cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond War Crimes: Denazification, ‘Obnoxious’ Germans and US Policy in Franco's Spain after the Second World War

This work links the western Allies’ policy of denazification in occupied Germany to efforts to repatriate German intelligence agents and Nazi Party officials – so-called ‘obnoxious’ Germans – from the neutral states of Europe after the Second World War. Once on German soil, these individuals would be subject to internment and investigation as outlined in occupation policy. Using the situation in Franco's Spain as a case study, the article argues that new ideas of neutrality following the war and a strong commitment to the concept of denazification led to the creation of the repatriation policy, especially within the United States. Repatriation was also a way to measure the extent to which Franco's Spain accepted the Allied victory and the defeat of Nazism and fascism. The US perception was that the continued presence of individual Nazis meant the continued influence of Nazism itself. Spain responded half-heartedly, at best. Despite the fact that in terms of numbers repatriated the policy was a failure, the Spanish example demonstrates that the attempted repatriation of ‘obnoxious’ Germans from neutral Europe, although overlooked, was significant not only as part of the immediate post-war settlement but also in its bearing on US ideas about Nazism, security and perceived collaboration of neutral states like Spain.
dCAPS, a simple technique for the genetic analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms: experimental applications in Arabidopsis thaliana genetics

PCR-based detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms is a powerful tool for the plant geneticist. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence analysis is the most widely used approach for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. However, this technique is limited to mutations which create or disrupt a restriction enzyme recognition site. This paper presents a modification of this technique where mismatches in a PCR primer are used to create a polymorphism based on the target mutation. This technique is useful for following known mutations in segregating populations and genetic mapping of isolated DNAs used for positional based cloning of new genes. In addition, a computer program has been developed that facilitates the design of these PCR primers.
Review of Alan Cribb, Health and the Good Society: Setting Healthcare Ethics in Social Context 1

The manner in which an issue is framed has important implications for proposed solutions to the problem and the way in which those solutions are evaluated. That is, the selection of a particular fr...
EVAPORATION OF 3 TO 8 NEUTRONS IN REACTIONS BETWEEN $sup 12$C AND VARIOUS URANIUM NUCLIDES.

Cross sections for the production of $^{242}\mathrm{Cf}$, $^{243}\mathrm{Cf}$, $^{244}\mathrm{Cf}$, $^{245}\mathrm{Cf}$, and $^{246}\mathrm{Cf}$ in reactions between $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{233}\mathrm{U}$, $^{234}\mathrm{U}$, $^{235}\mathrm{U}$, $^{236}\mathrm{U}$, and $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ have been measured in the energy range 60-110 MeV for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. A good fit is obtained to the peaks of the cross-section curves. The fit involved (1) calculation of the compound nucleus cross section by the use of the parabolic approximation to the real part of the optical model, (2) modification of Jackson's formula for ${P}_{x}$ to include fission and angular-momentum effects, and (3) use of the $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f}}$ formula due to Fujimoto and Yamaguchi. The analysis suggests that the value of ${〈\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f}}〉}_{\mathrm{av}}$ is independent of the energy of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$. The formula by Fujimoto and Yamaguchi reproduces the experimental ${〈\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f}}〉}_{\mathrm{av}}$ values with a standard deviation of 16%.
Rationales that Providers and Family Members Cited for the Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

Objectives To describe the rationales that providers and family members cite for the use of antipsychotic medications in people with dementia living in nursing homes (NHs). Design Qualitative, descriptive study. Setting Twenty-six medium-sized and large facilities in five Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regions. Participants Individuals diagnosed with dementia who received an antipsychotic medication. Measurements Data were collected from medical record abstraction and interviews with prescribers, administrators, direct care providers, and family members. Textual data from medical record abstraction and responses to open-ended interview questions were analyzed using directed content analysis techniques. A coding scheme was developed, and coded reasons for antipsychotic prescribing were summarized across all sources. Results Major categories of reasons for use of antipsychotic medications in the 204 NH residents in the study sample were behavioral (n = 171), psychiatric (n = 159), emotional states (n = 105), and cognitive diagnoses or symptoms (n = 114). The most common behavioral reasons identified were verbal (n = 91) and physical (n = 85) aggression. For the psychiatric category, psychosis (n = 95) was most frequently described. Anger (n = 93) and sadness (n = 20) were the most common emotional states cited. Conclusion The rationale for use of antipsychotic drug therapy frequently relates to a wide variety of indications for which these drugs are not approved and for which evidence of efficacy is lacking. These findings have implications for clinical practice and policy.
Panbiogeographical study of hagfishes: an anachronistic analysis

