cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dyadic violence and readiness to change among male intimate partner violence offenders

Background Although readiness to change is associated with mandated partner violence treatment compliance and subsequent violent behaviour among male offenders (e.g. Scott and Wolfe, 2003; Eckhardt et al., 2004), our understanding of the factors associated with pretreatment change remains limited. Offender research indicates that individual and dyadic violent behaviour are highly variable and that such variability may provide insight into levels of pretreatment change (Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart, 1994; Archer, 2002). Aims/hypotheses We sought to examine the associations between indicators of change and individual as well as dyadic violence frequency in a sample of male partner violence offenders. Method To determine whether severity and perceived concordance in the use of violence among male offenders and their female partners influenced readiness to change at pretreatment, 82 recently adjudicated male perpetrators of intimate partner violence were recruited into the current study and administered measures of readiness to change violent behaviour (Revised Safe at Home Scale; Begun et al., 2008) as well as partner violence experiences (Revised Conflict Tactics Scale; Straus et al., 1996). Results Analyses revealed an interaction between offender-reported male and female violence in the prediction of pretreatment readiness to change such that greater male violence was associated with greater readiness to change among males who reported that their female partners perpetrated low, but not high, levels of violence. Consistently, greater female violence was associated with lower readiness to change only among the most violent male offenders. Conclusions and implications for clinical practice Results provide support for the assertion that the most violent offenders may be the most resistant to partner violence intervention efforts, particularly when they perceive themselves to be victims as well. Enhanced motivational and couples programming may facilitate treatment engagement among the high-risk group of male offenders who report concordant relationship violence.
Significance of a positive Toxoplasma Immunoglobulin M test result in the United States

A positive Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M (IgM) result is often interpreted as a marker of an acute infection. However, IgM can persist for several years, and Toxoplasma commercial IgM diagnostic test kits can yield a number of false-positive results. For these reasons, a chronic Toxoplasma infection can be erroneously classified as an acute infection, resulting in serious adverse consequences, especially in pregnant women, leading to emotional distress and unnecessary interventions, including termination of pregnancy. Interpretation of Toxoplasma serology at a reference laboratory can help differentiate a recently acquired infection from a chronic infection. Serological test results for 451 patients with positive Toxoplasma IgM and IgG test results obtained at nonreference laboratories (NRLs) that were referred to Palo Alto Medical Foundation Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory (PAMF-TSL) to determine whether the patient was acutely or chronically infected were retrospectively reviewed. PAMF-TSL results established that of the 451 patients, 335 (74%) had a chronic infection, 100 (22%) had an acute infection, and 7 (2%) were not infected, and for 9 (2%), results were indeterminate. Positive Toxoplasma IgM and IgG test results obtained at NRLs cannot accurately distinguish between acute and chronic infections. To do so, testing at reference laboratories is required, as mandated in 1997 in a letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clinicians and laboratories in the United States.
Public Opinion, the 1%, and Income Redistribution

Because of the skewed distribution of income and wealth, a majority of people could make significant financial gains by redistribution from the affluent minority. However, redistribution of this kind is not particularly popular. Moreover, the rapid increase in top salaries since the 1970s has not provoked a strong reaction from the public. This essay considers the paradox of public opinion on redistribution. There are many hypotheses, but until recently there has not been much empirical research. However, recent work on opinions about salaries suggests that most people have quite egalitarian standards of fairness, in which corporate executives would receive only a few times as much as average workers. At the same time, there is often a good deal of support for measures that make taxes less progressive, notably as the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003. That is, people seem to think that high salaries are unfair, but do not necessarily support government efforts to move toward a “fair” distribution. The essay discusses some ways to reconcile this apparent contradiction. Two of the most promising are a lack of trust in government and moral objections to redistribution. However, we must also consider the possibility that the pattern of opinions is in some sense irrational: the challenge is to specify a theory of irrationality to make positive predictions. Finally, the essay discusses the availability of data on public opinion, and identifies two major needs: historical and comparative data. Keywords: redistribution; wealth; public opinion; social justice; rationality; self-interest
Temporal discrimination factors in the delayed matching-to-sample task in monkeys.

