cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The formation of appropriate central and peripheral connexions by foreign sensory neurones of the bullfrog.

1. The ability of foreign sensory neurones to form novel reflex pathways was studied in bullfrogs by removing, during early larval stages of development, the dorsal root ganglion (d.r.g. 2) that normally provides the entire sensory innervation of the front limb. 2. After the operation these tadpoles metamorphosed into frogs that responded to sensory stimuli and had nearly normal use of the limb. Sensation in the limb was mediated by sensory neurones located in an adjacent ganglion (d.r.g. 3); these neurones normally never grow into the arm. 3. These neurones were shown, by labelling with horseradish peroxidase, to project into the arm and into the region of the brachial spinal cord occupied by motoneurones innervating muscles in the arm. These projections do not occur at any time during normal development. 4. Intracellular recordings from identified motoneurones demonstrated that when the operations were done before developmental stage 9 appropriate monosynaptic sensory-motor pathways were established. The relative strengths of synergistic and antagonistic sensory projections onto motoneurones were normal, although the latencies of the synaptic potentials were somewhat longer. 5. When the operation was performed after stage 9 but before metamorphosis, d.r.g. 3 sensory afferents grew into the arm and into the brachial spinal cord but did not make monosynaptic connexions onto motoneurones. 6. Removal of d.r.g. 2 from adult bullfrogs failed to produce either central or peripheral changes in the projections of d.r.g. 3 sensory neurones. 7. Many d.r.g. 3 neurones still innervated their normal sensory targets in the thorax. These neurones never formed monosynaptic connexions onto brachial motoneurones in either normal or experimental animals. In experimental animals, the polysynaptic projections of these third nerve sensory neurones to brachial motoneurones were stronger than in normal animals independent of when d.r.g. 2 was removed during development. 8. Thus foreign sensory cells can form specific, functionally appropriate connexions between peripheral targets and motoneurones if the sensory cells that normally mediate this reflex pathway are removed sufficiently early during development.
Carotene production by Penicillium sclerotiorum.

Abstract A strain of Penicillium sclerotiorum (NRRL 2074) was found to be a good carotene producer in standing culture on wort medium in light. This fungus strain produced more than 1 mg. of total carotene per gram of dry mycelium, of which approximately 65% was β-carotene and approximately 25% was γ-carotene. In addition, as minor pigments, α-carotene, three cis isomers of β-carotene, two cis isomers of γ-carotene, and α-carotene were identified. A second strain, Penicillium sclerotiorum (NRRL 2076), also produced carotenoid pigments, but it was inferior to NRRL 2074.
Pharmaceutical and Physical Properties of Paclitaxel (Taxol †) Complexes with Cyclodextrins ‡

Paclitaxel (as Taxol) is under clinical investigation for treatment of a variety of cancers. Because of its low aqueous solubility, paclitaxel is administered in polyethoxylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) and ethanol, a vehicle associated with severe hypersensitivity reactions. Cyclodextrins (CyDs) are molecular complexing agents that can increase the solubility and stability of some poorly soluble drugs and were investigated here as a means to obviate the requirement for Cremophor. A variety of beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins were tested; (hydroxypropyl)-(HP beta CyD), (hydroxyethyl)-(HE beta CyD), and dimethyl-(DM beta CyD) beta CyD increased paclitaxel solubility 2 x 10(3)-fold or more and did not alter the cytostatic properties of paclitaxel in vitro. The quantity of drug solubilized increased with the CyD concentration, but precipitation upon dilution occurred with some CyDs or stoichiometries. Thermal and spectroscopic (fluorescence, IR, NMR, and circular dichroism) analyses provided evidence of complex formation that was stable in the solid state but weak in solution, suggesting an explanation for the observed precipitation upon dilution. DM beta CyD solutions of < or = 3.7 mol % (mole of drug:mole of CyD) showed no precipitation upon dilution, nor did HP beta CyD solutions of < or = 0.14 mol %. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) experiments showed uncomplexed DM beta CyD to be toxic in mice at doses of 2 g CyD/kg body weight, the quantity required to administer paclitaxel at 10 mg/kg. HP beta CyD allowed paclitaxel administration at higher doses and had an MTD of 25 mg drug/kg. The CyDs tested are marginal in feasibility for paclitaxel administration, and their use in taxane formulation will require a reduction of the dose-limiting toxicity of the CyD itself.
Effectiveness of multiple initiatives to reduce blood component wastage.

