cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multi-tiered memetic multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for the design of quantum cascade lasers

Recent advances in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) have enabled their use as (tunable) emission sources for chemical and biological spectroscopy, as well as allowed their demonstration in applications in medical diagnostics and potential homeland security systems. Finding the optimal design solution can be challenging, especially for lasers that operate in the terahertz region. The production process is prohibitive, so an optimization algorithm is needed to find high quality QCL designs. Past research attempts using multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) have found good solutions, but lacked a local search element that could enable them to find more effective solutions. This research looks at two memetic MOEAs that use a neighborhood search. Our baseline memetic MOEA used a simple neighborhood search, which is similar to other MOEA neighborhood searches found in the literature. Alternatively, our innovative multi-tiered memetic MOEA uses problem domain knowledge to change the temporal focus of the neighborhood search based on the generation. It is empirically shown that the multitiered memetic MOEA is able to find solutions that dominate the base-line memetic algorithm. Additional experiments suggest that using local search on only non-dominated individuals improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithm versus applying the local search to dominated individuals as well. This research validates the importance of using multi-objective problem (MOP) domain knowledge in order to obtain the best results for a real world solution. It also introduces a new multitiered local search procedure that is able to focus the local search on specific critical elements of the problem at different stages in the optimization process.
PoPLAR: Portal for Petascale Lifescience Applications and Research

Background We are focusing specifically on fast data analysis and retrieval in bioinformatics that will have a direct impact on the quality of human health and the environment. The exponential growth of data generated in biology research, from small atoms to big ecosystems, necessitates an increasingly large computational component to perform analyses. Novel DNA sequencing technologies and complementary high-throughput approaches--such as proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and meta-genomics--drive data-intensive bioinformatics. While individual research centers or universities could once provide for these applications, this is no longer the case. Today, only specialized national centers can deliver the level of computing resources required to meet the challenges posed by rapid data growth and the resulting computational demand. Consequently, we are developing massively parallel applications to analyze the growing flood of biological data and contribute to the rapid discovery of novel knowledge.
Role of PARP-1 in the modulation of neutrophil function: relevance for inflammatory bowel disease (902.5)

Aberrant immune response has been proposed as the underlying cause of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Disease progression and relapse are attributed to a hyperactive adaptive immune response to the bo...
Simulated recovery of Europa's global shape and tidal Love numbers from altimetry and radio tracking during a dedicated flyby tour

The fundamental scientific objectives for future spacecraft exploration of Jupiter's moon Europa include confirmation of the existence of subsurface ocean beneath the surface ice shell and constraints on the physical properties of the ocean. Here we conduct a comprehensive simulation of a multiple-flyby mission. We demonstrate that radio tracking data can provide an estimate of the gravitational tidal Love number k2 with sufficient precision to confirm the presence of a liquid layer. We further show that a capable long-range laser altimeter can improve determination of the spacecraft position, improve the k2 determination (<1% error), and enable the estimation of the planetary shape and Love number h2 (3–4% error), which is directly related to the amplitude of the surface tidal deformation. These measurements, in addition to the global shape accurately constrained by the long altimetric profiles, can yield further constraints on the interior structure of Europa.
Comparison of Illumina paired-end and single-direction sequencing for microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicon surveys

Comparison of Illumina paired-end and single-direction sequencing for microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicon surveys
Procrastination as a Self-Handicap for Men and Women: A Task-Avoidance Strategy in a Laboratory Setting

Abstract Procrastination (the lack of time spent practicing before an upcoming target task) may be conceptualized as a behavioral self-handicap. In two studies, participants (Study 1, 40 women and 19 men; Study 2, 48 women and 40 men) rated themselves on a measure of chronic procrastination in a general testing session. When participants reported individually to a laboratory, they were told that their performance on a math task would be measured. However, participants were allowed to practice the task or engage in other, fun activities (e.g., playing with a video game or working on a puzzle) for 15 min; hence, “procrastinate” at practicing. Participants in the first study spent an average of 9 of 15 min (60% of the time) procrastinating by working on all activities except practicing math problems. In the second study, where the exact same math task was identified as a fun game, chronic procrastinators did not practice less than nonprocrastinators, suggesting that procrastination (lack of practice) occurs as a behavioral self-handicap. In both studies, when the task was identified as an important evaluation of cognitive skills, chronic procrastinators compared to nonprocrastinators spent more time on the fun, alternative tasks and less time preparing for the evaluation. Procrastination by lack of practicing on a task occurred only when the task was identified as evaluative, not when the identical task was labeled as a fun or pleasurable activity.
Examining Racial Disparities in Drug Arrests

The War on Drugs popularized a set of policies and practices that dramatically increased the number of drug arrests, particularly for low-level drug offenses. The War’s tactics have affected Americans of every race; however, minorities have been most dramatically affected. There are several explanations for the observed racial disparity in drug arrests, but relatively little research directly tests these explanations. In this study, we test three common explanations of racial disparities in drug arrest rates. We find that racial disparities in drug arrests cannot be explained by differences in drug offending, nondrug offending, or residing in the kinds of neighborhoods likely to have heavy police emphasis on drug offending. Our findings are most consistent with explanations focusing on racial bias in drug sanctions.
Relationship between pain severity and outcomes in patients presenting with potential acute coronary syndromes.

