cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress, coping, and circadian disruption among women awaiting breast cancer surgery

Psychological distress and coping related to a breast cancer diagnosis can profoundly affect psychological adjustment, possibly resulting in the disruption of circadian rest/activity and cortisol rhythms, which are prognostic for early mortality in metastatic colorectal and breast cancers, respectively. This study aims to explore the relationships of cancer-specific distress and avoidant coping with rest/activity and cortisol rhythm disruption in the period between diagnosis and breast cancer surgery. Fifty-seven presurgical breast cancer patients provided daily self-reports of cancer-specific distress and avoidant coping as well as actigraphic and salivary cortisol data. Distress and avoidant coping were related to rest/activity rhythm disruption (daytime sedentariness, inconsistent rhythms). Patients with disrupted rest/activity cycles had flattened diurnal cortisol rhythms. Maladaptive psychological responses to breast cancer diagnosis were associated with disruption of circadian rest/activity rhythms. Given that circadian cycles regulate tumor growth, we need greater understanding of possible psychosocial effects in cancer-related circadian disruption.
The superharmonic instability of finite-amplitude water waves

Zakharov's (1968) Hamiltonian formulation of water waves is used to prove analytically Tanaka's (1983) numerical result that superharmonic disturbances to periodic waves of permanent form exchange stability when the wave energy is an extremum as a function of wave height. Tanaka's (1985) explanation for the non-appearance of superharmonic bifurcation is also derived, and the non-existence of stability exchange when the wave speed is an extremum is explained.
Analysis of immunization with DNA encoding Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A

The promising arena of DNA-based vaccines has led us to investigate possible candidates for immunization against bacterial pathogens. One such target is the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produces exotoxin A (PE), a well-characterized virulence factor encoded by the toxA gene. In its native protein form, PE is highly cytotoxic for susceptible eukaryotic cells through ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor-2 following internalization and processing of the toxin. To study the biologic and immunological effects of PE following in situ expression, we have constructed eukaryotic plasmid expression vectors containing either the wild-type or a mutated, non-cytotoxic toxA gene. In vitro analysis by transfection of UM449 cells suggests that expression of the wild-type toxA gene is lethal for transfected cells whereas transfection with a mutated toxA gene results in the production of inactive PE which can be readily detected by immunoblot analysis of cell lysates. To investigate the effects resulting from the intracellular expression of potentially cytotoxic gene products in DNA vaccine constructs, we immunized mice with both the wild-type and mutant toxA plasmid constructs and analyzed the resulting humoral and cellular immune responses. Immunization with the mutated toxA gene results in production of neutralizing antibodies against native PE and potentiates a TH1-type response, whereas only a minimal humoral response can be detected in mice immunized with wild-type toxA. DNA-based vaccination with the non-cytotoxic toxAmut gene confers complete protection against challenge with the wild-type PE. Therefore, genetic immunization with genes encoding potentially cytotoxic gene products raises concern with regard to the selection of feasible gene targets for DNA vaccine development.
Oxidation of α-ylido, β-keto amides to vicinal tricarbonyls. Synthesis of a diketopiperazine precursor of bicyclomycin.

Abstract The Yoshimura intermediate in the total synthesis of bicyclomycin was prepared by intramolecular addition of an amide to an α,β-diketoamide. The resulting unsymmetrical diketopiperazine was then converted to the diol-ether target.
A Dual-Polarized Planar Antenna for Radar and Communication Systems

This paper will present a new planar dual-polarized radiating element for radar and communication systems. This new element incorporates a slot antenna within the radiating arms of a printed dipole. The resulting integrated element is simple, completely planar, and is capable of simultaneously receiving both Vertical and Horizontally polarized signals in an end-fire configuration. We beleve this represents the first dual polarized end-fire antenna element that is completely planar and compatibe with standard monolithic fabrication techniques.
The photoreduction of chlorophyll in the presence of diphosphopyridine nucleotide in pyridine solutions.

Abstract 1. 1. Both in the presence and absence of DPN, illumination with red light of oxygen-free solutions of chlorophyll a and ascorbic acid in aqueous pyridine led to the conversion: chlorophyll a (438 mμ) → photredued chlorophyll (420 mμ) → photoreduced pheophytin (390 mμ) → unknown derivative (370 mμ). The wavelengths in the parentheses are the positions of the absorption maxima of the substances. 2. 2. The presence of DPN (0.001 M) greatly reduced the rate of photoreduction of chlorophyll and altered the relative amounts of the pigment derivatives present after short periods of illumination, but did not change the nature of the reactions. 3. 3. The accumulation of DPNH in illuminated solutions of chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and DPN was not confirmed. 4. 4. Previously reported data, which were attributed to DPNH accumulation, were probably due to different extents of conversion of chlorophyll in the presence and absence of DPN.
The clearance of purines from the haemolymph of the cecropia silkmoth

