cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moving-Average Trigger for Early Detection of Rapidly Increasing Mortality in Caged Table-Egg Layers

SUMMARY. Rapidly increasing and unexplained mortality in commercial poultry flocks may signal the presence of a highly transmissible and reportable disease. Activation of an infectious-disease surveillance system occurs when a key production parameter, i.e., mortality, changes. Various triggers have been proposed to alert producers when mortality exceeds normal limits for a given production system to enable early detection of such diseases. In this article we demonstrate that a simple moving-average trigger is useful for detecting any disease syndrome in caged table-egg layer flocks that manifests itself as sudden, rapidly increasing mortality. We superimposed HPAI disease mortality output data derived from a disease transmission model and from a naturally occurring HPAI outbreak onto normal mortality data from 12 healthy commercial egg-layer flocks, and compared the performance of 7-day moving-average triggers to previously proposed triggers. The moving-average trigger is more efficient, resulting in few...
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics techniques for the solution of kinetic theory problems Part 1: Method

Abstract The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique has been applied to a problem in kinetic theory, namely, the dynamics of liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs). It is a Lagrangian solution method developed for fluid flow calculations; its adaption to kinetic theory is outlined. The Lagrangian formulation of the Doi theory for LCPs is first described, and the problem is presented in the general framework of nonparametric density estimation. The implementation of the SPH technique in this specific problem is given, highlighting particular aspects of our implementation of SPH, including the form of the kernel function and use of an adaptive kernel. We then present results which demonstrate convergence and other details of the solution method, and also make comparisons with other solution techniques and discuss other potential applications.
Random Projections of Smooth Manifolds

We propose a new approach for nonadaptive dimensionality reduction of manifold-modeled data, demonstrating that a small number of random linear projections can preserve key information about a manifold-modeled signal. We center our analysis on the effect of a random linear projection operator Φ:ℝ N →ℝM , M<N, on a smooth well-conditioned K-dimensional submanifold ℳ⊂ℝN . As our main theoretical contribution, we establish a sufficient number M of random projections to guarantee that, with high probability, all pairwise Euclidean and geodesic distances between points on ℳ are well preserved under the mapping Φ. Our results bear strong resemblance to the emerging theory of Compressed Sensing (CS), in which sparse signals can be recovered from small numbers of random linear measurements. As in CS, the random measurements we propose can be used to recover the original data in ℝN . Moreover, like the fundamental bound in CS, our requisite M is linear in the “information level” K and logarithmic in the ambient dimension N; we also identify a logarithmic dependence on the volume and conditioning of the manifold. In addition to recovering faithful approximations to manifold-modeled signals, however, the random projections we propose can also be used to discern key properties about the manifold. We discuss connections and contrasts with existing techniques in manifold learning, a setting where dimensionality reducing mappings are typically nonlinear and constructed adaptively from a set of sampled training data.
Alchemy and the new age of cardiac muscle cell biology.

Several studies have claimed to identify cardiac stem cells. But what criteria do such cells have to fulfil before we can be confident about their true potential?
The Science and Fiction of Robert L. Forward

Abstract One way to examine a relationship between science and science fiction is to look at the works of individuals who simultaneously were practicing scientists and authors of science fiction. Dr. Robert L. Forward is such an individual. From 1980 through 1997 he wrote and published about twelve science fiction novels. During the same time interval, he produced many scientific and technical papers. Writing science fiction was essentially a byproduct of his scientific research. His early research concerned gravitation and astronomical objects. Later he studied space transportation technologies, including photon propelled sails, antimatter rockets and long tethers. An immediate observation is that Dr. Forward, in his science fiction, took particular care that the circumstances and technologies used had reasonable scientific bases. A prime example is his use of antimatter propulsion in his fiction. In his scientific career, Dr. Forward was a leading proponent that antimatter propulsion was possible, but very expensive. Enormous sails propelled in space by astronomical photons or laser beams is another propulsion technology employed in his novels. If a distinction is made between fiction based on sound scientific principles and fiction that is pure fantasy, the works of Robert Forward clearly fall in the first grouping.
Thermal studies on trans-dichlorotetramminecobalt(III) complexes

Thermal studies have been carried out on trans-[Co(NH3)4Cl2]X · YH2O complexes (whereX=IO3, BrO3, NO3, or NO2 andY=0, 1, or 2) in an effort to find cases of trans to cis isomerization as occurs for the iodate. No evidence of isomerization was found for any of the other compounds. The complexes decompose in a series of steps and these reactions have been identified and kinetic parameters determined.
Magnetic screening of nuclei by electrons as manifestation of geometric vector potential

The usual Born-Oppenheimer approach to a molecule in a magnetic field leads to an effective nuclear hamiltonian in which bare nuclei interact with the field. We show that the geometric phase, which has been the object of much interest in recent years, is capable of correcting this defect, accounting for corrections to the molecular charge and magnetic moment due to the electron cloud accompanying the nuclei.
Granule cell dendritic spine density in the rat hippocampus varies with spine shape and location.