Study objective Although lay people often assume that severe pain is more commonly associated with worse outcomes, the relationship between pain severity and outcome for patients presenting with potential acute coronary syndrome has not been well described. We hypothesize that pain severity will not be associated with acute myocardial infarction or 30-day cardiovascular complications. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with potential acute coronary syndrome. Trained research assistants collected data, including demographics, medical history, symptoms, hospital course, and 30-day outcomes (record review and telephone). Pain score on arrival (0 to 10) was abstracted from nurses' triage documentation in the electronic record. Severe pain was defined as 9 or 10. The main outcomes were the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction during index visit and composite of death, acute myocardial infarction, revascularization including percutaneous coronary intervention, or coronary bypass artery grafting at 30 days. Multivariable modeling was prespecified to adjust for age, race, sex, pain duration, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score, and mode of arrival. Data are presented as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Patients (3,306) had pain documented (mean age 51.0 years; SD 12.6 years; 57% women; 66% black). Follow-up was 93%. By 30 days, 34 patients had died, 105 patients underwent revascularization (94 percutaneous coronary intervention, 14 coronary bypass artery grafting), and 111 patients experienced acute myocardial infarction. There was not a relationship between severe pain and acute myocardial infarction (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.76) or 30-day composite outcome (1.19; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.56). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, we found that the prevalence of inhospital acute myocardial infarction was related to TIMI score (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 2.00; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.80), male sex (aRR 1.48; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.18), and arrival by emergency medical services (EMS) (aRR 1.73; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.63) but not age (aRR 1.42; 95% CI 0.68 to 2.95), white race (aRR 1.25; 95% CI 0.85 to 1.86), pain duration greater than 1 hour (aRR 1.36; 95% CI 0.89 to 2.07), or severe pain (aRR 1.43; 95% CI 0.91 to 2.22). Thirty-day composite outcome was related to male sex (aRR 1.53; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.01), white race (aRR 1.43; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.87), and higher TIMI score (aRR 2.24; 95% CI 1.39 to 3.60) but was not related to age (aRR 1.26; 95% CI 0.75 to 2.11), pain duration greater than 1 hour (aRR 0.8; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.06), EMS arrival (aRR 1.23; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.60), or severe pain (aRR 1.39; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.97). Conclusion For patients who present to the ED with potential acute coronary syndrome, severe pain is not related to likelihood of acute myocardial infarction at presentation or death, acute myocardial infarction or revascularization within 30 days.
The CD19–CD21 Complex Regulates Signal Transduction Thresholds Governing Humoral Immunity and Autoimmunity

We thank Drs. David Pisetsky, Martha Delahunty, Mike Frank, Douglas Steeber, and Yuan Zhuang for review of this manuscript. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants AI-26872, HL-50985, and CA-54464.
Axial distributions of 95Nb and 95Zr isotopes in irradiated UO2PuO2 fuel pins

Abstract Encapsulated UO 2 PuO 2 fuel pins irradiated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II were examined nondestructively using precision γ-scanning to determine the relative axial distributions of 95 Nb and 95 Zr isotopes. 95 Nb had undergone significant axial migration depositing at specific axial locations, as well as migrating radially towards the central void regions. The 95 Zr precursor of 95 Nb appeared to have remained with the fuel material, indicating that differences between the 95 Nb and the 95 Zr distributions were the result of the migration of only the niobium species.
MMC03-6: Video Traffic Modeling for Resource-Constrained Clients

We present a new approach to variable bit rate (VBR) video traffic modeling designed to capture the multi- scale characteristics that are critical in determining buffering requirements. Much of the previous work in video traffic modeling has focused on real-time multimedia systems that of necessity involve queuing models with small buffers. Today there is growing interest in understanding systems in which high quality video is downloaded in non-real-time from a source such as the Internet, and then distributed at a later time in a local environment to a very low-cost and thus resource-constrained device. Smooth playback and avoidance of data loss are of paramount importance. The work here analyzes the tradeoffs between buffering resources and the video quality in such environments, and provides a framework that is directly relevant to a large class of emerging applications and systems.
Tissue distribution, subcellular localization and covalent binding of 2-chloroaniline and 4-chloroaniline in Fischer 344 rats.

