cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diazepam inhibits organophosphate-induced central respiratory depression.

Objectives: Current evidence suggests that mortality from acute organophosphate (OP) poisoning is partially mediated through central nervous system (CNS) respiratory center depression (CRD). However, the exact mechanism of OPinduced CRD is unknown. In these studies, the authors investigated the hypothesis that OP-induced CRD is the result of overstimulation of CNS respiratory centers. Methods: Wistar rats received prophylaxis with either normal saline (controls), atropine, the peripherally acting anticholinergics glycopyrrolate (GLYC), ipratropium bromide (IB), or the CNS respiratory center attenuator diazepam. To determine if a dual CNS/peripheral cholinergic mechanism is responsible for animal death, two additional groups received combination treatment with diazepam plus either IB or GLYC. All treatments were completed 5 minutes before OP with subcutaneous dichlorvos. Differences in 10minute and 24-hour mortality were assessed by the Fisher exact test. Results: Dichlorvos poisoning resulted in profound fasciculations without obvious seizure in all cohorts. In controls and animals treated with peripherally acting anticholinergics, fasciculations were followed by sedation and respiratory arrest (0% 10-minute survival in all cohorts). In contrast, pretreatment with either atropine or diazepam significantly improved 10-minute survival (100% and 44%, respectively). Although GLYC or IB afforded no protection when given alone, when delivered in conjunction with diazepam, the combination significantly improved survival (both groups 88% at 24 hours), suggesting a dual CNS/ pulmonary muscarinic mechanism of lethality. Conclusions: The central respiratory depressant diazepam paradoxically attenuates organophosphate-induced respiratory depression, and when combined with peripherally acting anticholinergic agents, reduces mortality in a rat model of severe acute OP poisoning. Key words: organophosphate; dichlorvos; poisoning; rat. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2003; 10:1303‐1306. Organophosphate (OP) poisoning produces significant morbidity and mortality throughout the industrialized and third worlds, with an estimated 3,000,000 exposures each year. 1 Additionally, weaponized OP or nerve agents threaten mass casualties despite the stockpiling of antidotes in the United States and abroad. 2 Given the potential for a mass poisoning complicated by a shortage of antidote, a complete understanding of the effects of these poisons might yield effective adjunctive therapies and prophylactic strategies that will protect individuals at high risk for lethal OP poisoning. 3,4
Priming or Framing Media Influence on Attitudes Toward Foreign Countries

This study examines two routes for media effects on the standards by which people evaluate foreign countries. The first is indirect: a news story about an issue in a domestic context may heighten t...
About periodic and quasi-periodic orbits of a new type for twist maps of the torus

We prove that for a large and important class of C1 twist maps of the torus periodic and quasi-periodic orbits of a new type exist, provided that there are no rotational invariant circles (R.I.C's). These orbits have a non-zero "vertical rotation number'' (V.R.N.), in contrast to what happens to Birkhoff periodic orbits and Aubry-Mather sets. The V.R.N. is rational for a periodic orbit and irrational for a quasi-periodic. We also prove that the existence of an orbit with a V.R.N = a > 0, implies the existence of orbits with V.R.N = b, for all 0 < b < a. And as a consequence of the previous results we get that a twist map of the torus with no R.I.C's has positive topological entropy, which is a very classical result. In the end of the paper we present some applications and examples, like the Standard map, such that our results apply.
Complex architectures through living polymerizations. The synthesis of "once-broken worms" and triblock copolymers using bimetallic initiators

Bifunctional catalysts for the living polymerization of isocyanates were synthesized. These catalysts were shown by kinetic and molecular weight experiments to contain two active titanium centers for chain propagation. The polymers obtained from these catalysts should be good models for once-broken worms. In addition, telechelic polymeric catalysts were synthesized and used to produce new well-defined siloxane-isocyanate triblock copolymers
Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Sciurid Rodents (Eutamias, Sciurus, Tamiasciurus spp.) from the Western United States and Northern Mexico with Descriptions of Two New Species

Since May 1979, 190 rodents in the family Sciuridae, representing three genera and nine species, have been collected in the western United States and northern Mexico and examined for coccidia; 71 (37%) had coccidian oocysts in their feces. These included 2 of 12 (17%) Eutamias canipes; 7 of 12 (58%) E. dorsalis; 18 of 50 (36%) E. merriami; 33 of 96 (34%) E. obscurus; 3 of 4 (75%) E. townsendii; 3 of 9 (33%) Sciurus aberti; 1 of 1 S. griseus; 1 of 1 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus mogollonensis; and 3 of 5 (60%) T. mearnsi. The following coccidians were identified from infected rodents: Eimeria cochisensis n. sp. and Eimeria dorsalis n. sp. from E. canipes, E. cochisensis, E. dorsalis, and E. tamiasciuri from E. dorsalis, E. dorsalis and E. tamiasciuri from E. merriami; E. cochisensis, E. dorsalis, E. tamiasciuri, and E. wisconsinensis from E. obscurus; E. cochisensis and E. dorsalis from E. townsendii; E. ontarioensis and E. tamiasciuri from S. aberti; E. tamiasciuri from S. griseus; E. tamiasciuri and E. toddi from T. h. mogollonensis; and E. tamiasciuri from T. mearnsi. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria dorsalis n. sp. were ovoid, 21.9 x 16.8 (17-24 x 14-20) micrometer with sporocysts ovoid, 11.5 x 6.9 (10-14 x 6-8) micrometer. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria cochisensis n. sp. were spheroid to subspheroid, 16.7 x 15.3 (15-18 x 14-17) micrometer, with sporocysts ovoid, 8.4 x 5.6 (6-11 x 4-7) micrometer. Fifty-five of 71 (77%) infected hosts had oocysts of only one eimerian species in their feces at the time they were examined. One eimerian, E. tamiasciuri, was found in seven of nine host species in three genera. A list is provided of all eimerians (22, including the species described here) that have been described in the literature from Eutamias, Sciurus, and Tamiasciurus spp.
Association between injury indices and outcome after severe traumatic brain injury in children.

