cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Higher-order topological superconductors in P -, T -odd quadrupolar Dirac materials

The presence or absence of certain symmetries in the normal state (NS) also determines the symmetry of the Cooper pairs. Here, we show that parity ($\mathcal{P}$-) and time-reversal ($\mathcal{T}$-) odd Dirac insulators (trivial or topological) or metals, sustain a local or intraunit cell pairing that supports corner (in $d=2$) or hinge (in $d=3$) modes of Majorana fermions and stands as a higher-order topological superconductor (HOTSC), when the NS additionally breaks discrete fourfold (${C}_{4}$) symmetry. Although these outcomes do not rely on the existence of a Fermi surface, around it (when the system is doped) the HOTSC takes the form of a mixed parity, $\mathcal{T}$-odd (due to the lack of $\mathcal{P}$ and $\mathcal{T}$ in the NS, respectively) $p+id$ pairing, where the $p(d$)-wave component stems from the Dirac nature of quasiparticles (lack of ${C}_{4}$ symmetry) in the NS. Thus, when strained, magnetically ordered Dirac materials, such as doped magnetic topological insulators (${\mathrm{MnBi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{4}$), can harbor HOTSCs, while the absence of an external strain should be conducive for the axionic $p+is$ pairing.
Unique roles of vaginal Megasphaera phylotypes in reproductive health

ABSTRACT The composition of the human vaginal microbiome has been extensively studied and is known to influence reproductive health. However, the functional roles of individual taxa and their contributions to negative health outcomes have yet to be well characterized. Here, we examine two vaginal bacterial taxa grouped within the genus Megasphaera that have been previously associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and pregnancy complications. Phylogenetic analyses support the classification of these taxa as two distinct species. These two phylotypes, Megasphaera phylotype 1 (MP1) and Megasphaera phylotype 2 (MP2), differ in genomic structure and metabolic potential, suggestive of differential roles within the vaginal environment. Further, these vaginal taxa show evidence of genome reduction and changes in DNA base composition, which may be common features of host dependence and/or adaptation to the vaginal environment. In a cohort of 3,870 women, we observed that MP1 has a stronger positive association with bacterial vaginosis whereas MP2 was positively associated with trichomoniasis. MP1, in contrast to MP2 and other common BV-associated organisms, was not significantly excluded in pregnancy. In a cohort of 52 pregnant women, MP1 was both present and transcriptionally active in 75.4% of vaginal samples. Conversely, MP2 was largely absent in the pregnant cohort. This study provides insight into the evolutionary history, genomic potential and predicted functional role of two clinically relevant vaginal microbial taxa.
Increased Contact Time and Strength Deficits in Runners With Exercise-Related Lower Leg Pain.

Context Exercise-related lower leg pain (ERLLP) is common in runners. Objective To compare biomechanical (kinematic, kinetic, and spatiotemporal) measures obtained from wearable sensors as well as lower extremity alignment, range of motion, and strength during running between runners with and those without ERLLP. Design Case-control study. Setting Field and laboratory. Patients or other participants Of 32 young adults who had been running regularly (>10 mi [16 km] per week) for ≥3 months, 16 had ERLLP for ≥2 weeks and 16 were healthy control participants. Main outcome measure(s) Both field and laboratory measures were collected at the initial visit. The laboratory measures consisted of alignment (arch height index, foot posture index, navicular drop, tibial torsion, Q-angle, and hip anteversion), range of motion (great toe, ankle, knee, and hip), and strength. Participants then completed a 1.67-mi (2.69-km) run along a predetermined route to calibrate the RunScribe devices. The RunScribe wearable sensors collected kinematic (pronation excursion and maximum pronation velocity), kinetic (impact g and braking g), and spatiotemporal (stride length, step length, contact time, stride pace, and flight ratio) measures. Participants then wore the sensors during at least 3 training runs in the next week. Results The ERLLP group had a slower stride pace than the healthy group, which was accounted for as a covariate in subsequent analyses. The ERLLP group had a longer contact time during the stance phase of running (mean difference [MD] = 18.00 ± 8.27 milliseconds) and decreased stride length (MD = -0.11 ± 0.05 m) than the control group. For the clinical measures, the ERLLP group demonstrated increased range of motion for great-toe flexion (MD = 13.9 ± 4.6°) and ankle eversion (MD = 6.3 ± 2.7°) and decreased strength for ankle inversion (MD = -0.49 ± 0.23 N/kg), ankle eversion (MD = -0.57 ± 0.27 N/kg), and hip flexion (MD = -0.99 ± 0.39 N/kg). Conclusions The ERLLP group exhibited a longer contact time and decreased stride length during running as well as strength deficits at the ankle and hip. Gait retraining and lower extremity strengthening may be warranted as clinical interventions in runners with ERLLP.
One-step aerosol synthesis of a double perovskite oxide (KBaTeBiO6) as a potential catalyst for CO2 photoreduction

