cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Theory of a Simple Electrostatic Alternator

The quantitative theory of a simple electrostatic alternator, that is a static machine which reverses its potential periodically, is given. The machine studied is one with four fixed inductors and four revolving carriers, and reverses its potential once every revolution. Assuming there is no leakage, the formulas for the potentials of the inductors are deduced; and, provided the potentials of two opposite inductors were initially zero and those of the other pair equal and opposite, take a very simple form. If the inductors nearly completely surround the carriers and if the inductors are relatively far apart, during every revolution the potential of any inductor is theoretically quadrupled and at the same time reverses its sign. The machine is therefore self-exciting. Experiments made with an actual machine are described and are in good qualitative agreement with the theory.
Impaired glucose tolerance – is it relevant for cardiovascular disease?

Although IGT is clearly associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, there is currently conflicting data regarding the association of IGT with cardiovascular disease. This is true particularly for stronger study designs, namely prospective studies. This is partly because of the relatively few studies instituted since the WHO IGT criteria were developed [1] but also because there may be uncertainty about whether other risk factors such as blood pressure or dyslipidaemia should be controlled for. If one believes that IGT (that is mildly elevated glucose levels) is responsible for increased cardiovascular risk factors, then multivariate adjustment should not be done. Furthermore, the high variability of the oral glucose tolerance test needs to be taken into account. Lastly, if IGT is a risk factor for CHD, it is not clear that the increased risk of CHD is restricted solely to those IGT subjects who convert to NIDDM.
Signatures for horizontal gauge bosons in very energetic hadronic collisions.

The signatures for horizontal-gauge-boson production at a $\sqrt{s}=40$-TeV hadronic collider are studied. Production and decay of the boson leads to very massive lepton pairs (such as $e\ensuremath{\mu}$ or $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\tau}$) in an otherwise quiet event, providing a clean signature. Backgrounds are studied with the Lund Monte Carlo model. The dominant background comes from ${W}^{+}{W}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ pairs, but there is good separation of the signal from the background. The identification of $\ensuremath{\tau}$ may be important for horizontal bosons; we note that the $\ensuremath{\tau}$ path lengths could be many tens of centimeters, suggesting new possibilities for their identification.
Public policy and older women's health

Abstract Abstract: This article provides an overview of the aging of our population and its implications for women and the nursing profession in general. A brief history of women's role in the legislative and policy arena is provided along with a brief synopsis of legislative initiatives introduced in the 105th and 106th Congress and suggestions for nursing intervention. (Geriatr Nurs 2000;21:196-9)
Personality, Stuttering Severity, and Age

Sixty-six male stutterers between the ages of 8 and 21 years were given the California Test of Personality and evaluated for stuttering severity during oral reading and spontaneous speech. Twenty-t...
The relationship between right-handed children's assessed and familial handedness and lateral specialization.

Abstract Eighty right-handed males (6–12 yr of age) stratified into age x degree of handedness x family history of handedness groups were administered three dichotic (digit, syllable, environmental sound) tests. Older subjects accurately identified more stimuli than the younger subjects across tasks. There were significant laterality differences for both verbal and nonverbal stimuli between family history of handedness groups regardless of the subjects' age and degree of handedness. Those subjects with familial sinistrality had attenuated right-side advantage for verbal and non-verbal stimuli and decreased nonverbal accuracy scores compared to the familial dextral subjects who evidenced a right-ear (left hemisphere) advantage for verbal stimuli and a left-ear (right hemisphere) advantage for nonverbal.
New Onset Diabetes During Antihypertensive Therapy

New onset diabetes (NOD) is common among hypertensive patients, whether they are being treated for hypertension or not, and is associated with subsequently increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thiazide-like diuretics and beta-blockers are more likely to provoke hyperglycemia when compared with drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system, and calcium channel blockers. However, in contrast to the NOD arising during treatment with other antihypertensive drugs, the NOD that occurs during diuretic treatment, has not been shown to increase CVD, either in clinical trials, or during longer observational studies. In fact, blood pressure reduction achieved by diuretic treatment may avert the expected increase of CVD in NOD. Conventional blood pressure reduction (along with lipid lowering) is the proven approach to preventing CVD in diabetes, in whatever circumstances the diabetes occurs. Apprehensions relating to the potential onset of NOD should not influence the choice of the initial antihypertensive treatment choice, nor should it invariably lead to discontinuation of diuretics (although such a step may reverse hyperglycemia). NOD can also sometimes be eliminated by correcting hypokalemia with a potassium-sparing diuretic, and/or potassium supplementation, or by adding a potassium-conserving antihypertensive drug such as an ACEI, ARB, or an anti-aldosterone agent. If all these stratagems fail (or are unsuitable), and the diuretic is essential to blood pressure control, then hypoglycemic therapy is indicated. NOD does adversely affect quality of life, and is not to be accepted lightly. However, diuretic-induced hyperglycemia can be managed, and should be tolerated if a diuretic is essential for blood pressure control. In summary, the potential for occurrence of NOD certainly needs consideration, but it is not an insurmountable challenge, and must not compromise aggressive blood pressure control, which remains the primary tool for antihypertensive care.
Butt joint tensile strength : interface corner stress intensity factor prediction