Abstract Objectives: (1) To determine whether indices of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children are associated with outcome at hospital discharge and 5 to 7 years later; (2) to describe persisting disabilities. Design: Retrospective, uncontrolled study of a cohort of children with severe, nonpenetrating TBI. Setting: Consecutive admissions to a level 1 trauma center over 2 years. Subjects: Seventy-five children younger than 17 years old were previously studied to identify predictors of disability at acute care discharge. Thirty-three of the 50 survivors (66%) were enrolled. Main Outcome Measures: A database of variables abstracted from medical records was available from the previous study. Subjects were surveyed about premorbid problems, school, employment, and current function, and school records were reviewed. Using all information, a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score was assigned 5 to 7 years after TBI. Associations between database variables and GOS score at discharge and follow-up were examined using nonparametric analyses. The odds ratio for good recovery was calculated for all significant associations. Results: Late GOS was good recovery for 27%, moderate disability for 55%, and severe disability for 18%. Discharge GOS scores were related ( p ≤ .01) to the head Abbreviated Injury Scale score, Injury Severity Scale score, Glsagow Coma Scale (GCS) score measured in the field and at 6, 24, and 72 hours, the length of coma, and initial discharge site. Late GOS scores were related ( p ≤ .01) to the same variables except the field and 6-hour GCS scores, as well as pupillary responses in the field and the discharge GOS. At follow-up, 64% were independent in mobility, 70% in self-care, and 24% in cognitive items on the Functional Independence Measure. Seventy percent of children received special education services. Employment histories were poor. Most subjects were not receiving neurological or rehabilitation follow-up. Conclusions: Early and late outcome after TBI are related to variables measured at and after injury. Subjects had long-term educational and vocational problems but often did not utilize the medical model of neurorehabilitation.
Colorectal Emergencies: Perforated Diverticulitis (Operative and Nonoperative Management)

Diverticulitis is the most common manifestation of diverticulosis. It accounts for roughly 150,000 hospital admissions in the US per year, resulting in ∼ 50,000 bowel resections. It is defined simply as inflammation due to perforation of a diverticulum. Diverticulosis, defined as the presence of diverticula in the colon, was rare prior to the 1900's. Since that time there has been a significant increase in the incidence of diverticulosis and diverticulitis, across all age groups.[1, 2] This rising incidence coincided with the advent of industrial roller milling in the late 1800's, a process that turned whole grains into refined white flour and led to a significant reduction in fiber consumption in western societies. We currently estimate that roughly 5-10% of the US population has diverticula present in their colon by the age of 40. This incidence increases to 60-70% by the age of 80. Of all patients that have diverticulosis, 10-25% will become symptomatic. Low dietary fiber results in diminished stool bulk, resulting in slower gastrointestinal (GI) transit and changes in colonic motility, leading to elevated regional colonic (intraluminal) pressures as the colon must contract more vigorously to propel stool. Diverticula develop due to these increased intraluminal pressures, forming herniations at areas of weakness where the vasa recta, terminal branches of the marginal artery, penetrate the bowel wall to provide arterial blood to the mucosal layer. Colonic diverticula are pulsion, or false diverticula, composed of mucosa, muscularis mucosa, and peritoneum. The sigmoid colon is the most commonly affected segment of bowel. Other risk factors for the development of diverticulosis include age, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Diverticulitis develops following perforation of a diverticulum. Older theories surmised that diverticulitis was caused by an initial obstruction at the neck of the diverticulum, leading to distention and eventual perforation. This led to the recommendation to avoid certain foods such as popcorn, seeds, and nuts, to minimize the risk that they might get stuck and lead to perforation. This theory has largely fallen out of favor and the current thinking is that diverticulitis simply develops when the colonic pressure exceeds the wall tension of a diverticulum.
Sequential classification of strings generated by SCFG's