Abstract The clearance of adenine, caffeine, guanine, theophylline, and xanthine from the haemolymph of diapausing pupae and pharate adults of Hyalophora cecropia was studied. In all animals caffeine and theophylline persisted, while the other purine bases were cleared within a few days.
Calorimetric Studies of Phosphatidylethanolamines with Saturatedsn-1 and Dienoic sn-2 Acyl Chains

Abstract We have semi-synthesized 18 species of mixed chain phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) in which the sn-1 acyl chain is derived from stearic, arachidic, and behenic acids, and thesn-2 acyl chain is originated fromcis,cis-octadecadienoic andcis,cis-eicosadienoic acids with the two methylene-interrupted double bonds located at various positions. These PEs constituting the bilayers in the aqueous dispersion were subjected to differential scanning calorimetric experiments. TheT m values associated with the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transitions for these PEs are found to be significantly smaller than those of the saturated counterparts. Moreover, the magnitude of the T m-lowering effect of acyl chain diunsaturation depends critically on the positions of the two methylene-interrupted cis double bonds in thesn-2 acyl chain. Specifically, if the sn-2 acyl chain is derived from cis,cis-octadecadienoic acid, the T m-lowering effect has the following decreasing order: Δ9,12 > Δ6,9 > Δ12,15. For cis,cis-eicosadienoyl acyl chain, the T m-lowering effect is stronger in the order of Δ10,13 > Δ11,14 > Δ8,11 > Δ5,8 > Δ14,17. Finally, a refined molecular model is presented that can adequately explain the T m-lowering effect of sn-2 acyl chain diunsaturation. Moreover, this same refined molecular model can also be invoked to better interpret theT m-lowering effect observed for sn-1 saturated/sn-2 monoenoic PE.
Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of the Cr-Ti-V system

A synergistic approach of thermodynamic and kinetic modeling is applied to the Cr-Ti-V system. To assist the design of (α+β) and β titanium alloys for structural applications and vanadium alloys for fusion reactor applications, a set of self-consistent and optimized thermodynamic model parameters is presented to describe the phase equilibria of the Cr-Ti, Cr-V, Ti-V, and Cr-Ti-V systems. The Laves phases, α-Cr2Ti, β-Cr2Ti, and γ-Cr2Ti, are described by a two-sublattice model assuming antistructure atoms on both sublattices. The calculated thermodynamic quantities and phase diagrams are in good accord with the corresponding experimental data. To assist the simulation of the kinetics of diffusional transformations in bodycentered cubic (bcc) alloys, the atomic mobilities of Cr, Ti, and V are modeled. A set of optimized mobility parameters is given. Very good agreement between the calculated and experimental diffusivities was found.
Pneumococci relatively resistant to penicillin: a prevalence survey in children.

old girl with Y. enterocolitica gastroenteritis whose only abnormal physical finding upon hospitalization was mild tonsillitis. Although isolation of Y. enterocolitica from the oropharynx was not attempted, recovery of the bacterium from this anatomic site has been described. 8 Two of the 24 (8.3%) human isolates of 1I. enterocolitica by the California State Depar tment of Health from 1968 through 1975 were from the throat; clinical information on these patients was not provided. Yersinia enterocolitica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenitis. Increased familiarity with this manifestation of Y. enterocolitica infection should help clarify its clinical importance.
Reduction of an Ostrinia nubilalis population by predatory insects attracted by sucrose sprays

The results of this study indicate that sprays of a sucrose or molasses solution on corn plants can alter the normal pattern of distribution of certain membres of the insect community of the plants. The following facts were shown: (1) The sprays increased the Chrysopid population which reduced the number of corn borer larvae before they entered the stalk. This effect was lost if the corn leaf aphid population in the field was high. (2) The sprays increased the pienic beetle population. This effect was lost when the beetle population in the field was generally high. A high beetle population, whether as a natural condition or induced by sprays, was highly correlated with a low larva/tunnel ratio, suggesting that the beetles reduced the number of corn borer larvae after they entered the stalk.
Fluidization Behavior of Fine Powders in Reduced Gravity Conditions

Geldart’s traditional powder classification of the fluidization process in Earth’s gravitational acceleration is very well known. In this paper, the fluidization behaviors of spherical glass powders and aluminum-oxide powders with different mean particle sizes were studied at four gravitational-acceleration conditions: 1.8 g, 1.0 g, 0.38 g (Martian gravity), and 0.16 g (lunar gravity). The transition region between Geldart’s group A and group C powders was determined at each gravitational acceleration. The observed results were compared to Qian et al.’s semitheoretical group A/C transition equation with good agreement at 1.8 g and 1.0 g and a divergence at 0.38 g and 0.16 g, and the observed results indicated a stronger dependence upon gravity. Nomenclature A = Hamaker constant d p = particle diameter FH = cohesion force g = local gravitational acceleration l = diameter of the asperities of a powder particle δ = particle spacing e = bed void volume ρ p = particle density ρ f = fluid density
A historical perspective on clinical advances in pancreatic diseases

