reflect experience and insights gained from previous INL experiments that have focused on landmine detection and marking; mapping and localization for robot positioning, mobile manipulation for explosive ordinance disposal (EOD), radiation characterization, and urban search and rescue operations. An overarching goal of this work has been to enhance our understanding of how the robot, the control and display interface, the task context, and the human contribute to or hinder mission success. Our approach to performance measurement was developed in concert with the iterative design cycle of our intelligent robotic control system, the robot intelligence kernel (RIK). In extending and refining the RIK for various applications, three factors key to holistic human-robot performance assessment were identified: comprehensive planning; the inclusion of end users in the design and performance evaluation phases of the study; and combining automated data collection with subjective measures. The paper discusses lessons learned in developing and applying performance metrics and provides a brief overview of measures that we are currently using to support the assessment of autonomy. In particular, the paper emphasizes the application of these metrics to behaviors for complex and potentially dangerous missions.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers in nephropathy from type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States, and type 2 diabetes has been shown to be a myocardial infarction equivalent in regard to risk of death from a cardiovascular event. Proteinuria is a surrogate marker for renal disease progression, and although data favor both the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in reducing proteinuria, data for renal outcomes, such as time to dialysis, only exist for the ARBs, which clearly increase the duration to dialysis. Conversely, ACE inhibitors have overwhelming data that show substantial risk reduction from cardiovascular events and death in people with type 2 diabetes. Similar data on cardiovascular risk reduction are not yet available with ARBs, although two trials of renal disease progression did have cardiovascular endpoints as secondary outcomes. There were no significant differences between the ARB and control group except for first hospitalization with heart failure, where losartan reduced the risk by 32%, but there was a trend, albeit not significant, toward reduction of myocardial infarction. The first information regarding ARB effects on cardiovascular events as primary outcomes will come from the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint (LIFE) Reduction in Hypertension study. Therefore, as of this writing, all patients with type 2 diabetes and no evidence of nephropathy, ie, proteinuria and an elevated creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL, should be placed on an ACE inhibitor for cardiovascular risk reduction. If nephropathy is present, the evidence would support an ARB for therapy in concert with a â-blocker for cardiovascular risk reduction and renoprotection.
The Michigan Circuit Breaker and its Impact on the Incidence of the Property Tax

. In the absence of any program of property tax relief, the relationship between homestead property values and household incomes in Michigan introduces an inherent bias towards regressivity into the property tax. Analysis of a sample of 15,620 owner-occupied households showed a tax relief program, called the Michigan Circuit Breaker, and in particular the special relief afforded to taxpayers 65 and over (senior citizens), to be highly effective in reducing this inherent regressivity in the tax. As a result of the circuit breaker, this tendency towards regressivity in the property tax is effectively offset to the extent of producing near proportionality in the incidence of the tax as applied to owner-occupied housing.
Progesterone and progesterone receptors in reptiles

The role of progesterone (P) has been most extensively studied in the female reproductive tissues (ovary, reproductive tract, mammary gland) and in the brain, in which it is an important regulator and modulator in conjunction with estradiol (E). In nonmammalian vertebrate species, less work has been done on P metabolites involved in ovulation. In addition, P induces the expression of egg-white proteins, decreases myometrial contractility, and facilitates processing of eggs, formation of eggshell, and deposition of egg-white proteins. Actions of P may be synergistic with, or antagonist to, the actions of E, depending on hormone ratios, timing of exposure, and physiological state. These effects of P are mediated through progesterone receptor isoform A (PRA), a general transcription inhibitor of P target genes, and isoform B (PRB), a specific transcriptional stimulator of some reproductive tract genes. In this review, we focus on P action and PR expression in the liver and reproductive tissues of several reptilian species, especially Chelonia, since most of the data obtained are from this group. We also present novel data showing the expression of PR in nonreproductive tissues (such as kidney, spleen, gastrointestinal tract) in the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta.
Absence of discontinuity in the exchange-correlation potential in the band-gap problem at finite temperature.

