cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Down syndrome and associated medical disorders

This article reviews research on the clinical problems and disorders found in individuals with Down syndrome. Many well-known disorders such as hearing loss, congenital heart disease, and ophthalmic disorders are found with increased prevalence among those with Down syndrome. Disorders such as diabetes mellitus and leukemia have a low prevalence but have clinical significance. Disorders that should be included in preventive care are obesity and gingivitis. Associated findings of unknown clinical significance include the tendency of individuals with Down syndrome to have low blood pressure and, possibly, less atherosclerosis and dental caries than occur in the general population. Knowledge of the many medical disorders found in individuals with Down syndrome enables clinicians to provide rational medical monitoring. The review also provides information for researchers who may find challenging research questions relating to disorders associated with Down syndrome. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Extrusion processing of rice or corn flour with mechanically deboned Turkey

Rice flour and yellow or white corn flour were combined at 50, 60 and 70% levels with mechanically deboned turkey and extrusion processed at 104C and 121C. The texture of the extrudates was evaluated by Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS), and flour concentration had more effect on the WBS values than flour type; treatments with 70% flour had significantly greater WBS values. Corn flour treatments and low temperature extrusion resulted in greater TBA values. Proximate composition of extrudates confirmed moisture losses during extrusion and that high temperature processing had mixed results on ether-extractable compounds.
NLR proteins and parasitic disease.

Parasitic diseases are a serious global health concern. Many of the most common and most severe parasitic diseases, including Chagas’ disease, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis, are also classified as neglected tropical diseases and are comparatively less studied than infectious diseases prevalent in high income nations. The NLRs (nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich-repeat-containing proteins) are cytosolic proteins known to be involved in pathogen detection and host response. The role of NLRs in the host response to parasitic infection is just beginning to be understood. The NLR proteins NOD1 and NOD2 have been shown to contribute to immune responses during Trypanosoma cruzi infection, Toxoplasma gondii infection, and murine cerebral malaria. The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by T. cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis but also induces pathology during infection with schistosomes or malaria. Both the NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes respond to T. gondii infection. The NLRs may play crucial roles in human immune responses during parasitic infection, usually acting as innate immune sensors and driving the inflammatory response against invading parasites. However, this inflammatory response can either kill the invading parasite or be responsible for destructive pathology. Therefore, understanding the role of the NLR proteins will be critical to understanding the host defense against parasites as well as the fine balance between homeostasis and parasitic disease.
Chromatin remodeling by transcriptional activation domains in a yeast episome.

We examine the generality of transcription factor-mediated chromatin remodeling by monitoring changes in chromatin structure in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) episome outside of the context of a natural promoter. The episome has a well defined chromatin structure and a binding site for the transcription factor GAL4 but lacks a nearby functional TATA element or transcription start site, so that changes in chromatin structure are unlikely to be caused by transcription. To separate changes caused by binding and by activation domains, we use both GAL4 and a chimeric, hormone-dependent activator consisting of the GAL4 DNA-binding domain, an estrogen receptor (ER) hormone-binding domain, and a VP16 activation domain (Louvion, J.-F., Havaux-Copf, B. and Picard, D. (1993) Gene (Amst.) 131, 129-134). Both GAL4 and GAL4·ER·VP16 show very little perturbation of chromatin structure in their nonactivating configurations. Substantial additional perturbation occurs upon activation. This additional perturbation is marked by changes in micrococcal nuclease cleavage patterns, restriction endonuclease accessibility, and DNA topology and is not seen with the nonactivating derivative GAL4·ER. Remodeling by GAL4·ER·VP16 is detectable within 15 min following hormone addition and is complete within 45 min, suggesting that replication is not required. We conclude that activation domains can exert a major influence on chromatin remodeling by increasing binding affinity and/or by recruitment of other chromatin remodeling activities and that this remodeling can occur outside the context of a bona fide promoter.
Biological aerosol detection with the tactical biological (TAC-BIO) detector

Ultra-violet fluorescence remains a cornerstone technique for the detection of biological agent aerosols. Historically, these UV based detectors have employed relatively costly and power demanding lasers that have influenced the exploitation of the technology to wider use. Recent advancements from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA) Solid-state Ultra Violet Optical Sources (SUVOS) program have changed this. The UV light emitting diode (LED) devices based on Gallium Nitride offer a unique opportunity to produce small, low power, and inexpensive detectors. It may, in fact, be possible to extend the SUVOS technology into detectors that are potentially disposable. This report will present ongoing efforts to explore this possibility. It will present the Tactical Biological (TAC-BIO) detector as such a solution for low cost, low power, lightweight device for biological agent detection.
N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase in milk and blood plasma during dry and early postpartum periods.

