cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the mechanisms underlying hippocampal control of hypothalamically-elicited aggression in the cat

An experiment was performed to determine the role of the hippocampal formation in the regulation of quiet biting attach behavior elicited from electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus. The results showed clearly that stimulation of the dorsal hippocampus resulted in an increased latency to quiet biting attack and that ventral hippocampal stimulation resulted in a decreased latency to quiet biting attack. In addition, the results indicate that those sites in the ventral hippocampal formation from which facilitation of attack can be produced are linked to sensory mechanisms associated with trigeminal reflexes established during hypothalamic stimulation inasmuch as stimulation of these sites increase the lateral extent of the effective sensory field of the lipline. No effect was observed upon a motor component of the jaw-opening response--the latency to jaw-opening-during ventral hippocampal stimulation. In contrast, no effects were observed upon either sensory or motor components of the hypothalamically-elicited jaw-opening response as a result of stimulation of dorsal hippocampal sites. Deoxyglucose autoradiography revealed that the major effect of stimulation of modulatory sites in both the dorsal and ventral hippocampal formation was exerted upon the lateral septal nucleus. Thus, it is proposed that hippocampal modulation of hypothalamically-elicited quiet biting attack is mediated primarily through the lateral septal nucleus.
Haplotype-based analysis of alpha 2A, 2B, and 2C adrenergic receptor genes captures information on common functional loci at each gene

The alpha2-adrenergic receptors (α2-AR) mediate physiological effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Three genes encode α2-AR subtypes carrying common functional polymorphisms (ADRA2A Asn251Lys, ADRA2B Ins/Del301-303 and ADRA2C Ins/Del322-325). We genotyped these functional markers plus a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms evenly spaced over the gene regions to identify gene haplotype block structure. A total of 24 markers were genotyped in 96 Caucasians and 96 AfricanAmericans. ADRA2A and ADRA2B each had a single haplotype block at least 11 and 16 kb in size, respectively, in both populations. ADRA2C had one haplotype block of 10 kb in Caucasians only. For the three genes, haplotype diversity and the number of common haplotypes were highest in AfricanAmericans, but a similar number of markers (3–6) per block was sufficient to capture maximum diversity in either population. For each of the three genes, the haplotype was capable of capturing the information content of the known functional locus even when that locus was not genotyped. The α2-AR haplotype maps and marker panels are useful tools for genetic linkage studies to detect effects of known and unknown α2-AR functional loci.
Auger decay of degenerate and Bose-condensed excitons in Cu2O

We study the nonradiative Auger decay of excitons in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$O, in which two excitons scatter to an excited electron and hole. The exciton decay rate for the direct and the phonon-assisted processes is calculated from first principles; incorporating the band structure of the material leads to a relatively shorter lifetime of the triplet-state ortho excitons. We compare our results with the Auger decay rate extracted from data on highly degenerate triplet excitons and Bose-condensed singlet excitons in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$O. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Sex Differences in Cytosolic Androgen Receptors in Gonadectomized Male and Female Rats

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if there are sex differences in cytosolic androgen receptors (AR) in individual brain nuclei. Bilateral 500 μ diameter samples from 300 μ thick frozen brain sections were micropunched from males and females 2–3 weeks following gonadectomy. Tissue samples were taken from 12 brain nuclei: lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial preoptic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area, arcuate nucleus, corticomedial nucleus of the amygdala, lateral preoptic area, parietal cortex, medial nucleus of the amygdala, dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and dorsal hippocampus. Cytosolic ARs were higher in males than in females in each of these 12 areas, but this sex difference was significant only in the first 6. Sex differences in ARs were found in brain regions involved in the neuromodulation of androgen dependent responses. These data suggest that behavioral differences in male reproductive responses may be the result of a sexually dimorphic distribution of androgen receptor containing neurons.
Recent progress in the dynamical oceanography of the northeastern part of the North Pacific Ocean

Numerous observations distributed through a period of many years have established the presence of abnormally cold surface-water contiguous to the Pacific Coast of North America. The results of several different attempts to account for this interesting phenomenon without the aid of an adequate dynamical basis have been published. Some of the conclusions thus reached are briefly reviewed here.
Structure and electrochemistry of LixMoO2

The structure and phase diagram of LixMoO2 for 0<x<1 is determined using in situ X-ray diffraction and electrochemical methods. The phase diagram consists of three single phase regions and regions where these phases coexist. In two of the single phase regions (0<x<12and 0.98<x<1.0), LixMoO2 has a monoclinic unit cell with Mo-Mo pairing along the Mo atom chains. In the other single phase region (0.45<x<0.78), LixMoO2 is orthorhombic with no Mo-Mo pairing along the Mo atom chains. The transitions between these phases show hysteresis in x and in V, the voltage of Li/LixMoO2 cells. We correlate the features in V(x) with the phase diagram.
Analysis of Research Efficiency: Costs and Information Gain