The temporal discrimination hypothesis (TDH) of delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS) stresses the animal’s ability to discriminate which choice-stimulus alternative has appeared most recently as sample. Thus, the emphasis is placed on discriminative processes, temporal in nature, rather than on the traditional trace or buffer storage mechanisms of short-term memory. Some of the predictions of the TDH were tested within the context of the DMTS task. Experiment I showed that the difficulty of sample-stimulus sequences could be predicted by the TDH. Experiment II showed DMTS performance to be an increasing function of the number of sample stimuli employed, a result predicted by the TDH, but not by a traditional proactive interference interpretation. The results demonstrate the importance of temporal discriminative processes in DMTS. The possibility for a simpler theoretical approach to memory, in general, is discussed.
Systematic analysis of lean-premixed swirl-stabilized combustion

A systematic data-analysis procedure is established to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for driving unsteady flow motions in gas-turbine combustors. Various data processing and analysis approaches are developed and implemented. These include triple decomposition of flowfield, vortex identification, spectral analysis, linear acoustic modal and hydrodynamic stability analyses, and proper orthogonal decomposition. The work allows for a detailed investigation of the mechanisms of energy exchange between the mean, periodic, and turbulent flowfields in a combustion chamber, as well as their collective interactions with chemical heat release. As a specific example, the combustion dynamics in a lean-premixed swirl-stabilized combustor operating under a variety of conditions is carefully examined, based on an avalanche of time-resolved numerical data obtained from large-eddy simulations.
Metabolic Memory in the Autonomic Neuropathy of Diabetes: Implications for Pathogenesis and Patient Care

Metabolic memory, the concept that historical glycemic control is a major determinant of diabetes complications, is of considerable interest not only to those involved in the care of people with diabetes mellitus but also to a wider audience, those wishing to understand the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia-related target organ damage. This phenomenon has been popularized clinically by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study (DCCT/EDIC), which has repeatedly demonstrated the long-term impact of metabolic memory on nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and peripheral neuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.1–3 An article in this issue of Circulation from the DCCT/EDIC Research Group demonstrates the same phenomenon for cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN).4 In the DCCT, intensive glycemic control over an average of 6.5 years achieved a marked reduction in hemoglobin A1c, 1.7% lower than that achieved on conventional therapy, and a reduction in CAN incidence of 53%.5 At the termination of DCCT, all participants were encouraged to adopt intensive glycemic control such that 5 years after DCCT termination, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin A1c between the originally randomized groups. At 13 to 14 years of follow up, CAN incidence subsequent to DCCT termination in those initially randomized to intensive control was reduced by a third compared with those randomized to conventional therapy, even though glycemic control had been identical in these groups for decade before the CAN assessment. Statistical adjustment for historical glycemic control, specifically that achieved during the DCCT itself, abolished the group difference in CAN, supporting the assertion that metabolic memory explained the persistent lower risk of CAN in those originally randomized to intensive glycemic control. Article see p 2886 CAN is frequently observed in diabetes mellitus. The majority of previous studies identify diabetes duration and glycemic control as …
NSAIDs, Aspirin, and Esophageal Strictures: Are Over-the-Counter Medications Harmful to the Esophagus?

There are several studies that suggest that aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA]) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with esophagitis or esophageal stricture formation. There are limited data on the potential of low-dose ASA and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs to cause esophageal injury. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is an association between esophageal strictures and ASA/NSAID use, including low-dose ASA and OTC NSAIDs. A total of 79 consecutive patients (mean age, 52.8 years; 38 men, 41 women) referred for endoscopy from 4/1/96 to 11/15/96 for chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were evaluated. Data collected include gender, race, and age, NSAID or ASA use, as well as an assessment of dysphagia, heartburn duration, and heartburn frequency. Patients taking NSAIDs or ASA at least twice a week were considered ASA/NSAID users. There were 46 patients without strictures and 33 patients with peptic strictures. Patients with strictures were older than patients without strictures (mean age, 58.7 versus 48.6 years; p < 0.01), had longer duration of heartburn symptoms (8.6 versus 6.4 years, p < 0.05), and were more likely to have mucosal injury (50% versus 26.1%). Stricture patients were more likely to use ASA/NSAIDs (63.6% versus 26.1%; p < 0.01). In particular, stricture patients were more likely to use low-dose ASA than patients without strictures (30.3% versus 2.2%; p < 0.01). Otherwise, there were no significant differences with regard to gender, race, or heartburn duration or frequency. Linear regression analysis showed that ASA/NSAID use had a greater influence on the incidence of peptic strictures than age. There is an association between esophageal stricture and ASA/NSAID use, which includes OTC NSAIDs and low-dose ASA.
Elevated levels of a 17-kilodalton nuclear protein in carcinomas.

Abstract The presence of a 17-kilodalton nuclear protein with pI variants of 6.7–6.9 in solid human malignant tumors is reported. This protein was more prominent in the carcinomas sampled compared to the sarcomas studied. Small amounts were detectable in placenta, but not in adult human liver, suggesting that the protein may be the product of a gene involved in normal differentiation.
Cerebral white matter hyperintensities on MRI: Current concepts and therapeutic implications.

Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly observed MRI abnormalities in the elderly, which generally reflect covert vascular brain injury. WMH cumulatively produc
Pressure Measurement and Pattern Recognition by Using Neural Networks

This paper describes an intelligent control system that uses electro-optics and neural networks to control the flow of air over a flexible wall. In this investigation a pressure sensor which was part of the wall of the wind tunnel and an optical apparatus were used to produce moire fringes. A back propagation neural network was used to analyze the fringe patterns and to classify the pressures into four levels. A second neural network was used to recognize the pressure patterns and to provide the input to a control system that was capable of modifying the shape of the flexible wall in order to preserve the stability of the flow. The flexible wall was part of the wall of the wind tunnel and was installed in the upstream of the flow. It was made of silicone rubber and had an area of 76 mm by 76 mm. There were 15 rows of actuators installed under the flexible wall which were used to change the shape of the wall. In the downstream of the flow was an optical pressure sensor which had the same dimensions as the flexible wall and consisted of a 15 × 15 array of small diaphragms. These diaphragms responded to the pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer flow and were the source of the signals for the optical system. A CCD camera viewed the pressure sensor through an optical apparatus which produced moire fringes. A back propagation neural network analyzed the fringe patterns and classified the pressures into four levels. The classified pressures which was a 15 × 15 array of numbers ranging from 1 to 4 was the input to a second back propagation neural network which was used to recognize the pressure patterns. The output from the back propagation neural network used for pattern recognition provided the input to a control system that changed the shape of the flexible wall. This paper presents the experimental results as well as the computer simulations which were created for this project. This includes the complete process of creating the slope fringes, classifying the pressures into four levels, recognizing the wall pressure patterns and generating the output signals to the actuator for changing the shape of the flexible wall.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Quantitation of Cyproheptadine in Plasma and Urine by HPLC

Abstract A sensitive, reliable and specific high performance liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed for the quantitation of cyproheptadine in plasma or urine. After extraction of the drug with ethyl acetate from alkalinized samples, the organic extract was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted with acetonitrile and chromatographed using a C8 reversed-phase analytical column with UV detection at 254 nm. The average recoveries of cyproheptadine from spiked plasma and urine samples in the concentrations ranging from 0.2 – 3 mcg/ml were 95.7 and 100.3%, respectively and their respective CV was 4.1 and 3.9%. Regression analyses for the calibration plots for plasma and urine standards obtained on three different days for the drug concentrations between 0.2 – 3 mcg/ml indicated excellent linearity (r > 0.999) and reproducibility (CV 0.01). The limit of sensitivity was 50 ng/ml for both plasma and urine samples. The method was applied to monitor the plasma concentration versus time profile...
Calorimetric response of the Du Pont 1200 ‡C differential thermal analyzer

The probable calorimetric accuracy of the Du Pont 1200 ‡C cell has been described. With proper attention to technique, calorimetric precision of about ±2% can be obtained with a slightly larger deviation of about ±5 % in accuracy. The heat flow calibration constant,E, is linear with temperature, and its value is two to four times that of commercial scanning calorimeters.
New computer applications for system operations using phasor measurements

This panel session paper speculates on new computer applications that may become feasible because of increasing installation of phasor measurement units (PMU) in the high voltage power grid. Some of these applications are already being experimented with - like oscillation detection and dynamic state estimation. Most of these applications are `open loop' and are used as advisory tools or analytical tools for operators. However, the idea of using phasor measurements as inputs to closed loop control raises exciting possibilities and has spawned a new area of research. Wide Area Control and Wide Area Protection (also known as Special Protection Schemes (SPS or SIPS)) are being introduced. The use of State Estimation output as the input to control (also known as Model Based Control) is a topic of research.
DYNAMICS OF COMPLEX PHTHALATE LIQUIDS. 1. STRUCTURAL EFFECTS OF MOLECULAR FRAMEWORK

The motional behavior of complex phthalates and structurally related liquids has been investigated in order to study the structural effect of molecular framework on the macroscopic and microscopic dynamic properties. 13C NMR spin−lattice relaxation times and nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) of individual carbon nuclei of bis(2-ethylhexyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DEHHP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) isophthalate (DEHIP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP), and tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) have been measured as a function of temperature from −40 to 90 °C. Individual 13C peaks were unambiguously assigned by using 2D hydrogen−carbon chemical shift correlation spectra. In addition, the density and viscosity of these compounds as a function of temperature have been measured. The results were also compared with those of 2-ethylhexyl benzoate (EHB), 2-ethylhexyl cyclohexanecarboxylate (EHC), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), complex liquids studied earlier in our laboratory. Both the macrosc...
Different perspective and approach to implement adaptive normalised belief propagation-based decoding for low-density parity check codes

