cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermonuclear explosion of rotating massive stars could explain core-collapse supernovae

It is widely thought that core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), the explosions of massive stars following the collapse of the stars' iron cores, is obtained due to energy deposition by neutrinos. So far, this scenario was not demonstrated from first principles. Kushnir and Katz (2014) have recently shown, by using one-dimensional simulations, that if the neutrinos failed to explode the star, a thermonuclear explosion of the outer shells is possible for some (tuned) initial profiles. However, the energy released was small and negligible amounts of ejected $^{56}$Ni were obtained, implying that these one-dimensional collapse induced thermonuclear explosions (CITE) are unlikely to represent typical CCSNe. Here I provide evidence supporting a scenario in which the majority of CCSNe are the result of CITE. I use two-dimensional simulations to show that collapse of stars that include slowly (few percent of breakup) rotating $\sim0.1-10\,M_{\odot}$ shells of mixed helium-oxygen, leads to an ignition of a thermonuclear detonation wave that unbinds the stars' outer layers. Simulations of massive stars with different properties show that CITE is a robust process, and results in explosions with kinetic energies in the range of $10^{49}-10^{52}\,\textrm{erg}$, and $^{56}$Ni yields of up to $\sim\,M_{\odot}$, which are correlated, in agreement with observations for the majority of CCSNe. Stronger explosions are predicted from higher mass progenitors that leave more massive remnants, in contrast to the neutrino mechanism. Neutron stars are produced in weak ($\lt10^{51}\,\textrm{erg}$) explosions, while strong ($\gt10^{51}\,\textrm{erg}$) explosions leave black hole remnants.
A compositional approach to the stochastic dynamics of gene networks

We propose a compositional approach to the dynamics of gene regulatory networks based on the stochastic π-calculus, and develop a representation of gene network elements which can be used to build complex circuits in a transparent and efficient way. To demonstrate the power of the approach we apply it to several artificial networks, such as the repressilator and combinatorial gene circuits first studied in Combinatorial Synthesis of Genetic Networks [GEHL2002]. For two examples of the latter systems, we point out how the topology of the circuits and the interplay of the stochastic gate interactions influence the circuit behavior. Our approach may be useful for the testing of biological mechanisms proposed to explain the experimentally observed circuit dynamics.
DEVELOPMENT OF L-TYPE GROWTH IN NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE CULTURES

Dienes, Louis (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.), Bojana M. Bandur, and Sarabelle Madoff. Development of L-type growth in Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures. J. Bacteriol. 87:1471–1476. 1964.—Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (22) were studied immediately after isolation from patients. After 24 to 48 hr of incubation, the cocci in the cultures of several strains grew spontaneously into large bodies which later autolyzed. Usually, a secondary growth of cocci started in the autolyzed colonies. Microscopy of the cultures suggested that the cocci were reproduced inside the large bodies or that they originated from tiny L-type colonies. When exposed to penicillin or glycine, all viable cocci grew to large bodies, and after inoculation into the medium many large bodies started to produce L-type colonies. These usually remained small, but their morphology and growth properties corresponded to the early type of L growth. Typical L-type colonies with the usual appearance and structure were observed in two cases, but further cultivation in transfer was not successful.
Universal delta modulation receivers using the bit slice approach

The architecture of programmable processors is described, with particular reference to the design of a programmable delta-modulation decoder capable of receiving DM encoders employing different schemes. A switching receiver implementation, allowing communication between different DM algorithms, is designed and shown.
Increased utilization, verification, and clinical implications of immunocytochemistry: Experience in a northern New England hospital

Background We report our experience in utilization, verification, and clinical implications of antibodies for use in diagnostic immunocytochemistry (ICC). Methods A computer search identified cytology cases utilizing ICC and corresponding surgical pathology material. Alcohol-fixed liquid based cytology (LBC) specimens were generated from surgical pathology bench specimens. ICC on LBC and immunohistochemistry on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE) were performed in parallel for 71 commonly used antibodies. Cytology and corresponding surgical pathology reports were reviewed for all cases in which antibodies failed verification studies but had been used in the four years prior to implementation of our verification process. Results From 2007 to 2011, the number of cytology cases in which ICC was performed increased from 98 (or 5% of all non-Pap test/nonurine cytology cases in our laboratory) to 306 (or 15%). Verification studies revealed calretinin, CD5, c-kit/CD117, inhibin, napsin A, OCT 3/4, and PAX-5 to be nonreliable in LBC despite consistent immunoreactivity in concurrent IHC on surgical specimens. No antibodies were found to be immunoreactive on LBC but nonreactive on FFPE. No adverse clinical outcomes resulted from the use of nonverified antibodies. Conclusions Utilization of ICC at our institution has increased dramatically in recent years. Our verification process confirmed reliability in the majority of antibodies, but did identify several inconsistent antibodies. Although, in our series, no adverse clinical outcomes resulted from preverification use of these inconsistent antibodies, we encourage other institutions to confirm reliability of antibodies prior to use for diagnostic ICC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maternal Midpregnancy Glucose Levels and Risk of Congenital Heart Disease in Offspring