Abstract Milk and plasma N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity was determined for cows during the dry and early postpartum periods. Milk samples were taken from individual quarters of 12 cows from 7 d preceding dry off until calving. Weigh jar milk samples were taken daily for 28 d postpartum from 9 of the 12 cows. Somatic cell concentration was also measured in the postpartum samples. N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity of mammary secretions was significantly elevated in the dry period. Activity in mammary secretions was significantly higher than blood plasma concentrations during the dry period, which suggests that the enzyme present in mammary secretions comes mainly from within the gland. Milk enzyme concentrations declined sharply by 4 d postpartum and gradually declined through 28 d postpartum. Activity was still slightly elevated at 28 d postpartum as compared with normal lactation. Greater daily variability was seen with somatic cells than with N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase. However, somatic cells were more responsive to clinical infections postpartum, showing significant elevations in both clinical episodes. The enzyme was elevated in one clinical case, but relatively unchanged in the other. Plasma levels were constant throughout both trials.
Low-temperature FTIR study of multiple K intermediates in the photocycles of bacteriorhodopsin and xanthorhodopsin.

Low-temperature FTIR spectroscopy of bacteriorhodopsin and xanthorhodopsin was used to elucidate the number of K-like bathochromic states, their sequence, and their contributions to the photoequilibrium mixtures created by illumination at 80−180 K. We conclude that in bacteriorhodopsin the photocycle includes three distinct K-like states in the sequence bR→hνI*→J→K0→KE→KL→L→..., and similarly in xanthorhodopsin. K0 is the main fraction in the mixture at 77 K that is formed from J. K0 becomes thermally unstable above ∼50 K in both proteins. At 77 K, both J-to-K0 and K0-to-KE transitions occur and, contrarily to long-standing belief, cryogenic trapping at 77 K does not produce a pure K state but a mixture of the two states, K0 and KE, with contributions from KE of ∼15 and ∼10% in the two retinal proteins, respectively. Raising the temperature leads to increasing conversion of K0 to KE, and the two states coexist (without contamination from non-K-like states) in the 80−140 K range in bacteriorhodopsin, and i...
T-stress based fracture model for cracks in isotropic materials

Abstract A modified version of the T-stress based fracture model, developed by Cotterell and Rice, is proposed. In this version an experimentally determined Tcrit value is included in the model. The model is then applied to a branched crack in an isotropic material, and the direction of growth of the crack is predicted qualitatively. The branched crack problem is solved using the method of dislocations and a singular integral equation is obtained. The singular integral equation is solved using three different numerical techniques and their respective merits are discussed. The stress intensity factors and the T-stress in front of the branched crack tip are evaluated numerically. It is shown that the T-stress and the stress intensity factors are insensitive to the order of the singularity assumed at the reentrant wedge corner of the branched crack. For an uniaxial load and short kink length it is demonstrated that the kink will turn from its initial direction and realign with the main crack. However if the loading is biaxial then the direction of kink growth depends strongly on the applied transverse stress σxx. For a longer initial kink length the direction of kink growth depends on both the kink angle and loading.
Cytotoxicity of N6-substituted adenosine analogs to cultured trophoblastic tumor cells

Abstract Cultured trophoblastic tumor cells were found to have an elevated adenosine kinase activity relative to levels in normal trophoblasts and those derived from a hydatidiform mole. The effect of N 6 substituted adenosine analogs on the various cell lines was investigated to determine whether the differential enzyme levels might, in turn. result in differential sensitivity of the cell lines to the compounds. When cells were exposed to appropriate concentrations of N 6 -methyladenosine or N 6 , N 6 -dimethyladenosine, it was found that the nucleosides were only cytostatic to non-malignant trophoblastic cells derived from placenta or hydatidiform mole, and cell lines of non-trophoblastic origin. However, the same concentrations of the nucleosides were cytotoxic to the malignant trophoblastic cell lines. The primary effect of exposure of cells to N 6 , N 6 -dimethyladenosine appeared to be inhibition of DNA synthesis. A third adenosine analog, N 6 -( Δ 2 -isopentenyl)aden was toxic to almost all cell lines regardless of origin.
Selected rate constants for H, O, N, and Cl atoms with substrates at room temperatures

Abstract Rate constants for H + Cl 2 , H + CH 3 CHO, H + C 3 H 4 , O + C 3 H 6 , O + CH 3 CHO, and Cl + CH 4 have been measured at room temperature by the discharge flow—resonance fluorescence technique. The results are (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10 −11 , (9.8 ± 0.8) × 10 −14 , (6.3 ± 0.4) × 10 −13) (2.00 torr He), (3.95 ± 0.41) × 10 −12 , (4.9 ± 0.5) × 10|su−13 and (1.08 ± 0.07) × 10 −13 , respectively, all in units of cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 . Also N atom reactions with C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 3 H 4 , and C 3 H 6 were studied but in no case was there an appreciable rate constant. These results are compared to previous studies.
The band structure of UO2: An angle resolved and resonant photoemission study

