cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphine Equivalent Total Dosage as Predictor of Adverse Outcomes in Opioid Prescribing.

Objective The objective of this work was to develop a risk prediction model of opioid overdoses and opioid use disorder for patients at first opioid prescription and compare the predictive accuracy of using morphine equivalent total dosage with daily dosage as predictors. Design Records from patients aged 18-79 years with opioid prescriptions between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019, no prior history of adverse outcomes, and no malignant cancer diagnoses were collected from the electronic health records system of a medium-sized central Ohio health care system (n = 219,276). A Cox proportional hazards model was developed to predict the adverse outcomes of opioid overdoses and opioid use disorder from patient sociodemographic, pharmacological, and clinical diagnoses factors. Results 573 patients experienced overdoses and 2,571 patients were diagnosed with OUD in the study time frame. Morphine equivalent total dosage of opioid prescriptions was identified as a stronger predictor of adverse outcomes (C = 0.797) than morphine equivalent daily dosage (C = 0.792), with best predictions from a model that includes both predictors (C = 0.803). In the model with both daily and total dosage predictors, patients receiving a high total/low daily dosage experienced a higher risk (HR = 2.17) than those receiving a low total/high daily dosage (HR = 2.02). Those receiving a high total/high daily dosage experienced the greatest risk of all (HR = 3.09). Conclusions These findings demonstrate the value of including morphine equivalent total dosage as a predictor of adverse opioid outcomes and suggest total dosage may be more strongly correlated with increased risk than daily dosage.
Accountability without Democracy: Solidary Groups and Public Goods Provision in Rural China

1. Governance and informal institutions of accountability 2. Decentralization and local governmental performance 3. Local governmental performance: assessing village public goods provision 4. Informal accountability and the structure of solidary groups 5. Temples and churches in rural China 6. Lineages and local governance 7. Accountability and village democratic reforms 8. The limitations of formal party and bureaucratic institutions 9. Conclusion.
Functional Adaptations in Chemosensory Systems

The chemical sense is perhaps the most primitive of the sensory modalities utilized by organisms for obtaining information from their environment. Throughout the course of evolution chemosensory systems have evolved to play prominent roles in coordinating both intra- and interspecific interactions as well as monitoring certain abiotic environmental parameters. Within the realm of animal communication, substantial experimental evidence has implicated chemical signaling to be the most important channel of communication for much of the animal kingdom (Shorey, 1976). Indeed, it is probable that the earliest forms of interactions between primordial unicellular organisms were chemically mediated, and that this communication served as an evolutionary substrate for the hormone and neurotransmitter systems of the metazoans (Haldane, 1955; Wilson, 1970).
Economic Recovery and Growth in Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee is growing rapidly: two Midstate counties rank among the top 100 counties nationally for population growth, and Rutherford County ranks at the top nationally among other large counties for payroll employment growth. Middle Tennessee is growing, but what are the implications for long-term economic development, especially the demand for public services? This study reviews the performance of the Middle Tennessee economy since the recent recession and examines the implications of rapid growth for the demand for public services.
Long haul truck drivers' views on the barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity: A qualitative study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore truck drivers’ views toward diet, physical activity, and health care access to inform the development of a weight loss intervention. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted four focus groups via teleconference (one) or in person (three). Each focus group included eight to ten truck drivers. Sessions were digitally recorded and transcribed. The authors used thematic analysis of the participant responses to develop themes and subthemes. Findings – Truck drivers desired good health, however, many knowledge gaps were identified. Drivers were aware of some healthy foods, but lacked knowledge of appropriate energy intake and healthy weight. Drivers expressed many barriers to eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity on the road. Participants suggested strategies and resources to improve their diet and increase physical activity. Research limitations/implications – This qualitative study included a convenience sample of 30 long-haul truck ...
Design of an intelligent robotic system using microprocessor based configuration and logic design techniques

An architectural model is proposed for intelligent robotic systems (IRSs). Specific hardware mechanisms are described for the organization and coordination levels using microprocessor-based and discrete logic design techniques. The overall system is modeled as a loosely coupled parallel distributed processing system which is shown to preserve the hierarchical structure and the principle of increasing intelligence with decreasing precision. Modifications can be performed within one or more of the subsystems without violation of the overall system structure. In addition, the scheme provides flexibility, incorporating functionality for various application domains without modifications of the configuration of the overall IRS. Intensive calculations are distributed among different parts of the machine, resulting in higher performance. >
Degenerative changes in the mucosa of artificial gastric polyps in dogs.

