cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metal resistance of refractories with plasma coatings

On etudie la resistance au metal fondu de refractaires alumine-carbure de silicium sur lesquels on a applique un revetement de magnesie ou d'alumine par projection dans un plasma. Le revetement d'alumine accroit notablement la resistance au metal fondu
Immersive Virtual Reality for Reducing Experimental Ischemic Pain

This study explored the novel use of immersive virtual environments as a nonpharmacologic pain control technique and whether it works for both men and women. Fourteen female and 8 male students underwent pain induced via a blood pressure cuff ischemia lasting 10 min or less. Pain ratings increased significantly every 2 min during the no distraction phase (0 to 8 min) and dropped dramatically during the last 2 min period when participants were in the virtual environment (a 59% drop for women and a 41% drop for men). Five visual analog pain scores for each treatment condition served as the primary dependent variables. All 22 participants reported a drop in pain in the virtual environment, and the magnitude of pain reduction from the virtual environment was large (a 52% drop) and statistically significant. This is the first study to show immersive virtual environment distraction is also effective for women. The results show that virtual environments can function as a strong nonpharmacologic pain reduction te...
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in pediatric liver transplantation : Interplay between primary Epstein-Barr virus infection and immunosuppression

The incidence, risk factors, and outcome of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) were examined for 298 children undergoing liver transplantation. The overall incidence of PTLD was 8.4% (25 of 298). Intensity of immunosuppression was found to be a major risk factor for the development of PTLD. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus when used as primary immunosuppression were associated with the development of PTLD in 4.3% and 6.6% of cases (P=NS). OKT3 and tacrolimus, when used as rescue therapy for steroid-resistant rejection, were associated with a comparable increase in the risk of developing PTLD (10.9% and 11.1%, P=NS). Patients requiring both OKT3 and tacrolimus to treat refractory rejection were at significantly increased risk for PTLD (28.1% vs. 4.3% or 6.6%, P<0.0001). PTLD was more common in patients who received transplants for Langerhans cell histiocytosis relative to other indications for transplantation (66% vs. 8.4%, P=0.0005). The data also support an association between primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections following transplantation and the development of PTLD. While only three patients were EBV seropositive before transplantation (14%), 19 patients were EBV seropositive at the time of diagnosis of PTLD (90%), confirming a high incidence of primary EBV infections in patients with PTLD (21 patients had both pre- and posttransplant EBV serologies). In this series, PTLD was associated with a mortality rate of 60%, and 12 of the 15 patients who died had persistent tumor at the time of death. Five of the 13 patients rendered disease-free developed ductopenic rejection. Of the four with severe liver dysfunction, two have undergone successful retransplantation and are alive without evidence of PTLD. In conclusion, intense immunosuppression using OKT3 and tacrolimus as rescue agents was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of PTLD. Primary EBV infection after transplantation further accentuated this risk. Independent of these risk factors, patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis were at significantly increased risk for PTLD. The identification of high-risk patients should allow the development of protocols to screen patients for primary EBV infections and early indications of PTLD, as well as the institution of preemptive antiviral and antitumor therapies.
Frequency of Antibiotic Coverage and Elimination of Blinding Trachoma

JAMA Comparison of Annual and Biannual Mass Antibiotic Administration for Elimination of Infectious Trachoma Muluken Melese, MD, MPH; Wondu Alemayehu, MD, MPH; Takele Lakew, MD, MPH; Elizabeth Yi, MPH; Jenafir House, MPH, MSW; Jaya D. Chidambaram, MBBS; Zhaoxia Zhou, BA; Vicky Cevallos, MT; Kathryn Ray, MA; Kevin Cyrus Hong, BA; Travis C. Porco, PhD, MPH; Isabella Phan, MD; Ali Zaidi, MD; Bruce D. Gaynor, MD; John P. Whitcher, MD, MPH; Thomas M. Lietman, MD Context: Treatment recommendations assume that repeated mass antibiotic distributions can control, but not eradicate or even locally eliminate, the ocular strains of chlamydia that cause trachoma. Elimination may be an important end point because of concern that infection will return to communities that have lost immunity to chlamydia after antibiotics are discontinued. Objective: To determine whether biannual treatment can eliminate ocular chlamydial infection from preschool children and to compare results with the World Health Organization–recommended annual treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cluster-randomized clinical trial of biannual vs annual mass azithromycin administrations to all residents of 16 rural villages in the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia, from March 2003 to April 2005. Interventions: At scheduled treatments, all individuals aged 1 year or older were offered a single dose of oral azithromycin either annually or biannually. Main Outcome Measure: Village prevalence of ocular chlamydial infection and presence of elimination at 24 months in preschool children determined by polymerase chain reaction, correcting for baseline prevalence. Antibiotic treatments were performed after sample collections. Results: Overall, 14 897 of 16 403 eligible individuals (90.8%) received their scheduled treatment. In the villages in which residents were treated annually, the prevalence of infection in preschool children was reduced from a mean of 42.6% (range, 14.7%-56.4%) to 6.8% (range, 0.0%-22.0%) at 24 months. In the villages in which residents were treated biannually, infection was reduced from 31.6% pretreatment (range, 6.1%-48.6%) to 0.9% (range, 0.0%-4.8%) at 24 months. Biannual treatment was associated with a lower prevalence at 24 months ( P = .03, adjusting for baseline prevalence). At 24 months, no infection could be identified in 6 of 8 of those treated biannually and in 1 of 8 of those treated annually ( P = .049, adjusting for baseline prevalence). Conclusion: Local elimination of ocular chlamydial infection appears feasible even in the most severely affected areas, although it may require biannual mass antibiotic distributions at a high coverage level. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00221364 JAMA. 2008;299(7):778-784.
The best of two worlds: Observations with norms.