The number of granule cell dendritic spines per micrometer of dendritic length in the dorsal and ventral leaves of the dentate gyrus was quantified using light microscopic-Golgi preparations of normal adult rats. Spines were counted in terms of 3 categories of spine form for the 3 afferent termination zones of the molecular layer and corrected for shading errors. Total spine density averaged 1.6 spines/μm of dendritic length in the dorsal leaf and 1.3 spines/μm of dendritic length in the ventral leaf. Statistically significant differences in spine density existed among the 3 shape categories. Variations in spine density occurred by shape category among the afferent termination zones.
Interaction of DNA with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I studied by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy

The interaction of a fluorescent duplex DNA oligomer with the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli has been studied in solution by using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. An aminonaphthalenesulfonate (dansyl) fluorescent probe was linked by a propyl chain to a C5-modified uridine base located at a specific site in the primer strand of the DNA oligomer. The fluorescent oligomer bound tightly to the Klenow fragment (KD = 7.9 nM), and the probe's position within the DNA-protein complex was varied by stepwise elongation of the primer strand upon addition of the appropriate deoxynucleoside triphosphates. The decay of the total fluorescence intensity and the polarization anisotropy were measured with a picosecond laser and a time-correlated single photon counting system. The fluorescence lifetimes, the correlation time for internal rotation, and the angular range of internal rotation varied according to the probe's position within the DNA-protein complex. These results showed that five or six bases of the primer strand upstream of the 3' terminus were in contact with the protein and that within this contact region there were differences in the degree of solvent accessibility and the closeness of contact. Further, a minor binding mode of the DNA-protein complex was identified, on the basis of heterogeneity of the probe environment observed when the probe was positioned seven bases upstream from the primer 3' terminus, which resulted in a distinctive "dip and rise" in the anisotropy decay. Experiments with an epoxy-terminated DNA oligomer and a site-directed mutant protein established that the labeled DNA was binding at the polymerase active site (major form) and at the spatially distinct 3'----5' exonuclease active site (minor form). The abundance of each of these distinct binding modes of the DNA-protein complex was estimated under solution conditions by analyzing the anisotropy decay of the dansyl probe. About 12% of the labeled DNA was bound at the 3'----5' exonuclease site. This method should be useful for investigating the editing mechanism of this important enzyme.
Effect of channel shape on gas/liquid catalytic reaction performance in structured catalyst/reactor

Abstract This paper presents an experimental study on the impact of channel shape to gas–liquid catalytic reactions inside small reaction channels (1–2 mm size). The channel shape is a unique design parameter offered by a structured catalyst/reactor. Comparative reaction testing of square channels vs. circular channels is conducted under various flow conditions in a gas/liquid co-current down flow mode. Hydrogenation of olefins and toluene saturation over the Ni/ γ -alumina monolith catalyst module are used as model reactions. The gas/liquid feed is directly delivered into one, single channel in the monolith catalyst module in order to eliminate any gas/liquid distribution problem. It is found that for the 2-mm channel size, the circular shape gives a catalytic conversion activity two to five times higher than the square-shaped channel. The dramatic activity enhancement is believed resulting from better gas/liquid/catalyst contacting in the circular channel than in the square channel. The degree of activity enhancement due to the channel shape decreases as the channel size is reduced from 2 to 1 mm, because the catalyst utilization is increased with decreasing the channel size. This finding suggests that catalyst utilization in the three-phase reactor can be largely affected by the non-uniformity of flow structure at particle size scale.
Effects of Testing Time and Confining Pressure on Falling-Head Permeability Tests of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete

Superpave implementation has resulted in increased interest in the permeability of hot-mix asphalt concrete. Relatively open-graded Superpave mixes have given rise to concern about premature pavement failures due to increased water infiltration from the surface. Arkansas is investigating the use of a falling-head permeability test to evaluate Superpave mixes with respect to potential performance problems caused by increased permeability. The initial phase of the project concerns the development of laboratory testing procedures and equipment. Superpave field mixes from projects in Arkansas were sampled to investigate permeability testing parameters. In addition, compacted test specimens from a round-robin study of permeability were included in the testing matrix. For the Arkansas mixes, loose mix sampled at the hot-mix plant was compacted using the Superpave gyratory compactor. Field cores were also taken from completed pavement sections. Permeability tests were conducted on all samples to investigate the ...
Maldi-tof analysis of mixtures of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and anthocyanins

Abstract The mass spectrometric analysis of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and anthocyanins present in crude extracts from sorghum plant tissue was carried out by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI). Sensitivities to as low as 5 pmol\ μ l were easily attained for pure samples of the anthocyanidin, pelargonidin, and the anthocyanin, malvin. Sensitivities to the level of 15 pmol\ μ l were attained for 3-deoxyanthocyanidins present in crude extracts from sorghum plant tissue. Through its capability for analyzing very small quantities of these compounds in unpurified samples, MALDI provided a sensitive means for the detection of these flavonoid pigments in plant tissues.
Stopping the revolving door-- a study of readmissions to a state hospital.