A sequential classification algorithm (SCA) for stochastic context-free languages is given. The algorithm is an extension of Earley's parsing algorithm for context-free languages. The SCA uses an optimum decision rule and a suboptimal stopping rule. The time bound is proportional ton 3 (n is the length of the string). A parametere* in the SCA allows an easy control over the probability of error. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that a considerable amount of processing time can be saved when using the SCA compared to the time required when using Earley's algorithm.
Immunocytochemical analysis of glutamate and GABA in selectively bred mice

Withdrawal Seizure Prone (WSP) and Withdrawal Seizure Resistant (WSR) mice have been selectively bred for differential ethanol withdrawal handling-induced convulsions (HICs). In addition, it has been observed that WSP mice exhibit drug-naive HICs. This latter finding suggests that WSP and WSR mice differ in their susceptibility to HICs. Alterations in the glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems have been implicated in convulsive activity and have been proposed to underlie the manifestation of ethanol withdrawal symptoms. It is therefore possible that WSP and WSR mice are genetically different with respect to their glutamatergic and/or GABAergic systems. To test this hypothesis, we have analyzed WSP and WSR mice that are both drug- and HIC-naive for differences in the density of nerve terminal glutamate and GABA immunoreactivity within the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus (CA1) and layer II of the somatosensory cortex (SSC). The major finding of this study is that drug- and HIC-naive WSP mice exhibit a significantly greater density of presynaptic glutamate immunoreactivity associated with asymmetric synapses within the CA1, but not the SSC, when compared to WSR mice. The density of GABA immunoreactivity within nerve terminals associated with symmetric synapses does not differ between the selected lines in either brain region. Since prior drug exposure and HICs cannot account for the observed differences in these naive mice, the results strongly suggest that the density of nerve terminal glutamate immunoreactivity within the CA1 is a reflection of inherent genetic differences between WSP and WSR mice. Furthermore, an elevated density of presynaptic glutamate immunoreactivity may be an underlying neurochemical correlate to increased susceptibility to drug-naive and ethanol withdrawal convulsions.
Desiccant Degradation in Desiccant Cooling Systems: A System Study

The authors predict the impact of desiccant degradation on the performance of an open-cycle desiccant cooling system in ventilation mode using the degradation data on silica gel obtained from a previous study. The degradation data were based on thermal cycling desiccant samples and exposing them to ambient or contaminated air. Depending on the degree of desiccant degradation, the decrease in the thermal coefficient of performance (COP) and the cooling capacity of the system for low-temperature regeneration was 10 percent to 35 percent. The 35 percent loss occurred based on the worst-case desiccant degradation scenario. Under more realistic conditions the loss in system performance is expected to be lower.
Discectomy strategies for lumbar disc herniation: study design and implications for clinical research.

Although previous studies have found automated percutaneous discectomy and epidural percutaneous discectomy to be less efficacious than conventional discectomy, these percutaneous procedures may be effective and cost-effective as a first surgical treatment for herniated lumbar disc. Percutaneous procedures for herniated lumbar disc continue to be performed throughout the world without definitive evidence of efficacy or effectiveness. The objective of this article is to report the design considerations and final design of a study with the following objectives: (1) to estimate the efficacy of automated percutaneous and conventional discectomy in treating single level herniated lumbar discs in comparable patient populations, and (2) to test the hypothesis that the use of percutaneous discectomy as the first surgical procedure in such patients would result in less cost and fewer complications than utilizing conventional discectomy as the first procedure. A multicenter randomized clinical trial was designed that followed published eligibility criteria closely, allowed flexibility in timing of surgery (while collecting natural history information on patients identified before electing surgery), incorporated adjustments for newly developed technology and accommodated the unusual demands of assessing a procedure acknowledged to have inferior medical outcomes when compared to conventional therapy but which offered potential advantages in cost and safety. The study was successfully designed and funded. In its implementation we experienced several obstacles that may affect the success of other clinical trials. Despite using established eligibility criteria, our patient enrollment was lower than expected. Academic health centers and traditional research settings are seeing fewer patients who would be eligible for discectomy; private clinical centers are treating eligible patients but lack the incentives to participate in clinical research. Automated percutaneous discectomy and epidural percutaneous discectomy are widely performed procedures and, despite the aforementioned obstacles, their efficacy and cost-effectiveness need to be scientifically evaluated if we are committed to delivering appropriate patient care.
Spinal serotonin receptor activation modulates the exercise ventilatory response with increased dead space in goats.

Abstract Small increases in respiratory dead space (VD) augment the exercise ventilatory response by a serotonin-dependent mechanism known as short-term modulation (STM). We tested the hypotheses that the relevant serotonin receptors for STM are in the spinal cord, and are of the 5-HT2-receptor subtype. After preparing adult female goats with a mid-thoracic (T 6 –T8) subarachnoid catheter, ventilation and arterial blood gases were measured at rest and during treadmill exercise (4.8 km/h; 5% grade) with and without an increased VD (0.2–0.3 L). Measurements were made before and after spinal or intravenous administration of a broad-spectrum serotonin receptor antagonist (methysergide, 1–2 mg total) and a selective 5-HT2-receptor antagonist (ketanserin, 5–12 mg total). Although spinal methysergide had no effect on the exercise ventilatory response in control conditions, the augmented response with increased VD was impaired, allowing P a C O 2 to increase from rest to exercise. Spinal methysergide diminished both mean inspiratory flow and frequency responses to exercise with increased VD. Spinal ketanserin impaired P a C O 2 regulation with increased VD, although its ventilatory effects were less clear. Intrathecal dye injections indicated CSF drug distribution was caudal to the upper cervical spinal cord and intravenous drugs at the same total dose did not affect STM. We conclude that spinal 5-HT2 receptors modulate the exercise ventilatory response with increased VD in goats.
Effects of Zooplankton Grazing on Phytoplankton Size-Structure and Biomass in the Lower Hudson River Estuary

