cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phencyclidine-induced rotation and hippocampal modulation of nigrostriatal asymmetry.

Abstract Phencyclidine (PCP) elicited dose-related rotation in naive rats. The effect of PCP was consistent in direction and magnitude from one week to the next but was dissimilar to the rotatory effects of dopaminergic ( D -amphetamine, apomorphine) or anticholinergic (scopolamine) drugs. Study of the effects of PCP on regional brain uptake of labeled 2-deoxy- D -glucose suggested that PCP-induced rotation is at least in part mediated by an action in the hippocampus. PCP elicited ipsilateral rotation following unilateral hippocampal lesions whereas such lesions did not alter the direction of either nocturnal or D -amphetamine-induced rotation. PCP appears to activate a hippocampal mechanism that normally only modulates the intensity of rotation
92. Repeated social defeat causes infiltration of bone marrow-derived macrophages into the brain parenchyma that are pivotal to the development of anxiety-like behavior

Stress is associated with impaired immune regulation and a higher incidence of mental health disorders including anxiety. Repeated social defeat (RSD) is a stressor in mice that recapitulates physiological, immunological, and behavioral alterations that are observed in humans. Recent evidence indicates that RSD enhanced the inflammatory profile of microglia and increased the number of macrophages in the brain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the contribution of trafficking macrophages in the brain to stress-induced neuroinflammation and anxiety-like behavior. Here we show that RSD caused anxiety-like behavior that corresponded with accumulation of macrophages in the brain and increased expression of interleukin-1β and chemokine ligand-2 mRNA. Next, to assess trafficking chimeric mice were developed with bone marrow (BM)-derived cells that express green fluorescent protein (GFP+). Indeed, RSD caused a significant increase of GFP+ macrophages in the brain. Moreover, histology revealed that trafficking macrophages infiltrated the parenchyma of specific brain regions that are implicated in anxiety-like behavior. Because chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) and fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) are integral to recruitment of macrophages, CCR2−/− or CX3CR1−/− mice were subjected to RSD. CCR2−/− and CX3CR1−/− mice exhibited physiological changes associated with RSD, however macrophage trafficking in the brain and development of anxiety were absent. Together, these findings demonstrate that RSD causes infiltration of macrophages into specific brain regions and these cells are pivotal in the development of anxiety.
An Assessment of Volatile Release from Recent Volcanism in Elysium, Mars

The amount and rate of release of volatiles (H2O, CO2, etc.) from recent volcanism in Elysium, Mars, are estimated. Possible implications of these volatiles on the climate, weathering, and surface morphology are discussed. Total eruptic volcanics may amount to about 4 x 10 exp 5 cu km and would have released large quantities of volatiles into the Martian environment. Assuming that the lavas contained 1.0 wt pct water, about 7.6 x 10 exp 15 kg of the water, or about 1000 times the present atmospheric water inventory, would have been released. Release amounts of other volatiles are estimated to be 10 exp 15 kg of S, 10 exp 13 kg of Cl, and 10 exp 13 kg of F. The short-term effect of the SO2 gas would be to warm the climate due to its greenhouse properties. Conversion to sulfate aerosols might have resulted in a net surface cooling due to scattering of sunlight. As the sulfate aerosols settled from the atmosphere, the climate could have returned to its preeruption equilibrium.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy-Associated Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Strategies

Obesity has been linked to insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) through epidemiological and clinical studies (1, 2). Interestingly, syndromes characterized by lipoatrophy and lipodystrophy are also associated with profound IR and metabolic abnormalities (3–5). Congenital and acquired forms of lipoatrophy and lipodystrophy, although rare, have been well described (6–8). Most recently, a lipodystrophic syndrome has been reported with increasing frequency in populations of HIV-infected individuals treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART; Ref. 5). This syndrome, similar to the congenital syndromes discussed briefly below, is also associated with significant metabolic abnormalities, including IR, type 2 DM, and hyperlipidemia. The fact that congenital lipodystrophy/atrophy syndromes and acquired syndromes such as HIV-associated lipodystrophy are both characterized by adipose tissue depletion or redistribution emphasizes the importance of the adipocyte in the pathogenesis of the associated metabolic disturbances. In this review, we provide a brief overview of our current understanding of the pathogenesis of IR and the associated metabolic abnormalities. Specifically, we provide our current state of knowledge of the HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome, including its clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and current and future therapeutic approaches.
Virus diseases of fish

Abstract Viruses are probably the cause of a wide spectrum of fish diseases. Although relatively few virus diseases of fish are known today, some of the diseases of unknown etiology, as well as some diseases presently accepted as due to bacteria, protozoa, fungi or nutritional deficiencies, possibly will be recognized eventually as virus diseases. Some viruses may induce proliferative tissue changes whereas others may cause degenerative change. Although several diseases of a proliferative nature have been reported to be of virus origin, positive experimental evidence for the transmission of a virus from one fish to another, has been presented for only lymphocystis. The degenerative or non-neoplastic diseases of possible virus origin give the fish-culturist the most concern because of the severe mortalities resulting from infection. Epizootics of this nature have been reported in carp (Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in Europe, in acara (Geophagus brasiliensis) in South America, in kok...
Communication Relations of Quantum Mechanics