Importance There is a well-described association between maternal diabetes mellitus and risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring. Although the clinical diagnoses of type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes are strong risk factors for CHD, subclinical abnormalities of glucose and insulin metabolism are common within the general population and could also confer risk for CHD. We hypothesize that continuous measures of blood analytes related to maternal diabetes are related to odds of cardiac malformations. Objective To explore the potential association of 2 different CHD phenotypes in offspring with maternal midpregnancy measures of glucose and insulin. Design, Setting, and Participants Case-control study from a population-based cohort of 277 pregnant women in southern and central California carrying infants with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (n = 55), dextrotransposition of the great arteries (dTGA) (n = 42), or healthy infants without CHD (n = 180). Serum samples were collected from 2003 through 2007. The analysis was conducted from March through June 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Blood analytes related to maternal glucose metabolism were measured from random nonfasting second-trimester blood samples. We measured serum insulin levels by a validated radioimmunoassay, and we measured glucose levels. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between these levels and case status. Results Serum glucose values were elevated in the maternal samples for offspring with TOF (median, 97.0 mg/dL [to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0555]) relative to controls (median, 91.5 mg/dL) ( P = .01, Wilcoxon rank sum test), a phenomenon not observed in the maternal samples for offspring with dTGA (median, 90.0 mg/dL) relative to controls ( P = .18, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Serum insulin levels were significantly different between controls (median, 18.8 μIU/mL [to convert to picomoles per liter, multiply by 6.945]) and maternal samples for offspring with dTGA (median, 13.1 μIU/mL; P = .048, Wilcoxon rank sum test) but not with TOF (median, 14.3 μIU/mL; P = .35, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Relative to maternal blood glucose levels of infants without cardiac malformations, we observed that maternal blood glucose levels in models including insulin were strongly associated with odds of TOF (adjusted odds ratio = 7.54; 95% CI, 2.30-24.69) but not with dTGA (adjusted odds ratio = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.28-4.79). Conclusions and Relevance These results represent a direct correlation of glucose as a continuous variable to odds of specific cardiac malformations. The association between serum glucose and odds of TOF indicates the need for additional epidemiological and mechanistic investigations into the risk conferred by insulin signaling and glucose metabolism during early pregnancy.
A differential detector for an ultra-wideband communications system

Systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology have been shown to achieve very high data rates (100 Mbps and above) for short-range, indoor applications. UWB signals exhibit a number of performance advantages in terms of multipath resolution and fading reduction. However, UWB systems can also exhibit significant implementation complexity in timing, synchronization, and signal correlation. This paper presents a differential detector that "rakes" in some of the multipath energy, while relaxing some of the stringent implementation requirements. We analyze the performance and the implementation of the differential detector, and compare it to a "RAKE" receiver with a correlator detector in the presence of AWGN and multipath.
Biliverdin reductase activity in cattle, sheep, rabbits and rats

Abstract 1. 1. Biliverdin reductase (BVR) activity was measured in post-microsomal supernatants of livers of cattle, sheep, rabbits and rats. BVR activities in bovine and ovine livers were 4.7 and 5.0%, respectively, of rat liver activity. 2. 2. The finding of BVR activity in ruminants is in contrast to a previous report and may be due to the use of a different assay system. 3. 3. Lapine liver had the lowest BVR activity of only 0.37% of rat liver activity. 4. 4. Increasing the available heme by phenylhydrazine administration did not induce increased hepatic or splenic BVR activity in rabbits. 5. 5. Maximal BVR activities were attained using NADPH as cofactor at pH 8.7 in sheep and rabbits and at pH 8.4 in cattle. 6. 6. Differing concentrations of bovine or human albumins enhanced or inhibited BVR activity quite differently in the various species. 7. 7. The finding of a very low, but measurable BVR activity in lapine liver and spleen may explain, in part, why rabbits, unlike rats, cattle and sheep, excrete primarily biliverdin (70%) into bile.
An improved separability approximation for line radiative transport in nonhomogeneous media

A simple modification to the constant half-width approximation of Wilson and Greif, which is an extension of the well-known Curtis-Godson method to the treatment of temperature variations along the integration path, is introduced which permits a more accurate evaluation of line radiative transport in nonhomogeneous gases. To demonstrate the method's accuracy, comparisons are made with Wilson and Greif and numerical frequency integrated results for the line equivalent width and radiative flux in a planar slab with prescribed Planck function and line half-width spatial variations. These variations are chosen to represent typical shock layer conditions. It is found that the modified procedure reduces the inaccuracies inherent in Wilson and Greif's approximation by factors ranging from 5 to 10, while retaining the latter method's ease of application.
Over-the-horizon Ka band radio wave propagation studies in the coastal South Australian Spencer Gulf region

