cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of geometric isomerism within dipyridylamide coligands on topology of copper adipate coordination polymers, including a new simple self-penetrated network

Abstract Hydrothermal reactions of a divalent copper salt, adipic acid (H2adp), and a dipyridylamide coligand have afforded four new crystalline coordination polymer solids, whose topologies depend critically on the specific dipyridylamide geometric isomer. [Cu(adp)(3-pina)]n (1, 3-pina = 3-pyridylisonicotinamide) has a standard (4,4) grid layer topology, while {[Cu(adp)(3-pna)]·2.5H2O}n (2, 3-pna = 3-pyridylnicotinamide) possesses a dimer-based 3-D network with 658 cds topology. Use of 4-pyridylnicotinamide (4-pna) as coligand afforded {[Cu3(adp)3(4-pna)2]·2H2O}n (3), which manifests a unique binodal 4,6-connected self-penetrated (658)(44611) 3-D topology. {[Cu(adp)(4-pna)2]n (4) is a simple 1-D chain polymer, obtained as a minor product during the synthesis of 3. Thermal properties of these materials are also discussed, along with the variable temperature magnetic properties of 2 and 3.
Direct visualization of continuous simple shear in non-Newtonian polymeric fluids

Using a particle tracking velocimetric technique, we show direct evidence of nonlinear velocity profiles during simple-shear flow of an entangled polymer solution, offering new insight into the origins of such characteristics as stress overshoot. Upon a startup shear by imposing a constant velocity on one of the two surfaces that confine the sample, the velocity field evolves from the initial linearity across the gap to a final state with a shear rate gradient. The unexpected deviation from the widely assumed linear variation of the velocity along the gap direction is most plausibly due to the entangled polymer's ability to disentangle in the presence of high shear that can orient the polymer chains leading to anisotropy in their mutual constraint.
Complement depletion does not reduce brain injury in a rabbit model of thromboembolic stroke.

The contribution of the complement system to cerebral ischemic and ischemia/reperfusion injury was examined in a rabbit model of thromboembolic stroke by delivery of an autologous clot embolus to the intracranial circulation via the internal carotid artery. A two-by-two factorial design was employed to study the impact of complement depletion via pretreatment with cobra venom factor (CVF, 100 U/kg i.v.) in the setting of permanent (without tissue plasminogen activator; t-PA) and transient (with t-PA) cerebral ischemia. Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to one of four groups (n = 8, each group): control without t-PA, control with t-PA, CVF without t-PA and CVF with t-PA. In the complement intact animals, t-PA administration resulted in an approximate 30% reduction in infarct size when compared to the group not receiving t-PA (20.4 ± 6.6% of hemisphere area vs. 30.1 ± 7.2%; mean ± SEM). However, infarct sizes in the complement depleted rabbits, with (30.7 ± 8.2%) or without (30.2 ± 7.9%) t-PA, were no different from the control group receiving no therapy. Similarly, no difference in regional cerebral blood flow or final intracranial pressure values was noted between any of the four groups. Complement activation does not appear to be a primary contributor to brain injury in acute thromboembolic stroke.
New developments in photodetection for particle physics and nuclear physics

Abstract Photodetectors are widely used in particle and nuclear physics research. Since the beginning of the modern era of photoelectric transducers in the late 1930s, many types of devices have been developed and exploited for physics research. New performance requirements arising in physics experiments have often provided very interesting technological drivers for industry. New ideas for photo-detection are rapidly adapted by the physics community to enable more powerful experimental capabilities. This report gives a sampling of new developments in photodetection for physics research in the period since the first conference in this series, Beaune 96. Representative examples of advances in vacuum devices, solid-state devices and gaseous photodetectors are described including, where appropriate, areas where technological improvements are needed or expected.
Combining recessions (nystagmus and strabismus) with tenotomy improved visual function and decreased oscillopsia and diplopia in acquired downbeat nystagmus and in horizontal infantile nystagmus syndrome.

Purpose To investigate the effects of combined tenotomy and recession procedures on both acquired downbeat nystagmus and horizontal infantile nystagmus. Methods Patient 1 had downbeat nystagmus with a chin-down (upgaze) position, oscillopsia, strabismus, and diplopia. Asymmetric superior rectus recessions and inferior rectus tenotomies reduced right hypertropia and rotated both eyes downward. Patient 2 had horizontal infantile nystagmus, a 20° left-eye exotropia, and alternating ( ab ducting-eye) fixation. Lateral rectus recessions and medial rectus tenotomies were performed. Horizontal and vertical eye movements were recorded pre- and postsurgically using high-speed digital video. The eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) and nystagmus amplitudes and frequencies were measured. Results Patient 1: The NAFX peak moved from 10° up to primary position where NAFX values improved 17% and visual acuity increased 25%. Vertical NAFX increased across the −10° to +5° vertical range. Primary-position right hypertropia decreased ∼50%; foveation time per cycle increased 102%; vertical amplitude, oscillopsia, and diplopia were reduced, and frequency was unchanged. Patient 2: Two lateral, narrow high-NAFX regions (due to alternating fixation) became one broad region with a 43% increase in primary position (acuity increased ∼92.3%). Diplopia amplitude decreased; convergence and gaze holding were improved. Primary-position right exotropia was reduced; foveation time per cycle increased 257%; horizontal-component amplitude decreased 45.7%, and frequency remained unchanged. Conclusions Combining tenotomy with nystagmus or strabismus recession procedures increased NAFX and visual acuities and reduced diplopia and oscillopsia in downbeat nystagmus and infantile nystagmus.
Psoas abscess associated with renal pathology in children