Abstract This paper reiterates the utility of both standardized tests and direct observations of behavior, despite the problems related to each of these assessment procedures. An additional assessment technique is recommended which combines the “best of both worlds”; this technique is the collection of normative data by means of observation procedures. These norms, which are also a positive aspect of standardized tests, are useful in identifying problem behaviors and in evaluating the success of intervention programs. Three examples of observations with norms are described.
A Model for Resource Constrained Production and Inventory Management

We present a general model for multi-item production and inventory management problems that include a resource restriction. The decision variables in the model can take on a variety of interpretations, but will typically represent cycle times, production batch sizes, number of production runs, or order quantities for each item. We consider environments where item demand rates are approximately constant and performing an activity such as producing a batch of a product or placing an order results in the consumption of a scarceresource that is shared among the items. Some examples of shared resources include limited machine capacity, a restriction on the amount of money that can be tied up in stock, orlimited storage capacity. We focus on the case where the decision variables must be integer valued or selected from a discrete set of choices, such as when an integer number of production runs is desired for each item, or in order quantity problems where the items come in pack sizes containing more than one unit and, therefore, the order quantities must be an integer multiple of the pack sizes. We develop a heuristic and a branch and bound algorithm for solving the problem. The branch and bound algorithm includes reoptimization procedures and the heuristic to improve its performance. Computational testing indicates that the algorithms are effective for solving the general model.
Role of red blood cell lysis and iron in hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage

Thrombin and iron are two major players in intracerebral hemorrhage-induced brain injury and our recent study found that thrombin contributes to hydrocephalus development in a rat model of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This study investigated the role of red blood cell (RBC) lysis and iron in hydrocephalus after IVH. There were three parts to this study. First, male Sprague-Dawley rats received an injection of saline, packed, or lysed RBCs into the right lateral ventricle. Second, rats had an intraventricular injection of iron or saline. Third, the rats received intraventricular injection of lysed RBCs mixed with deferoxamine (0.5 mg in 5 μL saline) or saline. All rats underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 24 hours and were then euthanized for brain edema measurement, western blot analysis, or brain histology. We found that intraventricular injection of lysed RBCs, but not packed RBCs, resulted in ventricular enlargement and marked increases in brain heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin at 24 hours. Intraventricular injection of iron also resulted in ventricular enlargement and ventricular wall damage 24 hours later. Coinjection of deferoxamine reduced lysed RBC-induced ventricular enlargement (P<0.01). These results suggest that iron, a degradation product of hemoglobin, has an important role in hydrocephalus development after IVH.
Intracranial relapse rates and patterns, and survival trends following post-resection cavity radiosurgery for patients with single intracranial metastases.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the patterns of relapse and survival trends in patients with single brain metastases treated with post-operative adjuvant Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKS) without whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent GKS to the tumor cavity following resection of solitary brain metastasis was performed at a single institution. Between March 2001 and June 2010, 56 patients underwent GKS to the resection cavity following resection of intracranial metastases; no patient received pre- or post-operative WBRT as an adjuvant (salvage WBRT was permissible). The mean marginal dose was 17.1 Gy (range 14–20 Gy). The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range 3–99 months). Five patients (8.9%) had local recurrence in the immediate vicinity of the resection cavity, qualifying as “local failures”, and 21 (37.5%) recurred at distant intracranial sites. Median intracranial recurrence free survival was 13 months. Median overall survival was 20.5 months. Salvage interventions were required in 26 patients, and included repeat radiosurgery in 17 patients, further surgery in two patients, and salvage WBRT in eight (14.3%; two of whom had also been locally salvaged with repeat radiosurgery) patients. As expected, avoidance of WBRT results in a high rate of intracranial failure (26/56 patients, 46%), even in well-selected patients with only single brain metastases. As anticipated, the majority of failures (21, 37.5%) are “distant intracranial”, and in this well-selected cohort the local failure rate is low (5/56 patients, <9%). All patients failing intracranially (46%) are potential candidates for salvage therapies, but WBRT as salvage was utilized in only 14.3% of patients. The median intracranial relapse-free was 13 months and overall survival was 20.5 months.
The hyperstriatal region of the avian forebrain: Somatic and autonomic responses to electrical stimulation