Chloroanilines (CA) are widely used chemical intermediates which induce numerous toxicities including hematotoxicity, splenotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Although chloroaniline-induced hematotoxicity has been studied in detail, little information is available on the organ-directed toxicity seen following exposure to these agents. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the excretion and distribution of two nephrotoxicant and hepatotoxicant chloroanilines (2- and 4-chloroaniline) to liver, kidney, spleen, plasma and erythrocytes. Subcellular distribution and covalent binding in kidney and liver were also determined. Male Fischer 344 rats (four per group) were administered [14C]-2-chloroaniline or [14C]-4-chloroaniline (0.5 or 1.0 mmol/kg; ∼50 μCi/rat) intraperitoneally (i.p.). Urine, feces, blood and tissues were collected at 3 and 24 h. Both 2- and 4-chloroaniline-derived radioactivity were primarily renally excreted with <1% excretion in the feces by 24 h post-treatment. Both chloroanilines accumulated mainly in liver (percentage of administered dose/total tissue), but kidney generally had similar or higher equivalent concentrations (μmol/g tissue) compared to liver. Subcellular distribution revealed that for both chloroanilines, the cytosolic fraction generally had the highest level of radioactivity independent of time or dose. Covalent binding was detected in both liver and kidney, with the highest concentration (pmol/mg protein) of binding observed in the hepatic microsomal fraction regardless of compound, dose or time studied. In general, 2-chloroaniline derived radioactivity was excreted faster, reached peak tissue concentrations earlier, disappeared from tissues faster and had less covalent binding in target tissue at 24 h than 4-chloroaniline-derived radioactivity. These results suggest that the increased toxic potential of 4-chloroaniline as compared to 2-chloroaniline may be due in part to a more prolonged and persistent accumulation of 4-chloroaniline and/or its metabolites in target tissue.
Effect of visual spatial context on perception of one's own body.

Three experiments, dealing with the effect of extension of surrounding visual spatial context on apparent size of body parts, were conducted. In the first two studies (forty-eight subjects in each) the dependent variable was arm length, and in the third study (twenty-four subjects) the dependent variable was head width. It was found that apparent arm length and apparent head width are relatively larger in an ‘open-extended’ visual spatial context than in a ‘close-confined’ spatial context. These results are interpreted in keeping with developmental and sensory-tonic theory.
LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC AND LARGE ADRENAL CYSTS

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We present the feasibility and results of the laparoscopic management of symptomatic and large adrenal cysts.Materials and Methods:: From June 1993 to April 2004 we performed 149 laparoscopic adrenalectomies. In this series 8 patients with symptomatic adrenal cysts or pseudocysts were treated laparoscopically. Surgical indications for laparoscopic management of adrenal cysts were abdominal pain in 5 cases and cyst size 5 cm or greater in 3.Results:: The incidence of adrenal cyst was 5.4% (8 of 149 cases). Six patients underwent laparoscopic adrenal cyst decortication and marsupialization, 1 underwent laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy and 1 underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Mean operative time was 77.5 minutes. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 1.7 days. At a mean followup of 18.5 months all patients were asymptomatic and without radiographic evidence of cyst recurrence.Conclusions:: Laparoscopic conservative management of adrenal cys...
Sociology and society in contemporary China, 1979-1983

Pushkin's 1825 play tells the story of Godunov - a fundamentally good and skilled politician whose reign as an elected tsar (1598-1605) was undermined by moral scandal, popular distrust and rival claims of legitimacy. The translator's introduction provides a cultural and historical background.
Influence of Block Copolymer on Droplet Breakup and Coalescence in Model Immiscible Polymer Blends

Shear-induced droplet breakup and coalescence were investigated by optical microscopy. Model polymer blends comprising 5% poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) dispersed in a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix were studied in situ. Addition of 0.1% or 1.0% of PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO triblock copolymers facilitated breakup and inhibited coalescence. The steady-state droplet size produced by breakup was reduced only slightly by addition of 0.1% copolymer and more substantially by addition of 1%. However, the kinetics of coalescence were suppressed effectively even when 0.1% of copolymer was added, and only marginal additional gains in suppressing coalescence were achieved by addition of more copolymer. Analysis of coalescence kinetics shows that in these systems the copolymer acts to reduce the efficiency of both droplet collision and film drainage and/or rupture.
Rhetorical indiscretions: Charles Dickens as abolitionist

In January of 1842, Charles Dickens began a tour of America to capitalize on his popularity, a tour which culminated in the composition and publication of his travel book, American Notes. In chapter 17 of American Notes, Dickens turns his pen against America's practice of slavery, composing an eloquent polemic that, because of his fame in America, reached an audience that Theodore Weld could only dream of. This essay argues that Dickens's “Slavery” chapter in his American Notes can and should be analyzed as a historically significant antislavery document, whose proper discursive context is not other British writers but rather other antislavery writers in America. The essay then critiques some of the formal features of the text with reference to the contextual exigencies and constraints that faced Dickens as a social polemicist, concluding that Dickens's stylistic choices undermined his ability to make an argument by testimony that would take advantage of the rhetorical opportunities the genre of the trave...
Interfacial Curvature in Graft and Diblock Copolymers and Implications for Long-Range Order in Cylindrical Morphologies

