cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incentivizing children's fruit and vegetable consumption: results of a United States pilot study of the Food Dudes Program.

Objective Preliminary evaluation in the United States (US) of a school-based fruit and vegetable (F/V) intervention, known as the Food Dudes (FD) program, developed in the United Kingdom. Methods Over 16 days (Phase 1), elementary-school children (n = 253) watched short videos featuring heroic peers (the FD) eating F/V and received a reward for eating F/V served at lunchtime. In the 3 months that followed (Phase 2), children received increasingly intermittent rewards for eating F/V. Consumption was measured by photo analysis and assessment of skin carotenoids. Results Fruit and vegetable intake increased significantly after Phases 1 and 2 (P < .001 for both). This effect was most discriminable among children who consumed no fruit (n = 100) or no vegetables (n = 119) at pre-intervention baseline. Among these children, F/V intake (combined) increased by 0.49 (0.53) cups per day. Conclusions and Implications The FD program can increase F/V intake in US elementary schools.
A Model for the Interplay of Receptor Recycling and Receptor-Mediated Contact in T Cells

Orientation of organelles inside T cells (TC) toward antigen-presenting cells (APC) ensures that the immune response is properly directed, but the orientation mechanisms remain largely unknown. Structural dynamics of TC are coupled to dynamics of T-cell receptor (TCR), which recognizes antigen on the APC surface. Engagement of the TCR triggers its internalization followed by delayed polarized recycling to the plasma membrane through the submembrane recycling compartment (RC), which organelle shares intracellular location with the TC effector apparatus. TCR engagement also triggers TC-APC interface expansion enabling further receptor engagement. To analyze the interplay of the cell-cell contact and receptor dynamics, we constructed a new numerical model. The new model displays the experimentally observed selective stabilization of the contact initiated next to the RC, and only transient formation of contact diametrically opposed to the RC. In the general case wherein the TC-APC contact is initiated in an arbitrary orientation to the RC, the modeling predicts that the contact dynamics and receptor recycling can interact, resulting effectively in migration of the contact to the TC surface domain adjacent to the submembrane RC. Using three-dimensional live-cell confocal microscopy, we obtain data consistent with this unexpected behavior. We conclude that a TC can stabilize its contact with an APC by aligning it with the polarized intracellular traffic of TCR. The results also suggest that the orientation of TC organelles, such as the RC and the effector apparatus, toward the APC can be achieved without any intracellular translocation of the organelles.
Alzheimer's “syndrome”: Prognosis of subsets with different etiology and preliminary effects of immunotherapy

Based on our current work, we have found aberrations of both cellular immunity and humoral immunity in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggesting that the bodyapos;s immune system plays an important role in the etiology and/or pathophysiology of at least one subset of AD (we consider AD as a “syndrome”, not a disease). Depending upon the nature of the immune deficits and patientsapos; responsiveness to appropriate immunomodulate therapy, we have thus far differentiated four subsets of AD patients: one subset with defect of a specific T cell (e.g., membrane flexibility) and response to therapy with pyrrolidone compounds; a second subset with autoantibodies to neuron-axon filament proteins–these patients show clinical improvement after therapy with dialyzable leucocyte extract (DLE) containing transfer factor (TF); a third subset with antibodies to brain antigens (autoimmune) for which therapy is not yet developed; and a fourth subset with none of the abnormalities mentioned above, probably heterogeneous due to one or another biochemical abnormality. We believe that different therapeutic modalities will be necessary for different subsets, much like the situation with other “diseases” such as anemia and diabetes. Our therapeutic results provide additional evidence that AD is a syndrome, not a single disease. Moreover, the clincal improvement demonstrates that the defective function in AD is not due to death of neuronal cells, but rather atrophy or physiologic “suppression.”
Variations in key artemisinic and other metabolites throughout plant development in Artemisia annua L. for potential therapeutic use

Dried leaves of Artemisia annua show promise as an inexpensive and sustainable antimalarial therapeutic, especially for use in developing countries. Along with the potent terpene, artemisinin, many other small molecules produced by the plant seem to aid in the therapeutic response. However, little is known about the ontogenic and phenological production of artemisinin in the plant, and its plethora of other important secondary metabolites. From a consistently high artemisinin-producing A. annua clone (SAM) we extracted and analyzed by GC/MS 22 different metabolites including terpenes, flavonoids, a coumarin, and two phenolic acids as they varied during leaf development and growth of the plant from the vegetative stage through the reproductive, full flower stage. As leaves developed, the maximum amount of most metabolites was in the shoot apical meristem. Artemisinin, on the other hand, maximized once leaves matured. Leaf and apical tissues (e.g. buds, flowers) varied in their metabolite content with growth stage with maximum artemisinin and other important secondary metabolites determined to be at floral bud emergence. These results indicated that plants at the floral bud stage have the highest level of artemisinin and other therapeutic compounds for the treatment of malaria.
Interventional radiologists' involvement in evaluation and management services and association with practice characteristics.