The impact of mesozooplankton (>210 μm, mostly adult copepods and late-stage copepodites) and micrometazoa (64–210 μm, mostly copepod nauplii) on phytoplankton size structure and biomass in the lower Hudson River estuary was investigated using various14C-labeled algal species as tracers of grazing on natural phytoplankton. During spring and summer, zooplankton grazing pressure, defined as %=mg C ingested m−2 h−1/mg C produced m−2 h−1 (depth-integrated rates)×100, on total phytoplankton ranged between 0.04% and 1.9% for mesozooplankton and 0.1% and 6.6% for micrometazoa. The greatest grazing impact was measured in fall when 20.2% and 44.6%, respectively, of the total depth-integrated primary production from surface water phytoplankton was grazed. Mesozooplankton exhibited some size-selective grazing on phytoplankton, preferentially grazing the diatomThalassiosira pseudonana over the larger diatomDitylum brightwelli, but this was not found for micrometazoa. Neither zooplankton group grazed on the dinoflagellateAmphidinium sp. We conclude that metazoan zooplankton have a minimal role in controlling total phytoplankton biomass in the lower Hudson River estuary. Differences in the growth coefficients of various phytoplankton size-fractions—not grazing selectivity—may be the predominant factor explaining community size-structure.
Aberrant glycosylation/phosphorylation in chromatolytic motoneurons of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease

Chromatolytic motor neurons (cMN) in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (WHD) were investigated in both spinal anterior horns and hypoglossal nuclei with both immuno- and lectin-histochemistry in six cases (3-9 months; two female and four male) of clinically typical WHD. Most characteristic findings from lectin-histochemistry were central accumulation of N-linked glycopeptides and marked general paucity of O-linked glycopeptides in cMN. Phosphorylated intermediate filaments, developmentally regulated cytoskeletons and cell adhesion molecules were abundant at the periphery of cMN, as visualized with immunohistochemistry. Both N-linked and O-linked glycoproteins were reciprocally absent or scarce at the peripheral zone of cMN. This intriguing phenomenon provided the basis for postulating the pathogenesis of WHD. The reciprocal ('yen-yang') dissociation of phosphorylation and glycosylation of neurofilament proteins was only seen with phosphorylated neurofilaments and seen only in cMN, not in the control or surrounding unaffected motoneurons. The central accumulation of N-linked glycopeptides was in contrast with peripheral absence of O-GlcNAc-linked glycopeptides which would normally be expected to colocalize with phosphorylated neurofilaments. Both O-glycosylation and phosphorylation are considered essential for assembly and network of neurofilaments. Aberrant O-glycosylation and dissociation of O-glycosylation/phosphorylation would not only cause a defect in neurofilament assembly but also neuron-glia adhesion (via a molecule such as Ng-CAM), causing a failure of lower motoneurons to synapse homophilically with the upper motoneurons and also a failure to adhere heterophilically to glia, resulting in the histopathologic tetrad ((i) central chromatolysis, (ii) empty-cell beds, (iii) migratory motoneurons and (iv) glial bundles of spinal roots) typical of WHD.
Stability of large current aluminium stabilized conductors