Anomalous propagation of microwave and mmW (millimetre Wave) radiation in the surface boundary layer due to the changing gradients in the refractivity height profile surface can significantly enhance, or degrade, the performance of mmW radio receiver systems. Although propagation under anomalous conditions has been modeled, the dependence of accurate refractivity profiling on pressure temperature and moisture means that the validation of models relies on coordinating measurement of these parameters with tropospheric radio link and radar experiments. A height-distributed multi-element transmit-receive 35 GHz CW carrier radio link over 26 km has been built and operated in trials in the Spencer Gulf concurrently with atmospheric refractivity profiling instrumentation that provides a full description of the tropospheric conditions over the air/sea interface. This paper describes an analysis of received signal strengths associated with a low-height evaporative ducting structure that was present during a daytime recording period. Modeling of the observed reception has been conducted with a parabolic equation approach. Radio wave reception measurements at heights above the sea surface ducting structure are consistent with the presence of a stable refractivity profile.
Tree Root Intrusion in Sewer Systems: Review of Extent and Costs

Interference between trees and sewer systems is likely to occur in old systems and in cracked pipes. Factors that contribute to damage include old pipes with joints, shallow pipes, small-dimension pipes, and fast-growing tree species. Because roots are reported to cause >50% of all sewer blockages, costs associated with root removal from sewers is substantial. In smaller-dimension pipes, root removal every year or every other year is common. Major resources are put into replacement and renewal of existing pipes, which is sometimes accelerated because of root intrusion. Collapse repair costs are the most expensive and repair costs are greater than new construction. Major breaks and stoppages seem to occur more frequently in older sewer systems, and cost associated with root removal may be one-sixth the cost of pipe replacement/renewal due to roots. Therefore, it seems worthwhile to carry out preventative maintenance of the older parts of the sewer system.
The California active aging community grant program: translating science into practice to promote physical activity in older adults.

Background: Attempts to study the translation of evidence-based physical activity interventions in community settings are scarce.Purpose: This project was an investigation of whether 13 diverse local lead agencies could effectively implement a choice-based, telephone-assisted physical activity promotion program for older adults based on intervention models proven efficacious in research settings.Methods: At baseline, participants developed their own physical activity programs through an individualized planning session based on preference, health status, readiness to change, and available community resources. Thereafter, participants received regular telephone calls over a 1-year period from a trained staff member or volunteer support buddy. Additional program components consisted of health education workshops, newsletters, and group-based physical activities. Self-report data on caloric expenditure due to all and moderate or greater intensity physical activities were collected from 447 participants (M age = 68 ± 8.6 years).Results: A significant increase (p ≤ .0001) from baseline to midintervention and intervention endpoint was observed for total weekly caloric expenditure (Mdn change = 644–707 kcal/week) and moderate or greater weekly caloric expenditure (Mdn change = 149–265 kcal/week), as well as for weekly physical activity duration and frequency. These changes were observed in participants across all sites.Conclusions: The increases in weekly caloric expenditure were commensurate with findings from several previous randomized clinical trials. The utilization of community agency staff and volunteers receiving basic training to implement essential program components proved feasible. Very favorable levels of program satisfaction expressed by community staff, volunteer support buddies, and participants, combined with the significant increases in physical activity, warrant further dissemination of the intervention model.
Design and operation of a thermal sensor with micrometer-spatial resolution

We have developed a simple superconducting thin film device that can be used as either a thermometer or a thermal conductivity sensor. Over a narrow range the device has somewhat better temperature resolution than a conventional germanium thermometer, but its main advantage is that it has very high spatial resolution. The fabrication and operation of the device are described, together with preliminary results of experiments in which it is used to study liquid4He very nearTλ. Potential improvements are also discussed.
Cervical incompetence in multiple gestations