f Chronic Pancreatitis: Observational Medicine to Genetic Medicine Some of the first glimpses into acute pancreatitis were by Reginald H. Fitz, pathologist, who decribed the clinical features of acute pancreatitis in 1889 and ubtyped it into hemorrhagic, suppurative, and gangrenous ancreatitis.1 However, he believed pancreatitis was the result f gastroduodenitis. In 1896, Chiari put forth the premise that ancreatitis was the result of pancreatic autodigestion.2 Claude Bernard demonstrated that pancreatic secretion was involved in the digestion of protein, carbohydrate, and fat in dogs.3 The otion that pancreatic substances could be given to patients ith pancreatitis to ameloriate their steatorrhea dates back to 868.4 It would appear that the initial description of chronic ancreatitis and precipitating factors can be attributed to Comort in 19465 (Figure 1). Certainly, the ensuing decades witnessed a number of dvances in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of chronic ancreatitis. In 1996, Whitcomb and colleagues shepherded n the era of genetics in pancreatitis by describing the assoiation of mutations in cationic trypsinogen and hereditary ancreatitis.6 Two groups reported mutations in cystic fibrosis ransmembrane conductance regulator and idiopathic chronic ancreatitis.7,8 We now know that the type of cystic fibrosis ransmembrane conductance regulator mutation influences he risk of pancreatitis in patients with cystic fibrosis.9 Chymotrypsin C mutations can also be found in chronic pancreatitis,10 and chymotrypsin appears to be boost the activation of cationic trypsinogen mutations.11 The current era of functional genomcs and computational biology will undoubtedly provide new nsights into “driver” mutations in idiopathic chronic pancretitis and potentially newly identified forms of familial pancretitis, the latter autonomous from hereditary pancreatitis. Although modeling chronic pancreatitis through anial models, including genetic mouse models (eg, pancretic specific targeting of mutant cationic trypsinogen or nterleukin-1 or the ciliary component Kif3a), has been helpful in advancing our knowledge, in addition to the insights from human genetics, therapy has been largely supportive, mostly medical in nature, and when indicated, surgical. Because fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic pancreatitis, and stellate cell activation is critical to the evolution of fibrosis, future therapeutics can take advantage of “de-activating” stellate cells. Antifibrotic agents are currently under consideration for fibrosis in other tissue types.
Convenient synthesis of copper (I) thiolates and related compounds

Abstract Copper (I) salts of various anions including thiolates, diethyl dithiocarbamate, diethyl dithiophosphate, trithiocyanurate, 1-cyano-3-methylisothiourea, 2-aminothiazole, and tetrakis(1-imidazolyl)borate are conveniently synthesized by reducing copper (II) sulfate in aqueous ammonia. The addition of phosphine ligands to several of the products is demonstrated, and the crystal structure of [Cu2(MBT)2(DPPE)3] · Et2O (MBT = 2-mercaptobenzothiazolate, DPPE = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) is reported.
Safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in children with heart failure.

This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for children with heart failure. The study was conducted in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) of a single, tertiary care, academic children’s hospital. A retrospective review of the charts for all children (up to 18 years of age) with signs and symptoms consistent with congestive heart failure who received DEX in our CVICU between April 2006 and April 2011 was performed. The patients were divided into two groups for study purposes: the DEX group of 21 patients, who received a DEX infusion together with other conventional sedation agents, and the control group of 23 patients, who received conventional sedation agents without the use of DEX. To evaluate the safety of DEX, physiologic data were collected including heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and inotrope score. To assess the efficacy of DEX, the amount and duration of concomitant sedation and analgesic infusions in both the DEX and control groups were examined. The numbers of rescue boluses for each category before the initiation of sedative infusion and during the sedative infusion also were examined. The baseline characteristics of the patients in the two groups were similar. There was no effect of DEX infusion on heart rate, MAP, or inotrope score at the termination of infusion. The daily amount of midazolam administered was significantly less during the last 24 h of DEX infusion in the DEX group than in the control group (p = 0.04). The daily amount of morphine infusion did not differ between the DEX and control groups during any period. The numbers of sedation and analgesic rescue boluses were lower in DEX group throughout the infusion. No other significant side effects were noted. Two patients in the DEX group had a 50 % or greater drop in MAP compared with baseline in the first 3 h after initiation of DEX infusion, whereas one patient had a 50 % or greater drop in heart rate compared with baseline in the first 3 h after initiation of DEX infusion. Administration of DEX for children with heart failure appears to be safe but should be used cautiously. Furthermore, DEX use is associated with a decreased opiate and benzodiazepine requirement for children with heart failure.
Determination of weights for relaxation recurrent neural networks