With readmissions comprising 60% of all admissions, this hospital took a hard look at 100 consecutive readmissions.
Cultural Knowing As Practicing Extending Our Conceptions of Culture

A program of research designed to provide understanding of effective cross-cultural interaction in international joint ventures led to anomalous findings. Through a grounded theory process, conside...
Effect of treatment with sodium valproate on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol concentrations in pregnancy

To investigate whether treatment with valproic acid in pregnancy decreases adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol secretion, we measured their concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood from a patient receiving valproic acid. We found them to be normal. Valproic acid may not decrease adrenocorticotropic hormonelcortisol levels in pregnant patients or their fetuses.
Harvard, NIH, and the balance of power in the open access debate

Purpose – This paper seeks to highlight the recent open access initiatives of Harvard University and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses opportunities and consequences of the recent initiatives.Findings – The paper finds that the NIH open access policy will make available tens of thousands of peer‐reviewed articles per year. The Harvard open access initiative may be a harbinger of things to come at other US universities.Originality/value – This paper reinforces many of the concepts being discussed on the listservs regarding these remarkable initiatives.
From Intent to Enrollment, Attendance, and Participation in Preventive Parenting Groups

Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to the process of engagement in preventive parenting groups, we tested the ability of family and child measures to predict intent to enroll, enrollment, attendance, and quality of participation in PACE (Parenting Our Children to Excellence). PACE is a prevention trial testing the efficacy of a structured program to promote effective parenting and reduce risk of adverse child outcomes. Mothers of preschoolers (N=451) from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds participated at two sites. Results showed that mothers who stated their intent to enroll reported relatively few time constraints but high levels of stress, as did mothers who enrolled. The latter also experienced elevated levels of oppositional defiant child behaviors, indicating that the program reached families who stood to benefit from it. Attendance, which was also best predicted by few time constraints, was high (with 49% of mothers who enrolled attending 5 or more of 8 sessions). In turn, attendance predicted quality of participation (at 1 site only), with mothers attending more sessions participating more actively and enthusiastically. Ethnicity and, with a few exceptions, socioeconomic circumstances and site, were not significant predictors of intent, enrollment, or attendance. Results provide qualified support for the TPB and illustrate its relevance to preventive research and interventions.
Global attractor for damped abstract nonlinear hyperbolic systems

This work is concerned with the long time dynamics of a class of abstract nonlinear second order in time systems with damping. This class of systems describes nonlinear dissipative elastic models with the nonlinear term produced by neo-Hookean type stress-strain relationships. In the present work, we use an analysis based in part on the results of H.T. Banks, D.S. Gilliam and V.I. Shubov on the existence and uniqueness of the weak solutions to show that these systems generate a "strong" dynamical system also. More importantly, we are able to prove the existence of a compact "strong" global attractor. Finally, we make several comments concerning the regularity of this attractor, and present some examples.
Mapping complex traits using families of recombinant inbred strains: an overview and example of mapping susceptibility to Candida albicans induced illness phenotypes

This overview and data-based example indicate how large families of recombinant inbred (RI) strains can be used to identify genetic loci and genes that underlie complex phenotypic differences among inbred mice. The RI approach requires no a priori expectations or assumptions about mechanisms that influence the phenotype, other than that variability is partly heritable. RI strains, which are produced by inbreeding the F2 progeny of two parental strains for at least 20 generations, have two major advantages. First, numerous subjects with identical genotypes can be analyzed to determine the average phenotype associated with that genotype, and second, it becomes practical to systematically accumulate large genome and phenome data sets for entire RI families, including sequence data, transcriptomes for many organs, and cell types and extensive data on gene-by-pathogen interactions. This enables the construction of far more sophisticated models of disease cause and progression. To illustrate the use of the systems genetics approach to infectious disease, we designed a simple study using three complementary families of RI strains (CXB, BXD, and AXB/BXA) that are differentially susceptible to intravenous challenge with the yeast Candida albicans.
What is the role of the principal in an excellent reading program? Principals give their views

Abstract The purpose of this study was to gather data about principals’ role perceptions related to the reading program. A questionnaire was used to gather information from 204 elementary school principals of schools having excellent reading programs. These principals were from eighteen different states and from schools serving both low and middle‐income students. These principals who have excellent reading programs believe that they should: (1) help teachers plan meaningful inservice activities in reading; (2) participate with their teachers in reading inservice activities; (3) give support to teachers in the reading program; (4) be knowledgeable of what should be happening in an excellent reading program; and (5) establish close communication with the home.
Glycoprotein synthesis in developing sea urchin embryos.