In this study, the authors propose an improved version of the min-sum algorithm for low-density parity check code decoding, which the authors call ‘adaptive normalised BP-based’ algorithm. Their decoder provides a compromise solution between belief propagation and the min-sum algorithms by adding an exponent offset to each variable node's intrinsic information in the check node update equation. The extrinsic information from the min-sum decoder is then adjusted by applying a negative power of the two scale factor, which can be easily implemented by right shifting the min-sum extrinsic information. The difference between their approach and other adaptive normalised min-sum decoders is that the authors select the normalisation scale factor using a clear analytical approach based on the underlying principles. The simulation results show that the proposed decoder outperforms the min-sum decoder and performs very close to the BP decoder with lower complexity.
Attenuation of mycotoxin-induced IgA nephropathy by eicosapentaenoic acid in the mouse: dose response and relation to IL-6 expression

Clinical trials have revealed that progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of human glomerulonephritis, is inhibited by dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation. The early stages of IgAN can be mimicked by feeding mice the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Here, the effects of consuming the (n-3) PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on DON-induced IgAN were assessed relative to dose dependency and to expression of interleukin (IL-6). In the dose-response study, weight gain and feed intake did not differ among mice consuming 20 ppm DON supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 3% EPA for 16 weeks. Mice fed the two highest EPA concentrations exhibited markedly increased splenic EPA, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas arachidonic acid was decreased in all three EPA fed groups. Deoxynivalenol consumption significantly increased serum IgA and IgA immune complexes as well as kidney mesangial IgA deposition. All three IgAN markers were attenuated in mice fed 3% EPA diet but not in those fed 0.1% or 0.5% EPA. Elevated IgA production was observed in spleen and Peyer's patch (PP) cell cultures derived from mice fed DON in control diets, but this was reduced in cultures from mice fed 0.1%, 0.5% and 3% EPA. Acute DON exposure increased serum levels of IL-6, a cytokine that drives differentiation of IgA-committed B cells to IgA secretion. Relatedly, expression of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 heteronuclear RNA, a marker of IL-6 transcription, was increased in spleen and PP. All three indicators of IL-6 expression were suppressed in mice consuming 3% EPA. Suppressed IL-6 corresponded to decreased binding activity of two factors that regulate transcription of this cytokine, cyclic AMP response element-binding protein and activator protein-1. The results indicate that a threshold existed for EPA relative to suppression of experimental IgAN and that the threshold dose was effective at inhibiting IL-6 transcription.
The Archaeolaginae (Mammalia, Lagomorpha) of North America, excluding Archaeolagus and Panolax

ABSTRACT The Archaeolaginae of North America, excluding Archaeolagus and Panolax, include the following genera and species: Hypolagus vetus, H. parviplicatus, H. gidleyi n. sp., H. fontinalis, H. tedfordi n. sp., H. furlongi, H. edensis, H. oregonensis, H. ringoldensis, H. regalis, H. voorhiesi n. sp., H. arizonensis, Lepoides lepoides n. gen. and sp., Pewelagus dawsonae, and ?Pewelagus mexicanus. ?Hypolagus apachensis is referred to the Leporinae. The genus Notolagus is referred to the Leporinae and Paranotolagus is tentatively referred to the Leporinae. Lepoides lepoides n. gen. and sp. is tentatively thought to be a jack rabbit ecomorph, while some species of Hypolagus possibly cottontail ecomorphs. The Archaeolaginae of North America became extinct by the end of the Blancan land mammal age (Pliocene).
On the Approximation of Infinite Dimensional Optimal Stopping Problems with Application to Mathematical Finance

We consider the approximation of the optimal stopping problem for infinite dimensional processes by variational methods. To this end, we employ a Fourier-Legendre representation for the state space and exhaust an indexed family of regularized Hamilton-Jacobi characterizations. We implement our results utilizing penalization and a method-of-lines semi-implicit finite element method; application to term-structure valuation problems from mathematical finance demonstrate the applicability of the approach.
Late outcome of amputees with premature atherosclerosis

