cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurobiological basis of failure to recall extinction memory in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background A clinical characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is persistently elevated fear responses to stimuli associated with the traumatic event. The objective herein is to determine whether extinction of fear responses is impaired in PTSD and whether such impairment is related to dysfunctional activation of brain regions known to be involved in fear extinction, viz., amygdala, hippocampus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Methods Sixteen individuals diagnosed with PTSD and 15 trauma-exposed non-PTSD control subjects underwent a 2-day fear conditioning and extinction protocol in a 3-T functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Conditioning and extinction training were conducted on day 1. Extinction recall (or extinction memory) test was conducted on day 2 (extinguished conditioned stimuli presented in the absence of shock). Skin conductance response (SCR) was scored throughout the experiment as an index of the conditioned response. Results The SCR data revealed no significant differences between groups during acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear on day 1. On day 2, however, PTSD subjects showed impaired recall of extinction memory. Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data showed greater amygdala activation in the PTSD group during day 1 extinction learning. During extinction recall, lesser activation in hippocampus and vmPFC and greater activation in dACC were observed in the PTSD group. The magnitude of extinction memory across all subjects was correlated with activation of hippocampus and vmPFC during extinction recall testing. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that fear extinction is impaired in PTSD. They further suggest that dysfunctional activation in brain structures that mediate fear extinction learning, and especially its recall, underlie this impairment.
Hormonal Pregnancy Tests and Spina Bifida

GAL1 has suggested that hormonal pregnancy tests may be teratogenic to the developing central nervous system. In a study of 100 mothers of spina bifida cases she found nineteen of these mothers had had a hormonal pregnancy test (‘Amenorone Forte’ or ‘Primodos’) compared with four of 100 “matched” control mothers. Laurence2 has criticized Gal's findings on two counts: (1) the choice of controls, and (2) the possibility of finding a difference this great by chance when a number of epidemiologic factors are studied.
Altruism Among Female Macaca Radiata: Explanations and Analysis of Patterns of Grooming and Coalition Formation

Analysis of the observed patterns of two forms of putative altruism (grooming and coalition formation) among adult female members of a group of captive bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) indicates that both kinship and dominance rank influence the distribution and rate of these behaviors. Females groom their adult relatives more often and more reciprocally than they groom unrelated females of similar ranks. In addition, females are more likely to support their relatives than nonrelatives and are likely to incur greater risks when they do so. Grooming and coalition formation do not occur exclusively among kin. Females primarily groom higher ranking females and support unrelated females against females lower ranking than themselves. Although females do not preferentially support unrelated females that groom or support them most, they do refrain from harassing lower ranking females that are currently grooming them or a female higher ranking than themselves. Thus, by grooming a higher ranking female a female reduces the probability that she will be harassed by other females. The relationship of these results to predictions derived from several different sociobiological hypotheses is discussed.
On the electronic structure of Si3O2 and its anion

In a previous study (Wang, L. S., Nicholas, J. B., Dupuis, M., Wu, H., and Colson, S. D., 1997, Phys. Rev. Lett., 78, 4450) of small silicon oxide clusters with stochiometry Si3Oy(y = 1-6), it was found that the molecule Si3O2 and its anion required special theoretical attention. This is due to a particular electronic structure feature of the neutral cluster: the s,p hybrid atomic orbitals of the two bonded silicon atoms give rise to a low lying empty π molecular orbital. As a result the ground state of Si3O2 has a triplet spin, and a state of singlet spin is a low lying excited electronic state at about 0.5 eV above the triplet state. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations show that photoelectron detachment proceeds from the 2B1 state of the anion to the 3B1 ground state of the neutral cluster. Detachment via the 1A1 state of the neutral cluster lies in the shoulder of the detachment via the triplet state.
Symptoms Essential to the Experience of Sodium Lactate-Induced Panic

We report on subjective ratings and symptoms experienced before and during sodium lactate infusion by patients with panic disorder or agoraphobics with panic attack (DMS-III-R criteria). Symptoms were assessed using the Acute Panic Inventory (API). During the lactate infusion 59% of the patients were rated by an attending psychiatrist as having experienced lactate-induced panic attacks. Patients experiencing lactate-induced panic attacks overwhelmingly rated this experience as very similar to their typical naturally occurring attacks. Among the individual API symptoms items at baseline (prelactate) only Afraid in general (r = 0.26) was significantly, but not strongly, correlated with the panic response. Controlling for baseline symptom levels, the most robust partial correlations of symptomatic increment with panic were Desire to flee (0.70), Fear of losing control (0.57), Afraid in general (0.49), and Dyspnea (0.48). Using a dichotomized symptom increment greater than 1, 13 of 29 API items indicated a panic response to lactate infusion; the best were Dyspnea, Feeling confused, Afraid in general, Difficulty speaking, Difficulty concentrating, Desire to flee, and Fear of losing control. A logistic regression analysis showed that among baseline measures, Afraid in general and Feeling confused significantly predicted panic. For dichotomized change scores, Afraid in general, Dyspnea, and Dizziness/lightheadedness significantly indicated panic. In these analyses three symptom items stand out as the most predictive and revealing of panic to lactate infusion: Afraid in general, Dyspnea, and Desire to flee. These results are discussed in the context of Klein's (1993) suffocation false alarm theory of panic.
Teacher management practices for first graders with attention problems.