Abstract A theorem which establishes the solutions of a given optimization problem as stable points in the state space of single-layer relaxation-type recurrent neural networks is proposed. This theorem establishes the necessary conditions for the neural network to converge to a solution by proposing certain values for the constraint weight parameters of the network. Convergence performance of the discrete Hopfield network with the proposed bounds on constraint weight parameters is tested on a set of constraint satisfaction and optimization problems including the traveling salesman problem, the assignment problem, the weighted matching problem, the N-queens problem and the graph path search problem. Simulation and stability analysis results indicate that the set of solutions becomes a subset of the set of stable points in the state space as a result of the suggested bounds. For the cases of the traveling salesman, assignment and weighted matching problems, two sets are equal leading to convergence to a solution after each relaxation. Convergence to a solution after each relaxation is not guaranteed for the N-queens and the graph path search problems since the solution set is a proper subset of the stable point set. Furthermore the simulation results indicate that the discrete Hopfield network converged to mostly average quality solutions as expected from a gradient-descent search algorithm. In conclusion, the suggested bounds on weight parameters guarantee that the discrete Hopfield network will locate a solution after each relaxation for a class of optimization problems of any size, although the solutions will be average quality rather than optimum.
An example of computing the failure-tolerant workspace area for a planar kinematically redundant robot

Robots are frequently employed in structured environments for automating repetitive tasks. To extend their application to remote or hazardous environments, one must guarantee some measure of failure tolerance. One way to do this is to use kinematically redundant robots that have additional degrees of freedom. They are inherently robust to locked joint failures but the size of the reachable workspace after a failure depends on the design (and control) of the robot. The existence of such a workspace can be guaranteed by imposing a suitable set of artificial joint limits prior to a failure, however, this also limits the reachable pre-failure workspace. This work demonstrates how one can calculate an optimal tradeoff between pre-failure and post-failure workspace by determining the appropriate artificial joint limits. This is illustrated on a three degree-of-freedom planar robot generated from a PA-10 robot.
Labor and Milking Machine Inputs to Milk Harvest in Dairy Cattle: Implications for Direct Selection

Abstract Components of variance, repeatabilities, and correlations among milking labor and machine inputs, flow rate, and yield characters were derived from data on lactating Holstein and Jersey cows and provided the basis for determining efficacy of direct selection for improved milking economy. Intralactation variance components for cow were 324, 121, and 7657s 2 /milking for total labor inputs, machine stripping, and actual machine time for Holsteins. Intralactation estimates were larger than estimates among lactations. Machine stripping was the primary component of total labor input that varied among cows. Intralactation repeat-abilities for total labor inputs, machine stripping, and actual machine input for Holsteins were .29, .20, and .42. The partial correlation of average flow rate with total labor inputs holding milk yield constant was —.56, exceeding that with peak rate. Elimination of machine stripping and minimizing overmilking appeared the best means of reducing average cost of milk harvest. Culling of cows exhibiting unsuitable demands for labor and machine inputs is a more appropriate strategy for improvement than direct selection for efficiency of milking labor.
Much Ado about Nothing? The Size and Credit Quality Implications of Municipal Other Postemployment Benefit Liabilities

This paper presents estimates of the size and scope of other postemployment benefit (OPEB) liabilities among municipal governments. The findings indicate these liabilities vary substantially, ranging from less than a dollar per capita to more than $2,000 per capita. Those liabilities were then incorporated into separate models of credit ratings and borrowing costs. Results suggest OPEB liabilities do not directly affect credit quality, but the interaction between an issuer's fiscal capacity to address its liability does have a notable effect.
Physiological principles for the effective use of color

Some broad principles for the effective use of color are established on the basis of the mechanisms of human color perception. Some functional relationships that should improve the visual effectiveness of color display are derived.
Non-Destructive Evaluation of Diamond Tool Materials for Optical Manufacturing Applications

A simple, ultrasonic method for non-destructively testing commercial optical grinding tools is demonstrated, with results compared to a material database collected for diamond composite tool materials. The ultrasonic wave-speed strongly correlates with other properties.
A topological approach to using cables to separate and manipulate sets of objects

In this paper we study the problem of manipulating and transporting multiple objects on the plane using a cable attached at each end to a mobile robot. This problem is motivated by the use of boats with booms in skimming operations for cleaning oil spills or removing debris on the surface of the water. The goal in this paper is to automate the task of separating the objects of interest from a collection of objects by manipulating them with cables that are actuated only at the ends, and then transporting them to specified destinations. Because the cable is flexible, the shape of the cable must be explicitly modeled in the problem. Further, the robots must cooperatively plan motions to achieve the required cable shape and gross position/orientation to separate the objects of interest and then transport them as specified. The theoretical foundation for the problem is derived from topological invariants, homology and homotopy. We first derive the necessary topological conditions for achieving the desired separation of objects. We then propose a distributed search-based planning technique for finding optimal robot trajectories for separation and transportation. We demonstrate the applicability of this method using a dynamic simulation platform with explicit models of the cable dynamics, the contact between the cable and one or more objects, and the surface drag on the cable and on the objects. We also demonstrate the working of the proposed algorithm on an experimental platform consisting of a system of two cooperating autonomous surface vessels and stationary/anchored objects.
Origin of the Sinus Impulse