The asymptotic form of the interface corner stress field in a butt joint is discussed, and a failure analysis based on the stress intensity factor defining the magnitude of this asymptotic stress field is validated. A stress singularity of type Krδ(δ < 0) exists at an interface corner in a butt joint (i.e. where an interface intersects a stress-free edge). A simple relation defines the stress intensity factor K for an idealized butt joint composed of a thin elastic adhesive layer bonded between rigid adherends and subjected to transverse tension and uniform adhesive shrinkage. This stress intensity factor, referred to here as the free-edge stress intensity factor Kf, is applicable to both plane strain and axisymmetric geometries. The way that uniform adhesive shrinkage (thermal contraction) during cure alters interface corner stress fields is also discussed. When adhesive shrinkage is present, both constant and singular terms must be included in the asymptotic solution to attain good agreement with full f...
Distribution of fasciolosis in Kansas, with results of experimental snail susceptibility studies☆

Abstract A total of 278 veterinarians throughout Kansas were sent mail-in survey forms asking specific questions relating to their experience with fasciolosis in their practice area. Replies were received from 178 (64%) veterinarians representing six practice types; one-third reported having seen cases of fasciolosis in their practice. The results of our survey indicate that the majority of the cattle diagnosed with liver fluke disease in Kansas are imported from other areas of the USA. However, in both central and southeastern regions of Kansas, some cattle that had never been out of the state were infected with Fasciola hepatica . Thus, these areas of Kansas should be considered endemic for liver fluke disease. Methods of diagnosis, types of operations, and improvements seen after treatment were also discussed. In order to ascertain the existence of one or more possible snail intermediate hosts within Kansas, five species of lymnaeid snails were collected from central and southeastern parts of the state and tested for their susceptibility to infection by Fasciola hepatica . The snails collected included Pseudosuccinea columella, Fossaria obrussa, Fossaria bulimoides, Fossaria parva and Fossaria dalli . Of these, Pseudosuccinea columella and Fossaria bulimoides proved susceptible to experimental infection by Fasciola hepatica . Metacercariae obtained from experimentally infected snails were used to infect both a weanling calf and wild mice, thereby completing the life cycle of the parasite. This report is the first to identify the existence of suitable snail intermediate hosts for Fasciola hepatica in Kansas.
Intracrystalline redistribution of Pb in zircon during high-temperature contact metamorphism

Zircons in the high-T (700–900 °C) contact aureole surrounding the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton (MLP), northern Labrador, were studied using conventional thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) geochronology to test for evidence of high-T Pb mobility. Metasedimentary gneisses in the country rocks (Tasiuyak Gneiss) contain ∼1850 Ma zircons that formed during regional (M1) metamorphism that were reheated in the aureole during emplacement of the MLP at 1322 Ma (M2). M1 zircons that experienced M2 temperatures 800 °C scatter along a discordant array between M1 and M2 are locally reversely discordant and commonly return younger apparent ages for lower-U cores than higher-U rims. These data collectively require widespread intracrystalline Pb redistribution during M2. Isometric M1 overgrowths and inherited magmatic cores in the same samples were unaffected, indicating that susceptibilities to subsequent Pb redistribution may have been controlled by variations in M1 zircon growth mechanisms. The scatter of U–Pb ages in sector-zoned M1 grains is consistent with Pb expulsion from low-U domains (e.g., broad bright-CL sector boundaries) that had accumulated high lattice strains prior to M2. Lattice strain is inferred to have resulted from a combination of high intrinsic growth defects compounded by self-induced internal stresses from expanded metamict high-U sectors. Recovery of strained domains occurred while high-U sectors were partly metamict, allowing Pb to accumulate in the remaining amorphous fraction.
Extractions and determination of polyunsaturated fatty acids in small amounts of plasma.

Abstract 1. 1. A spectrophotometric micro method for the analysis of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in 0.5–1 ml. of plasma has been described. 2. 2. Comparisons based on polyunsaturated fatty acid analyses by the micro method were made with Delsal solvent and Bloor solvent for extraction of lipides from plasma. 3. 3. The analyses by the micro method with Delsal solvent were found to be in better agreement with analyses of fatty acids obtained from large-scale extraction of plasma lipides.
Effects of resin formulation and nanofiller surface treatment on in vitro wear of experimental hybrid resin composite