Pyogenic psoas abscess in children is most commonly a primary disease process associated withStaphylococcus aureus. We report three cases of secondary psoas abscess associated with underlying renal pathology.
A low-glycemic index diet in the treatment of pediatric obesity.

Context Conventional dietary approaches for the treatment of obesity have generally yielded disappointing results. Objective To examine the effects of a low–glycemic index (GI) diet compared with a standard reduced-fat diet in the management of pediatric obesity. Design Retrospective cohort study of children attending an outpatient pediatric obesity program from September 1997 to December 1998. Setting Academic medical center. Participants One hundred seven obese but otherwise healthy children. Main Outcome Measures Changes in body mass index (BMI [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters]) and body weight from first to last clinic visit. Results A total of 64 patients received the low glycemic index diet and 43 received the reduced-fat diet for 4.3 vs 4.2 months' mean duration of follow-up, with 3.3 vs 3.3 mean number of visits, respectively. Body mass index (−1.53 kg/m2[95% confidence interval, −1.94 to −1.12] vs −0.06 kg/m2[−0.56 to + 0.44],P Conclusions A low-GI diet seems to be a promising alternative to standard dietary treatment for obesity in children. Long-term randomized controlled trials of a low-GI diet in the prevention and treatment of obesity are needed.
Prolonged propofol anesthesia is not associated with an increase in blood lactate.

BACKGROUND:Lactic acidosis is considered an early sign of propofol infusion syndrome. In this study, we investigated the changes in lactate and pH with propofol versus volatile anesthesia (VA) of long duration.METHODS:Demographic and intraoperative data were recorded retrospectively from the anesthe
Longitudinal-Mode Stability And Wavelength Tunability Of Semiconductor Lasers With Composite Cavity Structures

Interferometric lasers having composite cavity structures are studied for longitudinal mode stability and wavelength tunability. Interference between cavity fields results in a wavelength-dependent loss providing a built-in mechanism for longitudinal mode selectivity. Experimental results on a selected number of uniformly and separately pumped interferometric lasers are reviewed and analyzed.
Serotonin and free amino acid analysis of ganglia and isolated neurones of Aplysia dactylomela

—The presence of serotonin and different amino acids was investigated in the ganglia and in isolated giant neurones of Aplysia dactylomela. With a few exceptions the pattern of substances was similar in all the ganglia. Of the many identified neurones studied only one giant neurone located in each cerebral ganglion was found to contain serotonin. GABA was detected in most extracts, including those of the serotonin-containing neurone, known cholinergic, and known neurosecretory neurones. Putrescine, recently detected in extracts of nervous tissue and isolated neurones of Helix, was not detected in Aplysia nervous tissue.
The Chloride Requirement of the Broiler Breeder Hen

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the chloride requirement of broiler breeder hens fed a corn soybean meal diet. Levels of .135 and .09% (daily intake of 208 and 139 mg) supplemental chloride were required for maximum egg production and egg weight, respectively. However, a supplemental level of .135% was required to maximize hatchability. No supplemental chloride was necessary for maximum specific gravity.
Shock: A comparative physiologic approach to mechanisms and therapy

Summary The purpose of this report was to review basic hemodynamic physiology and to develop an improved understanding of the principles necessary to both diagnose and treat the various causes of hypoperfusion. In addition, a comparative physiologic approach is presented to provide a broader clinical understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. This understanding of the underlying mechanisms of shock can lead to a rational approach to the use of fluid, inotropes, vasoactive agents, and mechanical aids to perfusion to provide for effective hemodynamic resuscitation. Continued investigation into the etiologies and therapy of the cellular dysfunction is essential to improve outcome. The clinician must remain attentive to these ongoing investigational efforts to positively impact survival of patients with shock. Critical evaluation will be necessary to avoid, as with steroids, becoming enthralled with therapies that, having undergone minimal investigative scrutiny, are only later found to be ineffective or deleterious.
Influence of long-term sodium exposure on the composition and microstructure of austenitic alloys