Microstructures of block copolymers in the strong segregation limit are characterized by well-defined interfaces separating the different block materials into domains on a nanometer scale. In this paper, we address the effects of architectural and conformational asymmetry of the blocks on the interfacial curvature characteristics and on the degree of long-range order in the cylindrical morphologies. Experimental (TEM and SAXS) curvature data from polyisoprene−polystyrene (I2S) simple graft block copolymers and from polyisoprene−poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA) linear, conformationally asymmetric diblock copolymers are presented and compared to data from polyisoprene−polystyrene linear diblock copolymers. The experimental data are elucidated by a simple curvature free energy model which accounts for core-space-filling without explicitly specifying the shape of the microdomain. This model allows the prediction of preferred interfacial curvature characteristics as a function of molecular architecture. Good agreement is obtained between the theoretically calculated mean and Gaussian curvatures and the experimentally measured values. A key finding is that the degree of frustration, as measured by the difference between the free energy of the preferred curvature of a given block copolymer and that of the nearest accessible space-filling structure (such as the cylindrical structure), is correlated with the degree of long-range order.
Some comments on equilibrium concepts and geomorphic systems

Abstract Equilibrium is commonly used to describe geomorphic systems that can adjust to changes by reaching a steady state. As a conceptual framework, equilibrium emphasizes the relation between present form and process. Systems analysis is a conceptual framework that can be used to quantify and relate material or energy flows that comprise a geomorphic system. Despite the apparent similarity between the language of systems analysis and the descriptive examples of geomorphic equilibrium, these two conceptual frameworks are divergent in many respects. From the vantage point of a systems approach in geomorphology, many types of equilibrium purported to describe geomorphic systems, such as dynamic equilibrium and graded equilibrium, are seen to be very different from one another and in turn very different from the kinds of equilibrium resulting from systems analysis. There are several differences between concepts of equilibrium that serve to illuminate the workings of natural systems in a way that were undefined within each framework. Additionally, several important characteristics of geomorphic systems are analytically invisible using equilibrium concepts, such as spatial self-organization, scale invariance and inherent instability. Time, used quite intuitively in all non-systems definitions of equilibrium, is an important source of insight to the behavior of geomorphic systems. In systems analysis, time is defined by the process under consideration and is not defined a priori as it is with equilibrium concepts. Whereas time consists of a single duration for equilibrium concepts, it must consist of a duration and a smaller interval over which the process is realized for the systems approach. Iterative processes whose affects can be different depending on their sequence, introduce a degree of complexity into the analysis of geomorphic systems that, although long recognized, has been unmanageable because of a predisposition to the use of average rates.
Keratinization of pilar structures in acne vulgaris and normal skin.

SUMMARY.— The hair follicles and sebaceous glands have been studied in serial sections of normal skin and of skin from subjects with acne and with sebaceous hyperplasia. Keratinization of sebaceous ducts can be observed in normal skin. There is no constant correlation between perifollicular infiltrate, follicular obstruction and the development of comedones. Rupture of a cyst wall can occur in follicles with patent ostia. Localized loss of granular layer in the cyst wall indicates a defect in keratinization preceding rupture.
Heavy metal analysis using a Heck-catalyzed cyclization to create coumarin

This paper describes a new method for heavy metal analysis via catalytic signal amplification. This signal amplification protocol relies upon an exogenous inhibitor for deliberate deactivation of an organometallic reaction that catalytically creates a fluorophore. When the deactivation process is performed in the presence of the analyte, competitive binding of the inhibitor with the analyte and the catalyst occurs. A Heck reaction creating a coumarin fluorophore with a high quantum yield was studied. 1,4,7,10,13-Pentaaza-cyclopentadecane was chosen as the inhibiting ligand to selectively coordinate pre-catalyst Pd(II) and analytes Cd(II), Ni(II), Co(II). Monitoring product fluorescent intensity in real time revealed the concentration of analyte.
Comparative Analysis of Biomechanical Performance of Available “Nerve Glues”