Summary Polypoid redundancy of the gastric mucosa was produced in dogs by a plastic surgical procedure. At the beginning the mucosa was apparently normal and no other treatment was given. After prolonged periods of observation, atrophic gastritis was found on the polyps but not elsewhere in the stomach. Implications of this are discussed.
The relation between the chemical potential of electrons and energy parameters of the band theory as applied to semiconductors

Abstract The position of the Fermi level with respect to a band edge is not an exact measure of the chemical potential of electrons. This results essentially from interactions and other effects leading to a concentration dependence of the chemical activity coefficient and the density-of-states effective mass and thereby shifting the band-edge energy. The precise relation between chemical potential and parameters of the band theory is obtained by straightforward comparison of the density-of-states effective mass formulation with classical thermodynamics.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl acrylate) grafted from poly(thiophene) to form solid-state fluorescent materials

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of graft copolymers having a poly(thiophene) (PT) backbone with poly(methyl acrylate) (pMA) sidearms. Thiophene monomer containing a protected alcohol group was prepared and polymerized via the McCullough method to yield regioregular PT. The backbone was then functionalized to contain an atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator at approximately 90% of the repeat units as determined through 1H NMR analysis, yielding 2,5-poly(3-[1-ethyl-2-(2-bromopropionate)]thiophene). From these initiator sites, MA was polymerized to yield well-defined polymer brushes. The addition of the sidearms to the thiophene backbone resulted in twisting of the backbone as a result of steric effects, which caused a decrease in conjugation length of the PT. In the solid state, the sidearms trap the PT in a “solution-like” conformation. In addition, these arms serve to separate PT chains and disrupt the ordered array usually seen in regioregular PT. With a lower conj...
Use of Methanolysis for the Determination of Total Ellagic and Gallic Acid Contents of Wood and Food Products

Anhydrous methanolic HCl has been found to be an excellent reagent for releasing ellagic acid and gallic acid (as methyl gallate) from biomass substrates. Optimization of both the reaction conditions and the gradient HPLC analysis has led to the development of a new protocol. The method provides ellagic acid yields significantly higher than those obtained previously, indicating total ellagic acid contents of several substrates have previously been underestimated.
Basic data — Descriptive statistics

Abstract Basic data are those items collected for NCES by the States from the Local Education Agencies based on their administrative records. Extensive criticism and suggestion are offered for both categories of data: the universe descriptor data on timeliness and comparability grounds; the finance data as being too skeletal in nature, even to the point of challenging their collection for having so little informational content. The two fundamental concerns are (a) quality: continued inaccuracies in State and thus national data overwhelm all other concerns; and (b) comparability of State data to enable educators and the public to monitor educational achievements against a standard.
Issues in pain modification: The Cautela model

Abstract Cautela recently presented the covert conditioning appraoch to pain modification including an illustrative clinical case. The present paper examines the covert conditioning procedures in relation to the empirical literature. At this point in time, there is little evidence to support any component of the covert conditioning treatment package. The positive outcome in the case study reported was interpreted as a result of removing positive reinforcement for pain complaining behavior. While psychological approaches to pain modification are a recent innovation, the need for empirically based theory and clinical intervention is emphasized.
Cumulative Imaging Radiation Exposure Following Breast-Conservation Therapy

Radiation from medical imaging may induce cellular damage and increase the risk of cancer. While health care workers are restricted to an annual dose of 50 milliSieverts (mSv), the exposure to patients is not typically recorded. After breast-conservation therapy (BCT), patients are subjected to screening mammography, diagnostic breast imaging, and systemic surveillance imaging (SSI). Our objectives are to determine the cumulative radiation exposure of breast cancer survivors after completion of BCT, and to compare exposure levels in two historical cohorts. We also evaluated the indications of SSI. We performed a retrospective study of 68 patients with stage I or II breast cancer who received BCT in 1997 or 2002. Cumulative radiation exposure during follow-up from all imaging attributable to the breast cancer diagnosis was recorded, including both breast and nonbreast imaging. The indications for SSI were recorded. In the first 5 years after BCT, patients received a median annual dose of 0.92 mSv with no difference between the 1997 and 2002 cohorts. A median of 90% of radiation exposure was due to mammography. From 1997 to 2002, the percentage of patients receiving computed tomography (CT) scans increased. Additional SSI occurred in 65% of patients, with the majority of tests ordered in the asymptomatic patient. Patients with nodal positivity were more likely to receive SSI (p = 0.03). In the first 5 years after BCT, annual radiation exposure due to imaging was low. However, it seems prudent to consider the risks of radiation exposure when ordering potentially low-yield screening studies in asymptomatic patients.
Context and Implications Document for: Multiple comprehension strategies instruction in the intermediate grades: three remarks about content and pedagogy in the intervention literature

This guide accompanies the following article: Dennis S. Davis, Multiple comprehension strategies instruction in the intermediate grades: three remarks about content and pedagogy in the intervention literature, Review of Education, 10.1002/rev3.3005
Single-Stage Flexor Tendon Transfer for the Treatment of Severe Concomitant Peroneus Longus and Brevis Tendon Tears