Abstract Austenitic alloys (Types 304, 316, 321, 347 stainless steel and Incoloy-800) were exposed to flowing sodium in out-of-pile test loops at 704 °C (1300 °F) and 621 °C (1150 °F) for varying times up to 15726 h. Changes in chemical composition and microstructure increased with increasing exposure time. Major alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mn) were depleted from surface layers up to 130 μm thick. Unstabilized alloys (Types 304 and 316) lost carbon during exposure while stabilized alloys (Types 321, 347 and I-800) tended to gain carbon. Variations in other minor elements with exposure were determined. Changes in microstructure reflected the compositional changes in all the alloys. Specimens were examined by optical, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy. A ferrite layer formed at the sodium exposed surface of all alloys except Incoloy-800. Sigma phase precipitation increased with exposure time. In the stabilized alloys cavities formed up to 120 μm below the sodium-exposed surface. The subsurface cavities appeared to be connected to surface pits via intergranular channels and were related to a decrease in density observed in the specimens.
Structural and biosynthetic features of the Mo5 human myeloid differentiation antigen.

This report describes the basic structural and biosynthetic features of Mo5, a novel plasma membrane differentiation antigen (Ag) of the human myeloid lineage. As defined by the binding of antiMo5 monoclonal antibody (mAb), this Ag is expressed by virtually all myeloperoxidase-positive myeloid precursors beyond the CFU-GM in human bone marrow and is retained by circulating monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) (1). Other hematopoietic elements of blood and bone marrow are Mo5-negative (1). Among myeloid cell lines, the monocytoid U-937 (2) and THP-I (3) lines are Mo5-positive, while HL-60 (4) and KG-I (5) are essentially negative (1). Mo5 expression by these myeloid lines (either positive or negative) exhibits no significant change as a result of their exposure to soluble stimuli inducing monocytic differentiation, which is in contrast to the acquired expression of Mol (CDI lbICDI8) under the same conditions (1). Among leukemic cells of myeloid and lymphoid origin, Mo5 expression is restricted to acute myelogenous leukemia (FAB grp. M4, M5 > M1-3), providing an additional laboratory feature to distinguish the malignant cells of this lineage (6).
Does racial concordance between HIV-positive patients and their physicians affect the time to receipt of protease inhibitors?

BACKGROUND: Compared to whites, African Americans have been found to have greater morbidity and mortality from HIV, partly due to their lower use of effective antiretroviral therapy. Why racial disparities in antiretroviral use exist is not completely understood. We examined whether racial concordance (patients and providers having the same race) affects the time of receipt of protease inhibitors.
Trends in prescribed opioid therapy for non-cancer pain for individuals with prior substance use disorders

Long-term opioid therapy for non-cancer pain has increased. Caution is advised in prescribing for persons with substance use disorders, but little is known about actual health plan practices. This paper reports trends and characteristics of long-term opioid use in persons with non-cancer pain and a substance abuse history. Using health plan data (1997–2005), the study compared age–sex-standardized rates of incident, incident long-term and prevalent long-term prescription opioid use, and medication use profiles in those with and without substance use disorder histories. The CONsortium to Study Opioid Risks and Trends study included adult enrollees of two health plans, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC) and Group Health Cooperative (GH) of Seattle, Washington. At KPNC (1999–2005), prevalence of long-term use increased from 11.6% to 17.0% for those with substance use disorder histories and from 2.6% to 3.9% for those without substance use disorder histories. Respective GH rates (1997–2005), increased from 7.6% to 18.6% and from 2.7% to 4.2%. Among persons with an opioid disorder, KPNC rates increased from 44.1% to 51.1%, and GH rates increased from 15.7% to 52.4%. Long-term opioid users with a prior substance abuse diagnosis received higher dosage levels, were more likely to use Schedule II and long-acting opioids, and were more often frequent users of sedative-hypnotic medications in addition to their opioid use. Since these patients are viewed as higher risk, the increased use of long-term opioid therapy suggests the importance of improved understanding of the benefits and risks of opioid therapy among persons with a history of substance abuse, and the need for more careful screening for substance abuse history than is the usual practice.
An ROC‐type measure of diagnostic accuracy when the gold standard is continuous‐scale

ROC curves and summary measures of accuracy derived from them, such as the area under the ROC curve, have become the standard for describing and comparing the accuracy of diagnostic tests. Methods for estimating ROC curves rely on the existence of a gold standard which dichotomizes patients into disease present or absent. There are, however, many examples of diagnostic tests whose gold standards are not binary-scale, but rather continuous-scale. Unnatural dichotomization of these gold standards leads to bias and inconsistency in estimates of diagnostic accuracy. In this paper, we propose a non-parametric estimator of diagnostic test accuracy which does not require dichotomization of the gold standard. This estimator has an interpretation analogous to the area under the ROC curve. We propose a confidence interval for test accuracy and a statistical test for comparing accuracies of tests from paired designs. We compare the performance (i.e. CI coverage, type I error rate, power) of the proposed methods with several alternatives. An example is presented where the accuracies of two quick blood tests for measuring serum iron concentrations are estimated and compared.
On Paper – A Celebration of Two Millennia of the Work and Craft of Papermakers