It was generally accepted that the site of normal impulse origin within the atria was a single static focus within the sinus node. This review will examine how this model of impulse origin came about and has evolved. Early on, conflicting data suggested that the sinus node focus was not static and changed with interventions that changed heart rate, such as vagal stimulation. Furthermore, even with removal of the sinus node, a normal atrial rhythm was generated. High-resolution mapping in humans and dogs showed that the initiation of the impulse was dynamic and could be multicentric, with more than one focus initiating a single beat. Shifts in the site of origin correlated with changes in rate and were consistent with P wave changes routinely observed in the standard ECG. These studies suggested multiple pacemakers were responsible for impulse initiation. However, it was not clear how these widespread pacemakers were coordinated to function synchronously. Recent canine data suggest that the node may be partially insulated from the surrounding atrium, resulting in multicentric origin starting from a single site within the node. What has evolved is a model of impulse origin with a sinus node having discrete exit sites and a dominant pacemaker within the node that can shift to other nodal sites. Complex and changing conduction out of the node, coupled with extranodal pacemakers, which can assume dominance over the node, combine with the autonomic nervous system to control heart rate and the pattern of impulse origin within the atria.
Ubiquitous computing challenges in recognizing and predicting human activity

Ubiquitous computing offers a compelling vision, in which computers vanish into the environment, using sensors to infer their context, and then using dynamically available actuators to influence their environment. This vision has proven as difficult as it is compelling. In this paper, we first outline the vision, then highlight what we believe are the main hurdles preventing its realization, and then present a new paradigm to help overcome these hurdles within a particular subset of inferencing, inferring the activity of humans in their environment. Existing prototypes indicate that the paradigm is a fruitful one - the issues and challenges inherent in going beyond these first steps are described.
Physiological responses to multiple speed treadmill walking for Syme vs. transtibial amputation--a case report.

Purpose: To date, there have been no longitudinal studies comparing walking at different levels of amputation. The objective of this study was to compare the self-selected walking velocity (SSWV) and selected physiologic variables during walking between a Syme and a later transtibial level of amputation for a single subject. Additional comparison was made between the SACH foot prosthesis and a dynamic response foot prosthesis.Method: A 35-year-old male with a traumatic Syme amputation later underwent elective transtibial amputation. SSWV and multiple speed treadmill walking tests (53.64, 67.05, 80.46, 93.87 and 107.28 m/min) were evaluated under three conditions (Syme prosthesis with SACH foot, transtibial prosthesis with SACH foot, and transtibial prosthesis with Flex-Foot).Results: Walking with transtibial prosthesis showed minimal differences in oxygen consumption (0 – 5% reduction), heart rate response (0 – 1% reduction), or gait efficiency (0 – 5% improvement) across all speeds when compared with Sym...
GaAs MESFET's on a truly insulating buffer layer: demonstration of the GaAs on insulator technology

We demonstrate for the first time a GaAs on insulator (GOI) technology, with aluminum oxide (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/) formed by the wet oxidation of AlAs as the insulating buffer layer. The insulating buffer gives excellent charge control and eliminates substrate leakage current. The first results of GOI technology include 1.5-/spl mu/m gate length GOI MESFET's with f/sub /spl tau//=9 GHz and f/sub max/=45 GHz.
Indirect Measurements of Microstructure Development in Magnetorheological Fluids

Magneto-induction experiments have been devised to measure the microstructure response of quiescent magnetorheological (MR) fluids to an applied magnetic field. Unlike many previous techniques this measurement technique is well suited for MR fluids of high iron loading. Two distinct time scales of microstructure formation have been observed within the range of 10-3 to 10-1 seconds. These two time constants are thought to be associated with floc or chain formation and chain growth and migration. The dependency of the time response upon volume fraction, carrier viscosity and applied field is in partial agreement with contemporary theories and models of particle aggregation.
Enriched Encoding: Reward Motivation Organizes Cortical Networks for Hippocampal Detection of Unexpected Events

Learning how to obtain rewards requires learning about their contexts and likely causes. How do long-term memory mechanisms balance the need to represent potential determinants of reward outcomes with the computational burden of an over-inclusive memory? One solution would be to enhance memory for salient events that occur during reward anticipation, because all such events are potential determinants of reward. We tested whether reward motivation enhances encoding of salient events like expectancy violations. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants performed a reaction-time task in which goal-irrelevant expectancy violations were encountered during states of high- or low-reward motivation. Motivation amplified hippocampal activation to and declarative memory for expectancy violations. Connectivity of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) with medial prefrontal, ventrolateral prefrontal, and visual cortices preceded and predicted this increase in hippocampal sensitivity. These findings elucidate a novel mechanism whereby reward motivation can enhance hippocampus-dependent memory: anticipatory VTA-cortical–hippocampal interactions. Further, the findings integrate literatures on dopaminergic neuromodulation of prefrontal function and hippocampus-dependent memory. We conclude that during reward motivation, VTA modulation induces distributed neural changes that amplify hippocampal signals and records of expectancy violations to improve predictions—a potentially unique contribution of the hippocampus to reward learning.
The colorimetric determination of lidocaine with cis-aconitic anhydride.

