cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation on Pressure Difference of Pulmonary Valve Stenosis in Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot After Repair.

Pressure difference (PD) is an important parameter in evaluating the degree of stenotic lesion. However, PD is influenced by the blood flow volume passing through the stenosis. In patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary valve regurgitation (PR) and pulmonary valve stenosis (vPS) are common post-operative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PR on the PD. First, we examined the relationship between the peak-to-peak PD and the valve orifice area in 7 patients with vPS from their cardiac catheterization data. Second, an estimated PD, i.e., PD assuming no PR, was calculated in 8 patients with TOF with vPS and PR from their valve orifice area using the relational equation in patients with vPS. Moreover, an excess of PD, equating to the difference between the measured and estimated PD, was calculated. Finally, the relationship between the regurgitant fraction (RF) and the excess PD was analyzed. There was a strong relationship between the reciprocal of the valve orifice area and the PD in patients with vPS (r = 0.904, p = 0.0053). The excess PD showed a significant correlation with the RF in patients with TOF (r = 0.889, p = 0.0032). PR of over 25% in RF augmented the PD depending on the regurgitant volume. Severity of vPS could be overestimated in post-operative patients with TOF who had significant PR when their RF was above 25%.
Review of Progress on Computational Modeling and Simulation of the Zinc Electrowinning Production Process

Zinc is an important energy material in the battery industry. Modeling and simulation are less expensive and more efficient ways to study and optimize the zinc electrowinning process. A critical review of research related to models and simulations of this process is presented herein, along with associated equations and methodologies. These equations or models are categorized into four different but closely related types: empirical equations for current efficiency prediction, equations for the related parameters in the electrowinning process, fundamental electrochemical models, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. These equations or models are focused on certain aspects of the zinc electrowinning process and are applied under specific conditions. However, most of them are simplified, and many significant aspects of the zinc electrowinning process are ignored, limiting their accuracy. Promising future developments regarding modeling and simulation of the zinc electrowinning process are discussed.
Use of Plasmid pVMG to Make Transcriptional ß-Glucuronidase Reporter Gene Fusions in the Rhizobium Genome for Monitoring the Expression of Rhizobial Genes In Vivo

The soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti and its allies are important nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts that cause N2-fixing nodules on the roots of legumes. Chromosomal s-glucuronidase gene (uidA) transcriptional fusions are frequently used to monitor the expression of bacterial genes during the symbiosis. However, the construction of the fusions is laborious. The narrow-host-range, fusion selective plasmid pVMG was constructed and used as a vector for the construction of chromosomal uidA transcriptional fusions in the S. meliloti genome. Translation termination codons were added in all three reading frames upstream of the promoterless uidA in this vector to ensure transcriptional fusions. pVMG replicated to high copy number in Escherichia coli, offering advantages for the isolation of fusion-containing plasmids and the restriction analysis. Genomic locations of uidA fusions were verified in a simple PCR experiment. All these helps reduce the sample processing time and efforts. As a demonstration of its usefulness, the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signal synthase gene promoter was fused to uidA and shown to be expressed by S. meliloti in the senescence zone of the nodule on the host plant, M. truncatula. This indicates the presence of AHL signals at the late stages of symbiosis. A simple, pVMG-based method for construction of chromosomal uidA transcriptional fusions has been successfully used in the model rhizobium S. meliloti. It is also applicable for other rhizobial strains.
Abstract P1104: The Infusion of the Soluble Prorenin Receptor Increases Blood Pressure in High-Fat Fed Male Mice

Obesity-related hypertension is a major public health concern. We recently demonstrated that plasma levels of the soluble form of the prorenin receptor (sPRR) were elevated in obesity. In the prese...
Zelfcontrole en preventie

Na de uitvoering van een nullijnevaluatie is preventiemanagement de eerste interventie bij de behandeling van zelfverwonding – dat wil zeggen: het systematisch opheffen van bekrachtiging voor zelfverwonding. Beheersing van bekrachtiging is al zijdelings besproken in H. 7, waar ik adviseerde om in reactie op zelfverwonding subtiel, neutraal gedrag te vertonen, in combinatie met respectvolle nieuwsgierigheid. Als behandelinterventie kan formeel preventiemanagement de frequentie van zelfverwonding helpen verminderen, maar de kans is klein dat het gedrag ermee wordt geelimineerd. Een van de voordelen van preventiemanagement is dat het kan worden ingezet bij clienten die niet gemotiveerd zijn om met zelfverwonding te stoppen. In deze gevallen ligt de focus op het analyseren en modificeren van de omgevingsomstandigheden die het gedrag ondersteunen.
Cancer Epigenetics, Tumor Immunity, and Immunotherapy