Objectives: Blood component waste is an important issue at all hospitals. As an initiative of the patient blood management program at a regional health care system, the causes and extent of blood product wastage were identified, and targeted interventions to effect a reduction were implemented. Methods: Multiple low-cost interventions, including educational outreach, print and digital messaging, and improved transportation and component identification modalities, were implemented beginning in January 2013. The impact on reducing RBC, platelet (PLT), and plasma wastage in the 16 months after intervention implementation was compared with the wastage rates in the 16 months before these interventions had been implemented. Results: Overall, the RBC wastage rate as a percentage of the number of units issued decreased from 0.67% to 0.56% ( P = .001) after the interventions were implemented, while the PLT wastage rate decreased from 3.71% to 2.81% ( P < .001). The plasma wastage rate increased from 1.14% to 1.40% ( P < .001). The initial cost of these interventions was approximately $310. The net cost savings of the reduced waste was estimated at $131,520, excluding intervention costs. Conclusions: Relatively inexpensive interventions can have a prompt and dramatic impact on reducing blood wastage with regard to both cost and resource savings.
Modeling studies and efficient numerical methods for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D), nonisothermal, multiphysics, two-phase steady state transport model and its efficient numerical methods are systematically studied for a full proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in the sense of efficiency and accuracy. The conservation equations of mass, momentum, species, charge and energy are fully addressed in view of nonisothermality and multiphase characteristics. In addition, from an accurate numerical discretization’s point of view, we present some new formulations for species equations by investigating the interactions among the species. In a framework of the combined finite element-upwind finite volume method, some efficient numerical methods are developed in terms of Kirchhoff transformation for the sake of a fast and convergent numerical simulation. The 3D simulations demonstrate that the convergent solutions can be attained within 80 nonlinear iterations, in contrast to the oscillating and nonconvergent iterations conducted by commercial flow solvers or in-house code with standard finite element/volume methods. Numerical convergence tests are carried out to verify the efficiency and accuracy of our numerical algorithms and techniques.
Gender differences in the circadian rhythms of rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Studies investigating gender differences in human circadian rhythms report equivocal results. In addition, many of these studies have been limited to examination of one circadian variable. This study examined gender differences in circadian rhythms of multiple physiological variables of rhesus monkeys under highly controlled conditions. Under general anesthesia, eight female and seven male rhesus were implanted with a biotelemetry transmitter to measure body temperature (T b ) and heart rate. An external accelerometer was used to measure physical activity. The Psychomotor Task System (PTS) provided environmental enrichment and delivered a pelletized diet and water was available ad libitum . Data were collected continuously under LD 16:8 for a minimum of 31 days. Mean, phase and amplitude of each rhythm were calculated and compared between genders. Although there were no significant differences between genders in mean or amplitude, circadian rhythms in females were significantly delayed compared to males in all variables (p range 0.001 to 0.030). The consistent pattern of delay suggests that a fundamental gender difference may be present in the circadian timing system. Mechanisms underlying this difference require further exploration.
Transport in heterogeneous media: Tracer dynamics in complex flow networks

Large-scale inhomogeneities in natural porous media profoundly affect the dynamic response of conveyed tracers. It is proposed that tracer dynamics in heterogeneous porous media can be represented by temporal moments based on parallel and series unit models of homogeneous columns, stirred volumes, or mass-transfer-connected closed compartments. The rules of combining the moments for elementary volumes are based on units (1) in series, where output from the preceding units is the input to the succeeding unit, and (2) in parallel, where the splitting or joining flow paths control the response. For a network of elementary volumes in series or parallel, fate and transport of contaminants in heterogeneous media can be analyzed simply in a deterministic framework. Results for several simple series and parallel models show the wealth of responses that can be quantitatively described by this procedure.
Food "cravings" and the acute effects of alprazolam on food intake in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Abstract Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS) report negative mood premenstrually, and increased food cravings and food intake. Although the benzodiazepine alprazolam has been used to treat PMS, alprazolam has been shown to increase food intake. The present study investigated the acute effects of alprazolam (0, 0·25, 0·50, 0·75 mg) on food intake in 19 women with PMS. Each dose was tested once during the premenstrual phase and again during the postmenstrual phase. Each session, before drug administration, participants completed a Food Desirability Questionnaire and selected lunch, which was consumed 3·5 h after drug administration. Desire for foods containing fat were significantly increased premenstrually compared to postmenstrually, while desires for carbohydrate (CHO) alone and beverages did not change as a function of menstrual cycle phase. Cognitive Restraint scores predicted the amount of food consumed, i.e. restrained eaters consumed less food at lunch. Alprazolam significantly increased food intake, specifically fat, premenstrually compared to postmenstrually. Restrained eaters consumed 26% more calories premenstrually following 0·75 mg alprazolam relative to placebo, whereas unrestrained eaters consumed 9% more calories. Thus, women with PMS, particularly restrained eaters, are more sensitive to the food-intake increasing effects of alprazolam premenstrually.
State-Space versus Input/Output Representations for Cascade Control of Unstable Systems

In this paper we show that the traditional methods of analyzing cascade control based on series or parallel input/output relationships should not be used when the primary and secondary processes ar...
Mechanics and planning of manipulator pushing operations