Abstract A detailed study of angle resolved photoemission of UO2 〈100〉 in the normal emission configuration is presented. The results are compared with a semirelativistic linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) band calculation with the actual calculated empty bands used in the data reduction. Excellent agreement is found with calculations both for filled states as well as critical points in the empty states with no adjustment of bands, f-p Hybridization is found at the leading edge of the valence band and not at the bottom of the valence band, p-d Hybridization is found throughout the valence bands.
Some improvements in Neuberger's iteration procedure for solving partial differential equations

Abstract If m and n are positive integers then let S ( m , n ) denote the linear space over R whose elements are the real-valued symmetric n -linear functions on E m with operations defined in the usual way. If U is a function from some sphere S in E m to R then let U (i) ( x ) denote the i th Frechet derivative of U at x . In general U (i) ( x )∈ S ( m , i ). In the paper “An Iterative Method for Solving Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations” [ Advances in Math. 19 (1976), 245–265] Neuberger presents an iterative procedure for solving a partial differential equation of the form AU n (x)=F(x, U(x), U′(x),…,U k (x)) , where k > n , U is the unknown from some sphere in E m to R , A is a linear functional on S ( m , n ), and F is analytic. The defect in the theory presented there was that in order to prove that the iterates converged to a solution U the condition k ⩽ n 2 was needed. In this paper an iteration procedure that is a slight variation on Neuberger's procedure is considered. Although the condition k ⩽ n 2 cannot as yet be eliminated, it is shown that in a broad class of cases depending upon the nature of the functional A the restriction k ⩽ n 2 may be replaced by the restriction k ⩽ 3n 4 .
Competition between Infectious Tobacco Mosaic Virus Nucleic Acid and Intact Virus on Nicotiana glutinosa

PREVIOUS work by Wu and Rappaport1 was concerned with the phenomenon of competition between intact strains of tobacco mosaic virus. In each case, a mild strain of tobacco mosaic virus (U2 or VM) was used to interfere with the establishment of infections by the common strain, U1. In this communication, competition between these same strains but involving infectious ribonucleic acid (RNA) and intact virus will be described.
Hiatal hernias: a review of the pathophysiologic theories and implication for research

The pathophysiology of hiatal hernias is incompletely understood. This study systematically reviewed the literature of hiatal hernias to provide an evidence-based explanation of the pathogenetic theories and to identify any risk factors at the molecular and cellular levels. A systematic search of the Medline and Pubmed databases on the pathophysiology of hiatal hernias was performed to identify English-language citations from the database inception to December 2010. Although few studies have examined the relationship of molecular and cellular changes of the diaphragm to the pathogenesis of hiatal hernias, there appear to be three dominant pathogenic theories: (1) increased intraabdominal pressure forces the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) into the thorax; (2) esophageal shortening due to fibrosis or excessive vagal nerve stimulation displaces the GEJ into the thorax; and (3) GEJ migrates into the chest secondary to a widening of the diaphragmatic hiatus in response to congenital or acquired molecular and cellular changes, such as the abnormalities of collagen type 3 alpha 1. The pathogenesis of hiatal hernias at the molecular and cellular levels is poorly described. To date, no single theory has proved to be the definitive explanation for hiatal hernia formation, and its pathogenesis appears to be multifactorial.
Observation of anomalies in the pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of potassium-based graphite intercalation compounds

Measurements of the pressure ($P$) dependence of the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of K${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ and KHg${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$ are reported. K${\mathrm{C}}_{8}$ undergoes a first-order transition from a ${T}_{c}=0.13$ K to a ${T}_{c}=1.7$ K phase over the range $2l~Pl~15$ kbar. A KHg${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$ sample underwent an anomalously broad superconducting transition at ambient pressure with an onset near 1.4 K, which is nearly double previously reported ${T}_{c}$ values. The KHg${\mathrm{C}}_{4}$ transition sharpened dramatically for $P\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ kbar and exhibited a strongly negative $\frac{d{T}_{c}}{\mathrm{dP}}$ at higher pressures. K${\mathrm{C}}_{24}$ was found to be nonsuperconducting to $P=10$ kbar and $Tg~0.07$ K.
Amperometric cholesterol biosensor using layer-by-layer adsorption technique onto electrospun polyaniline nanofibers

Abstract An amperometric cholesterol biosensor was fabricated using electrospun polyaniline nanofibers. Polyaniline was dissolved in chloroform with camphorsulfonic acid, and polystyrene was added in this solution. Using this mixed solution, nanofibers were formed and collected by electrospinning. Then cholesterol oxidase was immobilized onto these fibers using an electrostatic layer-by-layer adsorption technique. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) was used as the counter ion source. The level of adsorption was examined and evidence of layer-by-layer adsorption was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. A cholesterol biosensor was fabricated from these nanofibers as a working electrode, and it was used to measure the cholesterol concentration.
SeaMARC II mapping of transform faults in the Cayman Trough, Caribbean Sea