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and chromatin structure regulation, are critical for the interactions between tumor and immune cells. Emerging evidence shows that tumors commonly hijack various epigenetic mechanisms to escape immune restriction. As a result, the pharmaceutical modulation of epigenetic regulators, including 'writers', 'readers', 'erasers', and 'remodelers', is able to normalize the impaired immunosurveillance and/or trigger antitumor immune responses. Thus, epigenetic targeting agents are attractive immunomodulatory drugs and will have major impacts on immuno-oncology. Here, we discuss epigenetic regulators of the cancer-immunity cycle and current advances in developing epigenetic therapies to boost anticancer immune responses, either alone or in combination with current immunotherapies.
A New Form of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel for Treating Ischemic Tissue via Intravascular Infusion

Extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels have been widely used in preclinical studies as injectable materials for tissue engineering therapies. We have developed a new ECM therapy, the soluble fraction derived from decellularized, digested ECM, for intravascular infusion. This new form of ECM is capable of gelation in vivo and can be delivered acutely after an injury to promote cell survival and improve vascularization. In this study, we show proof-of-concept for the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ECM infusions using small and large animal models of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and intracoronary infusion. Following infusion, the ECM material was retained in the heart, specifically in regions of ischemia, and colocalized with endothelial cells, coating the leaky microvasculature. Functional improvements, specifically reduced left ventricular volumes, were observed after ECM infusion post-MI. Genes associated with angiogenesis were upregulated, and genes associated with cell apoptosis/necrosis and fibrosis were downregulated. The ECM was also delivered using a clinically-relevant catheter in a large animal model of acute MI. This study shows proof-of-concept for a new intravascular delivery strategy for ECM biomaterial therapies with potential implications for a variety of pathologies with ischemic tissue or injured vasculature.
Association between antinuclear antibody seropositivity and telomere length: a nationwide population-based study.

OBJECTIVES Telomere shortening is a well-established marker of biological aging. Whether telomere erosion coincides with age-related increases in antinuclear antibody (ANA) seropositivity remains unknown. Our study aimed to determine the association between ANA seropositivity and shortened telomeres among 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) subjects. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2,188 NHANES study participants with available ANA and telomere length data. ANA testing was performed using indirect immunofluorescence. Telomere lengths were measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods. Applying appropriate sample weighting techniques, we used univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods to assess the association between shortened telomeres (i.e. lowest decile of the cohort) and ANA seropositivity. RESULTS ANAs were positive in 322 out of 2,188 (14.7%, 95% CI 13.3-16.3%) individuals. Subjects with shortened telomeres were more likely to be older (p<0.001), male (p=0.005), and have a cancer history (p<0.001). A higher proportion of non-Hispanic white participants (61.6% vs. 49.3%) and a lower proportion of non-Hispanic black participants (7.8% vs. 17.9%) had shortened telomeres (p<0.001). Shortened telomeres were not independently associated with ANA seropositivity (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.87-2.52, p=0.14). However, female sex (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.23-2.96, p=0.006), age ≥80 years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.08-3.92, p=0.03), and African American race (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.00-2.51, p=0.05) were independent risk factors for ANA seropositivity. Neither sex nor race modified the relationship between ANA seropositivity and telomere length. CONCLUSIONS Telomere erosion does not appear to be responsible for age-related increases in the prevalence of ANA seropositivity.
The relationship between posterior pharyngeal wall thickness and swallowing function after radiation therapy

Background: Dysphagia is a complication following radziation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNC). Radiologic findings of posterior pharyngeal wall thickening (PPWT) after RT has not been q...
MERCHANT MARINE INSPECTORS AND CHEMICALS

A major contribution to the uncertainty inherent in toxicologic data stems from the recognition that exposure to a single substance under carefully controlled conditions is generally most unrealistic. The Coast Guard has a group of approximately four hundred officers and warrant officers who are involved with the inspection of merchant vessels. These individuals, Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, are required to enter cargo tanks, void spaces, and cofferdams as well as normally manned spaces, for the purpose of ascertaining the integrity of the hull, machinery and equipment aboard vessels. A certain number of marine inspectors, estimated to be about 150 persons, spend time inside cargo tanks and are likely to be exposed to many chemicals and other stress factors, in varying combinations and sequences, in the course of a normal day. This presents problems of work practice evaluation with an almost infinite number of variables. Consequently, relatively little is known about synergisms, antagonisms, simple additive and simple subtractive phenomena in producing toxic manifestations.
Wasps choose their battles wisely

![Graphic][1] Deciding when to stand your ground and when to retreat can be a life-saving skill. One way to decide whether to pursue peace or combat is to know something about your rival and your own chances of victory. If you don't think you'll have the upper hand, it's better to conserve
Apathy is Associated with Risk of Incident Dementia Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults (1972)