It is shown that there exists no discontinuity in the q=0 component of the exchange-correlation potential in the band-gap problem in the finite-temperature density-functional theory. The physical implication of this result is pointed out.
Emerging risk factors for stroke: Patent foramen ovale, proximal aortic atherosclerosis, antiphospholipid antibodies, and activated protein C resistance

Traditional stroke mechanisms fail to account for a discouragingly large number of ischemic cerebral events. Cryptogenic stroke or stroke of undetermined cause, . defined as stroke without apparent mechanism despite adequate conventional clinical and laboratory investigation, represents 4% to 43% of consecutive cases in various series. Recent clinical and epidemiological studies, aided by technological innovation (transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac imaging and polymerase chain reaction technology in molecular biology and immunology), have delineated new, possibly major sources of ischemic stroke. The precise contribution of these emerging mechanisms to stroke incidence at the population level is not yet fully defined, but they clearly have narrowed the scope of our diagnostic ignorance and allow informed management decisions in the care of individual patients.
Electron-lifetime anisotropy in magnesium

De Haas-van Alphen measurements have been performed to study electron lifetimes in ultrapure magnesium and in very dilute magnesium alloys. For selected orbits the observed Dingle temperatures (${T}_{D}$) were found to be independent of magnetic field direction for fields in the basal plane, whereas in the ($10\overline{1}0$) plane a strong anisotropy was observed. In pure magnesium ${T}_{D}$ decreased by a factor of 5 as the field was rotated from the $〈11\overline{2}0〉$ axis towards $〈0001〉$, reaching a minimum value of less than 0.08 K, which corresponds to an electron lifetime of at least 1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ sec for these orbits. The lifetime anisotropy is attributed to dislocation scattering in these crystals for which the dislocation density was characterized experimentally and found to be in the range of ${10}^{3}$-${10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The results are compared with previous de Haas-van Alphen studies of dislocations, as well as previous lifetime measurements obtained by the electron-interference technique. An analysis in terms of the dephasing theory due to Watts is presented, and it is suggested that the presence of dislocation multipole arrays is important.
Surface EMG as a fatigue indicator during FES-induced isometric muscle contractions

The electromyogram (EMG) signal has potential as an indicator of stimulated muscle fatigue in applications of functional electrical stimulation (FES). In particular, it could be used to detect near lower limb collapse due to the associated muscle fatigue in FES-aided standing systems and thereby prevent falling. Surface EMG measurement, however, is hampered by stimulation artifact during FES. Modified surface stimulation and EMG detection equipment were designed and built to minimize this artifact and to permit detection of the electrical signal generated by the muscle during contraction. Artifact reduction techniques included shorting stimulator output leads between stimulus pulses and limiting and blanking slew rate in the EMG processing stage. Isometric fatigue experiments were performed by stimulating the quadriceps muscle of 20 able-bodied (a total of 125 trials) and three spinal cord injured (18 trials) subjects. Fatigue-tracking performance indicators were derived from the root-mean-square (RMS) of the EMG amplitude and from the median frequency (MF) of the EMG power spectral content. The results demonstrate that reliable fatigue tracking indicators for practical FES applications will be difficult to obtain, but that amplitude-based measures in spinal cord injured subjects show promise.
Selective methylphosphonylation of an echinocandin B analog derived from LY303366

Abstract Echinocandin B (ECB) analog 1c was methylphosphonylated with the new reagent dimethyldiphosphonate 7 . Selective functionalization of the phenol group was achieved in the presence of 11 other reactive alcohol and amide groups. The phosphonylation was best conducted in a mixture of THF and DMF using lithium t-butoxide as base. Methylphosphonate diester 1d was deprotected by hydrogenolysis to afford methylphosphonate monoester 1e , a potential prodrug for ECB analog 1c .
Expression of elastinolytic activity among isolates in Aspergillus Section Flavi

A survey of the distribution of elastinolytic potential among 32 culture collection isolates ofAspergillus flavus, A. oryzae, A. parasiticus, A. sojae, A. nomius, andA. tamarii revealed this character to be highly conserved withinAspergillus SectionFlavi. Furthermore, 144 isolates ofA. flavus from environmental samples from six separate regions of the United States produced elastase on solid medium. Most previously described polymorphisms in elastinolytic potential were attributed to the toxicity of borate buffers. Replacement of borate with HEPES (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid) resulted in detection of elastase production on solid medium by all tested fungal isolates except two that had been in culture over 50 years. In liquid culture, only isolates ofA. flavus, A. tamarii, andA. oryzae accumulated elastase activity. Although isoelectric focusing revealed only one isoform (pI 9.0) of elastase in these culture filtrates, elastinolytic activity in filtrates was partially inhibited by both 1,10-phenanthrolene (2 mM) and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (2 mM), suggesting the presence of both metallo and serine elastinolytic proteinases.
Path diversification for future internet end-to-end resilience and survivability