Abstract A complete stability analysis is given for a highly stabilized large current (50–100 kA) conductor cooled by a He II bath. The analysis concentrates on the minimum normalizing energy pulse, the minimum quench energy pulse (transient stability) and the maximum non-propagating current for constant length travelling normal zones (dynamic stability). The minimum normalizing energy pulse is defined as the energy required to raise the strand temperature above the current sharing level. The quench energy pulse is the pulse over which the conductor cannot recover. The dynamic stability is defined as two constant length normal zones travelling at constant velocity in opposite directions and is related to the change in ohmic heat generation following a normalization pulse. The computational model includes thermal conduction in Nb-Ti/Cu strands and the aluminium stabilizer, the thermal and electrical properties of both, heat transfer to helium at the conductor surface and current diffusion.
Elementary school-based influenza vaccination: evaluating impact on respiratory illness absenteeism and laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Background Studies of influenza vaccine effectiveness in schools have assessed all-cause absenteeism rather than laboratory-confirmed influenza. We conducted an observational pilot study to identify absences due to respiratory illness and laboratory-confirmed influenza in schools with and without school-based vaccination. Methods A local public health agency initiated school-based influenza vaccination in two Wisconsin elementary schools during October 2010 (exposed schools); two nearby schools served as a comparison group (non-exposed schools). Absences due to fever or cough illness were monitored for 12 weeks. During the 4 weeks of peak influenza activity, parents of absent children with fever/cough illness were contacted and offered influenza testing. Results Parental consent for sharing absenteeism data was obtained for 937 (57%) of 1,640 students. Fifty-two percent and 28%, respectively, of all students in exposed and non-exposed schools were vaccinated. Absences due to fever or cough illness were significantly lower in the exposed schools during seven of 12 surveillance weeks. Twenty-seven percent of students at exposed schools and 39% at unexposed schools had one or more days of absence due to fever/cough illness (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of students absent for other reasons (p = 0.23). During the 4 week period of influenza testing, respiratory samples were obtained for 68 (42%) of 163 episodes of absence due to fever or cough illness. Influenza was detected in 6 students; 3 attended exposed schools. Conclusions Detection of laboratory-confirmed influenza in schools was challenging due to multiple consent requirements, difficulty obtaining samples from absent children, and a mild influenza season. School-based influenza vaccination was associated with reduced absenteeism due to fever or cough illness, but not absenteeism for other reasons. Although nonspecific, absence due to fever or cough illness may be a useful surrogate endpoint in school-based studies if identification of laboratory confirmed influenza is not feasible.
Product quality expectations: Towards an understanding of their antecedents and consequences

This paper examines the role of product quality expectations. Past research on information cues, scarcity, self-congruity, product quality and satisfaction are synthesized to develop a conceptual model. This model examines how consumer expectations of product quality are formed. A number of antecedent factors and their relationship to consumers' product quality expectations are discussed. How consumer expectations of quality affects their product evaluation both during the pre-purchase stage and during the post-purchase stage are discussed. A number of theoretical propositions are presented. Finally, the implications of the conceptual model are discussed.
Exercise and the gallbladder.

Gallstones are an important cause of disease and a common reason for surgery. Women, particularly those who have had multiple pregnancies or have certain ethnic backgrounds, such as Native American...
Impact of antenatal dexamethasone administration on respiratory distress syndrome in surfactant-treated infants

Abstract Neonatal lung disease is primarily responsible for the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth. Recently exogenous surfactant replacement therapy has been used to prevent or treat respiratory distress syndrome. As part of a multicenter, preventive trial between February 1986 and December 1988 using calf-lung surfactant extract, we treated 147 infants with single dose calf-lung surfactant extract. We analyzed this experience to evaluate the possibility that antenatal steroids may be additive (with calf-lung surfactant extract) in reducing both the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome. Although a reduction in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome was observed among the 33 neonates exposed to antenatal dexamethasone when compared with the 114 infants given calf-lung surfactant extract alone, the difference was not significant (37.7% vs. 24.2% p = 0.15). However, comparison of neonatal subsets previously shown to benefit most from steroid use revealed an additive effect between calf-lung surfactant extract and dexamethasone in reducing both the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome. Of the 99 singleton pregnancies, only 2 of 16 infants treated with calf-lung surfactant extract and dexamethasone developed respiratory distress syndrome, compared with the 33 of 83 calf-lung surfactant extract cases (p
Spatial variability of the Illinois soil nitrogen test: Implications for soil sampling

The Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) is a recently developed test that has shown promise for corn (Zen mays L.) N fertilization. However, among-field and within-field spatial variability of this test is unknown and sampling recommendations have not been defined. The objectives of this study were to estimate the spatial variability and structure of the ISNT to provide sampling recommendations and to determine the short-term effect of N fertilizer on this test. Soil samples were collected on 14 production fields and analyzed for the ISNT. Data was analyzed with traditional statistics and with geostatistical techniques. In the short term, N fertilization did not have a significant effect on the ISNT (p > 0.3). The ISNT was normally distributed in 12 fields and showed a relatively low coefficient of variation (18% on average). Field mean ISNT ranged from 98 to 255 mg kg -1 and tended to be higher in Mollisols than in Alfisols. On average across fields, at least 10 samples are required to determine the mean ISNT for a given field with a precision of 24 mg kg -1 . The geostatistical analysis revealed that the ISNT has strong spatial structure, as indicated by the bounded variograms, the relatively low nugget/sill ratio (<30% in 10 fields) and the mean range of 150 m. The spatial variability indicates that the ISNT can be mapped with a relatively sparse sampling grid and with a low number of samples, critical characteristics when assessing the economic implication for variable and uniform rate N fertilization.
An aqueous solution-based doping strategy for large-scale synthesis of Sb-doped ZnO nanowires.