Those of us whose lives have been deeply touched by the technology of papermaking – and many others besides – are in for a real treat this coming fall when the book On Paper is scheduled to be published. The author, Nicholas Basbanes, employs an engaging, personalized approach as he brings to life the story of how paper has enabled the progress of civilization throughout two millennia. I first learned about Nick’s grand project, to capture the most intriguing aspects of paper’s story, during a re-broadcast of his hour-long interview that was presented on the CSPAN TV network. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it can be an uplifting experience to have him as a tour-guide to “all things paper”.
Behavior Therapy for Pediatric Trichotillomania: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To examine the efficacy and durability of a behavioral therapy (BT) protocol for pediatric TTM compared with a minimal attention control (MAC) condition. It was hypothesized that the BT condition would be superior to MAC at the end of acute treatment, and would also demonstrate durability of gains through the maintenance treatment phase. Method A randomized controlled trial in which 24 youths were assigned to either a pilot-tested BT protocol, consisting of eight weekly sessions, or to MAC, consisting of three sessions and five telephone calls over 8 weeks. Independent evaluators assessed outcome at pretreatment (week 0) and post-treatment (week 8) for BT and MAC, and again at week 16 for BT patients only. The primary outcome measure was the National Institute of Mental Health Trichotillomania Severity Scale (NIMH-TSS). Results For the BT condition, the week 8 mean NIMH-TSS score was significantly lower than that of the MAC condition. The BT condition's mean week 8 score was also significantly lower than their own mean week 0 score, whereas no such reductions were observed for the MAC condition. Upon completion of acute treatment at week 8, the BT group's gains were maintained through an 8-week maintenance treatment phase. Conclusions BT produced a superior outcome compared with a condition that controlled for participation in a pediatric TTM research study, nonspecific therapist contact effects, repeated assessments, and the passage of time. Maintenance of gains after acute BT provides preliminary support for the durability of treatment gains. Clinical Trial Registration Information— Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Pediatric Trichotillomania; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; R21 MH 61457
Cortical interactions underlying the production of speech sounds

Speech production involves the integration of auditory, somatosensory, and motor information in the brain. This article describes a model of speech motor control in which a feedforward control system, involving premotor and primary motor cortex and the cerebellum, works in concert with auditory and somatosensory feedback control systems that involve both sensory and motor cortical areas. New speech sounds are learned by first storing an auditory target for the sound, then using the auditory feedback control system to control production of the sound in early repetitions. Repeated production of the sound leads to tuning of feedforward commands which eventually supplant the feedback-based control signals. Although parts of the model remain speculative, it accounts for a wide range of kinematic, acoustic, and neuroimaging data collected during speech production and provides a framework for investigating communication disorders that involve malfunction of the cerebral cortex and interconnected subcortical structures. Learning outcomes: Readers will be able to: (1) describe several types of learning that occur in
Pigment cell pattern formation in amphibian embryos: a reexamination of the dopa technique

Neural crest-derived melanophores form species-specific patterns in the dermis of amphibian embryos. Melanophore patterns may be generated by one of two general mechanisms: pigment cell precursors disperse throughout the embryo, with melanophores differentiating in certain regions due to environmental cues, or melanoblasts may localize in different regions as a result of a hierarchy of tissue affinities. Both of these mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for the dorso-ventral patterning of melanophores in Xenopus laevis. We have reexamined the distribution of melanoblasts in X. laevis and Taricha torosa using the dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine)-staining technique. We have found that many of the dopa-positive cells identified as melanoblasts by some researchers are actually not derived from the neural crest: dopa-positive cells in T. torosa were identified in the transmission electron microscope to be either leukocytes or erythrocytes, in X. laevis dopa-positive cells are found between the ectoderm and somites where neural crest cells are not found, and X. laevis embryos surgically depleted of neural crest have dopa-staining patterns identical to control embryos. Melanoblasts are apparently not found in the ventralmost regions of early T. torosa and X. laevis embryos, providing additional evidence for the role of differential tissue affinities in directing the formation of embryonic pigment cell patterns.
Optical crossover phenomenon due to a central 90°-twist defect in a chiral sculptured thin film or chiral liquid crystal