SeaMARC II maps of the southern wall of the Cayman Trough between Honduras and Jamaica show zones of continuous, well-defined fault lineaments adjacent and parallel to the wall, both to the east and west of the Cayman spreading axis. These lineaments mark the present, active traces of transform faults which intersect the southern end of the spreading axis at a triple junction. The Swan Islands transform fault to the west is dominated by two major lineaments that overlap with right-stepping sense across a large push-up ridge beneath the Swan Islands. The fault zone to the east of the axis, named the Walton fault, is more complex, containing multiple fault strands and a large pull-apart structure. The Walton fault links the spreading axis to Jamaican and Hispaniolan strike-slip faults, and it defines the southern boundary of a microplate composed of the eastern Cayman Trough and western Hispaniola. The presence of this microplate raises questions about the veracity of Caribbean plate velocities based primarily on Cayman Trough opening rates.
Culture as Structure in Emerging Civic Organizations in Russia

After nearly 20 years of democracy-building projects in Russia, a robust civil society has yet to develop. While researchers have suggested political conditions, misaligned incentives, or the unint...
The Impact of Electronic Journals on Library Staff at ARL Member Institutions

A recent article addressed the difficulty of acquiring and maintaining Web-based, full-text electronic journals.11 Ellen Finnie Duranceau, “Beyond Print: Revisioning Serials Acquisitions for the Di...
Microfluidic Platform for the Generation of Organic-Phase Microreactors

Rapid prototyping photolithography of a thiolene-based resin was used to fabricate microfluidic devices stable to aliphatic and aromatic organic solvents. The swelling of the cross-linked polymer matrix in various organic solvents was quantified, and the solvent resistance properties of these microfluidic devices are described. Discrete droplets of hexanes and toluene of uniform size were generated in microfluidic devices inside a water matrix containing SDS surfactant (SDS = sodium dodecyl sulfate). Variation of water and organic flow rates in the fluidic channels was used to control droplet size and separation. Droplet composition could be controlled by varying flow rates of two joined organic streams. Organic-phase synthetic reactions within the droplets were demonstrated with the bromination of alkenes inside benzene droplets.
The business policy course : Multiple methods for multiple goals

The field of business policy and strategy has evolved and changed over the past 30 years. The accumulation of a body of scholarly work based on empirical and theoretical investigation, the shift in the type of student, and a transformation of the business arena through technological and global forces have all changed the context of the course. As a consequence, sole reliance on the traditional case method is no longer sufficient. Instead, multiple methods that encourage participation, critical thinking, communication, integration, and the translation of theory to practice are necessary. This article suggests that an assessment of the congruence of the outcomes of different methods with the stated goals of the course should be a crucial factor in the choice of pedagogical tools.
Can men provide accurate confounder data about their partners for Time-to-Pregnancy studies?

Purpose In studies of time to pregnancy (TTP), women's health-related behaviors may confound other determinants of TTP. In many occupation-based TTP studies, all information is collected through the male partner. There are no data on the validity of the man's report of his partner's fertility-related behavior. Methods We studied 202 men and their partners from the most recent pregnancy. Validity of men's reporting on their partner's use of oral contraceptives (OCs) as the last birth control method and her smoking around the beginning of TTP and agreement of coital frequency were assessed. Results The index pregnancy was an average of 6 years before interview. Overall percentage of agreement was 81% for OCs as the last contraceptive method (κ agreement = 0.44). Ninety-five percent of men accurately reported whether their partner smoked (κ agreement = 0.83). Among couples agreeing on smoking status, 90% agreed on the categorical cigarette number (weighted κ = 0.60). Reporting accuracy was not influenced by men's characteristics. Median coital frequency was eight times per month, with a weighted κ = 0.34 after categorization. Conclusions Our data generally justify the use of men's reports of potential confounders in TTP studies when women's reports are not available.
The Use of Vancomycin Powder In Modern Spine Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Evidence