Path Diversification is a new mechanism that can be used to select multiple paths between a given ingress and egress node pair using a quantified diversity measure to achieve maximum flow reliability. The path diversification mechanism is targeted at the end-to-end layer, but can be applied at any level for which a path discovery service is available. Path diversification also takes into account service requirements for low-latency or maximal reliability in selecting appropriate paths. Using this mechanism will allow future internetworking architectures to exploit naturally rich physical topologies to a far greater extent than is possible with shortest-path routing or equal-cost load balancing. We describe the path diversity metric and its application at various aggregation levels, and apply the path diversification process to 13 real-world network graphs as well as 4 synthetic topologies to asses the gain in flow reliability. Based on the analysis of flow reliability across a range of networks, we then extend our path diversity metric to create a composite compensated total graph diversity metric that is representative of a particular topology's survivability with respect to distributed simultaneous link and node failures. We tune the accuracy of this metric having simulated the performance of each topology under a range of failure severities, and present the results. The topologies used are from national-scale backbone networks with a variety of characteristics, which we characterize using standard graph-theoretic metrics. The end result is a compensated total graph diversity metric that accurately predicts the survivability of a given network topology.
Using geographically weighted regression to solve the areal interpolation problem

Areal interpolation is used to transfer attribute information from the initial set of source units with known values to the target units with unknown values before subsequent spatial analysis can occur. The areal units with unknown attribute information can be either at a finer scale or misaligned with respect to the source data layer. This article presents and describes a geographically weighted regression (GWR) method for solving areal interpolation problems for nested areal units and misaligned areal units. Population data, selected as the attribute information, are interpolated from census tracts to block groups (a finer scale) and pseudo-tracts (misaligned from tracts but at the same approximate scale). Root mean square error, adjusted root mean square error, and mean absolute error are calculated to evaluate the performance of the interpolation methods. The land cover data derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper Satellite Imagery with a 30×30 m spatial resolution are applied to as the ancillary data to...
Three-dimensional, finite deformation, viscoplastic constitutive models for polymeric materials

Abstract A general methodology for developing three-dimensional. finite deformation, viscoplastic constitutive models for polymeric materials is presented. The development begins with the presentation of a one-dimensional spring and dashpot construction which exhibits behavior typical of polymeric materials, namely strain-rate dependence, stress relaxation, and creep. The one-dimensional construction serves as a starting point for the development of a three-dimensional, finite deformation, viscoplastic constitutive model which also exhibits typical polymeric behavior. Furthermore, the three-dimensional constitutive model may be easily generalized to incorporate an arbitrary number of inelastic processes, representing (inelastic) microstructural deformation mechanisms operating on different time scales. Strain-rate dependence, stress relaxation, and creep phenomena are discussed in detail for a simple version of the constitutive model. Test data for a particular polymer is used to validate the simple model. It is concluded that the methodology provides a flexible approach to modeling polymeric materials over a wide range of loading conditions.
Governance, Globalism and Satellites

Governing and regulating the use of communication satellites and their signals is becoming increasingly difficult for governments and multilateral organizations. This article takes forward the question arising from the characterization of satellites as `trade routes in the sky' (Price, 1999), as to whether it is more appropriate to look for regional themes and models for state intervention rather than a global system of governance.
Reproductive isolation grows on trees.

Despite rapid advances in the complementary fields of speciation genetics and molecular phylogenetics, little attention has been devoted to understanding how genetic changes associated with reproductive isolation accumulate across clades of species. We argue that comparative analyses of reproductive isolation QTL (quantitative trait loci) can generate unique insights into the underlying mechanisms of speciation. By revealing the timing and evolutionary progression of genetic changes underlying reproductive isolation, these approaches allow the direct evaluation of conceptual and theoretical predictions, such as the ‘snowball effect', within a statistically robust hypothesis-testing framework. We outline the potential and challenges of this synthetic framework, with the aim of stimulating empirical and theoretical progress towards understanding the mechanisms that underlie the origin of species.
COMPLICATIONS FROM INTRATHECAL STEROID THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Methylprednisolone acetate was administered intrathecally 83 times to 23 patients who had 46 separate exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. Four patients improved, 7 worsened, and 12 were unchanged during treatment and follow-up. Serious side effects occurred in 3 patients; adhesive arachnoiditis in 2, and aseptic meningitis in one. Three other patients had severe exacerbations within 24 hours of treatment, followed by slow improvement, or no improvement. When the clinical response of this patient group was evaluated and compared with other series, it was found that improvement occurred with chance frequency. Exacerbations continued to occur with natural frequency. These findings suggest that there is no rationale for this mode of therapy, as there are dangers from these intrathecal injections, and the treatment does not alter the course of the disease.
Microparticle Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The instrumentation and techniques used to explore the chemistry of microparticles (with dimensions of order 1 μm and masses of order 1 pg) via Raman spectroscopy are surveyed, and recent applications are presented. The method features electrodynamic levitation of single microparticles and arrays of microparticles, so the most commonly used electrodynamic balances are described. Several examples of microparticle spectroscopy are given, including salt particle phase transition, chemical reaction between microparticles of Na2CO3 and (NH4)2SO4, the effects of morphology-dependent resonances on Raman spectra for organic droplets, and spectroscopic measurements during evaporation of a binary component microdroplet.
Skin color in fish and humans: impacts on science and society.