Abstract Purpose To characterize the current state and level of interventional radiology evaluation and management (E&M) services provided to the Medicare population and to investigate the relationship between the level of E&M services provided by an individual provider and volumes, charges, and types of procedures performed. Materials and Methods Based on Medicare claims data, interventional radiology providers were identified and grouped as high or low E&M level providers. Procedure counts, charge values, E&M codes, top diagnoses associated with E&M services, and top procedure codes were tabulated for interventional radiology providers as a whole. Procedure counts, charge values, and top procedure codes were tabulated for each group. Groups were compared with nonparametric statistical tests. Results In 2009, 118,040 units of E&M services were performed by interventional radiologists (IRs) for Medicare beneficiaries, resulting in $9.3 million in allowed charges. High E&M level providers had higher total charges for procedural services, performed a higher unit number of procedural services, and obtained a higher charge per unit of procedural work performed (all P Conclusions This study found significant differences between practice characteristics of IRs providing high and low levels of E&M services. The results suggest that greater involvement in E&M is associated with higher-reimbursement procedural work.
A comparison of fluorographic methods for the detection of 35S-labeled proteins in polyacrylamide gels

Eight different methods of fluorographic enhancement of sensitivity to 35S decay after gel electrophoresis were compared. Using Kodak X-Omat AR X-ray film, we found that some fluors were about equivalent to 2,5-diphenyloxazole/dimethyl sulfoxide embedding, whereas several other fluors were not quite as effective, but still were significantly more sensitive than control autoradiography. The most sensitive procedures can yield a detectable darkening of film with less than 1 dpm/mm2 of 35S after a 1-week exposure.
A comparison of muscular tightness in runners and nonrunners and the relation of muscular tightness to low back pain in runners.

The focus of this experimental study was to compare muscular tightness at the hip between runners and nonrunners, and to determine if there is a relation between muscular tightness and low back pain in runners. Goniometric range of motion measurements of three hip movements, abduction, flexion with the knee extended, and extension, were taken on two subject populations, runners (N = 45), and nonrunners (n = 43), in order to determine tightness of the hip adductor, extensor, and flexor muscles, respectively. The mean score values obtained for each of the three measurements for both the right and left sides were compared for differences between the running and nonrunning populations and between male and female subjects. Runners were found to be significantly limited in the movement of hip flexion with the knee extended. The mean score values obtained for all male subjects for this movement were lower than those for all female subjects. The incidence of low back pain in runners was examined; however, no corr...
Making academic change happen: Impacting your classrooms, colleagues, and campus

“Making Academic Change Happen” (MACH) is a workshop designed and conducted by faculty of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The purpose of the three-day workshop is to provide faculty, staff, and administrators with change management tools that can assist them as they enact change on their own campuses. These changes may occur at many different sites, from the classes that they teach to the campus as a whole. The purpose of our presentation at IPCC 2013 is to share with attendees one aspect of the MACH workshop: the change management strategies that we introduce that focus specifically on communication.
Nutrition and metabolic studies of methyl esters of dimeric fatty acids in the rat

Methyl esters of dimeric fatty acids were prepared by fractionating a mixture of conjugated linoleic and oleic acids that was heated for 24 hr at 300 C in the absence of air. Rats fed diets containing less than 1% dimers showed no significant difference (P<0.05) in the growth rate, feed efficiency, liver: body weight ratio, and lipid: liver weight ratio from those fed normal diets. A lymph cannulation study using14C labeled dimers showed that ca. 0.4% of the dimers fed were absorbed within 12 hr and were transported as free acids in the lymph. Within a 28 hr period, 2% of the labeled dimers fed by gastric intubation were oxidized to14CO2, and 1% radioactivity was recovered from the urine. The metabolism of methyl oleate appeared normal for rats prefed diets containing dimers.
Prevention of decoherence by two femtosecond chirped pulse trains

We study the vibrational energy relaxation (VER) and collisional dephasing as channels of coherence loss in a vibrational mode that is selectively excited using chirped pulse adiabatic passage in the Raman configuration. Based on the dressed state picture analysis we propose a method to reduce decoherence using femtosecond chirped pulse trains. When applied with a period close to the VER time, the pulse trains allow one to sustain high coherence in the selected vibrational mode.
The somatotopic organization of the cat trigeminal ganglion as determined by the horseradish peroxidase technique.