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and timing of cervical incompetence in multiple gestations. Materials and Methods: Our perinatal database was queried for all multiple gestations delivered at Evanston Hospital from December 1995 through August 2000. This list was then crossmatched with billing and medical records for ‘incompetent cervix‘ and ‘cerclage placement.‘ The medical records of all deliveries at 26 weeks of gestation or earlier were reviewed in order to find out whether cervical incompetence was responsible for the preterm delivery. Results: There were 730 deliveries of multiple gestations greater than or equal to 14 weeks over a 57-month period. The number of patients who underwent cerclage placement was 23 (3.2%). The mean gestational age (GA) at cerclage placement was 18.6 ± 4.5 weeks (range 11–24.6). Eight cerclage placements were elective or prophylactic, whereas 15 were ‘urgent‘ or ‘emergent.‘ The mean GA for the 15 emergent cases was 21.4 ± 2.2 weeks (range 17–24.6). When patients who underwent cerclage placement were compared with patients who did not undergo cerclage placement, there was no difference in maternal demographics, including age, parity, previous full-term deliveries, or number of fetuses. There was a significant difference in the GA at delivery for the cerclage versus no-cerclage group: 29.3 ± 5.6 versus 34.4 ± 4.6 weeks, respectively, and in the frequency of losses at 26 weeks or earlier: 8/23 (38%) versus 48/707 (6.8%), P = <0.001. Six of the losses in the no-cerclage group appeared consistent with incompetent cervix, for a 4% rate of cervical incompetence (29/730) in our multiple-gestation population. Conclusion: The relatively low incidence of cervical incompetence in our multiple gestations does not justify prophylactic cervical cerclage placement. Expectant management with serial cervical examinations starting at 16–18 weeks of gestation appears more prudent.
Restricted use of T cell receptor V genes in murine autoimmune encephalomyelitis raises possibilities for antibody therapy

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a paralytic autoimmune disease induced in susceptible animals by active immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) or by passive transfer of MBP-specific T helper (TH) lymphocytes. We have analyzed the T cell receptor genes of 33 clonally distinct TH cells specific for a nonapeptide of MBP inducing EAE in B10.PL (H-2u) mice. All 33 TH cells used two alpha variable gene segments (V alpha 2.3, 61%; V alpha 4.2, 39%), the same alpha joining gene segment (J alpha 39), and two V beta and J beta gene segments (V beta 8.2-J beta 2.6, 79%; V beta 13-J beta 2.2, 21%). The anti-V beta 8 monoclonal antibody F23.1 was found to block completely recognition of the nonapeptide by V beta 8 TH cells in vitro and to reduce significantly the susceptibility of B10.PL mice to peptide-induced EAE.
Successful non-surgical treatment of disseminated polymicrobial fungal infection in a patient with pancytopenia and graft-versus-host disease.

Invasive fungal infections after bone marrow transplantation have an extremely poor prognosis. Surgical excision in combination with antifungal therapy is considered necessary for treatment, especially for central nervous system (CNS) infection. We describe successful medical management with lipid complex amphotericin B (ABLC) and itraconazole, without surgical excision, of disseminated fungal infection involving the lungs and CNS in a patient with pancytopenia and graft-versus-host disease.
Smectic liquid crystals in anisotropic colloidal silica gels

We report x-ray scattering studies of the smectic liquid crystal octylcyano-biphenol (8CB) confined by strained colloidal silica gels. The gels, comprised of aerosil particles, possess an anisotropic structure that stabilizes long-range nematic order in the liquid crystal while introducing random field effects that disrupt the smectic transition. The short-range smectic correlations that form within this environment are inconsistent with the presence of a topologically ordered state predicted for 3D random field XY systems and are quantitatively like the correlations of smectics confined by isotropic gels. Detailed analysis reveals that the quenched disorder suppresses the anisotropic scaling of the smectic correlation lengths observed in the pure liquid crystal. These results and additional measurements of the smectic-A to smectic-C transition in 4-n-pentylphenylthiol--n-octyloxybenzoate () indicate that the observed smectic behaviour is dictated by random fields coupling directly to the smectic order while fields coupling to the nematic director play a subordinate role.
A sea urchin gene encodes a polypeptide homologous to epidermal growth factor

A sea urchin DNA clone complementary to an embryonic messenger RNA whose protein product bears striking homology to the epidermal growth factor family of proteins has been identified and characterized. The structure of the protein is similar to that of previously identified regulatory genes in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis. RNA gel blot hybridization showed a unique temporal pattern of expression of this gene during embryogenesis and transcript enrichment in the embryonic ectoderm. These results suggest that this member of the epidermal growth factor gene family plays a role in early development decisions in sea urchin embryos.
Microstructural Study of GaN Grown on Sapphire by MOCVD

Cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to probe dislocation density and crystallographic orientation relationships in epitaxial GaN layers grown on (0001) sapphire substrates. These Metallo-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposited (MOCVD) structures contained a 200 A A1N buffer layer. Previous studies 1 have incorporated 500 A (or thicker) A1N buffer layers. It was found that thinner A1N buffer layers may be used without deterioration of GaN crystal quality. Threading dislocation density of ~10 8 #/cm 2 was estimated from bright field micrographs. The relative crystallographic orientations of the substrate and epi-layers was determined by comparing real and simulated electron diffraction patterns. This revealed a 30° ‘twist’ between the basal plane of the sapphire substrate and the AlN/GaN epilayers. XTEM including High Resolution TEM (HRTEM) and HRTEM image simulations are presented.
Reactivity of Commercial Benzodiazepine Immunoassays to Phenazepam