Response to constant-current stimulation of the corticoid region and hyperstriatum were studied in 15 chronically implanted pigeons. The principal somatic response in the semi-restrained bird was head movement, which was accompanied by appropriate body and limb response in the unrestrained animal. A correlation between electrode location and response suggested a topographical organization of the corticoid region and accessory hyperstriatum with respect to direction of head movement. A number of variables affected the responses, including initial head position, stimulation parameters and anesthesia. Stimulation also produced moderate tachycardia and less often cardiac arrhythmia. Respiratory rate and amplitude changes were also evoked. A diffuse cardiac and respiratory representation was suggested by a lack of correlation between these response and electrode location. A possible pathway mediating these response is considered, and possible relationships between the corticoid region, accessory hyperstriatum and ventral hyperstriatum are discussed.
Reflection Properties of Spin 1/2 Fields and a Universal Fermi-Type Interaction

It is pointed out that four different transformations are possible under an inversion for fields of spin \textonehalf{}. The consequences are discussed, and the bearing on the possibility of a universal Fermi-type interaction is analyzed.
Fatigue Fracture of Concrete Subjected to Biaxial Stresses in the Tensile C-T Region

In this paper cyclic quasi-static and constant amplitude fatigue responses of concrete subjected tensile compression-tension (\IC-T\N) biaxial stress are presented. In the tensile \IC-T\N region within the biaxial stress space, magnitude of the principal tensile stress is larger than or equal to that of the principal compressive stress. An experimental program consisted of subjecting hollow, cylindrical concrete specimens to torsional loading. Failure in both quasi-static and fatigue is due to crack propagation. It is shown that the crack propagation resulting from the biaxial loading can be predicted using Mode I fracture parameters. The fatigue crack growth is observed to be a two-phase process: an acceleration stage that follows a deceleration stage. The crack length where the rate of crack growth changes from deceleration to acceleration is shown to be equal to the crack length at the quasi-static peak load. Analytical expressions for crack growth in the deceleration and acceleration stages are developed in terms of the mechanisms that influence quasi-static crack growth. The model parameters obtained from uniaxial fatigue tests are shown to be sufficient for predicting the biaxial fatigue response. Finally, a fracture-based fatigue-failure criterion is proposed, wherein the fatigue failure can be predicted using the critical Mode I stress intensity factor.
Computer Simulation Of The Growth Of Two-Element Films

Preliminary results of a modified thin-film-growth model are presented. The basic simulation is of the type first introduced by Henderson et al. 1 The modification introduced is inclusion of a simple potential between the particles in the film and each incoming evaporant particle.
Uptake and distribution of an arsenical herbicide in tissues of the blackberry (Rubus sp.)

Abstract Leaves of blackberry bushes were spotted with [ 14 C] monosodium methanearsonate when the berries were, respectively, in the red and ripe stages of development. Leaf, stem and berry tissues were analyzed for herbicide uptake over 144h exposure. During the first 24 h, equilibrium was established and there was little difference in uptake or distribution across all tissues at both stages of maturation. After 48 h, however, herbicide concentrations were statistically higher at the ripe stage in all tissues and higher acropetal to the point of application of the test compound.
Penetration into pericardial cavity during cardiac catheterization

Abstract A case is presented in which a cardiac catheter was passed into the coronary sinus, middle cardiac vein, and, most likely perforating the vein, into the pericardial cavity.
Caged protein nanoparticles for drug delivery

Caged protein nanoparticles possess many desirable features for drug delivery, such as ideal sizes for endocytosis, non-toxic biodegradability, and the ability to functionalize at three distinct interfaces (external, internal, and inter-subunit) using the tools of protein engineering. Researchers have harnessed these attributes by covalently and non-covalently loading therapeutic molecules through mechanisms that facilitate release within specific microenvironments. Effective delivery depends on several factors, including specific targeting, cell uptake, release kinetics, and systemic clearance. The innate ability of the immune system to recognize and respond to proteins has recently been exploited to deliver therapeutic compounds with these platforms for immunomodulation. The diversity of drugs, loading/release mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and therapeutic efficacy are discussed in this review.
β and γ crystal forms of methylammonium chloride: polarized light infrared spectra and raman spectra; infrared spectra of matrix isolated methylammonium ion