Abstract As genetic model systems, fish have played a key role in our understanding of a wide range of biological processes, including vertebrate pigmentation. In this review, we focus on one aspect of pigmentation, skin pigmentation, which has been of momentous importance in human history. Two fish models, medaka and zebrafish, played important roles in demystifying skin color and, by extension, the concept of “race.” Related thinking has the potential to make two additional contributions to human welfare. Fish can be used to validate gene candidates from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in what has been called “Systems Genetics.” Because fish are familiar vertebrates, and share genetic mechanisms of skin color with humans, they also have outstanding potential as an educational tool—to “demystify” race, to increase public understanding of the role of model systems and evolution in science, and to enhance appreciation of both genetic and environmental factors that impact human health and society.
Work-Related Non-Fatal Injuries to Adults on Farms in the U.S., 2001 and 2004

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in an ongoing effort to address the issue of injuries on farms in the U.S., collaborated with the USDA to complete the 2001 and 2004 Occupational Injury Surveillance of Production Agriculture Surveys (OISPAS). The OISPAS data indicated that the estimated adult working population (household and hired) on U.S. farms decreased from 6,170,940 in 2001 to 5,294,912 in 2004. The estimated number of work-related injuries decreased from 75,756 to 71,081. The rate of injury increased over this same time period (12.3 injuries per 1,000 working adults to 13.4 injuries per 1,000 working adults). The majority of these injuries occurred to adults in the age range of 45 to 54 years. The vast majority of injuries occurred to males, over 75% in both years. Animals (17%) and the ground (17%) were the source of injury in approximately 35% of injuries reported in each year. The most common injury events were "struck by objects" and falls. These two events combined accounted for over half of all work-related injuries in both 2001 and 2004. The OISPAS data indicated that although injuries are decreasing as the size of the at-risk population decreases, the rate of injury is increasing. The results of this research may be used to direct current injury prevention efforts and to plan for future injury surveillance. Language: en
Orientation Program Considerations for New Community College Faculty.

The roles and expectations of community college faculty members have grown more complex as their institutions change to meet the needs of their respective communities. Whereas faculty development programs have assisted in the creation of programs and strategies to help faculty cope with change, the initial orientation of faculty to their college proves to be vital to their performance, success, and length of tenure. This study was designed to supply an understanding of community college faculty perceptions of the objectives for faculty orientation programs, using a revision of the Council for the Advancement of Standards student orientation program objectives. The primary rationale for faculty orientation was found to be the assistance of new faculty in understanding the mission of their specific institution. General responses indicated high expectations for faculty orientation programs, and responses also indicated that programs were not intended to serve as retention activities.
Structurally simple, potent, Plasmodium selective farnesyltransferase inhibitors that arrest the growth of malaria parasites.

Third world nations require immediate access to inexpensive therapeutics to counter the high mortality inflicted by malaria. Here, we report a new class of antimalarial protein farnesyltransferase (PFT) inhibitors, designed with specific emphasis on simple molecular architecture, to facilitate easy access to therapies based on this recently validated antimalarial target. This novel series of compounds represents the first Plasmodium falciparum selective PFT inhibitors reported (up to 145-fold selectivity), with lead inhibitors displaying excellent in vitro activity (IC50 < 1 nM) and toxicity to cultured parasites at low concentrations (ED50 < 100 nM). Initial studies of absorption, metabolism, and oral bioavailability are reported.
The calculation of periodic trajectories

Methods are presented for calculating classical periodic trajectories in a two-dimensional non-integrable potential problem. The main one is the monodromy method, which consists in refining an approximate solution by using a “once-around-the-trajectory” procedure. This can be done either for a given period or for a given energy. Other methods proceed by searching on the initial conditions until the trajectory closes. We also discuss how to find new periodic milies, particularly branchings from already known families, and how to get started when no families are known.
Association Between Use of Pain Medication, Ultrasound Findings, and Adnexal Torsion Among Young Females Presenting With Acute Abdominal Pain