While adding nonbonded nanofillers and lowering the viscosity of the resin matrix have shown success in reducing deleterious polymerization stresses in dental composites, their effects on wear resistance is unknown. This study evaluated abrasion and attrition wear of experimental composites with varied resin viscosities [inherent to varied ratios of TEGDMA:UDMA:bis-GMA (47:33:16 wt%; 30:33:33 wt%; 12:33:51 wt%)] and nanofiller surface treatment (12.6 wt% silanated or unsilanated silica: OX-50; 0.04 microm). Specimens (n = 6) were light cured, aged in water at 37 degrees C for 7 days, and evaluated in the new OHSU oral wear simulator (100,000 cycles). Nonbonded nanofiller increased abrasion and attrition in the low and medium viscosity composites. Increase in resin viscosity increased abrasion and attrition in composites containing silanated nanofiller, with equivocal effects in composites containing unsilanated nanofiller. Nonbonded nanofiller can lower the overall wear resistance of some composite formulations. Increasing resin viscosity generally lowers the wear resistance, but had minimal effect on composites containing nonbonded nanofiller.
Application of wavelet polynomial threshold for interpolation and denoising in bioimaging

This paper demonstrates wavelet-denoising approach using polynomial threshold operators in 3-dimensional applications. This paper compares the efficacy of different denoising algorithms on 3D biomedical images using 3D wavelet transform. The denoising mechanism is demonstrated by mitigating noise of different variances using polynomial thresholding. Our approach is to apply a parameterized threshold and optimally choose the parameters for high performance noise suppression depending on the nature of the images and noise. Comparative studies in the wavelet domain conclude that the presented method is viable for 3D applications. It also confirms the feasibility in using the polynomial threshold operators as a wavelet-polynomial threshold based interpolation filter. The filter applied to assist three spatial-based interpolation algorithms (i.e. Nearest-neighbor, Bilinear, and Bicubic) and to a spectral wavelet-based interpolation algorithm. Simulation shows that the denoising using polynomial threshold operators mitigates distortions for the interpolation.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--therapy with slow channel inhibiting agents

Slow channel inhibiting agents, particularly verapamil, appear to produce beneficial effects in relieving symptoms of dyspnea, chest pain, and syncope or presyncope in over 70% of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Symptomatic relief occurs in patients with and without left ventricular outflow obstruction. Exercise hemodynamics, exercise tolerance, and cardiac performance during exercise tend to improve. The mechanisms for this symptomatic improvement, however, are not fully explained. Relief of symptoms is observed irrespective of any changes in the resting or provocable left ventricular outflow gradient. Similarly, changes in left ventricular systolic function, which in general remains unaffected, cannot be the basis for the beneficial response. Slow channel inhibiting agents, however, appear to improve left ventricular diastolic function, the mechanism of which is yet to be elucidated. Nevertheless, improved left ventricular diastolic function may provide an explanation for the relief of some symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The influence of therapy with slow channel inhibiting agents on arrhythmias, sudden death, and on long-term prognosis of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains uncertain at the present time and should be the subject of future investigations.
A genetic similarity rule determines arthropod community structure.

We define a genetic similarity rule that predicts how genetic variation in a dominant plant affects the structure of an arthropod community. This rule applies to hybridizing cottonwood species where plant genetic variation determines plant–animal interactions and structures a dependent community of leaf-modifying arthropods. Because the associated arthropod community is expected to respond to important plant traits, we also tested whether plant chemical composition is one potential intermediate link between plant genes and arthropod community composition. Two lines of evidence support our genetic similarity rule. First, in a common garden experiment we found that trees with similar genetic compositions had similar chemical compositions and similar arthropod compositions. Second, in a wild population, we found a similar relationship between genetic similarity in cottonwoods and the dependent arthropod community. Field data demonstrate that the relationship between genes and arthropods was also significant when the hybrids were analysed alone, i.e. the pattern is not dependent upon the inclusion of both parental species. Because plant–animal interactions and natural hybridization are common to diverse plant taxa, we suggest that a genetic similarity rule is potentially applicable, and may be extended, to other systems and ecological processes. For example, plants with similar genetic compositions may exhibit similar litter decomposition rates. A corollary to this genetic similarity rule predicts that in systems with low plant genetic variability, the environment will be a stronger factor structuring the dependent community. Our findings argue that the genetic composition of a dominant plant can structure higher order ecological processes, thus placing community and ecosystem ecology within a genetic and evolutionary framework. A genetic similarity rule also has important conservation implications because the loss of genetic diversity in one species, especially dominant or keystone species that define many communities, may cascade to negatively affect the rest of the dependent community.
Laser-induced ultrasonics: A daynamic holographic approach to the measurement of weak absorptions, optoelastic constants acoustic attenuation