We present a theoretical analysis of a remarkable phenomenon evinced by a periodic structurally chiral material—for example, a chiral sculptured thin film (STF) or a chiral liquid crystal—with a central 908-twist defect illuminated with normally incident, circularly polarized light. Based on the coupled-wave theory (CWT), an approximate but closed-form solution of the relevant boundary-value problem is obtained in terms of a 4! 4 CWT transmission matrix. The CWT transmission matrix is decomposed into two terms. The first term favours total transmission in the central part of the Bragg regime of the axially excited, structurally chiral material, while the second term favours total reflection in the whole Bragg regime. When the thickness of the structurally chiral material is relatively small, the second term is dominated by the first, which gives rise to a co-handed transmittance peak in the centre of the Bragg regime. As the thickness increases, the second term becomes significant and interferes with the first term such that the transmission matrix is isomorphic to that of a defect-free structurally chiral material—except in a tiny wavelength-regime wherein the LN-norms of the two terms become identical to engender the total-reflection feature. Hence, the co-handed transmittance peak diminishes (and eventually vanishes) as the thickness increases and is replaced by a cross-handed reflectance peak. The bandwidths of the two peaks depend, in different ways, on the local birefringence of the structurally chiral material.
Warts and All Personal Reflections on Social Justice in Counseling Psychology. Reply to Kiselica, Palmer, Thompson and Shermis, and Watts

In their comments regarding Goodman, Liang, Helms, Latta, Sparks, and Weintraub’s article “Training Counseling Psychologists as Social Justice Agents: Feminist and Multicultural Principles in Action,” Kiselica, Palmer, Thompson and Shermis, and Watts offered a number of useful suggestions for elaborating on social justice theory, practice, and training. Their reactions and feedback challenged Goodmanet al. to revisit and clarify their thinking about several related issues, including(a)the importance of student and faculty self-examination,(b)the need to ground our social justice theories and practice in organizing philosophies, (c) the difficulties of educating students about social justice work, and (e) the imperative to collaborate across professions. In this reply, the authors discuss each of these issues in turn, noting points of agreement and disagreement with their colleagues.
Effect of correlation and power distribution on transmitter diversity Rician and Rayleigh fading channels

In this paper we consider the effect of antenna diversity transmission in a spread spectrum system where the power radiated from each of the antennas can be varied. We look at DPSK data modulation systems. It is shown that for equal power distribution the performance of the receiver degrades as the paths become correlated for a Rayleigh fading path but improves for a Rician fading channel. It is shown numerically that there is an optimum power distribution that minimizes the BER given the data symbol energy or minimizes the requirement on the symbol energy given a BER requirement. The optimum power distribution deviates from the equal distribution solution when the paths gains are not equal.
Influence of carbon dioxide concentration during growth on fluorescence induction characteristics of the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii.

Carbon dioxide concentration during growth is commonly not considered to be a factor influencing the photochemical properties of plants. It was observed that fluorescence induction in Chlamydomonas reinhardii cells grown at air levels of CO2 was both qualitatively and quantitatively different from that of cells grown at 5% CO2. In the two cell types, measured at equivalent chlorophyll and irradiance levels, the fluorescence intensity and the ratio of the levels of peak fluorescence (Fp) to that of the initial fluorescence (Fo) were much lower in the air-adapted than in the 5% CO2 adapted cells. The maximum fluorescence (Fmax) in the presence of diuron was also lower for air-adapted cells. Roughly twice the light input was required for the air-adapted cells to give a fluorescence induction transient and intensity equivalent to that of the 5% CO2-adapted cells. Similar properties were observed in several other unicellular green algae and in cyanobacteria. Chlamydomonas grown under variable CO2 concentrations exhibit significant differences in photosynthetic carbon metabolism and are presumed to have altered energy requirements. The observed variation in fluorescence induction may be due to changes in the properties of the thylakoid reactions (e.g. cyclic electron flow) of Chlamydomonas cells, which may, in turn, be due to a response to the altered energy requirements.
Effective Educational Practices for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Students With autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present unique challenges to educators trying to plan effective instructional programs. Although an impressive body of research identifying effective p...
That's disturbing! An exploration of the bacteriophage biology of change

The nature of life is change. Organisms change developmentally, morphologically, and physiologically, and they also modify their environments in the process. Such change can be gradual, abrupt, or even imperceptible components of steady states. Temporally, change can range from deterministic and regular processes to stochastic and unusual events. Unusual changes can result from relatively frequent occurrences, such as particularly devastating storms or instead highly uncommon events such as volcanic eruptions, ice ages, and asteroid impacts.
To blink or not to blink: inhibition and facilitation of reflex blinks