Objective: To examine whether teacher reports of accommodations and interventions for inattentive first graders are consistent with best practice guidelines. Method: A total of 36 teachers completed the Teacher Management Questionnaire (TMQ) for 92 students in five predominantly low-income, minority schools. The TMQ is a newly developed measure designed to assess the frequency with which teachers implement a variety of accommodations and interventions with individual students. Additional teacher and student background data were collected on the inattentive sample, including behavior ratings and academic testing. Results: Teachers reported variable implementation of different management strategies, with more frequent use of class-wide structure and organizational interventions, and less frequent assignment modifications and individual behavior plans. Greater use of some strategies was reported for inattentive students and those with additional risk characteristics such as oppositional behavior and school-b...
Solving Partial Differential Equations in Cylindrical Coordinates Using Separation of Variables

This chapter solves the Laplace's equation, the wave equation, and the heat equation in polar or cylindrical coordinates. In Cartesian coordinates, the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that arise are simple to solve. The chapter shows that in cylindrical and spherical coordinates not all the ODEs are as agreeable. The solutions to these more difficult ODEs go by the names of Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials. In cylindrical coordinates only Bessel functions are needed. The chapter presents an example where Bessel functions arise. The chapter defines a Bessel equation, demonstrates one solution to such equations, and then makes a transformation that enables a person to solve a Bessel-like equation.
Differential leaching of cations and sulfate in gypsum amended soils

Abstract An adequate supply of available Ca in the soil solution of the pegging zone during fruit development is required for production of high yields of high quality peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). On low Ca soils, application of gypsum during early bloom is recommended in order to ascertain adequate availability of Ca. Reaction of gypsum in soils under leaching conditions vary considerably and play an important role in fruit development and yield of peanuts. A laboratory study was conducted in leaching soil columns to investigate the effects of one gypsum amendment on leaching of Ca, K, Mg, and SO4 to a depth of 8 cm (fruiting zone of peanut). Six soils of varying physical and chemical properties representative of major peanut growing soils in Georgia were utilized. Following leaching with 15 cm water through gypsum‐amended soil columns, 50% to 56% and 74% to 77% of applied Ca and SO4, respectively, were leached below 8 cm in the sandy‐Carnegie, Dothan, Fuquay and Tifton soils. The respective values for...
Nanopatterning of ultrananocrystalline diamond thin films via block copolymer lithography.

Nanopatterning of diamond surfaces is critical for the development of diamond-based microelectromechanical system/nanoelectromechanical system (MEMS/NEMS), such as resonators or switches. Micro-/nanopatterning of diamond materials is typically done using photolithography or electron beam lithography combined with reactive ion etching (RIE). In this work, we demonstrate a simple process, block copolymer (BCP) lithography, for nanopatterning of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) films to produce nanostructures suitable for the fabrication of NEMS based on UNCD. In BCP lithography, nanoscale self-assembled polymeric domains serve as an etch mask for pattern transfer. The authors used thin films of a cylinder-forming organic-inorganic BCP, poly(styrene-block-ferrocenyldimethylsilane), PS-b-PFS, as an etch mask on the surface of UNCD films. Orientational control of the etch masking cylindrical PFS blocks is achieved by manipulating the polymer film thickness in concert with the annealing treatment. We have observed that the surface roughness of UNCD layers plays an important role in transferring the pattern. Oxygen RIE was used to etch the exposed areas of the UNCD film underneath the BCP. Arrays of both UNCD posts and wirelike structures have been created using the same starting polymeric materials as the etch mask.
The role of the mast cell in clinical gastrointestinal disease with special reference to systemic mastocytosis.