Background:Although peroneal tendon injuries are a common cause of lateral ankle pain, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing the treatment of severe concomitant peroneus longus and brevis tears. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes following a single-stage flexor tendon transfer for the treatment of severe concomitant tears of both peroneal tendons.Methods:Eight patients were treated with a single-stage flexor tendon transfer for severe concomitant peroneus longus and brevis tears over a 15-year period. Mean age at the time of surgery was 54 years (range, 41-67 years), including 4 male and 4 female patients. Tendon transfer of either the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) or flexor digitorum longus (FDL) was performed when both peroneal tendons were found intraoperatively to have severe nonreconstructable tears. Mean follow-up time from surgery was 58 months (range, 12-91 months). Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS hindfoot and visual analog pain scores were prospectiv...
On setting the agenda for Pennsylvania school finance reform: An exercise in giving policy advice

School finance reform has emerged as one of this decade’s most widely debated policy issues. Prompted initially by court decisions in California and New Jersey demanding a more equitable school finance structure,1 most state legislatures in the U.S. have passed or are now considering significant changes in the way local elementary and secondary education is to be financed.2 Yet in most instances, those who frame and decide the reform measures are travelling through virgin territory. New aid formulaes are being written and new taxes are being proposed. We are not simply making small changes in old programs to keep up with the changing times. The programs being proposed (or required by the courts) are likely to have short- and long-run implications which families, school officials, and legislators cannot easily anticipate. Exposing these unanticipated consequences of reform may be crucial to the choice of a preferred policy. Recent research has examined the likely implications of a broad range of reform proposals. The literature is long and thoughtful.3 This essay examines the question of what one might usefully do with all of this good research. Simply put, how should economists transmit their growing knowledge about an issue as complicated as school, finance reform to the busy and, for the most part, technically unsophisticated elected representatives who must select new policies?
Polymerization of phenylacetylene by titanocene dichloride

The polymerization of phenylacetylene was investigated using Cp2TiCl2/C2H5AlCl2 (Cp=π-cyclopentadienyl) as the homogeneous catalyst. The mechanism of addition of phenylacetylene is by successive 2+2 cycloadditions, as evidenced by the isolation of a ladder compound composed of fused cyclobutane rings. The ladder compound, which is an intermediate of the reaction, is converted catalytically to the final polyconjugated polymer.
Efficient (ø, s) string code symbolic feature generation

Abstract An efficient hybrid optical/digital technique to generate a string code feature space description of the boundary or contour of an object is described. The string code produces a symbolic description of the angle and length of the arcs describing an object. It is in-plane distortion-invariant and allows both global and local feature analysis.
Preparation of tritiated substituted estratrienes

2,4-Dibromo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,6β,17β-triol, 2,4-dibromo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,7α,17β-triol and 2,4-dibromo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,16β,17β-triol were prepared by bromination with N-bromosuccinimide. 2,4-Diiodo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,7α,17β-triol, 2,4-diiodo-1,3,5 (10)-estratriene-3,11β,17β-triol and 2,4-diiodo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3, 16α-diol were formed by direct iodination with I2. Hydrogenolysis of the dihalo estrogen derivatives by tritium gas over 5% palladium/Al2O3 gave the 2,4-tritiated parent compounds in good yield with high specific activity.
Effect of Feed Processing Method on Average Daily Gain and Gastric Ulcer Development in Weanling Horses

Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of two different methods of feed processing on growth and gastric ulceration in 16 weanling Standardbred horses. The two diets were composed of identical ingredients that were processed differently and fed at a rate of 3% body weight per day. The hay and grain diet (diet HG) consisted of 50% alfalfa hay cubes and 50% commercial texturized grain mix fed as is, without any further processing, with the cubes and grain fed in separate containers. The complete pelleted diet (diet CP) consisted of the same proportion of hay cubes and grain mix, which was ground, pelleted, and fed in a single container. The horses were divided into two groups and the study was divided into three periods of 30 days each. During period 1, all 16 horses consumed only free choice alfalfa hay (diet H). Group 1 was given diet CP during period 2 and diet HG during period 3. Group 2 was given diet HG during period 2 and diet CP during period 3. The horses were endoscopically examined for the baseline number and severity of stomach ulcers at the end of period 1, then again at the end of each treatment diet feeding period. Horses on diet CP in periods 2 and 3 had greater ulcer numbers ( P = .0135) than diet HG. However, there was no significant difference ( P = .30) in ulcer numbers when making a direct comparison between diets CP and HG. Despite the gastric ulceration found in horses on diet CP, the average daily gain was significantly greater ( P = .016) for diet CP than for diet HG. Both diets containing grain were observed to cause gastric ulceration.
The effective interaction of two nucleons in the s-d shell