Purpose To compare a variety of potentially useful artificial and biological sealants applied to sutured nerve repairs to decrease gapping at the repaired site. Methods Fifty-seven fresh-frozen cadaveric nerve specimens were transected and repaired with two 8-0 nylon epineural sutures placed 180° apart. The specimens were divided into 5 groups. Four groups received augmentation of the repair with application of either autologous fibrin glue, Tisseel fibrin glue, Evicel fibrin glue, or DuraSeal polyethylene glycol–based hydrogel sealant, and the fifth group had no glue. Each nerve construct was mounted in a servohydraulic materials testing machine and stretched at a constant 5 mm/min displacement rate until failure. A noncontact video analysis permitted normalization of stretch within the repair region. Statistical analysis was performed via analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer post hoc pairwise comparison when indicated. Results Resistance to gapping as measured through normalized stiffness (N/mm/mm) was greater for the Tisseel group, Evicel group, and DuraSeal group versus the no-glue group only. The stiffness of the autologous group approached significance versus the no-glue group. There were no significant differences in stiffness between any of the nerve glue groups. There was no statistical difference for the peak load at failure between any of the groups. Conclusions Avoidance of gapping at the nerve repair site is crucial in achieving successful nerve regeneration. Commercially available tissue sealants (Tisseel, Evicel, and DuraSeal), when used to augment 2-suture nerve repairs, as in our protocol, help prevent this initial gapping. None of the tissue sealants tested, however, increased the ultimate load to complete failure of the repair.
Laser therapy for the treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease: a systematic review with focus on carbon dioxide laser resurfacing

Benign familial chronic pemphigus, or Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), is a recurrent bullous dermatitis that tends to have a chronic course with frequent relapses. Long-term treatment options include surgery with skin grafting or dermabrasion. Both are highly invasive and carry significant risks and complications. More recently, 'laser-abrasion' has been described as a less invasive option with a better side-effect profile. In this article, we systematically review the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide laser therapy as a long-term treatment option for HHD, as well as provide a review of other lasers that have been reported with this goal. A total of 23 patients who had been treated with a carbon dioxide laser were identified. After treatment, 10 patients (43%) had had no recurrence, 10 (43%) had greater than 50% improvement, 2 (8%) had less than 50% improvement and 1 (4%) patient had no improvement at all (follow-up period ranged from 4 to 144 months). Laser parameter variability was wide and adverse effects were minimal, including dyspigmentation and scarring. Reviewed evidence indicates this therapy offers a safe, effective treatment alternative for HHD with minimal risk of side-effects. Larger, well-designed studies are necessary to determine the optimal treatment parameters.
Axonal projections and connections of the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus in the monkey

To date, anatomical studies of ascending principal sensory trigeminal nuclear (PrV) axons in the monkey have been restricted to few incomplete investigations utilizing the Marchi method. In the present study total or partial unilateral stereotaxic lesions of PrV were made in cebus and rhesus monkeys and analyzed with the aid of a variety of Nauta silver impregnation techniques applied to frozen sections. Analysis of the fiber degeneration emanating from PrV lesions indicates that PrV fibers from an ascending system composed of two distinct components. Most PrV axons project ventromedially from PrV through the ventral pontine tegmentum and gradually decussate across the midline in the mesencephalic tegmentum up to the level of the caudal pole of nucleus interpeduncularis. These decussated fibers form the trigeminal lemniscus, which courses dorsomedial to the medial lemniscus during its ascent into the diencephalon. A few whorls of preterminal fiber degeneration separating from the trigeminal lemniscus first appear in the magnocellular area of the thalamus medial to the medial geniculate body. The lemniscal PrV axons terminate densely throughout most, but not all, of the magnocellular part of nucleus ventralis posteromedialis (VPM) contralateral to the side of their origin. Some collateral-like fibers from the trigeminal lemniscus also were observed ending in the ventral segment of the zona incerta. Other axons, arising chiefly from the dorsal one-third of PrV, form a smaller ipsilateral trigeminothalamic projection. These fibers all remain on the side of their origin and terminate consistently in a discrete dorsomedial paralaminar portion of VPM that does not receive lemniscal PrV connections. A commissural fiber system at the pontine level connects parvicellular reticular cells with their counterparts and the motor trigeminal nucleus of the opposite side. These interconnections appear to provide an anatomical link for the integration of bilateral trigeminal sensory information and motor function.
715-1 Predictors of Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock: The GUSTO Experience

Cardiogenic shock during acute myocardial infarction is associated with a marked increase in mortality. In GUSTO I Trial, the mortality in cardiogenic shock patients was 59%. The ability to predict mortality in these patients might help to devise better strategies. Baseline characteristics of 1968 cardiogenic shock patients in GUSTO were assessed in relationship to 30 day outcome: Alive (N = 1321) Dead (N = 1647) X 2 Characteristcs N(%) Age (yrs) 634 ± 10.9 698 ± 10.4 252.4 Current Smoker 567 (43%) 407 (26%) 92.4 Killip class 1 or 2 on arrival 1140187%) 1325 (81%) 67.6 Infarct location anterior 570 (43%) 931 (57%) 57.7 Prior MI 255 (19%) 488 (30%) 44.0 Weight (kg) 780 ± 162 74.1 ± 15.2 40.0 Height (cm) 170.9 ± 99 168.0 ± 9.7 38.4 Admission pulse 79.3±21.1 84.5 ± 22.6 36.9 Diabetes 187 (14%) 369 (23%) 35.4 Time to Rx (hrs) 2.99 ± 1.64 3.32 ± 178 33.8 Prior angina 480 (37%) 751 (47%) 29.4 Combining these baseline characteristics in a multivariate model provides very good discrimination of prediction of mortality. Conclusion Baseline characteristics can identify patients at high risk of dying associated with cardiogenic shock. Since previous controlled trials have not demonstrated efficacy of thrombolysis in cardiogenic shock, these features may set up preferential triage to primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or other aggressive reperfusion strategies.
Lifestyle behaviors and receipt of preventive health care services among hypertensive Americans aged 45 years or older in 2007