Abstract A quantitative comparison of experiment to the theoretical descriptions of two mechanisms for the optical generation of tunable ultrasonic waves is presented. Crossed picosecond excitation pulses drive the acoustic response either by stimulated Brillouin scattering or absorptive heating. Bragg diffraction from the induced acoustic grating permits detection of the ultrasonic disturbance and measurement of weak absorptions, optoelastic constants and acoustic attenuation. The methods are applied to various liquids Measurement of the CH stretch fifth overtone absorption spectrum of pure benzene in a short path length cell is demonstrated.
Biomechanical Properties of Double- and Single-Row Suture Anchor Repair for Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Background:Because of intratendinous ossifications, retrocalcaneal bursitis, or intratendinous necrosis commonly found in insertional tendinosis, it is often necessary to detach the tendon partially or entirely from its tendon-to-bone junction.Hypothesis:Double-row repair for insertional Achilles tendinopathy will generate an increased contact area and demonstrate higher biomechanical stability.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Eighteen cadaver Achilles tendons were split longitudinally and detached, exposing the calcaneus; an ostectomy was performed and the tendon was reattached to the calcaneus in 1 of 2 ways: 2 suture anchors (single row) or a 4-anchor (double row) construct. Footprint area measurements over time, displacement after cyclic loading (2000 cycles), and final load to failure were measured.Results:The double-row refixation technique was statistically superior to the single-row technique in footprint area measurement initially and 5 minutes after repair (P = .009 and P = .01, ...
Shock tube measurements of the rate coefficient for N+CH3→H2CN+H using N-atom aras and excimer photolysis of NO

Mixtures of NO and C2H6 in Ar were shock-heated and then photolyzed with an ArF excimer laser. Measurements of N-atom profiles using atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy (ARAS) permitted determination of the rate coefficient for the reaction N+CH3→H2CN+H over the temperature range of 1600 to 2000 K, with the result: k1=7.1×1013 (±35%) [cm3 mol−1 s−1]. No significant temperature dependence was observed. This reaction plays an important role in the formation of HCN in rich flames. To our knowledge, this is the first N-atom/hydrocarbon radical rate coefficient to be measured at high temperatures.
Contesting the dinosaur image - the U. S. labor movement's search for a future

This article traces the declining membership and influence of US trade unions over the last two decades, faced with an onslaught of economic changes and political and employer hostility. Unions became widely perceived as anachronistic dinosaurs. It then considers the various steps taken under two AFL-CIO presidents to deal with the crisis. It argues that the move away from a �service model� to an �organizing model', while not a panacea, has been a promising development and looks at the implications for relationships between the AFL-CIO leadership and local unions and for the unions� strategy in the political sphere.
THE EFFECT OF CASTRATION ON TUBAL CONTRACTIONS OF THE RABBIT, AS DETERMINED BY THE RUBIN TEST1

THE HORMONAL influence of the ovary on the morphology and functional activity of the fallopian tube has been demonstrated by many invests′gators. Spontaneous contraction of the tubes has been found to show cyclical variations (i, 2, 3). The Rubin method first afforded an opportunity to study the function of the intact fallopian tube in relation to the estrous cycle (4). Rubin and Whitelaw (5) observed cyclical variations in the contractions of extirpated sow’s oviducts, suspended in oxygenated Locke’s solution. During estrus the contractions were rapid and rhythmical. At the diestrous period the con′tractions were fewer and arhythmical. In women, with normal menses, Rubin (4, 6) found tubal contractions to be less frequent in the preovulatory phase and more frequent following ovulation. When ovarian function was diminished tubal muscle tone was lowered, and contractions were infrequent. Geist, Salmon and Mint? (7) have corroborated these findings in climacteric patients.
Whole genome sequencing of peach (Prunus persica L.) for SNP identification and selection

Background: The application of next generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatic scripts to identify high frequency SNPs distributed throughout the peach genome is described. Three peach genomes were sequenced using Roche 454 and Illumina/Solexa technologies to obtain long contigs for alignment to the draft ‘Lovell’ peach sequence as well as sufficient depth of coverage for ‘in silico’ SNP discovery.
Scattering of a plane harmonic SH wave by a completely embedded corrugated scatterer

Anti-plane-strain model for steady-state scattering of elastic waves by a rough inclusion or a cavity embedded in a half space is considered by using a direct boundary integral equation method. The roughness of the scatterer is assumed to be periodic with arbitrary amplitude and period. Detailed testing of the numerical results is presented. The motion along the half-space surface is evaluated for different corrugations, frequencies and impedance contrast of the materials. The importance of the scatterer roughness upon the displacement field is clearly demonstrated. It was shown that larger corrugation amplitudes, shorter corrugation periods and higher frequencies may produce significant change in the displacement field when compared with the corresponding smooth scatterer result. This effect strongly depends upon the impedance contrast of the materials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the equivalence between real mutually unbiased bases and a certain class of association schemes

Mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) in complex vector spaces play several important roles in quantum information theory. At present, even the most elementary questions concerning the maximum number of such bases in a given dimension and their construction remain open. In an attempt to understand the complex case better, some authors have also considered real MUBs, mutually unbiased bases in real vector spaces. The main results of this paper establish an equivalence between sets of real mutually unbiased bases and 4-class cometric association schemes which are both Q-bipartite and Q-antipodal. We then explore the consequences of this equivalence, constructing new cometric association schemes and describing a potential method for the construction of sets of real MUBs.
RAID organization and performance