Pushing is an essential component of many manipulator operations. This paper presents a theoretical exploration of the mechanics of pushing and demonstrates application of the theory to analysis and synthesis of robotic manipulator oper ations.
High faecal glucocorticoid levels predict mortality in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Glucocorticoid levels are commonly used as measures of stress in wild animal populations, but their relevance to individual fitness in a wild population has not been demonstrated. In this study I followed 93 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Berenty Reserve in Madagascar, collecting 1089 faecal samples from individually recognized animals, and recording their survival over a 2 year period. I evaluated faecal glucocorticoid levels as predictors of individual survival to the end of the study. Animals with high glucocorticoid levels had a significantly higher mortality rate. This result suggests that glucocorticoid measures can be useful predictors of individual survival probabilities in wild populations. The ‘stress landscape’ indicated by glucocorticoid patterns may approximate the fitness landscape to which animals adapt.
Abstract 547: Ethnic differences in CYP19A1 intronic SNPs and haplotype distributions among African American and Caucasian populations

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Ethnicity and gender variability in estrogen metabolism is an important consideration for assessing cancer risk and therapeutic efficacy in clinical medicine. Aromatase, encoded by the CYP19A1 gene, is a key enzyme that facilitates the bioconversion of estrogens from androgens. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP19A1 influence the expression and activity of the enzyme and may also confer susceptibility to estrogen-dependent diseases and/or modulate the genotype-phenotype relationship among certain ethnic groups. In the present study, we evaluated SNPs within the intron region of the CYP19A1 gene and determined the allele and genotype frequencies of ten functionally relevant, tagged CYP19A1 SNPs in a total of 407 healthy African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) subjects from Arkansas using Taqman SNP assays. The observed frequencies of the CYP19A1 minor alleles for the SNPs rs10459592 (T), rs12591359 (A), rs12908960 (A), rs11856927 (G), rs749292 (A), rs2470152 (A), rs1902584 (T), rs2470144 (T), rs1961177 (T), and rs6493497 (T) are 49.3, 39.2, 37.3, 43.5, 50, 48.7, 12, 38, 22, and 17, respectively. Gender-specific assessment showed significant differences in the genotype frequency for only rs1902584; however, significant inter-ethnic variability between the two groups was detected in the distribution of the majority of the CYP19A1 variants, including rs10459592 (p <0.001), rs12908960 (p<0.001), rs1902584 (p = 0.0157), rs2470144 (p<0.001), rs1961177 (p<0.001), and rs6493497 (p=0.0029). Haplotype analysis identified 3 CYP19A1 SNPs (rs10459592, rs12591359, rs12908960) that were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) and resulted in one LD block. In addition, CYP19A1 mRNA expression tended to be lower among subjects who were either homozygous or heterozygous for the CYP19A1 minor allele compared to those homozygous for the common allele, except for rs12591359, rs2470144, and rs1961177. In summary, our results provide evidence of ethnic differences in the frequency of CYP19A1 intronic SNPs between African American and Caucasian populations, suggesting that contributions of CYP19A1 SNPs in multiethnic epidemiological studies should be considered for translation of pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibitors and for accessing risk of estrogen-dependent diseases across ethnic groups. Citation Format: Athena Starlard-Davenport, Rosalind B. Penney, Ishwori Dhakal, Susan Kadlubar. Ethnic differences in CYP19A1 intronic SNPs and haplotype distributions among African American and Caucasian populations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 547. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-547
ADDITION IN NONSTANDARD MODELS OF ARITHMETIC

In [3] Kemeny made the following conjecture: Suppose * Z is a nonstandard model of the ring of integers Z . Let and let F be the subgroup of those cosets ā which contain an element of infinite height in * Z . Kemeny then asked if the ring R = { a: ā ∈ F } is also a nonstandard model of Z . If so then Goldbach's conjecture is false because Kemeny also shows in [3] that Goldbach's conjecture fails in R . The papers [1] and [5] by Gandy and Mendelson show that R is not a nonstandard model of Z but we give here a simpler proof based on Mendelson's paper. Suppose R is a nonstandard model of Z . Then each positive number in R is a sum of four squares. Choose a in R so that a is a positive element of R of infinite height in * Z . Then since a is infinite in * Z , a − 1 is positive. Thus , x i ∈ R for i = 1, …, 4. Now each x i must be of the form a i + n i , where a i has infinite height in * Z and n i , ∈ Z .
Diagnostics of space plasmas (invited)

Diverse plasmas have been observed in the magnetospheres of Earth and other planets, and in interplanetary space. Recently, measurements were made by a space probe at Comet Giacobini–Zinner. In these various plasma regimes investigated during the space era, plasma characteristics vary widely: particle densities range from 1000 eV, and bulk flow speeds from near stationary to >1000 km/s. A variety of plasma‐wave activity and instabilities characterize these plasmas. The measurements are made with several different generic types of instruments including electrostatic analyzers and systems which combine electrostatic analysis with time‐of‐flight or magnetic analysis in order to identify ions and their charge states. This paper outlines the plasma regimes found in space, discusses instrument design principles and constraints imposed by limited spacecraft resources, describes a few instruments, and highlights a small selection o...
Maquiladoras and U.S.-Bound Migration in Central Mexico