Abstract An interation method is proposed to calculate the nuclear effective interaction. We find that the intruder state induces a large renormalization and non-hermiticity. It is therefore questionable to calculate the effective interaction with higher order RPA correlation without treating the folded diagram consistently.
Conflict and Renewable Resources

The economic literature on conflict employs a static, game-theoretic framework developed by Jack Hirshleifer. The authors introduce conflict dynamics into a model with two rival groups, each dependent on a single contested renewable resource. The model is based on two stylized facts: conflict often arises over scarce renewable resources, and those resources often lack well-defined and/or enforceable property rights. In each period, groups allocate their members between resource harvesting and resource appropriation (or conflict) to maximize their income. This leads to a complex nonlinear dynamic interaction between conflict, the two populations, and the resource. As developed, the model relates most closely to conflict over renewable resources in primitive societies. The system's global dynamics are investigated in simulations calibrated for the historical society of Easter Island. The model's implications for contemporary lesser developed societies are examined.
THE TIMING OF LABOR TRANSFERS IN DUAL RESOURCE‐CONSTRAINED SYSTEMS: “PUSH” VS. “PULL” RULES*

Altough the dual resource-constrained (DRC) system has been studied, the decision rule used to determine when workers are eligible for transfer largely has been ignored. Some earlier studies examined the impact of this rule [5] [12] [15] but did not include labor-transfer times in their models. Gunther [6] incorporated labour-transfer times into his model, but the model involved only one worker and two machines. No previous study has examined decision rules that initiate labor transfers based on labor needs (“pull” rules). Labor transfers always have been initiated based on lack of need (“push” rules). This study examines three “pull” variations of the “When” labor-assignment decision rule. It compares their performances to the performances of two “push” rules and a comparable machine-limited system. A nonparametric statistical test, Jonckheere's S statistic, is used to test for significance of the rankings of the rules: a robust parametric multiple-comparison statistical test, Tukey's B statistic, is used to test the differences. One “pull” and one “push” decision rule provide similar performances and top the rankings consistently. Decision rules for determining when labor should be transferred from one work area to another are valuable aids for managers. This especially is true for the ever-increasing number of managers operating in organizations that recognize the benefits of a cross-trained work force. Recently there has been much interest in cross-training workers, perhaps because one of the mechanisms used in just-in-time systems to handle unbalanced work loads is to have cross-trained workers who can be shifted as demand dictates [8]. If management is to take full advantage of a cross-trained work force, it need to know when to transfer workers.
Relationships between the Effects of Poly I . Poly C and Endotoxin

RECENT communications1–3 have called attention to the toxicity of poly I . poly C and noted the resemblance of some of these effects to known endotoxin effects. The fact that “although poly I . poly C and endotoxin share many similarities, they are not identical in action”1 is also documented by the ability of endotoxin and poly I . poly C to stimulate specific antibody responses when administered with an antigen4,5 whereas only endotoxin, but not poly I . poly C, can activate a large variety of nonspecific antibody responses when administered alone4,6. We previously furnished evidence4 indicating that the latter effect may be attributable to the ability of endotoxin to alter lymphocyte permeability, whereas the adjuvant action seems to result from cytotoxicity and the attendant release of endogenous stimulators5,7. Poly I . poly C, like endotoxin. pyran copolymer8, and a number of other polyanions, appears to damage cell membranes, specifically those of rnacrophages, and thereby can release a number of endogenous materials, including pyrogeii, interferon and stimulators of lymphocytes. Double stranded polynucleotides that are rather rapidly changed to oligomers in vivo (for example, poly A . poly U) seem to produce only transient effects on membranes and therefore produce strikingly less toxicity, no or little pyrogenicity, little elevation of interferon levels, but good stimulation of antibody-forming lymphocytes5. Thus the biological effects of polynucleotides seem to involve at least two events: those associated with the highly polymerized form and those produced by oligomers. Poly I . poly C appears to produce pronounced effects attributable to the polymer, namely cytotoxicity—possibly selective—and with it endotoxin-like effects. Current studies with macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro (unpublished data of L. Jimenez, D. Webb and W. B.) support this conclusion.
Police use of force: assessing the impact of time and space

Research examining police use of force focuses on a variety factors such as psychological impacts, situational factors, and officer/suspect characteristics. This research examines these traditional predictors as well as the interactive effects of time and space to explain the police use of force in adult custody arrests in five urban cities and one county in the United States. In addition to the traditional variables, time and space variables and their interaction proved to be significant predictors of the use of force. Results from this research advance understanding of police use of force, and address concerns that justicerelated research should examine the interaction of time and space.
The molecular basis for length heterogeneity in ribosomal DNA from Xenopus laevis