Abstract Objective. The aim of the study was to explore opportunities for more effective interventions on lifestyle modifications among hypertensives. Methods. Using 2007 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from the United States, we assessed the prevalence of various lifestyle behaviors and receipt of preventive health care services among US adults aged 45 years or older based on hypertension and treatment status (n = 218,228). Results. Compared with nonhypertensives, hypertensives were significantly less likely to engage in recommended levels of physical activity and to be more obese regardless of treatment status. Compared to nonhypertensives, hypertensives on medical treatment were less likely to consume five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day, be current smokers, and binge drinkers. Hypertensives not on medical treatment were more likely to be current smokers, binge and heavy drinkers. Hypertensives on medical treatment were more likely to have routine health checkup, have blood cholesterol checkup within previous 5 years and have a flu shot within the previous year than hypertensives not on treatment. Conclusion. Different patterns of lifestyle behaviors and use of preventive health care services were found based on treatment status among hypertensives. Intervention programs should be tailored accordingly to achieve optimal outcome on lifestyle modification.
p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid Esters as Preservatives III.:The Physiological Disposition of p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid and Its Esters

Abstract Free p-hydroxybenzoic acid and its metabolic products in which the phenolic group has not been destroyed bave been determined in tissues and biological fluids of drugs, tablets, and man following the ingestion of the acid and its esters. Recoveries from the urine of animals, regardless of the method of administration, range between 50 and 95 per cent except in the case of butyl esters where the recoveries were approximately 40 per cent. High plasma levels and urinary output of free and conjugated p-hydroxybenzoic acid in dogs indicate that hydrolysis of the ester linkage and metabolic conjugation constitute the chief paths of alteration for all of the esters studied except the butyl derivative. Topical application of ointments containing 10 per cent methyl and 10 per cent propyl p-hydroxybenzoate to the shaved backs of white rabbits produced no irritation during forty-eight hours of contact. Under this condition no drug concentration was detected in the kidneys.
Editorial: Experiments of nature: Contributions to developmental theory

One of the distinguishing principles that has guided research conducted within a developmental psychopathology perspective is that knowledge of normal development is necessary to comprehend psychopathology and that, conversely, the examination of maladaptive and psychopathological development can elucidate the normal functioning of individuals (Cicchetti, 1984, 1990a, 1990b, 1993; Rutter, 1986; Sroufe, 1990; Werner, 1948). Because all pathology can be conceived as a disturbance, distortion, or degeneration of normal functioning, in order to understand psychopathology it is essential that the normal functioning with which psychopathology is compared be fully grasped (Cicchetti, 1984, 1990a; Kaplan, 1967; Rutter & Garmezy, 1983). Likewise, understanding how mental disorders evolve and how aberrations in the organization of component developmental systems that exist among disturbed individuals eventuate may be informative for elucidating critical components of normal development.
Transgressions and sickness in old age

Abstract While old age and age-related health problems are often stigmatizing, there appear to be variations in the degree of stigma related to any single condition. Through an examination of three such conditions, urinary incontinence, dementia and arthritis, the authors develop the hypothesis that multiple transgressions of key cultural values result in increased stigma. These values include: mastery, productivity, individual responsibility and cleanliness. The transgressions involved in incontinence and dementia, in particular, involve an overdetermined assault on adult status. Strategies used to manage symptoms are as much directed to stigma reduction as they are to symptom alleviation.
Comprehensive School Reform A Model Based on Student Learning

Incorporating research-based theoretical approaches into quality instructional practices within the classrooms of U.S. schools has been a challenge. Given the ever increasing mandates of accountability, this issue needs to be solved. This article describes a conceptual framework and the specific implementation activities that the state of Florida used to ensure that quality, research-based instructional practices were implemented within the schools in the state. Described are specific successful models and procedures that have been implemented and validated through collaboration among professionals within the research community, the state department of education, and local staff developers, administrators, and teachers.
Energetics of Protein−Interface Interactions and Its Effect on Protein Adsorption

The kinetics of adsorption of several positively and negatively charged proteins at the air/water and triolein/water interfaces have been studied. It is shown that adsorption of proteins at these interfaces is not simply diffusion-controlled but is strongly influenced by the energetics of interaction of proteins with the interfaces. Generally, positively charged proteins experience an energy barrier for adsorption at the air−water interface and therefore exhibit adsorption rates an order of magnitude slower than their respective bulk diffusivities. In contrast, the negatively charged proteins exhibit an attraction toward the air/water interface and therefore their adsorption rates are either slightly higher or 1.5−2 times lower than their bulk diffusivities. At the triolein−water interface however, all proteins, except phosvitin, adsorbed at rates 1−2 orders of magnitude faster than their bulk diffusivities. The differences between adsorptivities of positively and negatively charged proteins at the air−wa...
Do statins prevent age-related macular degeneration?