An aqueous solution-based doping strategy was developed for controlled doping impurity atoms into a ZnO nanowire (NW) lattice. Through this approach, antimony-doped ZnO NWs were successfully synthesized in an aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine with antimony acetate as the dopant source. By introducing glycolate ions into the solution, a soluble antimony precursor (antimony glycolate) was formed and a good NW morphology with a controlled antimony doping concentration was successfully achieved. A doping concentration study suggested an antimony glycolate absorption doping mechanism. By fabricating and characterizing NW-based field effect transistors (FETs), stable p-type conductivity was observed. A field effect mobility of 1.2?cm2?V ? 1?s ? 1 and a carrier concentration of 6 ? 1017?cm ? 3 were achieved. Electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) characterization on doped and undoped ZnO NWs further illustrated the shift of the metal?semiconductor barrier due to Sb doping. This work provided an effective large-scale synthesis strategy for doping ZnO NWs in aqueous solution.
Metabolic Fate of Phenprocoumon in Humans

Samples of urine and feces were collected daily from a normal human volunteer who had received a dose of pseudoracemic phenprocoumon [an equimolar mixture of (R)-[12C]- and (S)-[2-13C]phenprocoumon] containing a tracer dose of 10 μCi of [14C]phen-procoumon and analyzed by TLC, HPLC, and GC–MS. After 25 days, 96% of the radiolabeled material was recovered (62.8% in urine and 33.3% in feces). By isotopic dilution and comparison to the Rf values, retention times, and mass fragmentograms of synthetic standards, the metabolites of the drug were identified as the 4′-, 6-, and 7-hydroxy analogues of phenprocoumon. Virtually all of the recovered radioactivity could be accounted for by the parent drug (approximately 40%) and the three metabolites (approximately 60%). The formation of both 4′- (8.1% of administered dose) and 7- (33.4% of administered dose) hydroxy-phenprocoumon was highly stereoselective, giving S/R ratios of 2.86 and 1.69, respectively. The formation of 6- (15.5% of administered dose) hydroxyphenprocoumon showed little stereoselectivity (S/R ratio equal to 0.85). The urinary excretion pattern was also confirmed in four additional healthy male subjects who received a single oral dose of pseudoracemic phenprocoumon and whose urine was analyzed by GC–MS. All the drug-related materials (both hydroxylated metabolites and parent compound) that were excreted into the urine were extensively conjugated.
Synaptic interactions mediating synchrony and oscillations in primate sensorimotor cortex.

Abstract The appearance of oscillatory modes of ‘gamma’ activity in many cortical areas of different species has generated interest in understanding their underlying mechanisms and possible functions. This paper reviews evidence from studies on primate motor cortex showing that oscillatory activity entrains many neurons during periods of exploratory manipulative behavior. These oscillatory episodes synchronize widely spread neurons in sensorimotor cortex bilaterally, including descending corticospinal neurons, as evidenced by correlated modulations in EMG activity. The resulting neural synchronization involves task-related and -unrelated neurons similarly, suggesting that it is more likely to play some global role in attention than mediating any obvious interactions involved in coordinating movements. Intracellular recordings have elucidated the strength and types of synaptic interactions between motor cortical neurons that are involved in both normal and oscillatory activity. Spike-triggered averages (STAs) of intracellular membrane potentials have revealed serial connections in the form of unitary excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs). More commonly, STAs showed large synchronous excitatory or inhibitory potentials (ASEPs and ASIPs) beginning before the trigger spike and composed of multiple unitary events. ASEPs involved synchronous activity in a larger and more widespread group of presynaptic neurons than ASIPs. During oscillatory episodes synchronized excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials occurred in varying proportions. EPSPs evoked by stimulating neighboring cortical sites during the depolarizing phase of spontaneous oscillations showed evidence of transient potentiation. These observations are consistent with several functional hypotheses, but fit best with a possible role in attention or arousal.
The effect of organic solvents on rabbit antibody.

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of urea and various organic solvents (ethanol, acetone, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran) on anti-pneumococcus Type III γ-globulin were examined. Inhibition of the precipitin reaction was observed when the antibody was treated with urea and certain solvents simultaneously. The degree of inhibition by solvents appears to parallel the polarity and size of the solvent molecule. 2. 2. The inhibition could be removed by dialysis or by passing the antibody-urea-solvent mixture through Sephadex G-25. However, the redialyzed material was sensitive to readdition of solvent while untreated antibody was not. When dioxane was used as initial solvent, dioxane inhibited. If the original solvent was tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran inhibited. When tetrahydropyran was used first, all three inhibited. Similar inhibition was observed with the urea-dioxane-treated anti-ribonuclease system. 3. 3. The urea-dioxane-treated material reacted with horse anti-rabbit γ-globulin serum as well as intact γ-globulin did.
A bio-inspired mobile agent-based coalition formation system for multiple modular-robot systems

This paper presents bio-inspired algorithms for coalition formation of a mobile agent-based modular robot system. A mathematical model for coalition formation is described. Two bio-inspired algorithms, ant-colony algorithm and genetic algorithm, are introduced for solving the mathematical model. Multiple experiments were run and the final results are shown in both mathematically and graphically. The graphical simulation is implemented by RoboSim which is built atop Ch, a C/C++ interpreter providing powerful features for solving engineering problems. The performance of both algorithms is shown by comparing different scenarios.
Mechanics of venom expulsion in Crotalus, with special reference to the role of the fang sheath.