This study provides a method for the examination of research efficiency in terms of costs to the subjects, and information gain for the researcher. The basic problem of maximizing the differentiations among subjects on a dependent variable is equivalent to the problem of maximizing information gain for a given cost in behavioral science research procedures. The distribution resulting from this maximization process, under certain circumstances, also minimizes two cost quantities of interest in such procedures, the average cost per subject and the average cost per unit information. Two data sets are examined in order to illustrate the use of this criterion of research efficiency.
Projection of tongue nerve afferents to somatic sensory area I in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

Abstract The distribution of surface positive cortical potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of the three nerves innervating the tongue was mapped in deeply anesthetized squirrel monkeys. All projections were bilateral. In terms of extent of cortex activated, and the amplitude and latency of responses, the major projection of the two taste nerves (the chorda tympani and the lingual-tonsilar branch of the glossopharyngeal) was ipsilateral. The lingual nerve projections were bilaterally more symmetrical, but the shortest latencies were generated by contralateral stimulation. These laterality relationships were also found at the thalamic relay. All responses described in this report were confined to the appropriate part of the somatotopic pattern of somatic sensory area I, in the ipsi- and bilateral tactile representation of the intraoral structures. Complete bilateral ablation of the tongue nerve projection areas did not impair taste discrimination and did not cause retrograde degeneration of thalamic taste neurons. A subsequent study revealed a second taste nerve projection on opercular-insular cortex which, if included in the lesion, did result in complete degeneration of the thalamic taste relay. It was concluded that the taste system has only sustaining projections to S I of the squirrel monkey.
The dissemination of multiple sclerosis: A Viking saga? A historical essay

The highest prevalence rates for multiple sclerosis are found in Iceland, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and the countries settled by their inhabitants and their descendants, that is, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This suggests that the Vikings may have been instrumental in disseminating the genetic susceptibility to the disease in those areas as well as in other parts of the world. The Vikings raided in most European countries and settled in Normandy and in Sicily and southern Italy. They engaged in trade with the Arabs along the river routes to the Caucasus and to the Black and Caspian Seas and penetrated into Persia, India, and probably China. They also migrated to the East and established the Russian state. Under the name Varangians, they became part of the Byzantine army and were active in all of the military activities of the Byzantine Empire. They participated in the Crusades. Russians, many of Scandinavian origin, also constituted a regiment of the Mongol army and roamed throughout that empire as well. The custom of capturing and keeping or selling women and children, which was widespread in the early Middle Ages, as well as the flourishing slave trade in men, were important factors in this genetic dissemination.
Intraspecific differences in thermal tolerance of Etheostoma spectabile (Agassiz) in constant versus fluctuating environments

The critical thermal maximum (CTM) of Etheostoma spectabile differed significantly among four populations whose habitats ranged from thermally constant to highly fluctuating conditions. Mean CTM of the population at the most fluctuating location was highest, populations in intermediate thermal environments were intermediate in thermal tolerance, and a population in a constant temperature spring run had thelowest CTM. The results support the view that thermal physiology can be evolutionarily labile within a species, and that changes respond to directional selection.
Management of Ventricular Fibrillation with Transvenous Defibrillators Without Baseline Electrophysiologic Testing or Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Tranvenous Defibrillators Without EP Testing. Introduction: Baseline electrophysiologic study (EPS) is routinely performed in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation (VF) to risk stratify and select patients for chronic antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The role of EP testing prior to insertion of a multiprogrammable implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), however, is unclear. Methods and Results: This study was a retrospective review of outcome in 66 survivors of an initial episode of out-of-hospital VF not associated with a Q wave myocardial infarction or reversible causes, treated with transvenous ICDs as first-line therapy. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a previous history of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), a clinical history suggestive of supraventricular tachycardia, or had undergone preoperative EP testing. Fifty-two of the patients (79%) were male with an average age of 58 ± 11 years. Coronary artery disease was present in 43 patients (66%), cardiomyopathy in 15 patients (23%), and valvular heart disease in 1 patient (1.5%). Seven patients (11%) had no detectable structural heart disease. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.40 ± 0.16. With an average follow-up of 25 ± 12 months, survival free of death from any cause was 100%. Twenty-three patients (35%) experienced 48 episodes of recurrent rapid VT or VF (average cycle length: 236 ± 47 msec) treated by their device. The mean time to first therapy was 223 ± 200 days. Only one of these patients also received antitachycardia pacing for two episodes of VT. One patient (1. 5%) temporarily received amiodarone after removal of an infected device that was subsequently replaced. No other patient received antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Conclusion: After a cardiac arrest due to primary VF, select patients treated with multiprogrammable ICDs can be managed successfully without baseline EPS or antiarrhythmic drug therapy.
The complete structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus sanguis 34.