This study presents a comprehensive investigation on the aerosol synthesis of a semiconducting double perovskite oxide with a nominal composition of KBaTeBiO6, which is considered as a potential candidate for CO2 photoreduction. We demonstrate the rapid synthesis of the multispecies compound KBaTeBiO6 with extremely high purity and controllable size through a single-step furnace aerosol reactor (FuAR) process. The formation mechanism of the perovskite through the aerosol route is investigated using thermogravimetric analysis to identify the optimal reference temperature, residence time and other operational parameters in the FuAR synthesis process to obtain highly pure KBaTeBiO6 nanoparticles. It is observed that particle formation in the FuAR is based on a combination of gas-to-particle and liquid-to-particle mechanisms. The phase purity of the perovskite nanoparticles depends on the ratio of the residence time and the reaction time. The particle size is strongly affected by the precursor concentration, residence time and furnace temperature. Finally, the photocatalytic performance of the synthesized KBaTeBiO6 nanoparticles is investigated for CO2 photoreduction under UV-light. The best performing sample exhibits an average CO production rate of 180 μmol g−1 h−1 in the first half hour with a quantum efficiency of 1.19%, demonstrating KBaTeBiO6 as a promising photocatalyst for CO2 photoreduction.
A Stacking-based Ensemble Learning Model with Genetic Algorithm For detecting Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects fifty million people worldwide and is the sixth cause of death in the United States. However, there is no cure or treatment for patients with AD; thus, it is important to detect this disease at an early stage to improve patients' lives qualities. Several studies have been proposed to detect and differentiate between different AD groups, although most of these works only focused on differentiating between healthy people and people with Alzheimer's. These studies also did not identify the most reliable biomarkers to provide more accurate results and did not use the best hyperparameters to provide optimal results. To address these issues, we developed a model that leads to a better performance in differentiating between healthy people (cognitively normal), people with mild cognitive impairment, and people with Alzheimer’s disease. For this purpose, we combined a stacking-based ensemble learning, consisting of four traditional classifiers, with a hyperparameter tuning technique, a genetic algorithm. The model was evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The simulation results show that stacking-based ensemble learning, using genetic algorithm, provides 96.7% accuracy, 96.5% recall, 97.9% precision, and 97.1% F1-score in differentiating between CN, MCI, and AD groups.
A Community Science Approach to Conservation Challenges Posed by Rebounding Marine Mammal Populations: Seal-Fishery Interactions in New England

Between 1880-1962, gray and harbor seals were targeted in legal seal bounty hunts across Maine and Massachusetts due to a perceived competition with commercial fisheries. Following their extirpation 50 years ago, legislative protections allowed seals to recolonize historical grounds along the New England coast. With this conservation success story, conflict has re-emerged as seen in the numerous media articles reflecting a temperament beckoning to the past century, with calls to cull the population and the spread of misinformation. The return of seals after decades of near-absence has created a new ecological and psychological baseline for New Englanders where for three generations, seals were rarely present. Although seals are statutorily protected species, unlike the tools and resources available for depleted, threatened or endangered species, the support needed to increase opportunities for coexistence of humans with rebounding pinnipeds, are comparatively lacking. Even as gray seals have the highest fisheries bycatch levels of any marine mammal in the U.S., resources to address these management challenges are minimal due to limitations and prioritization processes for committing available support. While seal conservation has been a success, the manner in which management is often separately applied to ecosystem elements (e.g., harvested species, protected species) contributes to knowledge gaps, and a disconnect between the goals of conservation to sustainably utilize natural resources while also protecting the intrinsic value of resources for ecosystem health. Solutions to such coexistence challenges could benefit from a more holistic ecosystem conservation approach. To address these disconnects, a two-day workshop was convened to understand seal-fishery interactions where we provided opportunities for community members to meet and learn from one another including, but not limited to, fishermen, natural resource managers, marine mammal stranding response personnel and scientists. A convening that might otherwise result in tumultuous and adversarial engagement, we used as a tool to engage. This community science approach led to long-term relationships that have allowed for successful applied, and community driven, solutions. Here we share the lessons learned and subsequent partnerships. Our intent is to share our approach to address other marine mammal conservation conflict challenges, allowing for collaborative pathways toward long-term coexistence.
First principles quantum calculations for graphyne for electronic devices

Moving beyond traditional 2D materials is now desirable in order to have switching capabilities (e.g., transistors). Here we propose using γ graphyne-n because, as shown in this paper, obtaining regions of the electronic band structure which act as valence and conduction bands, with an apparent bandgap, are found. Electron spatial density and electronic band structures with e(k) vs. k are calculated for graphyne-1 and graphyne-2 having respectively, one and two triple C–C carbon–carbon bonds between adjoining benzene rings; such side by side comparisons never before done. The ab initio quantum calculations were performed using both the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for density functional theory (DFT).
The Future is NOW for Humanized Mouse Models