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the association between symptoms of apathy and incident dementia in a diverse cohort of community-dwelling adults Background: Apathy is prevalent in all dementia subtypes and may be an important prodromal sign associated with progression to dementia, yet this has not been rigorously investigated in a population-based sample. Design/Methods: We studied 2,023 participants from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study, a prospective cohort of community-dwelling white and black older adults. The modified Apathy Evaluation Scale was administered at year 6, our study baseline. Prevalent dementia was excluded and incident dementia was measured through Year 15, determined by dementia medication use, hospital records, or significant decline in global cognition (≥ 1.5 SD race-specific decline on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS)). We examined the association between baseline apathy tertile and incident dementia using a logistic regression model. We adjusted the model for age, gender, race, education level, and comorbid depression (measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). We used a linear mixed effects model to evaluate the association between baseline apathy tertile and cognitive decline, as measured by the 3MS and Digit Symbol Substitution Test through year 10. Results: There were 381 (18%) cases of incident dementia over 9 years of follow-up. Severe apathy was associated with risk of incident dementia in unadjusted (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5–2.6) and adjusted models (25% vs. 14%, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). Severity of apathy predicted cognitive scores at the study baseline but not change in cognition over time. Conclusions: In a diverse cohort of community-dwelling adults, apathy was associated with increased risk of developing dementia. A brief assessment of apathy may have clinical utility in risk stratifying the elderly for progression to dementia. Disclosure: Dr. Bock has nothing to disclose. Dr. Xia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hoang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yaffe has nothing to disclose.
Value-added switchgrass extractives for reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium populations on Formica coupons

Abstract Recurring outbreaks linked to Escherichia coli O157:H7-contaminated lettuce and Salmonella enterica-contaminated sprouts highlight the need for improved food safety measures. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of a bio-based antimicrobial extract prepared from switchgrass, a dedicated energy crop, to reduce E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium populations on Formica coupons, a model food-contact surface. Overnight cultures of ~7 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium, air-dried on Formica coupons were treated with 0.625% NaClO, 70% ethanol, sterile water or different batches of switchgrass extractives (SE1, SE2, and SE3) for up to 30 min. E. coli O157:H7 was reduced by 4.43 log CFU/mL after 1 min by SE3, and to non-detectable levels after 1 min by all other treatments. Populations of S. Typhimurium LT2 (15-min drying) were reduced by 3.30 log CFU/mL with 70% ethanol, 5.38 log CFU/mL with SE1, and to non-detectable levels with 0.625% NaClO after 1 min, while S. Typhimurium ATCC 23564 (1-h drying) was non-detectable after 1 min by all treatments. Under soiled conditions, 10-min treatment with SE1 and 70% ethanol reduced both bacteria to non-detectable levels. Studies with concentrated switchgrass extractives combined with various other natural disinfectants or in hurdle approaches warrant further investigation.
ALS-linked SOD1 Mutants Enhance Outgrowth, Branching, and the Formation of Actin-Based Structures in Adult Motor Neurons

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron cell death. However, not all motor neurons are equally susceptible. Most of what we know about the surviving motor neurons comes from gene expression profiling, less is known about their functional traits. We found that resistant motor neurons cultured from SOD1 ALS mouse models have enhanced axonal outgrowth and dendritic branching. They also have an increase in the number and size of actin-based structures like growth cones and filopodia. These phenotypes occur in cells cultured from presymptomatic mice and mutant SOD1 models that do not develop ALS, but not in embryonic motor neurons. Enhanced outgrowth and upregulation of filopodia can be induced in wild-type adult cells by expressing mutant SOD1. These results demonstrate that mutant SOD1 can enhance the regenerative capability of ALS resistant motor neurons. Capitalizing on this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Koord: a language for programming and verifying distributed robotics application

A robot’s code needs to sense the environment, control the hardware, and communicate with other robots. Current programming languages do not provide suitable abstractions that are independent of hardware platforms. Currently, developing robot applications requires detailed knowledge of signal processing, control, path planning, network protocols, and various platform-specific details. Further, porting applications across hardware platforms remains tedious. We present Koord—a domain specific language for distributed robotics—which abstracts platform-specific functions for sensing, communication, and low-level control. Koord makes the platform-independent control and coordination code portable and modularly verifiable. Koord raises the level of abstraction in programming by providing distributed shared memory for coordination and port interfaces for sensing and control. We have developed the formal executable semantics of Koord in the K framework. With this symbolic execution engine, we can identify assumptions (proof obligations) needed for gaining high assurance from Koord applications. We illustrate the power of Koord through three applications: formation flight, distributed delivery, and distributed mapping. We also use the three applications to demonstrate how platform-independent proof obligations can be discharged using the Koord Prover while platform-specific proof obligations can be checked by verifying the obligations using physics-based models and hybrid verification tools.
An Approach to Characterize the Impact Absorption Performance of Construction Helmets in Top Impact