The somatotopic organization of the cat trigeminal ganglion has been investigated in the present study by using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. In separate animals, the corneal, supraorbital, infraorbital, inferior alveolar, or mental branches of the trigeminal nerve have been transected and then soaked in concentrated solutions of HRP. Retrogradely labeled corneal and supraorbital neurons have been found, with extensive overlap between the two cell populations, in the anteromedial region of the trigeminal ganglion. Inferior alveolar and mental neurons have been found to possess similar distributions within the posterolateral part of the trigeminal ganglion. Infraorbital cells have been localized in a central position. The cell bodies of any given nerve are found in at least minimal numbers in all dorsoventral levels of the trigeminal ganglion. However, cell bodies of origin of the supraorbital nerve and the lateral branch of the infraorbital nerve, innervating more posterior or lateral areas of the head and face, are found in greater numbers dorsally. Conversely, cell bodies of origin of the medial branch of the infraorbital nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve, and the mental nerve, supplying more rostral or intraoral areas of the orofacial region, are present in greater numbers ventrally. In contrast, corneal neurons are distributed uniformly in the dorsoventral axis. The ophthalmic and maxillary regions of the trigeminal ganglion appear to be well segregated, whereas the maxillary and mandibular regions exhibit a somewhat greater degree of overlap. Cell bodies of corneal afferent neurons range from 20 to 50 μm in diameter, whereas those of supraorbital, infraorbital, inferior alveolar and mental neurons measure from 20 to 85 μm. It is concluded from the findings of the present work that much of the cat trigeminal ganglion is organized somatotopically in not only the mediolateral axis but also in the dorsoventral axis.
On the stability of processes defined by stochastic difference-differential equations.

Stability of stochastic processes defined by difference differential equations, noting properties of solution, weak infinitesimal operator, etc
Inhomogeneous flows of non-newtonian fluids: generation of spatial concentration gradients

Abstract The conformation of polymer molecules or of micelles is known to be changed when a stress or deformation-rate field is applied to a fluid. Thermo dynamic considerations suggest that the resulting entropy changes must lead to diffusion of the species effected toward regions of minimum stress level in any system in which the stress varies with position. That is to say, spatial stress gradients inevitably appear to give rise to spatial concentration gradients. Such flows differ intrinsically, therefore, from homogeneous flows in which the stress field, hence the fluid concentration levels and properties, are uniform throughout the continuum. Preliminary measurements of these concentration fields are reported and consequences of this phenomenon in several flow processes are considered.
Testing hypotheses about the common mean of normal distributions

Abstract An overview of hypothesis testing for the common mean of independent normal distributions is given. The case of two populations is studied in detail. A number of different types of tests are studied. Among them are a test based on the maximum of the two available t -tests, Fisher's combined test, a test based on Graybill–Deal's estimator, an approximation to the likelihood ratio test, and some tests derived using some Bayesian considerations for improper priors along with intuitive considerations. Based on some theoretical findings and mostly based on a Monte Carlo study the conclusions are that for the most part the Bayes-intuitive type tests are superior and can be recommended. When the variances of the populations are close the approximate likelihood ratio test does best.
Helium permeation in plasma-addressed liquid-crystal displays

Full color liquid crystal (LC) displays with 5 inch diagonals are readily available today, and manufacturers are ramping up production of 10 inch full color displays for laptop computers. These displays require an integrated thin film transistor (TFT) as well as a capacitor to capture and store analog data voltage for a sixtieth of a second at each display element. For large displays there can be a million or so of these switching and data storage elements that comprise, in effect, a megasample analog memory. Fabricating such arrays is proving to be a formidable task. The concept for replacing the array of integrated TFTs with functionally identical plasma switches to address LC displays was first disclosed in the May, 1990. These switches consist of a channel of ionized gas that can be turned on and off quickly and that are capacitively coupled to the storage elements of the display. To achieve rapid data capture as well as fast turn-off of the columns of ionized gas it appears that at least one component of the gas must have a low atomic weight. To ensure long term stability, nonreactive gases are needed. Helium is an obvious choice since it is light and nonreactive, and furthermore, only a low level of visible light is generated when it is ionized in the channels. Unfortunately helium permeates through the glass enveloped of a liquid crystal display faster than any other gas. Containing it for the five to ten year life of a display is a challenge, and progress toward meeting that challenge is discussed here after a brief review of the plasma addressing (PA) concept.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Metabolic Changes Associated with Vernalization of Wheat I. Carbohydrate and Nitrogen Patterns

A spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and an obligate winter wheat ( Triticum compactum ) variety were each grown for 5 weeks in controlled environments at 2° and 25°. The threshold for flower induction in the winter wheat was 4 to 5 weeks at 2°, whereas the spring wheat had no low temperature requirement for flowering. Changes in the levels of carbohydrate and nitrogen fractions in the wheat leaves were determined during their growth in the cold and warm environments. There was an enhanced accumulation of the 5 carbohydrate fractions in both wheat varieties grown at 2° compared to 25°. Highly significant differences in the levels of sucrose, oligosaccharides, and starch were found between the spring and winter varieties grown at 2°. The winter wheat seedlings grown at 2° accumulated much more of these carbohydrates than the corresponding spring wheat. The carbohydrate patterns in both varieties grown at 25° were nearly identical except for the final 2 weeks of growth. The level of nitrogenous substances in the tissues grown at 2° was much higher than in the corresponding tissues grown at 25°. The only significant difference between the spring and winter varieties was in the soluble protein fraction. This fraction rose nearly 3-fold in the winter variety grown at 2°, whereas it remained nearly constant in the similarly grown spring wheat. Most of the changing chemical patterns observed in relation to the vernalization treatment appear to be metabolic alterations associated with low temperature rather than alterations directly related with the vernalization response.
Different perspectives: A review of some current literature