The advent of new generations of humanized mouse models has dramatically expanded their usefulness and extended the areas of biomedical research that have received direct benefit from these systems. The multiple chapters in this book serve as tangible proof that in a relatively short time significant progress has been made. It is clear that humanized mouse models have matured to such degree that are now essential components of state-of-the art research in multiple disciplines. The types of experiments that can be performed with these models have opened novel lines of investigations that were clearly out of the realm of possibilities just a few years ago. This momentum represents a unique opportunity to reiterate the need for intellectual, physical, and financial resources to further improve the current models, develop and implement new ones, and broaden the availability of these models to researchers in as many different disciplines as possible. The broad use of these models could be greatly facilitated by the ability to produce significantly larger numbers of animals for use in studies, by the significantly lower costs associated with their large-scale production and husbandry and by the fact that they can be readily transported to virtually any facility with adequate resources for their use. The creation of National Humanized Mouse Research Centers (NHMRC) would therefore serve to continue to improve the current models, develop new ones in response to new technologies and research needs, produce animals for distribution and use, provide on-site facilities and trained personnel to conduct experiments, and for the development and implementation of much needed standards for the field. Together with the creation of new NHMRC is the development of an International Humanized Mouse Working Group (IHMWG) to facilitate exchange and dissemination of information, the development and implementation of new and improved models, the development and validation of experimental platforms, to facilitate the dialog between investigators in the field, and to identify areas of improvement that would be simplified by the concerted effort of multiple disciplines that are unlikely to be fully met by individual research groups.
A constrained variational principle for direct estimation and smoothing of the diffusion tensor field from DWI.

In this paper, we present a novel constrained variational principle for simultaneous smoothing and estimation of the diffusion tensor field from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The constrained variational principle involves the minimization of a regularization term in an L p norm, subject to a nonlinear inequality constraint on the data. The data term we employ is the original Stejskal-Tanner equation instead of the linearized version usually employed in literature. The original nonlinear form leads to a more accurate (when compared to the linearized form) estimated tensor field. The inequality constraint requires that the nonlinear least squares data term be bounded from above by a possibly known tolerance factor. Finally, in order to accommodate the positive definite constraint on the diffusion tensor, it is expressed in terms of cholesky factors and estimated. variational principle is solved using the augmented Lagrangian technique in conjunction with the limited memory quasi-Newton method. Both synthetic and real data experiments are shown to depict the performance of the tensor field estimation algorithm. Fiber tracts in a rat brain are then mapped using a particle system based visualization technique.
Surface diffusion in monomolecular films: I. Lateral profile shift in radiotracer method

Abstract The lateral shift of the surface concentration profiles was systematically investigated during a study directed at obtaining reliable surface diffusion data for myristic acid monolayers on 0.01 N HCl subsolutions using the radiotracer technique. Variable profile shifts, both with regard to direction and magnitude, can occur due to lateral temperature gradients if surface diffusion experiments are not performed carefully. However, when the temperature and humidity are stringently controlled, the profile shift becomes regular and always shifts toward the radioactive film side of the trough. Monolayer characterization studies showed that there were no differences between the II-ΔV-A isotherms of high purity radioactive and nonradioactive myristic acid monomolecular films below the equilibrium spreading pressure. However, film stability measurements indicated that the freshly purified radioactive surfactant undergoes significant decomposition, not only during storage, but also when it is spread on the subsolution surface for monolayer studies. Subsequent evaporation and dissolution of decomposition products from the radioactive portion of the surface film in diffusion measurements give rise to an instantaneous surface tension gradient and, hence, a shift of the boundary between the radioactive and nonradioactive films. The lateral profile shift, therefore, does not arise from temperature-induced Rayleigh instabilities as claimed recently by D. Vollhardt and co-workers [Colloid Polym. Sci. 258, 1176 (1980)], but rather it results from uncqual monolayer losses as proposed earlier by J. H. Wirz and R. D. Neuman [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 63, 583 (1978)].
“Breakthrough” Propulsion and the Foundations of Physics