Over the past 1.5 decades smaller cities and nonmetropolitan areas in Mexico have attracted manufacturing plants led by the export manufacturing sector. Maquiladoras in particular are increasingly locating their plants in such places in the "deep interior" Mexico--outside of the border states. Using 1980 and 1990 Mexican census data for 19 growth centers and 27 high-emigration municipios (counties) in Central Mexico this paper suggests that foreign-owned assembly (maquiladora) jobs decentralized significantly over the 1980s locating closer to emigrant municipios. An examination of 17 emigrant municipios in the industrialized states of Jalisco and Guanajuato found that an emigrant municipios accessibility to maquiladora jobs and jobs indirectly related to maquiladora growth was positively related to its overall employment growth which was in turn negatively related to its US migration rate over the decade. Although the migration reduction inherent in these relationships is relatively small it could be accelerated by US and Mexican policies giving incentives for more peripheral locations of export-oriented and other manufacturing. (authors)
Crystallographic texture engineering through novel melt strategies via electron beam melting: Inconel 718

AbstractPreliminary research has demonstrated the ability to utilise novel scan strategies in the electron beam melting (EBM) process to establish control of crystallographic texture within Inconel 718 deposits. Conventional EBM scan strategies and process parameters yield coarse columnar grains aligned parallel to the build direction. Through varying process parameters such as beam power, beam velocity, beam focus and scan strategy, the behaviour of the electron beam can be manipulated from a line source to a point source. The net effect of these variations is that the resulting crystallographic texture is controlled in a manner to produce either epitaxial deposits or fully equiaxed deposits. This research demonstrates the ability to change the crystallographic texture on the macroscale indicating that EBM technology can be used to create complex geometric components with both site-specific microstructures and material properties.
Oxidation of Azide Anion at Boron-Doped Diamond Thin-Film Electrodes

The oxidation of dissolved inorganic azide anion in aqueous media was investigated using high-quality, boron-doped diamond thin-film electrodes. Linear sweep and differential pulse voltammetry, along with flow injection analysis in the amperometric detection mode, were used to study the reaction at neutral pH as a function of the potential sweep rate, analyte concentration, and electrolyte composition. Comparison experiments were performed using polished glassy carbon. Azide undergoes an irreversible oxidation (1 e-/equiv) at both of these carbon electrodes, presumably with nitrogen as the primary product. A linear dynamic range of 3−4 orders of magnitude and a detection limit as low as 0.1 μM (4.3 ppb) at a S/N = 3 were observed for diamond in the voltammetric measurements. The flow injection analysis results for diamond indicated a linear dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude and a detection limit of 8 nM (0.3 ppb) at a S/N = 3. The diamond response was generally reproducible from film to film, and the...
The need to strengthen the United Nations

Multiple changes in the political map, military strength and new economic realities since 1945, has meant that the United Nations (UN) is confronted with a new political dynamic and balance of power. Analyzes how the UN can be strengthened. Opines that we need to recall its initial aims and principles, recognize its strengths since its creation and analyze the new challenges in todays evolving world. Concludes that the preamble of the UN Charter that begins with “We the peoples” has begun to surface in political discussions. But nothing will be achieved without the political will of the member states, with the indispensable assistance of the UN to legitimize their actions.
Survival and dispersal of a marked strain of Pseudomonas syringae in a maple nursery.

A pathogenic Pseudomonas syringae strain resistant to rifampicin and nalidixic acid was sprayed upon and colonized maple twigs and perennial ryegrass. The inoculated twigs were sampled at intervals of 2-3 weeks from July 1985 to September 1986, and epiphytic populations of the marked strain recovered during this time ranged from undetectable to 104 colony-forming units/g. The results showed that this strain of P. syringae could overwinter on maple twigs and potentially serve as a source of inoculum in the spring. Aerial dispersal was also investigated. The marked strain inoculated onto grass growing in pots was detected on medium in inverted petri plates, on maple leaves and with an Andersen sampler positioned from 12 to 100 cm above the grass. The number of detectable cells that dispersed vertically upwards was low even in the presence of wind, rain, or irrigation water. The marked strain inoculated onto maple branches was isolated from grasses under the inoculated trees, showing that P. syringae was dispersed downward. Lateral dispersal of the marked strain from inoculated to uninoculated trees was not detected. The identity of the antibiotic-resistant strain isolated from the trees and grasses was confirmed by DNA restriction-fragment profile analysis.
PULMONARY FUNCTION STATUS OF VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT PRETERM NEONATES AT EARLY DISCHARGE. 1119