In a recent paper by M. J. Cavalcanti and V. Gallo, ‘Panbiogeographical analysis of distribution patterns in hagfishes (Craniata: Myxinidae)’ (Journal of Biogeography, 2008, 35, 1258–1268), the authors studied the biogeography of an ancient fish family (Myxinidae) in the hope that the contemporary distributions of the species would reveal their past history and that of the ocean basins where they reside. In order to accomplish this task, there are several criteria that should have been met: (1) the ages of the taxa utilized (species) would have to be old enough to reflect the history of the areas where they are found, (2) the identification of the species as listed in the databases would have to be accurate, (3) the geographical locations indicated on the figures would have to be consistent with the statements in the text, and (4) the significance of the vicariant patterns would have to depend on evidence pertaining to the ages of such patterns. Unfortunately, it appears that none of these conditions has been met. It seems apparent that faith in an antiquated method of analysis led to neglect of the necessary steps in the analysis. This leaves little justification for publication of the paper, except to show that hagfishes are very widely distributed.
The equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method. Applications to open- and closed-shell reference states

Abstract The equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method (EOM-CCSD) and its quadratic CI (EOM-QCISD) variant for excited states have been implemented in the ACES II program system. Results for open- and closed-shell reference states are reported for Be, N 2 , CO, O 2 , and O 3 . The results show that EOM-CCSD and EOM-QCISD generally provide reliable results for electronic excitation energies, particularly when the excited state is dominated by single excitations.
GPS inferred geocentric reference frame for satellite positioning and navigation

Accurate geocentric three dimensional positioning is of great importance for various geodetic and oceanographic applications. While relative positioning accuracy of a few centimeters has become a reality using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), the uncertainty in the offset of the adopted coordinate system origin from the geocenter is still believed to be of the order of one meter. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is capable of determining this offset to better than10 cm, though, because of the limited number of satellites, this requires a long arc of data. The Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements provide a powerful alternative for an accurate determination of this origin offset in relatively short period of time. Two strategies are discussed, the first utilizes the precise relative positions predetermined byVLBI, where as the second establishes a reference frame by holding only one of the tracking sites longitude fixed. Covariance analysis studies indicate that geocentric positioning to an accuracy of a few centimeters can be achieved with just one day of preciseGPS pseudorange and carrier phase data.
Heart-lung versus double-lung transplantation for suppurative lung disease.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after heart-lung or double-lung transplantation in patients undergoing transplantation because of end-stage suppurative lung disease. Methods: We reviewed our experience in patients with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis who had heart-lung or double-lung transplantation between January 1988 and September 1997. Twenty-three patients (14 male, 21 cystic fibrosis) had heart-lung transplantation and 24 patients (8 male, 19 cystic fibrosis) had double-lung transplantation. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in age, weight, preoperative creatinine level, cytomegalovirus status, maintenance immunosuppression, or donor demographics. Patients received induction therapy with monoclonal (OKT3) or polyclonal (rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin) antibody. Results: Sixteen of 24 patients had double-lung transplantation after 1994 whereas 13 of 22 patients had heart-lung transplantation before 1991, allowing longer follow-up for the heart-lung group. Mean waiting times for transplantation were 270 ± 245 days (heart-lung) and 361 ± 229 days (double-lung; P = .20). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival figures were respectively 86%, 82%, and 65% (heart-lung) and 96%, 75%, and unavailable (double-lung; P = no significant difference). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year rates of freedom from obliterative bronchiolitis were respectively 77%, 61%, and 45% (heart-lung) and 86%, 78%, and unavailable (double-lung; P = no significant difference). Linearized overall infection rates (events/100 patient-days) were 2.05 ± 0.33 (heart-lung) and 2.34 ± 0.34 (double-lung; P = NS) at 3 months. Thirty-day survival was 100% (heart-lung) and 96% (double-lung). There were 7 late deaths among heart-lung recipients (3 obliterative bronchiolitis, 2 infection, 0 graft coronary artery disease, 2 other) whereas 2 late deaths related to obliterative bronchiolitis occurred in double-lung recipients. Graft coronary artery disease (all stenoses Conclusion: Heart-lung and double-lung transplantation provide similar palliation for patients with end-stage suppurative lung disease. Therefore double-lung transplantation should be the preferred operation for most patients with end-stage suppurative lung disease. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:466-76)
CONGRUENCE EFFECTS IN SPONSORSHIP: The Mediating Role of Sponsor Credibility and Consumer Attributions of Sponsor Motive

Corporations sponsoring causes may hope to create the appearance of "good citizenship." Using attribution theory, the authors develop and test a cognitive explanation of sponsorship effects. Results of the experiment suggest that a good fit between a company and the cause it sponsors generates consumer attributions of altruistic sponsor motives and enhances sponsor credibility and attitude toward the sponsor. Mediation analysis results indicate that congruence effects on sponsor attitudes were mediated by sponsor credibility.
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Response Using Orthotropic Charring Ablative Material