Abstract Low temperature infrared spectra of pure and matrix isolated methylammonium chloride have been obtained from 4000 to 300 cm −1 . The β and γ crystalline phases of this compound were studied with infrared polarized light as oriented thin films, and as powders in the Raman spectral range 4000 to about 50 cm −1 . Many exciton components of each infrared band do not have coinciding Raman counterparts, thus allowing the choice of centrosymmetric structures for both crystal phases. This fact and the number of observed components are consistent with a unit cell symmetry D 2h for the β, and C 2h for the γ phase, respectively, with no CH 3 NH + 3 ions on any symmetry element of the lattice. At room and low temperature the spectra of the solid solution in CsCl conform to at least a threefold symmetry of the methylammonium ion. Moreover, the extreme broadness of the bands in the room temperature spectrum suggests that at this temperature the ions achieve large motions around any molecular axis. The motions are strongly hindered at low temperature where, however, a relatively easy reorientation around the C-N axis of the ion survives, as suggested by the relative broadness of v 12 . The frequency of the v 6 mode in the spectrum of the matrix has been estimated from the frequency of the combination v 6 + v 9 .
Antiautologous lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity: evidence for prekiller cells as effector cells.

Abstract Spleen cell killing of target cells can manifest through spleen cell-target cell interaction in the presence of mitogenic lectin, lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC). Spleen cells from C57B1/6 mice immunized with C3H mouse cells were found to be capable of cytotoxicity against autologous and other C57B1/6 spleen cells in the presence of Con A. Thus, alloimmune spleen cells are capable of an anti-self cytotoxic response in the presence of mitogenic lectin, antiautologous LDCC. Antiautologous LDCC is blocked by preincubation of cytotoxic cells with colchicine, an inhibitor of the cytotoxic effector mechanism. Analysis of alloimmune spleen cell subpopulations suggests that the antiautologous LDCC cell is an immature alloimmune cytotoxic cell (prekiller cell). Potent LDCC was found in alloimmune spleen cell preparations depleted of alloimmune cytotoxic T cells (killer-depleted) by three passes on allogeneic cell monolayers genetically identical with the immunizing cell. However, some LDCC effectors were also found to adhere to the adsorbing target, suggesting that there is some maturational diversity among LDCC effectors.
Glycerol-Intercalated Mg-Al Hydrotalcite as a Potential Solid Base Catalyst for Transesterification

Glycerol is a byproduct of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification of triglycerides with short-chain alcohols in the presence of solid base catalysts. Because hydrotalcite is a potentially useful basic catalyst for the transesterification reaction, the interaction of glycerol with hydrotalcite is the focus of this work. Glycerol was intercalated into Mg-Al hydrotalcite with a Mg/Al molar ratio of 4 under elevated temperatures of 4432/503 K in the absence and presence of NaOH. The resulting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and N2 adsorption. The amount of glycerol incorporated into hydrotalcite increased with increasing temperature of intercalation. However, the brucite-like sheets of hydrotalcite partially decomposed during the intercalation process at the highest temperature. The presence of NaOH stabilized the hydrotalcite layers against decomposition under high temperature (503 K). The intercalated materials exposed large surface areas ranging from 142 to 663 m2 g−1, depending on the preparation conditions. The glycerol-intercalated hydrotalcites were less catalytically active than hydrotalcite with OH− counterions for the transesterification of tributyrin with methanol. The lower reactivity of glycerol-intercalated hydrotalcite was probably the result of a strong interaction between the intercalated glycerolate (HOCH2-CHOH-CH2O−) and the partially decomposed brucite-like sheets.
Effect of Sex Hormones on Transplanted Neoplasms

Introduction In 1931 Bischoff and Maxwell (1) tested the effects of prolan, estrin, and placental and pituitary gonadotropic extracts upon the rate of growth of the R10 tumor, administering physiologically standardized amounts. The results were entirely negative.2 The following year, Zondek, Zondek, and Hartoch (2) showed that excessive doses of prolan, 50 to 200 Aschheim Zondek units per day, produced a ten-fold inhibition in the growth of a mouse carcinoma. Later Gross (3), Wiesner and Haddow (4), and Gruhzit (5), all working with different tumors and varied dosage, reported negative results. Studying the tumor utilized by the Zondeks, Moller (6) and Cannavo (7) confirmed the Zondek results, showing that more than 1500 Aschheim Zondek units of prolan were necessary to produce the retardation in tumor growth. Krehbiel et al (8), using a Squibb prolan, found that three-fourths of the mice died on a dose corresponding to that given by the Zondeks, and concluded that under these conditions a retardation in tumor growth of the surviving animals was without significance. In the light of present knowledge it is obvious that experimentation with gonadotropic preparations in many applied fields will be unsatisfactory until chemically pure substances have been obtained. It is now controversial whether separable follicular and luteal gonadotropic fractions exist, and their relation to the physiology of the male has not been ascertained (9, 10). Moreover, the rate of liberation at the site of injection has a profound effect upon the physiological activity. Whereas the pituitary preparation produces rapid increments in ovarian weight proportionate with the dosage, the urine of pregnancy preparation in contrast has a shallow dosage curve.3
Sociocultural Determinants of Teenage Childbearing Among Latinas in California