The gastrointestinal tract is a rich source of mast cells with an enormous surface area that permits a high degree of interaction between the mast cell and intestinal luminal contents. The active metabolic products of the mast cell influence gastrointestinal secretion, absorption, and motility through paracrine effects of local mast cell degranulation and also cause systemic effects through the release of cellular products into the blood stream. Systemic mastocytosis influences physiologic function through the systemic effects of mast cell products released from focal (e.g., bone marrow) or wide spread increases in mast cell number. Local gastrointestinal proliferation of mast cells in response to recognized (e.g., gluten in celiac sprue) or obscure stimuli can alter gastrointestinal function and induce systemic symptoms. Celiac sprue, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-ulcer dyspepsia are three examples of gastrointestinal diseases in which mast cells can be implicated in the pathophysiology of the symptoms.
Robust multipath exploitation radar imaging in urban sensing based on Bayesian compressive sensing

In through-the-wall radar imaging applications, exploitation of group sparsity of the targets under multipath propagation allows high-resolution ghost-free imaging. However, such multipath exploitation schemes may suffer from imperfect knowledge of the surrounding scatterers, such as interior walls. In this paper, a novel two-stage Bayesian compressive sensing approach is proposed for joint scene reconstruction and wall location estimation. The proposed method is capable of not only acquiring enhanced images by exploiting multipath propagation, but also estimating wall locations with high accuracy. In addition, compared to computationally demanding genetic approaches, the proposed method achieves robust imaging with a low complexity.
Active immunization against Ascaris suum minimum lethal dose in mice.

Ascaris suum metabolic and somatic antigens were obtained from second and third stage larvae cultured in vitro in supplemented Eagle's minimum essential medium. Antigens were harvested after 12 and 16 days in in vitro culture.
Visualization of time evolving wavefront advance in polycrystalline materials

The nondestructive quantification of polycrystalline grain feature information in aerospace materials is an important area of recent research, where spatially-resolved measurements related to mean grain size, grain size distribution, and crystallographic orientation are needed for engineering analysis and material state awareness evaluations. In the present effort, the interaction of ultrasonic surface acoustic waves (SAW) with a dual-microstructure nickel polycrystalline material is studied, where an innovative wavefront imaging method is utilized to visualize and study the time-evolving advance of the primary, forward propagating wavefront through microstructure grain features on the material surface. The method involves a first-arrival, time-gated analysis of scanning laser vibrometry signal content, where the apparent motion of the wavefront through individual and clustered grains is observed and attributed to local changes in the orientation-dependent crystallographic slowness.
Reversible phenotype and a lack of direct link to immortalization of Syrian hamster embryonic cells obtained from so-called transformed colonies

The short-term colony transformation assay employing Syrian hamster embryonic (SHE) cells has been widely used as a simple method for detection of chemical and physical carcinogens. However, little investigation has been done on the biological properties of the early transformed colony (ETC: colony characterized by piling up and criss-cross pattern of growth) itself. This study was performed to examine the properties of these colonies. Secondary or tertiary cultures of SHE cells were treated with benzo[a]pyrene or N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. In total, 37 ETCs and 17 normal colonies (NCs) were cloned and analyzed. Obtained results were as follows: (1) Stability of transformed morphology; immediately after cloning, the cells from 3/37 of the ETCs maintained their transformed phenotype, but all cells from other ETCs (34/37) showed flat or well-oriented morphology. Thus, the “transformed” morphology of more than 90% of the ETCs was reversible. (2) Chromosome abnormality; 3/15 of the clones from ETCs were hypo diploid or tetraploid, while the others (12/15) were normal diploid immediately after cloning. (3) Immortalization; up to about one month after cloning, most of the clones (from transformed or normal colonies) could be subcultured at 1:2 or 1:4 split ratio per week, but thereafter all the clones ceased growing. After about a one month or longer latency, 6/37 of the clones from ETCs and 4/17 of the clones from NCs restarted growing and acquired immortality. That is, there was no significant difference in the frequency of immortalization between ETCs and NCs. Thus, from the present experiment, there was no direct evidence that ETC correlates to acquisition of immortality or tumorigenesis. Further experiments (e.g. comparison of gene expression profiles between cells from transformed and normal colonies using microarray) would be required to give a logical meaning to this short-term transformation assay.
Land surface phenologies and seasonalities using cool earthlight in mid-latitude croplands

Phenology deals with timing of biotic phenomena and seasonality concerns temporal patterns of abiotic variables. Studies of land surface phenology (LSP) and land surface seasonality (LSS) have long been limited to visible to near infrared (VNIR) wavelengths, despite degradation by atmospheric effects and solar illumination constraints. Enhanced land surface parameters derived from passive microwave data enable improved temporal monitoring of agricultural land surface dynamics compared to the vegetation index data available from VNIR data. LSPs and LSSs in grain growing regions of the Volga River Basin of Russia and the spring wheat belts of the USA and Canada were characterized using AMSR-E enhanced land surface parameters for the period from April through October for 2003 through 2010. Growing degree-days (GDDs) were calculated from AMSR-E air temperature retrievals using both ascending and descending passes with a base of 0 ° C and then accumulated (AGDD) with an annual restart each 1 April. Tracking the AMSR-E parameters as a function of AGDD revealed the expected seasonal pattern of thermal limitation in mid-latitude croplands. Vegetation optical depth (VOD), a microwave analog of a vegetation index, was modeled as a function of AGDD with the resulting fitted convex quadratic models yielding both high coefficients of determination (r2 > 0.90) and phenometrics that could characterize cropland differences between the Russian and North American sites. The AMSR-E data were also able to capture the effects of the 2010 heat wave that devastated grain production in European Russia. These results showed the potential of AMSR-E in monitoring and modeling cropland dynamics.
The role of the hippocampal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis of the aged Fisher rat