Recent literature is contributing new ways of conceptualizing human development which will affect understanding and treating of clients. This paper compares some of the papers in the latest edition of thePsychoanalytic Study of the Child with the work of Daniel N. Stern as presented inThe Interpersonal World of the Infant.
Monocyte function in children with neutropenia

It has been reported that normal monocytes kill S. aureus as effectively as do PMN but patients with congenital neutropenia (CN) have increased number of circulating monocytes in the presence of uncontrolled infection. Therefore, we have compared the metabolic and bactericidal responses of CN monocytes from 2 such patients, the monocytes from 2 patients with cyclic neutropenia, patients with chronic infection, to the PMN from normals and patients with chronic infection, to the PMN from normals and patients with acute infections. At a bacteria to phagocyte ratio of 2–3:1 in an in vitro system which measured the combined effect of uptake and intracellular killing of S. aureus, PMNs consistently killed about 95% of the inoculum during 2 hours. In contrast, monocytes from all patients failed to diminsh the number of bacteria during the incubation. PMNs initiated ingestion sooner, took up S. aureus or zymosan particles faster, and ingested more bacteria or particles than did monocytes. Furthermore, despite a brisk respiratory burst, pentose shunt stimulation and hydrogen peroixde production by monocytes, there was less iodintion of bacteria by monocytes than PMN. Granule myeloperoxidase was significantly less in monocytes (163 ± 47) from all patients compared to PMN (390 ± 10). Cell associated bactericidal activity by monocytes was markedly diminshed compared to PMN (390 ± 10). Cell associated bactericidal activity by monocytes was markedly diminshed compared to PMN. These studies show that monocytes from patients with neutropenic syndromes function similarly to monocytes from children with subacute infection. Such monocytes are less bactericidal than PMN because of the combination of decreased phagocytic capacity and lower activity of the intracellular mechanisms related to peroxidation of bacteria.
Heat transfer in three‐phase fluidized beds

Influence de la vitesse du liquide et du gaz et de la dimension, de la densite et de la forme des particules sur le coefficient de transfert de chaleur paroi-lit
Continued fractions and Berlekamp's algorithm

Theorems are presented concerning the optimality of rational approximations using non-Archimedean norms. The algorithm for developing the rational approximations is based on continued fraction techniques and is virtually equivalent to an algorithm employed by Berlekamp for decoding BCH codes. Several variations of the continued fraction technique and Berlekamp's algorithm are illustrated on a common example.
Virtue ethics in a pluralistic world.

The practice of pediatric surgery is at the crossroads of 2 specialties, pediatrics and surgery. At that vantage point, many ethical dilemmas can be seen. It is important for the pediatric surgeon to understand the special place of ethics in the care of children and how that care is influenced by society. The purpose of this report is to introduce the perspective of virtue ethics as an avenue to problem solving in ethical dilemmas in pediatric surgery. Virtue ethics relies more on the physician-focused view of character and ideal behavior as opposed to more patient-based rules of action. This ethical theory must be placed on the background of our changing society with an increasing plurality of values. The medical community of pediatric surgery must remain involved in the dialogue concerning these dilemmas in the care of children.
Effects of pharmacologic increases in brain GABA levels on cocaine-induced changes in extracellular dopamine

Cocaine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations were measured using in vivo microdialysis techniques in the nucleus accumbens (NACC) of freely moving rats. In control animals, cocaine increased extracellular DA concentrations approximately 482% 60 min following administration, returning to baseline values 200 min later. When administered 2 h following an acute dose of γ-vinyl-GABA (GVG, Vigabatrin), cocaine-induced increases in extracellular DA were reduced to approximately 365% of baseline values. Chronic GVG administration further dose-dependently attenuated the effects of cocaine but did not alter the rate of increase or the rate of return to baseline values. These results indicate that GVG, a drug that increases brain GABA concentrations, is effective in attenuating the effect of cocaine on NACC DA. Taken with our earlier findings, these results support the targeting of brain GABAergic systems as a potentially effective pharmacologic treatment strategy for cocaine addiction. Synapse 28:60–65, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Energy Density, Energy Intake, and Body Weight Regulation in Adults