A complete structure for the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus sanguis 34, which is responsible for coaggregation of this bacterium with Actinomyces viscosus T14V, an important step in the formation of dental plaque, is proposed, based partly on the 1H-n.m.r. spectrum, which was assigned by 2-dimensional COSY, homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy, and nuclear Overhauser effects. A phosphoric diester linkage was identified from the 31P-n.m.r. spectrum, and the linkage was determined from long range 1H-31P correlation spectroscopy. The proposed structure is supported both by methylation analysis before and after dephosphorylation and by g.l.c.-m.s. of the phosphorylated monosaccharides as their trimethylsilyl derivatives, isolated by partial hydrolysis of the polysaccharide. The structure is composed of repeating linear hexasaccharide units joined by a phosphoric diester linkage, i.e., [----PO4(-)----6)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1----3)-beta-L-Rhap-(1----4)-be ta -D-Glcp- (1----6)-beta-D-Galf-(1----6)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1----3)-alpha-D-Galp -(1----]n.
Alkylammonium Formate Ionic Liquids as Organic Mobile Phase Replacements for Reversed‐Phase Liquid Chromatography

Abstract Alkylammonium formate (AAF) ionic liquids, RNH3 + [HCO2 −], R=C2H5, C3H7, or C4H9, are prepared in high yield and purity by slowly reacting an alkylamine and formic acid in an ice bath under N2. UV spectra of undiluted ethylammonium formate (EAF), n‐propylammonium formate (PAF), n‐butylammonium formate (BAF) show no appreciable background absorbance down to about 250 nm, 270 nm, and 295 nm, respectively. Physical properties such as viscosity, melting point, decomposition temperature, density, and miscibility with common organic solvents are also determined. The viscosity of EAF of 11.5 cP at 24°C is considered very low, as compared to previously reported imidazolium or alkylammonium ionic liquids. Because of the higher viscosities, van Deemter plots using the AAF ionic liquids are shifted to lower flow rate optima, as compared to that taken with methanol. The polarity index P′ values for EAF, PAF, and BAF, chromatographically determined to be (6.4±0.1); (5.8±0.1), and (5.2±0.1) (n=5), are quite c...
A test of the tridimensional personality theory: Association with diagnosis and platelet imipramine binding in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract We administered the Tridimensional Personality Questionaire (TPQ) to a sample of 25 individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 35 normal controls. As predicted, OCD cases scored much higher on the harm avoidance dimension than normal controls. Findings for the novelty seeking and reward dependence dimensions were less dramatic, although compatible with the underlying theory. Despite a theoretical link between the harm avoidance dimension and serotonin-mediated neuropathwaysm we failed to find an association between this dimension and platelet imipramine binding in either OCD cases or controls.
Real-time remedial action screening using direct stability analysis methods

Current utility practice consists of offline stability analyses to determine remedial action strategies that are eventually “programmed” into operating procedures. However, these strategies are often sub-optimal with respect to real-time operating conditions. Although utilities perform online contingency analyses, these real-time analyses only involve static conditions. The speaker is engaged in a research project, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, that uses a direct method, based on Lyapunov functions, to rapidly screen, in real time, the set of possible system trajectories to determine which remedial actions will be most likely to result in system stabilization. The project involves several fundamental developments, in the areas of composite Lyapunov functions, homotopy theory, and the accommodation of stochasticity of operating conditions within this computational framework. The presentation will discuss this emerging methodology, and the advances made in the above areas.
Digital Rights Management and Individualized Pricing

Digital rights management makes it easier for vendors to practice price discrimination online. Public resistance is perhaps the main reason it is not prevalent in online information sales.
Associations among violence exposure, mental disorder, substance use disorder, and HIV.

This study's primary aim was to provide co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (COD) prevalence data as well as additional epidemiologic data needed to more firmly establish violence exposure and COD as principally associated with HIV infection. Participants were clients assessed for alcohol and other drug treatment through the network of providers overseen by the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County (Ohio) from December 12, 2001 through July 18, 2007. Study design was a matched comparison of two groups of equal number (N = 638): HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected clients. The prevalence of COD with HIV infection was determined to be 26.3%. Through logistic regression modeling, both violence exposure and COD were found to be associated with HIV infection.
Continuity of Thurston's length function

A measured lamination μ geodesically realized in a hyperbolic 3-manifold M has a well-defined average length, due to W. Thurston. For \( M \cong S \times {\Bbb R} \) we prove that the function measuring the average length of the maximal realizable sublamination of μ varies bicontinuously in M and μ. Since connected, positive, non-realizable measured laminations arise as zeros of the length function, its continuity suggests new behavioral features of quasi-isometry invariants under limits of hyperbolic 3-manifolds.
Immune recognition of human Hsp60 by Lyme disease patient sera

Members of the Hsp60 family of microbial heat shock proteins frequently serve as immunodominant antigens and immunological responses to these highly conserved proteins have been implicated in the pathology of a number of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory processes associated with microbial infection. In the present study, sera from patients with Lyme disease were examined by Western blot analysis for the presence of IgG against Borrelia burgdorferi antigens and for autoreactive IgG against recombinant human Hsp60 (huHsp60). These results were then compared to those obtained using sera from normal healthy controls, patients with a variety of acute non-spirochete infections, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results indicate a high incidence of autoreactive antibodies against huHsp60 in the sera of Lyme disease patients (67.9%) and patients with RA (75%). Positive reactivity was observed at lower rates in sera from healthy controls (25%) and sera from patients with acute non-spirochete infections (38%). Together the data suggest an association between the presence of autoreactive antibodies against huHsp60 and infection with B. burgdorferi. A similar association may exist between the presence of autoreactive antibodies against huHsp60 and RA.
Simulating free surface flow with very large time steps