The aging process has been frequently associated with hippocampal neurodegeneration, loss of corticosteroid receptors, and, at the same time, dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We were interested in characterizing simultaneously the activity of the HPA axis and status of both corticosteroid receptors (mineralocorticoid or MR and glucocorticoid or GR) in the hippocampus of aged male Fisher-344 rats. We compared intact, adrenalectomized (ADX), and corticosterone-replaced ADX young (5-6 months) and old (26-27 months) rats, examining all the parameters in the same animals. Aged rats exhibited an unaltered basal rhythm and initial corticosterone response to restraint stress. However, the same old animals showed a delayed turn-off of the stress response and did so at different points of the corticosterone circadian cycle. The aged hippocampus showed a 40-50% lower MR and GR binding under all the conditions studied. This aging effect was not attributable to changes in the kinetics, affinity, or nuclear translocation of MR or GR. Intact aged rats exhibited also a 30-40% reduction of hippocampal MR and GR steady-state mRNA levels. Interestingly, after 36 h ADX only the aged hippocampus showed upregulation of MR and GR mRNA content to levels comparable to those in young rats. However, this increase in MR and GR mRNA content was not accompanied by a proportional increase in the Bmax of these receptors, suggesting age-related translational or post-translational alterations. Moreover, corticosterone replacement was able to reverse the ADX-induced increase of MR and GR Bmax in young and old hippocampi but it only reversed the upregulated mRNA levels of MR (and not GR) in the older group. The fact that corticosterone was able to modulate the biosynthetic rate of MR and GR strongly suggests that the decrease of receptors is functional and not simply due to cell death in the aged hippocampus. We propose that in the aged Fisher rat the loss of hippocampal corticosteroid receptors is previous to any change in the circadian rhythm of circulating corticosterone. Furthermore, the altered turn-off of the corticosterone stress response observed in the same animals may be related to the reduction of functional MR and GR but it is not due to high basal levels of corticosterone.
Moderate to High Levels of Exercise Are Associated With Higher Resting Energy Expenditure in Community-Dwelling Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women experience an age-related decline in resting energy expenditure (REE), which is a risk factor for energy imbalance and metabolic disease. Exercise, because of its association with greater lean tissue mass and other factors, has the potential to mediate REE decline, but the relation between exercise and REE in postmenopausal women is not well characterized. This study tests the hypothesis that exercise energy expenditure (EEE) is positively associated with REE and can counter the effects of age and menopause. It involves a cross-sectional sample of 31 healthy postmenopausal women (aged 49-72 years) with habitual exercise volumes at or above levels consistent with current clinical recommendations. Subjects kept exercise diaries for 4 weeks that quantified exercise activity and were measured for body composition, maximal oxygen uptake, and REE. Multiple regression analysis was used to test for associations between EEE, age, body composition, and REE. There was a significant positive relation between EEE and lean tissue mass (fat-free mass and fat-free mass index). The relation between REE and EEE remained significant even after controlling for lean tissue mass. These results support the hypothesis that exercise is positively associated with REE and can counter the negative effects of age and menopause. They also indicate a continuous relation between exercise and REE across ranges of exercise, from moderate to high. Exercise at levels that are at or above current clinical guidelines might, in part, ameliorate the risk for energy imbalance and metabolic disease because of its positive relation with REE.
Depressed mood and self-esteem in young Asian, black, and white women in America.

During the last two decades, investigators have explored the relationship between women's life conditions and their mental health. Some have related women's socially disadvantaged status, or their socialization to a traditional feminine role, to depression and low self-esteem. Others have emphasized the consequences of women's roles, or the balance of social demands and resources, on their well-being. More recently, feminist scholars have proposed a developmental account of depression. We tested a model comparing the effects of personal resources, social demands and resources, socialization, and women's roles, on self-esteem and depressed mood in young adult Asian, Black, and White women in America. Women who resided in middle-income and racially mixed neighborhoods were interviewed in their homes. Personal resources were indicated by education and income and social resources by unconflicted network size as measured by Barrera's (1981) Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule. Social demands were assessed by conflicted network size as measured by the Barrera scale and by the Positive Life Events and Negative Life Events scales from Norbeck's (1984) revision of the Sarason Life Events Scale. Women's roles included employment, parenting, and partnership with an adult (e.g., marriage). Self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and depressed mood with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (Radloff, 1977). Although models for Asian, Black, and White women differed, social network and social demands as well as personal resources were common to each group as predictors of self-esteem and depression.
Simplified acrylic die fabrication.