The role of dietary energy density (ED) in the regulation of energy intake (EI) is controversial. Methodologically, there is also debate about whether beverages should be included in dietary ED calculations. To address these issues, studies examining the effects of ED on EI or body weight in nonelderly adults were reviewed. Different approaches to calculating dietary ED do not appear to alter the direction of reported relations between ED and body weight. Evidence that lowering dietary ED reduces EI in short-term studies is convincing, but there are currently insufficient data to determine long-term effectiveness for weight loss. The review also identified key barriers to progress in understanding the role of ED in energy regulation, in particular the absence of a standard definition of ED, and the lack of data from multiple long-term clinical trials examining the effectiveness of low-ED diet recommendations for preventing both primary weight gain and weight regain in nonobese individuals. Long-term clinical trials designed to examine the impact of dietary ED on energy regulation, and including multiple ED calculation methods within the same study, are still needed to determine the importance of ED in the regulation of EI and body weight.
Mapped weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes: Achieving optimal order near critical points

In this paper, a new fifth-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme is developed. Necessary and sufficient conditions on the weights for fifth-order convergence are derived; one more condition than previously published is found. A detailed analysis reveals that the version of this scheme implemented by Jiang and Shu [G.-S. Jiang, C.-W. Shu, Efficient implementation of weighted ENO schemes, J. Comput. Phys. 126 (1996) 202-228] is, in general, only third-order accurate at critical points. This result is verified in a simple example. The magnitude of @e, a parameter which keeps the weights bounded, and the level of grid resolution are shown to determine the order of the scheme in a non-trivial way. A simple modification of the original scheme is found to be sufficient to give optimal order convergence even near critical points. This is demonstrated using the one-dimensional linear advection equation. Also, four examples utilizing the compressible Euler equations are used to demonstrate the scheme's improved behavior for practical shock capturing problems.
The synthesis and solution conformation of dodecaphenylporphyrin

Abstract The synthesis of 2,3 ,5 ,7 ,8 ,10 ,12 ,13 ,15 ,17,18,20-dodecaphenylporphyrin (DPP ; 3 ) is reported; compared with similar porphyrins it shows a red. shifted electronic absorption spectrum, indicating a non-planar conformation in solution. Variable temperature 500 MHz NMR experiments give a ΔG * of 10.9 kcal mol −1 at 253 K for inversion of the macrocycle.
A simple SINR characterization for linear interference alignment over uncertain MIMO channels

This paper provides a simple closed-form SINR expression for interference alignment over MIMO channels with channel uncertainty. Assuming linear processing (specifically, zero-forcing) at the transmitters and receivers and a complex Gaussian interference channel, we show that random matrix theory can be successfully applied to find the SINR distribution of each stream for each user with channel uncertainty. Perfect channel knowledge constitutes a special case. This SINR distribution allows easy calculation of useful performance metrics like symbol error-rate and achievable sum rate.
The roles of the first and second coordination spheres in the design of molecular catalysts for H2 production and oxidation

This tutorial review describes the development of discrete transition metal complexes as electrocatalysts for H2 formation and oxidation. The approach involves the study of thermodynamic properties of metal hydride intermediates and the design of ligands that incorporate proton relays. The work is inspired by structural features of the H2ase enzymes and should be of interest to researchers in the areas of biomimetic chemistry as well as catalyst design and hydrogen utilization.
The effect of sensory stories on targeted behaviors in preschool children with autism.

This study examined the effectiveness of Sensory Stories on “circle time” behaviors in preschool children with autism. This single-system ABA design with a convenience sample of four participants c...
Vector space framework for unification of one- and multidimensional filter bank theory

A number of results in filter bank theory can be viewed using vector space notations. This simplifies the proofs of many important results. In this paper, we first introduce the framework of vector space, and then use this framework to derive some known and some new filter bank results as well. For example, the relation among the Hermitian image property, orthonormality, and the perfect reconstruction (PR) property is well-known for the case of one-dimensional (1-D) analysis/synthesis filter banks. We can prove the same result in a more general vector space setting. This vector space framework has the advantage that even the most general filter banks, namely, multidimensional nonuniform filter banks with rational decimation matrices, become a special case. Many results in 1-D filter bank theory are hence extended to the multidimensional case, with some algebraic manipulations of integer matrices. Some examples are: the equivalence of biorthonormality and the PR property, the interchangeability of analysis and synthesis filters, the connection between analysis/synthesis filter banks and synthesis/analysis transmultiplexers, etc. Furthermore, we obtain the subband convolution scheme by starting from the generalized Parseval's relation in vector space. Several theoretical results of wavelet transform can also be derived using this framework. In particular, we derive the wavelet convolution theorem. >
Power control for blind and group-blind multiuser detectors serving heterogeneous traffic