Phenazepam is a long acting benzodiazepine that is not controlled in Canada, the United States or many European countries. The abuse of phenazepam has gained recent attention due to the number of hospitalizations and fatalities resulting from overdose. The compound is relatively potent with recommended doses of 0.5-1.0 mg, or 1/10th the recommended dose of diazepam, and is easy to obtain locally or from international suppliers via the internet. Increased risk of phenazepam overdose is attributed to its potency and the forms in which it is supplied. Individuals without scales or balances are prone to estimate dose amounts of powder visually, which can result in significant errors. The detection of phenazepam has been described using various methods including GC, GC/MS and LC/MS, but no data regarding the sensitivity of commercially available immunoassays exist. In this study, phenazepam-spiked urine samples were analyzed using five commercial instruments and two point of care devices. The concentrations of phenazepam required for detection ranged from 140-462 ng/mL, which is comparable to those of other benzodiazepines. Laboratorians and clinicians should be confident that phenazepam will be detected via most commercial drugs of abuse screens in patients after significant ingestion.
State Reaction to Globalization, a Class Centered Analysis: The Case of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago

This paper seeks to compare the reactions of two states to the process of globalization: (1) Barbados and (2) Trinidad and Tobago. The major contention is that state reaction to the process of glob...
Fiber-Optic Sensors for Composite Cure Analysis and Lifetime Nondestructive Evaluation

A proposed multiplexed fiber-optic sensor system capable of analyzing a composite material during its curing cycle and over its service lifetime is presented. The sensor is composed of two independent sensing schemes that will ultimately be multiplexed onto a specialized single-mode/multimode optical fiber. The first sensing scheme is a fiber-optic viscosity and temperature sensor used for composite cure analyses. This sensor is based on (1) the laser-induced viscosity-dependent fluorescence phenomena observed in epoxy-based composite materials and (2) the temperature-dependent decay-time fluorescence phenomena observed in thermographic phosphors. The second sensor is based on a low-finesse, single-mode fiber-optic Fabry-Perot interferometer and is used as a strain/vibration sensor for lifetime nondestructive evaluations on composites. Experimental results have determined that these sensor concepts are feasible alternatives to cure-analysis monitors and conventional strain-analysis techniques.A proposed multiplexed fiber-optic sensor system capable of analyzing a composite material during its curing cycle and over its service lifetime is presented. The sensor is composed of two independent sensing schemes that will ultimately be multiplexed onto a specialized single-mode/multimode optical fiber. The first sensing scheme is a fiber-optic viscosity and temperature sensor used for composite cure analyses. This sensor is based on (1) the laser-induced viscosity-dependent fluorescence phenomena observed in epoxy-based composite materials and (2) the temperature-dependent decay-time fluorescence phenomena observed in thermographic phosphors. The second sensor is based on a low-finesse, single-mode fiber-optic Fabry-Perot interferometer and is used as a strain/vibration sensor for lifetime nondestructive evaluations on composites. Experimental results have determined that these sensor concepts are feasible alternatives to cure-analysis monitors and conventional strain-analysis techniques.
Polarization potentials causing pacemaker oversensing.

Pacemaker oversensing with inappropriate inhibition is commonly caused by sensing of either T-waves or polarization potentials, which are difficult to distinguish from one another. Decisive evidence, obtained from telemetered electrograms and subthreshold pacing, is presented to support sensing of the polarization potential alone and the exclusion of the T-wave as the cause of oversensing in a patient. (Jpn Circ J 1998; 62: 868 - 870)
Surrogate consent by family members for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest research.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the availability of family members of potential subjects to provide consent for participation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) research and to estimate the time required to contact a family member. METHODS This study was a prospective observational study of adult patients (>18 years old) with nontraumatic OOHCA treated by an urban emergency medical service. Emergency medicine resident physicians responded to each scene and noted the presence of family members. A subsequent convenience sample of family members answered standardized questions about their ability to provide consent for research participation on behalf of the patient. RESULTS Physicians were present at 100 of the 112 adult medical cardiac arrests during the study period. A family member was present at 57% of the scenes (95% CI = 47% to 67%). Patients with family present were older and were less likely to have bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or live in a nursing home. The mean time (+/-SE) from emergency dispatch to family contact was 24.40 (+/-2.60) minutes and from physician arrival to family contact was 2.45 (+/-0.87) minutes (n = 20). Eight of 13 family members were willing to enroll the patient into a resuscitation study, but five family members were unable to understand the explanation of informed consent. CONCLUSIONS Family members were present for an unrepresentative subset of OOHCA cases, and were contacted after the therapeutic window for many interventions. The emotional nature of the emergency situation also limited the reliability of surrogate consent for OOHCA research.
Behavioral architecture of opioid reward and aversion in C57BL/6 substrains