An orthotropic material model is implemented in a three-dimensional material response code, and numerically studied for charring ablative material. Model comparison is performed using an iso-Q samp...
Gibbs free energies of formation at 298 K for imogolite and gibbsite from solubility measurements

Abstract The aqueous solubility of synthetic imogolite at 298 K and 1 bar pressure and at 373, 393, 408 and 423 K and equilibrium vapor pressure was determined in 0.01 MNaCl at two initial pH levels. Samples were run with and without pretreatment with HCl and in the presence and absence of gibbsite or boehmite. At 298 K and 1 bar pressure, dissolution of non-HCl-washed synthetic imogolite at the initial pH values of 1.8 and 2.2, with or without addition of AlCl3 and H4SiO4, approached equilibrium within 335 and 33 days, respectively. Dissolution of HCl-washed imogolite and gibbsite at initial pH 2.5 and 3.0 reached equilibrium within 332 and 487 days, respectively. There was no difference between the log IAP values at equilibrium from non-HCl-washed and HCl-washed imogolite samples. Dissolution of non-HCl-washed synthetic imogolite and gibbsite at an initial pH 2.2 attained equilibrium within 485 days of equilibration, but equilibrium was not reached after 861 days for samples at an initial pH 1.8. Dissolution of HCl-washed imogolite at initial pH values of 2.5 and 3.0 did not reach equilibrium within 766 days. At 373 and 393 K and an initial pH 3.0, dissolution of imogolite and synthetic boehmite reached equilibrium. The calculated Gibbs free energies of formation at 298 K were 2923.79 ± 3.38 (synthetic imogolite), −2920.83 ± 3.92 (natural imogolite), −1155.06 ± 1.43 (gibbsite), −915.10 ± 1.83 (boehmite, extrapolated from elevated temperature) and −920.64 ± 1.41 kJ mol−1 (boehmite, from 298 K solubility). The results indicate that synthetic imogolite is more soluble than earlier reports suggest and natural imogolite is less stable than its synthetic counterpart.
Asparagus Beetle Defense Behavior: Adaptations for Survival in Dispersing and Non-dispersing Species

The defense behavior of the 2 asparagus beetles found in North America differs significantly. Crioceris asparagi usually responds to disturbance by (1) dodging evasively and/or (2) feigning death, while C. duodecimpunctata commonly responds by (1) taking flight and (2) stridulating if captured. Dispersal is a more important component of C. duodecimpunctata biology and disturbance may prompt dispersal by the adult beetle. C. duodecimpunctata seems better adapted for survival during dispersal. The color pattern of C. duodecimpunctata imparts greater protection from avian predators, as determined by relative acceptance of C. asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata models by blue jays and chickadees.
Functional domains within the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel (Deg/ENaC) superfamily of ion channels

Application of recombinant DNA technology and electrophysiology to the study of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels has resulted in an enormous increase in the understanding of the structure-function relationships of these channels. Moreover, this knowledge has permitted the elucidation of the physiological roles of these ion channels in cellular processes as diverse as transepithelial salt and water movement, taste perception, volume regulation, nociception, neuronal function, mechanosensation, and even defaecation. Although members of this ever-growing superfamily of ion channels (the Deg/ENaC superfamily) share little amino acid identity, they are all organized similarly, namely, two short N- and C-termini, two short membrane-spanning segments, and a very large extracellular loop domain. In this brief Topical Review, we discuss the structural features of each domain of this Deg/ENaC superfamily and, using ENaC as a model, show how each domain relates to overall channel function.
A meta-meta-analysis: Empirical review of statistical power, type I error rates, effect sizes, and model selection of meta-analyses published in psychology.

This article uses meta-analyses published in Psychological Bulletin from 1995 to 2005 to describe meta-analyses in psychology, including examination of statistical power, Type I errors resulting from multiple comparisons, and model choice. Retrospective power estimates indicated that univariate categorical and continuous moderators, individual moderators in multivariate analyses, and tests of residual variability within individual levels of categorical moderators had the lowest and most concerning levels of power. Using methods of calculating power prospectively for significance tests in meta-analysis, we illustrate how power varies as a function of the number of effect sizes, the average sample size per effect size, effect size magnitude, and level of heterogeneity of effect sizes. In most meta-analyses many significance tests were conducted, resulting in a sizable estimated probability of a Type I error, particularly for tests of means within levels of a moderator, univariate categorical moderators, and residual variability within individual levels of a moderator. Across all surveyed studies, the median effect size and the median difference between two levels of study level moderators were smaller than Cohen's (1988) conventions for a medium effect size for a correlation or difference between two correlations. The median Birge's (1932) ratio was larger than the convention of medium heterogeneity proposed by Hedges and Pigott (2001) and indicates that the typical meta-analysis shows variability in underlying effects well beyond that expected by sampling error alone. Fixed-effects models were used with greater frequency than random-effects models; however, random-effects models were used with increased frequency over time. Results related to model selection of this study are carefully compared with those from Schmidt, Oh, and Hayes (2009), who independently designed and produced a study similar to the one reported here. Recommendations for conducting future meta-analyses in light of the findings are provided.
A Low Power VHF Radar for Auroral Research