Objectives U.S. Latinas have a persistently high rate of teenage childbearing, which is associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study was designed to investigate the roles of socioeconomic factors and acculturation in teenage childbearing in this population. Methods Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of measures of acculturation (language spoken at home, nativity, and age at immigration) and respondents’ parents’ education with age at first birth in a stratified sample of post-partum women in California. Results The unadjusted odds ratio for teenage birth for Latinas versus non-Latina Whites was 5.2 (95% CI 4.1–6.6). Nativity was not significantly associated with teen birth, but speaking Spanish at home was positively associated and immigrating at a later age was negatively associated with teen birth. Overall, these measures of acculturation accounted for 17% (95% CI 8–28%) of the difference in odds of teen birth between Latinas and non-Latina Whites. Higher levels of education among respondents’ parents had differentially protective effects across the racial/ethnic groups. Controlling for disparities in respondents’ parents’ education without changing its differential effects across racial/ethnic groups reduced the odds ratio for Latinas compared to non-Latina Whites by 30% (95% CI 14–60%). Conclusion These findings call into question common assumptions about the protective effect of acculturation on teen fertility and suggest that improving childhood socioeconomic factors among Latinas may decrease teen childbearing.
3-D Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy In Bulk Solution

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and Fluorescence Photobleaching Recovery (FPR) are closely related technically but have an important difference in principle. The former extracts information from measurements of spontaneous concentration fluctuations, the latter, from measurements of the relaxation of a concentration gradient produced by a macroscopic perturbation. By monitoring fluorescence changes in an open region of the reaction system both methods can determine rates of molecular transport. Because of the high molecular specificity possible with fluorescence labels, the high spatial resolution attainable with laser-microscope excitation, and the relatively nonperturbing nature of the measurements, these methods have many potential uses. Although the two methods are fundamentally equivalent, FCS is simpler in concept and in analysis, but can be applied only to relatively stable systems. Typically the open observation region is defined by a laser beam which excites the measured fluorescence and is focused and detected using confocal microscope optics. Most previous applications have been to two-dimensional membrane systems. Although a number of interesting measurements have also been carried out on three-dimensional bulk solution systems, additional complications arise due to the variation in intensity and radius of the focused laser beam along the optic axis (z-axis). Because of the former the motion of particles in the z direction can be detected. Because of the latter the characteristic diffusion time, defined by the beam radius, differs for particles at different distances from the focal plane. Usually the latter is the dominant effect as confirmed both by theory and experimental measurements. An additional but essential complication arises from placing a field diaphragm before the photodetector to reduce the off-focus background signal. A natural extension of FCS is Fluorescence Distribution Sepctroscopy (FDS) which provides information about the distribution of aggregate sizes in systems of fluorescent molecules. This information is obtained from an analysis of the distribution of fluorescence photocounts emitted in a series of defined time intervals. The nonperturbing nature of FDS makes it especially useful for the analysis of reversible aggregation processes often found in biological systems. FDS measurements in three-dimensional systems are especially sensitive to variations in beam intensity and radius along the z direction.
WHAT'S ON THE TABLE: NUTRITION PROGRAMMING FOR REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES

This article examines how nutrition outreach efforts address changing food practices among refugee populations resettled in the United States. Qualitative, ethnographic data for the article is drawn from the author's work with the Food and Nutrition Outreach program for resettled refugees and includes the perspectives of practitioners and refugees. Drawing on anthropological theories on the interplay between social meanings and structures of the political economy, the article examines how social meanings and socioeconomic processes facilitate changes in food practices. Findings on the topics of assessing nutritional needs, defining healthy eating, as well as the social organization and meaning of food practices illustrate the importance of going beyond dietary guidelines to incorporate discussion-based nutrition education between service providers and refugees. The article concludes with both practical and structural suggestions for next steps in nutrition programming for refugees.
An in vivo study of the use of a nonresorbable ceramic hydroxyapatite as an alloplastic graft material in periapical surgery.