The placement of single or multiple crowns requires attention to detail. One aspect of the verification of fit is the interproximal contact. If the contact area is too tight, it can be adjusted to allow for proper interproximal contours and contact with the adjacent tooth. When insufficient interproximal contact results, a transfer impression of the restoration is made and a transfer cast is fabricated. Retention screws of a low fusing metal have been used to fabricate a transfer cast. This article describes an alternative method using discarded, sterilized round latch dental burs with autopolymerizing acrylic resin, which are readily available in dental offices. The design of the dental bur head is ideal for retaining acrylic resin within the crown, while the tapered shaft and latch portion engage and retain dental stone.
Use of the interacting multiple model algorithm with multiple sensors

In a tracking system with multiple sensors, fusion usually plays a critical role in combining information. There exist many fusion techniques and most of them fall into two categories - measurement fusion and track fusion, depending on what kind of information is to be shared among sensors. These two techniques are typically applied to centralized or distributed systems, respectively. In this paper, our main interest lies in the centralized systems which generally have a central processor where measurement fusion is performed. A common question arising in measurement fusion is the following: is it necessary for the system to process all the measurements, or does more data always mean better estimates? Blair et al. have shown that the use of multiple sensor data can sometimes degrade performance when a single model filter is used, and that the use of a multiple model filter, such as the interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm, is preferred in order to best utilize the multiple sensor data. Since the IMM algorithm is the state-of-the-art technique for tracking maneuvering targets, we investigate the IMM algorithm for multiple sensor tracking in more detail. We have found that, even with the IMM, more data may not give us a better estimate and, in some cases, it may give us a worse estimate.
Responses of the circumpolar boreal forest to 20th century climate variability

We examined relationships between tree ring-width and climate at 232 sites around the circumpolar boreal forest to explore variability in two types of response to temperature: a browning response characterized by inverse correlations between growth and temperature, and a greening response characterized by positive correlations between growth and temperature. We used moving-window correlation analysis for eight 30-year time windows, lagged by 10 years, to characterize the climate response at each site from 1902 to 2002. Inverse growth responses to temperature were widespread, occurring in all species, all time periods, and in nearly all geographic areas. The frequency of the browning response increased after 1942, while the frequency of the greening response declined. Browning was concentrated in five species (Picea abies, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea obovata and Pinus banksiana), and occurred more frequently in the warmer parts of species' ranges, suggesting that direct temperature stress might be a factor. In some species, dry sites were also more likely to experience browning; moisture stress might thus be an additional explanation in some cases. As inverse responses to temperature are widespread, and occur in a broad array of species, there is unlikely to be any single explanation for their occurrence.
Is Tibiofemoral Subluxation Correctable in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract The purposes of this study were to describe a method for measuring tibiofemoral subluxation in UKA, and to report the mean amount of tibiofemoral subluxation seen both preoperatively and postoperatively in a cohort of patients undergoing UKA. Two hundred thirty-five patients who received a medial UKA, and 39 patients who received a lateral UKA, were reviewed. In the medial UKA cohort, the mechanical alignment was corrected from 7.7°±5.9° preoperatively, to 2.9°±2.5° postoperatively, while the tibiofemoral subluxation was corrected from 4.5mm±3.0mm preoperatively, to 2.3mm±2.7mm postoperatively. In the lateral UKA cohort, the mechanical alignment was corrected from −5.5°±3.8° to −1.6°±3.4°, while the tibiofemoral subluxation was corrected from 4.3mm±2.7mm to 2.8mm±2.5mm. This study presents a novel method for measurement of tibiofemoral subluxation, the mean amount of tibiofemoral subluxation present preoperatively, and the amount of correction that can be expected during both medial and lateral unicondylar knee arthroplasty.
Recognizing quasi-triangulated graphs

This paper discusses a method for recognizing certain graph classes based on elimination schemes more efficiently. We reduce the time bound for recognizing quasi-triangulated graphs from O(n^3) to O(n^2^.^7^7), and perfect elimination bipartite and cop-win graphs from O(n^3) to O(n^3/logn).
Cyst wall formation and endogenous carbohydrate utilization during synchronous encystment of Phytophthora palmivora zoospores

Vigorous agitation caused the zoospores of Phytophthora palmivora to undergo rapid synchronous encystment. The rate of encystment was determined by counting the number of cells with an alkali-resistant cyst wall. 50% of the zoospores formed an alkali-resistant cyst wall within 60 sec of agitation; after 120 sec, essentially all zoospores had encysted. The rate of spontaneous encystment in nonagitated suspensions was much slower. The flagella of nearly all zoospores disappeared within 30 sec of agitation, i.e. prior to the formation of an alkali-resistant cyst wall. Zoospores depend on internal reserves for synthesizing their cyst walls. Approximately 70% of the total carbohydrate in motile zoospores was extracted with water after treating the cells with 70% ethnol. During synchronous encystment, this carbohydrate fraction composed largely of glucans decreased markedly while the insoluble carbohydrate fraction (cyst wall glucan) increased correspondingly. Clearly, the conversion of cytoplasmic glucan into wall glucan plays a major role in zoospore encystment.
Is There a “Hierarchy of Oppression” in U.S. Multicultural Teacher Education Coursework?