A disk array architecture that generalizes the RAID (redundant arrays of inexpensive disks) level V data organization while providing excellent storage utilization, response times, and fault tolerance is discussed. A key feature of the approach is that reliability groups can contain several check data disks beyond the single parity disk. RAID response times for fault-free and failure recovery operations are presented. >
A critical theoretic look at technical risk analysis

Technical risk analysis accomplishes the activities of risk identification, risk assessment and risk management by the use of scientific rationality. As an ac tivity of the political state, it also plays a role in managing the state's legitimacy problems. Critical theory can locate these two aspects of technical risk analysis in the context of a social theory as well as provide normative guidance for cor recting the deficiencies inherently associated with them. In particular, Haber mas's concepts of communicative rationality and the ideal speech situation have immediate ramifications of risk communication.
Numerical solution of free-boundary problems in fluid mechanics. Part 3. Bubble deformation in an axisymmetric straining flow

We consider the deformation of a bubble in a uniaxial extensional flow for Reynolds numbers in the range 0.1 [less-than-or-eq, slant] R [less-than-or-eq, slant] 100. The computations show that the bubble bursts at a relatively early stage of deformation for R [gt-or-equal, slanted] O(10), never reaching the highly elongated shapes observed and predicted at lower Reynolds numbers. We also compute the deformation of the bubble under the assumption of potential flow, and conclude that the potential-flow solution provides a good approximation to the real flow in this case for R [gt-or-equal, slanted] O(100).
Interhemispheric visuo-motor integration in humans: the effect of redundant targets.

We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the functional locus of response facilitation during parallel visuo-motor processing. In a simple reaction-time task, subjects typically respond faster to two copies of the same stimulus than to a single copy. This facilitation, called the redundant-target effect, can occur at three functional levels: perceptual, ‘cognitive’ or motor. Normal right handers were studied while performing a simple reaction-time task to unilateral (left or right) and bilateral light flashes. Subjects were instructed to respond with their right index finger. Reaction times were faster to bilateral light flashes than to unilateral ones, even right flashes. Greater fMRI signal for bilateral stimuli compared to unilateral ones was observed in the left precentral and postcentral gyrus, and in the right precentral gyrus. A greater fMRI signal for bilateral and for unilateral left stimuli, compared to unilateral right stimuli, was observed in an area of the right intraparietal sulcus. These results support the hypothesis that the functional locus of response facilitation during parallel visuo-motor processing is premotor.
Based on Petri net to describe the process of electronic-consumption devices

For most designer must face the increasing pressures from the competitor, cost down requesting, effectively new solution to reduce the requirement resources, and time-to-market for the new products development cycle. In order to ensure that all works are carried out effectively under the stringent monitoring, a sound technique in developing stage becomes the first choice. As the result, the Petri net is a very well tool for building the process models. In this paper, we attempt to use the theories of Petri nets to construct a development module for IT products. In addition, we also propose sever sub-models, those are achieved by the advanced Petri nets tool, Petri .NET Simulator2.0, to show the correctness of the product development flow.
Modafinil and naltrexone for the treatment of comorbid cocaine and alcohol dependence

and boys; and maternal family problem severity was significantly related to girls’ social withdrawal and boys’ thoughts problems. Conclusions: Despite similar levels of syndromes or problem severity, girls and boys of substance-abusing mothers are influenced by different aspects of maternal conditions; maternal substance usemay particularly confer risk for girls’ problembehaviors. Financial Support: None.
Wrongful Conviction Perceptions of Criminal Justice Professionals Regarding the Frequency of Wrongful Conviction and the Extent of System Errors