Background. Peripheral atherosclerosis in young adults has been associated with a high amputation rate. Our purpose was to examine the natural history of amputees with premature atherosclerosis. Methods. We compared 50 consecutive young patients undergoing dysvascular amputation who were 49 years of age or younger (mean age ± SEM, 43±.7 years) with 75 consecutive men and women ranging in age from 60 to 75 years (mean age, 67±.6 years) who were undergoing major amputations for atherosclerosis during the same period. Results. Before undergoing amputation 46 (92%) patients in the study group underwent a mean of 3±0.3 vascular operations, and 49 (65%) older patients in the control group underwent a mean of 2±0.2 vascular operations (p=0.003). The mean time from onset of symptoms to first amputation was not different in the study group versus the control group. Of those patients surviving until discharge, 20 (45%) patients in the study group and 21 (31%) patients in the control group became community or household ambulators, whereas 24 (55%) patients in the study group and 47 (69%) patients in the control group were confined to wheelchairs or were bedridden (p=0.17). Seventeen (74%) patients in the study group who did not require contralateral amputations became community ambulators, as did 18 (38%) members of the control group (p=0.01). Twenty (40%) patients in the study group and 39 (52%) patients in the control group died during the study period. The mean age at death was 48±1 years for the study group and 69±.8 years for the control group (p Conclusions. Compared with older counterparts, amputees with premature atherosclerosis have a higher number of failed bypasses before undergoing amputation and die at a younger age. However, both groups have a similar cumulative survival after amputation. Fewer than one half of young patients undergoing dysvascular amputation ultimately achieve ambulation, suggesting that major amputations are a harbinger of long-term disability and dependency in these patients. Because young patients had a higher potential for rehabilitation after unilateral amputation, these patients should be monitored closely for development of ischemia in the contralateral limb.
The inheritance of intermediate phenotypes for schizophrenia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: While schizophrenia is substantially heritable, the mode of inheritance is complex, involving numerous genes of small effect and a non-trivial environmental component. The 'endophenotype' approach is an alternative method for measuring phenotypic variation that may facilitate the identification of susceptibility genes in the context of complexly inherited traits. Here we review recent studies applying this method to measures of brain structure, physiology, and function in samples of schizophrenia patients and their non-ill first-degree relatives (siblings and co-twins). RECENT FINDINGS: The results suggest that there are multiple heritable dimensions of central nervous system pathology in schizophrenia, including disturbances in the structure and functioning of frontal lobe systems involved in working memory and executive processes, temporal lobe systems involved in episodic memory, auditory perception, and language processing, and cortical and sub-cortical systems mediating smooth pursuit eye movements and sensorimotor gating. A number of genetic loci that are suspected to play a role in predisposing to schizophrenia, including the DISC1, COMT, neuregulin, dysbindin, and alpha-7 nicotinic receptor genes, appear to affect quantitative variation on one or more of these indicators. SUMMARY: Future work is encouraged to address whether each of these neural system dysfunctions are under the influence of a partially distinct set of genes, to elucidate the manner in which multiple genes may coalesce in determining schizophrenia-promoting dysfunction in each neurobehavioral domain, and to clarify the degree of overlap in these quantitative trait loci-endophenotype relationships with other forms of psychosis, particularly bipolar disorder.
Prefixal agreement and impersonal ‘il’ in Spoken French: Experimental evidence

In Spoken Continental French, the subject clitic il can in some cases be dropped – for example in certain impersonal construction (e.g. faut que ‘is necessary that’). This phenomenon is of particular interest in the context of claims that this variety of French is in fact a null subject language, with subject clitics acting as agreement affixes rather than true arguments (e.g. Roberge, 1990; Auger, 1994; Culbertson, 2010, among others). Under this view, the il in impersonals (and other constructions with less than fully referential subjects) is likewise an agreement marker, which can be dropped under some circumstances. Here we report the results of a controlled acceptability judgement task designed to probe features which affect the availability of il-drop. Our findings suggest that verb frequency, subcategorisation by the verb for a quasi-argument vs. true expletive, and modal vs. non-modal status influence il-drop. We discuss implications of this variation for an analysis of subject clitics as agreement affixes in Spoken French.
Birds as Animal Models for the Comparative Biology of Aging: A Prospectus

Bird species are dramatically longer-lived than similar-sized mammals, in spite of two traits--high metabolic rate and elevated blood glucose--which some modern theories of aging suggest should be associated with accelerated senescence. As a consequence of their longevity, birds may possess specialized protective mechanisms against free radical and Maillard reaction damage, and may offer insight into medical interventions for retarding aging. In this review we have highlighted a number of bird species which are commercially available, easily maintained, and more thoroughly characterized with respect to basic physiology than many biogerontologists realize. There seem to us to be few intrinsic barriers to the development of several avian "mice"--extensively characterized species exhibiting exceptionally long life and retarded aging--and for these to become readily accessible as a laboratory resource for the gerontological research community.
Comparison of direct and indirect‘panning’techniques for clarification of Cryptosporidium parvum from aqueous samples