Hopeful that a way can be found to circumvent the technical problems of conventional advanced propulsion, some have recently initiated investigations into so-called “breakthrough propulsion physics.” Speculative conjectures in this area involving alleged unconventional electromagnetic effects, both classical and semi-classical, predating this recent interest, have become a focus of current investigation. Two of these conjectures are examined here in some detail and shown to be untenable since, in addition to violating conservation principles, they lead to the expectation of large effects that are not observed.
Here, We Are Walking on a Clothesline: Statelessness and Human (In)Security Among Burmese Women Political Exiles Living in Thailand

i Dedication ii Acknowledgements iii List of Abbreviations vi List of Figures vii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Burmese Political Exiles in Sociohistoric Context 5 Chapter 3: Critical Review of the Literature 19 Chapter 4: Methods 36 Chapter 5: Theoretical Paradigms 48 Chapter 6: Findings Going into Exile 63 Chapter 7: Findings Statelessness and Human Insecurity 75 Chapter 8: Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations 114 References 120 Appendix A: Original Human Subjects Research Proposal 131 Appendix B: Revised Human Subjects Research Proposal 139 Appendix C: Verbal Consent Script 147 Appendix D: Interview Questions 148
The stellar content of 30 Doradus

The components of the supergiant H II region Tarantula are surveyed, noting that 30 Doradus is really only the most active section of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The region contains at least 40 WR stars and numerous non-H II region late spectral type supergiants. Most of the stars are centrally located and presumably feed on the nebulosity. The closeness of the population will require fine spectroscopic scans of all the members to achieve accurate typing. Although the population is mixed, the ionizing radiation emitted by the region is consistent with its classification as part of the H II region. Finally, the brightest objects within Tarantula are suspected of being multiple systems.
The Three-Legged Stool: Linkages Among Education, Research, and Practice in Gerontology and Geriatrics

This Gerontology & Geriatrics Education special issue, “The Three-Legged Stool: Linkages Among Education, Research, and Practice in Gerontology and Geriatrics,” is a key initiative of the Gerontolo...
A Presentation of Progressive Multifocal Leukoenceophalopathy Leading to Diagnosis of Underlying Marginal Zone Lymphoma: An Unusual Antecedent Cause of Immunosuppression. (P5.029)

OBJECTIVE: To discuss an unusual presentation of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), ultimately leading to a diagnosis of marginal zone lymphoma. BACKGROUND: PML causes rapid neurological deterioration in patients that are immunocompromised such as with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. PML may also be diagnosed in patients who are immunosuppressed secondarily to chemotherapy, immunosuppressed for organ transplantation, or immunosuppressed for management of auto-immune diseases. While PML has been described previously in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, this is generally following immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulatory therapies to treat their underlying pathology. This implies that most commonly lymphoma associated with PML is diagnosed first, with PML being secondary to treatment for the lymphoma. Neurological manifestations of PML leading to a diagnosis of underlying lymphoma as we describe would be rare. DESIGN/METHODS: case report RESULTS: A 59 year old man with history of previous alcohol abuse, hepatitis C, cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia presented after several months of gait unsteadiness and right sided weakness. MRI showed confluent restricted diffusion prominently in the corpus callosum extending to the deep frontal white matter bilaterally with other patchy areas of white matter affected. Differential included Marchiafava-Bignami or other atypical demyelinating disorder as the most likely. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was acquired showing normal cells counts and protein, negative oligoclonal bands, and negative cytology and flow cytometry. John Cunningham Virus (JCV) probe was not sent on the initial CSF specimen. Patient rapidly progressed, with worsening hemiplegia, abulia, cognitive decline and dysphagia. Repeat MRI showed increasing burden of white matter lesions. JCV probe was positive on repeat CSF testing, diagnostic for PML. Bone marrow biopsy was acquired for workup of thrombocytopenia which showed marginal zone lymphoma. Patient’s family chose palliative measures only at this point. CONCLUSIONS: Thorough investigation in PML patients with no known source of immunosuppression may reveal unusual causes of immune dysfunction. Disclosure: Dr. Hartmann has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mayer has nothing to disclose.
Finding Community Topics and Membership in Graphs

Community detection in networks is a broad problem with many proposed solutions. Existing methods frequently make use of edge density and node attributes; however, the methods ultimately have different definitions of community and build strong assumptions about community features into their models. We propose a new method for community detection, which estimates both per-community feature distributions (topics) and per-node community membership. Communities are modeled as connected subgraphs with nodes sharing similar attributes. Nodes may join multiple communities and share common attributes with each. Communities have an associated probability distribution over attributes and node attributes are modeled as draws from a mixture distribution. We make two basic assumptions about community structure: communities are densely connected and have a small network diameter. These assumptions inform the estimation of community topics and membership assignments without being too prescriptive. We present competitive results against state-of-the-art methods for finding communities in networks constructed from NSF awards, the DBLP repository, and the Scratch online community.
DeShea's Dream Deferred: A Case Study of a Talented Urban Artist:

Artistically talented students from culturally diverse populations exist in urban environments; however, school systems often fail to provide appropriate art programs and prevent young people from realizing their highest potential. In this account of a talented young artist whose needs were not met by educators in an urban high school, the author tells of a teenager's struggle to find a place for himself in his community and describes the resulting problems with the teen's academic underachievement. The findings of the study offer educators helpful suggestions for addressing the educational needs of artistically talented youth in urban settings.
Erythromycin therapy in bullous pemphigoid: Possible anti-inflammatory effects