day. To our knowledge, we report the first confirmed case of pediatric synchronous bilateral ovarian torsion in bilaterally normal ovaries and offer a review of the literature. Case: A previously healthy twelve year old female was seen in clinic with a two year history of recurrent right lower quadrant pain with no associated symptoms. Initial ultrasound showed normal ovaries. Repeat imaging ten months later revealed bilateral bulky ovaries: right ovary 43x32x38mm (20cc) and left ovary 56x35x55mm (52.3 cc). Peripheral follicles in keeping with polycystic ovaries were noted. The patient was not yet menarchal. Workup for celiac disease was negative. Shortly following this ultrasound, she presented to the emergency department with a thirty hour history of periumbilical pain associated with nausea and vomiting. On exam, the pain was localized to the left lower quadrant with rebound tenderness. There was absence of leukocytosis. Ultrasound showed a significantly enlarged left ovary (61x45x49mm; 70cc) with diminished flow on Doppler assessment. She underwent laparoscopy with a presumed diagnosis of left ovarian torsion. However, on entering the abdomen, bilateral ovarian torsion of 720o was detected (Figures 1 and 2). Both ovaries were enlarged, left greater than right, without obvious focal lesions. Uteroovarian ligaments were noted to be abnormally long. The ovaries were detorted and pexed to their respective uterosacral ligaments using an intracorporeal technique with nonabsorbable suture.
Investigating the Effects of Dynamic External Stimuli on Single Cell Fitness and Gene Expression in Escherichia Coli

In this work, we study the bacterial cellular response to time-dependent external stimuli in single living cells. We developed a microfluidic platform for single cell analysis that allows for dynamic control of well-defined environmental growth conditions and culture media. Using this platform, we studied the effect of small molecule inducers on gene expression in the lac operon using fluorescent reporter proteins and cell growth rates as a proxy of cellular fitness. We applied temporally varying inducer concentrations by translating single cells between two adjacent fluid streams containing either growth medium or growth medium and inducer. We observed that single cell gene expression depends on growth rate and frequency of exposure to inducer concentrations. Single cell induction experiments are compared to control experiments with and without continuous fluid flow in microfluidic channels. For these experiments, single cell analysis is facilitated by a microfluidic-based hydrodynamic trap recently developed in our lab. The hydrodynamic trap enables confinement and manipulation of single cells in free solution using the sole action of fluid flow. Automated feedback control is integrated into the device using an “on-chip” valve, which allows for precise confinement of cells in free solution. Using this device, cells are confined at a fluid stagnation point generated in a cross-slot microfluidic geometry, thereby enabling non-perturbative trapping of cells for long time scales. Using optical microscopy, we observe single Escherichia coli cells growing and dividing both at room temperature and at 370C, and cell division rates in the microfluidic trap compare favorably to the growth rates of E. coli measured in bulk studies. We anticipate that the microfluidic-based trap is an ideal platform to study cellular regulation and gene network dynamics of single living cells in free solution.
Romantic intent, relationship uncertainty, and relationship maintenance in young adults’ cross-sex friendships

Romantic desire and relational uncertainty operate slightly differently in predicting the reported use of Common Maintenance Behaviors (CMBs) and Relationship-Specific Maintenance Behaviors (RSMBs). Cross-sex friendship dyads (n = 197) indicated their desire for a romantic relationship with each other, relationship uncertainty, and self-reported friendship maintenance behaviors. Romantic desire correlated positively with the maintenance behaviors Routine Relationship Activity, Support and Positivity, and Flirtation for both males and females. For both sexes, romantic desire correlated negatively with the friendship maintenance behavior Talk About Outside Romance. Romantic desire correlated positively with three out of five relational uncertainty variables; however, these varied somewhat by sex. All CMBs were negatively associated with at least one dimension of relational uncertainty and, with one exception, relational uncertainty tends to increase the use of RSMBs.
An analog computer study of the dynamic behavior of stressed thin ferromagnetic films

The purpose of this paper is to describe an analog simulation of the problem of the dynamic behavior of stressed thin ferromagnetic films and to compare the solution obtained with the results of a digital solution already available and with a digital computer study performed by the authors for the same problem.
Study of impulse model in reaction K−d → pΛ0π−+ neutrals

Abstract In an analysis of 1114 events of the type K − d → p Λ 0 π − + neutrals with ‘spectator’ proton momentum in excess of 0.11 GeV/ c we have found that the number of protons having a momentum in the range 0.25–1.2 GeV/ c exceeds that predicted on the basis of the impulse model using the Hulthen distribution by 3 : 1. Final-state interactions in which the proton does not form resonances with the other final-state particles are mainly held responsible for this effect.
Gender, Delinquent Status, and Social Acceptance as Predictors of the Global Self‐Esteem of Teens

The combinations of gender, delinquent status, and social acceptance were examined as predictors of the global self-esteem of teens. Participants (N = 225) were aged 13 to 17 and included juvenile delinquents (n = 60) and high school students (n = 165) in one county in a southwest state. Factor analyses identified two dimensions of social acceptance (social verification, social interaction) and global self-esteem (self-respect, self-acceptance). Multiple regression analyses revealed the combination of gender (males) as a weak predictor and social verification as a strong predictor for self-acceptance and social interaction as a strong predictor for self-respect. Delinquent status did not predict global self-esteem. For these teens, the findings support the role of self-confirming feedback in the development of self-acceptance and the importance of socialization in forming self-respect. Implications for building self-esteem among teens are drawn for parents, high school teachers, and secondary schools.
Effects of Unpaired Bases on the Conformation and Stability of Three-Arm DNA Junctions