D.L. Stone, K. Dickson, A. Goven and S. Cairns. 1997.‘Panning’, a technique developed to separate cells into subpopulations, was evaluated for its potential in recovering Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts from aqueous samples during the clarification stage. Oocysts adhered to the‘pan’by binding to specific anti-oocyst antibody. The sample was clarified by washing off non-adherent debris. Direct and indirect‘panning’trials were conducted. The oocyst recovery rate was approximately 50% for direct panning and 20% for indirect panning. Direct panning resulted in a higher degree of reliability compared with indirect panning. This technique has the potential to be combined with existing or alternative methodologies as a means to clarify oocysts, to allow for a higher degree of oocyst recovery.
Trace quantitation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in biological samples as its oxime-bis tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivative using 3-hydroxynonanal as an internal standard

Abstract A gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric method for the determination of the lipid aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE) in trace quantities is described. The method utilizes the reaction of aldehydes with hydroxylamine leading to the formation of the oxime derivative. The aldehydes are recovered by octadecylsilyl solid-phase extraction and converted to the bis-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives for analysis using electron ionization. A novel 4HNE analogue, 3-hydroxynonanal, has been synthesized and is used as an internal standard. A limit of detection of approximately 1 pmol of 4 HNE in preparations of approximately 2 · 106 cells or 0.5 ml of whole blood, plasma or serum was observed. Standard addition analysis indicates that the method is accurate at these levels. Replicate analysis of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material SRM 909 indicates an average in-run precision of 8.1% and a between-run precision of 13.5% at an average concentration of 82.1 pmol/ml of reconstituted material.
Topochemical strategies and experimental results for the rational synthesis of carbon nanotubes of one specified type

Abstract A generic topochemical route for the rational synthesis of carbon single walled nanotubes (SWNTs) of one specified type is proposed and analyzed using theoretical and experimental results. This route uses crystal-controlled 1,4-addition polymerization of diacetylene groups in cyclic monomer molecules to make organic nanotubes, whose three-dimensional covalent network combines carbon–carbon bonds of the cyclic monomer and four parallel polydiacetylene chains formed by solid-state reaction. Up to 75% of the carbon–carbon bonds of the target carbon nanotube are correctly connected in the organic nanotube, and none are incorrectly connected. Target monomers are down selected by using molecular mechanics calculations to predict the allowable crystal packing parameters, from which topochemical reactivity is predicted using a well-established reactivity diagram. This approach correctly predicts the solid-state polymerizability of a cyclic diacetylene that we experimentally demonstrated forms a targeted hydrocarbon nanotube. Substituent extrusion is the final step in forming the carbon nanotube from the organic nanotube, which should occur cleanly because the covalent connectivity of the organic nanotube holds the structure in place. Using this two-step topochemical control of reaction and structure, during formation of the organic nanotube and during substituent extrusion, routes to armchair and zigzag SWNTs having different ring diameters are proposed.
The selective alpha2‐adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine (DEX) does not affect aortic pressure augmentation

Background Despite a similar reduction in peripheral blood pressure (BP), antihypertensive drugs have variable effects on central blood pressure and its augmentation by the reflected pulse wave, a measure of arterial stiffness. Infusion of norepinephrine (NE) increases arterial stiffness. Centrally acting alpha2-AR agonists decrease NE concentrations and blood pressure, but their effects on aortic pressure augmentation are not known. Methods In a single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 36 healthy subjects received sequential infusions of placebo and DEX (0.1, 0.15 and 0.15 mcg/kg). Brachial artery blood pressure, heart rate, and NE plasma concentrations were measured at baseline and after every infusion. Radial artery waveforms were recorded by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor) and the central aortic waveform and augmentation index - the proportional increase in systolic pressure due to the reflected wave - calculated. Results DEX reduced brachial and central systolic (−15.0±6.2 (SD) and −12.6±5.8 mmHg) and diastolic BP (−9.9±6.5 and −10.1±6.6 mmHg), respectively (p<0.001). NE levels decreased (−103±68 pg/mL, p<0.001) but augmentation index did not change (placebo 3.4±10.3% vs DEX 3.0±10.1%, P=0.8). Conclusion DEX reduced NE concentrations and central and peripheral blood pressure but did not alter aortic pressure augmentation. Pharmacological reduction of endogenous baseline NE concentrations did not alter arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P11–P11; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.046
A fast Lagrangian relaxation algorithm for finding multi-constrained multiple shortest paths