Drug liking versus drug disliking is a subjective motivational measure in humans that assesses the addiction liability of drugs. Variation in this trait is hypothesized to influence vulnerability versus resilience toward substance abuse disorders and likely contains a genetic component. In rodents and humans, conditioned place preference (CPP) / aversion (CPA) is a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm whereby a learned preference for the drug-paired environment is used to infer drug liking whereas a learned avoidance or aversion is used to infer drug disliking. C57BL/6 inbred mouse substrains are nearly genetically identical, yet demonstrate robust differences in addiction-relevant behaviors, including locomotor sensitization to cocaine and consumption of ethanol. Here, we tested the hypothesis that B6 substrains would demonstrate differences in the rewarding properties of the mu opioid receptor agonist oxycodone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and the aversive properties of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone (4 mg/kg, i.p.). Both substrains showed similar degrees of oxycodone-induced CPP; however, there was a three-fold enhancement of naloxone-induced CPA in agonist-naive C57BL/6J relative to C57Bl/6NJ mice. Exploratory factor analysis of CPP and CPA identified unique factors that explain variance in behavioral expression of reward versus aversion. “Conditioned Opioid-Like Behavior” was a reward-based factor whereby drug-free locomotor variables resembling opioid treatment co-varied with the degree of CPP. “Avoidance and Freezing” was an aversion-based factor, whereby the increase in the number of freezing bouts co-varied with the degree of aversion. These results provide new insight into the behavioral architecture of the motivational properties of opioids. Future studies will use quantitative trait locus mapping in B6 substrains to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to the marked strain difference in NAL-CPA.
SUPERCONDUCTING CRITICAL FIELD OF TANTALUM AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

The results of precise critical field measurements on tantalum samples which show "soft" superconducting behavior are given along with direct measurements of the pressure effect, ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{H}_{c}}{\ensuremath{\partial}P})}_{T}$, as a function of temperature. The Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory is used as a guide in the extrapolation of these data to absolute zero from 1.1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The advantages of using an ${H}^{2}$ vs ${T}^{2}$ representation for both the critical-field and pressure-effect data are discussed, and it is shown that if both sets of data can be represented in terms of power series [${H}^{2}$ or ${(\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{{H}_{c}}^{2}}{\ensuremath{\partial}P})}_{T}$ vs ${T}^{2}$] over a limited range of temperature, it is then possible to write down explicit power series expressions for the differences in the thermodynamic functions between the normal and superconducting states over this same temperature range. The electronic contributions to the specific heats and the thermal expansions for tantalum are calculated from the experimental data.
Primary pulmonary hypertension. Responses to indomethacin, terbutaline, and isoproterenol

Primary pulmonary hypertension remains a difficult therapeutic problem. Sublingual isoproterenol (Isuprel) has been effective in a few cases but the every-two-hour dosage schedule is inconvenient on a long-term basis. A case of primary pulmonary hypertension is described in which terbutaline sulfate and indomethacin were given a trial. There was no sustained response to terbutaline but there seemed to be a response to indomethacin and isoproterenol.
Out Lesbians in Nursing: What Would Florence Say?

Research and education on lesbian health has increased substantially in quantity and quality in the past 40 years, but little of this work has been produced by nursing scholars. We began our academic nursing careers as out lesbian faculty at the same college of nursing in the late 1980s, where we collaborated on the earliest studies of attitudes about lesbians in the nursing profession. Our paths diverged in the early 1990s, but we shared similar experiences in nursing education that highlight the structural and attitudinal barriers within nursing that have inhibited lesbian health studies. The deeply imbedded lesbian phobia within nursing has historic roots that plague contemporary research, education, and practice. In this article, we discuss the inclusion of lesbian health in nursing, share some of our personal stories about the obstacles we encountered, and end with suggestions for changing this stifling climate for future generations of lesbian health scholars.
A new high-pressure recycle-flow calorimeter and results of determinations with ethane

Abstract A new recycle-flow calorimeter is described with which the thermodynamic properties of fluids can be determined between pressures of 2 to 20 MPa and temperatures of 90 to 400 K. Precise control of both flowrate and pressure is provided by dual precision metering pumps. Details are presented on a new calorimeter which incorporates several innovations. Heat losses from this calorimeter are reduced by a novel shielding arrangement and were shown to be less than the experimental precision of ± 0.1 per cent. The calorimeter can be operated in either the isobaric or the throttling mode. The results of experimental determinations around the critical point of ethane are described. Enthalpies of vaporization and heat capacities were obtained by operating in the isobaric mode. Determinations in the throttling mode yielded isothermal throttling coefficients and Joule-Thomson coefficients. Analysis of these results showed that the thermodynamic consistency of the enthalpies in the isobaric and isothermal mode is better than 0.1 per cent, and that of the derived values of properties is 0.4 per cent or better.
Understanding the key mechanisms of tropical forest responses to canopy loss and biomass deposition from experimental hurricane effects