Thirty years ago Audre Lorde famously argued that there is no, or ought not to be, a “hierarchy of oppression”; that the notion that one identity or oppression trumps another is, itself, oppression...
Pressurized fluid extraction of coal

Abstract Three Argonne Premium Coals (Upper-Freeport, Pittsburgh #8, and Lewiston-Stockton) were extracted with benzene in both Soxhlet and pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) systems. The extracts were compared on the basis of dry mass yield and hydrocarbon profiles as obtained by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The dry mass yields (wt%, daf) indicated no difference by either method for the Upper-Freeport coal, but statistically different yields were obtained for the Pittsburgh #8 and Lewiston-Stockton coals. In this study, PFE required ∼90 vol.% less solvent compared to Soxhlet extraction. The gas chromatograms obtained from the Soxhlet extracts contained solvent contaminant peaks as dominant peaks, which were not observed in chromatograms of the PFE extracts. No thermal degradation, as indicated by excess phenolic compound concentrations, was noted in any of the PFE extracts.
Triggering activities of acute pulmonary embolism and paradoxical embolism.

I read with interest the recent article by Yamada et al. [1] on triggers of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) by toilet activities during hospitalization. The authors found that half of their patients developed acute PE during toilet activities (defecation and micturition). I would like to add that these toilet activities can trigger not only acute PE but also paradoxical embolism. The entity of paradoxical embolism was first described in 1877 [2]. The term Fparadoxical embolism_ refers to a medical condition in which arterial embolism results not from thrombi from the systemic circulation as it normally should, but paradoxically from the venous circulation, via usually an intracardiac communication, either a patent foramen ovale or an atrial septal defect, or sometimes intrapulmonary shunts [3,4]. As Yamada et al. [1] pointed out, the risk factors leading to defecation-associated acute PE were a recent major surgery and a recent angiographic study, both of which required a period of temporary and strict immobilization. Thrombus formed during this period might be released during the first walking or defecation. The act of defecation triggers acute PE by two mechanisms: embolization of thrombus from the deep veins of the lower extremities with release of the Valsalva maneuver and the squatting position assumed during the act of defecation [1]. That toilet activities can trigger not only acute PE but also paradoxical embolism has several important clinical implications:
Passive Immune Therapy for Experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia in the Neutropenic Host

Studies were conducted in guinea pigs, myelosuppressed by cyclophosphamide, for determination of whether passive immune therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia would be useful in the setting of neutropenia. Groups of infected animals (14 per group) were treated with a single intravenous infusion of hyperimmune IgG antibody to P. aeruginosa (PA-IGIV; 500 mg/kg), tobramycin (1.7 mg/kg per 8 hr), ticarcillin (120 mg/kg per 6 hr), or combinations of these regimens. Control groups received intravenous albumin solution. Survival rates were OVo with albumin only, OVo with PA-IGIV, 43^0 with tobramycin (PK .05), 86^o with tobramycin plus PA-IGIV (/^ .05 vs. tobramycin alone), 7^0 with ticarcillin, and 43(7o with ticarcillin plus PA-IGIV (.05 < P < .10 vs. ticarcillin alone). Additive intrapulmonary killing of P. aeruginosa and prevention of bacteremia were observed in animals treated with tobramycin plus PA-IGIV compared with either treatment alone. Thus, passive immune therapy for P. aeruginosa pneumonia may be useful in the neutropenic host, but only when used in conjunction with antimicrobial agents.
Psychological, Behavioral, and Environmental Influences on Post-Stroke Recovery

Research has demonstrated that recovery from stroke is influenced by several factors including premorbid personality, degree of physical loss, amount of social support, and severity of cognitive change. Psychological disturbances and behaviors, including depression, adjustment disorders, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, and non-compliance may significantly impact outcome. Environmental and extra-therapeutic circumstances provide an often-overlooked framework for the recovery process. Selected issues drawn from clinical experience and recent literature addressing these variables are examined to further understanding and to provide a practical approach in optimizing recovery.
The stopping of energetic ions in solids