With the increased use of prenatal steroids and surfactant in the management of respiratory distress, preterm neonates are often capable of discharge at earlier post conceptional age than before. We studied the pulmonary status of these infants prior to discharge to assess the resolution of their pulmonary dysfunction as well as the extent of their pulmonary reserve. Based on comprehensive pulmonary function tests on 74 preterm infants, range BW: 765 to 3357g, GA: 24 to 35wks, mean±SD study weight: 2.1±0.3kg, PCA: ≈36wks. Mean ± sem data are reported for function residual capacity (FRC), lung compliance (CL), resistance (RT), partial forced expiratory flow at (FEF-FRC), peak to peak esophageal pressure(Pptp) and minute ventilation (MV): Table These data indicate that all infants were able to maintain appropriate MV with mildly elevated Pptp and energetics. The level of pulmonary dysfunction with low CL was associated with decreased pulmonary reserve especially babies of BW<1000g who show obstructive airway desease (*p<0.05), airflow abnormalities, low FRC/kg and delayed somatic growth. These babies deserve specialized followup and care.
Data-driven interactions for web design

This thesis describes how data-driven approaches to Web design problems can enable useful interactions for designers. It presents three machine learning applications which enable new interaction mechanisms for Web design: rapid retargeting between page designs, scalable design search, and generative probabilistic model induction to support design interactions cast as probabilistic inference. It also presents a scalable architecture for efficient data-mining on Web designs, which supports these three applications.
Implementation of a SNORT's output Plug-In in reaction to ARP Spoofing's attack

The attacks that exploit the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) are considered as the most dangerous for the security of networks. Indeed, this attack poisons the cache ARP of the machine and makes possible all the actions of Man In the Middle (reading, modification, denial-of-service). For this, it becomes very important to prevent against this type of attack, by setting up systems able to detect it, known as Intrusion Detection Systems, and to react consequently. Among the existing IDS, we find SNORT which is the most used; but its reactions are generally in a passive way (Log, sending message …). In this paper, we propose an approach by introducing a Plug-In making SNORT react against ARPSpoofing's attack in real-time.
Altered voltage-gated calcium channels in rat inferior colliculus neurons contribute to alcohol withdrawal seizures.

We have previously reported that enhanced susceptibility to alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) parallels the enhancement of the current density of high-threshold voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels in rat inferior colliculus (IC) neurons. However, whether this increased current density is a cause or consequence of AWS is unclear. Here, I report changes in the current density of CaV channels in IC neurons during the course of alcohol withdrawal and the potential anticonvulsant effect of intra-IC infusions of L- and P-type CaV channel antagonists. Whole-cell currents were activated by depolarizing pulses using barium as the charge carrier. Currents and seizure susceptibility were evaluated in control animals 3 h after alcohol intoxication, as well as 3 h (before AWS), 24 h (when AWS susceptibility is maximal), and 48 h (when AWS susceptibility is no longer present) after alcohol withdrawal. Nifedipine, nimodipine (L-type antagonists) or ω-agatoxin TK (P-type antagonist) were infused intra-IC to probe the role of CaV channels in the pathogenesis of AWS. CaV current density and conductance in IC neurons were significantly increased 3 and 24 h after alcohol withdrawal compared with the control group or the group tested 3 h following ethanol intoxication. Blockade of L-type CaV channels within the IC completely suppressed AWS, and inhibition of P-type channels reduced AWS severity. These findings suggest that the enhancement of CaV currents in IC neurons occurs prior to AWS onset and that alterations in L- and P-type CaV channels in these neurons may underlie the pathogenesis of AWS.
Vibrational circular dichroism of polypeptides and proteins

Vibrational circular dichroism spectra of poly-L-tyrosine, poly-L-phenylalanine, myoglobin andβ-lactoglobulin were measured in solution for the amide I region. These measurements are shown to be consistent with previous determinations of the secondary structures of these species.
Quantum-cellular-automata pseudorandom maps

Quantum computation based on quantum-cellular automata (QCA) can greatly reduce the control and precision necessary for experimental implementations of quantum information processing. A QCA system consists of a few species of qubits in which all qubits of a species evolve in parallel. We show that, in spite of its inherent constraints, a QCA system can be used to study complex quantum dynamics. To this aim, we demonstrate scalable operations on a QCA system that fulfill statistical criteria of randomness and explore which criteria of randomness can be fulfilled by operators from various QCA architectures. Other means of realizing random operators with only a few independent operators are also discussed.
Interfaces of semi-infinite smectic liquid crystals and equations of state of infinite smectic stacks of semiflexible manifolds.