To date, it is not clear which are the factors that most influence tropical forest recovery from hurricanes. Increased canopy openness and increased detritus (debris) deposition are two of the most likely factors, but due to their simultaneous occurrence during a hurricane, their relative effects cannot be separated without a manipulative experiment. Hence, in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) of Puerto Rico, the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTER) has undertaken experimental manipulations in replicated 30 30 m plots to simulate the major effects of hurricane disturbance–increased canopy openness and debris addition to the forest floor. Using a factorial experiment enabled investigation of the separate and combined effects of canopy opening and debris on this wet tropical forest; the experimental outcomes may help direct forest management decisions in similar disturbance-prone environments. In this first article of the special issue, we (1) provide details of the design and methodology for this manipulative experiment (the Canopy Trimming Experiment, CTE), (2) report some principal abiotic responses to treatments, and (3) introduce the subject areas of the 12 additional CTE manuscripts in this special issue. The physical conditions created by canopy and understory treatment and the amounts of debris added to CTE plots were similar to the LEF’s conditions following Hurricane Hugo (a category 4 storm) in 1989; although more wood and a 37% (1.5 cm) deeper litter layer was present in the CTE. Our selective cutting and removal of the forest canopy above 3 m, which included trimming 234 palm trees and 342 non-palm trees, greatly altered the understory micro-environment by increasing light levels and decreasing litter moisture for 18 months; throughfall and soil moisture were elevated in trim plots for 3 months. In plots where the canopy was trimmed and the debris (6 kg m 2 ) was added to the forest floor, the canopy debris persisted on the forest floor for at least 4 years; debris decomposed more quickly in plots with intact canopies. The diverse collection of papers in this special issue provide mechanistic understandings of response patterns of tropical forest biota (microbes, plants, animals) and processes (decomposition, herbivory, nutrient cycling, primary production) to canopy and understory disturbance that resembles a major (Pcategory 3) hurricane. Although measurements for this experiment are ongoing to further identify the mechanisms of long-term forest change resulting from hurricanes, we include findings up to the first seven years post-treatment at this time. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Pasteurella multocida as a cause of subdural empyema

Summary A case of subdural empyema caused by Pasteurella multocida is reported. The infection occurred following ethmoidectomy and removal of nasal polypi. This is the fifth case of central nervous system abscess caused by this organism. The possible role of animal contact is discussed.
Exponential Mixture Representation of Geometric Stable Distributions

We show that every strictly geometric stable (GS) random variable can be represented as a product of an exponentially distributed random variable and an independent random variable with an explicit density and distribution function. An immediate application of the representation is a straightforward simulation method of GS random variables. Our result generalizes previous representations for the special cases of Mittag-Leffler and symmetric Linnik distributions.
Numerical simulation of axisymmetric turbulent flow in combustors and diffusers

Numerical studies of turbulent flow in an axisymmetric 45-deg-expansion combustor and bifurcated diffuser are presented. The Navier-Stokes equations incorporating a k-epsilon model were solved in a nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. A zonal-grid method, where the flow field was divided into several subsections, was developed. This approach permitted different computational schemes to be used in the various zones. In addition, grid generation was made a more simple task. Boundary overlap and interpolating techniques were used, and an adjustment of the flow variables was required to assure conservation of mass flux. Three finite-differencing methods (hybrid, quadratic upwind, and skew upwind) were used to represent the convection terms. Results were compared with existing experimental data. In general, good agreement between predicted and measured values was obtained.
Recognition using wavelets for use with a mobile robot explorer

In this paper, we describe a wavelet-based vision system created to detect unexploded ordnances (UXOs). This system was created to test whether or not a vision system could be a useful component on a mobile robot platform whose purpose is the exploration of possibly unknown environments for the detection of UXOs. As a first phase, we describe here, the extraction of relatively simple features in the wavelet domain. We capitalize upon the fact that the wavelet domain is multiresolutional in nature, and compactly represents local frequency information in the feature extraction phase. These features are used in a neural network system for the purpose of recognition. Results show that these features perform well for localization, but, suggest additional features are needed for identification. This work compliments other ongoing research in UXO detection at the Naval PostGraduate School. In the past, magnetometer readings have been used for underground UXO detection. A possible avenue of future research is to create a multi- sensor system using visual, magnetometer and possibly other data to arrive at better decisions.
On robust and efficient estimation of the center of symmetry

In this article, a class of estimators of the center of symmetry based on the empirical characteristic function is examined. In the spirit of the Hodges-Lehmann estimator, the resulting procedures are shown to be a function of the pairwise averages. The proposed procedures are also shown to have an equivalent representation as the minimizers of certain distances between two corresponding kernel density estimators. An alternative characterization of the Hodges-Lehmann estimator is established upon the use of a particularly simple choice of kernel.
Effects of γ-acetylenic GABA and γ-vinyl GABA on electrically-induced spinal cord convulsions and on spinal cord GABA concentration