The restriction endonuclease EcoRI cleaves Xenopus laevis ribosomal DNA twice in each repeating unit to yield two classes of fragments. One class is homogeneous in length and contains only gene sequences; the other class is heterogeneous in length and contains all of the non-transcribed spacer and some of the gene regions (see model in the Introduction). Four spacer-containing fragments of different length have been cloned in Escherichia coli. They have been compared by optical melting and by homoduplex and heteroduplex mapping in the electron microscope. The results show that two regions within the nontranscribed spacer account for the length heterogeneity. The region which varies most in length is adjacent to the transcription unit at its 5′ end, while the other variable-length region is near but not adjacent to the 3′ end of the transcription unit. Each of these variable-length spacer regions consists of internally repetitious simple sequences (“subrepeats”), which are probably shorter than 50 base-pairs in length. The length heterogeneity of rDNA repeating units is due to more or less copies of these subrepeats. These two regions of variable length are separated by a constant-length region. Another constant-length DNA region separates the 3′ end of the transcription unit from one of the variable spacer sequences. There is no evidence for subrepeats within these latter two spacer regions. It is proposed that the two variable-length regions within the spacer participate in and perhaps enhance the correction mechanisms which permit parallel evolution of tandem genes.
Queues with Service in Random Order

We consider two models, the GI/M/s queue and the M/G/1 queue, in which waiting customers are served in random order. For each model we derive expressions for the calculation of the stationary waiting-time distribution function. Our methods differ from those of previous authors in that we do not use transforms, and consequently our results may be better suited for calculation. We illustrate our methods by deriving previously known results for the M/M/s and M/D/1 random-service queues, and by making sample calculations for the M/Ek/1 random-service queue for various values of the utilization factor and the index k.
24-Hour Fasting with Diabetes: guide to physicians advising patients on medication adjustments prior to religious observances (or outpatient surgical procedures).

Patients with diabetes may undergo an approximately 24-h fast for a voluntary religious observance or in preparation for a medical procedure. Commonly, patients will manage their diabetes before and during such fasting without guidelines from their doctors, often because they did not ask for advice. The physician should therefore take the lead in advising patients how to fast safely, in order to avoid the situation wherein the patient manages medication changes on his/her own. Furthermore, it sends a message to the patient that having diabetes does not preclude living a reasonably ‘normal’ life, even when it comes to religious observances. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ammonia Excretion by Mammalian Lung

The intravenous administration of ammonium acetate to dogs results in measurable levels of free ammonia in expired air. Simultaneous measurement of the physiologic dead space permits the calculation of the partial pressure of ammonia in alveolar air. This finding has implications for ammonium metabolism and transport.
Priming within and across Modalities: Exploring the Nature of rCBF Increases and Decreases

Neuroimaging studies suggest that within-modality priming is associated with reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the extrastriate area, whereas cross-modality priming is associated with increased rCBF in prefrontal cortex. To characterize the nature of rCBF changes in within- and cross-modality priming, we conducted two neuroimaging experiments using positron emission tomography (PET). In experiment 1, rCBF changes in within-modality auditory priming on a word stem completion task were observed under same- and different-voice conditions. Both conditions were associated with decreased rCBF in extrastriate cortex. In the different-voice condition there were additional rCBF changes in the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex. Results suggest that the extrastriate involvement in within-modality priming is sensitive to a change in sensory modality of target stimuli between study and test, but not to a change in the feature of a stimulus within the same modality. In experiment 2, we studied cross-modality priming on a visual stem completion test after encoding under full- and divided-attention conditions. Increased rCBF in the anterior prefrontal cortex was observed in the full- but not in the divided-attention condition. Because explicit retrieval is compromised after encoding under the divided-attention condition, prefrontal involvement in cross-modality priming indicates recruitment of an aspect of explicit retrieval mechanism. The aspect of explicit retrieval that is most likely to be involved in cross-modality priming is the familiarity effect.
‘How does your garden grow?’ Teaching preschool children about the environment

Raising consciousness about the environment and learning ways to care for our planet are important for all citizens of the world. Young children are particularly receptive to learning new concepts; thus the preschool years are an ideal time to teach lessons about the environment. It is often the case that the information learned when children are young stays with them as they move into older childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This is particularly true when those lessons are reinforced, and when children have an opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning. This project focused on teaching preschool children about metamorphosis, plant growth, recycling and littering. Eighteen children at a preschool in Pennsylvania participated in a series of lessons and activities. Before beginning the lessons, children were given a short pretest to gauge their knowledge about the topics. A post‐test was given after the lessons were completed. For all concepts taught, the children’s knowledge increased.
Mixing and detection of microwave signals in fibre-optic electrostrictive sensor

The nonlinear strain–polarisation relationship in electrostrictive ceramics is exploited to demonstrate, for the first time, detection and mixing of microwave signals in a fibre-optic electrostrictive sensor. The nonlinear electrostrictive transducer mixes the microwave signal with a signal from a local oscillator, and the resulting strain at the intermediate frequency is detected with a fibre-optic interferometer. The sensor demonstrated approximately flat response in the microwave regime (up to 20 GHz) with a resolution of 5 × 10-6 V/√Hz.
Isradipine produces neither a conditioned place preference nor aversion.