In this paper, we first elucidate the classical problem of the elastic free energy of a semi-infinite smectic-$A$ liquid crystals, that fills the semispace above an interface (a boundary smectic layer) of a given shape. For the free energy of this interface, we obtain an effective interface Hamiltonian that takes into account the system discreteness introduced by the layered character of smectic-$A$ liquid crystals. It is thus applicable to both short and long wavelength fluctuations of the interface shape. Next, we use our interface Hamiltonian to develop an efficient approach to the statistical mechanics of stacks of N semiflexible manifolds, such as two-dimensional smectic phases of long semiflexible polymers and three-dimensional lamellar fluid membrane phases. Within our approach, doing the practically interesting thermodynamic limit $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{N}\ensuremath{\infty}$ is reduced to considering a small stack, with just a few interacting manifolds, representing a subsystem of an infinite smectic. This dramatic reduction in the number of degrees of freedom is achieved by treating the first (the last) manifold of the small stack as an interface with the semi-infinite smectic medium below (above) the small stack. We illustrate our approach by considering in detail two-dimensional sterically stabilized smectic liquid crystals of long semiflexible polymers with hard-core repulsion. Smectic bulk $(N=\ensuremath{\infty})$ equation of state and the universal constant characterizing entropic repulsion in these phases are obtained with a high accuracy from numerical simulations of small subsystems with just a few semiflexible polymers.
Surgical knot integrity: effect of suture type and caliber, and level of residency training.

Objective To evaluate if suture type and caliber or level of residency training affects strength and mode of failure of surgical knots. Design All residents in an obstetrics and gynecology training program were invited to tie knots on a bench model using 2 calibers (0 and 3-0) of 2 types of surgical suture (polyglactin 910 and polydioxanone). The failure load, mode of failure, and loop lengths of the knots were determined. Setting University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Participants Physicians enrolled in the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training program. Results Seventy-one of 73 residents participated. Knots tied with 0-caliber sutures had a higher mean failure load than those tied with 3-0 caliber sutures. For each type and caliber of suture, there were no differences in failure load between each level of residency training. However, senior residents tied knots with shorter loop lengths and had a lower proportion of knots that unraveled or slipped. Conclusions Even though there were no differences in failure loads, senior residents tied tighter and more secure knots than their junior counterparts.
Adrenal-pituitary-gonadal relationships and ejaculate characteristics in captive leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) isolated on the island of Sri Lanka.

In Study 1, semen was collected using a standardized electroejaculation procedure. Males (N = 8) produced ejaculates with a high incidence of sperm abnormalities (77 +/- 3.3%). After electroejaculation under anaesthesia, serum cortisol concentrations increased (P less than 0.05), while testosterone concentrations decreased (P less than 0.05) and LH and FSH concentrations were unchanged (P less than 0.05) over a 2-h bleeding period. In Study 2, male and female leopards were bled at 5-min intervals for 3 h and given (i.v.): (1) saline (N = 2/sex); (2) GnRH (1 microgram/kg body weight) 30 min after the onset of sampling (N = 5/sex); or (3) ACTH (250 micrograms) at 30 min followed by GnRH 1 h later (N = 5/sex). Basal concentrations of serum LH, FSH and cortisol were comparable (P greater than 0.05) between male and female leopards. After GnRH, peak LH concentrations were 2-fold greater (P less than 0.05) in males than females while FSH responses were similar. In males, testosterone concentrations increased 2-3-fold following GnRH. After ACTH, serum cortisol concentrations doubled within 15 min in both sexes. Administration of ACTH 1 h before GnRH did not affect GnRH-induced LH or FSH release (P greater than 0.05); however, testosterone secretion was only 30% of that observed after GnRH alone (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of particulate fillers in elastomer reinforcement: a review

Abstract In a treatise of this size it is impossible to discuss reinforcement in all its ramifications. The author has attempted to put the emphasis on an understanding of the observed phenomena wherever possible and has gone into detail only when necessary. Naturally the judgement of the importance of details is a subjective matter and not everybody may agree with the author's treatment. An attempt is made to present a unified picture in which differences between concepts and theories are given secondary importance and the agreements between them are emphasized. Much of the subject will deal with carbon black, the most universally used reinforcing filler, but other fillers such as the silicas with their coupling agents are also discussed and compared with carbon black. Similarities and differences between fillers are related to the resulting differences in the properties of the final elastomer—filler composite. Some attention is also given to the growing importance of the fibrous filler. Several review articles and books have dealt with reinforcement. See references 1 to 5.
Coordination chemistry of molybdenum relevant to hydrodenitrogenation: Reactivity of Mo(PMe3)6 towards 6-membered heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compounds involving C–H bond cleavage and η6-coordination

Abstract The reactivity of Mo(PMe3)6 towards 6-membered heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compounds, namely pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine and triazine, has been investigated as part of an effort to define the coordination chemistry of molybdenum relevant to hydrodenitrogenation. For example, Mo(PMe3)6 reacts with pyridine to yield initially (η2-N,C-pyridyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, an uncommon example of an η2-pyridyl–hydride complex. The formation of (η2-N,C-pyridyl)Mo(PMe3)4H is reversible and treatment with PMe3 regenerates Mo(PMe3)6 and pyridine. At elevated temperatures, (η2-N,C-pyridyl)Mo(PMe3)4H dissociates PMe3 and converts to the η6-pyridine complex (η6-pyridine)Mo(PMe3)3. Pyrazine, pyrimidine and 1,3,5-triazine likewise react with Mo(PMe3)6 to yield (η2-N,C-pyrazinyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, (η2-N,C-pyrimidinyl)Mo(PMe3)4H and (η2-N,C-triazinyl)Mo(PMe3)4H, respectively. At elevated temperatures (η2-N,C-pyrazinyl)Mo(PMe3)4H and (η2-N,C-pyrimidinyl)Mo(PMe3)4H dissociate PMe3 and convert to (η6-pyrazine)Mo(PMe3)3 and (η6-pyrimidine)Mo(PMe3)3 in which the heterocycle coordinates to molybdenum in an unprecedented η6-manner.
Anticipated Failure, or Translating Rafael Spregelburd's Plays into English