A combination of anatomical and experimental preparations were used to explore the function of the venom delivery system in rattlesnakes (Crotalus). The distal end of the venom duct is compressed near the point where it empties into the venom chamber, a space surrounding the fang defined by the fang sheath. Within the venom chamber, the inner fang membrane lies obliquely over the base of the fang at least partially occluding the entrance orifice. When the fang is retracted the combination of the compressed venom duct and the spatial position of the inner fang membrane serve to inhibit or block venom flow. As the fang is erected beyond approximately 60 degrees (relative to the roof of the mouth) localized compression of the fang sheath decreases the size of the venom chamber, relieves the compressive force from the venom duct, and displaces the inner fang membrane away from the entrance orifice of the fang. Pressure recordings taken at different locations along the venom delivery system demonstrate that the venom gland produces suction during relaxation of the extrinsic glandular musculature. These findings suggest that the venom delivery system of Crotalus is both more flexible and more regulated than previously assumed.
Litter Sizes of Microtus Montanus in the Laboratory

Consecutive litter sizes of Microtus montanus are reported on the basis of 314 litters produced by 43 females in the laboratory. Irrespective of the age (subadult or adult) of females at mating, mean litter sizes increase from the first through the fifth litter. Then a decreasing trend ensues. Mean litter size of first litters in females that start breeding as subadults is 3.6, for those that start as adults—4.2. Mean litter size of fifth litters for subadults is 4.9, for adults 5.8. These differences between mean litter sizes of subadults and adults are statistically significant, indicating that in Microtus montanus litter size is affected by the age of the female at the onset of her reproductive activity. This observation on litter sizes is further supported by embryo counts collected from subadult and adult females in natural populations. The laboratory and field data are discussed in terms of their implications at the population level.
A dynamic programming approach for batch sizing in a multi-stage production process with random yields

Abstract This paper proposes a dynamic programming approach to modeling and determining batch sizes in a single period, multi-stage production process with random yields for each stage. To improve the computational performance of the proposed approach, a statistical bound is developed. A key decision incorporated into the model is whether to continue onto the next stage of processing or to scrap the entire current batch of product. This decision is based on the expected total profit from the remaining items for processing following the removal of all defectives. The decisions involving the locations of test stations after stages are also incorporated into the modeling approach.
Development of an embedded-atom potential for a bcc metal: Vanadium.

An empirical embedded-atom potential for a bcc metal (vanadium) has been developed by fitting the embedding function, electron density, and pair interaction to the lattice constant, cohesive energy, elastic constants, and vacancy-formation energy. This potential has been used to calculate vacancy and divacancy properties, interstitial properties, thermal expansion, bulk-phonon dispersion, surface relaxation, surface energy, and liquid volume; in all cases the calculations are in reasonable agreement with experiment.
Stimulus Dominance in Dichotic Listening

Twenty-four listeners received 20 dichotic-listening runs of natural stop-vowel syllables. Listeners marked two responses for each of 30 pairs of syllables per run, which yielded 480 pairs of responses for each of the 30 pairs of syllables. The principal analysis focused on "stimulus dominance" wherein a significantly higher score occurs for one of the competing syllables in a pair regardless of the ear to which that syllable is presented. With 30 pairs of syllables, there were 15 possible instances of stimulus dominance; 11 were observed. The voicing feature was contrasted for 9 of the 15 pairs. Seven of those pairs resulted in significantly higher scores (dominance) for the voiceless stop than for the voiced, one resulted in a higher score for the voiced member of the pair, and for one pair the scores for the two members were essentially the same. Stimulus dominance cannot, however, be characterized sufficiently as a dominance of voiceless over voiced stops; three of the six pairs in which voicing was s...
Primary Cilia and Dendritic Spines: Different but Similar Signaling Compartments

Primary non-motile cilia and dendritic spines are cellular compartments that are specialized to sense and transduce environmental cues and presynaptic signals, respectively. Despite their unique cellular roles, both compartments exhibit remarkable parallels in the general principles, as well as molecular mechanisms, by which their protein composition, membrane domain architecture, cellular interactions, and structural and functional plasticity are regulated. We compare and contrast the pathways required for the generation and function of cilia and dendritic spines, and suggest that insights from the study of one may inform investigations into the other of these critically important signaling structures.
Adaptive, global, extended Kalman filters for training feedforward neural networks

Finding methods for the optimization of weights in feedforward neural networks has become an ongoing developmental process in connectionist research. The current focus on finding new methods for the optimization of weights is mostly the result of the slow and unreliable convergence properties of the gradient descent optimization used in the original back-propagation algorithm. More accurate and computationally expensive second-order gradient methods have displaced earlier first-order gradient optimization of the network connection weights. The global, extended Kalman filter is among the most accurate and computationally expensive of these second-order weight optimization methods. The iterative, second-order nature of the filter results in a large number of calculations for each sweep of the training set. This can increase the training time dramatically when training is conducted with data sets that contain large numbers of training patterns. In this paper an adaptive variant of the global, extended Kalman filter that exhibits substantially improved convergence properties is presented and discussed. The adaptive mechanism permits more rapid convergence of network training by identifying data that contain redundant information and avoiding calculations based on this redundant information.
Advantages to Conversion of Lattice Heat Capacity to Cv in the Resolution of Excess Properties The Ln2S3's as an example

