cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A moratorium on cyborgs: Computation, cognition, and commerce

By examining the contingent alliance that has emerged between the computational theory of mind and cyborg theory, we discern some questionable ways in which the literalization of technological metaphors and the over-extension of the “computational” have functioned, not only to influence conceptions of cognition, but also by becoming normative perspectives on how minds and bodies should be transformed, such that they can capitalize on technology’s capacity to enhance cognition and thus amend our sense of what it is to be “human”. We consider “a moratorium on cyborg discourse” as a way of focusing the conceptual and social–political problems posed by this alliance.
The Influence of Parental Nativity, Neighborhood Disadvantage and the Built Environment on Physical Activity Behaviors in Latino Youth

Little evidence exists examining if parental nativity, neighborhood disadvantage and built environment features are associated with physical activity behaviors in Latino youth. We used a representative sample of Latino youth (n = 616) living in New Jersey to examine parental nativity associations with active transport to school, active use of sidewalks, use of local neighborhood parks, and use of neighborhood physical activity facilities. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) that accounted for the complex survey design. Latino youth with foreign-born parents were generally more active than their US-born peers, and those with parents in the US 10 years or less were more likely to engage in active transport to school (PR = 1.51, 95 % CI 1.04–2.21), after adjusting for census-based neighborhood disadvantage, self-reported neighborhood measures, and geocoded distance to school. Parental nativity status should be considered in policies or interventions designed to increase physical activity among Latino youth.
Reovirus exists in the form of 13 particle species that differ in their content of protein σ1

When electrophoresed in 0.7% agarose gels, populations of reovirus particles can be resolved into 13 well-defined bands that possess from 0 to 12 projection/spike-associated trimers of protein sigma 1. This state of affairs is not an artifact of purification, of the techniques used to demonstrate it, of aggregation, or of virus particle instability. Complexes of monoclonal antibody against protein sigma 1 with virus particles that possess only 1, or, to a lesser extent, 2 sigma 1 trimers are less stable (that is, more readily dissociated by sonication) than complexes of antibody and virus particles that possess 3 or more sigma 1 trimers. The specific infectivity of virus particles that possess 3 or more sigma 1 trimers is essentially the same; virus particles that possess only 2 sigma 1 trimers are about two-thirds as infectious; and particles that possess only 1 sigma 1 trimer still possess very significant infectivity (about one-third of maximum). Reovirus particles that possess no sigma 1 trimers (about 1 in 30) are essentially noninfectious. The reason reovirus particles do not possess a full complement of sigma 1 trimers is presumably the fact that only very small amounts of protein sigma 1 are synthesized in infected cells; and since possession of 3 such trimers is sufficient for maximal infectivity, and since the average number of sigma 1 trimers per reovirus particle is 7.1, there is presumably no selection for variants that synthesize larger amounts of sigma 1. On the contrary, such variants may well be at a selective disadvantage.
Magnetic Levitation Over Large Translation and Rotation Ranges in All Directions

This paper describes a magnetic levitation system that uses a planar array of 16 cylindrical coils to levitate a platform containing two permanent disk magnets. Position and orientation feedback for closed-loop levitation control is provided by an optical rigid-body motion tracker and wireless LED markers. The actuation model for the levitation system across the full translation and rotation ranges was calculated using electromagnetic finite element analysis and validated with force and torque measurements between a single magnet and coil using motion stages and a six-axis force sensor. The transformation from the set of coil currents to the force and torque generated on the levitated body is recalculated in real time at each update of the levitated platform position and orientation obtained from the motion tracker using a precomputed single magnet and coil actuation model, and redundant kinematic control methods are used to find the least squares set of coil currents to generate the forces and torques needed to stabilize the levitated platform by proportional-derivative feedback control. The approximately 80 × 80 × 25 mm translation range of the implemented levitation system is comparable to the dimensions of the levitated magnet platform. The rotation ranges are ±40° in roll and ±15° in pitch, with unlimited yaw. The horizontal translation ranges can be extended by adding coils to the array, and the vertical translation and tilt rotation ranges are limited by heat dissipation in the coils. Analysis and control methods of the system are described, and large range translation and rotation trajectory following experimental results are given.
Powder coating of sheet molding compound (SMC) body panels

Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) compression molded parts are prone to porosity. During top coat baking, trapped air in the surface porosity expands and often blows through the paint leaving unacceptable craters in the final finish. The accepted solution to this problem in the SMC industry is to use a coating compound on the SMC part. The coating compound (called in-mold coating (IMC)) is injected and cured on the SMC molding after its cure is complete, but before removing it from the mold. Another potential solution is to powder coat the parts once they have been de-molded. While powder coating adds time to the process, it is performed outside of the mold and frees the mold for the next molding cycle earlier than if the IMC process is used. In the present paper, we develop a simplified model for the powder coating of plastic parts. We show how the model can be combined with chemo-rheological measurements to guide the optimization of the process and material parameters. Although with the powders currently available, the surface appearance is inferior to the one obtained with IMC, this process shows potential.
Points by degree and orbit size in chemical trees, II

Abstract We perform an asymptotic analysis of the distribution of points by degree and orbit size in trees whose points have maximum degree d ≥3. When d =4, these trees represent the carbon skeletons of alkanes. Tables are provided for d =3 and 4. These results are readily converted to corresponding conclusions for (1, d )-trees, whose points have only degree 1 or d . As an application we conclude with some speculations on the expected order of the automorphism group of a (1,4)-tree.
Thiosuccinyl Peptides as Sirt5-Specific Inhibitors

Sirtuins, a class of enzymes known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylases, have been shown to regulate a variety of biological processes, including aging, transcription, and metabolism. Sirtuins are considered promising targets for treating several human diseases. There are seven sirtuins in humans (Sirt1-7). Small molecules that can target a particular human sirtuin are important for drug development and fundamental studies of sirtuin biology. Here we demonstrate that thiosuccinyl peptides are potent and selective Sirt5 inhibitors. The design of these inhibitors is based on our recent discovery that Sirt5 prefers to catalyze the hydrolysis of malonyl and succinyl groups, rather than an acetyl group, from lysine residues. Furthermore, among the seven human sirtuins, Sirt5 is the only one that has this unique acyl group preference. This study demonstrates that the different acyl group preferences of different sirtuins can be conveniently utilized to develop small molecules that selectively target different sirtuins.
Split-fabrication obfuscation: Metrics and techniques

Split-fabrication has been proposed as an approach for secure and trusted access to advanced microelectronics manufacturing capability using un-trusted sources. Each wafer to be manufactured is processed by two semiconductor foundries, combining the front-end capabilities of an advanced but untrusted semiconductor foundry with the back-end capabilities a trusted semiconductor foundry. Since the security of split fabrication relates directly to a front-end foundry's ability to interpret the partial circuit designs it receives, metrics are needed to evaluate the obfuscation of these designs as well as circuit design techniques to alter these metrics. This paper quantitatively examines several “front-end” obfuscation techniques and metrics inspired by information theory, and evaluates their impact on design effort, area, and performance penalties.
RESPONSE TO PEPPERBERG; HERMAN AND UYEYAMA; AND SHANKER, SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, AND TAYLOR

Whether the animals studied by Pepperberg, Herman, and Savage-Rumbaugh can learn prepositions remains an open and important question, though the dolphins’ use of demonstratives and conjuctions suggests an impressive competence for at least some closed-class items. It is unlikely that human-like brain structure can explain the capacities of these animals. Their capacities may instead be built upon the cognitive mechanisms favored by social complexity
Estudo do reprocessamento de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD) reciclado do processamento de extrusão de filmes tubulares

The recycling market of thermoplastic polymers is currently in a sharp increase. Recycled materials are regarded as having inferior properties compared to the virgin material. Here we investigated the viscoelastic and thermal properties of the recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE). The samples were reprocessed up to ten times under extreme processing conditions (300 °C/80 rpm) in a single screw extruder in order to evaluate structural changes in their properties. Analyses were performed in an oscillatory rheometer with parallel plates and in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). From the analysis of the oscillatory rheometry, relaxation and retardation spectra were obtained upon applying a non-linear adjustment using a computational program (NLREG), while the kinetics parameters were estimated from the results of the first DSC heating using the Avrami and Freeman-Carroll methods. From the rheological study we inferred that the samples reprocessed more than four times had an increase in complex viscosity, storage and loss moduli, also displaying wider relaxation and retardation phenomena. However, the DSC thermograms and the melt kinetic parameters showed that the LDPE studied maintained their thermal stability, regardless of the modification in their viscoelastic properties.
Report on the African teaching tools workshops.