Internationally regarded Argentine playwright Rafael Spregelburd has never seen a satisfying English-language production of any of his textually complex plays. Spregelburd's negative experiences highlight not only some serious obstacles to successfully staging his theatre in translation, but also several key pitfalls awaiting anyone translating Argentine theatre for Anglophone readers and audiences. Through an examination of recent productions, particularly the multiple North American stagings of La estupidez in English translation and my own ongoing collaboration with Spregelburd in translating El panico for a 2006 New York theatre festival and his latest work, Spam, for international production, I consider how the theatrical translator might respond productively to a playwright's anticipation of the failure of his plays in translation and in the process complicate translation's often-assumed unidirectionality.
Reduced synthesis of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 in the bile duct ligated rat

Abstract Cholestasis produced by bile duct ligation was associated with a 50% reduction in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 content. Tentative identification of cytochrome P450 in washed microsomal fractions was achieved on SDS-urea polyacrylamide gels by its physical properties, half-life and response to pharmacologic agents. The relative synthesis rate of P450 apoprotein, determined by a double isotope method, was significantly reduced 3 days after bile duct ligation. P450 apoprotein degradation was markedly reduced, with the half-life increasing from 24 to 50 hours. These data indicate that a reduced rate of synthesis, rather than increased degradation, is responsible for reduction of P450 in cholestasis.
Renovascular disease, microcirculation, and the progression of renal injury: role of angiogenesis

Emerging evidence supports the pivotal role of renal microvascular disease as a determinant of tubulo-interstitial and glomerular fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. An intact microcirculation is vital to restore blood flow to the injured tissues, which is a crucial step to achieve a successful repair response. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact and mechanisms of the functional and structural changes of the renal microvascular network, as well as the role of these changes in the progression and irreversibility of renal injury. Damage of the renal microcirculation and deterioration of the angiogenic response may constitute early steps in the complex pathways involved in progressive renal injury. There is limited but provocative evidence that stimulation of vascular proliferation and repair may stabilize renal function and slow the progression of renal disease. The feasibility of novel potential therapeutic interventions for stabilizing the renal microvasculature is also discussed. Targeted interventions to enhance endogenous renoprotective mechanisms focused on the microcirculation, such as cell-based therapy or the use of angiogenic cytokines have shown promising results in some experimental and clinical settings.
Age of First Use and Delay to First Intoxication in Relation to Trajectories of Heavy Drinking and Alcohol‐Related Problems During Emerging Adulthood

BACKGROUND: Using alcohol at an early age is a well-documented risk factor for heavy drinking and the experience of a range of negative social and health consequences. However, it remains unclear if early consumption of any alcohol or early drinking to intoxication confers the greatest risk. METHODS: Age of onset (AO) and delay to first intoxication (delay) were examined as independent predictors of heavy drinking and the experience of alcohol-related problems (problems) in a sample of incoming college freshmen (n = 1,160) who completed biannual assessments from the summer following senior year of high school through senior year of college. The sample included more women (66%) than men and a majority were Caucasian (59%). We employed latent growth curve modeling to examine self-reported AO and delay to self-defined first intoxication as predictors of the frequency of heavy drinking and problems during year 4 of college, as well as changes in these alcohol-related outcomes from high school through college. RESULTS: An earlier AO and/or a shorter delay was associated with increased frequency of heavy drinking and problems during senior year of college. Although individuals with a later AO and/or a longer delay were at lower risk overall, they showed larger increases in heavy drinking and problems over time. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between AO and delay to first intoxication. Delay accounted for unique variance in drinking outcomes relative to AO, and the effects of AO were stronger when delay was included as a predictor variable. Results are discussed with regard to potential mechanisms through which an early age of intoxication may confer unique risk relative to AO. The implications for cross-cultural differences in risk for problems attributable to early drinking are also discussed. Language: en
Sarcomere Mutations in Cardiomyopathy, Noncompaction, and the Developing Heart