Three-arm DNA junctions, in which three double helices intersect at a branch, have unique structure and reactivity of bases at and near the branch. Their solution conformation is asymmetric in the presence of Mg2+, while bases at the branch are sensitive to single-strand-specific agents. Following the surprising report that unpaired bases at the branch stabilize three-arm junctions, we have investigated the geometry and thermodynamics of three-arm junctions containing pendant T and A bases. The results are consistent with additional structure formation in junctions containing up to four pendant bases at the branch: relative to the tight junction, the thermal stability of junctions with two T's or A's at the branch increases; bases near the branch become less reactive to single-strand-reactive probes; and the enthalpy of formation is more negative. The interaction of ethidium observed at the branch in three-arm junctions is enhanced in junctions with unpaired bases at the branch. The geometry of three-arm junctions is perturbed by the presence of pendant bases, as seen by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of junctions to which long duplex arms are appended pairwise.
Rapid Regulation of Plasma Membrane Insulin Receptors

Injection IP of insulin at a dosage of 1 microgram/g body weight into normal rats produced a rapid rise in serum insulin levels from < 1 to 298 ng/ml, and a rapid decrease in specific 125I-insulin binding to its receptors in purified liver plasma membranes. A fall in binding was seen as early as 10 minutes after injection and binding remained decreased for up to 60 min. At 10 min, 125I-insulin binding had fallen to 59% of controls; in contrast, 125I-glucagon binding remained unchanged. Extraction of these plasma membrane followed by radioimmunoassay for insulin did not reveal appreciable amounts of exogenous insulin. The 125I-insulin dissociation rate from plasma membranes of control and insulin treated rats was the same, also indicating a lack of exogenous insulin. Scatchard analyses indicated that the decreased binding seen after insulin injection was due primarily to a change in the number of insulin receptors and not their affinity. These studies suggest, therefore, that high doses of insulin in vivo can rapidly regulate the number of plasma membrane insulin receptors in liver.
Executive Liberation: Review of Harvey C. Mansfield Jr., Taming the Prince: The Ambivalence of Executive Power. New York: Free Press,1989. 358 + xxivpp.

Taming the Prince has a claim on our attention not only for its theoretical qualities and for its politics but because at one time both would have been considered extreme. As a theory it is possibly the first attempt to compose a philosophical discourse about a singular political office, variously named kingship, prince, executive, or president, and to situate it within the con-text of (what used to be confidently called) “the history of political philosophy.” Mansfield's treatise is distinctive, not as a history of an idea or of a concept, indeed not historical in the usual understanding of that term, but as the passionate assertion of an expansive conception of the executive, virtually Gaullist in its grandeur, in its contempt for interest-politics, its dismissive silence about parties, and its scorn for democracy.
On the possibility of gapless superconductivity in deformed nuclei due to the Coriolis interaction

Abstract It is shown that the energy gap for the excitation of quasi-particles in the presence of the Coriolis force can vanish for some values of angular momentum even if the order parameter Δ is not zero.
Clinical strategies in the management of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men, following lung cancer. Although radical prostatectomy continues to be a curative treatment for most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, nearly 25% of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy will have biochemical recurrence as defined by an increase in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level to >0.4 ng/mL after prostatectomy or a rapid doubling of the PSA over a 10-year follow-up period. The clinical challenges, an overview of available data, and a framework for the integration of this information for clinical management of biochemical recurrence postprostatectomy for prostate carcinoma are presented in this article. Therapeutic options, in addition to conservative management and watchful waiting, include radiation therapy and androgen deprivation. These options are discussed herein along with expected outcomes.
Four-Extremity Gangrene Associated With Crack Cocaine Abuse

A 43-year-old woman with a history of cocaine abuse presented with decreased mental responsiveness and cyanosis of the extremities several hours after repeated use of "crack" cocaine. She developed bilateral hand compartment syndrome requiring emergency fasciotomy and gangrene of both hands and legs despite anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy. Digital and above-knee amputations were performed. There was no evidence of an autoimmune disorder or vasculitis on laboratory evaluation and tissue histology. Peripheral vasospasm may have been the mechanism of toxicity in this case, and the use of intravenous vasodilators should be considered as potential additional therapy.
Effect of T cells on vascular permeability in early ischemic acute kidney injury in mice