Background Surgical-site infections (SSIs) can lead to greater postoperative morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Despite current prophylactic measures, rates of SSIs have been reported in up to 15% of patients undergoing spine surgery. The adjunctive local application of vancomycin powder in spine surgery is a low-cost strategy to help reduce SSIs. Vancomycin is active against skin pathogens that can potentially contaminate the wound during spinal surgery. The local application of vancomycin in its powder form ensures adequate surgical-site concentrations while minimizing adverse effects caused by undetectable systemic distribution. However, clinical studies have produced conflicting results, and the clinical evidence behind the use of vancomycin powder in modern spinal surgery practices is not clear. Purpose To examine the current clinical evidence on the use of vancomycin powder in spine surgery. Study Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of literature. Methods A comprehensive search of the English literature was conducted with PubMed (MEDLINE). The inclusion criteria consisted of intrawound vancomycin powder use in spine surgery as a prophylactic agent for SSIs. Studies that investigated nonspine surgeries, selected patients on the basis of clinical suspicion, or included patients with infections were excluded. Studies that compared intrawound vancomycin in spine surgery against their standard practice were pooled in the meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Results A total of 671 abstracts were reviewed, and 18 papers met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in this review. These included 1 randomized controlled trial, 13 comparative studies, and 4 case series. The level of evidence in hierarchical order was as follows: 1 level II, 13 level III, and 4 level IV. Fourteen of the studies, 1 randomized controlled trial and 13 comparative studies, were eligible for the meta-analysis. The odds of developing a deep infection with intrawound vancomycin powder were 0.23 times the odds of experiencing an infection without intrawound vancomycin (95% confidence interval 0.11–0.50, P = 0.0002, I 2 = 47%). For combined superficial and deep infections the odds ratio was 0.43 (95% confidence interval 0.22–0.82, P = 0.01, I 2 = 36%). Conclusions Numerous clinical studies have confirmed the safety of using vancomycin powder in the surgical site. The pooled clinical data supports the use of vancomycin to prevent SSIs in adult spine surgeries. The majority of the supporting literature is class III evidence. Existing studies use different definitions for surgical site infections and different pre-, peri-, and postoperative antibiotic regimens. Further high-quality investigations should use standardized protocols to confirm these findings.
Computer Science Meets Social Studies: Embedding CS in the Study of Locally Grounded Civic Issues

Data science is an emerging 21st century literacy that promises to support learning in a wide variety of disciplines, from science, to social science, to the humanities. It also provides an engaging context in which to learn computational thinking skills in existing classroom contexts. For my dissertation research, I will explore whether and how data science can support inquiry-based learning in social studies. I conjecture that data science could provide students with an opportunity to use computational thinking to better understand their social world, while also allowing students to draw from and make sense of their own experiences. I plan to explore this idea by enhancing and evaluating a software tool, Local Ground, and creating a curriculum that helps young people identify and describe salient characteristics of their lived realities, moving from unstructured to structured data representations (e.g., photos to tags to databases). This process may generate a rich, motivating data source to explore subsequent ideas in computational thinking and social science.
Examination of Factors Influencing Intramedullary Reaming Into Femurs

This preliminary study explores material surface chemistry modifications to optimize intramedullary (IM) reaming into femurs. Understanding and quantifying the effects of surface chemistry will allow beneficial new material choices. M2 standard High Speed Steel Straight Shank Straight Fluke chucking reamers of 5/32” or ∼4mm diameter were reamed into RenShape®-BM5460 (bone analogs) blocks for the investigation. Sterilizations (Steam Autoclave and Radio Frequency Glow Discharge Treatment) and low friction coatings (Octadecyltrichlorosilane or ODS and 3-Hepta-fluoropropyl-methyl-dichloro-silane or 3-HEPT) were the surface modifications so far pursued in this study. The effects due to the presence of possible transfer films from bone analogs during reaming on cutting efficacies have been investigated on a custom made Orthopaedic Rotational Cutter Analysis System (ORCAS) test system. The results preliminarily suggest a transfer film from the bone analog resulting in reduction of peak loads and peak toques through repeated use. The low-friction coatings have induced lower peak loads and comparable peak torques, suggesting a corollary between low friction coatings and lower surgical efforts required.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Reclamation of Ampicillin Sensitivity for the Genetic Manipulation of Legionella pneumophila

Research on Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, has been hampered due to the lack of selectable markers for genetic manipulation. We report the construction of a mutant strain of L. pneumophila lacking loxA, a chromosomally encoded β-lactamase, that has enhanced sensitivity to ampicillin. Also described are a method for converting Legionella strains to ampicillin sensitivity and conditions for utilizing bla as a selectable marker.
Characterisation of telecommunications pulse trains by Fourier-transform and dual-quadrature spectral interferometry

The first use of two sensitive spectral interferometric techniques for the complete intensity and phase characterisation of high-data rate optical pulse trains with low average power is demonstrated. The pulses are reconstructed either by Fourier-transform or dual-quadrature spectral interferometry after characterisation of an amplified reference pulse by frequency-resolved optical gating.
Electrical induction of spikes in the hippocampus impairs recognition capacity and spatial memory in rats.

Abstract In clinical studies, interictal EEG spikes (IS) have been associated with numerous neuropsychological abnormalities, ranging from transitory cognitive impairment to epileptic encephalopathies. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of IS has been hampered by the lack of validated animal models. To mimic IS, a stimulating microelectrode was implanted in the ventral hippocampal commissure and a recording microelectrode in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of normal male rats. Spike patterns were induced using a series of electrical pulses 10–30 ms in duration with a frequency of 0.5–2 Hz and a current of 0.2 mA. The commissural stimulation-evoked population discharges in the hippocampus resembled naturally occurring IS in epileptic rats and, in no cases, resulted in behavioral seizures. For behavioral testing, the Morris water maze, radial arm maze, and object recognition tasks were used. Spikes were induced during sleep between the two sets of water maze trials; during the trials in the radial arm maze task; and prior to the sample phase and during the delay periods in the object recognition task. We demonstrated that rats that received spikes took longer to reach the escape platform in the second set of water maze trials; had significantly more reference errors and required more trials to complete the radial arm maze task; and had lower investigation ratios in the object recognition task. The results indicate that induction of spikes in the hippocampus results in impairment of spatial reference and nonspatial object recognition memory.
Monolayers of thiol-terminated dendrimers on the surface of planar and colloidal gold