We provide a novel simulation method for incompressible free surface flows that allows for large time steps on the order of 10--40 times bigger than the typical explicit time step restriction would allow. Although semi-Lagrangian advection allows for this from the standpoint of stability, large time steps typically produce significant visual errors. This was addressed in previous work for smoke simulation using a mass and momentum conserving version of semi-Lagrangian advection, and while its extension to water for momentum conservation for small time steps was addressed, pronounced issues remain when taking large time steps. The main difference between smoke and water is that smoke has a globally defined velocity field whereas water needs to move in a manner uninfluenced by the surrounding air flow, and this poses real issues in determining an appropriate extrapolated velocity field. We alleviate problems with the extrapolated velocity field by not using it when it is incorrect, which we determine via conservative advection of a color function which adds forwardly advected semi-Lagrangian rays to maintain conservation when mass is lost. We note that one might also use a more traditional volume-of-fluid method which is more explicitly focused on the geometry of the interface but can be less visually appealing -- it is also unclear how to extend volume-of-fluid methods to have larger time steps. Finally, we prefer the visual smoothness of a particle level set method coupled to a traditional backward tracing semi-Lagrangian advection where possible, only using our forward traced color function solution in areas of the flow where the particle level set method fails due to the extremely large time steps.
The LSST camera system overview

The LSST camera is a wide-field optical (0.35-1um) imager designed to provide a 3.5 degree FOV with better than 0.2 arcsecond sampling. The detector format will be a circular mosaic providing approximately 3.2 Gigapixels per image. The camera includes a filter mechanism and, shuttering capability. It is positioned in the middle of the telescope where cross-sectional area is constrained by optical vignetting and heat dissipation must be controlled to limit thermal gradients in the optical beam. The fast, f/1.2 beam will require tight tolerances on the focal plane mechanical assembly. The focal plane array operates at a temperature of approximately -100°C to achieve desired detector performance. The focal plane array is contained within an evacuated cryostat, which incorporates detector front-end electronics and thermal control. The cryostat lens serves as an entrance window and vacuum seal for the cryostat. Similarly, the camera body lens serves as an entrance window and gas seal for the camera housing, which is filled with a suitable gas to provide the operating environment for the shutter and filter change mechanisms. The filter carousel can accommodate 5 filters, each 75 cm in diameter, for rapid exchange without external intervention.
The development of family therapy in Japanese psychosomatic medicine

Abstract It was in the mid-1980s that family therapy based on the system model began to catch attention in Japanese psychosomatic medicine. It began with the introduction of family therapy for eating disorders by Minuchin. In the 1990s, a full-scale practice of family therapy led by the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine in Kyushu University Hospital was begun. An effective outcome was seen not only in eating disorders, but also in various psychosomatic disorders. The most significant factor of the above practice is the development of a new medical family therapy model and the techniques based on it.
Using Hypermedia To Enhance Response-Based Literature Teaching and Learning

This article reports on the Multimedia and Literature Teaching and Learning Project which explored the potential of multimedia and hypermedia for enhancing the response-based teaching and learning of literature. The project's initial phase involved the development of criteria for considering multimedia applications from a response-based perspective and the application of these to a critical review of commercial software. Findings revealed that while such software was technically quite good, the pedagogical approaches taken were not response-based. The project's second phase, therefore, involved the development of prototype hypermedia applications designed to support response-based teaching and learning at both the elementary (Kidspace) and secondary/post-secondary (the BEATS) levels. These prototypes were tested in real classrooms during the project's third phase. Results suggest that hypermedia can support unique and important responses, but only within compatible classroom cultures.
Reducing the Adversarial Burden on Presidential Appointees: Feasible Strategies for Fixing the Presidential Appointments Process

Can the current presidential appointments process be improved? This essay highlights three kinds of problems: inexperienced appointees, a lengthening process, and tedious and adversarial inquiry. While the essay side-steps trying to affect the prerogatives of institutions involved in the tussle over appointments, it concentrates on improving the support of presidential personnel operations and the process of inquiry that nominees face, and it identifies patterns of repetitiveness among the roughly 2,800 details that a nominee must provide in responding to some 295 individual questions in nine categories. The most adversarial and tedious categories of inquiry include identifying personal background, reporting on criminal entanglements, and assaying potential conflicts of interest. Five strategies are identified for better matching the needed experience in the White House to the demands of presidential personnel. These changes would indirectly shorten the nomination and confirmation process, and the author makes three important recommendations for structuring inquiry that could reduce the adversarial burden on nominees by nearly a third.
DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN SWEETWATER LAKE