A 5-kw, 41-mc radar which was designed for use in the United States IGY program is described. The standard operating procedures are outlined and a sample of the records is shown. The design of a scaling machine is discussed and a method of utilizing the scaled data to produce an auroral echo activity index is described.
Aqueous Stability of Mesoporous Silica Films Doped or Grafted with Aluminum Oxide

Surfactant-templated silica thin films are potentially important materials for applications such as chemical sensing. However, a serious limitation for their use in aqueous environments is their poor hydrolytic stability. One convenient method of increasing the resistance of mesoporous silica to water degradation is addition of alumina, either doped into the pore walls during material synthesis or grafted onto the pore surface of preformed mesophases. Here, we compare these two routes to Al-modified mesoporous silica with respect to their effectiveness in decreasing the solubility of thin mesoporous silicate films. Direct synthesis of templated silica films prepared with Al/Si = 1:50 was found to limit film degradation, as measured by changes in film thickness, to less than 15% at near-neutral pH over a 1 week period. In addition to suppressing film dissolution, addition of Al can also cause structural changes in silica films templated with the nonionic surfactant Brij 56 (C16H33(OCH2CH2)n∼10OH), includin...
TH-A-BRF-01: A Probabilistic Bayesian Approach to Derive Electron Density From MRI for Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning

Purpose: MRI significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of target delineation for patient simulation and treatment planning in radiation therapy, due to its superior soft tissue contrast as compared to CT. An MRI based simulation will reduce cost and simplify clinical workflow with zero ionizing radiation. However, MRI lacks the key electron density information. The purpose of this work is to develop a reliable method to derive electron density from MRI. Methods: We adopt a probabilistic Bayesian approach for electron density mapping based on T1-weighted head MRI. For each voxel, we compute conditional probability of electron densities given its: (1) T1 intensity and (2) geometry in a reference anatomy, obtained by deformable image registration between the MRI of test patient and atlas. Intensity and geometry information are combined into a unifying posterior probability density function whose mean gives the electron density. Mean absolute HU error between the estimated and true CT, as well as ROC's for bone detection (HU>200) were calculated for 8 patients. The performance was compared with a global intensity approach based on T1 and no density correction (set whole head to water). Results: The proposed technique significantly reduced the errors in electron density estimation, with a mean absolute HU error of 132, compared with 139 for deformable registration (p=10−3), 371 for the intensity approach (p=10−5) and 282 without density correction (p=2×10−4). For 90% sensitivity in bone detection, the proposed method had a specificity of 85% and that for deformable registration, intensity and without density correction are 80%, 24% and 10% respectively. Conclusion: The proposed unifying method provides accurate electron density estimation and bone detection from MRI of the head with highly heterogeneous regions. This paves the way for accurate dose calculation and generating reference images for patient setup in MRI-based treatment planning.
Evidence for adrenocortical adaptation to severe illness.

During serious illness, there are characteristic increases in serum cortisol concentrations and urinary cortisol excretion. In the present studies, we investigated these changes i n glucocorticoid metabolism in relation to adrenal androgen metabolism, as measured by RIA of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and DHA sulfate (DHAS). A group of 23 seriously ill men with various disorders, ill for a week or longer, was age-matched to a control group of 25 men, and the following changes were found: 1) basal serum cortisol concentrations were elevated n i the ill group (P < 0.001), 2) basal serum DHA and DHAS concentrations tended to be lower in the ill group (P < 0.1); 3) basal serum DHA to cortisol and DHAS to cortisol ratios were decreased in the ill group by 80.3‰ and 77.2‰, respectively (P < 0.001); 4) ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol concentrations increased by the same absolute amount in both groups, whereas the increase in stimulated DHA concentrations in the ill group was 57.2‰ less (P < 0.05), indicating a de...
Body Odors and Neutral-basic Peptide Mimics: A Review of Responses by Marine Organisms

A review of body odor-mediated behaviors of hermit crabs, predatory gastropods, barnacle larvae and brachyuran crabs includes a model based on the hypothesis that all the behaviors are mediated by a similar chemical detection mechanism. A key assumption is behaviors evolved due to a selective advantage conferred by detection of information in body odors. In the model, exogenous trypsin-like proteases digest structural proteins to generate neutral-basic peptides. The receptor is postulated to have resulted from a point mutation in a trypsin-like membrane protein. Transduction of the binding event is via second messenger mediated pathways. Examples of body odors functioning as cues, allomones and pheromones are presented. The model is supported by a review of structure-function studies employing synthetic neutral basic peptides and studies with other macromolecules.
Fulleropyrrolidine interlayers: Tailoring electrodes to raise organic solar cell efficiency