The mathematical and physical meaning of the commutation relations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is discussed in terms of the representation of translations, Galilean transformations, and rotations of the coordinate system by unitary transformations acting on the unitary vector space of quantum states.
Life on Jupiter

The possibilities of life on Jupiter are discussed from the point view of life as we know it. That is, we assume that any life on Jupiter would not involve new principles foreign to us. Proteins would be a constituent as would fats and the other building blocks of living organisms on Earth. This leads us to a set of limiting parameters, such as pressure. Studies in the laboratory have shown that proteins and other essential molecules are denatured by pressures of 4000 atm and higher. Thus, we must not expect life in the great depths of the Jovian atmosphere. It could exist only at depths of several hundred kilometers in the atmosphere. Since no solid surface could possibly exist at such altitudes, any organisms present must be small enough to be buoyed up by the turbulent atmospheric currents or must fly or both. Such possibilities, however, seem to be real. The necessary nutrients to preserve life and foster growth could be furnished by the Miller-Urey type reactions of ionizing radiation on the reducing atmosphere undoubtedly present. There can, of course, be no possibility of oxygen on Jupiter, and so the life forms, if they exist, must be anaerobic. Such possibilities are real and have often been cited in connection with the origin of life on Earth.
Modeling and analysis of thickness gradient and variations in vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process

As vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is being increasingly used in aerospace applications, the thickness gradient and variation issues are gaining more attention. Typically, thickness gradient and variations result from the infusion pressure gradient during the process and material variations. Pressure gradient is the driving force for resin flow and the main source of thickness variation. After infusion, an amount of pressure gradient is frozen into the preform, which primarily contributes to the thickness variation. This study investigates the mechanism of the thickness variation dynamic change during the infusion and relaxing/curing processes. A numerical model was developed to track the thickness change of the bagging film free surface. A time-dependent permeability model as a function of compaction pressure was incorporated into an existing resin transfer molding (RTM) code for obtaining the initial conditions for relaxing/curing process. Control volume (CV) and volume of fluid (VOF) methods were combined to solve the free surface problem. Experiments were conducted to verify the simulation results. The proposed model was illustrated with a relatively complex part. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Studies on the selectivity of DNA precipitation by spermine

Abstract We have examined the selectivity of the precipitation of DNA by spermine. We have found that the intra- and intermolecular condensation of DNA induced by spermine is highly selective even in the presence of added protein or triphosphates. We have also investigated the influence of buffer components on the threshold concentration of spermine required for DNA precipitation. Representative applications exploiting the selectivity of the precipitation reaction are also described.
Magnesium Bolus or Infusion Fails to Improve Expiratory Flow in Acute Asthma Exacerbations

Hypothesis : Intravenous magnesium sulfate improves objective measures of expiratory flow in patients with acute severe exacerbations of asthma. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Urban emergency department. Participants: Forty-eight asthmatic patients aged 18 to 60 years with initial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) Interventions: Subjects were randomized to three groups: a loading dose of magnesium sulfate, 2 g IV over 20 min followed by 2 g/h over 4 h (infusion), magnesium sulfate, 2 g over 20 min followed by placebo infusion (bolus), or placebo loading dose and infusion (placebo). All subjects received standardized aminophylline and steroid therapy. Measurements: The PEFR and FEV 1 were measured at the start of the loading dose, and 20, 50, 80, 140, 200, and 260 min later using a water-displacement spirometer. Changes from baseline were compared by one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results: Magnesium sulfate administration did not at any time significantly improve either FEV 1 (F=0.036, p=0.96) or PEFR (F=0.51, p=0.61). This study had the power to detect a PEFR difference of 26 L/min and a FEV 1 difference of 0.19 L between groups (β=0.20, α=0.05 two-tailed significance). Conclusion: Use of IV magnesium sulfate in addition to standard therapy does not provide clinically meaningful improvement of objective measures of expiratory flow in patients with moderate to severe asthma exacerbations.
Studies of slow electron action on condensed media

Abstract The study of electron actions on matter can now extend over the whole process of energy degradation owing to progress in the manipulation of slow electrons and in the preparation of test samples. This note outlines the initial development of relevant concepts and of theoretical procedures required to describe the action of slow electrons.
Effect of quartz overgrowth precipitation on the multiscale porosity of sandstone: A (U)SANS and imaging analysis