Abstract This study evaluated reactions to a hydroxyapatite after endodontic treatment and periapical surgery. Thirty-eight root canals in two Macaca speciosa monkeys were endodontically treated. Apicoectomy was then performed, leaving bony defects at the apex of each root. The defects were either packed with Durapatite ceramic crystals or allowed to fill with blood. Each animal received at least one dose of Procion red, a hard-tissue marking agent. After healing periods of 2 to 6 months, the apices were examined clinically, radiographically, and histologically. The ceramic material was well tolerated clinically with no gross evidence of inflammation or rejection. Histologically, the material was biocompatible. Healing of the experimental sites consisted of an initial investment of the apatite crystals in fibrous connective tissue followed by eventual replacement of the connective tissue with bone. Despite its excellent biocompatibility, the material appeared to retard osteogenesis by its physical presence. Although the ceramic eventually became entrapped in bone, without an intervening layer of connective tissue, there was a significantly greater amount of new bone in control sites.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking History on Neurocognitive Recovery Over 8 Months of Abstinence in Alcohol‐Dependent Individuals

Background: This study compared the rate and extent of recovery on measures of learning and memory, processing speed, and working memory in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC) who were never smokers (nvsALC), former smokers (fsALC), and active smokers (asALC) over the first 8 months of sustained abstinence from alcohol. Assessments after 1 week, 1 month, and 8 months of abstinence in ALC enabled a comparison of the rates of neurocognitive changes from 1 week to 1 month versus 1 to 8 months of abstinence. Methods: ALC and never-smoking controls were administered standardized measures of auditoryverbal and visuospatial learning and memory, processing speed, and working memory. Controls completed a baseline assessment and a follow-up approximately 9 months later. Results: Over 8 months of abstinence, asALC showed poorer recovery than nvsALC on visuospatial learning, and both fsALC and asALC recovered less than nvsALC on processing speed measures. The corresponding recovery rates for the ALC group, as a whole, were greater from 1 week to 1 month than from 1 to 8 months of abstinence; these findings were largely driven by improvements in nvsALC. The recovery levels for fsALC on most measures were similar to those in asALC. Additionally, over 8 months, asALC showed significantly less improvement with increasing age than nvsALC on measures of processing speed and learning and memory. At 8 months of abstinence, asALC were inferior to controls and nvsALC on multiple measures, fsALC performed worse than nvsALC on several tests, but nvsALC were not different from controls on any measure. Conclusions: Overall, ALC showed rapid improvement on measures of visuospatial learning and processing speed during the first month of abstinence from alcohol. Results also provide robust evidence that smoking status influenced the rate and level of neurocognitive recovery over 8 months of abstinence in this ALC cohort.
Integrating science and policy development: case of the national research council and US national policy focused on non-federal forests

Abstract Policy development is a sequence of political events, each of which is improved with information resulting from scientific inquiry. Science can help identify important issues, broaden the range of policy options, clarify relationships between objectives and policies, and identify risk and uncertainty associated with policies. The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences reviewed the scientific basis for federal policies focused on non-federal forests (200 000 000 ha) in the United States. The science review resulted in seven broad recommendations for national action. In retrospect, the review demonstrated that complex administrative issues challenge science, discipline orientation of science often detracts from effective policy development, conflicting scientific evidence can complicate policy decisions, scientific models often suggest more certainty to policy development than actually exists, partisan driven science frequently confuses policy development, and scientific information can conflict with the political necessity to agree on a policy.
Sexual interest, activity, and satisfaction among male nursing home residents.

Structured interviews were conducted with all male residents (n = 116) of a Veterans Affairs Nursing Home to gather information on sexual interest, preference, activity levels, satisfaction, and distress. We excluded males with severe cognitive impairment, leaving a sample of 61. Of these, 30 had partners. Sexual interest was significantly higher among those with partners (p = 0.014), although those without partners reported that their interest would have been higher if they had a sexual partner. Sexual preference was strongly in favor of vaginal intercourse, regardless of the presence or absence of a partner. Among those with partners, coitus was reported to occur at least monthly by 17%, and other forms of sexual activity (e.g., hugging, kissing) were practiced at least monthly by 73%. Sexual satisfaction was high, and distress with relative sexual inactivity was remarkably low. We found age, functional status, and intercourse frequency to correlate positively with sexual satisfaction, whereas marital status, cognitive function, libido, and frequency of kissing were positive correlates of sexual distress. Institutionalized elderly males remain sexually interested, especially in coitus, and may benefit from counseling and home visits when a partner is available.
Knot insertion algorithms for piecewise polynomial spaces determined by connection matrices

We show that many fundamental algorithms and techniques for B-spline curves extend to geometrically continuous splines. The algorithms, which are all related to knot insertion, include recursive evaluation, differentiation, and change of basis. While the algorithms for geometrically continuous splines are not as computationally simple as those for B-spline curves, they share the same general structure. The techniques we investigate include knot insertion, dual functionals, and polar forms; these prove to be useful theoretical tools for studying geometrically continuous splines.
Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in fibromyalgia and failed back syndrome patients: a blinded prospective comparison study.