The helmets used by construction site workers are mainly designed for head protection when objects are dropped from heights. Construction helmets are also casually called “hard hats” in industries. Common construction helmets are mostly categorized as type 1 according to different standards. All type 1 helmets have to pass type 1 standard impact tests, which are top impact tests—the helmet is fixed and is impacted by a free falling impactor on the top crown of the helmet shell. The purpose of this study was to develop an approach that can determine the performance characterization of a helmet. A total of 31 drop impact tests using a representative type 1 helmet model were performed at drop heights from 0.30 to 2.23 m, which were estimated to result in impact speeds from 2.4 to 6.6 m/s. Based on our results, we identified a critical drop height that was used to evaluate the performance of helmets. The peak impact forces and peak accelerations varied nonproportionally with the drop height. When the drop height is less than the critical height, the peak force and peak acceleration increase gradually and slowly with increasing drop height. When the drop height is greater than the critical height, the peak force and peak acceleration increase steeply with even a slight increase in drop height. Based on the critical drop height, we proposed an approach to determine the safety margin of a helmet. The proposed approach would make it possible to determine the performance characteristics of a helmet and to estimate the safety margin afforded by the helmet, if the helmet first passes the existing standardized tests. The proposed test approach would provide supplementary information for consumers to make knowledgeable decisions when selecting construction helmets.
Remedial Training of the Less-Impaired Arm in Chronic Stroke Survivors With Moderate to Severe Upper-Extremity Paresis Improves Functional Independence: A Pilot Study

The ipsilesional arm of stroke patients often has functionally limiting deficits in motor control and dexterity that depend on the side of the brain that is lesioned and that increase with the severity of paretic arm impairment. However, remediation of the ipsilesional arm has yet to be integrated into the usual standard of care for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke, largely due to a lack of translational research examining the effects of ipsilesional-arm intervention. We now ask whether ipsilesional-arm training, tailored to the hemisphere-specific nature of ipsilesional-arm motor deficits in participants with moderate to severe contralesional paresis, improves ipsilesional arm performance and generalizes to improve functional independence. We assessed the effects of this intervention on ipsilesional arm unilateral performance [Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT)], ipsilesional grip strength, contralesional arm impairment level [Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM)], and functional independence [Functional independence measure (FIM)] (N = 13). Intervention occurred over a 3 week period for 1.5 h/session, three times each week. All sessions included virtual reality tasks that targeted the specific motor control deficits associated with either left or right hemisphere damage, followed by graded dexterity training in real-world tasks. We also exposed participants to 3 weeks of sham training to control for the non-specific effects of therapy visits and interactions. We conducted five test-sessions: two pre-tests and three post-tests. Our results indicate substantial improvements in the less-impaired arm performance, without detriment to the paretic arm that transferred to improved functional independence in all three posttests, indicating durability of training effects for at least 3 weeks. We provide evidence for establishing the basis of a rehabilitation approach that includes evaluation and remediation of the ipsilesional arm in moderately to severely impaired stroke survivors. This study was originally a crossover design; however, we were unable to complete the second arm of the study due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We report the results from the first arm of the planned design as a longitudinal study.
Soil microbial communities are not altered by garlic mustard in recently invaded central Illinois forests

Abstract The invasive forest plant garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) has been shown to alter soil microbial communities in the northeastern part of its invaded range in the United States, and this disruption of soil communities may contribute to its invasion success. However, garlic mustard allelochemistry can vary with invasion age, and it is not clear whether garlic mustard’s impacts on soil microbes are consistent over its invaded range. Here, we compare the composition and diversity of soil fungal, bacterial, and archaeal communities among garlic mustard present, absent, and removed treatments in replicated blocks across five forests in the midwestern United States with relatively young garlic mustard invasions (approximately 17-26 years old, with consistent management). We collected samples in May and August, corresponding to garlic mustard active and senescent life history stages. While soil fungal and bacterial/ archaeal communities (based on ITS2 region and 16S rRNA gene DNA sequencing, respectively) differed significantly between different blocks/ forests and over time, we found no significant effect of garlic mustard treatment on soil microbial community composition or the relative abundance of mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, or pathogenic fungal guilds. The lack of garlic mustard impacts on the soil microbial community in recently invaded central Illinois forests suggests that these well-documented impacts in the northeastern United States and in older invasions cannot necessarily be generalized across all environmental contexts.
Vortex formation and associated aneurysmogenic transverse rotational shear stress near the apex of wide-angle cerebral bifurcations.