Abstract The effects of γ-acetylenic GABA and γ-vinyl GABA on electrically-induced spinal cord convulsions were compared to the effects of these same drugs on spinal cord GABA concentration. The data show that the effects of these two compounds on seizure activity do not correlate either positively or negatively with changes in GABA concentration. Although both drugs produced marked increases in the amount of GABA in the spinal cord, their effects on spinal cord convulsions were qualitatively different and failed to correlate temporally with alterations in GABA concentration.
Arp2/3 complex function in the epidermis

An exciting frontier in biology is understanding the functions of basic cell biological machinery in complex tissues. This approach is expected to uncover novel modes of regulation as well as reveal how core machinery is repurposed by different tissues to accomplish different physiological outputs. F-actin plays roles in cell shape, adhesion, migration and signaling – diverse functions that require a specific organization established by a myriad of regulators. Here, we discuss the role of the actin nucleating Arp2/3 complex and the unexpected roles that it plays in a stratified epithelial tissue, the epidermis. While many expected phenotypes such as defects in architecture and cell adhesion were lacking, loss of the Arp2/3 complex activity resulted in epidermal barrier and differentiation defects. This teaches us that, while informative, cell culture approaches are limiting and that studies of the Arp2/3 complex in diverse tissues are expected to yield many more surprises.
In situ ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering study of the solution-mediated formation and growth of nanocrystalline ceria

Results are presented for an in situ synchrotron-based ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) study of the solution-mediated formation and growth of nanocrystalline ceria (n-CeO2) using a new remote-controlled, isothermal, circulating fluid flow cell. The fluid flow mitigates or reduces X-ray beam-induced damage, air bubbles or particulate flocculation within the bulk solution, but prevents any coarse particulates that do form from settling out from suspension. Combined with the large-scale range accessible in USAXS studies, the flow cell has enabled measurement, in situ and in real time, of structural characteristics from 10 A to a few micrometres in size as a function of the changing physical and chemical conditions. By applying a multi-component model, the nanoparticle formation and growth component has been identified. Control and online monitoring of flow rate, temperature and pH suspension conditions have permitted real-time studies of the formation and growth of the individual n-CeO2 particles from homogeneous dilute solution over several hours. Aspects of the nanoparticle nucleation and growth are revealed that have not been observed directly in measurements on this system.
Calculation of molecular g-tensors using the zeroth-order regular approximation and density functional theory: expectation value versus linear response approaches

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of molecular g-tensors were implemented as a second derivative property within the two-component relativistic zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA). g-tensors were computed for systems ranging from light atomic radicals to molecules with heavy d and f block elements. For comparison, computations were also performed with a ZORA first-order derivative approach and with a second derivative method based on the Pauli Hamiltonian. In each set of computations, Slater-type basis sets have been used. The new ZORA implementation allows for non-hybrid and hybrid DFT calculations. A comparison of the PBE non-hybrid and the PBE0 hybrid functional yielded mixed results for our test set. For the lanthanide complex $$[\hbox{Ce}(\hbox{DPA})_3]^{3-}$$ (DPA = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate), calculations of the g-tensor were used to estimate paramagnetic NMR pseudocontact shifts for protons and carbon atoms in the ligands. The results are in reasonable agreement with experimental data.
Acute primary HIV infection.

CASE PRESENTATIONS Patient 1 A 31-year-old bisexual man presented to the Johns Hopkins Hospital emergency department complaining of progressive headaches, confusion, myalgia, vivid nightmares, and diarrhea. For many years he had traveled extensively throughout sub-Saharan Africa and had recently spent 2 years in Madagascar. He had returned to the United States 1 month before admission. Once home, he developed diffuse myalgia and malaise. Stool analysis showed hookworm andEntamoeba histolytica, and he was treated with mebendazole and metronidazole 1 week before admission. During that week, he developed flulike symptoms of fever, chills, cough, and persistent diarrhea. Three days before admission, he developed a stiff neck, headaches, confusion, and vivid nightmares. His medical history included an inguinal hernia repair 12 years before admission and hepatitis A infection 7 years before admission. For the past 2 years, he had taken prophylactic chloroquine against malaria. Within the past 6 months, he had been
Synthesis of α-crystallin by a cell line derived from the lens of a transgenic animal

Cultured cells derived from transgenic animals have not generally been utilized to investigate questions in cell biology; however, to study the properties of proteins from the lens of the eye, a cell line which synthesizes α-crystallin was established from a transgenic mouse. All the α-crystallins, αA, αB, and alnsert, accumulate in the cell line. The α-crystallin, 1.6% of the cellular protein, is found in large molecular weight aggregates similar to the aggregates found in the normal mouse lens. The α-crystallins in the lens cells correspond exactly to both the unmodified and the phosphorylated α-crystallins found in the lens of the mouse, suggesting that some post-translational modification of the mouse α-crystallin may be important to the structure of this protein.