Drawing on a sample of 798 Ohio criminal justice professionals (police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges), the authors examine respondents' perceptions regarding the frequency of system errors (i.e., professional error and misconduct suggested by previous research to be associated with wrongful conviction), and wrongful felony conviction. Results indicate that respondents perceive system errors to occur more than infrequently but less than moderately frequent. Respondents also perceive that wrongful felony conviction occurs in their own jurisdictions in .5% to 1% of all felony cases, and in the United States in 1% to 3% of all felony cases. Respondents, however, specify an acceptable rate of wrongful conviction to be less than .5%. Findings thus indicate that criminal justice professionals perceive an unacceptable frequency of wrongful conviction and associated system errors and suggest that programs aimed at reducing system errors and improving professional conduct would be broadly accepted among c...
Color Doppler imaging discloses reduced ocular blood flow velocities in nonexudative age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract PURPOSE: To study ocular perfusion defects in age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration were compared with 25 age-matched control subjects in studies of flow velocities in several retrobulbar vessels. Color Doppler imaging, which was performed by an examiner who was masked to the subjects' assignment to the control or age-related macular degeneration group, measured peak systolic and end diastolic velocity in the ophthalmic, central retinal, and nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries of one eye. A resistive index was calculated from the peak systolic and end diastolic velocity. RESULTS: Subjects with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration showed a consistent trend toward lower peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in the posterior ciliary arteries. For example, in the nasal posterior ciliary artery, the mean end diastolic velocity measured 1.45 ± 0.34 cm per sec in the age-related macular degeneration group compared with 1.96 ± 0.66 cm per sec in the control group, yielding a 26% decrease in the age-related macular degeneration group, which represented the largest difference and was highly statistically significant ( P = .0012). The resistive index was not significantly altered in the nasal or temporal posterior ciliary artery. Subjects with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration did not differ from control subjects in peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, or resistive index in the ophthalmic artery. In the central retinal artery, the end diastolic velocity was lower (1.37 ± 1.95 cm per sec vs 1.95 ± 0.66 cm per sec), whereas the resistive index was higher (0.83 ± 0.05 vs 0.76 ± 0.06 cm per sec), in the age-related macular degeneration group; these results were highly statistically significant ( P = .0007 and P CONCLUSIONS: Retrobulbar vascular changes in nonexudative age-related macular degeneration subjects include reduced flow velocities in the nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries. The reduced peak systolic velocity, combined with the reduced end diastolic velocity at a constant resistive index, seen in nonexudative age-related macular degeneration, is consistent with reduced bulk flow in these vessels, suggesting that choroidal perfusion is abnormal in this form of age-related macular degeneration. The changes in the central retinal artery suggest there may be a more generalized perfusion abnormality beyond the choroid in patients with age-related macular degeneration or that the central retinal artery exhibits a secondary autoregulatory response to a primary change elsewhere.
Science and Society in Cuba in the Context of Techno-economic Globalization

This paper is in continuation of the author's earlier work on Cuba. It builds upon a similar presentation at the 14th International Scientific Congress held in Havana, Cuba in late June-early July 2005. The eclectic theoretical background for this analysis is provided by the general Modernization Theory and the World System Theory. The focus is on the problems and prospects for the development of science and society in Cuba within the context of interdependent economic and technology relations in global society. It is argued that the recent experiences of some of the other newly industrializing non-western societies may be highly instructive for Cuban development planning in the 21st century.
THE HUMAN OCCUPATION OF SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE DURING THE LAST GLACIAL MAXIMUM Solutrean Cultural Adaptations in France and Iberia

The history of the hominin settlement of Europe has always been marked by range expansion and contraction in the face of interglacial-glacial cycles. The last major contraction occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and was manifested culturally in western Europe by the Solutrean technocomplex, during which the surviving human population was especially concentrated in favored areas of a refugium corresponding to southwestern and southeastern France and the Iberian Peninsula. This period was marked by significant developments in technology (especially weaponry), social networking, and artistic expression. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge of the Solutrean phenomenon with special emphasis on settlement-subsistence systems and regional similarities and differences in material culture and responses to the climatic crisis of the LGM.
Experimental Induction of Pancreatic Carcinomas in the Hamster With Nδ-(N-Methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine

Carcinomas of the pancreas, stomach, and breast, as well as mesotheliomas and ovarian stromal tumors, were induced in Syrian golden hamsters treated with N delta-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine (MNCO), which has previously been shown to cause pancreatic acinar cell carcinomas in rats. The pancreatic carcinomas in hamsters appeared ductlike. The nonneoplastic and preneoplastic lesions induced in the hamster pancreas included cystic ductal complexes, tubular complexes, intraductal hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia, focal eosinophilic metaplasia, and foci of atypical acinar cells. High doses of 654 mg MNCO/kg body weight were cytotoxic for acinar cells and caused atrophy of the pancreas. Alkaline elution analysis of DNA from acinar cells treated in culture with MNCO showed an increased rate of elution characteristic of single-strand breaks. A group of hamsters treated with a low dose of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) developed pancreatic lesions similar to those seen when a subcarcinogenic dose of MNCO was given. The results suggest that MNCO affects both acinar and ductal cells in the hamster and that the response of the hamster pancreas to MNCO and BOP is similar in many respects.
0.27 Terawatt laser system at 1 kHz

Recent advances in high-average-power, high-repetition-rate, ultrashort laser designs has allowed these systems to approach the 5W average power level at a fraction of a terawatt peak power1. Amplified spectral bandwidths of greater than 80nm have been generated, which can support pulse durations below 17fs2, 3. In this paper, we describe such a laser system, capable of delivering the highest average power femtosecond pulses to date. Thermal lensing in the amplifier system was eliminated by cryogenically cooling the Ti:sapphire crystal. The output pulses from our system were fully characterized using the technique of transient grating and second harmonic frequency resolved optical gating. We demonstrate experimentally that the pulse duration at the output is limited only by fifth-order dispersion.
Activation of SGK1 by HGF, Rac1 and integrin-mediated cell adhesion in MDCK cells: PI-3K-dependent and -independent pathways