From September 12–16, 2011, the African Regional Committee (IBRO), the Society for Neuroscience, and the National Academy of Sciences (USA) held the 4th Teaching Tools Workshop at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. This was part of a series of teaching workshops to introduce a variety of materials for junior faculty in the African continent to assist in teaching neuroscience. In many countries, a lack of trained neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists prompted the organizers to provide junior faculty members an overall framework, and the materials needed, for the day-to-day teaching of neuroscience in African countries. Neuroscience, in the view of the Teaching Tools Workshop organizers, includes basic science as well as clinical concepts. Neuroscience and related disciplines are subjects typically feared and shunned by students of medicine and science in Africa. This is partly because the material is difficult and introductory biology and psychology courses do little to prepare students for neuroscience. Furthermore, the neuroscience curriculum in many African medical schools is not consistent. With uneven neuroscience education for physicians and scientists, compounded by the persisting stigma of many neurologic and psychiatric diseases, inadequate diagnosis and treatment often occurs for these conditions. The Teaching Tools Workshop course and content are designed for junior faculty members currently involved in teaching on the African Continent in neuroscience/neuroanatomy/neurophysiology or a related discipline. This generally includes faculty at universities who have been teaching in a neuroscience related field for …
A Novel Normalization Algorithm Based on the Three-Dimensional Minimum Variance Spectral Estimator

In active sonar and radar the noise power in the presence of reverberation and clutter is not stationary. This makes automated detection, tracking, and classification of targets difficult. One way to deal with this problem is to normalize the data. The goal of normalization is to equalize the noise power of the data. This will make the noise-only output of the detection test statistic T(\bold x) as constant as possible. Successful normalization makes sonar signal processing much simpler. For example, in automatic tracking, normalizing increases the probability that true tracks get initiated, and decreases the probability that false tracks get initiated. Normalizers work by estimating the background noise power and dividing T(\bold x) by that estimate. The split window normalizer (SWN) is a common method of normalization. The SWN is also known as a cell-averaging constant false alarm rate (CA-CFAR) processor. The SWN normalizes each cell of the data by finding a local noise power estimate, and dividing the cell by that local estimate. The SWN finds a local noise power estimate using data in a window around the cell to be normalized. The SWN assumes the noise is stationary in the window. So, the size of the windows must be chosen so the data is approximately stationary over the window. This limits the total amount of data available to estimate any cell. The normalizer developed in this paper is based on the minimum variance spectral estimator (MVSE). The MVSE is a power spectral density (PSD) estimator that easily extends to multiple dimensions. PSD estimators estimate power as it changes over frequency. This is mathematically similar to estimating power as it changes over range or other independent variable. A normalizer based on a PSD estimator does not assume the background power is stationary. Removing the stationary assumption allows the use of larger data windows to estimate the power of each cell. In fact, we can extend the data windows over all the ranges, bearings, and pings to perform a three dimensional (3D) estimate of the background power. This 3D estimate uses more data to estimate the background power than the SWN. The SWN can be extended to multiple dimensions but the data windows it uses are limited by assuming the data is stationary in the window. Since the MVSE normalizer uses more data it should produce a better estimate of the background power. The SWN is compared with the new normalizer using a simple track initiation algorithm developed in this paper. Simulation results indicate the MVSE normalizer is 3 dB to 5 dB more effective than the standard SWN for active sonar normalization.
Contribution of the spin-phonon interaction to the paramagnetic resonance linewidth of CrBr3☆

Abstract It is argued that the increase of the paramagnetic resonance linewidth of CrBr3 with increasing temperatures above 100°K, as reported by Seehra and Gupta, is primarily due to a spin-lattice relaxation mechanism. Temperature dependence of the paramagnetic resonance linewidth in other magnetic insulators is discussed and a general expression for the phonon contribution to the linewidth is derived.
Control of systemic capillary leak syndrome with aminophylline and terbutaline.