Abstract A method is presented for the calculation of the stopping of energetic ions in matter (energies above 200 keV/amu). The energy loss to target electrons is evaluated using the local density approximation and Lindhard's theory of a particle stopping in a free electron gas. Detailed solid state charge distributions are used to describe the electrons in a solid, and comments are included on the theoretical validity of Bragg's Rule. New calculations are presented for target mean ionization potentials, 〈 I 〉, and by comparison with experiment an empirical evaluation is presented for the traditional 〈 I 〉 correction parameter, λ.
The Localization of the Brain-Specific Inorganic Phosphate Transporter Suggests a Specific Presynaptic Role in Glutamatergic Transmission

Molecular cloning has recently identified a vertebrate brain-specific Na+-dependent inorganic phosphate transporter (BNPI). BNPI has strong sequence similarity to EAT-4, a Caenorhabditis elegans protein implicated in glutamatergic transmission. To characterize the physiological role of BNPI, we have generated an antibody to the protein. Immunocytochemistry of rat brain sections shows a light microscopic pattern that is suggestive of reactivity in nerve terminals. Excitatory projections are labeled prominently, and ultrastructural analysis confirms that BNPI localizes almost exclusively to terminals forming asymmetric excitatory-type synapses. Although BNPI depends on a Na+ gradient and presumably functions at the plasma membrane, both electron microscopy and biochemical fractionation show that BNPI associates preferentially with the membranes of small synaptic vesicles. The results provide anatomic evidence of a specific presynaptic role for BNPI in glutamatergic neurotransmission, consistent with the phenotype of eat-4 mutants. Because an enzyme known as the phosphate-activated glutaminase produces glutamate for release as a neurotransmitter, BNPI may augment excitatory transmission by increasing cytoplasmic phosphate concentrations within the nerve terminal and hence increasing glutamate synthesis. Expression of BNPI on synaptic vesicles suggests a mechanism for neural activity to regulate the function of BNPI.
Simulations of Phase Slippage in an Aperture Array

To understand the origins of synchronous and asynchronous phase slippages observed in an array of apertures connecting two reservoirs of superfluid 4He, we have investigated the role of thermal fluctuations in the critical velocity and the possible effects of having an array rather than a single aperture through several model simulations. The results are compared with recent experiments carried out near the superfluid transition temperature with an array of apertures as well as those carried out at low temperatures with a single aperture.
Development of a prioritization methodology for maintaining Virginia's bridge infrastructure systems

The US bridge infrastructure, an essential element to the transportation network, has been steadily deteriorating. Due to substandard levels of maintenance, bridges now pose serious risks to citizens. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates that an investment of 2.2 trillion dollars would be required over a five year horizon in order to upgrade the nation's infrastructure to good condition. A portion of this large investment must be appropriated to the maintenance of bridges, which received a mediocre grade in the ASCE infrastructure scorecard—26% of bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. These shortcomings motivate the need to improve the process for allocating resources for bridge maintenance.
Baseline correction of phase-contrast images in congenital cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Background: One potential source of error in phase contrast (PC) congenital CMR flow measurements is caused by phase offsets due to local non-compensated eddy currents. Phantom correction of these phase offset errors has been shown to result in more accurate measurements of blood flow in adults with structurally normal hearts. We report the effect of phantom correction on PC flow measurements at a clinical congenital CMR program. Results: Flow was measured in the ascending aorta, main pulmonary artery, and right and left pulmonary arteries as clinically indicated, and additional values such as Qp/Qs were derived from these measurements. Phantom correction in our study population of 149 patients resulted in clinically significant changes in 13% to 48% of these phase-contrast measurements in patients with known or suspected heart disease. Overall, 640 measurements or calculated values were analyzed, and clinically significant changes were found in 31%. Larger vessels were associated with greater phase offset errors, with 22% of the changes in PC flow measurements attributed to the size of the vessel measured. In patients with structurally normal hearts, the pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio after phantom correction was closer to 1.0 than before phantom correction. There was no significant difference in the effect of phantom correction for patients with tetralogy of Fallot as compared to the group as a whole. Conclusions: Phantom correction often resulted in clinically significant changes in PC blood flow measurements in patients with known or suspected congenital heart disease. In laboratories performing clinical CMR with suspected phase offset errors of significance, the routine use of phantom correction for PC flow measurements should be considered.
Cesium-induced transient effects on the Si+ and Si− secondary ion emissions from Si and SiO2

Abstract Measurements of the concentration and speciation of Cs implanted into Si and SiO 2 thin film surfaces as a result of 1 keV Cs + ion impact have been carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In most cases, the presence of Cs resulted in enhanced Si − and quenched Si + secondary ion intensities. These intensities could be correlated to the Cs concentration via exponential functions over and following the transient regions noted in secondary ion mass spectrometry. These trends are predicted by the electron tunneling model in which a resonance charge transfer mechanism is assumed to dominate. An exception arises in the case of the Si + secondary ions from SiO 2 ; these initially rose in intensity with increasing Cs concentration. This exception is believed to result from the introduction of an Auger de-excitation process that is active in the excited sputtered neutral Si population some distance from the surface. The Cs retained in the Si substrate was found to exist as a mixture of Cs 2 O with some form of CsSi complex in Si. Cs in SiO 2 existed primarily as CsO 2 .
C-reactive protein is an important immunoregulatory molecule that decreases systemic inflammatory response and ameliorates autoimmune disease