Abstract We have performed a series of experiments to understand the effects of quartz overgrowths on nanometer to centimeter scale pore structures of sandstones. Blocks from two samples of St. Peter Sandstone with different initial porosities (5.8% and 18.3%) were reacted from 3 days to 7.5 months at 100 and 200 °C in aqueous solutions supersaturated with respect to quartz by reaction with amorphous silica. Porosity in the resultant samples was analyzed using small and ultrasmall angle neutron scattering and scanning electron microscope/backscattered electron (SEM/BSE)-based image-scale processing techniques. Significant changes were observed in the multiscale pore structures. By 3 days much of the overgrowth in the low-porosity sample dissolved away. The reason for this is uncertain, but the overgrowths can be clearly distinguished from the original core grains in the BSE images. At longer times the larger pores are observed to fill with plate-like precipitates. As with the unreacted sandstones, porosity is a step function of size. Grain boundaries are typically fractal, but no evidence of mass fractal or fuzzy interface behavior was observed suggesting a structural difference between chemical and clastic sediments. After the initial loss of the overgrowths, image scale porosity (>∼1 cm) decreases with time. Submicron porosity (typically ∼25% of the total) is relatively constant or slightly decreasing in absolute terms, but the percent change is significant. Fractal dimensions decrease at larger scales, and increase at smaller scales with increased precipitation.
sarcoidosis-associated Unilateral retinal arteritis

Purpose: To describe a case of sarcoidosis manifesting as a unilateral posterior uveitis and retinal arteritis.Design: Interventional case report.Methods: Clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, radiological imaging, and laboratory testing revealed evidence of a primary arteritis associated with sarcoidosis.Results: A 39-year-old white male presented with unilateral decreased vision, disc edema, exudative maculopathy, and retinal arteritis. Lab work and imaging were consistent with sarcoidosis. The patient responded to a 2-month course of oral prednisone and a sub-Tenon’s triamcinolone injection.Conclusions: Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of uveitis associated with a primary retinal arteritis.
Health problems of substance-dependent veterans with and those without trauma history

Substance use disorders (SUDs) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with an increased risk for health problems. We examined whether trauma history and PTSD were related to physical health in patients with an SUD. We compared health stressors, health service utilization, and self-rated health status in three groups of male veterans receiving SUD treatment: (1) no trauma exposure (SUD-only group), n = 55; (2) with PTSD (SUD-PTSD group), n = 32; and (3) trauma exposure without PTSD (SUD-trauma group), n = 34. The veterans were assessed quarterly for 1 year. Groups differed in their likelihood of experiencing chronic health stressors at all time points. The SUD-only group consistently had the lowest rates of chronic health stressors, the SUD-PTSD group had the highest rates, and the SUD-trauma group fell in between. In contrast, groups did not differ in rates of acute health problems. Chronic health stressors appear to be associated with trauma exposure and psychologic response to the trauma. Substance use disorder interventions may benefit from incorporation of primary care services.
Novel Process Methodology for Uniformly Cutting Nanotubes

We present a novel process methodology for the controlled cutting of nanotubes and other nanostructures to well-controlled lengths and sizes. The continuing increase in complexity of electronic devices, coupled with decreasing size of individual elements, are placing more stringent demands on the resolution and accuracy of fabrication patterns. The ability to fabricate on a nanometer scale guarantees a continuation in miniaturization of functional devices. Particularly interesting is the application of nanotubes' chemical and electronic properties which vary with their dimensions and structure. One realization of this process includes the use of photolithography or electron beam lithography to place protective resist patterns over the nanostructures to be cut. Those sections which are not covered by the resist pattern are removed by reactive ion etching. This is a scaleable process which permits the simultaneous cutting of many nanostructures and ensembles of nanostructures. The lengths, shapes or length distributions can be predicted from theory and thus specified for a given application requirement. Nanostructures which can be cut in this process include nanotubes, nanofibers and nanoplanes. Large scale production of nanostructures with uniform length or specific size-distribution can be used in electronic applications such as field-emission transistors, optoelectronic elements, single electron devices and sensors.
The Moraxella catarrhalis autotransporter McaP is a conserved surface protein that mediates adherence to human epithelial cells through its N-terminal passenger domain.