A major challenge in organic solar cell design is the trade-off between oxidative stability and work function of the metal cathode. We found that in single-junction polymer solar cells, this problem can be surmounted by solution-based incorporation of fulleropyrrolidines with amine (C60-N) or zwitterionic (C60-SB) substituents as cathode-independent buffer layers. Specifically, a thin layer of C60-N reduced the effective work function of Ag, Cu, and Au electrodes to 3.65 electron volts. Power conversion efficiency values exceeding 8.5% were obtained for organic photovoltaics independent of the cathode selection (Al, Ag, Cu, or Au). Such high efficiencies did not require precise control over interlayer thickness, as devices prepared with C60-N and C60-SB layers ranging from 5 to 55 nanometers performed with high efficiency.
The effect of co-administration of intravenous calcium chloride and oxytocin on maternal hemodynamics and uterine tone following cesarean delivery: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background Oxytocin administration to prevent uterine atony following cesarean delivery is associated with adverse effects including hypotension, tachycardia, and nausea. Calcium chloride increases mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and uterine smooth muscle contractility. This study evaluated whether the co-administration of calcium chloride with oxytocin following cesarean delivery could alter maternal hemodynamics. Secondary outcomes included uterine tone and blood loss. Methods Sixty healthy parturients with singleton, term, vertex pregnancies undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomized to one of three study solutions given intravenously immediately after umbilical cord clamping: (1) placebo, oxytocin 5U alone; (2) CA-200, oxytocin 5U+calcium chloride 200mg; or (3) CA-400, oxytocin 5U+calcium chloride 400mg. Blood pressure, heart rate, uterine tone, vasopressor or alternate uterotonic use and the incidence of nausea or vomiting were recorded. Baseline and intraoperative plasma concentration of ionized calcium and hematocrit were measured. Results Plasma concentration of ionized calcium was elevated in both study groups compared with placebo ( P =0.001). Blood pressure decreased and heart rate increased in all groups ( P Conclusions The decrease in blood pressure associated with oxytocin administration following cesarean delivery was not attenuated with co-administration of calcium chloride at the doses evaluated. Vasopressor use, uterine tone, and blood loss were also unaffected.
Reversible MRI lesions due to pegaspargase treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

L-Asparaginase is the major induction-phase agent for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and an important adjuvant in treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, L-asparaginase-induced disturbances of clotting homeostasis may result in thrombosis or hemorrhage. Thrombotic occlusion of small cerebral veins has been reported in patients with ALL treated with this agent, but have not been described in NHL patients or those treated with the long-acting synthetic congener, pegaspargase. We report a 16-year-old boy with NHL who developed a focal motor seizure 15 min after receiving intravenous pegaspargase. MRI of the brain demonstrated multiple cortical and subcortical lesions that most likely represented focal brain edema due to thrombotic venous occlusion, which improved remarkably within 3 days and completely resolved within 3 weeks without specific intervention or permanent clinical consequences. This process must be considered when such changes are detected in NHL patients.
Peer Support, Divorce, and Children's Adjustment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the buffering potential of social support from changes in parents' marital status for 9 to 12 year old children whose parents had divorced (N = 98) and ...
Ion chromatographic determination of sugar phosphates in physiological samples.

Abstract Ion chromatography is shown to be capable of simultaneous determination of biologically important anions. Application of this technique is illustrated for the separation and quantification of the major anions present in rat brain and liver tissues. Sugar phosphates and carboxylic acids are separated on high-performance anion-exchange columns and are detected using chemically suppressed conductivity. Detection limits range from 20 to 100 pmol for the anions tested, including inositol phosphates, lactate, pyruvate, glucuronic acid-1-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate. The coefficient of variation for the determination of most anions was in the range 5–10%. Many of these anions are either difficult to separate with other methods, or require expensive radiochemical techniques for detection. This method should be applicable to other biological studies, from the flow of carbons in photosynthesis to the study of synaptic transmission.
Structure of exoplanets.