DVANCED AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERAtion (AMD) is an important cause of visual loss in persons 65 years of age or older.1,2 Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Until recently, only photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy were shown to have some benefit in preventing severe visual loss but only in a small percentage of patients with the neovascular form of the disease and only for a limited time after treatment.3–5 Aside from antioxidants and zinc, which were shown in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study to reduce progression to advanced AMD (23% vs 28%) in persons with early AMD compared with those not on this treatment, there have been no proven medical interventions for preventing the progression of this disease.6 This is why the paper by Wilson and associates7 appearing in this issue and suggesting a possible protective effect of statins and aspirin for neovascular AMD is of interest. Their study was a retrospective consecutive case series of all 326 patients 60 years of age or older with photographically detected AMD seen in a Veterans Hospital eye clinic. They report that persons with subretinal new vessels were less likely to use statins or aspirin than a group of patients with AMD without subretinal new vessels (defined as five or more soft indistinct drusen with or without geographic atrophy). These observations are consistent with three other publications that reported an inverse association of statins or lipid-lowering agents with AMD.8–10 In one cross-sectional cohort study of persons 66 to 75 years of age, 76 (22%) of the 352 persons who did not take statins and 1 (4%) of the 27 who were taking statins had signs of AMD.8 This is a statistically significant reduction in the odds of having AMD of 86% in those taking statins. In another study, McCarty and associates,9 reported in a letter, a nonsignificant (P .11) fourfold increase in progression of large drusen, a sign of early AMD, in those not taking blood cholesterol-lowering medications com-
Principal Component Analysis and study of port-induced swirl structures in a light-duty optical diesel engine.

In this work computational and experimental approaches are combined to characterize in-cylinder flow structures and local flow field properties during operation of the Sandia 1.9L light-duty optical Diesel engine. A full computational model of the single-cylinder research engine was used that considers the complete intake and exhaust runners and plenums, as well as the adjustable throttling devices used in the experiments to obtain different swirl ratios. The in-cylinder flow predictions were validated against an extensive set of planar PIV measurements at different vertical locations in the combustion chamber for different swirl ratio configurations. Principal Component Analysis was used to characterize precession, tilting and eccentricity, and regional averages of the in-cylinder turbulence properties in the squish region and the piston bowl. Complete sweeps of the port throttle configurations were run to study their effects on the flow structure, together with their correlation with the swirl ratio. Significant deviations between the flows in the piston bowl and squish regions were observed. Piston bowl design, more than the swirl ratio, was identified to foster flow homogeneity between these two regions. Also, analysis of the port-induced flow showed that port geometry, more than different intake port mass flow ratios, can improve turbulence levels in-cylinder.
Triphasic AVP secretion in encephalopathy

A patient with encephalopathy developed triphasic changes in the clinical course, starting with diabetes insipidus (DI), then the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH), and followed by the final phase of DI. The clinical course of encephalopathy was very rapid. The patient lost consciousness completely within only one day after the onset. During the early phase, he lapsed into a condition of "brain death". We could not identify the etiology of the encephalopathy. The triphasic change referred to above is similar to previous reports of cats model after stereotactic destruction of the supraopticohypophyseal tract. We speculate that our case may have been associated with neurohypophyseal dysfunction caused by supraopticohypophyseal tract damage.
Splice variant in TCRζ links T cell receptor signaling to a G-protein-related signaling pathway

The T cell receptor zeta chain is required for efficient receptor expression and contributes to T cell receptor-mediated activation of ZAP-70 and PLC-gamma1 as well as other signaling functions. A splice variant of zeta has been described which contains a 3bp insert coding for a glutamine in the cytoplasmic domain. The variant, here designated zeta-Q, is abundant, comprising 20-50% of zeta transcripts in humans, and production of the two isoforms is conserved among distantly related vertebrate species. Analysis of the peptide region in which the insert occurs reveals an unexpected homology with G-protein gamma chains. Transfection studies suggest that disruption in the alignment of three conserved prolines by the insertion of an extra glutamine impairs TCR-mediated PLC activation. Experiments with human lymphocytes suggest that zeta-Q message undergoes upregulation following cellular activation. Our data suggest that regulation of the relative levels of these two transcripts is related to an ancient mechanism which functions to raise the number of receptors required to produce cellular activation during the course of prolonged cellular stimulation, perhaps through a G-protein-related pathway.
Etiquette-based medicine.