Two patients with bullous pemphigoid treated with erythromycin demonstrated improvement. This response suggests that erythromycin may be a fairly safe supplemental drug which may allow a lower dose of systemic steroid, or may be of benefit when used alone or in combination with topical steroids in treating patients who are not ideal candidates for a systemic steroid. Erythromycin appears to have a significant anti-inflammatory effect, and possible mechanisms for this effect are proposed. One of the patients was a 4th-year-old girl whose disease manifested several unusual features, making diagnosis difficult. A brief summary of differential immunofluorescent findings in childhood bullous diseases is also presented. (J AM ACAD DERMATOL 7:504-510, 1982.)
Stage‐specific effects of temperature and dietary protein on growth and survival of Manduca sexta caterpillars

Summary The effects of temperature and dietary protein concentration on growth and survival of Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) caterpillars during different larval stages were examined. Sets of caterpillars were raised from hatching at one of five constant temperatures (18, 22, 26, 30 or 34°C) and on one of two artificial diets (low or high protein concentration). Mass gain, duration (development time) and mean growth rate were measured for each caterpillar for the 1st to 3rd stadia, the 4th stadium, and the 5th stadium. Temperature significantly affected mass gain during each larval stage, resulting in smaller mass gains at higher temperatures at each stage. This effect was strongest at high temperatures during the 5th stadium. Temperature significantly affected durations of each larval stage, but the effect varied among stages: for example, the duration of stadia 1–3 decreased continuously with increasing temperature, whereas the duration of the 5th stadium was shortest at 26–30°C and increased at lower and higher temperatures. The effect of temperature on mean growth rate changed dramatically across larval stages: maximal growth rate occurred at 34°C during the 1st to 3rd stadia, at 30°C during the 4th stadium and at 26°C during the 5th stadium. Higher dietary protein concentration significantly decreased the duration of stadia 1–3 and of the 4th stadium, but had no significant effect on the duration of the 5th stadium. Temperature and dietary protein had little effect on mortality rates during any larval stadium, with one exception: mortality during the 5th stadium increased dramatically at temperatures of 30 and 34°C. These results demonstrate that the effects of temperature and dietary protein concentration on growth, development and survival in M. sexta vary markedly in different larval stadia during development; 5th instar caterpillars are particularly sensitive to higher temperatures.
Rupture of the neck in nuclear fission

We introduce a degree of freedom to describe the rupture of the neck in nuclear fission and calculate the point at which the neck ruptures as the nucleus descends dynamically from its fission saddle point. This is done by mentally slicing the system into two portions at its minimum neck radius and calculating the force required to separate the two portions while keeping their shapes fixed. This force is obtained by differentiating with respect to separation the sum of the Coulomb and nuclear interaction energies between the two portions. For nuclei throughout the Periodic Table we calculate this force along dynamical paths leading from the fission saddle point. The force is initially attractive but becomes repulsive when the neck reaches a critical size. For actinide nuclei the neck radius at which rupture occurs is about 2 fm. This increases the calculated translational kinetic energy of the fission fragments at infinity relative to that calculated for scission occurring at zero neck radius. With the effect of neck rupture taken into account, we calculate and compare with experimental results fission-fragment kinetic energies for two types of nuclear dissipation: ordinary two-body viscosity and one-body dissipation.NUCLEAR REACTIONS, FISSION Included neck-rupture degree of freedom and calculated its effect on fission-fragment kinetic energies. Modified liquid-drop model, hydrodynamical model, nuclear viscosity, one-body nuclear dissipation.
Generating mutual coherence from incoherence with the help of a phase-conjugate mirror.

Although the signal and idler light beams produced in the process of spontaneous parametric downconversion are mutually incoherent and exhibit no one-photon interference, interference effects should be observable after either the signal or the idler is reflected by a phase-conjugate mirror. The degree of coherence can, in principle, be as large as unity. We refer to the relationship between the signal and the idler produced by down-conversion as anticoherent and introduce a natural measure for the degree of anticoherence.
Retroviral Gene Transfer: Effects on Endothelial Cell Phenotype