The protein McaP was previously shown to be an adhesin expressed by the Moraxella catarrhalis strain O35E, which also displays esterase and phospholipase B activities (J. M. Timpe et al., Infect. Immun. 71:4341-4350, 2003). In the present study, sequence analysis suggests that McaP is a conventional autotransporter protein that contains a 12-stranded β-barrel transporter module (amino acids [aa] 383 to 650) linked to a surface-exposed passenger domain exhibiting lipolytic activity (aa 62 to 330). An in-frame deletion removing most of this predicted N-terminal passenger domain was engineered, and Escherichia coli expressing the truncated McaP protein exhibited greatly reduced adherence to A549 human lung epithelial cells compared to E. coli expressing wild-type McaP. Site-directed mutagenesis of a serine residue at position 62 of McaP, predicted to be important for the lipolytic activity of the protein, resulted in loss of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl ester of caproate. E. coli expressing this mutated McaP, however, adhered to A549 monolayers at levels greater than recombinant bacteria expressing the wild-type adhesin. These results indicate that the predicted passenger domain of McaP is involved in both the binding and the lipolytic activity of the molecule and demonstrate that the adhesive properties of McaP do not require its lipolytic activity. Sequence analysis of mcaP from eight Moraxella catarrhalis strains revealed that the gene product is highly conserved at the amino acid level (98 to 100% identity), and Western blot analysis demonstrated that a panel of 16 isolates all express McaP. Flow cytometry experiments using antibodies raised against various portions of McaP indicated that its predicted passenger domain as well as transporter module contain surface-exposed epitopes. In addition to binding to the surface of intact bacteria, these antibodies were found to decrease adherence of M. catarrhalis to A549 human lung cells by up to 47% and to reduce binding of recombinant E. coli expressing McaP by 98%. These results suggest that McaP should be considered as a potential vaccine antigen.
Corticosteroids inhibit cell death induced by doxorubicin in cardiomyocytes : Induction of antiapoptosis, antioxidant, and detoxification genes

Psychological or physical stress induces an elevation of corticosteroids in the circulating system. We report here that corticosterone (CT) protects cardiomyocytes from apoptotic cell death induced by doxorubicin (Dox), an antineoplastic drug known to induce cardiomyopathy possibly through reactive oxygen species production. The cytoprotection induced by CT is within the range of physiologically relevant doses. The lowest dose tested, 0.1 μM (or 3.5 μg/dl), inhibited apoptosis by approximately 25% as determined by caspase activity. With 1 μM CT, cardiomyocytes gain a cytoprotective effect after 8 h of incubation and remain protected for at least 72 h. Hydrocortisone, cortisone, dexamethasone, and aldosterone but not androstenedione or cholesterol also induced cytoprotection. Analyses of 20,000 gene expression sequences using Affymetrix high-density oligonucleotide array found that CT caused up-regulation of 140 genes and down-regulation of 108 genes over 1.5-fold. Among the up-regulated genes are bcl-xL, metallothioneins, glutathione peroxidase-3, and glutathione S-transferases. Western blot analyses revealed that CT induced an elevation of bcl-xL but not bcl-2 or proapoptotic factors bax, bak, and bad. Inhibiting the expression of bcl-xL reduced the cytoprotective effect of CT. Our data suggest that CT induces a cytoprotective effect on cardiomyocytes in association with reprogramming gene expression and induction of bcl-xL gene.
Analyzing the impact of changing requirements

Determining the impact of requirement changes on software development is critical to project management. We present an impact analysis method to evaluate requirement changes for software development projects that is based on requirements traceability. By using attributes of the work products and traces, we create classes of requirement changes prioritized according to the potential impact. We present a case study that shows a favorable comparison between the actual impact and the predicted impact. Finally, we discuss the expansion of the method.
Performance Characteristics of the ZGS

The ZGS intensity has recently been increased. The main factors involved were removing the limitations imposed by the coherent vertical instability and partial correction of tune variations occurring during acceleration. With the higher intensities we observe a growth in the radial size of the beam. This phenomena is discussed briefly. Slow extraction from the ZGS on a "front porch" field over a wide range of momenta has been successful and the fast extraction efficiency has been increased to 50%.
The Cellular Environment Stabilizes Adenine Riboswitch RNA Structure

There are large differences between the intracellular environment and the conditions widely used to study RNA structure and function in vitro. To assess the effects of the crowded cellular environment on RNA, we examined the structure and ligand binding function of the adenine riboswitch aptamer domain in healthy, growing Escherichia coli cells at single-nucleotide resolution on the minute time scale using SHAPE (selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension). The ligand-bound aptamer structure is essentially the same in cells and in buffer at 1 mM Mg2+, the approximate Mg2+ concentration we measured in cells. In contrast, the in-cell conformation of the ligand-free aptamer is much more similar to the fully folded ligand-bound state. Even adding high Mg2+ concentrations to the buffer used for in vitro analyses did not yield the conformation observed for the free aptamer in cells. The cellular environment thus stabilizes the aptamer significantly more than does Mg2+ alone. Our results show t...
Gene–gene interactions in APOL1-associated nephropathy