The hundreds of exoplanets that have been discovered in the past two decades offer a new perspective on planetary structure. Instead of being the archetypal examples of planets, those of our solar system are merely possible outcomes of planetary system formation and evolution, and conceivably not even especially common outcomes (although this remains an open question). Here, we review the diverse range of interior structures that are both known and speculated to exist in exoplanetary systems—from mostly degenerate objects that are more than 10× as massive as Jupiter, to intermediate-mass Neptune-like objects with large cores and moderate hydrogen/helium envelopes, to rocky objects with roughly the mass of Earth.
Failure of Meperidine to Anesthetize Human Median Nerve: A Blinded Comparison With Lidocaine and Saline

Background and Objectives . Although meperidine safely produces clinical spinal anesthesia, the responsible mechanism is unknown. This study was undertaken to test the possibility that this drug acts as a local anesthetic by investigating its ability to inhibit conduction in a human peripheral nerve. Methods . In a blinded fashion, the abilities of 5-mL injections of meperidine (0.5% and 1.5%), lidocaine (0.25%), and saline to produce median nerve block were tested in eight volunteer subjects, and these four solutions were compared with standard local anesthetic solutions that had been tested in previous studies. The extent of local anesthesia was measured objectively by eletrodiagnostic, tests, namely, compound motor action potentials (CAMPs) and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), as well as by qualitative tests of sensation. Results . Lidocaine (0.25%) prolonged median SNAP latency from 3.1 ms to 3.3 ms ( P P P Conclusions . Meperidine produced no signs of local anesthesia, even when given at a dose (75 mg) and concentration (1.5%) that consistently produced systemic side effects. Thus, the coequivalent ability of meperidine and lidocaine to produce spinal anesthesia contrasts with their discordant ability to produce local anesthesia. This disparity suggests that meperidine may produce spinal anesthesia through mechanisms other than inhibition of sodium channel function.
Neutron Diffraction Study of the Structure of Ice

The crystal structure of ice in which the location of the hydrogen atoms cannot be determined by x-ray means, has been studied by the neutron diffraction technique. The intensities in the neutron diffraction pattern from a powdered sample of heavy (${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$O) ice, maintained at -90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, were measured and compared with the intensities which would result if ice possessed any one of four proposed structures. The oxygen atom positions have already been determined from x-ray measurements and the proposed structures are considered here with respect to the location of the hydrogen (or deuterium) atoms. The structures considered are (a) the Barnes model, in which the hydrogen atoms are midway between oxygen atoms, (b) the Bernal and Fowler model which maintains a molecular grouping of two hydrogen atoms close (0.96A) to each oxygen atom with a definite repeating orientation, (c) a model consisting of hydrogen molecules rotating about the oxygen atoms as centers, and (d) the Pauling model, suggested on the grounds of a residual entropy at low temperatures, in which hydrogen molecules possess some randomness of orientation under the restriction that one and only one hydrogen atom lies on each of the lines joining one oxygen atom to its neighbor. Structures (a), (b), and (c) are definitely ruled out by the neutron measurements while the Pauling structure agrees well with the measurement.
EFFECTS OF METHYLMERCURY ON IN VIVO PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN ISOLATED CEREBRAL AND CEREBELLAR NEURONS

Effects of methylmercury on in vivo protein synthesis in isolated cerebral and cerebellar neurons A preparative method is described for the bulk isolation of two neuronal populations from cerebellum, namely the granule cell and Purkinje cell bodies. This isolation method was used for studying in vivo effects of methylmercury on protein synthesis. The experimental rats were given a single i.p. dose of 10 mg/kg methylmercury. Mercury levels are reported in blood, total brain, cerebral neurons and two cerebellar neuron populations. The methylmercury was shown to inhibit incorporation of radioactive leucine into protein. The time course and degree of inhibition were dependent on cell type. The highest inhibition was found in neurons which are morphologically the most mercury sensitive species of the cells tested.
LEGO-based Robotics in Higher Education: 15 Years of Student Creativity

Our goal in this article is to reflect on the role LEGO robotics has played in college engineering education over the last 15 years, starting with the introduction of the RCX in 1998 and ending with the introduction of the EV3 in 2013. By combining a modular computer programming language with a modular building platform, LEGO Education has allowed students (of all ages) to become active leaders in their own education as they build everything from animals for a robotic zoo to robots that play children's games. Most importantly, it allows all students to develop different solutions to the same problem to provide a learning community. We look first at how the recent developments in the learning sciences can help in promoting student learning in robotics. We then share four case studies of successful college-level implementations that build on these developments.
Patch instead of pill: a safer menopausal estrogen?

Large clinical trials have shown that oral postmenopausal estrogen treatment does not provide overall clinical benefit in chronic disease prevention,1,2 and current recommendations suggest that it be prescribed for only short durations for relief of menopausal symptoms. Because these drugs provide effective relief of menopausal symptoms, and venous thrombosis is the most common adverse vascular outcome of treatment, a better understanding of the venous safety of alternative forms of hormones than those widely studied is needed. In this issue of Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , results from the E3N cohort study relating route of administration of postmenopausal hormones to the risk of idiopathic venous thrombosis are presented.3 The investigators ascertained use of postmenopausal hormone treatment at 2-year intervals in 80 308 postmenopausal women without a history of cancer or prior thrombosis. Women were followed on average for 10.1 years, between 1992 and 2005. Participants were primarily teachers living in France. Hormone use status was evaluated in relation to the risk of developing venous thrombosis. During follow up, 549 women experienced idiopathic venous thrombosis, 415 with deep vein thrombosis and 134 with pulmonary embolism. The 329 women who experienced a provoked venous thrombosis were censored from the analysis at the time of their event. The rationale for this was to avoid “diluting” the impact of hormone treatment on thrombosis risk. Women experiencing other types of venous thrombosis, such as upper extremity, superficial …
A new approach to the correction of pure mitral insufficiency by open-heart surgery.