Finding a multi-constrained shortest path (MCSP) between a pair of nodes arises in many important applications such as quality of service provisioning in the next-generation network. While this problem subject to a single constraint has been well studied, efficient algorithms solving this problem with two or more constraints are still quite limited. In this paper, we propose a new Lagrangian relaxation algorithm for solving a generalized version of the MCSP problem, where we search for multiple shortest paths subject to multiple constraints. As in some related work, our algorithm first identifies the lower and upper bounds, and then tries to close the gap with a path enumeration procedure. However, our algorithm is based on the recognition that the Lagrange multipliers found by existing methods usually do not give the best search direction for minimizing path enumerations even though they can provide near-optimized lower bounds. We provide a solution to meet both of these goals. Through experiments on the most challenging benchmark instances, we show that our algorithm performs significantly better than the best known algorithm in the literature.
Assessing the Feasibility of Native Fish Reintroductions: A Framework Applied to Threatened Bull Trout

Abstract Translocations to recover native fishes have resulted in mixed success. One reason for the failure of these actions is inadequate assessments of their feasibility prior to implementation. Here, we provide a framework developed to assess the feasibility of one type of translocation—reintroduction. The framework was founded on two simple components of feasibility: the potential for recipient habitats to support a reintroduction and the potential of available donor populations to support a reintroduction. Within each component, we developed a series of key questions. The final assessment was based on a scoring system that incorporated consideration of uncertainty in available information. The result was a simple yet transparent system for assessing reintroduction feasibility that can be rapidly applied in practice. We applied this assessment framework to the potential reintroduction of threatened bull trout Salvelinus confluentus into the Clackamas River, Oregon. In this case, the assessment suggest...
Nonhydrostatic, Three-Dimensional Perturbations to Balanced, Hurricane-like Vortices. Part I: Linearized Formulation, Stability, and Evolution

Abstract In this paper, the first of two parts, the dynamics of linearized perturbations to hurricane-like vortices are studied. Unlike previous studies, which are essentially two-dimensional or assume that the perturbations are quasi-balanced, the perturbations are fully three-dimensional and nonhydrostatic. The vortices used as basic states are also three-dimensional (though axisymmetric), with wind fields modeled closely after observations of hurricanes and tropical storms, and are initially in hydrostatic and gradient wind balance. The equations of motion, computational methods for solving them, and methods for generating the basic-state hurricane-like vortices are presented. In particular, three basic states are studied: a vortex modeled after an intense (category 3) hurricane, a moderate (category 1) hurricane, and a weak tropical storm. The stability of each vortex is considered. The category 3 vortex is found to be rather unstable, with its fastest growing mode occurring for azimuthal wavenumber t...
Empowering the student: prospects for an unintelligent tutoring system

Computer based instructional systems either direct students so modelling their actions is tractable, or provide them with total autonomy, but give little support to learning and problem solving processes. Instructional principles for empowering the student are emerging whereby more of the responsibility of diagnosis and goal-setting is placed on the student. Critical to this view is providing an environment which makes the ramifications of students' actions clear so students can meaningfully assess their own performance. In the domain of word algebra, the meaning of formal expressions can be reflected in computer animation which depicts the corresponding situation. An unintelligent tutor — knowing nothing of the problem being solved and possessing no student model — helps students to understand problems and debug formal expressions.
Chromatin Structure and Physical Mapping of Chromosome 6 of Potato and Comparative Analyses With Tomato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has the densest genetic linkage map and one of the earliest established cytogenetic maps among all plant species. However, there has been limited effort to integrate these maps. Here, we report fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping of 30 genetic marker-anchored bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones on the pachytene chromosome 6 of potato. The FISH mapping results allowed us to define the genetic positions of the centromere and the pericentromeric heterochromatin and to relate chromatin structure to the distribution of recombination along the chromosome. A drastic reduction of recombination was associated with the pericentromeric heterochromatin that accounts for ∼28% of the physical length of the pachytene chromosome. The pachytene chromosomes 6 of potato and tomato (S. lycopersicum) share a similar morphology. However, distinct differences of heterochromatin distribution were observed between the two chromosomes. FISH mapping of several potato BACs on tomato pachytene chromosome 6 revealed an overall colinearity between the two chromosomes. A chromosome inversion was observed in the euchromatic region of the short arms. These results show that the potato and tomato genomes contain more chromosomal rearrangements than those reported previously on the basis of comparative genetic linkage mapping.
A study of the nanotribological fatigue of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) provides a low friction, high toughness interface in artificial knees and hips. Micron-sized wear debris forms over time in these transplants leading to osteolysis and poor clinical outcomes. Using the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a model single asperity contact, tribological studies were performed on nanometer smooth samples of UHMWPE under dry conditions to elucidate the mechanisms of debris formation. Low loads produced no changes in friction or topography despite repeated scanning. Above a critical load, polymer accumulated at the perimeter of the scan and led to the formation of a wear debris particle. Plastically deformed material exhibited a surprisingly high friction compared to surrounding pristine areas, and may partially explain macroscale observations of adhesive wear. In contrast, the polymer in the interior of the scanned area exhibited a friction identical to pristine polymer. These data link strain-softening and delamination of the surface to the formation of wear debris.
Stage-Specific Differences in the Requirements for Germline Stem Cell Maintenance in the Drosophila Ovary