BACKGROUND Two APOL1 nephropathy variants confer substantial risk for non-diabetic end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in African Americans (AAs). Since not all genetically high-risk individuals develop ESKD, modifying factors likely contribute. Forty-two potentially interactive single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a genome-wide association study in non-diabetic ESKD were tested for interaction with APOL1 to identify genes modifying risk for non-diabetic nephropathy. METHODS SNPs were examined in an expanded sample of 1367 AA non-diabetic ESKD cases and 1504 AA non-nephropathy controls, with validation in an independent family-based cohort containing 608 first-degree relatives of index cases with non-diabetic ESKD. Logistic regression and mixed models were fitted to test for interaction effects with APOL1 on ESKD, estimated kidney function and albuminuria. RESULTS Among ESKD samples, 14 of 42 SNPs demonstrated suggestive APOL1 interaction with P-values <0.05. After Bonferroni correction, significant interactions with APOL1 were seen with SNPs in podocin (rs16854341; NPHS2, P = 8.0 × 10(-4)), in SDCCAG8 (rs2802723; P = 5.0 × 10(-4)) and near BMP4 (rs8014363; P = 1.0 × 10(-3)); with trends for ENOX1 (rs9533534; P = 2.2 × 10(-3)) and near TRIB1 (rs4457349; P = 5.7 × 10(-3)). The minor allele in NPHS2 markedly changed the APOL1-ESKD association odds ratio (OR) from 7.03 to 1.76 (∼50% reduction in effect per copy of the minor allele), rs2802723 changed the OR from 5.1 to 10.5, and rs8014363 increased the OR from 4.8 to 9.5. NPHS2 (P = 0.05) and SDCCAG8 (P = 0.03) SNPs demonstrated APOL1 interaction with albuminuria in independent family-based samples. CONCLUSIONS Variants in NPHS2, SDCCAG8 and near BMP4 appear to interact with APOL1 to modulate the risk for non-diabetic ESKD in AAs.
Information modeling for computerized manufacturing

An information modeling and design approach using a metadatabase framework and a two-stage entity-relationship (TSER) methodology to address the system integration problem is presented. The metadatabase framework is a simplification design entailing a federated system architecture, an integrated information model, and a knowledge-based control methodology. The TSER methodology, used for the information model, features both a semantic modeling construct encompassing the US Air Force's IDEF approach and an operational modeling construct for consolidating data structures across the manufacturing facility. Preliminary results of a pilot study, including both modeling and software system development, are included to illustrate the theoretical work. >
Space Policy, Intergenerational Ethics, and the Environment

The cost of an investment in extremely long-term exploration and research made by a nation financing large budget deficits will be borne by multiple generations. The decision to burden future citizens with the cost of a public space program begs a question of intergenerational equity with both economic and environmental aspects. While these two facets are most often been considered in a context of dialectical opposition, space exploration offers a paradigm shift that aligns economic development with environmental stewardship by actually offering to remove human economic activity from the planet. With that promise far off, the mid-term economic-environmental benefits of our public space investment are considered using historical and macroeconomic perspective † . The record shows America’s space program has been one of the best ways to solve these “problems right here on Earth.” The positive economic and environmental externalities created by secondary and tertiary functions of NASA, military, and private space programs far outweigh the current level of financial investment.
Potential immunological consequences of pharmacological suppression of gastric acid production in patients with multiple sclerosis

Corticosteroids are standard treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis experiencing acute relapse. Because dyspeptic pain is a common side effect of this intervention, patients can be given a histamine receptor-2 antagonist, proton pump inhibitor or antacid to prevent or ameliorate this disturbance. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis may be taking these medications independent of corticosteroid treatment. Interventions for gastric disturbances can influence the activation state of the immune system, a principal mediator of pathology in multiple sclerosis. Although histamine release promotes inflammation, activation of the histamine receptor-2 can suppress a proinflammatory immune response, and blocking histamine receptor-2 with an antagonist could shift the balance more towards immune stimulation. Studies utilizing an animal model of multiple sclerosis indicate that histamine receptor-2 antagonists potentially augment disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis. In contrast, proton pump inhibitors appear to favor immune suppression, but have not been studied in models of multiple sclerosis. Antacids, histamine receptor-2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors also could alter the intestinal microflora, which may indirectly lead to immune stimulation. Additionally, elevated gastric pH can promote the vitamin B12 deficiency that patients with multiple sclerosis are at risk of developing. Here, we review possible roles of gastric acid inhibitors on immunopathogenic mechanisms associated with multiple sclerosis.
In Vitro Growth, Maturation, Fertilization, and Embryonic Development of Oocytes from Porcine Preantral Follicles

This study was conducted to identify an in vitro culture system that would support intact porcine follicle growth from preantral follicle to antral stages, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development; and to evaluate factors that influence porcine preantral follicle growth in vitro. Preantral follicles isolated from prepubertal porcine ovaries were cultured for 4 days in the presence of different concentrations of porcine serum and FSH, and with different numbers of follicles per well. A series of experiments showed that porcine antral follicles can be grown at a high frequency in vitro from healthy preantral follicles with intact theca when cultured in North Carolina State University 23 medium supplemented with 1.5 ng/ml FSH, 7.5% serum, and when cultured with three follicles per well. After 4 days of culture, 68% healthy cumulus-enclosed oocytes from these follicles were obtained, and 51% of the oocytes completed meiotic maturation to the metaphase II stage. Fifty-three percent of the mature oocytes underwent fertilization, 43% of the fertilized oocytes cleaved, and 13% developed to the blastocyst stage. The results show 1) that porcine preantral follicles can grow efficiently to the antral stage using these culture conditions, and 2) that oocytes from in vitro-matured porcine preantral follicles can acquire meiotic competence and undergo fertilization and embryonic development.
Enhanced exchange heuristic based resource constrained scheduler using ARTMAP