Abstract Isradipine (ISR) has been reported to block cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Using this procedure, the pairing of this L-type calcium channel blocker, at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg, with a preferred (cue-distinct) environment was investigated. In a separate experiment, ISR injection (10 mg/kg) was paired with the less-preferred environment to determine whether ISR produces a place preference. Testing in the non-drugged state revealed that ISR conditioning failed to affect side preference in both experiments. The neutral affective properties of ISR may be relevant to the development of cocaine use/abuse treatment regimens.
World state or global governmentality? Constitutive power and resistance in a post-imperial world

This article addresses recent theoretical discussion about the state under conditions of globalisation, focusing in particular on recently popular ‘world state’ theory, as articulated by Martin Shaw and Alexander Wendt. It suggests that while world state theory is useful to the extent that it historicises the function of the state, it can be challenged for its uncritical approach to the question of how state power is actually constituted. To make this argument, the article refers first to an emerging Marxist critique that focuses on liberal hypocrisy and the role of imperial violence in the formation of the world state. However, while this approach reveals the elision of many forms of violence in world state theory, it shares world state theory's tendency to avoid exploring the role of more constitutive forms of power. Challenging this view, the article turns to Foucault's theory of governmentality and some recent applications of it to Imperialism, Empire, and the War on Terror. These works speak not only...
Reversible Biochemical Switching of Ionic Transport through Aligned Carbon Nanotube Membranes

Synthetic nanopore membranes can be used to mimic ion channels provided that molecular transport through membranes is precisely gated with selective and reversible chemical interactions. Aligned nanotubes of carbon or other inorganic materials can be assembled to construct higher-order supramolecular architectures using polymer films to force chemical flux through hollow cores. Open tips of carbon nanotubes (CNT) can be activated to have carboxylic groups, which can be easily derivatized with a molecule that binds to a bulky receptor that can open/close the pore entrance. In particular, the core entrances of an aligned CNT membrane were functionalized with a desthiobiotin derivative that binds reversibly to streptavidin, thereby enabling a reversible closing/opening of the core entrance. Ionic flux through the CNT membrane was monitored using optically absorbing charged marker molecules. The flux is reduced by a factor of 24 when the desthiobiotin on the CNT is coordinated with streptavidin; release of st...
CONVERGENCE ANGLE OF WHEAT DOUGH IN A ZERO LENGTH DIE

A mechanical system was designed, and constructed, to experimentally determine the angle of convergence (required to calculate extensional viscosity from converging flow data) of wheat flour dough flowing through a zero-length die. To determine the convergence angle, and investigate potential dead spaces, tests were conducted with angled inserts. The mean angle for a flat-entry die was 43.1° with a standard deviation of 5.30°. Results show that convergence patterns did not follow straight lines, and entrance angles for wheat dough could not be closely controlled with angled inserts. Based on these findings, calculating extensional viscosity from converging die data cannot be expected to provide accurate values for wheat dough.
Covalent surface chemistry gradients for presenting bioactive peptides

The activation of surfaces by covalent attachment of bioactive moieties is an important strategy for improving the performance of biomedical materials. Such techniques have also been used as tools to study cellular responses to particular chemistries of interest. The creation of gradients of covalently bound chemistries is a logical extension of this technique. Gradient surfaces may permit the rapid screening of a large range of concentrations in a single experiment. In addition, the biological response to the gradient itself may provide new information on receptor requirements and cell signaling. The current work describes a rapid and flexible technique for the covalent addition of bioactive peptide gradients to a surface or gel and a simple fluorescence technique for assaying the gradient. In this technique, bioactive peptides with a terminal cysteine are bound via a heterobifunctional coupling agent to primary amine-containing surfaces and gels. A gradient in the coupling agent is created on the surfaces or gels by varying the residence time of the coupling agent across the surface or gel, thereby controlling the extent of reaction. We demonstrate this technique using poly(l-lysine)-coated glass surfaces and fibrin gels. Once the surface or gel has been activated by the addition of the coupling agent gradient, the bioactive peptide is added. Quantitation of the gradient is achieved by measuring the reaction kinetics of the coupling agent with the surface or gel of interest. This can be done either by fluorescently labeling the coupling agent (in the case of surfaces) or by spectrophotometrically detecting the release of pyridine-2-thione, which is produced when the thiol-reactive portion of the coupling agent reacts. By these methods, we can obtain reasonably precise estimates for the peptide gradients without using expensive spectroscopic or radiolabeling techniques. Validation with changes in fibroblast cell migration behavior across a bioactive peptide gradient illustrates preservation of peptide function as well as the usefulness of this technique.
A thermomechanical model for chemically decomposing composites—II. Application