Abstract Background.Endothelial cells (EC) are an attractive target for somatic cell gene therapy, both for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and for the systemic delivery of recombinant gene products directly into the circulation. Recent evidence, however, suggests that viral transduction may induce unfavorable changes in EC phenotype. We examined the proliferative capacity and cell adhesion molecule (CAM) profile of EC after retroviral gene transfer (GT), employing a clinically relevantex vivoGT protocol. Methods.Human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC,N= 14 isolates) were exposed to supernatants containing the MFG.nlsLACZ vector, which codes for a nuclear localized β-galactosidase. Control HUVEC were exposed to empty virus (CRIP) or no virus (NT). Efficiency of GT was quantitated by direct counting of β-galactosidase-stained cells on a grid. Proliferation was quantitated by a 1-week assay of viable cell counts. Expression of EC activation molecules (Class II major histocompatibility antigen [MHC II], E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1]) was examined using fluorescent cytometry (FACS) at rest and after cytokine stimulation. Results.GT was reproducibly efficient (mean 57%, range 40–77%) using sequential viral exposures without selection. NT, CRIP, and LACZ-transduced HUVEC exhibited identical FACS profiles for E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MHC II at rest, consistent with a nonactivated state. Upregulation of expression by cytokine was quantitatively similar for all groups. Growth rates were likewise not different between groups. Conclusions.Retroviral vectors may be employed to achieve high percentages of transduced EC forex vivoGT without the use of selection. Transduced EC generated in this fashion are not activated, demonstrate an unaltered pattern of inducible CAM expression, and exhibit normal cell growth. The effects of GT on target cell phenotype are likely to be both vector and protocol specific and should be carefully assessed in each case prior toin vivoapplications.
An Overview of Anorexia Nervosa in Males

This article presents an integrative overview of existing research on anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescent males. AN is commonly thought of as a female disorder. Even though as much as 25% of the clinical population is male, research on AN in males is limited. Additionally, most conceptualizations of male AN emphasize a single etiological factor and, therefore, produce treatments that fail to address it as a global phenomenon. In contrast, an integrative understanding that incorporates research on the familial, biological, cultural, and psychodynamic elements involved in male AN encourages treatment that comprehensively addresses the disorder.
Methamphetamine-induced dopamine overflow and injury to striatal dopamine terminals: attenuation by dopamine D1 or D2 antagonists.

Pharmacological blockade of either D1 or D2 dopamine (DA) receptors prevents damage of striatal DA terminals by repeated doses of methamphetamine (m-AMPH). Because the substantial DA overflow produced by multiple m-AMPH treatments appears to contribute to the subsequent injury, we have investigated the effects of blockade of D1 or D2 receptors on m-AMPH-induced DA efflux using in vivo microdialysis. Four treatments with m-AMPH (4 mg/kg, s.c., 2-h intervals) produced large increases in striatal DA overflow, with particularly marked overflow (10 times the basal values) following the fourth injection. Administered by themselves, four injections of the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 or the D2 antagonist eticlopride (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., 2-h intervals) significantly increased striatal DA overflow. However, treatment with either SCH 23390 or eticlopride 15 min before each of four m-AMPH injections attenuated the marked DA peak otherwise seen after the fourth m-AMPH injection. These effects on DA overflow were related to subsequent DA depletions. Although our m-AMPH regimen produced a 54% reduction in striatal DA tissue content 1 week later, pretreatments with either the D1 or the D2 antagonist completely prevented subsequent DA content depletions. Furthermore, the DA content of striatal tissue remaining 1 week after m-AMPH treatment was significantly correlated with the magnitude of the cumulative DA overflow during the m-AMPH treatment (r = -0.69). Thus, the extensive DA overflow seen during neurotoxic regimens of m-AMPH appears critical to the subsequent neurotoxicity, and the neuroprotective action of DA receptor antagonists seems to result from their attenuation of stimulant-induced DA overflow.
Lactose sensitive lectin of chick retina and spinal cord

A factor extracted from chick embryo retina and spinal cord was found to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes invitro. The amount of agglutinin activity varies markedly during embryonic development in the spinal cord, rising to a peak of 7692 units/mg protein at 10 days and then falling to 1120 units/mg protein in the spinal cords of newly hatched chicks. Agglutination activity of the retina developed later (zero at 8 days) and after day 16 plateaus at values 10% that of the peak spinal cord activity. Despite such marked differences in hemagglutination activity and the pattern of development, both the retina and spinal cord lectins were blocked by the same saccharides with essentially identical potency ratios. Lactose (4-o-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-glucose) was the most potent inhibitor and was 1,000 times more potent than melibiose (6-o-α-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-glucose).
Delay in the age of balano-preputial skinfold cleavage and alterations in serum profiles of testosterone, 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol, and gonadotropins in adult rats treated during puberty with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone

Abstract Previous work has shown that chronic treatment of intact, immature male rats with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) decreases sex accessory gland weights and results in retardation of the normal developmental increase in the ratio of serum testosterone (T)/5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-Diol) via an apparent enhancement of testicular 5α-reductase or 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities. In the present work, androgen dependent balano-preputial skinfold cleavage was significantly delayed by approximately one week in intact, immature male rats which were treated daily for two weeks with either 1.0 μg, 2.5 μg or 5.0 μg of LHRH during a discrete phase of pubertal development (28–41 days of age). In intact, adult (62 day old) animals which received LHRH treatments during pubertal development, serum T concentrations and sex accessory gland weights were reduced compared to control animal values. Serum 3α-Diol content in the adult rats was either unaltered or increased significantly depending on the LHRH dosage employed during sexual development. Serum luteinizing hormone concentrations were not different between control and LHRH-pretreated adult rats whereas the highest dosage of LHRH employed (5.0 μg) during puberty resulted in a significant elevation of adult serum follicle stimulating hormone levels. It is suggested that chronic LHRH treatment of the male rat during puberty results in a perturbation in testicular androgen biosynthetic activities and an impairment of pituitarytesticular hormone feedback mechanisms which persist at least through early adulthood.
Failure of percutaneous drainage in children with traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts

Recent reports have documented the successful use of percutaneous drainage (PD) in the management of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children. This study presents four cases of pancreatic pseudocyst in which percutaneous catheter drainage was performed. In one instance, no operative therapy was required. However, in the other three cases PD failed to resolve the problem and distal pancreatectomy with splenic salvage was performed when contrast studies (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or catheter injection) demonstrated disruption of the main pancreatic duct. This report suggests that children with pancreatic pseudocysts unresponsive to PD require prompt investigation of ductal anatomy to rule out transection or other major injury.
Barrett's Esophagus and Other Mucosal Evidence of Reflux in Asymptomatic Subjects with Abnormal 24-Hour Esophageal pH Monitoring

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux have a broad spectrum and varying severity and frequency of symptoms. The current hypothesis, Castell's iceberg, suggests that the relatively small number of patients seeking attention due to reflux complications or persistent symptoms originates from a larger pool of patients with mild and/or sporadic symptoms (1). We evaluated 30 asymptomatic subjects by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and detected 30% with abnormal percentage of total time pH < 4 (2). We report the endoscopic and biopsy findings in this unexpected high percentage of asymptomatic subjects with reflux. These findings support adding another layer at the bottom of Castell's iceberg, the "silent refluxers."
Telehealth's impact on nursing and the development of the interstate compact.

Abstract The information age has opened a new era for nursing practice. Advances in telecommunications technology now allow nurses to care for patients and their families in geographic locations throughout the country. This new practice environment challenges many of the assumptions that have created a state-based system of nurse practice acts and licensing. In response to this challenge, the creation of a new mechanism for licensure and practice, the interstate compact, is developing. In this article, the development and regulatory challenges created by telenursing and the interstate compact are discussed. J Prof Nurs 17:243-247, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Gastric Neuromuscular Pathology in Gastroparesis: Analysis of Full-Thickness Antral Biopsies

Pathologic assessment of gastric tissue in patients with gastroparesis is limited. To evaluate gastric histopathology in patients with gastroparesis. Full-thickness antral biopsies were obtained in 28 patients with gastroparesis. Control specimens were obtained from patients undergoing gastric resection. HE p = 0.0002) compared to controls (3.2 ± 0.12). This was seen in both DG (2.4 ± 0.32) and IG (2.0 ± 0.2). Sixteen patients (ten IG and six DG) had a reduction of ganglion cells (<2.3 cells/hpf). C-kit staining showed a reduction of ICCs in six patients (five IG and one DG). Four patients (three IG and one DG) had abnormal ICC morphology on C-kit staining with more rounded morphology and less dendritic processes. This study shows several pathologic abnormalities in the gastric tissue in some patients with refractory gastroparesis. An inflammatory infiltrate was present in nearly half of the patients with diabetic gastroparesis. There was a reduction in nerve cell bodies in both idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis. A reduced number of ICCs were found in the myenteric plexus. Thus, histologic abnormalities in gastroparesis are heterogeneous and include myenteric inflammation, decreased innervation, and reduction of ICCs.
Thrust Force Characterization of Oscillating Cantilevers Operating Near Resonance

Harmonic oscillations from cantileverlike structures have found use in applications ranging from thermal management to atomic force microscopy and propulsion, due to their simplicity in design and ease of implementation. In addition, making use of resonance conditions, a very energy efficient solution is achievable. This paper focuses on the application of providing thrust through cantilever oscillations at or near the first mode of resonance. This method of actuation provides a balance between full biomimicry and ease of fabrication. Previous studies have shown promise in predicting the propulsion performance based on the operating parameters, however, they have only considered a single cantilever geometry. Here, additional cantilever sizes and materials are included, yielding a much larger design space to characterize the thrust trends. The thrust data is experimentally captured and is assembled into two sets of predictive correlations. The first is based on Reynolds and Strouhal numbers, while the second only employs the Keulegan–Carpenter number. Both correlations are proven to predict the experimental data and can be shown to yield nearly identical proportional relationships after accounting for the cantilever frequency response. The findings presented in this research will aid in further understanding and assessing the capabilities of thrust generation for oscillating cantilevers, but also provides a foundation for other applications such as convection heat transfer and fluid transport.
Individual differences during acquisition predict shifts in generalization.