Patients ideally deserve to have a compassionate doctor, but might they be satisfied with one who is simply well-behaved? Michael Kahn believes that medical education and postgraduate training should place more emphasis on “etiquette-based medicine.”
Giant Unruptured Aneurysm of the Left Sinus of Valsalva in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract of a Young Dog

young adult, 28 kg, intact female Siberian husky-mixed breed dog was presented to the VeterinaryMedical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) Emergency Servicefor evaluation of a dysrhythmia and an abnormal cardiacstructure. The dog had been adopted from an animal shelterapproximately 3 months before presentation. The dog oc-casionally showed exercise intolerance, and the owners sus-pected that she had impaired vision. Initial clinical signsappeared 2 days before presentation during strenuous activ-ity—the dog uncharacteristically stopped and lay downwhile tachypneic. The dog produced dark liquid feces andwas lethargic and anorexic overnight.Referral radiographs of the thorax and abdomen wereunremarkable. A fecal parvovirus antigen test and exami-nations for intestinal parasites were negative. Mild to mod-erate increases in liver enzyme activities, as well as a mildincrease in blood urea nitrogen concentration and throm-bocytopenia, were identiﬁed. A referral electrocardiogramhad alternating periods of supraventricular tachycardia,nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, and premature ven-tricular complexes. The referral echocardiogram disclosedan abnormal, thin-walled structure attached to the intraven-tricular septum, extending into the left ventricular outﬂowtract, which contained an echodense mass. Treatments atthe referring hospital included IV ﬂuids, antibiotics, a vagalmaneuver (no response), an IV bolus followed by contin-uous rate infusion of lidocaine
THE ANXIUS GROUP OF THE GENUS RHABDEPYRIS KIEFFER (HYMENOPTERA: BETHYLIDAE: EPYRINAE)

The 8 known species of the anxius group of the genus Rhabdepyris are reviewed. This group is characterised by the reduction or virtual absence of the radius of the fore wing of the female. All 8 species are new: R. anxius (Australian Capital Territory), R. arenarius (New South Wales), R. abjectus (South Australia), R. aletris (Northern Territory), R. avidus, R. ablusus, R. asperulus and R. arcanellus (Western Australia).
Exploring the Secrets of the Aurora

Short, professional autobiographies of the founders of space physics have been solicited by AGU's History Committee and published in special sections of Space Physics issues of the Journal of Geophysical Research. Here we have a book-length professional autobiography by the discoverer of magnetospheric substorms, which is arguably the most intensely researched topic in the field. Probably the book's most valuable contribution to the history of space physics is precisely the narration of the discovery of substorms. Exploring the Secrets of the Aurora has an epic quality. It starts with Akasofu's insight that the auroral zone—a circumpolar zone that auroras inhabit, with geographic borders established in the previous century—is a fiction. There followed a struggle to replace it with the concept of an expandable auroral oval, which has quite a different shape. The road to final success entailed Akasofu's installing a chain of aurora-imaging, “all-sky” cameras stretching the north-south length of Alaska. These proved the point and set a precedent for north-south aligned magnetometer chains.
Gustatory receptor neuron responds to DEET and other insect repellents in the yellow-fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

Three gustatory receptor neurons were characterized for contact chemoreceptive sensilla on the labella of female yellow-fever mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti. The neuron with the smallest amplitude spike responded to the feeding deterrent, quinine, as well as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide and other insect repellents. Two other neurons with differing spikes responded to salt (NaCl) and sucrose. This is the first report of a gustatory receptor neuron specific for insect repellents in mosquitoes and may provide a tool for screening chemicals to discover novel or improved feeding deterrents and repellents for use in the management of arthropod disease vectors.
Packed primaries and empty caucuses: voter turnout in presidential nominations

In presidential nomination contests, the number of voters participating in selecting the presidential candidates varies considerably across states. In the same election year, turnout in presidential nomination contests ranges from less than 1 % of party supporters participating in some caucuses to record breaking turnout levels upwards of 50 % in primaries in other states. This variation is attributable, in part, to the electoral rules, which vary across states, years, and parties. In this paper, I provide a comprehensive examination of the extent to which party and state rules affect voter turnout in nomination contests from 1980 to 2012. Using the normal partisan support score as the voter turnout denominator, I find that primaries, open contests, and proportional representation rules result in higher levels of turnout. I also show that within the window of competitiveness, turnout is higher in states that hold contests later in the nomination season. Overall, my analysis provides insight into the institutional structures that influence the number of people who participate in the presidential nomination process and enhances understanding about the factors that affect voter turnout.
American Natural History

Natural History in America. By Wayne Hanley. Pp.xiii + 334. (Harper and Row: London; Quadrangle/New York Times Books: New York, 1977.) £8.95; Fl.40.65; $14.95.