Abstract Four patients who had pure mitral insufficiency due to rheumatic heart disease are reported upon; in these patients, satisfactory surgical repair was accomplished by a simple suture technique. Clefts are often normally present in the posterior mitral leaflet. These clefts are particularly significant in the posterior half of this leaflet where there is a small reserve of tissue. Rheumatic valvulitis causes scarring and contracture of the leaflet tissue and contraction of the chordae tendineae attached to the edges of these clefts, which may cause the clefts to open. It is postulated that these initial areas of regurgitation may increase the left atrial pressure during early systole sufficiently to hinder the normal action of the aortic leaflet of the mitral valve and initiate a vicious cycle, causing significant mitral regurgitation. In the experimental laboratory and in 4 patients with pure mitral regurgitation, these clefts have been sutured together to reconstitute and shorten the arc of the posterior leaflet and thus restore competency of the mitral valve. This surgical approach appears to be applicable to a small but significant number of patients with pure mitral insufficiency.
Infrared thermometry study of nanofluid pool boiling phenomena

Infrared thermometry was used to obtain first-of-a-kind, time- and space-resolved data for pool boiling phenomena in water-based nanofluids with diamond and silica nanoparticles at low concentration (<0.1 vol.%). In addition to macroscopic parameters like the average heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux [CHF] value, more fundamental parameters such as the bubble departure diameter and frequency, growth and wait times, and nucleation site density [NSD] were directly measured for a thin, resistively heated, indium-tin-oxide surface deposited onto a sapphire substrate. Consistent with other nanofluid studies, the nanoparticles caused deterioration in the nucleate boiling heat transfer (by as much as 50%) and an increase in the CHF (by as much as 100%). The bubble departure frequency and NSD were found to be lower in nanofluids compared with water for the same wall superheat. Furthermore, it was found that a porous layer of nanoparticles built up on the heater surface during nucleate boiling, which improved surface wettability compared with the water-boiled surfaces. Using the prevalent nucleate boiling models, it was possible to correlate this improved surface wettability to the experimentally observed reductions in the bubble departure frequency, NSD, and ultimately to the deterioration in the nucleate boiling heat transfer and the CHF enhancement.
Timing of vertebral-band deposition in tetracycline-injected leopard sharks

Abstract In late summer 1979, 948 leopard sharks Triakis semifasciata were tagged and released into San Francisco Bay after being injected with the bone-labeling reagent oxytetracycline (OTC). The fluorescent time mark was compared to new growth zones in the vertebral centra of tagged fish recovered over 3 years to determine how often the calcified bands are formed. As of 31 December 1982, 25 vertebral samples were recovered and examined. Although OTC deposition was variable, an intense fluorescent mark was evident in 12 individuals. The results confirm that one opaque (highly calcified) zone and one translucent zone are deposited per year, and that these zones can be used reliably in aging this species within the size group examined. The progression of band formation indicates that opaque zones probably form sometime between May and September. Received July 22, 1983 Accepted March 18, 1984
Resistance to Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Neonatal Alloimmune Neutropenia Associated With Anti-Human Neutrophil Antigen-2a (NB1) Antibodies

Neonatal alloimmune neutropenia is the neutrophil counterpart of the erythrocyte disorder of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Fetal neutrophil antigens, which are inherited from the father but foreign to the pregnant mother, provoke the formation of maternal antibodies, which, on transplacental passage, cause fetal/neonatal neutropenia. Because infants with this disorder are at a higher risk of infection, recombinant hematopoietic growth factors, such as recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, have been tried, with generally good results, to treat those with severe and prolonged neutropenia. We report a neonate who had neonatal alloimmune neutropenia associated with antibodies directed against human neutrophil antigen-2a (NB1) and initially failed to respond to even very high doses of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor but eventually had a therapeutic response.
Black Swans and white tablets

The Black Swan, a metaphor for highly improbable, high impact events, warns us to understand the limits of our predictions and expect the “unknown unknowns” everywhere, from war to science and industry. From the earliest stages of discovery to post-marketing events, we argue that fundamentally the structure of pharmaceutical industry is driven by and impacted by both positive and negative Black Swans. We take a critical look at the consequences of the Black Swan impacts in the pharmaceutical industry and what steps can be taken to manage the unpredictable.
Bayes and BOGSAT: Issues in When and How to Revise Earthquake Hazard Maps