Although previous studies have demonstrated that microvascular dysfunction and inflammation occur in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that T cells could mediate renal vascular permeability (RVP) during IRI. We evaluated renal vascular permeability by extravasation of Evans blue dye from the kidney in CD3, CD4 or CD8 T cell deficient mice as well as in TNF receptor knock out mice in our mouse model of kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury. In wild type mice, RVP was significantly increased at 3 h, peaked at 6 h and declined by 24 h after ischemia. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CD3(+) T cells trafficked into ischemic kidney at 1 h and peaked at 6 h. Gene microarray analysis demonstrated that endothelial-related genes including TNF-alpha were up-regulated in ischemic kidney. The production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma protein was increased in CD3 and CD4 T cells from the blood and kidney after ischemia. The rise in RVP after ischemia in wild type mice was attenuated in CD3, CD4 or CD8 T cell deficient mice as well as in TNF receptor knock out mice. The attenuation of RVP in CD3 T-cell deficient mice after ischemia was restored by adoptive transfer of T cells from WT mice. Our data demonstrate that T cells directly contribute to the increased RVP after kidney ischemia-reperfusion, potentially through T cell cytokine production.
Hemodynamically significant PDA: an echocardiographic and clinical assessment of incidence, natural history, and outcome in very low birth weight infants maintained in negative fluid balance.

Fifty very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (750–1500 g, 27–33 weeks gestational age) were assigned at random to one of two groups of negative fluid balance and underwent prospective clinical and echocardiographic examinations during the first month of life. The purpose was to determine: (a) the effect of fluid restriction on the incidence of ductal shunting, (b) the reliability of the physical examination in diagnosing significant ductal shunting, and (c) the relationship between significant ductal shunting and outcome in such infants. None of the infants had manipulations to close the ductus during the first week of life. Using routine structural and functional echocardiographic indices as criteria for the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant ductal shunting (hsPDA), we found that the two fluid-balance groups (8%–10% weight loss vs 13%–15% weight loss) did not significantly differ in incidence of hsPDA, duration of ventilation, or development of BPD. These two groups were then combined for further analysis: 32 (64%) of 50 VLBW infants had hsPDA during the first week of life. The group of infants with hsPDA did not differ significantly from that without hsPDA in birth weight or gestational age, but had a significantly lower Apgar score (P<0.04) and was significantly more likely to require ventilator support for RDS (P<0.01). Although when present a typical ductal murmur was specific for the development of significant ductal shunting, no murmur was heard in 21 (66%) of 32 infants with early hsPDA. Of the infants requiring ventilator support for RDS, the group with early hsPDA needed ventilation for 13.8±9.4 days, significantly longer than the group without early hsPDA (3.2±2.6 days,P<0.001), and had a higher incidence of BPD and death than the group without early hsPDA (P<0.04). In our study of a large group of prospectively identified VLBW infants, we did not find that significant ductal shunting was altered by more stringent fluid restriction, but we did find that such shunting was frequently inapparent clinically, and was associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality.
Gas Bubble Motion Artifact in MDCT

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to characterize the imaging features of an MDCT artifact caused by gas bubble motion.MATERIALS AND METHODS. For the period 2002–2006, the CT images of 10 patients that revealed a curvilinear artifact thought to be due to a gas bubble moving during CT acquisition were retrospectively identified and reviewed by an attending body radiologist. The clinical images were acquired on MDCT scanners. A phantom containing water and moving air bubbles (gas injection rates of 0.1 and 0.5 mL/s) was designed, built, and scanned using a 16-MDCT scanner. Computer simulation was used to test our hypothesis that these observed artifacts originated from moving gas bubbles.RESULTS. Semicircular tubular CT artifacts with attenuation close to that of air were observed in all 10 clinical cases. The acquired MDCT images from the phantom and the computer simulations showed tubular air-attenuation semicircular artifacts that closely matched the imaging findings on the 10 clinical cases. Incre...
DECOMPOSITION DYNAMICS OF SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA AND SPARTINA PATENS IN A NEW JERSEY SALT MARSH

Decomposition dynamics of two salt marsh species, Spartina alterniflora tall (SAT) form and Spartina patens (SP), were investigated at Mud Cove, near Manahawkin, Ocean County, New Jersey. Decomposition rates were determined monthly over 371 days by measuring the amount of material lost from plastic net litter bags. Litter bags containing SP material were placed in both SP and SAT vegetation zones; litter bags containing SAT material were also placed in both of these zones. The material was analyzed for ash content, total carbon, Kjeldahl nitrogen, caloric content, fat, and crude fiber. Final weight loss values were as follows: SAT in SAT zone 72.4%, SP in SAT zone 56.9o, SAT in SP zone 46.7%, and SP in SP zone 26.4%. When SAT and SP material were placed in the same location (SAT or SP sites), the SAT material decomposed at a greater rate. If the same vegetation type (SAT or SP) were placed in both SAT and SP locations, the material at the SAT location decomposed at a greater rate than similar material in the SP location. The results indicate that while environmental characteristics (e.g., flooding) at a site influence the rate at which these two species will decompose, Spartina patens is inherently more resistant to decomposition.
HDL Program Slicing to Reduce Bounded Model Checking Search Overhead