In Sweetwater Lake, near San Diego, California, vertical distribution of dissolved oxygen was observed to be highly stratified during the early summer months. With the lake at a maximum depth of about 32 ft, the lower 5 to 10 ft were devoid of oxygen by early July but mid-depths and upper levels remained well-oxygenated throughout the period of observation. The pattern of oxygen distribution in the lake appeared to reflect the prevailing summer circulation which consisted of rapid down-wind movement at the surface with counter-currents at mid-depths and smaller circulation cells at lower depths. Rising summer temperatures caused an increase in the depth of the upper layer of water saturated or supersaturated with oxygen. The drop in solubility of oxygen due to heating of the surface layers of water was proportionally greater than the decrease in oxygen content, producing an increase in saturation values. Thermal stratification seemed to be sufficient, by reduced vertical mixing, to maintain the lake in a condition of oxygen-rich epilimnion and oxygen-depleted hypolimnion. Serial observations showed a diurnal cycle of rising oxygen content in the surface layers in late afternoon and evening, probably the results of the photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton and the circulation of high oxygen water from the shallow end of the lake. Simultaneous sampling of the water at various depths for oxygen analysis and measurement of light transmission with a hydrophotometer produced no correlation between oxygen content and turbidity. Simultaneous measurement of sound velocity, attenuation and oxygen content also produced no conclusive results.
Clozapine Withdrawal: Serotonergic or Dopaminergic Mechanisms?

Baldessarini et al 1 note several case reports of rapid relapse after abrupt withdrawal of clozapine therapy and mention 5 cases of their own. They suggest that the mechanism could include 1 or more of the following: (1) rapid elimination of clozapine from the brain, (2) enhanced release of dopamine in the brain, and (3) stimulation by dopamine of D 4 dopamine receptors that may have become supersensitive and up-regulated because of prolonged blockade by clozapine therapy. They suggest, on this basis, that thioridazine therapy might be more effective than risperidone or haloperidol to treat clozapine withdrawalinduced relapse because thioridazine has some ability to block D 4 receptors and is administered in doses similar to those of clozapine. We have carried out a randomized 2-year trial comparing clozapine and a typical neuroleptic drug (usually haloperidol) in recent onset schizophrenic patients who had minimal positive symptoms during prior treatment with neuroleptic
Origin of an animal mitochondrial DNA polymerase subunit via lineage-specific acquisition of a glycyl-tRNA synthetase from bacteria of the Thermus–Deinococcus group

Abstract Phylogenetic tree analysis shows that the accessory subunit animal mitochondrial DNA polymerase emerges as a result of horizontal transfer of the gene encoding glycyl-tRNA synthetase from a bacterium of the Thermus–Deinococcus group into the animal nuclear genome. This acquisition by a distinct eukaryotic lineage of a gene encoding a mitochondrial protein from a nonmitochondrial bacterial source underscores the contribution of different types of horizontal transfer event to the evolution of eukaryotes.
Accomplishing the Impossible: Talking About Body and Soul and Mind During a Medical Visit

This study examines the practical side of communicating about patients' thoughts, feelings, and physical health. A study of 53 medical visits suggests that biopsychosocial communication need not be as difficult or as time consuming as many practitioners believe. Biopsychosocial medical visits can be conducted in roughly the same amount of time as biomedical visits with many important advantages. This report describes 6 communication techniques used by 1 doctor to encourage talk about lifeworld issues. The techniques include self-disclosing, expressing empathy, involving patients in decision-making, talking openly about patients' fears, asking open-ended questions, and listening attentively. The doctor studied was able to use these techniques without exceeding the average length of a biomedical visit.
BILIARY ATRESIA AND THE POLYSPLENIA SYNDROME

Currently, there Is a widely held but unsubstantiated perception that infants with biliary atresia and co-existing polysplenia uniformly fall Kasai operations; referral for transplantation should be done inmediately and without attempted corrective surgery. 14 of 118 consecutive patients (12%) having Kasai hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia at our institution had one or more of the additional components of the polysplenia syndrome: intestinal malrotation (6), preduodenal portal vein (3), aberrant hepatic artery (3), situs inversus (2), absent inferior vena cava (2). Although technically more demanding, 11 of the 14 polysplenia patients achieved biliary drainage after operation. Three patients had subsequent liver transplantation; 2 of whom died. Long-term survival (mean follow-up, 4 years) was achieved in 5 (45%), again not significantly different from that in the larger group (40.2%). The Kasai operation is the initial operation of choice in patients with coexisiting biliary atresia and the polysplenia syndrome.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS SYSTEMIC CHOICES

This article discusses the utility of conceptualizing the transition to sustainable energy resources and technologies in terms of a significantly modified notion of strategic choice. This conceptualization combines recently popularized game-theoretic approaches with tools and concepts emerging from the application of nonlinear systems theory. These models, which involve systemic choices, explore a broader range of institutional dynamics than those commonly associated with prevailing notions of “public choice.” They also explain a number of unique hybrid processes of public/private coordination and cooperation emerging in advanced industrial economies in Europe and Australasia.
Influence of Physicochemical Properties on the In Vitro Skin Permeation of the Enantiomers, Racemate, and Eutectics of Ibuprofen for Enhanced Transdermal Drug Delivery