A reflex blink typically inhibits subsequent blinks. In this study, we investigated whether the nature and time course of this inhibition vary when different combinations of blink-evoking stimuli are used. We used the paired stimulus paradigm, in which two blink-evoking stimuli-a conditioning stimulus followed by a test stimulus-are presented with a variety of interstimulus intervals, to examine the interactions between blinks evoked by trigeminal and acoustic stimuli in rats and humans. In addition, we studied the effect of a blink-evoking trigeminal stimulus on subsequent gaze-evoked blinks in humans. The results revealed that long-lasting inhibition occurred when the conditioning and test stimuli were within the same modality. A shorter period of inhibition followed by facilitation occurred when the stimuli were in different modalities. The data demonstrate that a blink-evoking stimulus initiates a lengthy period of inhibition in its own sensory pathway and a shorter period of inhibition in the reticular formation and/or in blink motoneurons. In addition, the results show that the blink-evoking stimulus also initiates a facilitatory process. Thus, the magnitude of a blink reflects a balance between inhibitory and facilitatory processes.
The Interaction between a Neighbourhood's Racial Composition and Officer Race in Community Policing: A Case Study from the Residential Area Policing Programme (RAPP), Cleveland, Ohio

This study explores whether there is a relationship between police officers' race and a neighbourhood's racial composition on the latter's community policing experience. The paper analyses responses from in-depth interviews with police officers from the Residential Area Policing Programme (RAPP), a community policing programme carried out in four neighbourhoods in Cleveland, Ohio. The measurement of the officers' experiences with RAPP is based on four questions focusing on the officers' attitudes, perceptions and observations vis-a-vis the neighbourhood, the residents' reactions to the programme and to the officers, and the impact of the programme on the neighbourhood's crime rates. The results show that for RAPP there was no relationship between the officers' race and the neighbourhood's racial composition on the individual officer's positive or negative experience with RAPP. However, the results illustrated how officers as racial groups experienced RAPP differently. The results also conveyed in a prelim...
Social Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Impaired Category Selectivity for Dynamic but not Static Images in Ventral Temporal Cortex

Studies of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) reveal dysfunction in the neural systems mediating object processing (particularly faces) and social cognition, but few investigations have systematically assessed the specificity of the dysfunction. We compared cortical responses in typically developing adolescents and those with ASD to stimuli from distinct conceptual domains known to elicit category-related activity in separate neural systems. In Experiment 1, subjects made category decisions to photographs, videos, and point-light displays of people and tools. In Experiment 2, subjects interpreted displays of simple, geometric shapes in motion depicting social or mechanical interactions. In both experiments, we found a selective deficit in the ASD subjects for dynamic social stimuli (videos and point-light displays of people, moving geometric shapes), but not static images, in the functionally localized lateral region of the right fusiform gyrus, including the fusiform face area. In contrast, no group differences were found in response to either static images or dynamic stimuli in other brain regions associated with face and social processing (e.g. posterior superior temporal sulcus, amygdala), suggesting disordered connectivity between these regions and the fusiform gyrus in ASD. This possibility was confirmed by functional connectivity analysis.
Big Business and the State in Germany

To most American observers, the German economy has always been something of a mystery. In the nineteenth century Germany grew to be a major industrialized nation through methods very different from those of the United States. In the nonstatist United States, small firms struggled in highly competitive laissez-faire markets, raising capital primarily through the stock market. Germany took a different path. Late in industrializing, it was forced to rely on large firms, powerful producer cartels, vertically integrated banks, a strategically active state, and a highly skilled work force as its major agents for economic growth. This divergence continued in the twentieth century. The United States could rely on sheltered domestic markets and abundant natural resources as structural factors assisting its growth. Germany, on the other hand, was a resource-poor country with a weakly developed domestic market-characteristics that contributed to its aggressive twentieth-century militarism, and later fascism. Yet after World War II, West Germany arose from defeat in miraculous fashion to again become a major industrialized country. Some observers even saw it challenging the United States during the 1970s, perhaps serving as a model for all industrialized countries, since it seemed to have achieved both economic growth and social equity. In the 1980s, however, it appears that the U.S. laissez-faire growth strategy may have been the more successful model after all. These imprecise and shifting impressions of Germany suggest that few observers understand how its economy really functions. These three new books shed some badly needed light on its very much mis-
Costs of carnivory: tooth fracture in Pleistocene and Recent carnivorans

Large, carnivorous mammals often break their teeth, probably as a result of tooth to bone contact that occurs when carcasses are consumed more fully, a behaviour likely to occur under conditions of food stress. Recent studies of Pleistocene predators revealed high numbers of teeth broken in life, suggesting that carcass utilization and, consequently, food competition was more intense in the past than at present. However, the putative association between diet and tooth fracture frequency was based on a small sample of large, highly carnivorous species. In the present study, a greater diversity of extant carnivorans is sampled, including insectivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous forms, ranging in size from weasels to tigers. Species that habitually consume hard foods (bones, shells) had the highest fracture frequencies, followed by carnivores, and then insectivorous and/or omnivorous species. Predator and prey sizes were not associated with tooth fracture frequency, but more aggressive species did break their teeth more often. Comparison of the modern sample with five Pleistocene species confirms the previous finding of higher tooth breakage in the past, although some extant species have fracture frequencies that approach those of extinct species. Thus, the Pleistocene predator guild appears to have been characterized by relatively high levels of competition that are rarely observed today. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 68‐81.
Alkali Ion Exchanged Nafion as a Confining Medium for Photochemical Reactions