In this study, we uncover a role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in Drosophila germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance. Disruption of Dicer-1 function in GSCs during adult life results in GSC loss. Surprisingly, however, loss of Dicer-1 during development does not result in a GSC maintenance defect, although a defect is seen if both Dicer-1 and Dicer-2 function are disrupted. Loss of the bantam miRNA mimics the Dicer-1 maintenance defect when induced in adult GSCs, suggesting that bantam plays a key role in GSC self-renewal. Mad, a component of the TGF-β pathway, behaves similarly to Dicer-1: adult GSC maintenance requires Mad if it is lost during adult life, but not if it is lost during pupal development. Overall, these results show stage-specific differential sensitivity of GSC maintenance to certain perturbations and suggest that there may be a Dicer-2-dependent GSC maintenance mechanism during development that is lost in later life.
Differential expression of photosynthesis genes in R. capsulata results from segmental differences in stability within the polycistronic rxcA transcript.

Abstract We report that the light-harvesting and reaction center genes in the rxcA locus of R. capsulata are contained within a single operon and that their differential expression results predominantly from marked segmental differences in stability within the polycistronic rxcA transcript. The 3′ portion of this transcript is rapidly degraded to give rise to either of two slowly decaying mRNA remnants, both of which encode only the light-harvesting polypeptides. The greater stability of these remnants accounts for nearly all of the difference between the concentrations of the light-harvesting and reaction center proteins. The unstable 3′ portion of the transcript is delimited by two alternative stem-and-loop structures, which apparently act as barriers to 3′ exoribonucleases and thereby protect the upstream RNA segment. When a DNA fragment containing the rxcA locus was fused to a plasmid promoter and transcribed in E. coli, the long precursor transcript was processed to two short messages of greater stability, as in R. capsulata.
Photo-elimination of nitrogen from fused-ring triazoles

Aniline and o-anisidine production by photoelimination of nitrogen from fused ring triazoles
A hippocampal interneuron observed in the inferior region.

In the process of an extensive Golgi analysis of the inferior region of the rat hippocampus, a hitherto undescribed cell type was discovered. The cell has a round, elliptical, or fusiform cell body and an apical dendritic plume reminiscent of dentate granule cells. The axon is thick, with many collateral and ramifies within, above and below the pyramidal layer. The proximal dendrites have stubby spines whereas the distal dendrites have long thin spines. All impregnated cells of this type were found in the inferior region (CA3 and CA4 of Lorente de No´) of the hippocampus and most were found in a circumscribed suprapyramidal region at the mouth of the hilus. The majority of impregnated cells of this type were found in the middle to temporal portion of the hippocampus. Nissl-stained sections confirmed the predominant occurence of this cell type in the inferior region of the middle to temporal hippocampus. In these preparations, the cells have a large nucleus, several nucleoli and very scanty cytoplasm with Nissl substance essentially confined to the initial dendritic segments. The unique morphology of this cell type allows relatively easy identification using Nissl staining.
Determining solutions of hyperbolic systems from incomplete data

An investigation is conducted regarding first-order hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations, taking into account problems for which complete initial data are not available. Problems of the considered kind arise in geophysical applications where satellites are used to collect data. In global weather prediction, it is possible to derive atmospheric temperature and pressure reasonably well over the whole globe from satellite measurements; obtaining the wind field globally is more difficult. It is pointed out that a simple model of atmospheric flow investigated in numerical weather prediction is governed by the shallow water equations. The effect of the Coriolis term on the linearized shallow-water equations is studied.
Comparative Study of the Assemblies and the Resulting Plasmon Fields of Langmuir-Blodgett Assembled Monolayers of Silver Nanocubes and Gold Nanocages

Silver nanocubes (72 nm) and gold nanocages (75 nm) were assembled by varying the average interstitial particle distances by the Langmuir−Blodgett technique. The shape of the surface pressure−area isotherms for the two types of nanoparticles are discussed in terms of the degree of surface capping of each nanoparticle which depends on the surface quality. Monolayer films formed at different surface pressures were transferred by the vertical dipping method to silicon and glass substrates where their optical spectra and SEM images were examined. A red-shift of the strong plasmon peak maximum was observed as the average particle distance was decreased. From the SEM images, the morphology as well as the percent area of the substrate surface covered at different pressures was determined. A linear relationship was observed between the percent of covered area and the plasmon peak maximum, the slope of which reflects the average plasmon field felt by the nanoparticles. The increase in the average field with increa...