ABSTRACT Physicochemical properties of chiral ibuprofen are significant to formulation scientists because its enantiomers and eutectics possess lower melting points than its racemate. The influence of these properties on transdermal formulation development, especially the relative effect of lowered melting point, on skin permeation must be carefully assessed to provide the most efficacious formulation. Thermodynamic properties and crystalline structures of the enantiomers, eutectics, and racemate of chiral ibuprofen were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. The effect of melting point lowering on membrane permeation rates was mathematically modeled. Model was validated by in vitro skin permeation experiments using different preparations of racemic ibuprofen, enantiomer, and eutectic. Both enantiomer and eutectic formed a two-phase liquid system containing an emulsifiable aqueous phase and an oily phase in the presence of aqueous isopropyl alcohol (alPA). The eutectic emulsion had the highest permeation rate, a 2.21-fold increase in flux compared with saturated alPA solutions of the racemate with a 2.03-fold increase in flux. Results from the two-phase liquid system supported those from the mathematical models, albeit somewhat lower, and confirmed their use in predicting maximum flux utilizing thermodynamic data. Study data also supported the idea that eutectic formation, for ibuprofen and probably other chiral drugs, may be one of the best ways to develop topical formulations for improved percutaneous absorption to avoid the use of permeation enhancers or synthetically modifying chemical structure.
Rate-based end-to-end congestion control of multimedia traffic in packet switched networks

This paper proposes an explicit rate-based end-to-end congestion control mechanism to alleviate congestion of multimedia traffic in packet switched networks such as the Internet. The congestion is controlled by adjusting the transmission rates of the sources in response to the feedback information from destination such as the buffer occupancy, packet arrival rate and service rate at the outgoing link, so that a desired quality of service (QoS) can be met. The QoS is defined in terms of packet loss ratio, transmission delay, power, and network utilization. Comparison studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme over New-Reno TCP (a variant of AIMD: additive increase multiplicative decrease) technique during simulated congestion. Since it is end-to-end, no router support is necessary, the proposed methodology can be readily applied to today's Internet, as well as for real-time video and voice data transfer in unicast networks.
Explosive development of pectoral muscle fibres in large juvenile blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus

As part of an effort on scaling of pectoral spines and muscles, the basis for growth was examined in six pectoral muscles in juvenile blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, the largest catfish in North America. Fibre number increases slowly in fish from 13.0 to 26.4 cm in total length, doubles by 27.0 cm and remains stable in larger individuals. Simultaneously, mean fibre diameter decreases by half, caused by the addition of new small fibres, before increasing non-linearly in larger fish. The orders of magnitude disparity between the size at hatching and the size of large adults may have selected for rapid muscle fibre addition at a threshold size.
Agonist and antagonist binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor: dynamics, mutation effects and functional implications

The thermodynamically favored complex between the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 1α,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 (1,25D3) triggers a shift in equilibrium to favor VDR binding to DNA, heterodimerization with the nuclear retinoid x receptor (RXR) and subsequent regulation of gene transcription. The key amino acids and structural requirements governing VDR binding to nuclear coactivators (NCoA) are well defined. Yet very little is understood about the internal changes in amino acid flexibility underpinning the control of ligand affinity, helix 12 conformation and function. Herein, we use molecular dynamics (MD) to study how the backbone and side-chain flexibility of the VDR differs when a) complexed to 1α,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 (1,25D3, agonist) and (23S),25-dehydro-1α(OH)-vitamin D3-26,23-lactone (MK, antagonist); b) residues that form hydrogen bonds with the C25-OH (H305 and H397) of 1,25D3 are mutated to phenylalanine; c) helix 12 conformation is changed and ligand is removed; and d) x-ray water near the C1- and C3-OH groups of 1,25D3 are present or replaced with explicit solvent. We performed molecular dynamic simulations on the apo- and holo-VDRs and used T-Analyst to monitor the changes in the backbone and side-chain flexibility of residues that form regions of the VDR ligand binding pocket (LBP), NCoA surface and control helix 12 conformation. The VDR-1,25D3 and VDR-MK MD simulations demonstrate that 1,25D3 and MK induce highly similar changes in backbone and side-chain flexibility in residues that form the LBP. MK however did increase the backbone and side-chain flexibility of L404 and R274 respectively. MK also induced expansion of the VDR charge clamp (i.e. NCoA surface) and weakened the intramolecular interaction between H305---V418 (helix 12) and TYR401 (helix 11). In VDR_FF, MK induced a generally more rigid LBP and stronger interaction between F397 and F422 than 1,25D3, and reduced the flexibility of the R274 side-chain. Lastly the VDR MD simulations indicate that R274 can sample multiple conformations in the presence of ligand. When the R274 is extended, the β-OH group of 1,25D3 lies proximal to the backbone carbonyl oxygen of R274 and the side-chain forms H-bonds with hinge domain residues. This differs from the x-ray, kinked geometry, where the side-chain forms an H-bond with the 1α-OH group. Furthermore, 1,25D3, but not MK was observed to stabilize the x-ray geometry of R274 during the > 30 ns MD runs. The MD methodology applied herein provides an in silico foundation to be expanded upon to better understand the intrinsic flexibility of the VDR and better understand key side-chain and backbone movements involved in the bimolecular interaction between the VDR and its’ ligands.
Detection and Genetic Diversity of Porcine Group A Rotaviruses in Historic (2004) and Recent (2011 and 2012) Swine Fecal Samples in Ohio: Predominance of the G9P[13] Genotype in Nursing Piglets