The SGK1 protein belongs to the AGC gene family of kinases that are regulated by phosphorylation mediated by PDK1. SGK1 regulation is accomplished by several pathways including growth-factor and stress-mediated signaling. We have expanded the analysis of SGK1 regulation in epithelial cells. We used HA-tagged SGK1 to transiently transfect MDCK cells and study the regulation of SGK1 upon stimulation with HGF, cAMP or upon adhesion of the cells to immobilized fibronectin. In addition, we studied the regulation of SGK1 activity by small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family. Treatment of MDCK cells with HGF leads to a time-dependent activation of SGK1 that is blocked by wortmanin. This activation requires the conserved phosphorylation site present in the activation loop of the kinase (T256 in SGK1) and the phosphorylation site present in a hydrophobic domain at its C-terminus (S422 in SGK1), which are targets for PDK1/PDK2-mediated regulation of SGK1. We tested whether SGK1 could be activated by cAMP as it contains a putative PKA site. We were unable to demonstrate a significant activation of HA-SGK1 by cAMP stimulation under conditions where we detect cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB. Cotransfection of SGK1 with activated small GTP-binding proteins revealed that Rac1, but not Rho or Rap1, induces activation of SGK1. However, this activation was wortmanin insensitive and dominant-negative Rac1 did not inhibit the HGF-mediated activation of SGK1. Adhesion of MDCK cells to immobilized fibronectin also leads to activation of SGK1. However, it appears that the integrin-mediated activation of HA-SGK1 differs from AKT activation in the fact that AKT phosphorylation was blocked by wortmanin (or LY294002) whereas HA-SGK1 was not. The adhesion-dependent activation, however, requires the intact phosphorylation sites of SGK1. Co-transfection of HA-SGK1 with RacV12 results in increased activity in adherent cells compared with HA-SGK1 alone. Since RacN17 failed to inhibit adhesion dependent-activation of SGK1, it suggests that integrin activation is achieved by a parallel Rac-independent pathway. The activation of SGK1 by HGF and integrin provides a link between HGF-mediated protection of MDCK from de-attachment induced apoptosis (anoikis). We demonstrate that dephosphorylation of the transcription factor FKRHL1 induced by cell de-attachment is prevented by activated SGK1, suggesting that SGK1 regulates cell survival pathways. In summary, we demonstrate that SGK1 activation could be achieved through signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cell survival, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. SGK1 activation can be accomplished via HGF, PI-3K-dependent pathways and by integrin-mediated, PI-3K independent pathways. In addition, activation of SGK1 by the small GTP-binding protein Rac1 has been observed.
High temperature solvent growth of anorthite on the join CaAl2Si2O8-SiO2

Stoichiometric anorthite, CaAl2Si2O8, P¯1, with sharp a, b, c, and d diffractions was grown, using a CaV2O6 solvent, by cooling at 2 ° C per hour from 1450 to 750 ° C in air. Euhedral crystals up to 5 × 3× 0.5 mm, with prominent {010} and well-developed {110} and {001}, were obtained by spontaneous nucleation. Nonstoichiometric anorthite with excess SiO2 (CaAl2Si2O8+Si2Si2O8) was grown on the join CaAl2Si2O8-SiO2. Chemical analysis of the synthetic anorthite, having the highest SiO2 content, with maximum vacancies on M-site gave □0.110 Na0.006Ca0.884Al1.80Si2.20O8, and X-ray diffraction showed a trend from stoichiometric P¯1 through diffuse P¯1 to body-centered I¯1 probably reflecting increasing disorder caused by a higher Si/Al ratio in the T-sites and the positional disorder accompanied by M-site vancancies. Annealing of the nonstoichiometric diffuse I¯1 anorthite in air at 1050 ° C for 14 days resulted in exsolution of minute SiO2 inclusions due to probable ordering in the T-sites and filling of M-sites by Ca. Stoichiometric P¯1 anorthite was not obtained by annealing at 1050 ° due to appreciable solubility of SiO2 in CaAl2Si2O8. Metastable hexagonal CaAl2Si2O8 was found to be a twinned monoclinic crystal with cell dimensions: a = 10.24 (2), b = 17.74 (3), c= 14.99 (5) A, β = 92.05 (5) °, space group C2.
Calcium and magnesium for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

In June 2013, members of the national and international oncology community gathered in Chicago for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting. The results of the N08CB trial, which evaluated the neuroprotectant properties of parenteral calcium and magnesium before and after
Fair Trade in Operation