OBJECTIVE Aneurysm formation preferentially occurs at the site of wide-angle cerebral arterial bifurcations, which were recently shown to have a high longitudinal positive wall shear stress (WSS) gradient that promotes aneurysm formation. The authors sought to explore the other components of the hemodynamic environment that are altered with increasing bifurcation angle in the apical region and the effects of these components on WSS patterns on the vessel wall that may modulate aneurysm genesis and progression. METHODS Parametric models of symmetrical and asymmetrical bifurcations were created with increasing bifurcation angles (45°-240°), and 3D rotational angiography models of 13 middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcations (7 aneurysmal, 6 controls) were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. For aneurysmal bifurcations, the aneurysm was digitally removed to uncover hemodynamics at the apex. WSS vectors along cross-sectional planes distal to the bifurcation apex were decomposed as orthogonal projections to the cut plane into longitudinal and transverse (tangential to the cross-sectional plane) components. Transverse rotational WSS (TRWSS) and TRWSS gradients (TRWSSGs) were sampled and evaluated at the apex and immediately distal from the apex. RESULTS In parametric models, increased bifurcation angle was associated with transverse flow vortex formation with emergence of an associated apical high TRWSS with highly aneurysmogenic positive TRWSSGs. While TRWSS decayed rapidly away from the apex in narrow-angle bifurcations, it remained greatly elevated for many radii downstream in aneurysm-prone wider bifurcations. In asymmetrical bifurcations, TRWSS was higher on the aneurysm-prone daughter vessel associated with the wider angle. Patient-derived models with aneurysmal bifurcations had wider angles (149.33° ± 12.56° vs 98.17° ± 8.67°, p < 0.001), with significantly higher maximum TRWSS (1.37 ± 0.67 vs 0.48 ± 0.23 Pa, p = 0.01) and TRWSSG (1.78 ± 0.92 vs 0.76 ± 0.50 Pa/mm, p = 0.03) compared to control nonaneurysmal bifurcations. CONCLUSIONS Wider vascular bifurcations are associated with a novel and to the authors' knowledge previously undescribed transverse component rotational wall shear stress associated with a positive (aneurysmogenic) spatial gradient. The resulting hemodynamic insult, demonstrated in both parametric models and patient-based anatomy, is noted to decay rapidly away from the protection of the medial pad in healthy narrow-angle bifurcations but remain elevated distally downstream of wide-angle aneurysm-prone bifurcations. This TRWSS serves as a new contribution to the hemodynamic environment favoring aneurysm formation and progression at wide cerebral bifurcations and may have clinical implications favoring interventions that reduce bifurcation angle.
Fundamental investigation of unipolar and RF corona in atmospheric air

Unipolar (DC) and radio frequency (RF) corona at 3.3 MHz is studied at centimeter-sized gaps in a needle-plane geometry in atmospheric air at room temperature. Positive and negative corona using pure tungsten electrodes with varying tip angles revealed a lower onset voltage for the needle with the smaller included angle. The RF corona onset voltage and corresponding time delay were measured for a series of needles composed of pure tungsten or 2% lanthanated tungsten. The corona onset, established when the first instance of UV photon emission is detected via photomultiplier tube, occurred primarily during the negative half cycle of the applied RF voltage for pure tungsten needles. In contrast, with lanthanated tungsten needles, such preference was not observed. No distinguishable difference in onset voltage between pure tungsten and lanthanated tungsten was found, indicating that adding a small amount of lanthanum to tungsten has a negligible impact on the onset voltage at 3.3 MHz frequencies for electrodes at room temperature.
The Transformation of the Over-the-Counter Derivatives Market, 1984-2016

The over-the-counter (OTC) market in financial derivatives developed into a critical financial sector from the 1980s to 2010 mainly under private regulation. After the financial crisis beginning in 2008 government asserted regulatory control over the area. The United States legislated controls early in this process through the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, but the initiative for public regulation occurred globally. New public controls of OTC derivatives were layered onto the existing system of private industry controls. This paper examines how the institutions and arguments favoring industry controls, all of which remained active, combined with the drive for public regulation. It discusses how market processes, regulation, technological changes, and social and behavioral factors shaped the development and control of the OTC derivatives market. After examining these developments from 1984 through 2015, the paper concludes with four points. First, studies of regulatory options can justify different regulatory approaches; such evidence hardly ever settles debates over different approaches. Second, private incentives especially shaped developments in the OTC markets, including after Dodd-Frank in 2010. Third, market participants accepted or supported external regulation in some ways. Fourth, external regulation induces change, although changing financial systems substantially without similar changes in market incentives is exceptionally difficult.
Resolution of chronic migraine headaches with intrathecal ziconotide: a case report.

Background Migraine headaches are a common and functionally debilitating disorder affecting approximately 17% of women and 5.6% of men. Compared to episodic migraine patients, chronic migraineurs are more likely to be occupationally disabled, miss family activities, have comorbid anxiety and/or chronic pain disorders, and utilize significantly more health care dollars. Ziconotide is a calcium channel blocker used for the treatment of chronic severe pain without issues of tolerance or dependency found with opioid therapy.
Passive Optical Resonators