In this issue of Circulation , Klaassen and colleagues1 describe mutations in the genes encoding myosin heavy chain (MHC), cardiac actin, and troponin T in patients with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). LVNC, defined as excessive and unusual trabeculation of the mature left ventricle, is thought to reflect a developmental failure of the heart to form fully the compact myocardium during the later stages of cardiac development. Previously, mutations in sarcomeric genes have been linked extensively to the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The finding of similar, but not identical, mutations in patients with LVNC suggests a continuum of cardiomyopathy that includes LVNC and further supports the essential role for normal sarcomere function during cardiac development. Article p 2893 Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is characterized by a spongy morphological appearance of the myocardium occurring primarily in the left ventricle and most evident in the apical portion.2 Noncompaction often is visualized as deep recesses within the thickened apex, and these sinusoids communicate with the ventricular cavity. During heart development, the myocardium is initially trabeculated during a period before coronary artery development and is thought to be an adaptation to provide blood flow to the developing myocardium. The development of the coronary vasculature is associated temporally with the loss of trabeculae and the full maturation of the compact myocardium. Between embryonic weeks 5 and 8, the trabeculae regress as the compact myocardium develops from base to apex. Isolated LVNC is defined as occurring in the absence of other cardiac structural malformation. Nonsyndromic LVNC refers to the absence of other extracardiac developmental disorders. In 2006, the American Heart Association scientific statement on classification of cardiomyopathies reclassified LVNC as its own disease entity.3 Klaassen et al now link genetic sarcomere defects to both familial and sporadic isolated, …
ETBR: extended truncated balanced realization method for on-chip power grid network analysis

In this paper, we present a novel simulation approach for power grid network analysis. The new approach, called ETBR for extended truncated balanced realization, is based on model order reduction techniques to reduce the circuit matrices before the simulation. Different from the (improved) extended Krylov subspace methods EKS/IEKS [15, 2], ETBR performs fast truncated balanced realization on response Grammian to reduce the original system with the similar computation costs of EKS. ETBR also avoids the adverse explicit moment representation of the input signals. Instead, it uses spectrum representation of input signals by fast Fourier transformation. As a result, ETBR is more flexible for different types of input sources and can better capture the high frequency contents than EKS, and this leads to more accurate results especially for fast changing input signals. Experimental results on a number of large networks (up to one million nodes) show that, given the same order of the reduced model, ETBR is indeed more accurate than the EKS method especially for input sources rich in high-frequency components. ETBR also shows similar computation costs of EKS and less memory consumption than EKS.
The roles of religion and spirituality among African American survivors of domestic violence

The investigation examined religious involvement, spirituality, religious coping, and social support as correlates of posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression symptoms in African American survivors of domestic violence. Sixty-five African American women who experienced domestic violence in the past year provided data on demographics, severity and frequency of physical and psychological abuse during the past year, aspects of current social support, types of current coping activities, religious involvement, spiritual experiences, and symptoms related to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Women who evinced higher levels of spirituality and greater religious involvement reported fewer depression symptoms. Religious involvement was also found to be negatively associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Women who reported higher levels of spirituality reported utilizing higher levels of religious coping strategies, and women who reported higher levels of religious involvement reported higher levels of social support. Results did not support hypotheses regarding social support and religious coping as mediators of the associations between mental health variables, religious involvement, and spirituality.
Trends in bronchiectasis among medicare beneficiaries in the United States, 2000 to 2007.

Background Bronchiectasis is a potentially serious condition characterized by permanent and abnormal widening of the airways, the prevalence of which is not well described. We sought to describe the trends, associated conditions, and risk factors for bronchiectasis among adults aged ≥ 65 years. Methods A 5% sample of the Medicare outpatient claims database was analyzed for bronchiectasis trends among beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years from 2000 to 2007. Bronchiectasis was identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification claim diagnosis codes for acquired bronchiectasis. Period prevalence was used to describe sex- and race/ethnicity-specific rates, and annual prevalence was used to describe trends and age-specific rates. We estimated trends using Poisson regression and odds of bronchiectasis using multivariate logistic regression. Results From 2000 to 2007, 22,296 people had at least one claim for bronchiectasis. The 8-year period prevalence of bronchiectasis was 1,106 cases per 100,000 people. Bronchiectasis increased by 8.7% per year. We identified an interaction between the number of thoracic CT scans and race/ethnicity; period prevalence varied by a greater degree by number of thoracic CT scans among Asians compared with whites or blacks. Among people with one CT scan, Asians had a 2.5- and 3.9-fold higher period prevalence compared with whites and blacks. Conclusions Bronchiectasis prevalence increased significantly from 2000 to 2007 in the Medicare outpatient setting and varied by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. This increase could be due to a true increase in the condition or an increased recognition of previously undiagnosed cases.
Funding Growth Drives Community Health Center Services

Federally qualified health centers play a major role in providing health care to the underserved, and will remain an important part of the health care safety net even under reforms that will increase the number of Americans with health insurance. We show that the investments made in federally qualified health centers during 1996–2006 clearly translated into an increase in services available to patients, including mental health and substance abuse treatment and counseling and staffing. One particularly notable finding is that an additional $500,000 in federal grants translates into 540 more uninsured patients treated.