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and evaluate psychosocial domains in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) compared with patients with failed back syndrome (FBS). Study design The study included 51 (32 FM and 19 FBS) adult patients who were administered orofacial pain and psychological questionnaires before a clinical examination. Presence of TMD was diagnosed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Results Fifty-three percent of the FM patients reported having face pain compared with 11% of the FBS patients. Of those FM patients who reported face pain, 71% fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosable TMD. FM patients had significantly higher subscale scores for somatization, obsessive-compulsive, medication used for sleep, and fatigue compared with FBS patients. Eighty-seven percent of the FM patients reported a stressful event and 42.3% had symptoms indicating posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusion The high prevalence of TMD and psychosocial dysfunction among FM patients suggests wide-reaching dysregulation of autonomic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functions.
Inhibition of olfactory cyclic nucleotide-activated current by calmodulin antagonists

1. In amphibian olfactory receptor neurones, much of the depolarizing current in response to odours is carried by cationic channels that are directly gated by cyclic AMP. The effects of four calmodulin antagonists on the cyclic AMP-activated receptor current were studied in single olfactory cilia of the frog. 2. Two antagonists, W-7 and trifluoperazine, were potent and reversible inhibitors of the cyclic AMP-activated current. IC50 values were 5 microM for W-7 and 13 microM for trifluoperazine. A third antagonist, calmidazolium, irreversibly blocked the current. The fourth, mastoparan, had little effect. 3. Calmodulin was unable to reverse the effects of W-7 and trifluoperazine, suggesting that these inhibitors act directly on the cyclic AMP-gated channels. 4. Neither W-7 nor trifluoperazine inhibited a Ca(2+)-activated Cl- current which also contributes to the odorant response. These compounds thus allow the two components of the olfactory receptor current to be discriminated.
Fluxon size in thin films

Abstract The behaviour of magnetically coupled superconducting films indicates that the fluxon size is a decreasing function of film thickness when the film thickness is of the order of the penetration depth.
The equational compatibility problem for the real line

Walter Taylor proved recently that there is no algorithm for deciding of a finite set of equations whether it is topologically compatible with the real line in the sense that it has a model with universe $${\mathbb{R}}$$ and with basic operations which are all continuous with respect to the usual topology of the real line. Taylor�s account used operation symbols suitable for the theory of rings with unit together with three unary operation symbols intended to name trigonometric functions supplemented finally by a countably infinite list of constant symbols. We refine Taylor�s work to apply to single equations using operation symbols for the theory of rings with unit supplemented by two unary operation symbols and at most one additional constant symbol.
Doublet structure of the first excited state of 71As

Abstract The possible multiplet structure of the first-excited state of 71 As has been investigated by the high resolution 70 Ge( 3 He, dγ) reaction and the γ-rays emitted in the decay of 71 Se. Both studies reveal a doublet at 143.2 keV and 147.3 keV excitation energies. The existence of this doublet in 71 As brings the low-lying level structure in better resemblance to the heavier odd- A arsenic isotopes.
Improving the performance of sampling-based planners by using a symmetry-exploiting gap reduction algorithm

Although sampling-based planning algorithms have been extensively used to approximately solve motion planning problems with differential constraints, gaps usually appear in their solution trajectories due to various factors. Higher precision may be requested, but as we show in this paper, this dramatically increases the computational cost. In practice, this could mean that a solution would not be found in a reasonable amount of time. In this paper, we substantially improve the performance of an RRT-based algorithm by planning low precision solutions, and then refining their quality by employing a gap reduction technique that exploits group symmetries of the system to avoid costly numerical integrations. This technique also allows PRMs to be extended to problems with differential constraints, even when no high-quality steering method exists.
A family of molecules related to collapsin in the embryonic chick nervous system