This chapter deals with the theory of passive optical resonators i.e. where no active medium is present within the cavity. The most widely used laser resonators have either plane or spherical mirrors of rectangular (or, more often, circular) shape, separated by some distance L. Typically, L may range from a few centimeters to a few tens of centimeters, while the mirror dimensions range from a fraction of a centimeter to a few centimeters. Laser resonators thus differ from those used in the microwave field (see e.g. Sect. 2.2.1) in two main respects: (1) The resonator dimensions are much greater than the laser wavelength. (2) Resonators are usually open, i.e. no lateral surfaces are used. The resonator length is usually much greater than the laser wavelength because this wavelength usually ranges from a fraction of a micrometer to a few tens of micrometers. A laser cavity with length comparable to the wavelength would then generally have too low a gain to allow laser oscillation. Laser resonators are usually open because this drastically reduces the number of modes which can oscillate with low loss. In fact, with reference to example 5.1 to be considered below, it is seen that even a narrow linewidth laser such as a He-Ne laser would have a very large number of modes ( ≈ 109) if the resonator were closed. By contrast, on removing the lateral surfaces, the number of low-loss modes reduces to just a few ( ≈ 6 in the example). In these open resonators, in fact, only the very few modes corresponding to a superposition of waves traveling nearly parallel to the resonator axis will have low enough losses to allow laser oscillation.
Review on terrestrial propagation channel modelling

Design and implementation of wireless systems, comprising mobile and fixed radios, requires the knowledge of the propagation characteristics of the channel. The random nature of the radio channel parameters and the complexity of the propagation phenomena suggest that characterization of the channel can be achieved based on statistical analysis of field measurements. This approach leads to statistical and empirical models of the propagation channel. Alternatively, deterministic modelling, based on approximate solutions of the wave equation, can be used in the prediction of propagation effects in some situations. This paper presents an overview of the characteristics of the radio channel and the models to predict the main effects of the propagation medium on terrestrial links.
Captive Insurance Tax Policy: Resolving a Global Problem

Over the past three decades, the global captive insurance movement has established itself as a significant alternative to traditional insurance. During this period, the controversy surrounding the tax-deductibility of both premiums paid to captives and reserves held by captives has never abated. In the United States, the controversy derives from a fundamental conflict within a federal tax policy that attempts to respect the legal separate-ness of corporate entities, while at the same time questioning the economic substance of transactions between affiliated entities. Because many nations' tax authorities follow the lead of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on this issue, a resolution of the controversy is of global interest.
Regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) transcription and CRH mRNA stability by glucocorticoids.

SUMMARY 1. The increases in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA following longterm adrenalectomy are associated with low levels of CRH gene transcription, suggesting that glucocorticoids regulate CRH mRNA at the posttranscriptional level. In this study we determined the time course of transcriptional activation after early adrenalectomy by intronic in situ hybridization, and evaluated the effects of glucocorticoids on CRH mRNA stability. 2. Plasma corticosterone was undetectable 3 h after adrenalectomy, but CRH hnRNA increased only by 12 h, and remained elevated for the next 72 h. CRH mRNA increased 18 h after adrenalectomy and reached a plateau lasting from 2 to 6 days, despite very low CRH hnRNA levels. 3. Assessment of CRH mRNA stability, by incubation of slide-mounted hypothalamic sections in an intracellular-like medium at 37 ‐ C, prior to measuring CRH mRNA levels by in situ hybridization, revealed a half-life (t1=2) of 11.5 min in sham-operated rats, and a slower decrease adrenalectomized rats (t1=2-26.3 min). Corticosterone administration for 3 days markedly decreased CRH mRNA t1=2 in both sham-operated and adrenalectomized rats (6.5 and 5.0 min, respectively). 4. The data show that adrenalectomy causes transient increases in CRH mRNA transcription, followed by decreases in the rate of CRH mRNA degradation. This suggests that glucocorticoids regulate CRH mRNA at two sites, by inhibiting transcription and by decreasing mRNA stability.
How gender and financial self-efficacy influence investment risk taking

Evidence shows alarming numbers of US workers nearing retirement insufficiently save for this next life stage. Moreover, many women invest too conservatively. This finding is of particular concern as women typically live longer than men do, and thus, rely on accumulated savings for longer periods of time. This study extends work in the psychology of investing by examining the relationship between gender and investment risk and the role financial self-efficacy (FSE) plays. Data collected from 182 US student subjects tested the hypotheses that women make less risky investments than men do and that FSE is positively related to the level of risk taken within investment portfolios. The results not only supported the hypotheses but also the analysis shows that FSE might account for the frequently observed gender difference associated with greater financial risk taking.
The Seductive Melody of the Strings

The Elegant Universe Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory. Brian Greene. Norton, New York, 1999. 464 pp. $27.95. ISBN 0-393-04688-5. Writing for a general audience, physicist Greene presents an account of recent theoretical developments and argues that string theory appears to be a promising route toward an ultimate theory of everything.
Communicating Higher Education: An Analysis of Journals in the Field of Higher Education

This article describes the publication landscapes in the field of higher education. Based on a global inventory of journals and publications focused on higher education research, it analyses trends in and draws conclusions on the languages, countries of publication, audience and focus.
Uveitic glaucoma in the horse