The synthesis of fourth-generation poly(amido−amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers having terminal groups partially or fully functionalized with thiol groups is described. These thiolated dendrimers form stable monolayers on planar Au substrates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal that most of the thiol groups on dendrimers having 20% of their terminal primary amine groups functionalized can directly interact with the Au surface. This suggests that the dendrimer molecules are flexible and arrange themselves so as to maximize the number of Au/thiol interactions. Reduction of tetrachloroauric acid in the presence of thiol-modified dendrimers results in formation of water-soluble, dendrimer-stabilized nanoparticles. The particles are 1.5−2.1 nm in diameter depending on the Au/dendrimer ratio used. Stable nanoparticles can be obtained at Au/dendrimer ratios as large as 120:1.
Brief Psychoeducational Group Treatment With Re-Traumatized Refugees and Asylum Seekers

This article describes the implementation of a psychoeducational group treatment with students with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who were further traumatized by the 9/11 attacks in New York City. The rationale for group intervention and specific techniques utilized to promote emotional and behavioral stabilization and relief, including trauma education and stress management, are discussed. In addition, group-related issues, themes, and challenges are considered. This psychoeducational treatment modality provides an example of the usefulness of group intervention with a re-traumatized population.
Kinetic and thermodynamic issues in the formation of aromatic compounds in flames of aliphatic fuels

We have formulated a chemical kinetic model to predict the growth of higher hydrocarbons in a lightly sooting C2H2/O2/Ar flame. The predictions of the model compare favorably with the experimental results of Bastin et al. (Twenty-Second Combustion Symposium). Analysis of the mechanism shows that reactions of 1CH2 play a central role in forming the C3 and C4 hydrocarbons that ultimately lead to ring formation. Several possibilities are considered for the cyclization reaction. The most likely candidates involve reaction complexes in which the hydrogen atoms are not optimally placed. This point is discussed in some detail. We argue that the “first ring” is most likely formed by reaction of two propargyl radicals, C3H3 + C3H3 ⇐ C6H5 + H or C3H3 + C3H3 ⇐ C6H6.
Controlling spin-polarized electron transport through a molecule: The role of molecular conformation

We investigate theoretically the spin-polarized electron transport through a complex organic molecule coupled to magnetic contacts. Our focus is on how low-energy deformations of the molecule affect the current-voltage characteristics and the magnetotransport of this molecular-scale device. We find that fairly modest deformations, costing only a few tens of meVs, can substantially change the tunneling current---by factors of 2 or more. Such deformations have still larger impact on the magnetoresistance, with small changes in molecular conformation even leading to changes in the sign of the magnetoresistance.
Optimality of coincidence-based goodness of fit test for sparse sample problems

We consider the sparse sample goodness of fit problem, where the number of samples n is smaller than the size of the alphabet m. The generalized error exponent based on large deviation analysis was proposed to characterize the performance of tests, using the high-dimensional model in which both n and m tend to infinity and n = o(m). In previous work, the best achievable probability of error is shown to decay −log(P e ) = (n2/m)(1 + o(1))J with upper and lower bounds on J. However, there is a significant gap between the two bounds. In this paper, we close the gap by proving a tight upper-bound, which matches the lower-bound over the entire region of generalized error exponents of false alarm and missed detection, achieved by the coincidence-based test. This implies that the coincidence-based test is asymptotically optimal.
Improving patient safety and uniformity of care by a standardized regimen for the use of oxytocin

Oxytocin is 1 of the most commonly used drugs in labor and has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. In an attempt to improve patient safety, we constructed a standardized protocol for labor induction with oxytocin. We reviewed the numerous publications regarding oxytocin use for either induction or augmentation of labor in order to determine if there was a protocol available that would maximize success of delivery and minimize the adverse maternal and fetal effects of the drug. Using the literature review and the specific pharmacokinetics of oxytocin, we developed a standardized approach for the dilution and administration of oxytocin in order to improve patient safety, develop uniformity of the drug use, maximize its benefits, and minimize its side effects. We suggest that a standardized approach to oxytocin use be adopted that uses an oxytocin dilution of 10 mU/mL, initial dose of 2 mU/min (12 mL/hr), incremental increase of 2 mU (12 mL) every 45 minutes until adequate labor with the maximum dose being 16 mU/min (96 mL/hr).
Detecting an invasive shrub in a deciduous forest understory using late-fall Landsat sensor imagery