Abstract Surface membrane glycoproteins have been postulated in many mammalian cells to be involved in external surface membrane functions such as cell adhesion, cell-cell recognition, and cell movement. In developing echinoderm embryos, cell adhesion, recognition, and movement of individual cell types have been attributed to differences in the external surface membranes of these cells. Results reported here suggest that the three cell types of 16-cell sea urchin embryos have a mechanism that could establish differences in the carbohydrate portion of glycoproteins located in the external surface membrane. The results demonstrate 1) that glycoproteins are synthesized during early sea urchin development and 2) that slightly different rates of glycoprotein synthesis exist for the three types of blastomeres from 16-cell sea urchin embryos.
Clocking transient chemical changes by ultrafast electron diffraction

With the advent of femtosecond (fs) time resolution in spectroscopic experiments, it is now possible to study the evolution of nuclear motions in chemical and photobiochemical reactions. In general, the reaction is clocked by an initial fs laser pulse (which establishes a zero of time) and the dynamics are probed by a second fs pulse; the detection methods include conventional and photoelectron spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Replacing the probe laser with electron pulses offers a means for imaging ultrafast structural changes with diffraction techniques, which should permit the study of molecular systems of greater complexity (such as biomolecules). On such timescales, observation of chemical changes using electron scattering is non-trivial, because space-charge effects broaden the electron pulse width and because temporal overlap of the (clocking) photon pulse and the (probe) electron pulse must be established. Here we report the detection of transient chemical change during molecular dissociation using ultrafast electron diffraction. We are able to detect a change in the scattered electron beam with the zero of time established unambiguously and the timing of the changes clocked in situ. This ability to clock changes in scattering is essential to studies of the dynamics of molecular structures.
Observations of Cold and Warm CO in the Irregular Galaxy NGC 4449

We present observations of cold 12CO (1–0) in H I concentrations located in and around the peculiar irregular galaxy NGC 4449. The observed positions range from the center out to 18 kpc, or nearly 4 times the Holmberg radius, but most are in the large H I complexes that encircle the optical galaxy. We have detected CO (1–0) in two positions outside the center of the galaxy, including one that has no detectable sign of star formation. No CO was detected in the H I concentrations located far from the galaxy center. In general, CO emission was detected at positions where approximately σHI,max ≥ 2 × 1021 atoms cm-2, a factor of 3 higher than expected for self-shielding for the metallicity of the galaxy, and R ≤ 5 kpc from the center of the galaxy. In the H I complexes surrounding the galaxy, M/MHI,max is approximately constant. In the center of the galaxy, there is more Hα emission relative to M than in the outer H I complexes. Generally, there is no relationship between the presence or amount of Hα emission and M. We have also presented observations of warm molecular 12CO (2–1) gas in the center of the galaxy where CO (1–0) had already been detected. In the center of the galaxy, the ratio ICO (2–1)/ICO (1–0) is unusually high, indicating the presence of a significant amount of hot, optically thin gas. This is generally consistent with the unusual activity that has taken place in the central regions of the galaxy, but the ratio is higher than is observed in other galaxies with high star formation rates.
Influences of Methionine Hydroxy Analog on Milk and Milk Fat Production, Blood Serum Lipids, and Plasma Amino Acids

Feeding for 150 days of 25 g per day of methionine hydroxy analog was tested on 100 cows (52 treated and 48 controls) in the Brigham Young University herd. Effect of days after parturition of initiating methionine hydroxy analog feeding also was observed. Milk yields were not affected by methionine hydroxy analog, but fat percent and fat yields were increased 21 and 17% by the additive. Abnormally low milk fat by control cows (2.84%) magnified the response to methionine hydroxy analog feeding. Feeding methionine hydroxy analog beginning 0 to 12 days postpartum elicited much larger increases of milk fat than started later (17 to 102 days). Blood from the coccygeal vein of 20 cows from each treatment had 10% more triglycerides from cows fed methionine hydroxy analog than from control cows. Increases of arterio-venous differences across the mammary gland of triglycerides and lipoproteins of blood serum suggested that increases of milk fat could have resulted from greater uptake of performed fat by the udder. Feeding methionine hydroxy analog increased methionine, isoleucine, and leucine in serum of coccygeal vein, but methionine was the only amino acid with significantly higher arteriovenous differences across the mammary gland.
Normalization and convergence of gradient-based algorithms for adaptive IIR filters