We develop a distributed power control algorithm for CDMA systems employing blind or group-blind multiuser detectors in heterogeneous traffic environments. In order to serve traffic with varying performance requirements we use a utility-based approach that allows users to optimize performance for their particular traffic type. In this development we make use of recent results on the analytical performance of blind and group-blind detectors. We also design an adaptive group-blind receiver incorporating the new power control algorithm and provide performance results. We will see that the utility-based power control algorithm allows us to efficiently set performance goals for users in multi-traffic environments.
Internal mirror optical fiber couplers

A description is given of a way of making mirrored fiber couplers, and test results on both multimode and single-mode taps are reported. The couplers were produced by a fusion splicing process similar to that used for making mirrors oriented normal to the axis in multimode and single-mode fibers. These mirrored fibers serve as compact directional couplers with low excess optical loss ( approximately=0.2 dB for multimode and 0.5 dB for single mode at 1.3 mu m) and excellent mechanical properties. The reflectance is found to be wavelength dependent and strongly polarization dependent, as expected. >
Bargaining and the Nature of War

A model of bargaining embedded within a random-walk model of warfare is developed. The conflict model contains aspects of both lottery-based and war-of-attrition models of conflict. Results show that future disputes are less likely to lead to armed conflict following long rather than short wars. Furthermore, should a subsequent dispute lead to armed conflict, the higher the cost and the longer the previous war, the shorter the conflict is likely to last.
Risk and Outcome Assessments

Over the last three decades, the assessment of risk and comparison of outcomes have evolved from the reporting of raw mortality and morbidity rates to the comparison of risk-adjusted results using a variety of complex statistical methods. Concurrently, various multi-institutional registries have emerged as a result of voluntary initiatives or mandatory requirements from state and nationwide regulations. Consequently, the reporting of outcomes, previously limited to single institutional data, has more currently focused on larger multi-institutional registries suitable to develop risk models with sufficient predictive power. With the rapid evolution of organized medicine and the heightened attention to quality improvement, it is essential for the practitioner in the community to understand the basic concepts in the assessment of risks and comparison of outcomes.
Substrate-Dependent Ligand Inhibition of the Human Organic Cation Transporter OCT2

Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the initial step in renal secretion of organic cations: uptake from the blood, across the basolateral membrane, and into the renal proximal tubule cells. Because of its potential as a target for unwanted drug-drug interactions (DDIs), considerable attention has been directed toward understanding the basis of OCT2 selectivity. These studies typically assess selectivity based on ligand inhibition profiles for OCT2-mediated transport of a probe substrate. However, little attention has been given to the potential influence of the substrate on the profile of ligand inhibition. Here we compared the IC50 values obtained for a set of structurally distinct inhibitors against OCT2-mediated transport of three structurally distinct substrates: 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP); metformin; and a novel fluorescent substrate, N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[methyl(7-nitrobenzo[c][l,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)amino]ethanaminium iodide (NBD-MTMA). The median IC50 value for inhibition of MPP transport was 9-fold higher than that for inhibition of metformin transport. Similarly, the median IC50 value for inhibition of MPP transport was 5-fold higher than that for NBD-MTMA transport. However, this was not a systematic difference in inhibitory efficacy; the ratio of IC50 values, MPP versus NBD-MTMA, ranged from 88-fold (ipratropium) to 0.3-fold (metformin). These data show that 1) the choice of OCT2 substrate significantly influences both quantitative and qualitative inhibitory interactions with cationic drugs; and 2) ligand interactions with OCT2 are not restricted to competition for a common ligand binding site, consistent with a binding surface characterized by multiple, possibly overlapping interaction sites. Development of predictive models of DDIs with OCT2 must take into account the substrate dependence of ligand interaction with this protein.
High-Performance Airfoil Using Coflow Jet Flow Control

T O ACHIEVE revolutionary aircraft performance, advanced technologies should be pursued to drastically reduce the weight of aircraft and fuel consumption and significantly increase aircraft mission payload and maneuverability. Both the military and commercial aircraft will benefit from the same technology. Flow control is a promising technology to break through the limits of the conventional aerodynamic concepts. Recently, a novel active airfoil flow control concept with zero-net mass flux, the coflow jet (CFJ) airfoil, has been developed by Zha et al. [1–5]. The CFJ airfoil achieves three effects simultaneously in a dramatic fashion: lift augmentation, stall margin increase, and drag reduction. The energy expenditure of the CFJ airfoil is low [1], and the CFJ airfoil concept is straightforward to implement. The CFJ airfoil may create a new concept of an “engineless” airplane, which uses the CFJ to generate both lift and thrust without conventional propulsion systems of propellers or jet engines [6]. A CFJ airfoil [1–5] uses an injection slot near the leading edge (LE) and a suction slot near the trailing edge (TE) on the airfoil suction surface. Similar to tangential blowing, the LE jet is in the same direction of the main flow, but the same amount of mass flow that is injected is removed via suction near the TE, resulting in zeronet mass-flux flow control. A proposed fundamental mechanism [2] is that the severe adverse pressure gradient on the suction surface strongly augments turbulent mixing between the main flow and the jet [7]. The mixing then creates the lateral transport of energy from the jet to the main flow and enables the main flow to overcome the large adverse pressure gradient and remain attached at high angle of attack (AOA). The stall margin is hence significantly increased. At the same time, the high-momentum jet drastically increases the circulation, which significantly augments lift, reduces drag, or even generates thrust (negative drag). The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the high performance of the CFJ airfoil with the windtunnel test results.
Thalamic projection of the anterior ectosylvian gyrus (somatic area II) in the cat