A DOPTING a literal definition of the subject assigned to me-Fair Trade in Operation-it would be responsive were I to discuss almost any phase of the work of the Federal Trade Commission. However, from the titles of other speeches on the program, I gather that you use the expression "fair trade" as synonymous with "resale price maintenance." Therefore, I shall treat my subject as if it were "Resale Price Maintenance in Operation." In this connection, it has long been my feeling that someone could make a great contribution to popular understanding of current economic problems by working out an acceptable glossary of terms. I am never quite certain of the intended meaning of such labels as "fair competition," "fair trade," "stability" and the like, unless and until I know the context in which they are used. We all remember how some industries construed their N.R.A. codes of fair competition to restrain all price competition as "unfair." I would like to preface my remarks by stating to you that the Federal Trade Commission, as an administrative body charged with the enforcement of policies declared by Congress, does not determine those policies, nor does it have authority to alter or amend them. While the Commission in its annual reports has recommended to Congress the passage or amendment of legislation on subjects in its field, it does not participate in the enactment of any law nor can it encroach upon the functions of Congress and the Executive in that field. While the Commission also, at the express request of the President, did submit to him a report commenting on the probable economic effects of the then pending MillerTydings bill, Congress subsequently having determined to enact it as an amendment to
Genetic Variation of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from Multiple Crops in the North Central United States

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is an important pathogen of numerous crops in the North Central region of the United States. The objective of this study was to examine the genetic diversity of 145 isolates of the pathogen from multiple hosts in the region. Mycelial compatibility groups (MCG) and microsatellite haplotypes were determined and analyzed for standard estimates of population genetic diversity and the importance of host and distance for genetic variation was examined. MCG tests indicated there were 49 different MCGs in the population and 52 unique microsatellite haplotypes were identified. There was an association between MCG and haplotype such that isolates belonging to the same MCG either shared identical haplotypes or differed at no more than 2 of the 12 polymorphic loci. For the majority of isolates, there was a one-to-one correspondence between MCG and haplotype. Eleven MCGs shared haplotypes. A single haplotype was found to be prevalent throughout the region. The majority of genetic variation in the isolate collection was found within rather than among host crops, suggesting little genetic divergence of S. sclerotiorum among hosts. There was only weak evidence of isolation by distance. Pairwise population comparisons among isolates from canola, dry bean, soybean and sunflower suggested that gene flow between host-populations is more common for some crops than others. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium in the isolates from the four major crops indicated primarily clonal reproduction, but also evidence of genetic recombination for isolates from canola and sunflower. Accordingly, genetic diversity was highest for populations from canola and sunflower. Distribution of microsatellite haplotypes across the study region strongly suggest that specific haplotypes of S. sclerotiorum are often found on multiple crops, movement of individual haplotypes among crops is common and host identity is not a barrier to gene flow for S. sclerotiorum in the north central United States.
Can recovering alcoholics help hospitalized patients with alcohol problems

OBJECTIVE The researchers evaluated the relative effectiveness of 2 interventions for patients with alcohol problems. STUDY DESIGN A nonrandomized intervention study was used to compare usual care (control) with a 5- to 15-minute physician-delivered message (brief intervention) and with the physician message plus a 30- to 60-minute visit by a recovering alcoholic (peer intervention). Telephone follow-up was obtained up to 12 months after hospital discharge that focused on patient behaviors during the first 6 months following discharge. POPULATION The study included 314 patients with alcohol-related injuries admitted to an urban teaching hospital. OUTCOMES MEASURED Researchers measured complete abstinence from alcohol during the entire 6 months following hospital discharge, abstinence from alcohol during the sixth month following hospital discharge, and initiation of alcohol treatment or self-help within 6 months of hospital discharge. RESULTS Valid responses were obtained from 140 patients (45%). Observed success rates were: 34%, 44%, and 59% (P=.012) for abstinence from alcohol since discharge in the usual care group, the brief intervention group, and the peer intervention group, respectively; 36%, 51%, and 64% (P=.006) for abstinence at the sixth month following hospital discharge; and 9%, 15%, and 49% (P &it.001) for initiation of treatment/self-help. During the telephone follow-up interview, several patients in the peer intervention group expressed gratitude for the help they received with their drinking problems while in the hospital. A few patients dramatically changed their lives. They went from being unemployed and homeless to full-time employment and having a permanent residence. They credited the peer intervention as being the most important factor that motivated them to seek help for their alcohol use disorder. One of these individuals serves as a volunteer, visiting hospitalized patients with drinking problems. CONCLUSIONS Among trauma victims with injuries severe enough to require hospital admission, brief advice from a physician followed by a visit with a recovering alcoholic appears to be an effective intervention. Although further study is needed to confirm these findings, in the meantime physicians can request that members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) visit their hospitalized patients who have alcohol use disorders. Interventions by recovering alcoholics are part of their twelfth-step work (an essential part of the AA program) and are simple, practical, involve no costs, and pose little patient risk. They can be arranged from the patient's bedside telephone. Some patients will show a dramatic response to these peer visits.