Signaling molecules with either attractive or repulsive effects on specific growth cones are likely to play a role in guiding axons to their appropriate targets. A chick brain glycoprotein, collapsin, has been shown to be a good candidate for a repulsive guidance cue. We report here the discovery of four new molecules related to collapsin in chick brains. All contain a semaphorin domain. One is structurally very similar to collapsin but is only 50% identical in its amino acid sequence. We have named it collapsin-2. The collapsin-related genes exhibit distinct but overlapping patterns of mRNA expression in the developing spinal cord and the developing visual system. This family of collapsin-related molecules could potentially act as repulsive cues toward specific neuronal populations.
Zyflamend reduces the expression of androgen receptor in a model of castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed solid malignancy, and tumor cells eventually transform to castrate resistance through multiple pathways including activation of the androgen receptor via insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) signaling involving phospho-AKT (pAKT). In this study, a mixture of herbal extracts, Zyflamend®, was used as a treatment in a model of castrate-resistant prostate cancer using CWR22Rv1 cells. Zyflamend reduced androgen receptor and IGF-1R expression along with a reduction of IGF-1-mediated proliferation of CWR22Rv1 cells. IGF-1 induced downstream AKT phosphorylation; however, the induction of pAKT was not associated with androgen receptor expression. Further, constitutively active form of AKT had no effect on nuclear expression of androgen receptor, indicating that upregulation of pAKT did not promote androgen receptor expression or nuclear translocation in castrate-resistant CWR22Rv1 cells. Conversely, Zyflamend reduced androgen receptor expression following IGF-1 stimulation and in cells overexpressing pAKT. These results demonstrated that Zyflamend inhibited IGF-1-stimulated cell growth, IGF-1R expression, and androgen receptor expression and its nuclear localization, but these effects were not dependent upon phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/pAKT signaling. In conclusion, Zyflamend decreased cell proliferation and inhibited IGF-1R and androgen receptor expression in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/pAKT independent manner.
A Protein Kinase C/Ras/ERK Signaling Pathway Activates Myeloid Fibronectin Receptors by Altering β1 Integrin Sialylation

Here we report that myeloid cells differentiating along the monocyte/macrophage lineage down-regulate the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase via a protein kinase C/Ras/ERK signaling cascade. In consequence, the β1 integrin subunit becomes hyposialylated, which stimulates the ligand binding activity of α5β1 fibronectin receptors. Pharmacologic inhibitors of protein kinase C, Ras, and MEK, but not phosphoinositide 3-kinase, block ST6Gal-I down-regulation, integrin hyposialylation, and fibronectin binding. In contrast, constitutively active MEK stimulates these same events, indicating that ERK is both a necessary and sufficient activator of hyposialylation-dependent integrin activation. Consistent with the enhanced activity of hyposialylated cell surface integrins, purified α5β1 receptors bind fibronectin more strongly upon enzymatic desialylation, an effect completely reversed by resialylation of these integrins with recombinant ST6Gal-I. Finally, we have mapped the N-glycosylation sites on the β1 integrin to better understand the potential effects of differential sialylation on integrin structure/function. Notably, there are three N-glycosylated sites within the β1 I-like domain, a region that plays a crucial role in ligand binding. Our collective results suggest that variant sialylation, induced by a specific signaling cascade, mediates the sustained increase in cell adhesiveness associated with monocytic differentiation.
Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis synthesis of Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalysts for simultaneous H2 production and CO2 reduction

Abstract Simultaneous photocatalytic hydrogen production and CO 2 reduction (to form CO and CH 4 ) from water using methanol as a hole scavenger were investigated using silver-modified TiO 2 (Ag/TiO 2 ) nanocomposite catalysts. A simple ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (SP) method was used to prepare mesoporous Ag/TiO 2 composite particles using TiO 2 (P25) and AgNO 3 as the precursors. The material properties and photocatalytic activities were compared with those prepared by a conventional wet-impregnation (WI) method. It was found that the samples prepared by the SP method had a larger specific surface area and a better dispersion of Ag nanoparticles on TiO 2 than those prepared by the WI method, and as a result, the SP samples showed much higher photocatalytic activities toward H 2 production and CO 2 reduction. The optimal Ag concentration on TiO 2 was found to be 2 wt%. The H 2 production rate of the 2% Ag/TiO 2 –SP sample exhibited a six-fold enhancement compared with the 2% Ag/TiO 2 –WI sample and a sixty-fold enhancement compared with bare TiO 2 . The molar ratio of H 2 and CO in the final products can be tuned in the range from 2 to 10 by varying the reaction gas composition, suggesting a viable way of producing syngas (a mixture of H 2 and CO) from CO 2 and water using the prepared Ag/TiO 2 catalysts with energy input from the sun.
Echocardiographically Guided Pericardiocentesis: Evolution and State-of-the-Art Technique

Percutaneous pericardiocentesis was introduced during the 19th century and became a preferred technique for the management of pericardial effusion by the early 20th century. Until the era of two-dimensional echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis, however, the procedure was essentially "blind," and serious complications were comparatively common, an outcome that resulted in an increased preference for surgical solutions. Because two-dimensional echocardiography facilitates direct visualization of cardiac structures and adjacent vital organs, percutaneous pericardiocentesis can be performed with minimal risk. Since its inception in 1979 (19 years ago), the echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis technique has continued to evolve. Important procedural adaptations and modifications that optimize safety, simplicity, and patient comfort and minimize the recurrence of effusion have been defined and incorporated. This technique has been proved to be safe and effective. A detailed step-by-step description of the procedure and the necessary precautions to optimize success and safety is presented herein.