Abstract In the last years several algorithms for adaptive IIR filters have been proposed. However, their practical usage involves considerations such as finding the global minimum, possible occurrence of instability and uncertainty about the speed of convergence. Following a deterministic approach this paper presents a generalization of these adaptive IIR algorithms. The algorithms can be classified into two groups: those which do not and those which do filter the adaptation error. For the first group a normalization rule is presented and convergence properties assuming slow time-variant filters are given. Stronger results for general time-variant filters could only be given for a small set of algorithms. For the second group ideas of normalizations are presented and their effects for convergence are shown. Validity is proven by applying these ideas to the simplified hyperstable adaptive recursive filter (SHARF) algorithm. Considerations about special constraints for normalizations close the paper.
Drift Chamber Application in High Energy Physics

We review the use of drift chambers in the field of High Energy Physics: existing apparatus, plans and ... dreams. We comment especially on low cost large area drift chambers, use of pulse height information and high spatial resolution applications.
Etiology of stroke in children.

Although the risk factors for stroke in children are numerous and differ greatly from the causes of stroke in adults, a thorough diagnostic evaluation can identify one or more risk factors in most patients. Cardiac disorders and hemoglobinopathy are the most common causes of ischemic infarction, whereas various congenital anomalles of the blood vessels or defects in coagulation or platelet function are often found in children with intraparenchymal hemorrhage. More than one risk factor is commonly identified, especially in children with dural venous thrombosis. Identification of the underlying risk factors for cerebrovascular disorders in children is important because many of the risk factors can be treated, reducing the risk of subsequent strokes.
Consumer creations of product meaning in the context of African-style clothing

In this article, the author conducts a multisite ethnography to examine how US consumers construct product meanings and assign them to African clothing worn in different consumption settings. Contextual product meanings both emphasize the changing role of the consumption setting and reveal the consumer’s use of place. A model emerges from the data to show that consumers establish contextual product meanings through the use of interpretive frameworks, or meaning domains, and that the consumption setting influences this process by affecting consumers’ use of meaning domains and their selection of potential influences on that meaning.
The construction of self-synchronizing finite state protocols

A technique is presented for constructing a finite state protocol from an originally given finite state specification of one process. We present three constructions, showing that they each provide send-receive symmetric solutions which are “selfsynchronizing”. Two lemmas are proved that provide insight into the types of interactions that arise in these types of finite state protocols. In essence we show that interactions occur between the processes only through “isomorphic transitions” and that during any interaction between the processes at most one of the two FIFO queues of messages is nonempty.
Systematic Review of Psychosocial Benefits and Harms of Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can help individuals and families by giving them a sense of control over their futures; however, results of some types of testing cause individuals and their families great distress and anxiety. The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a systematic review of literature about perceived benefits and harms associated with genetic testing. A second purpose was to determine if perceived benefits and harms varied by age and gender. We reviewed a sample of 30 articles published between 1997 and 2009. Most of the articles were other literature reviews. We summarized the benefits and harms associated with each type of genetic testing and made recommendations for future study. As technologies increase, genetic testing will expand and psychiatric mental health nurses must be prepared to meet the challenges of psychosocial disorders that may develop in response to genetic testing.
Serum prolactin correlates with depressed mood during alcohol withdrawal.

Abstract Alterations in central dopamine function have been identified in depression and in alcohol withdrawal. Attempts to determine the magnitude and direction of the central dopamine alteration in alcohol withdrawal have produced conflicting results. In this study serum prolactin (PRL) was used as an indicator of central dopamine activity since dopamine is the most important factor in the control of prolactin secretion from the pituitary. Increased serum PRL levels were found during alcohol withdrawal and they correlated significantly with high scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). No significant correlations were identified with The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the ‘Mini-Mental State’ of Folstein (MMS), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or The Modified Gross Alcohol Withdrawal Selective Severity Assessment Scale (GAWSSA). The authors concluded that the transient depressive symptomatology typically found in detoxifying alcoholic patients may be, in part, the result of a central hypodopaminergic state.
The Los Angeles School of Urbanism: An Intellectual History

Los Angeles, or more precisely, the Southern California region, has many claims on our attention, but until recently it has been regarded as an exception to the rules governing American urban development. Since the mid-1980s, a remarkable outpouring of scholarship has given birth to a "Los Angeles School" of urbanism. This essay outlines the intellectual history of the LA School, explains the distinctiveness of its break with previous traditions (especially those of the Chicago School), and advocates the need for a comparative urban analysis that utilizes Los Angeles not as a new urban "paradigm," but as one of many exemplars of contemporary urban process.
Alterations in the neutral proteinase activities of central and peripheral nervous systems of acrylamide-, carbon disulfide-, or 2,5-hexanedione-treated rats