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an ancient member of the innate immune system. CRP is also a member of the pentraxin family of proteins and is a strong acute phase reactant in man. CRP has been shown to bind to phagocytes through interaction with Fcγ receptors, to affect the production of cytokines, and to enhance phagocytosis. CRP has been shown to protect mice from infection, to bind to nuclear antigens and to delay the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in autoimmune mice. The mechanism for these diverse effects has remained obscure. Both CRP and serum amyloid P (SAP) have been shown to bind to nuclear antigens that are targets of autoantibodies in patients with SLE. Additional studies have shown that CRP and SAP can mediate the uptake and clearance of apoptotic cells. These studies suggested that the pentraxins might prevent exposure and reactivity of the immune system to self-antigens. Our studies have shown that CRP and SAP can delay the onset of autoimmune disease accelerated by the injection of chromatin into autoimmune mice. More recently, it has been demonstrated that expression of human CRP as a transgene on autoimmune disease can delay the onset of autoimmune disease. We report now that a single injection of CRP can delay the onset of proteinuria in NZB × NZW female mice. In all three cases, CRP failed to substantially decrease anti-DNA autoantibodies yet protected mice from glomerular injury and death. We suggest that CRP delays the onset of autoimmune disease by modulating the effect of immune complexes on inflammatory cells. As we have shown recently, the anti-inflammatory effect of CRP in the lipopolysaccharide challenge model requires Fcγ receptor expression. It is proposed that CRP mediates protection from nephritis in SLE by the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines and altering the reactivity of macrophages to inflammatory stimuli.
TARID-based image super-resolution

A general method is described to improve the operational resolution of an Electro-Optic (EO) imaging sensor using multiple frames of an image sequence. This method only assumes the constituent video has some ambient motion between the sensor and stationary background, and the optical image is electronically captured and digitally recorded by a staring focal plane detector array. Compared to alternative techniques that may require externally controlled or measured dither motion, this approach offers significantly enhanced operational resolution with substantially relaxed constraints on sensor stabilization, optics, and exposure time.
Temperature dependence of light-current characteristics of 0.98-/spl mu/m Al-free strained-quantum-well lasers

The decrease of the differential efficiency of 0.98-/spl mu/m semiconductor lasers with temperature can make high power, high temperature applications difficult. We present an experimental and theoretical study of the temperature dependence of the internal quantum efficiency, internal loss and differential gain of 0.98-/spl mu/m InGaAs/InGaAsP/InGaP strained quantum well lasers. In contrast to some earlier results, our measurements show the dominance of internal loss, attributed to free carrier absorption, in determining the temperature dependence of the differential efficiency, and show that leakage current is negligible below 120/spl deg/C. >
Transcription regulation of restriction-modification system Esp1396I.

Restriction-modification (R-M) system Ecl18kI is representative of R-M systems whose coordinated transcription is achieved through a separate DNA-binding domain of the methyltransferase. M.Ecl18kI recognizes an operator sequence located in the noncoding region that separates the divergently transcribed R and M genes. Here we show that, contrary to previous predictions, the two ecl18kI promoters are not divergent, but actually face one another. The binding of M.Ecl18kI to its operator prevents RNA polymerase (RNAP) binding to the M promoter by steric exclusion, but has no direct effect on RNAP interaction with the R promoter. The start point for R transcription is located outside of the intergenic region, opposite the initiation codon of the M gene. Regulated transcription of the potentially toxic ecl18kI R gene is accomplished (i) at the stage of promoter complex formation, through direct competition from complexes formed at the M promoter, and (ii) at the stage of promoter clearance, since R promoter-bound RNAP escapes the promoter more slowly than RNAP bound to the M promoter.
A Comparison of Alternative Methods for Detecting Other Planetary Systems

Detection of other planetary systems is a demanding observational task that will require significant improvements in instrumentation. There are two general techniques by which other planetary systems can, in principle, be detected; these techniques will be referred to as either indirect or direct detection. Several independent observational methods fall under these general techniques, and we here compare and contrast alternative methods that are being considered for use in detecting other planetary systems.
CMOS-compatible waveguiding platform on bulk silicon

We demonstrate a bulk silicon alternative to the conventional silicon-on-insulator photonics platform. We show waveguide losses of 10 dB/cm with a technique that can be implemented on the front-end of a typical CMOS fabrication line.