Epidemiological surveillance of porcine group A rotavirus (RVA) strains was conducted in five swine herds in Ohio using historical (2004) and recent (2011 to 2012) fecal samples. Of the 371 samples examined, 9.4% (35/371) were positive for RVA. The RVA detection rates increased from 5.9% in 2004 and 8.5% in 2011 to 13.8% in 2012. A total of 23 positive samples were analyzed for RVA G and P genotypes. The dominant G-P combination was G9P[13] found in 60.9% of positive samples. The other combinations were G9P[7] (8.7%), G4P[13] (8.7%), G11P[13] (4.3%), and G11P[7] (4.3%). Sequence analysis of partial VP7 genes of selected strains revealed that the G4 strains were closely related to one another (95%) and, to a lesser extent, to human (82 to 84%) and porcine (84 to 86%) G4 strains. The G11 strains detected shared identical VP7 gene sequences (100%) and were closely related to human (85 to 86%) and other porcine (83%) G11 strains. The G9 strains identified were closely related to one another and to human and other porcine strains (96 to 97%, 89 to 91%, and 89 to 91% nucleotide identities, respectively). The VP4 gene analysis revealed that P[7] strains were closely related to each other and to P[7] strains isolated from porcine, bovine, and panda samples (91 to 99%, 92 to 99% and 92 to 99%, respectively). The P[13] strains showed a higher diversity among themselves and with other porcine P[13] strains, ranging from 83% to 99% and from 82 to 97%, respectively. Our results demonstrate broad genetic heterogeneity of the RVA strains and suggest the possibility of genetic reassortment between different RVA genotypes within these farms.
Constructing random polygons

The construction of random polygons has been used in psychological research and for the testing of algorithms. With the increased popularity of client-side vector based graphics in the web browser such as seen in Flash and SVG, as well as the newly introduced tag in HTML5.0, the use of random shapes for creation of scenes for animation and interactive art requires the construction of random polygons. A natural question, then, is how to generate random polygons in a way which is computationally efficient (particularly in a resource limited environment such as the web browser). This paper presents a random polygon algorithm (RPA) that generates polygons that are random and representative of the class of all n-gons in O(n2logn) time. Our algorithm differs from other approaches in that the vertices are generated randomly, the algorithm is inclusive (i.e. each polygon has a non-zero probability to be constructed), and it runs efficiently in polynomial time.
Variation in Total Energy Expenditure in Young Healthy Free-Living Men

Interindividual and intraindividual variation in total energy expenditure (TEE) were examined in 17 healthy, free-living men (weight, 56.4 to 82.4 kg; age, 18 to 30 years). TEE over 14 days, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition were measured two or three times during 77 days of fixed caloric intake using doubly labeled water, respiratory gas analysis, and isotope dilution, respectively. When individual data were averaged, TEE was most significantly related to fat-free mass ([FFM] r = .73, P = .001), body mass (r = .70, P = .002), and RMR (r = .63, P = .006). After adjusting TEE for BM, a significant inverse relation with age was found (partial r = -.52, P = .032). Stepwise regression analysis showed that 69% of individual variation in TEE was explained by BM, age, and fasting respiratory exchange ratio (RER). TEE/RMR averaged 1.73 +/- 0.25 (range, 1.38 to 2.32), and was independent of age and body composition. In 10 subjects in whom triplicate observations of TEE were performed, the average experimental variation for TEE was +/- 11.9% (range, 6.1% to 19.6%) compared with a theoretical estimate of precision of +/- 5.9% based on the reported isotope dose and analytical uncertainty. The difference between theoretical estimates of precision and observed experimental variation suggests that inherent random variation in free-living TEE is +/- 10% (ie, square root of 12(2)-6(2)) in subjects maintained on fixed caloric intake. We conclude that in young free living men (1) BM, age, and RER are important determinants of TEE; and (2) intraindividual variation in TEE is approximately +/- 10% due to fluctuations in physical activity levels within individuals over time.
Identification and characterization of a sex peptide receptor-like transcript from the western tarnished plant bug Lygus hesperus