This paper represents a fitting (modeling) of the temperature dependence of the Komada-Westrum characteristic temperature for those γ-, δ- and e-phase lanthanide sesquisulfides for which the total heat capacities, including internal degrees of freedom (e.g., Schottky and magnetic contributions), were connected to the residue of only lattice vibrations yielding lattice heat-capacity contributions. These characteristic temperatures (θKW) at 298.15 K are seen to behave smoothly (nearly linearly) as a function of (cationic) atomic number within the region of stability of each phase as does the density. The trends between the phases also show some consistency but not predictability of one from the other.
Book Review: Your Natural Breasts: A Better Way to Augment, Reconstruct, and Correct Using Your Own Fat

Roger K. Khouri, Thomas M. Biggs Your Natural Breasts: A Better Way to Augment, Reconstruct, and Correct Using Your Own Fat. Tallahassee, FL: San Pedro Publishing; 2012. ISBN-10: 0615695809 Aesthetic Surgery Journal 's book review section generally focuses on scholarly works, but Your Natural Breasts: A Better Way to Augment, Reconstruct, and Correct Using Your Own Fat , while academic in scope and presentation, was written primarily for prospective patients of augmentation and reconstruction procedures rather than for medical professionals. Despite its intended readership, the book—an introduction to autologous fat grafting for breast enhancement or reconstruction—will be stimulating for clinicians interested in the topic of fat grafting. The authors of this book are 2 of the most widely recognized names in lipotransfer-based breast surgery. Dr Roger Khouri is an accomplished microsurgeon and reconstructive surgeon who educates physicians on the technology used for autologous and large-volume fat transfer. Dr Thomas Biggs is a pioneer in implant-based breast reconstruction, the former editor of several plastic surgery journals, and an advocate of international surgical education. The book's title tells prospective patients that they are the intended audience and prepares them to learn why Khouri and Biggs recommend this method of fat grafting over …
Inaccuracy of "personal best" peak expiratory flow rate reported by inner-city patients with acute asthma.

Percent predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF) is used to determine the severity of asthma exacerbation and the appropriateness of discharge from the emergency department (ED). The 1995 Global Initiative for Asthma and 1997 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines recommend using a patient's “personal best” PEF, if available, as a better measurement than the predicted PEF obtained from population-based nomograms. We evaluated the accuracy of personal best PEF as provided by inner-city ED patients with acute asthma. One hundred four patients with acute asthma agreed to return to the ED for repeat PEF measurements on days 3, 7, 12, 21, and 24 after their initial ED visits for acute asthma. At the ED visit, only 29% (30/104) of patients were able to report a personal best PEF. Over the 24 days of follow-up, 45% (10/22) of these patients had a measured PEF greater than their reported personal best. If a predicted PEF of at least 70% was used as the criterion for ED discharge, as several asthm...
Tectonic assembly of east-central Alaska: Evidence from Cretaceous–Tertiary sandstones of the Kandik River terrane

East-central Alaska is a tectonically significant region between parautochthonous North America and the Arctic Alaska terrane to the north. The tectonic evolution of the area is recorded in Late Jurassic to early Tertiary sedimentary rocks of the Kandik River terrane. Fine-grained clastic rocks deposited in the area from Late Jurassic to Valanginian time represent a continuation of the passive margin sequence that persisted since the late Precambrian on the nearby North American margin. A pulse of quartz arenites (sandstones in the uppermost Glenn Shale and the Keenan Quartzite) reflects Valanginian rift-shoulder uplift, marking initiation of crustal upwarping and thinning that would later lead to the opening of the Canada basin. Fine-grained turbidites interpreted as distal submarine fan deposits (Biederman Argillite), Valanginian to possibly as young as Aptian, were next deposited along the passive margin. These quartz wackes contain framework grains with the same continental source as the quartz arenites, but geochemical evidence points to arc detritus in the fine-grained (pelagic) intervals. Compressional tectonics began in the Aptian, and are recorded by arc-derived volcaniclastic turbidites (Kathul Graywacke) that were quickly overthrust, buried to depths of 5–8 km, then uplifted and eroded in the Late Cretaceous. These events record the accretion of a previously unreported island arc to the Porcupine and Kandik River terranes, followed by accretion of this complex to North America. A second orogenic event followed in the latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary, when extension, possibly associated with emplacement of Yukon-Tanana terrane along the Tintina fault to the south, produced a half graben (Nation River basin) and a pull-apart basin that were filled with litharenites derived from local sources (unit TKs). These deposits were broadly uplifted and warped in the middle Tertiary, probably by regional Laramide-age events. These results are significant in that they provide evidence for a previously unreported Aptian–Albian volcanic arc in east-central Alaska. In addition, comparison of sedimentation events in east-central Alaska with those recorded in the North Slope sequence of northern Alaska provides constraints on tectonic models for the evolution of northern Alaska.