The quantitative reaction between tertiary amines and cis-aconitic anhydride has been aplied to the assay of microquantities of the local anesthetic lidocaine. The modified colorimetric method which is employed provides a particularly useful selective means for the assay of small samples containing this drug, which might arise from dosage form studies or biological investigations. The procedure detailed is quite simple in operation but yet shows relatively high precision and accuracy over the suggested range.
Notes on neotropical Amanoa (Euphorbiaceae).

Lectotypes are designated forAmanoa caribaea Krug & Urban andA. guianensis Aublet; presumed syntypes of the latter taxon are shown to be heterogeneous by inclusion of a previously unrecognized species. Four new species ofAmanoa are described:A. congesta from French Guiana and northeastern Brazil;A. gracillima from Manaus, Brazil;A. nanayensis from Amazonian Peru and adjacent Colombia and Brazil; andA neglecta from French Guiana and Surinam.Amanoa sinuosa is proposed as a new name for the later homonymA. robusta Leal. A key to the 13 neotropical species is presented.
The Occlusion Camera

We introduce the occlusion camera: a non-pinhole camera with 3D distorted rays. Some of the rays sample surfaces that are occluded in the reference view, while the rest sample visible surfaces. The extra samples alleviate disocclusion errors. The silhouette curves are pushed back, so nearly visible samples become visible. A single occlusion camera covers the entire silhouette of an object, whereas many depth images are required to achieve the same effect. Like regular depth images, occlusion-camera images have a single layer thus the number of samples they contain is bounded by the image resolution, and connectivity is defined implicitly. We construct and use occlusion-camera images in hardware. An occlusion-camera image does not guarantee that all disocclusion errors are avoided. Objects with complex geometry are rendered using the union of the samples stored by a planar pinhole camera and an occlusion camera depth image.
Maslow and the Hierarchical Enactment of Organizational Reality

The present paper reinterprets Maslow's hierarchy in a way that is consistent with Maslow's own characterizations of his hierarchy as (a) psychodynamic, (b) psychoanalytic, and (c) a hierarchy of character types. It is demonstrated that the resulting hierarchy represents the differential construction, or enactment, of social and organizational reality. The orientations toward work and work organizations of persons at each stage are derived.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Calcium Diffusion in the Calcium Alumino‐Silicate Intergranular Films Between Different Alumina Grains

Molecular dynamics computer simulations were used to study diffusion of calcium ions in calcium alumino-silicate (CAS) intergranular films (IGFs) connecting two differently oriented alumina crystals. Diffusion coefficients and the activation energy for Ca diffusion in different parts of the IGF were calculated over four different IGF systems. The simulation results show that the diffusion coefficients adjacent to the interfaces are smaller and the activation energies are much higher than those in the interior of the IGF and in bulk glasses. Ca diffusion is greatly affected by the ordered structures at the basal and prism interfaces, while it is only slightly affected in the interior of the IGF in comparison to bulk glass behavior. The activation energies for Ca diffusion in the bulk-simulated glasses are similar to that found experimentally and slightly lower in the interior of the same composition IGF. The results suggest that Ca transport is mainly though the interior of the IGF and implies that diffusion would be significantly inhibited by sufficiently thin IGFs.
Nifedipine pretreatment reduces vibration-induced vascular damage.

A rat-tail vibration model of hand-arm vibration was employed to test whether preemptive administration of nifedipine (5 mg/kg) to block vasoconstriction prevents vibration-induced arterial damage. The tails of vibrated and nifedipine-pretreated vibrated Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed continuously to 4 h of 60-HZ vibration at 49 m/s2 rms. In nonvibrated anesthetized rats, the ventral tail arteries were bathed for 15 min in situ in 1 mM epinephrine or 1 mM norepinephrine to induce structural changes indicative of intense vasoconstriction. Arteries were processed for light and electron microscopy 45 min after treatment. Compared to sham control, 4-h vibration significantly (P < 0.01) reduced lumen size, generated endothelial disruption (7.0 ± 2.6%), elevated nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) expression in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and increased smooth muscle cell vacuolization. The findings demonstrate that blockage of vibration-induced vasoconstriction with nifedipine prevents acute vascular damage. Smooth muscle and endothelial cells structurally altered by vasoconstriction are rendered susceptible to damage by vibration. Muscle Nerve, 2005
Adiposity in Adolescent Offspring Born Prematurely to Mothers with Preeclampsia