Landsat TM and ETM+ imagery was used to distinguish areas of high vs. low cover of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), taking advantage of the late leaf retention of this invasive shrub. L. maackii cover was measured in eight stands and compared to 15 Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+ images from spring and autumn dates from 1999 to 2006. Jeffries-Matusita (JM) distance calculations showed potential separability between high vs. low/zero cover classes of L. maackii on some late fall images. The Soil Adjusted Atmospheric Resistant Vegetation Index (SARVI2) revealed higher levels of green biomass in high L. maackii cover plots than low/zero cover plots for November images only. These findings justify further investigation of the effectiveness of late fall images to map the historical spread of L. maackii and other forest understory invasives with similar phenology.
The effect of diet on inherited retinal dystrophy in the rat

The rate of photoreceptor cell degeneration was significantly retarded in albino rats afflicted with inherited retinal dystrophy by merely changing the food supply from a commercial lab chow to a well defined diet. The data suggest that female dystrophic rats may benefit somewhat more from this dietary manipulation than the males. A well defined fat-free diet was less successful than a standard defined diet in retarding the rate of retinal degeneration.
Sudden deterioration of the newborn infant: II. Diagnosis-based approach in the intensive care unit.

Sudden Deterioration of the Newborn Infant: II. Diagnosis-Based Approach in the Intensive Care Unit
Prospective Evaluation of a Pediatric Inpatient Early Warning Scoring System

PURPOSE. The present study evaluated the use of the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) for detecting clinical deterioration among hospitalized children. DESIGN/METHODS. A prospective, descriptive study design was used. The tool was used to score 2,979 patients admitted to a single medical unit of a pediatric hospital over a 12-month period. RESULTS. PEWS discriminated between children who required transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit and those who did not require transfer (area under the curve = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84–0.94, p < .001). IMPLICATIONS. The PEWS tool was found to be a reliable and valid scoring system to identify children at risk for clinical deterioration.
Computation of D-brane instanton induced superpotential couplings: Majorana masses from string theory

We perform a detailed conformal field theory analysis of $D2$-brane instanton effects in four-dimensional type IIA string vacua with intersecting $D6$-branes. In particular, we explicitly compute instanton induced fermion two-point couplings which play the role of perturbatively forbidden Majorana mass terms for right-handed neutrinos or MSSM $\ensuremath{\mu}$ terms. These results can readily be extended to higher-dimensional operators. In concrete realizations of such nonperturbative effects, the Euclidean $D2$-brane has to wrap a rigid, supersymmetric cycle with strong constraints on the zero-mode structure. Their implications for type IIA compactifications on the ${T}^{6}/({\mathbb{Z}}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{Z}}_{2})$ orientifold with discrete torsion are analyzed. We also construct a local supersymmetric GUT-like model allowing for a class of Euclidean $D2$-branes whose fermionic zero modes meet all the constraints for generating Majorana masses in the phenomenologically allowed regime. Together with perturbatively realized Dirac masses, these nonperturbative couplings give rise to the seesaw mechanism.
A multicenter, open-label, comparative trial of two daclizumab dosing strategies vs. no antibody induction in combination with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids for the prevention of acute rejection in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant recipients: interim analysis.

Introduction: The safety and efficacy of daclizumab (1 mg/kg/dose every 14 d for five doses) has been established in kidney and heart transplant recipients. Alternative dosing regimens based on pharmacokinetic simulation and limited clinical trials are being investigated. The purpose of this ongoing multicenter study is to determine the safety and efficacy of two dosing regimens of daclizumab as an adjunctive immunosuppressive agent compared with no antibody induction in simultaneous kidney–pancreas transplant (SKPT) recipients receiving tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids as primary immunosuppression. Methods: This is an interim report of a multicenter, prospective, open-label, randomized study with a target enrolment of 290 patients. Eligible SKPT patients were randomized to one of three groups: daclizumab 1 mg/kg/dose every 14 d for five doses (Group I), daclizumab 2 mg/kg/dose every 14 d for two doses (Group II), and no antibody induction (Group III). The primary endpoint of the study is a composite of the incidence of presumed or biopsy-proven kidney or pancreas rejection, graft loss, or death within the first 6 months post-transplantation. Results: A total of 166 patients were randomized into the three groups [Group I (n=70), Group II (n=74), Group III (n=22)]. Demographic and transplant characteristics were similar among the groups. At a minimum follow-up of 3 months, patient, kidney and pancreas graft survival rates were similar among the three groups. However, the rates of acute renal allograft rejection were 18% (Group I), 8% (Group II), and 36% (Group III), p < 0.05. The probabilities of either kidney or pancreas allograft rejection were 22% (Group I), 8% (Group II), and 38% (Group III). At 3 months, the actuarial event-free survival (no acute rejection, allograft loss, or death) rates were 67, 81 and 50% in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. There were no differences in the incidence of infectious complications among the groups and no serious adverse events associated with daclizumab were observed. Conclusions: The two-dose regimen (Group II) appears to be as effective as the five-dose regimen (Group I) in preventing acute rejection after SKPT and is associated with the lowest acute rejection rates and the highest rate of event-free survival (no rejection or graft loss). However, the benefits of daclizumab compared with no antibody induction await larger sample size accrual.
BUILD IN RELATION TO MENSTRUAL DISORDERS AND OBESITY