Learning to distinguish subtle differences in objects or events can impact how one generalizes. In some cases, training can cause novel events to appear more familiar or attractive than those actually experienced during training: the peak shift effect. This study examined whether individual differences in learning led to systematic patterns of generalization. Participants were trained to identify simulated birdsongs, and then tested on their ability to identify a target song presented among several similar songs that differed in pitch. Initial analysis showed that those attaining moderate proficiency at discriminating songs during training were more likely to shift than those performing poorly or proficiently. However, a neural network trained to output individuals’ gradient dynamics using only performance during training as input found an additional set of training variables that predicted shift. Specifically, one subset of shifters had highly conservative response biases accompanied by very little change to perceptual sensitivity in training. These findings suggest that discrimination learning may only lead to generalization shifts in some individuals, and that all individuals who shift may not do so for the same reason.
Do we practice what we preach? clinical decision making and utilization of endoscopic ultrasound for staging esophageal cancer.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Endosonography is accurate for staging esophageal cancer. However, whether detailed staging impacts clinical decision making, whether endosonography is perceived as a useful modality, and what factors influence the utilization of endosonography have not been studied. METHODS: One hundred gastroenterologists were surveyed about staging and management of esophageal cancer, including: 1) management by stage; 2) perceived usefulness of endosonography; 3) availability of endosonography; and 4) number of patients referred. RESULTS: Clinical decisions varied by incremental differences in tumor stage. However, only 27 of 66 respondents (40.9%) judged endosonography to be very useful or essential for the evaluation of esophageal cancer and only 22 (33.3%) had referred a patient. Perceived usefulness and availability were independent factors strongly associated with referral for endosonography. Among 18 respondents to whom endosonography was available and who considered it useful, 14 (77.9%) had referred a case. In contrast, a conservative management was not associated with either perceived usefulness of or referral for endosonography. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians recognize the importance of detailed staging for management of esophageal cancer. Despite this, they underestimate the utility of endosonography and fail to refer patients for appropriate evaluation. Lack of perceived usefulness and unavailability are important independent barriers to utilization of endosonography in clinical practice.
Cortical Modification of an Epileptogenic Focus

Summary: The influence of cerebral cortex on penicillin-induced spikes in striate cortex was studied with the technique of hypothermic block. Direct cooling of the involved or contralateral striate cortex markedly reduced seizure activity. Significant reduction in seizure activity was also seen with cooling of ipsilateral and contralateral visual association cortex. None of the other cortical areas tested had a reproducible effect on the frequency of seizures. These findings are discussed in terms of local and remote factors influencing the epileptogenic focus. RESUME Ľinfluence du cortex cerebral sur les pointes induites par la penicilline sur le cortex strie a eteetudiee avec la technique du blocage hypothermique. Le refroidissement direct du cortex strie du cote interesse par la penicilline ou du cote oppose reduit considerablement Ľactivite critique. Le meme effet est obtenu par refroidissement du cortex visuel associatif ipsilateral ou contralateral. Aucune des autres aires corticales testees n'a montre un effet reproductible sur la frequence des crises. Ces constatations sont discutees en termes de facteurs locaux ou eloignes susceptibles Ďinfluencer un foyer epileptogene. RESUMEN Mediante la tecnica de bloqueo hipotermico se ha estudiado la influencia de la corteza cerebral sobre las puntas inducidas por la penicilina en la corteza estriada. El enfriamiento directo de la corteza estriada afecta, o de la contralateral, marcadamente redujo la actividad epileptica. Se observo tambien una reduction significativa de la actividad epileptica con el enfriamiento de la corteza visual asociativa homo y contralateral. Ninguna de las otras zonas corticales examinadas produjo un efecto reproducible sobre la frecuencia de las descargas. Estos hallazgos se han discutido en lo referente a los factores locales o remotos que influencian focos epileptogenicos. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Der Einflus des cerebralen Cortex auf Penicillin-induzierte spikes in der Area striata wurde mit der Technik des hypothermen Blocks studiert. Die direkte Kuhlung der betroffenen oder kontralateralen Area striata reduzierte deutlich die Anfallsaktivitat. Eine signifikante Verminderung der Anfallsaktivitat wurde auch bei Kuhlung der ipsilateral und kontralateralen visuellen Assoziationszentren beobachtet. Keines der anderen untersuchten kortikalen Gebiete konnte eine reproduzierbare Wirkung auf die Anfallshaufigkeit aus-uben. Diese Befunde werden im Hinblick auf lokale und entfernte Faktoren diskutiert, die den epileptogenen Fokus beeinflussen konnen.
The right to fight

It's high time women in the British army were allowed to join men in the infantry, says Rosemary Bryant Mariner