Thalamic degeneration following discrete lesions of the portion of somatic area II lying within the anterior ectosylvian gyrus was observed in coronal and parasagittal sections. The sections had been treated by Nauta's silver impregnation method and stained alternately with cresyl violet or the Luxol fast preparation. The main site of degeneration lay in the posterior nuclear group, in a band of cells and fibers interposed between the ventrobasal complex and the medial geniculate body. Terminal degeneration was also present throughout the lateral region of the ventrobasal complex, being most dense caudolaterally. The dual thalamic connections reinforce electrical evidence of two populations of cells in somatic area II.
Subdivision of Pottsville Formation in Southern Anthracite Field, Pennsylvania

The Pottsville formation of Pennsylvanian age has been divided into three lithologic units in the Southern anthracite field as a result of detailed mapping and stratigraphic studies. It is redescribed, and member status is proposed for the three lithologic units which are here named, from the base up, the Tumbling Run member, Schuylkill member, and Sharp Mountain member. The three members are composed largely of pebble and cobble conglomerate, fine conglomerate, conglomeratic sandstone, and sandstone, with subordinate quantities of shale, siltstone, and coal. They have been mapped in detail throughout much of the central and western parts of the Southern anthracite field and have been traced by reconnaissance stratigraphic studies throughout the rest of the field. The mem ers have also been tentatively correlated into the central and eastern parts of the Western Middle anthracite field and the Eastern Middle anthracite field. The upper member has been tentatively correlated into the Northern anthracite field. The type section along the eastern side of the Pennsylvania Railroad cut through the water gap south of Pottsville is now partly obscured, and the writers propose to designate as a reference section the complete exposure of the Pottsville formation that is present about 150 feet farther east in a present-day road cut on the east side of U. S. Highway 122.
Improved Aqueous Dispersion of Silicon Nitride with Aminosilanes

The addition of a standard fiberglass surfactant, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS), improves whisker and powder dispersion of silicon nitride aqueous suspensions. Aqueous suspensions of APS-coated silicon nitride have lower viscosities, increased consolidation, and higher dried green-body densities compared to uncoated silicon nitride in suspensions with pH values ≤8. The APS coating shifts the isoelectric point (IEP) of silicon nitride to a more basic value, dependent on the concentration of APS coating. Suspension pH measurements indicate that APS extracts one hydrogen ion for each APS molecule either chemisorbed on the particle surface or dissolved in the solution. Optical microscopy reveals that dilute suspensions coated with APS at pH 10 are qualitatively more dispersed than uncoated silicon nitride at pH 7. Our results show increased dispersion of APS-coated silicon nitride in acidic environments, with a 12% increase in green density under identical wetpressing conditions.
Sickle Cell Anemia as a Possible State of Enhanced Anti-Apoptotic Tone: Survival Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Circulating and Unanchored Endothelial Cells

The biologic processes of apoptosis and angiogenesis are linked in endothelial biology because some endothelial cell growth factors also exert anti-apoptotic effects. We studied whether apoptosis is occurring in circulating endothelial cells (CEC) that have lost the survival signals derived from anchorage to extracellular matrix. Consistent with this expectation, 64% ± 16% of CEC from normal donors showed evidence of apoptosis (by morphology and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL] assay). However, only 30% ± 15% ( P < .001 v normal) of CEC from donors with sickle cell anemia were apoptotic. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were significantly ( P = .001) higher in plasma of sickle donors (120.1 ± 81.4 pg/mL) than that of normal donors (37.6 ± 34.6 pg/mL), and there was an inverse correlation between VEGF and CEC apoptosis ( r = .612, P = .001). Consistent with stimulation by VEGF, CEC from sickle donors exhibited increased expression of vβ3. In vitro experiments showed that VEGF inhibits apoptosis for cultured endothelial cells that are kept unanchored and not allowed to re-establish attachment to extracellular matrix, thus demonstrating that VEGF provides survival signals independent of its ability to promote matrix reattachment. These data suggest the hypothesis that sickle cell anemia is a state of enhanced anti-apoptotic tone for endothelial cells. If true, this has implications for disease pathobiology, particularly the development of neovascularizing retinopathy.
Lessons from Katrina: Response Recovery and the Public Health Infrastructure