Recent large earthquakes that caused ground shaking larger than anticipated have generated interest in how to improve earthquake hazard mapping. Issues under discussion include how to evaluate maps’ performance, how to assess their uncertainties, how to make better maps, and how to best use maps given their limitations. An important question is what to do after an earthquake yielding shaking larger than anticipated. Hazard mappers have two choices. One is to regard the high shaking as a low‐probability event allowed by the map, which used estimates of the probability of future earthquakes and the resulting shaking to predict the maximum shaking expected with a certain probability over a given time (Hanks et al. , 2012; Frankel, 2013). The usual choice, however, is to accept that high shaking was not simply a low‐probability event consistent with the map, and revise the map to show increased hazard in the heavily shaken area (Fig. 1). Figure 1. (top) Japanese seismic‐hazard maps before and after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The predicted hazard has been increased both along the east coast, where the 2011 earthquake occurred, and on the west coast. (http://www.j-shis.bosai.go.jp/map/?lang=en; last accessed December 2014.) (bottom) Comparison of successive Italian hazard maps (Stein et al. , 2013). The 1999 map was updated to reflect the 2002 Molise earthquake, and the 2006 map will likely be updated after the 2012 Emilia earthquake. Whether and how much to revise a map is complicated, because a new map that better describes the past may or may not better predict the future. For example, increasing the predicted hazard after an earthquake on a fault will make better predictions if the average recurrence time is short compared to the map’s time window but will overpredict future shaking if the average recurrence time is much longer than the map’s time window. …
Curcumin induces chemo/radio-sensitization in ovarian cancer cells and curcumin nanoparticles inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth

Chemo/radio-resistance is a major obstacle in treating advanced ovarian cancer. The efficacy of current treatments may be improved by increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemo/radiation therapies. Curcumin is a naturally occurring compound with anti-cancer activity in multiple cancers; however, its chemo/radio-sensitizing potential is not well studied in ovarian cancer. Herein, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a curcumin pre-treatment strategy for chemo/radio-sensitizing cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. To improve the efficacy and specificity of curcumin induced chemo/radio sensitization, we developed a curcumin nanoparticle formulation conjugated with a monoclonal antibody specific for cancer cells. Cisplatin resistant A2780CP ovarian cancer cells were pre-treated with curcumin followed by exposure to cisplatin or radiation and the effect on cell growth was determined by MTS and colony formation assays. The effect of curcumin pre-treatment on the expression of apoptosis related proteins and β-catenin was determined by Western blotting or Flow Cytometry. A luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the effect of curcumin on β-catenin transcription activity. The poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle formulation of curcumin (Nano-CUR) was developed by a modified nano-precipitation method and physico-chemical characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods. Curcumin pre-treatment considerably reduced the dose of cisplatin and radiation required to inhibit the growth of cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells. During the 6 hr pre-treatment, curcumin down regulated the expression of Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 pro-survival proteins. Curcumin pre-treatment followed by exposure to low doses of cisplatin increased apoptosis as indicated by annexin V staining and cleavage of caspase 9 and PARP. Additionally, curcumin pre-treatment lowered β-catenin expression and transcriptional activity. Nano-CUR was successfully generated and physico-chemical characterization of Nano-CUR indicated an average particle size of ~70 nm, steady and prolonged release of curcumin, antibody conjugation capability and effective inhibition of ovarian cancer cell growth. Curcumin pre-treatment enhances chemo/radio-sensitization in A2780CP ovarian cancer cells through multiple molecular mechanisms. Therefore, curcumin pre-treatment may effectively improve ovarian cancer therapeutics. A targeted PLGA nanoparticle formulation of curcumin is feasible and may improve the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of curcumin.
Transferable Capacity for Gastrointestinal Colonization in Enterococcus faecium in a Mouse Model

A high level of gastrointestinal colonization frequently precedes invasive infection due to Enterococcus faecium. Factors other than antimicrobial resistance that promote gastrointestinal colonization by E. faecium have not been identified. We tested the ability of a colonization-proficient clinical E. faecium isolate (C68) to transfer colonizing ability to noncolonizing E. faecium recipient strains. Transconjugants derived from matings that used E. faecium D344SRF as a recipient strain colonized mouse gastrointestinal tracts in high numbers under selective pressure from clindamycin or vancomycin, compared with control strains that lacked DNA transferred from C68. We transferred DNA into a second recipient strain (E. faecium GE-1), which also colonized mice in significantly greater numbers under selective pressure from clindamycin, compared with a control strain. These results indicate that E. faecium clinical isolates express transmissible factors other than antimicrobial resistance that promote colonization of the mouse gastrointestinal tract.