Offspring of pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia are at increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.1,2 Alterations in adiposity might contribute to this increased cardiovascular risk. A recent meta-analysis reported a modest but significant increase in body mass index (BMI) in the offspring of mothers with preeclampsia, compared with normotensive pregnancies.3 Potential mechanisms linking maternal preeclampsia to later differences in offspring body composition include preeclampsia-induced alterations in the intrauterine environment, restricted fetal growth followed by rapid childhood weight gain, and genetic and environmental factors shared by the mother and her offspring that increase both maternal and offspring body size. Children born very preterm have not been well represented in studies of whether preeclampsia predisposes the offspring to increased adiposity. Preeclampsia that leads to very preterm birth is likely to provide a different intrauterine exposure than preeclampsia resulting in a term or near term delivery.4 Thus, infants born prematurely might be at particularly high risk for the potential programming effects of the intrauterine environment specific to preeclampsia. Although there is evidence that male and female fetuses respond differently to an adverse intrauterine environment,5 most studies have not reported analyses stratified by sex. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between maternal preeclampsia resulting in premature delivery of a very low birth weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) infant and adiposity in the offspring during adolescence and to determine if this relationship varies by sex. We studied a cohort of VLBW infants at 14 years of age and compared BMI, waist circumference, triceps and subscapular skin fold thicknesses, and percent body fat between those born prematurely secondary to preeclampsia and those born prematurely from normotensive pregnancies.
Photonic Crystal Fibers: Effective-Index and Band-Gap Guidance

Conventional telecommunication optical waveguide glass fiber is the backbone of the internet revolution. This highly optimized and highly transparent waveguide consists of a higher refractive index core glass inside a lower index clad glass. Light is localized in the core by total internal reflection (TIR) at the core/clad boundary. The transmission distance between amplifiers of today’s fibers, about 80–120 km, is limited in part by the small but nonzero absorption and scattering of the fiber. Longer transmission lengths could be possible by increasing the power at each amplifier, but this is limited by optical nonlinearity of the glass in the fiber.
Organizational Psychology Then and Now: Some Observations

A comparison is made between the field of organizational psychology as I saw it in 1965 and how I see it today. Many issues remain the same, but the field is more differentiated, fragmented, and individualized than ever, despite culture, especially national culture, having become a big topic. The field is much larger and has spawned a whole applied field of organization development and new methods of experiential learning. The biggest change has been the decline of work on group dynamics and group interventions reflecting Western cultures of individualism. At the same time, task complexity, interdependency, multiculturalism, social responsibility, and new forms of organization have become new challenges for consultants and researchers because they require relationship building, coordination, and group work.
An improved operating mode for a Si(Li) X-ray spectrometer

A novel technique has been developed for restoring the charge to the feedback capacitor in charge-sensitive preamplifiers. the method, transient-reset, was developed for use in very-low-noise Si(Li) X-ray spectrometers. It has proved valuable as a diagnostic tool for evaluating the noise components of the input circuit in these systems. The technique is described and compared with the pulsed-light and transistor-reset methods. To complement the charge restoration technique, a new configuration of Si(Li) X-ray detector with a very thin aluminum entrance window has been developed. Measurements of the effective window thickness are compared with similar results obtained on gold, nickel, and ion-implanted boron contacts. >
A representation for temporal sequence and duration in massively parallel networks: exploiting link interactions

One of the major representational problems in massively parallel or connectionist models is the difficulty of representing temporal constraints. Temporal constraints are important and crucial sources of information for event perception in general. This paper describes a novel scheme which provides massively parallel models with the ability to represent and recognize temporal constraints such as sequence and duration by exploiting link to link interactions. This relatively unexplored yet powerful mechanism is used to represent rule-like constraints and behaviors. The temporal sequence of a set of nodes is defined as the constraints or the temporal context in which these nodes should be activated. This representation is quite robust in the sense that it captures subtleties in both the strength and scope (order) of temporal constraints. Duration is also represented using a similar mechanism. The duration of a concept is represented as a memory trace of the activation of this concept. The state of this trace can be used to generate a fuzzy set like classification of the duration.
Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Sleep Length

Laboratory experiments and epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that sleep duration and quality are important for numerous different health outcomes. In this article, we briefly review the association between sleep duration and quality and several diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression. We also briefly discuss the relationship between sleep duration and mortality risk.
Abstract 110: Age Associated Brain Volume is More Closely Correlated to Periventricular than Deep White Matter Disease

Introduction: The loss of total brain volume (TBV) due to aging is associated with increasing ischemic white matter lesion volume (WMH) and dementia. Lower TBV may be secondary to chronic ischemia and hypoperfusion throughout the periventricular white matter rather than the burden of focal ischemia in the deep white matter. We hypothesized lower TBV would be more closely correlated with increasing periventricular white matter lesion volume (PV) rather than deep white matter lesion volume (DWMH). Methods: We enrolled 593 asymptomatic family members of probands with premature coronary artery disease (<60 years). DWMH, PV, and TBV were measured with 3Tesla MRI. Multivariate regression was completed for DWMH, PV, and TBV using volume change per age decade controlling for sex, race, diabetes, smoking currently, hypertension, obesity , and intracranial volume (ICV) for TBV, and a spline incorporated at age 54. Results: Participants were 58% women, 37% African-American, 29-74 years old. TBV/ICV was more correlated to PV than DWMH (correlation coefficients -0.26 and -0.11, p=<0.001 and 0.006). The PV was greater with older age 9%/decade until age 54 (95% CI 4-15%) and 24%/decade after age 54 (95% CI 1.6-3.2%). TBV was reduced with older age: 1.1 % smaller/decade until age 54 (95% CI -0.6 to -1.6) and 2.4% smaller/decade after (95% CI -1.6 to -3.1). For PV and TBV their age association changed significantly after age 54 (p=0.012, and 0.014). DWMH age association remained constant regardless of age. Conclusions: PV is more strongly correlated to TBV than DWMH and the age associated changes in PV and TBV were more similar to one another than DWMH. The association of increasing PV with lower TBV may help to explain the association of cognitive and motor decline with increasing PV. Future longitudinal studies are needed to verify this association.
Phototropic solar tracking in sunflower plants: an integrative perspective.