This paper was presented at DePaul University in March 2006, as part of a Symposium on Shaping a New Direction for Law and Medicine: An International Debate on Culture, Disaster, Biotechnology & Public Health. Following the catastrophic events of 2005, including Hurricane Katrina, Pakistani Earthquakes, bird flu transmission to human populations, and the real threat of bioterrorism, government struggled in the aftermath to make sense of the devastation and human displacement. Medical teams, try as they might, are not always prepared and alerted as to how best investigate and quickly render assistance. The Symposium addressed the role of government, policy-makers, community organizations, the World Health Organization and other key players in properly situating and providing relief to respond to these issues. My paper describes both the immediate and lasting impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Region's health care infrastructure and recommends approaches to prevent similar devastating effects in future disasters.
Semantically modeled databases in integrated enterprise information systems

INTRODUCTION In the past several years, huge investments have been made in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and related applications. While the integrated database and data warehouse in such systems provides value, more value could be realized if the databases could more semantically reflect the underlying reality of the organization. Inter-enterprise commerce can be facilitated with the use of ontologically based systems with common semantics (Geerts and McCarthy, 2000; Haugen and McCarthy, 2000) instead of reliance on electronic data interchange (EDI) standards. This chapter presents a normative semantic model for enterprise information systems that has its roots in transaction processing information systems. Empirical research on semantically modeled information systems is reviewed and an example companys semantic model is provided as a proof of concept. This model is used as the basis for a discussion of its application to ERP systems and to inter-organizational systems. Future trends and research directions are also discussed.
The covertebral articulations and cervical foramen encroachment.

Covertebral osteophytes, secondary to disc degenerations, may impinge either upon the vertebral artery and its surrounding sympathetic plexus or more posteriorly upon the intervertebral foramen. In the posterior cervical articulations, secondary to degenerative processes, osteophytes may likewise develop which impinge upon the vertebral artery or encroach upon the intervertebral foramen. Such a foramen, encroached upon by either osteophytes or backward slipping of a vertebra, may show microscopic changes involving the compressed nerve root.
Anästhesie bei Kaiserschnittgeburt

Fur die Anasthesie bei Kaiserschnittgeburt sind verschiedene Verfahren beschrieben worden. Die Auswahl des Narkoseverfahrens geschieht durch den Anasthesisten. Patientencharakteristika, organisatorische Strukturen und Kenntnisse des Operateurs spielen bei der Festlegung des Anasthesieverfahrens eine entscheidende Rolle. Das Verhaltnis der Kaiserschnittgeburten, welche in Regionalanasthesie durchgefuhrt werden, verschiebt sich in den letzten Jahren zunehmend zugunsten regionalanasthesiologischer Verfahren. An dieser Entwicklung haben die Verbesserung der Lokalanasthesie-Materialien (z. B. Spinalnadeldesign) sowie Uberlegungen zur Sicherheit des Narkoseverfahrens beigetragen. Eine Vielzahl von Studien versucht die Vorteile der einen oder anderen Methoden darzustellen (1, 2, 3). In der Summe darf jedoch festgehalten werden, das bei der Schwangeren ohne besondere Anasthesie-relevante Risikofaktoren sowohl Vollnarkose als auch Spinal-und Epiduralanasthesie adaquate Anasthesiemethoden sind.
Renormalization of the Effective g Factor of Magnons

Within the framework of the Heisenberg model we have calculated the renormalization of the effective $g$ factor of magnons in cubic ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. We find a $f(k){T}^{\frac{3}{2}}$ enhancement of $g$ in ferromagnets, where $f(k)\ensuremath{\sim}{k}^{2}$ for small $k$, and a $\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}\frac{{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}}{{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$ depression of $g$ for all antiferromagnetic magnons. We estimate that this effect will have experimental consequences of 10% or more at reasonable temperatures.
Connections between obesity and dyslipidaemia.

The importance of the obesity-lipid connection has suffered from the traditional reductionism view of science. Excess body weight has rarely been deemed an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, directing physicians to target therapies towards the risk factors that excess body weight modifies (e.g. raising HDL, lowering blood pressure) instead of targeting the cause. The efforts of Adult Treatment Panel III to define and identify the metabolic syndrome as a secondary target may spur practitioners to revisit the need for weight management in patients with lipid disorders.
Protein folding, structure prediction and design

I describe how experimental studies of protein folding have led to advances in protein structure prediction and protein design. I describe the finding that protein sequences are not optimized for rapid folding, the contact order–protein folding rate correlation, the incorporation of experimental insights into protein folding into the Rosetta protein structure production methodology and the use of this methodology to determine structures from sparse experimental data. I then describe the inverse problem (protein design) and give an overview of recent work on designing proteins with new structures and functions. I also describe the contributions of the general public to these efforts through the Rosetta@home distributed computing project and the FoldIt interactive protein folding and design game.