Methanol-swollen Nafion beads were used as microreactors to control the photochemical reaction pathways. Product selectivity in three unimolecular reactions, namely, the photo-Fries rearrangement of naphthyl esters, Norrish Type I reaction of 1-phenyl-3-p-tolyl-propan-2-one and Norrish Type I and Type II reactions of benzoin alkyl ethers were examined. The influence of cations over the photodimerization of acenaphthylene and cross-photodimerization between acenaphthylene and N-benzyl maleimide included within Nafion were also examined. The photochemical behaviors of the above substrates were significantly altered within Nafion compared with their solution photochemistry. Of particular interest, the product distributions were found to depend on the counter cations of Nafion.
Obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, and diabetes mellitus: anaesthetic implications

Obesity is an epidemic in much of the Western World. The extent of this problem, combined with the increasing preference for ambulatory surgical procedures, has produced a difficult situation for many anaesthesiologists. Even the simplest anaesthetic procedures can become very complicated and potentially difficult in this population. Although there are numerous complications associated with obesity, perhaps obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and diabetes mellitus are among the more significant. Patients with OSA are often not ideal candidates for certain day-case procedures, but many outpatient procedures can be performed on patients with OSA as long as attention is paid to anaesthetic technique. Diabetic patients are prone to numerous complications in the perioperative period, including cardiac problems, but with careful management, they are able to undergo day-case surgical procedures safely.
Diverse fates of paralogs following segmental duplication of telomeric genes

The telomeric region of chromosome 9p is paralogous to the pericentromeric regions of chromosome 9 as well as to 2q13, the site of an ancestral telomere-telomere fusion. These paralogous regions span approximately 200 kb and contain seven transcriptional units, including the previously identified CBWD, FOXD4, PGM5, F379, CXYorf1, and two human Unigene clusters, Hs.115173 and Hs.189160. Within these gene duplicates, the number of expressed paralogous loci varies, from one in PGM5 to all three in CBWD and Hs.115173. FOXD4 shows the most dramatic changes among its paralogs. Two independent insertion/deletion changes created four different carboxy ends of these intronless genes, two of which are within the 2q13 locus. A comparison of KA/KS values among functional paralogs shows these genes evolved rapidly in primates. This study shows the importance of paralogous regions in the generation of transcriptional diversity and highlights the significance that large-scale telomeric duplication may play in this process.
Pathologic characterization of brown Norway, brown Norway x Fischer 344, and Fischer 344 x brown Norway rats with relation to age.

The rat is a common laboratory animal utilized in a variety of investigations including experimental gerontology. Gerontologic investigations can be compromised when the differences observed when comparing young and old animals are actually differences between normal and disease states. It is of critical interest to know the pathology of the animals being studied and to understand the impact of these disease processes on the parameters being measured. The incidence and average age of occurrence for lesions have been characterized and are reported here for one inbred (Brown Norway) and two hybrid strains (Brown Norway x Fischer 344 and Fischer 344 x Brown Norway) of rat. Total lesion incidence functions as a biomaker of aging for all of the strains examined (p < or = .00001). These three genotypes have significantly lower incidence of several major pathologic processes (including glomerulonephritis, retinal atrophy, and leukemia) than do the Fischer 344 and the Wistar rats, two commonly utilized strains. Additionally, the BN and F344 x BN F1 hybrid attain 50% mortality at 130 and 146 weeks of age, respectively, which is significantly greater than the 103 weeks for the F344 rat. It is hoped that access to basic information on these three rat genotypes will increase their utilization by the community of gerontologic scientists.
A multi-site study of alcohol subtypes: classification and overlap of unidimensional and multi-dimensional typologies.