Proteinases are widespread in neuronal or nonneuronal eukaryotic cells. They are suggested to play an important role in the turnover of proteins in neuronal perikaryon and axon, and digestion of the transported cytoskeletal proteins in synaptic terminals. We examined the effect of acrylamide (50 mg/kg, ip), carbon disulfide (700 ppm, 9 h, 7 d a week), and 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) (1% in drinking water) treatment of rats on mCANP (2 mM Ca2+), μCANP (0.1 mM Ca2+), and CINP (Ca2+-independent) activity in telencephalon + diencephalon (FB), rhombencephalon + mesencephalon (LB), spinal cord (SC), and sciatic nerve (SN). The proteinase activity was determined in the 30,000g supernatant fraction of tissues using14C-methylated casein as the substrate. mCANP activity in FB, LB, and SC was inhibited only by acrylamide. Acrylamide or 2,5-HD treatment had no effect on μCANP and CINP activities of SN, whereas carbon disulfide enhanced μCANP after 15 d and CINP activity after 10 d. It is suggested that alteration in in vitro calpain activity shown by these chemicals may not be directly related to their neurotoxic effect. However, calpain may still be playing a role in this polyneuropathy by alteration in activity through inflow of Ca2+, release of Ca2+ from intracellular organelles, or other factors. Modification of cytoskeletal proteins making them more susceptible to proteases and the role of some other proteinase is also possible.
Utilization of inpatient and outpatient resources for the management of hemodialysis access complications

Complications of hemodialysis accesses are a major cause of morbidity in chronic hemodialysis patients. Although several investigators have reported on the utilization of inpatient services for hemodialysis access complications, there is a paucity of data regarding the utilization of outpatient services and temporary accesses for these complications. In this retrospective study, we identified all access-related inpatient admissions and outpatient encounters and procedures performed in an incident cohort of hemodialysis patients. Eighty-eight patients were followed for an average of 487.4 +/- 316.9 days, for a total of 119.1 patient-years of risk. The mean age was 57.0 +/- 14.6 years, with 55% females and 65% blacks; 31% of patients had diabetes mellitus as the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Patients were referred to our nephrology practice a median of 56 days prior to the placement of a hemodialysis access and a median of 76 days prior to the initiation of hemodialysis. At the initiation of hemodialysis, 48 native arteriovenous fistulas and 40 polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were placed. Only 28 patients (31.8%) had a permanent access placed at least 14 days before the start of hemodialysis, resulting in the placement of 93 temporary accesses during the first week of dialysis therapy. Because of access complications, 21 patients had failure of their primary access, requiring the placement of 33 additional permanent accesses, including six native arteriovenous fistulas, 23 polytetrafluoroethylene grafts, and four permacaths, or an average of 0.28 new accesses per patient-year of risk. During the study period, 45 patients (51%) had at least one access complication. To manage these access complications, 25 fistulograms (0.21 per patient-year of risk) were performed and 116 additional temporary accesses (0.97 per patient-year of risk) were placed, including 50 femoral (43.1%), 52 subclavian (44.8%), and 14 internal jugular (12.1%) catheters. A total of 2.43 inpatient days and 1.05 outpatient encounters per year of patient risk were directly attributed to admissions solely for access complications. There is significant utilization of outpatient services, temporary accesses, and fistulograms in the management of hemodialysis access complications. These services should be included whenever a review of hemodialysis access procedures or costs are undertaken.
Atomic Motions in LiBH4 by NMR

1H, 7Li, and 11B NMR measurements were used to understand atomic translational motions in both the low- and high-temperature phases (LT, HT) of LiBH4. In the HT phase 7Li spectra, spin−echo T2, and T1 all indicate very rapid lithium ion diffusion. Just above the phase transition, the hydrogen resonance is broad, about 22 kHz fwhm (full width at half of maximum), showing that H translations remain slow. From 120 to 170 °C, a rapidly decreasing T1D (relaxation time of dipolar spin-order) shows that the hydrogens diffuse increasingly rapidly. This motion eventually results in marked hydrogen line-narrowing centered near 190 °C; the hydrogen diffusion is likely relevant to the kinetics of dehydriding. The extent of 11B line-narrowing demonstrates that the boron atoms also diffuse rapidly at temperatures above 200 °C. In the LT phase, the hydrogen T1D decreases rapidly with increasing temperature, here due to 7Li diffusion which is too slow for line-narrowing.
Biosensors. Plasmons spring into action.