Abstract A thermomechanical model for thermochemically decomposing composites developed by Wu and Katsube is cast into finite element formulation. The developed code is applied to two initial boundary value problems simulating laboratory experiments known as restrained thermal growth tests and free thermal expansion tests. Excellent agreement between the theoretical predictions and experimental data is shown. This experimental verification demonstrates the validity of the physical model used in the finite element formulation.
Nonlinear theory of a three-level laser with microwave coupling: numerical calculation

A nondegenerate three-level atomic system is considered, and the possibility of lasering without population inversion via numerical computations is investigated. The atomic system consists of one upper level and two closely spaced lower levels, which are coherently mixed by a microwave field interaction. A numerical calculation is performed, based on a variable step formulation of the classic Adams formulae for solving first-order differential equations. This method of solution has been outlined by C. W. Gear and by L. F. Shampine and M. K. Gordon. The authors adapt this algorithm for use with complex double precision arrays and apply the resulting program to the Maxwell-Schrodinger equations of this atomic system. This enables the authors to carry out a strong field analysis of the atom-field interaction, since they are not restricting their analysis to perturbation theory.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Persistent plasma cholesterol elevations are produced by one or three stressor exposures in rats fed a normal laboratory diet

Abstract Typically, stress-related elevations in rat plasma cholesterol (CHOL) require preexposure to diets high in fats or cholesterol and lengthy stressor protocols. We report on two studies in which we measured plasma CHOL 22-h postressor in rats fed Purina Laboratory Rodent Chow and exposed to 3 (3-day) or 1 (1-day) daily stressor sessions [40, 2 mA tailshocks]. In the first study, both the 3-day and 1-day groups exhibited moderately elevated morning plasma CHOL 22-h poststressor compared to nonshocked controls. Along with the groups in the first study, a second study included a restricted food control, rats transferred to the stressor environment, and rats simply transferred to an adjacent room. Neither restricted feeding nor the room transfers had an effect on morning plasma CHOL. However, the 3-day and 1-day groups again exhibited moderately elevated CHOL. Previous reports did not find elevated plasma CHOL in rats given a single stressor exposure when sampled at the end of the stressor session. Thus, the persistently elevated morning CHOL exhibited by the 1-day group may develop over time. The relatively slow development of plasma CHOL elevations may be related to the time course of stressor-induced thyroid suppression.
Beyond Web services: towards on-demand complex adaptive environments

Complex adaptive systems are dynamically assembled systems characterized by multiple competing stakeholders, fluid requirements, emergent behavior, and susceptibility to external pressures that can cause change across the entire system. This paper shows how key principles of complex systems engineering can support achieving net centric operations (NCO) for the DoD. We discuss approaches to on-demand data, an IT infrastructure strategy based on Web service and semantic Web technologies, as well as guidance and initial observations on spiral development and management using Communities of Interest combined with a Developer's Environment.
New Regulatory Gene That Contributes to Control of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Starch Utilization Genes

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and other human colonic Bacteroides species utilize a variety of polysaccharides as a source of carbon and energy (15). This trait may be important for their survival in the human colon because polysaccharides are the main form of carbohydrate available to colon bacteria. The starch utilization system of B. thetaiotaomicron is the best studied of the Bacteroides polysaccharide utilization systems. Previously, a cluster of starch utilization genes, designated sus genes, was identified and characterized (4, 5, 13, 14). This cluster contains seven structural genes (susA to susG), most of which encode proteins that mediate the initial steps in starch utilization, such as starch binding and starch hydrolysis (13, 14). These genes are organized into two transcriptional units (5, 14), one containing susA and one containing susB to susG. Expression of the structural genes is regulated at the transcriptional level by maltose and higher oligomers of starch. Regulation is mediated by SusR, a protein encoded by a gene that is located upstream of susA. Unlike the structural genes, susR is constitutively expressed (5). Since multiple copies of susR in trans increased sus gene expression and since a disruption in susR abolished expression of susA-susG, it appeared that SusR alone was responsible for controlling expression of the structural genes. In this report, we show that there is at least one other regulatory gene that participates in control of sus gene expression. No other starch utilization genes were found in the region of the sus gene cluster, but it was clear that B. thetaiotaomicron must have other starch utilization genes. For one thing, disruption of susB, which encodes an α-glucosidase, did not eliminate all of the α-glucosidase activity in cell extracts. For another, the susR disruption mutant still grew as well as wild type on maltose and maltotriose even though it could not grow on higher oligomers. Thus, other maltose utilization genes must be located elsewhere on the chromosome. We report here that although a search for mutants unable to grow on maltose and maltotriose failed to locate the second α-glucosidase gene or any other genes encoding maltose utilization proteins, it did unexpectedly yield a second regulatory gene, malR, that controls expression of the sus genes, as well as expression of the second α-glucosidase.
Direct autoradiography of cylindrical gels--introducing a simple longitudinal gel slicer.