Summary Glaucoma is a serious complication of anterior uveitis that can result in significant ocular discomfort and loss of vision. As glaucoma is insidious and mostly asymptomatic until late in the course of disease, it is often undiagnosed. Equine recurrent uveitis is the most common underlying disorder: it is a disease of high prevalence, characterised by recurrent-remitting episodes of ocular inflammation. Here, the inflammatory cells and mediators they release alter the normal anatomic structure of the anterior chamber and aqueous drainage pathways of the eye. These changes alter the homeostatic mechanisms of intraocular pressure control. Management of glaucoma secondary to uveitis can be challenging due to the difficulties of managing the underlying disorder and its effects on the eye. This article reviews the pathogenesis of uveitic glaucoma in the horse and medical and surgical management options.
Multinucleon-ejection model for two-body-current neutrino interactions

A model is proposed to describe nucleons ejected from a nucleus as a result of two-body-current neutrino interactions. The model can be easily implemented in Monte Carlo neutrino event generators. Various possibilities to measure the two-body-current contribution are discussed. The model can help identify genuine charge current quasielastic events and allow for a better determination of the systematic error on neutrino energy reconstruction in neutrino oscillation experiments.
Aging and neural control of the GI tract. V. Aging and gastrointestinal smooth muscle: from signal transduction to contractile proteins

The object of this theme is to offer new perspectives on the effect of aging on signal-transduction pathways associated with agonist-induced contraction of smooth muscle cells from the colon. Smooth muscle cells from old rats (32 mo old) exhibit limited cell length distribution and diminished contractility. The observed reduced contractile response may be due to the effect of aging on signal-transduction pathways, especially an inhibition of the tyrosine kinase-Src kinase pathway, a reduced activation of the PKC pathway, and a reduced association of contractile proteins [heat shock protein 27 (HSP27)-tropomyosin, HSP27-actin, actin-myosin]. Levels of HSP27 phosphorylation are also reduced compared with adult rats.
Uterine involution and postpartum ovarian activity in Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

Abstract Uterine involution and postpartum ovarian activity were studied in 53 Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Mean intervals to uterine involution (26 days), regression of the corpus albicans of pregnancy (22 days), resumption of follicular activity (21 days) and first postpartum estrus (56 days) were not affected by the month of calving or age. Mean interval to formation of first corpus luteum (CL) after calving as indicated by progesterone in plasma (≥ 1.5 ng/ml) was 23.8 ± 1.7 days, but only 52% of these CL were palpable. The number of CL formed before first postpartum estrus ranged from zero to five per buffalo; mean values based upon progesterone and palpation were 1.6 ± 1.3 and 0.8 ± 0.2, respectively. Based upon either progesterone or palpation, length of first postpartum luteal phase (7.9 or 6.6 days) was shorter than the luteal phase immediately preceeding the first estrus (12.1 or 8.9 days). Intervals from regular cyclic ovarian activity was not established until first estrus and intervals from the end of one luteal phase to the onset of the next were as long as three weeks. High concentrations of progesterone (≥ 1.5 ng/ml) on the day of behavioral estrus were seen in 23% of the buffaloes studied.
Mycoplasma alligatoris infection promotes CD95 (FasR) expression and apoptosis of primary cardiac fibroblasts.

Mycoplasma alligatoris causes acute lethal primary infection of susceptible hosts. A genome survey implicated sialidase and hyaluronidase, potential promoters of CD95-mediated eukaryotic cell death, as virulence factors of M. alligatoris. We used immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometry to examine the effects of M. alligatoris infection in vitro on CD95 expression and apoptosis by alligator cardiac fibroblasts, a major cell type of a target organ of M. alligatoris infection in vivo. A uniform distribution of CD95 in primary cultured cardiac, skeletal muscle, and embryonic fibroblasts was demonstrated by using polyclonal antibodies against the N or C terminus of mouse or human CD95. Anti-CD95 antibodies reacted on Western blots of fibroblast lysates with a band with the predicted apparent molecular weight of CD95, but soluble CD95 was not detected in plasma from control or M. alligatoris-infected alligators. The proportion of CD95-gated cardiac fibroblasts increased threefold (P < 0.01) 48 h after inoculation with M. alligatoris. Infection induced morphological changes in cardiac fibroblasts, including translocation of CD95 characteristic of apoptosis and an eightfold increase (P < 0.16) in 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation measured in a terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end-labeling apoptosis assay. The proportion of BrdU-gated controls activated with agonistic immunoglobulin M against human CD95 also increased threefold (P < 0.03 for muscle). Heat-inactivated M. alligatoris and sterile M. alligatoris-conditioned culture supernatant had no effect. This is the first report of a CD95 homolog in the class Reptilia and establishes a new model that can be used to test the direct bacterial interaction with upstream components of the CD95 signal transduction pathway.
Mechanical and electrical characterisation in age hardened Waspaloy microstructures