The Exchange Heuristic (EH) has demonstrated superior results compared with other RCS methods in solving Resource Constrained Scheduling (RCS) problems. Selecting the most promising target constitutes the success of EH. The current version of EH highly depends on experts' intuition in selecting a target. Expert systems and Fuzzy rulebase as well as Neural Network (NN) have been considered as alternatives for human experts. Expert systems are brittle in its nature, and Fuzzy rulebase needs membership functions defined for each linguistic variable. However, these membership function can not be justified and can be very subjective. Therefore, Neural Network is employed because of its capability of learning as well as dealing with fuzzy data. Known examples are used to train the NN. Back propagation algorithm is used first, then Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) network is employed to reduce training time since new rules come up often. Even at the end of the training the NN, we may end up with local optima or the NN which is too general to specific problems. Utilizing Genetic Algorithm (GA) will help to further refine or adapt the weights of the NN which optimizes target selection strategy for a specific problem.
Modelling of near-surface seismic structure beneath Hawaii using reverberations

SUMMARY The reverberation in near-surface layers contains valuable information about the near-surface velocity and density structure. However, previously the reverberation was often regarded as ‘noise’,to be eliminated. This paper presents an approach for modelling the shallow velocity structure with the reverberation in the near-surface layers. The method was applied to three-component waveform data recorded by seismic arrays during a passive seismic experiment, Arrays for Lithosphere Observations in HAwaii (ALOHA). The near-surface multiple reflections were enhanced by stacking the seismograms of local upper mantle earthquakes with near-vertical incidence angles. By matching synthetics and observed P and S multiple reflections, we have successfully modelled the impedance structure for the top 2-3km of the crust beneath seven stations of ALOHA arrays in southern Hawaii. Reverberative site effects are similar for stations in an array, but vary significantly from one array to another, reflecting the lateral heterogeneity of the near-surface structure. Two short profiles of near-surface P-wave velocity structure were constructed across the Ainapo and South Flank areas in southern Hawaii, based on interpretation of the multiple reflections recorded by two of the ALOHA arrays. The profiles reveal the detailed and variable shallow structure near two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and provide basic information about site effects for further investigations of seismic hazard assessment, earthquake source properties, and deeper structure.
Effects of lugworms and seagrass on kepone® (chlordecone) distribution in sediment/water laboratory systems

The influence of lugworms (Arenicola cristata Stimpson) and seagrass (Thalassia testudinum Koenig) on Kepone® (chlordecone) distribution in sediment/water systems was examined. Radiolabeled Kepone was introduced into continuous-flow sediment/water systems, and the dissolved and sorbed concentrations of Kepone were quantified. Lugworm activity decreased the Kepone concentration in the water and increased its concentration in the sediment. The presence of seagrasses did not appreciably affect the concentration of Kepone in the water. Bioturbation appeared to be the prime factor in the transport of Kepone from water to sediment.
Variability in Postural Control During Infancy: Implications for Development, Assessment, and Intervention

Variability is commonly considered a key to typical motor development. However, multiple definitions and quantification systems have limited the clinical interpretation of variability and the translation of developmental research to assessment and intervention. The purposes of this perspective article are to highlight the importance of statistical variability and complexity in postural control during development and to describe implications for assessment and intervention during infancy and early childhood. Five tenets are proposed describing the role of variability in postural control to support movement experiences, exploration, and global development. Evidence for assessment and intervention focused on variability in postural control are introduced.
Post-Postcommunism: Transition, Comparison, and the End of “Eastern Europe”

A decade after the end of European and Eurasian communism the once acrimonious debates between “area studies” and “the discipline” have largely subsided. Access to archives, survey data, and political elites has allowed east European countries to be treated as normal arenas of research. Recent work by both younger and established scholars has made serious contributions not only to the understanding of postcommunism but also to broader research questions about the political economy of reform, federalism, transitional justice, and nationalism and interethnic relations. The key issue for students of postcommunism is explaining the highly variable paths that east European and Eurasian states have taken since 1989. Compared with the relative homogeneity of outcomes in earlier transitions in southern Europe and Latin America—extrication from previous regimes followed by long periods of consolidation—the record in the east looks profoundly more varied: a handful of successful transitions and easy consolidations, several incomplete transitions, a few transitions followed by reversion to authoritarian politics, even some transitions that never really began at all. The works under review point scholars toward the study of the institutional legacies of state socialism: the “subversive institutions” of the communist state, the institutional dimensions of ethnic solidarity and mobilization, and the emerging patterns of interinstitutional bargaining in the first years of postcommunism.
Multi-mode Damage Detection Methods with Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors

PWAS are small and non-invasive transducers that can be easily affixed to a structure to interrogate it at will. Their wideband non-resonant properties make them advantageous candidates for multiple modes structural health monitoring (SHM) and non- destructive evaluation (NDE) simply by changing the driving frequencies. This paper presents research results obtained by using PWAS transducer for SHM/NDE. The results are given in the following directions: (1) PWAS operation principles; (2) PWAS electromechanical impedance measurements; (3) PWAS ultrasonic SHM/NDE; and (4) PWAS multi-mode corrosion detection. The analytical methods and experimental results can be successfully used in the design of active SHM systems to be embedded on operational structures, such as aircraft panels.
Acridine Orange Stain for Determining Intracellular Enteropathogens in HeLa Cells

Green-fluorescent intracellular enteropathogenic bacteria were observed after infected HeLa cell monolayers were stained with acridine orange and counterstained with crystal violet at least 3 h after infection.
The Prevalence and Characteristics of Wellness Programs and Centers at Two-Year and Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Because the lifestyles of college students can often lead to unhealthy consequences, campus wellness programs can be instrumental in encouraging students to improve their health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of campus wellness programs and centers. A web-based survey was developed and emailed to wellness representatives at 241 colleges and universities in the nine states that make up the Central District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (CDA-AAHPERD). Findings indicated that 64.7% of two-year institutions and 78.9% of four-year institutions had a wellness program. In addition, 68.6% of two-year institutions and 84.0% of fouryear reported having a wellness center. The type of institution had no significant difference to the prevalence of wellness programs or centers. The prevalence of wellness centers may be increasing on college campuses. Respondents reported that they will be expanding or building new wellness facilities in the next five years. Twenty-seven percent of two-year institutions and 33.3% of four-year institutions will be expanding their wellness centers in the next five years. Building wellness centers also appears to be a development on college campuses as 16.7% of two-year institutions and 22.2% of four-year institutions reported that they have plans for new wellness centers within the next five years. Two-year institutions were compared with four-year institutions concerning the services, associations, and activities provided by wellness programs. Chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exact test were performed and found more similarities than differences.
Experimental transmission of murine typhus by Xenopsylla cheopis flea bites.

. Transmission of Rickettsia typhi to rats by the bites of Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild) fleas was investigated. Procedures rigorously excluded the possibility of contamination of the host skin by flea faeces. Fleas with R. typhi infection (21–25 days post-infection) which fed through bolting cloth (45 min exposure to ten fleas) transmitted rickettsiae with a success rate of 20%. Infective fleas allowed free access to their host for 8 h (10–15 fleas/rat) gave transmission rates of 45–68%. They were also capable of inoculating R. typhi through a membrane of rat skin on a feeder. Only fleas which had been infected for 21 days or longer transmitted R. typhi orally. Oral transmission appeared to be the result of regurgitation of rickettsiae present in the foregut lumen rather than through salivary secretions.
Mediation analysis of critical time intervention for persons living with serious mental illnesses: assessing the role of family relations in reducing psychiatric rehospitalization.

Objective: Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is a time-limited care coordination intervention designed to reduce homelessness and other adverse outcomes for persons living with serious mental illness during the transition period between institutions and community living. This study assesses whether CTI improves the quality of family relationships between family members and individuals living with serious mental illness, and examines whether changes in quality of family relationship mediated the association between the intervention and psychiatric rehospitalization outcomes. Method: This study utilizes data from a randomized controlled trial that assessed the effect of CTI in preventing homelessness. Following discharge from inpatient psychiatric treatment in New York City, 150 previously homeless persons living with serious mental illness were randomly assigned to receive usual services only or 9 months of CTI in addition to usual services. Results: Findings from mixed-effects regression models indicated that those assigned to the CTI group reported greater frequency of family contact and greater improvement in satisfaction with family relations than the comparison group during the 18-month follow-up period. Mediation analysis revealed that greater improvement in satisfaction with family relations mediated the effect of CTI on psychiatric rehospitalization outcome, but only at a modest level. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: These findings suggest that a relatively brief but targeted intervention delivered at the point of hospital discharge may contribute to strengthening family relations and that improvement in perceived family relationship quality can contribute to a reduction in psychiatric rehospitalization.
Liquidity Externalities and Adverse Selection: Evidence from Trading after Hours