Abstract A simple, easy-to-make gel slicer for slicing cylindrical gel longitudinally is described. Agarose gel of 2–5% and acrylamide gel of 2 to 20% can all be sliced successfully into three pieces: two half curved outer slices and one flat-faced center slice of 1 to 2 mm thick, without requiring freezing of the gel. The flat-faced center slice is particularly suitable for autoradiography.
Heparin therapy for myocardial infarction : An unusual trigger for pituitary apoplexy

A 68-year-old man with coronary artery disease was admitted for chest pain and ventricular tachycardia. After electric cardioversion, therapeutic heparinization was started for myocardial ischemia and nontransmural infarction. On day 3, headache and fever developed, followed by an altered sensorium and hyponatremia. Infectious etiology for the fever was excluded, and results of computed tomography of the brain were normal. Later magnetic resonance imaging (Day 10) demonstrated a pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage. Treatment for panhypopituitarism with stress-dose steroids stabilized the patient, and the fever and hyponatremia resolved. Transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma was performed without incident. This is the first reported case of pituitary apoplexy after heparin anticoagulation for acute myocardial infarction, although chronic anticoagulation in other settings has been reported as a precipitant of apoplexy. The uncommon presentation of a "central" fever and confusion in a patient with previously undiagnosed adenoma posed a diagnostic challenge. Subtle presentations of panhypopituitarism, knowledge of which should lead to suspicion and early diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy, will prevent anticoagulant-induced central nervous system catastrophes and potential fatalities.
Overview of Propulsion Controls and Diagnostics Research at NASA Glenn

With the increased emphasis on aircraft safety, enhanced performance and affordability, and the need to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft, there are many new challenges being faced by the designers of aircraft propulsion systems. The Controls and Dynamics Branch (CDB) at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, is leading and participating in various projects in partnership with other organizations within GRC and across NASA, the U.S. aerospace industry, and academia to develop advanced controls and health management technologies that will help meet these challenges through the concept of an Intelligent Engine. CDB conducts propulsion control and diagnostics research in support of various programs and projects under the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. The paper first provides an overview of the various research tasks in CDB relative to the NASA programs and projects, and briefly describes the progress being made on each of these tasks. The discussion here is at a high level providing the objectives of the tasks, the technical challenges in meeting the objectives and most recent accomplishments. References are provided for each of the technical tasks for the reader to familiarize themselves with the details.
Structures and properties of acyl diglucosylcholesterol and galactofuranosyl diacylglycerol from Acholeplasma axanthum

Acholeplasma axanthum is one of the few procaryotes, and the only member of the Mollicutes, known to contain phosphosphingolipids. Examination of strain S743 for glycolipids revealed the presence of glucosides of cholesterol and galactosides of glycerol as the predominant glycolipids. The major component is acylated diglucosylcholesterol, followed by monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and monoglucosylcholesterol. The glucose residues of the sterol-based compounds appear to be alpha-linked pyranoses, while the galactose of the glycerol-based lipid is an alpha-linked furanose. The "glycolipid' fraction also contained N-(3-hydroxy)acyl sphinganines with varying degrees of O-acylation. None of these ceramide derivatives was linked to carbohydrate. The major glycolipid, tentatively identified as alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-(O-acyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-cholesterol, along with its deacylated derivative, appears to be the first reported instance of steryl diglycosides among procaryotes, in contrast to the steryl monoglycosides, which are common to other mycoplasmata and some spirochetes.
Collective agricultural production: A solution for transition economies?

Abstract The paper examines theoretical reasons and provides examples for productivity differences between agricultural service cooperatives and collectives. Service cooperatives can utilize economies of scale, enhance competitiveness, and provide technical information, advantages that often outweighed problems of free-riding, low investment, and excessive political intervention. Agricultural collectives, while not adding substantial advantages, are in addition associated with problems of supervision and effort supply, tendencies to substitute casual workers or mechanization for regular members, and low investment incentives. While collective forms of organization in transition economies respond to high risk and market imperfections, they do so inefficiently. Policies that create conditions for service cooperatives to compete may lead to large productivity gains.