AbstractNickel-base superalloys such as Waspaloy possess excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. This is possible through precipitation hardening, whereby submicron precipitate phases (γ′) are formed in the nickel-rich matrix phase (γ) under controlled aging heat treatments. The current work is focused on studying microstructural evolution in systematically aged Waspaloy specimens through mechanical and electrical characterisation conducted via Vickers microhardness and four probe resistivity measurements respectively. Four bars of industrial grade Waspaloy were solution treated at 1145°C and aged at temperatures of 600, 725, 800 and 875°C for times ranging from 2 min to 763·5 h. For the specimens aged at 600 and 725°C, the maximum in hardness was not reached. However, maxima in hardness and conductivity occur at similar aging times for the samples aged at 800 and 875°C. The present studies indicate that conductivity measurements show potential for ascertaining the hardness of the alloy ...
Animal-assisted therapy: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACTAnimal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been practiced for many years and there is now increasing interest in demonstrating its efficacy through research. To date, no known quantitative review of AAT studies has been published; our study sought to fill this gap. We conducted a comprehensive search of articles reporting on AAT in which we reviewed 250 studies, 49 of which met our inclusion criteria and were submitted to meta-analytic procedures. Overall, AAT was associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in four areas: Autism-spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being. Contrary to expectations, characteristics of participants and studies did not produce differential outcomes. AAT shows promise as an additive to established interventions and future research should investigate the conditions under which AAT can be most helpful.
Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. 56. Probing Outside and Inside Single Giant Liposomes Containing Ru(bpy)32

Giant liposomes containing Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) were prepared as model systems for biomembranes and cells and studied by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Conical carbon fiber tips of submicrometer size were used to approach, image, and puncture individual liposomes immobilized on glass substrates. SECM images of the liposomes were obtained, and the leakage of Ru(bpy)32+ through the lipid membrane was probed. The tip was also pushed into liposomes and characteristic breakthrough transients, corresponding to liposomes with different compartmental configurations, were obtained. Voltammograms were obtained with the tip inside a single liposome after breaking through the membrane, and the influx of mediator and efflux of encapsulant after puncture could be observed.
A selection of divisible lexicographic codes

This paper presents a selection of lexicographic codes over a prime field F p, codes constructed so as to be linear and to have a prescribed minimum distance and divisor. The development of the code when the minimum distance is 3p and the divisor is p leads to questions involving the distribution of quadratic residues and non-residues modulo p. In the course of events, the Hall plane H (p) emerges. This paper is dedicated to Vera Pless on the occasion of her retirement. She was in the audience when I presented a sketchy version of the material at a conference at Lehigh University many years ago. In my enthusiasm, I promised her a paper on the subject – and here it is, at last!
Radiolytic Studies of the Cumyloxyl Radical in Aqueous Solutions

Formation and reactions of the cumyloxyl radical in aqueous solutions were studied by steady-state and pulse radiolytic techniques. Cumene hydroperoxide reacts with e−aq (k = 4.4 × 109 M−1s−1) to yield the cumyloxyl radical. The spectrum recorded after the pulse indicates formation of a species absorbing at 250 nm. This product was identified as acetophenone, which is formed by the fragmentation of the cumyloxyl radical. By comparison of the pseudo-first-order rates of e−aq decay at 600 nm with the rate of production of acetophenone at 245 nm at increasing concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide, it was possible to derive a rate constant of 1.0 × 107 s−1 for the cleavage of cumyloxyl to acetophenone and methyl radical. This value is higher than that measured previously in organic solvents (1 × 106 s−1), as expected. HPLC analysis of the radiation products acetophenone and cumyl alcohol permitted determination of rate constants for hydrogen abstraction by the cumyloxyl radical, in competition with the fragmentation. The rate constants for H abstraction from i-PrOH, EtOH, and MeOH by CmO were found to be 9.9 × 106, 3.8 × 106, and 8.5 × 105 M−1 s−1, respectively.
Nasal Dermoid Sinus Cysts in Children

Thirty-six children with nasal dermoid sinus cysts were treated in the Department Pediatric Otolaryngology, Armand Trousseau's Children's Hospital (Paris, France) between 1974 and 1994. Ten of the patients presented with a midline cyst only, eight had nasal pits only, and 18 had combined cases. In six of the 36 patients, presurgical imagery indicated signs of intracranial extension of the tract, reaching the foramen caecum without intracranial mass. Three surgical techniques were used: an external rhinoplasty approach with medial crura section in 23 cases, a direct median approach in seven cases, and a paracanthal approach in six cases. Only two cases had meningeal adherences. Two superficial recurrences occurred within the 7-year follow-up period. Widening of the scar occurred in four children after verticomedian approach or nasal pit excision. The external rhinoplasty procedure with medial crura section results in a wide surgical approach, low recurrence rate, and good aesthetic results.