The integration of semiconducting nanowires and metallic nanoparticles in a single device leads to a biosensor with enhanced sensitivity that detects molecules over a broad range of concentrations.
Density of NMDA-Coupled and Uncoupled 1-[1-(2-[3H]Thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine Recognition Sites in the Brain and Spinal Cord: Differential Effects of NMDA Agonists and Antagonists

Binding of 1-[1-(2-[3H]thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine ([3H]TCP) to mouse brain and spinal cord membranes was studied using compounds selective for the NMDA-coupled 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine (PCP) and/or sigma recognition sites. In both tissues, [3H]TCP labeled two populations of binding sites. Density of the low-affinity sites was approximately the same in both tissues, but the population of the high-affinity [3H]TCP sites was three times bigger in the brain than in the spinal cord. Self- and cross-displacement studies showed that the high-affinity [3H]TCP binding sites could be identical with NMDA receptor-coupled PCP sites, whereas the low-affinity [3H]TCP sites may be associated with sigma binding sites in both tissues. The NMDA-coupled PCP sites labeled in the presence of 6.25 nM [3H]TCP constituted a much higher percentage of the total binding in the brain (75%) than in the spinal cord (44%). Consistent with this, reintroduction of glycine and glutamate significantly increased, but DA antagonists significantly inhibited [3H]TCP binding in the brain but not in the spinal cord. Together, these data suggest that a large component of [3H]TCP-labeled binding sites in the spinal cord may be associated with sigma but not the NMDA receptor-coupled PCP sites.
Synthetic porphyrins. II. Preparation and spectra of some metal chelates of para-substituted-meso-tetraphenylporphines.

Various new metalloporphyrins, including both Fe(II) and Fe(III), Co(II), and Co(III) complexes of p -substituted-tetraphenylporphines, were synthesized for use as possible model compounds in the study of the mechanisms of the oxidation-reduction of the heme-enzymes and cobalamines. Characteristic differences were observed in the near-ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra of the complexes of different metal ions. These compounds may also be of interest as specific radiation sensitizing or protecting agents.
James Cameron discusses record dive and science concerns

James Cameron, the explorer and filmmaker, led a 4 December panel at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco to discuss his daring dive on 26 March to the bottom of the ocean in a one-person vertical “torpedo” submarine, the Deepsea Challenger, and to present some initial science findings from expedition samples and data. The dive touched the bottom of the Challenger Deep, a valley in the floor of the nearly 11-kilometer-deep Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The vessel landed close to the same depth and at a location similar to where Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard descended in the Trieste bathyscaphe on 23 January 1960 at a then record-setting depth of 10,911 meters.
Building the Pascaline: Digital Computing Like It's 1642 (Abstract Only)

The Pascaline was the first working mechanical calculator, created in 1642 by the French polymath Blaise Pascal. Over the next two decades Pascal built 40 of these machines, of which nine survive today. Several good web resources describe the Pascaline, but to properly appreciate the sautoir, Pascal's kinetic energy solution to jam-free ripple carry, building a working replica is invaluable.Thanks to the growing availability of rapid prototyping tools, it has become relatively easy for CS educators to fabricate physical artifacts to help students explore computational ideas. I've created a Pascaline kit using laser-cut acrylic and standard fasteners that can be assembled with just a screwdriver, pliers, and Loctite. High school or college students with minimal skills can put it together in a few hours and have a functioning calculator. Exploring the Pascaline's design is an engaging way to connect a milestone in the early history of computing with more modern theoretical concepts. Students can investigate questions such as: What makes a device "digital"? (Slide rules have numeric scales but are analog devices.) How does nonlinearity produce discrete states in a continuous world? How are nonlinearities induced in the Pascaline vs. in digital electronics? How do the logic design concepts "half adder" and "full adder" map onto the components of the Pascaline? Is the Pascaline really adding, or merely counting? How does the Pascaline use nines complement arithmetic to perform subtraction, and why isn't it tens complement? The Pascaline kit, designed in SolidWorks, is open source and available at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Pascaline.
A Folate Receptor–Targeted Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation for a Lipophilic Paclitaxel Prodrug

Purpose. The anticancer drug paclitaxel has poor aqueous solubility and is difficult to formulate in a lipid-based formulation due to its limited lipid solubility. Paclitaxel-7-carbonyl-cholesterol (Tax-Chol), a prodrug of paclitaxel with increased lipophilicity, was therefore synthesized and evaluated for incorporation into a lipid nanoparticle (LN) formulation, which also contained folate-polyethylene glycol-cholesterol (f-PEG-Chol) as a ligand that targets the tumor marker folate receptor (FR). This novel formulation was designed for prolonged systemic circulation and selective targeting of tumor cells with amplified FR expression.
Analysis and simulation of a small-angle neutron scattering instrument on a 1 MW long pulse spallation source

Abstract We studied the design and performance of a small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrument for a proposed 1 MW, 60 Hz long pulsed spallation source at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). An analysis of the effects of source characteristics and chopper performance combined with instrument simulations using the LANSCE Monte Carlo instrument simulations package shows that the T 0 chopper should be no more than 5 m from the source with the frame overlap and frame definition choppers at 5.6 and greater than 7 m, respectively. The study showed that an optimal pulse structure has an exponential decaying tail with τ ≈ 750 μs. The Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the LPSS SANS, showing that an optimal length is 18 m. The simulations show that an instrument with variable length is best to match the needs of a given measurement. The performance of the optimized LPSS instrument was found to be comparable with present world standard instruments.
Epidermolysis Bullosa: Variability of Expression of Cicatricial Pemphigoid, Bullous Pemphigoid, and Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita Antigens in Clinically Uninvolved Skin

Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on skin from 13 patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) (simplex, 6; junctional, 2; dystrophic, 5) to compare the expression of 3 basement membrane components, bullous pemphigoid (BP) antigen, cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) antigen, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) antigen, in clinically uninvolved tissue. In addition, expression of laminin, type IV collagen, and KF-1 antigen was also evaluated. Whereas laminin, type IV collagen, and KF-1 antigen were each detectable in EB skin in a manner identical to that previously reported, marked variability was noted in the expression of BP, CP, and EBA antigens. However, no correlation was noted comparing lack of expression of any one of these latter antigens with either of the remaining two, or these 3 antigens, BP antigen was the least often detectable, particularly in skin from patients with EB simplex. The lack of detectable BP antigen in EB simplex skin appeared to correlate with more extensive disease involvement and/or younger patient age. These findings may, therefore, limit the usefulness of BP serum in immunofluorescence mapping. Additionally, the disparity in expression of basement membrane antigens defined by BP and CP sera suggests that BP antigen and CP antigen are distinct entities.
The operation and future of the international monetary system

Abstract The paper begins by reviewing the major international monetary problems facing the world today and how each possible international monetary system would deal with them. Since each possible international monetary system has some major shortcomings, I conclude that the best international monetary system for the world today would necessarily have to be a hybrid system, not too different from the present system, under which nations would agree on some set of soft currency target zones and each nation would intervene in foreign exchange markets, change the rate of growth of their money supply, and agree to international monetary cooperation in different degrees, depending on their different circumstances, so as to minimize the cost of adjustment to international disequilibria.
Three-terminal adaptive nematic liquid-crystal lens device

A 1 mm × 1 mm nematic liquid-crystal three-terminal device for optical beam forming (focusing/spoiling) is fabricated. A thin-film-resistor network on the device substrate layer is used to control the voltages on the 98 internal lens electrodes by use of only one variable external driver. By using a high-resistance thin-film layer of amorphous silicon under the 98-element parallel electrode structure layer, we generate a near-continuous index perturbation to form a cylindrical lens. The focal length of this lens is continuously variable from inifinity to 12 cm by use of a variable 1–4-V-peak 1-kHz square-wave external terminal control signal.
Cost/effectiveness and cost/benefit analyses of educational programs

Abstract The Office of Program Planning and Evaluation is a small policy-oriented office, with one year's experience in analysis of Office of Education programs. During the past year we: (1) examined the relevance of discounting future incomes to evaluating programs in education and found the method wanting, (2) did some theoretical analysis of the level of effort needed to affect learning rates of the disadvantaged population, (3) analyzed the effect of vocational programs, and (4) analyzed the demand for student financial aid in post-secondary education.
Water under the bridge

The Geography of Science. By Harold Dorn. The Johns Hopkins University Press: 1991. Pp. 219. $41.50, £26.
Mechanistic possibilities for oxetane formation in the biosynthesis of Taxol’s D ring

Three mechanistic possibilities for the formation of the oxetane (D ring) of Taxol were examined at various levels of theory [B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), mPW1PW91/6-31+G(d,p), and MP2/6-31+G(d,p)] including one mechanism involving an unusual oxabicyclobutonium ion intermediate. The mechanisms examined differ considerably in terms of their predicted inherent activation barriers, and the requirements for acceleration of each by an enzyme active site are outlined. Our calculations provide an important starting point for future studies in this area. Also examined were previously published calculations on simple oxabicyclobutonium ions, as well as the all-carbon analog of the pathway involving the oxabicyclobutonium ion.
Strategic planning is long overdue and could mitigate long-term complications that result from delayed diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency

A new analytical approach could be more aggressive in revising the traditional definition to a more contemporary and functional one. Timely diagnosis with less delay results in less morbidity and ultimately greater patient satisfaction with the quality of received medical care.
Does a Torsion Adapter Improve Functional Mobility, Pain, and Fatigue in Patients with Transtibial Amputation?

Background Turning gait is an integral part of daily ambulation and likely poses a greater challenge for patients with transtibial amputation compared with walking a straight pathway. A torsion adapter is a prosthetic component that can increase transverse plane compliance of the prosthesis and decrease the torque applied to the residual limb, but whether this will improve patients’ mobility, pain, and fatigue remains unknown.
Nonresponse to Interferon-α Based Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Is Associated with Increased Hazard of Cirrhosis

Background:The long-term consequences of unsuccessful interferon-α based hepatitis C treatment on liver disease progression and survival have not been fully explored.Methods and Findings:We performed retrospective analyses to assess long-term clinical outc