This paper examines liquidity externalities by analyzing trading costs after hours. There is less than 1/20 as many trades per unit time after hours as during the trading day. The reduced trading activity results in substantially higher trading costs: quoted and effective spreads are three to four times larger than during the trading day. The higher spreads reflect greater adverse selection and order persistence, but not higher dealer profits. Because liquidity provision remains competitive after hours, the greater adverse selection and higher trading costs provide a direct measure of the magnitude of the liquidity externalities generated during the trading day. UNDERSTANDING NETWORK EFFECTS and liquidity externalities is one of the most important outstanding issues in market design (Madhavan (2000)) and market regulation (Macey and O’Hara (1999)). Liquidity externalities arise from bringing traders together in space and time to reduce search and trading costs. Bringing traders together creates liquidity externalities because the additional traders arriving in the marketplace reduce trading costs for all investors. To date, attention has focused almost exclusively on spatial network effects by examining the trading of securities in different markets at the same time (Lee (1993), Hasbrouck (1995), and others). In contrast, this paper studies the effects of temporal consolidation of trades by analyzing trading during and outside of exchange trading hours. A well-known liquidity externality arises from asymmetric information. Rational informed traders break up their orders across markets and over time. This provides incentives for liquidity traders to consolidate their trades geographically (Garbade and Silber (1979), Mendelson (1982, 1987), Pagano (1989a, 1989b)) and intertemporally (Admati and Pfleiderer (1988) and Foster and Viswanathan (1990)). It has been difficult to document the importance of these liquidity externalities, however. Unless there are barriers that restrict the flow of orders from one trading venue to another, in equilibrium, contemporaneous
ENZYMATIC METHYLATION OF ARSENIC SPECIES AND OTHER NEW APPROACHES TO ARSENIC TOXICITY

Arsenic metabolism has typically been studied by administering arsenate or arsenite into animals and humans and then studying the metabolites excreted in the urine. Although such studies have yielded information about the beginning and the end of the metabolic pathways for the metabolism of inorganic arsenic compounds, any statements as to the molecular mechanisms of these reactions have had to be highly speculative. Now that the rabbit and the rhesus monkey liver enzymes that transfer methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to arsenite and monomethlyarsonic acid have been purified and the reactions characterized, meaningful investigations of species diversity and polymorphism of these enzymes have become possible. New World animals studied thus far appear to be deficient in or totally lacking these enzymes. Old World animals, with the exception of the chimpanzee, have ample amounts of arsenite and monomethylarsonic acid methyltransferases. A hypothesis that the lack of arsenite methyltransferases may have had an evolutionary advantage for certain species is proposed.
Improved Performance White LED

This paper describes work leading to the development of a new packaging method for white LEDs, called scattered photon extraction (SPE). Previous work by our group showed that the traditional placement of the phosphor close to the die negatively affects the overall luminous efficacy and lumen maintenance of phosphor-converted white LEDs. The new SPE method enables higher luminous efficacy by placing the phosphor at a remote location from the die and by shaping the lens surrounding the die to extract a significant portion of the back-transferred light before it is absorbed by packaging components. Although the remote phosphor concept is not new, SPE is the first method to demonstrate efficient extraction of back-transferred light and show over 60 percent improvement in light output and efficacy compared to similar commercial white LEDs. At low currents, the prototype white LEDs based on the SPE technique showed over 80 lumens per watt. The SPE concept was tried on two types of commercial packages and both showed similar improvements.
The virtue of early treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Spine growth modulation for scoliosis correction is a technique for slowing growth on the convex side of the curve and enhancing growth on the concave side by using the Heuter-Volkmann principle; this results in gradual deformity correction. The theoretic advantages include speedier recovery because of the minimally invasive approach used, as well as motion preservation. Several devices have been used in humans, including vertebral body stapling, with either a flexible titanium clip or a nitinol staple, and anterior spinal tethering. Prerequisites for the use of these devices are a relatively flexible curve and sufficient remaining growth in the patient. Although vertebral body stapling is effective for moderate curves of less than 40°, anterior spinal tethering can be used for curves greater than 40°. The titanium clip and spinal tethers are used exclusively for thoracic scoliosis, whereas nitinol staples can be used for the thoracic spine or the lumbar spine. The thoracoscopic technique is used for thoracic instrumentation, and the mini-open retroperitoneal technique is used for lumbar staple insertion. The insertion of a titanium clip and an anterior spinal tether requires sacrifice and mobilization of the segmental vessels, whereas nitinol staples can be inserted without such sacrifice. Single lung ventilation and CO2 insufflation are used to improve visualization with the thoracoscope. The curve should be instrumented from an end vertebra to an end vertebra. Postoperative immobilization depends on the type of device used. Most complications are approach related, such as atelectasis caused by a mucus plug, pain at the chest tube site, and pneumothorax. Device-related complications are rare. Overcorrection is a concern. In patients with early onset scoliosis, a hybrid construct with vertebral stapling and growing rods or a vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib has been suggested. A failure of the spinal growth modulation procedure does not preclude spinal fusion. None of the devices for spine growth modulation have been approved by the FDA for human use and are still investigational. Early results are promising, and continued clinical studies are necessary.