Background One of the best-known plant movements, phototropic solar tracking in sunflower (Helianthus annuus), has not yet been fully characterized. Two questions are still a matter of debate. (1) Is the adaptive significance solely an optimization of photosynthesis via the exposure of the leaves to the sun? (2) Is shade avoidance involved in this process? In this study, these concepts are discussed from a historical perspective and novel insights are provided. Scope and Methods Results from the primary literature on heliotropic growth movements led to the conclusion that these responses cease before anthesis, so that the flowering heads point to the East. Based on observations on 10-week-old plants, the diurnal East–West oscillations of the upper fifth of the growing stem and leaves in relation to the position of the sun (inclusive of nocturnal re-orientation) were documented, and photon fluence rates on the leaf surfaces on clear, cloudy and rainy days were determined. In addition, the light–response curve of net CO₂ assimilation was determined on the upper leaves of the same batch of plants, and evidence for the occurrence of shade-avoidance responses in growing sunflower plants is summarized. Conclusions. Only elongating, vegetative sunflower shoots and the upper leaves perform phototropic solar tracking. Photon fluence response and CO₂ assimilation measurements cast doubt on the ‘photosynthesis-optimization hypothesis’ as the sole explanation for the evolution of these plant movements. We suggest that the shade-avoidance response, which maximizes light-driven CO₂ assimilation, plays a major role in solar tracking populations of competing sunflower plants, and an integrative scheme of these growth movements is provided.
Stereotactic radiosurgery of cranial nonvestibular schwannomas: results of single- and multisession radiosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of nonvestibular cranial schwannomas carries a considerable risk of postoperative complications. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) offers a non-invasive treatment alternative. The efficacy and safety of multi-session SRS of nonvestibular cranial schwannomas has not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of single- and multi-session SRS of nonvestibular cranial schwannomas. METHODS: From 2001 to 2007,42 lesions in 40 patients were treated with SRS at Stanford University Medical Center, targeting schwannomas of cranial nerves IV (n =1 1), V (n = 18), VII (n = 6), X (n = 5), XII (n = 2), jugular foramen (n = 8), and cavernous sinus (n = 2). SRS was delivered to a median marginal dose of 18 Gy (range, 15-33 Gy) in 1 to 3 sessions, targeting a median tumor volume of 3.2 cm 3 (range, 0.1-23.7 cm 3 ). The median doses for treatments in 1 (n = 18), 2 (n = 9), and 3 (n = 15) sessions were 17.5, 20, and 18 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 29 months (range, 6-84 months), tumor control was achieved in 41 of the 42 lesions. Eighteen of 42 lesions (43%) decreased in size; 23 tumors (55%) remained stable. There were 2 cases of new or worsening cranial nerve deficits in patients treated in single session; no patient treated with multi-session SRS experienced any cranial nerve toxicity (P = 0.18). CONCLUSION: SRS of nonvestibular cranial schwannomas provides excellent tumor control with minimal risk of complications. There was a trend towards decreased complications with multi-session SRS.
Surgeons' Concern and Practices of Protection Against Bloodborne Pathogens

ObjectiveTo evaluate surgeons' concern regarding risk awareness and behavioral methods of protection against bloodborne pathogen transmission during surgery.MethodsA 29-item questionnaire was sent to 914 surgeons from two universities and two surgical societies.ResultsThe questionnaire was retur
Nanoglassified, optically-active monolayer films of gold nanoparticles for in situ orthogonal detection by localized surface plasmon resonance and surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization-MS.

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) represents a sensitive and versatile method for detection of biomolecules in a label-free fashion, but identification of bound analytes can be challenging with LSPR alone, especially for samples in a complex medium. We report the fabrication of an optically active, plasmonic film of gold nanoparticles by using a self-assembly and calcination process, which offers orthogonal measurements enabling multifaceted characterization on the same surface with LSPR and surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. This proof-of-concept study involves plasmonic characterization of the fabricated nanofilm, real-time monitoring of vesicle–surface interactions toward formation of fluid lipid bilayer, and mass spectrometric analysis of peptides and cytochrome c digest. This multifunction-enabling surface material can yield complementary analytical information, providing new tools for comprehensive analysis of biomolecular samples.