The size of the Hardware Description Model for a complex modern digital system is increasing rapidly. CAD tools used to analyze these models are challenged by this increase in model complexity. In this paper, we present a technique that extracts for a given set of variables, a smaller HDL executable design slice that includes all the behavioral elements that affect those variables directly or indirectly. The design slice when compiled produces a behavior for the set of variables equivalent to the one computed by the original unsliced design. ATPG and verification tools analyzing this design could use the sliced model to reduce computation overhead. We implemented this technique in a computer program and evaluated its impact on the bounded model checker, SMV. Our results show a reduction for both CPU time and memory needed by SMV to verify a publicly available model of the USB 2.0 IP core.
Unconstitutional Deportation of the 1930s: Learning from the Voices of the Past

Given the current national debate over immigration reform and the plethora of anti-immigrant policies, practices, and laws, school curriculums should include materials that will allow students to learn about, and reflect on, the impact this debate has on the lived realities of those most impacted. Specifically, teachers and their students will greatly benefit from a more in-depth investigation of a time in U.S. history when U.S. Mexicans were unconstitutionally deported in the 1930s. The goal of this article is to illuminate this critical piece of history that has either been ignored and/or misunderstood. It documents the experiences of the survivors—specifically, the children of Mexican descent born in the United States—and offers supporting lessons and resources for teachers and their students.
Atomic force microscopic investigations of the gel phase of phosphatidylcholines containing ω-cyclohexyl fatty acids

The gel phase of 1,2-di-13-cyclohexyltridecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (13cyPC) and 1,2-di-14-cyclohexyltetradecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14cyPC) was investigated by atomic force microscopy. 13cyPC forms a gel phase with a very high degree of chain order resembling the subgel phase of PCs with saturated linear chains. For 13cyPC, flat surfaces, ripple structures, and singular ripple lines at domain borders were observed. Ripples developed only in multilamellar stacks (5 or more lamellae) on the top surface of the stack. The ripple periodicity was 33 nm and the ripple amplitude only 0.3 nm. 14cyPC shows a gel phase with much higher degree of disorder. For 14cyPC, ripples were observed on all layers, the ripples having much larger amplitudes (3 nm) but a similar periodicity of 37 nm. In addition, irregular bilayer deformations appearing almost like honeycomb structures were observed. The apparent periodicity of the holes in this structure was 30 nm and thus similar to the ripple period. The hole depth was 2 nm or larger. These deformations were only very pronounced for every second layer. For 14cyPC, the higher disorder in the gel phase seen by spectroscopic techniques enables larger amplitudes for the deformation of the lamellae. These deformations may be related to the convex–concave bilayer deformations seen by freeze fracture electron microscopy in other systems (H. W. Meyer, K. Semmler, W. Rettig, W. Pohle, A. S. Ulrich, S. Grage, C. Selle and P. J. Quinn, Chem. Phys. Lipids, 2000, 105, 149).
Exposed versus buried wires for fixation of lateral humeral condyle fractures in children: a comparison of safety and efficacy

Introduction Displaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus are usually treated with open reduction and fixation with smooth Kirschner wires. These may be passed through the skin and left exposed or buried subcutaneously. Exposed wires may be removed in the outpatient clinic, whereas buried wires require a formal procedure under anaesthesia. This advantage may be offset if there is a higher rate of complications with exposed wires. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of exposed and buried wires.
The depressant action of diphenylhydantoin on electrical and mechanical properties of isolated rabbit and dog atria: Dependence on sodium and potassium☆

Abstract The effects of diphenylhydantoin sodium (DPH) on maximum follow frequency, conduction, transmembrane action potential, and contractility were studied in isolated driven left atrial preparations from rabbits and dogs, and the effects on pacemaker frequency were studied in isolated spontaneously beating rabbit right atria. At an extracellular K + concentration of 5.6 mM., DPH at 5 and 10 μg per milliliter concentration consistently depressed all of the atrial functions measured. Increasing Na + significantly antagonized the depressant action of DPH. Decreasing K + concentration similarly antagonized the effects of DPH while increased K + increased the drug effects. These properties of DPH resemble those of quinidine.