Lygus hesperus females exhibit a post-mating behavioural switch that triggers increased egg laying and decreased sexual interest. In Drosophila melanogaster, these changes are controlled by sex peptide (SP) and the sex peptide receptor (DmSPR). In Helicoverpa armigera, SPR (HaSPR) also regulates some post-mating behaviour; however, myoinhibiting peptides (MIPs) have been identified as the SPR ancestral ligand, indicating that SPR is a pleiotropic receptor. In the present study, we identified a transcript, designated L. hesperus SPR (LhSPR), that is homologous to known SPRs and which is expressed throughout development and in most adult tissues. LhSPR was most abundant in female seminal depositories and heads as well as the hindgut/midgut of both sexes. In vitro analyses revealed that fluorescent chimeras of LhSPR, DmSPR and HaSPR localized to the cell surface of cultured insect cells, but only DmSPR and HaSPR bound carboxytetramethylrhodaminelabelled analogues of DmSP21‐36 and DmMIP4. Injected DmSP21‐36 also failed to have an effect on L. hesperus mating receptivity. Potential divergence in the LhSPR binding pocket may be linked to receptor-ligand co-evolution as 9 of 13 MIPs encoded by a putative L. hesperus MIP precursor exhibit an atypical W-X7Wamide motif vs the W-X6-Wamide and W-X8-Wamide motifs of Drosophila MIPs and SP.
Long-Term Anti-Hypertensive Therapy and Stroke Prevention: A Meta-Analysis

Stroke causes approximately 6.7 million deaths worldwide per year and is the second leading cause of death. Pharmacotherapy for hypertension, an independent risk factor for stroke, significantly reduces the incidence of stroke. Although prior meta-analyses demonstrate various antihypertensive classes are superior to placebo in reducing stroke risk, which class is most effective is unclear. We conducted a systematic MEDLINE search including only randomized controlled trials (RCT) of antihypertensive medications published between 1999 and 2014 in adults with stroke as a primary or secondary outcome. Five classes compared against all others were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-adrenoceptor antagonists (β-blockers), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics (T-TLDs). Among 17 RCTs with 31 comparative arms, risk ratio was used to assess effect size, and a fixed- and random-effect model was used to calculate summary effect size, utilizing comprehensive meta-analysis statistical software version 2.0. The 251,853 subjects (46 ± 11.4 % female; mean age 67.2 ± 6.8 years), were grouped as follows: ACEI 52,887; ARB 7278; ACEI/ARB 60,165; β-blocker 24,099; CCB 98,950; and T-TLD 68,639. The mean follow-up was 42.9 ± 15 months. A random-effect model was used to assess for summary effect size in ACEI, ACEI/ARB, ARB, and T-TLD groups. The summary risk ratio for stroke occurrence in the different antihypertensive drug classes were as follows: ACEIs 1.01 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.81–1.27; p = 0.92); ACEIs/ARBs 0.94 (95 % CI 0.78–1.13; p = 0.51); T-TLDs 0.90 (95 % CI 0.75–1.08; p = 0.25); ARBs 0.83 (95 % CI 0.59–1.18; p = 0.30); β-blockers 1.42 (95 % CI 1.26–1.61; p < 0.01); and CCBs 0.83 (95 % CI 0.79–0.89; p < 0.01). Among the antihypertensive classes, CCBs were most effective in reducing the long-term incidence of stroke, whereas β-blockers were associated with significantly increased risk.
Diabetes Prevalence by Length of Residence Among US Immigrants

Although at arrival, US immigrants have a lower prevalence of overweight compared to native born individuals, prevalence increases with increased length of residence. It is unknown whether length of residence similarly affects diabetes. Data on adults aged 18–74 years from the National Health Interview Survey were pooled from 1997 to 2005 (n = 33,499). Diabetes prevalence by length of residence was estimated by multivariable logistic regression. Diabetes prevalence was higher with increased length of residence in the US, independent of age and body mass index (<5 years residence: 3.3%; 5–<10 year, 3.4%; 10–<15 year, 4.5%; 15+ year, 5.3%; P for trend <0.001). Length of residence had the largest effect on diabetes prevalence among immigrants who arrive at 25–44 years of age (prevalence: 1.4% for <5 year vs. 11.1% for 15+ year; odds ratio = 9.7 (95% CI: 5.2–18.1)). Despite differences in the associations between diabetes prevalence and length of residence by age at immigration, diabetes prevalence at 10–≤15 and 15± years was statistically similar in each age at immigration strata. Diabetes prevalence increased with length of residence, independent of age and obesity, and was modified by age at immigration. Diabetes prevalence reaches a plateau at 10+ years of residence and diabetes prevention efforts should, therefore, start soon after migration.
Optical Scanning Holography - A Review of Recent Progress

Optical scanning holography (OSH) is a distinct digital holographic technique in that real-time holographic recording a three-dimensional (3-D) object can be acquired by using two-dimensional active optical heterodyne scanning. Applications of the technique so far have included optical scanning cryptography, optical scanning microscopy, 3-D pattern recognition, 3-D holographic TV, and 3-D optical remote sensing. This paper reviews some of the recent progress in OSH. Some possible further works are also discussed.