THE SEARCH for relationships between human configuration and human disease have intrigued physicians since the beginning of medical history. Such relationships are always elusive, especially when symptoms so common as obesity and menstrual disorders are referred to a variable so complex as body build. Nevertheless, demonstration of at least a limited relationship between symptoms and physique has been possible in this paper. A first step in the study was the choice of standards of build. The constants established on school children by Gray and Ayres (i) were used for girls up to 19 years of age, and those for working women by Bayer and Gray (2) were used for the women of 20 years of age and older. The standards for working women are especially appropriate, since they were established for the present purpose, from the measurements of women having the same socio-economic status as the patients reported on in this paper.
Supporting the development of a national constellation of communities of practice in the scholarship of teaching and learning through the use of intelligent agents

This paper describes the WebCenter, a CSCL tool being developed to support the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Campus Program, an effort to strengthen local communities of practice performing the scholarship of teaching and learning and to create a national constellation of communities of practice that transverses them. The WebCenter provides a suite of groupware tools for the use of Campus Program participants. The WebCenter uses two analysis systems to act as social agents to stimulate activity. First, a collaborative filtering system is used to encourage national and cross-disciplinary collaboration between scholars of teaching and learning. Second, an automated peer-review and invitation system, based on the model of a consensus journal, is being developed for three purposes: to support the development of national consensus on the criteria for assessing the scholarship of teaching and learning, to stimulate the production of scholarship meeting these criteria, and to lend credibility to scholarship published on the WebCenter.
Late Roman and Byzantine Legislation on the Monastic Life from the Fourth to the Eighth Centuries

Christian monasticism in the East has three sources: the original rule of the founder or that of a reformer, laws issued by the Roman emperors, and the canons of church councils. The purpose of this article is to study the latter two, which have received little attention in the scholarly work on monastic life. The close association between church and state, unique to the East, made it incumbent upon the leaders of both the secular and religious hierarchies of Byzantium to oversee the development of monasticism from the fourth to the eighth century. Those 400 years mark the first and normative period of legislation dealing with the monastic life.
Complex equilibria involving DDT and model compounds for phospholipid and protein

Abstract Equilibrium constants and values of thermodynamic parameters for complex formation between 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (the pesticide p,p′-DDT) and compounds containing biologically significant functional groups were obtained by proton magnetic resonance. The results imply that phospholipid phosphate and ester groupings, and aromatic substituents in protein are the most likely important binding sites for DDT.
Enhancing water policy discussions by including analysis of non-water inputs and farm-level constraints

Abstract Water resource professionals have many opportunities to contribute to policy discussions regarding agricultural productivity. Often those discussions are focused on increasing the output generated with limited water supplies, such as maximizing the “crop per drop” or improving irrigation efficiencies, either at the field level or throughout a river basin. Policy discussions involving water resources in developing countries can be enhanced by placing greater emphasis on the roles of non-water inputs and resource constraints in farm-level production and marketing decisions. Three categories of policies that lie outside the water resource realm, but have substantial impacts on water use and agricultural productivity, are examined: (1) policies that modify farm-level input and output prices directly; (2) international trade policies; and (3) policies that modify key institutions, such as land tenure and the sources of investment funds.
Widening the Lens on Language Learning: Language Creation in Deaf Children and Adults in Nicaragua

Children around the globe learn language under a wide range of circumstances, and they do it remarkably well. The premise of this special issue is that we can glean insights about language learning from children who learn language under special circumstances that we cannot gain from children learning language under typical circumstances. Indeed, much can be learned about the child's contributions to language learning by varying either the learner or the learning environment [e.g., Gleitman & Newport, 1996]. Because we cannot experimentally vary the circumstances under which children learn language, we need to take advantage of naturally occurring variations – children learning language under special circumstances. As an example of a naturally occurring variation in the learner, some children have a specific impairment that seems to affect only their ability to learn language. Studying them can provide insight into characteristics of the learner that matter for language learning [Hsu & Bishop, this issue]. As an example of a naturally occurring variation in the learning environment, some children are exposed not to 1 language but to 2. Studying them can provide insight into characteristics of linguistic input that impact language learning [Sebastian-Galles, this issue]. To the extent that a particular variation has an impact on what the child learns, we can conclude that the characteristic either of the learner or of the learning environment plays a role in how children learn language. Conversely, to the extent that a variation leaves language learning unchanged from the typical case, we know that language learning is resilient across that variation [Goldin-Meadow, 2003].