Aims The current study examined the usefulness of four prevailing alcohol typologies, assessed in terms of replicability of the multi-dimensional schemas, percentage of the sample classified by each typology, distribution of subtypes by gender and treatment site and construct validity of Type 1/Type 2. In addition, overlap of classification systems was examined to determine whether the four typologies may be narrowed to a smaller set of meaningful, non-redundant subtype schemas. Design Baseline data from five treatment outcome studies were used to facilitate subtyping according to four alcohol typologies: antisocial (ASP) versus non-ASP, early versus late onset, Type 1/Type 2 and Type A/Type B. Setting The studies were conducted at several in-patient and out-patient treatment sites. Participants The sample included 342 participants (23% female) who met DSM-III-R criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. Measurements Subjects were assessed on substance use severity, family history, psychopathology, personality and psychosocial functioning. Findings Type 1/Type 2 and Type A/B typologies were replicated. Type 1/Type 2 had poor construct validity due to symptom cluster overlap between the two subgroups. Only 14% of the subjects met criteria for ASP. The two strongest associations including that between early versus late onset and Type 1/Type 2 and that between ASP versus non-ASP and Type A/Type B, were expected and reflect overlaps in conceptual definitions. In comparison, the relationship between early versus late onset and ASP versus non-ASP and Type A/B was weak. Conclusions Clinical utility of the ASP/non-ASP typology is limited in non-Veterans Administration (VA) samples, due to low prevalence. The Type 1/Type 2 subtyping schema was redundant with the age of onset schema, and was the least internally valid of all four typologies. In general, the Type A/B schema was most promising of prevailing typologies studied. It was relatively inclusive, and the A, B groups were distinct from one another. However, dichotomous typologies may not be complex enough to be clinically useful descriptors of alcoholic samples. Aside from ASP and Type B, there appears to be heterogeneity within groups typically considered homogeneous, such as ‘early versus late onset’ alcoholics.
Invasive group A streptococcal infection and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use among children with primary varicella.

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use increases the risk of necrotizing soft tissue infections and, secondarily, all invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infections in children with primary varicella infection. Methods. We conducted a prospective, multicenter case-control study among children Results. Between June 1996 and September 1998, 52 cases of invasive GAS infection, including 21 with necrotizing soft tissue infection, and 172 controls with uncomplicated primary varicella were enrolled. Risk of invasive GAS infection was increased among children who were nonwhite (multivariate odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–11), living in low-income households (OR 5.1, 95% CI: 1.7–15), exposed to varicella at home (OR 6.4, 95% CI: 2.6–16), or had a persistent high fever (OR 9.6, 95% CI: 2.8–33). Antipyretic regimen was associated with several measures of varicella illness severity among the controls. The risk of necrotizing soft tissue infection was not associated with the use of ibuprofen before the development of signs or symptoms of this complication (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 0.33–5.3). Risk of any invasive GAS infection was increased among children who had received ibuprofen (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 1.3–12), but not acetaminophen (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 0.50–3.0). However, there was no evidence of increasing risk with increasing duration of ibuprofen use. Subgroup analyses revealed that the risk of invasive GAS infection was increased only among children who had received both acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Conclusions. These data do not support the hypothesis that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or ibuprofen in particular, increase the risk of necrotizing GAS infections. A statistically significant association was observed between nonnecrotizing invasive GAS infection and ibuprofen use; however, because of potential confounding, the meaning of this unexpected result is unclear. Nonetheless, these data suggest that parents use ibuprofen or ibuprofen together with acetaminophen to treat high fever and severe illness, which seems to identify children at high risk for invasive GAS infection.
Explosive pleuritis. Manifestation of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection

Two young adults had clinical and roentgenographic evidence of explosive pleuritis that was caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Persistent high fever and intense pleuritic pain following severe pharyngitis should suggest streptococcal pleural infection and prompt careful roentgenographic investigation. These cases show that group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection can cause explosive pleuritis in the absence of apparent bronchopneumonia.
Chaotic Orbits in the Three Body Problem

This paper describes the construction of a compact Invariant set for the planar three body problem consisting of orbits which pass near the triple collision singularity. As they do so they exhibit chaotic changes of configuration. The invariant set is described via symbolic dynamics.
Measured distortion of a laminar circular Couette flow by end effects

Measurements at moderately large Reynolds numbers in a finite laminar circular Couette flow show that the tangential motion near the axial plane of symmetry is two-dimensional, within experimental accuracy, but is nevertheless strongly modified by end conditions.
An experimental study of joint stiffness.

1. A time study is presented in which alterations in the concentration of water and hexosamine were observed in connective-tissue structures about immobilized knee joints of dogs. 2. The reaction to immobility was not uniform in the different connective tissues studied. Differences in rate and direction of change are described. 3. After four to twelve weeks of immobilization, the water concentration was reduced in tendon, synovial membrane and capsule, skin, and fascia by 2 to 3 per cent. 4. Hexosamine was reduced about 10 per cent in synovial membrane and capsule and in tendon over the four-to-twelve week period. 5. Correlation between experimental findings and present concepts of connective-tissue metabolism has led to a hypothesis concerning the mechanism of development of joint contractures.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in obese patients: The Columbia University experience

14619 Background: In addition to being more likely to be found with more aggressive prostate cancer (PCa), obese patients (OPs) face challenges with treatment options for localized PCa. Several stu...