Abstract purpose: Patients with systemic capillary leak syndrome have a characteristic triad of hypotension, hemoconcentration, and monoclonal gammopathy. They have frequent and severe attacks of hemoconcentration and hypotension accompanied by marked plasma shifts. The exact role of this monoclonal protein is unknown, but it probably leads, in some way, to an increase in capillary permeability. Despite efforts to resuscitate the patients during an acute attack, the syndrome is often fatal. Some success has been obtained in preventing the attacks with the β-adrenergic-stimulating agent terbutaline. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of aminophylline and terbutaline in the treatment of systemic capillary leak syndrome. methods: Over a decade, three patients with systemic capillary leak syndrome presented at our institution. All three patients were treated with terbutaline and aminophylline. Prednisone was used during the course of treatment in each of the three patients. results: In contrast to previous reports of partial or temporary control of episodes, all three patients are alive with almost complete resolution of their recurrent attacks and have been able to return to their normal lifestyles. conclusion: The regimen of terbutaline and aminophylline effectively prevents the attacks of hypotension and hemoconcentration that occur in systemic capillary leak syndrome. The role of prednisone is not clear. Until more is known about the pathophysiology of the disorder, treatment must remain empiric and supportive.
Assessing the Key Processes of Youth-Led Participatory Research Psychometric Analysis and Application of an Observational Rating Scale

Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR)—in which young people conduct research aimed at improving problems in their schools and communities—is increasing in public health, youth development, and education. We report on the development and psychometric testing of the YPAR Process Template (YPT)—to assess the quality of key YPAR processes in a systematic, flexible manner. Pairs of raters independently coded 40 live and videotaped observations. All scales achieved good to excellent interrater reliability with the exception of the power sharing over major decisions scale, which had interrater reliability in the acceptable range. This instrument can be useful for a range of settings practicing YPAR and similar youth empowerment programs. We further report findings generated by YPT assessments that demonstrate that power sharing was a robust predictor of observed youth engagement in the YPAR classes after controlling for the classes’ baseline level of engagement.
A civ boundary value problem for the wave equation

We consider the eigenvalue wave equation in 3 dimensions utt—Δu+pu=λ∣x∣-2u, where u e R, is a function of (x,y,z,t) e R4, with t ≥ 0. Here r is the usual Euclidean norm r2=x2+y2+z2. In the characteristic cone k = {(x,y,z,): 0<t<1,t<r<2–t} we impose boundary conditions along characteristic so that;tu(x,y,z,t)|r=t =(1+t)u(x,y,z,1-t)|r=1+t,0≤t≤1. We also asume that the conditions;u(x,y,z,1)|r=1 = 0 = u(x,y,z,0),0≤r≤2, are satisfied. If we rewrite the wave equation in spherical coordinates and separate the variables we obtain three eigenvalue equations. The eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of these equations will provide the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the CIV boundary value problem for the wave equation in the characteristic cone k.
The structure of the carboxyl terminus of the p21 protein. Structural relationship to the nucleotide-binding/transforming regions of the protein.

The carboxyl-terminal region of theras oncogene-encoded p21 protein is critical to the protein's function, since membrane binding through the C-terminus is necessary for its cellular activity. X-ray crystal structures for truncated p21 proteins are available, but none of these include the C-terminal region of the protein (from residues 172–189). Using conformational energy analysis, we determined the preferred three-dimensional structures for this C-terminal octadecapeptide of the H-ras oncogene p21 protein and generated these structures onto the crystal structure of the remainder of the protein. The results indicate that, like other membrane-associated proteins, the membrane-binding C-terminus of p21 assumes a helical hairpin conformation. In several low-energy orientations, the C-terminal structure is in close proximity to other critical locales of p21. These include the central transforming region (around Gln 61) and the amino terminal transforming region (around Gly 12), indicating that extracellular signals can be transduced through the C-terminal helical hairpin to the effector regions of the protein. This finding is consistent with the results of recent genetic experiments.
The sea as a source of atmospheric phosphorus

Abstract The geochemical fractionation of phosphorus on the drop produced by bubbles bursting in seawater has been studied using a field sampling system called the Bubble Interfacial Microlayer Sampler (BIMS). The droplets from bursting bubbles were collected on filter samples in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island during the summer of 1975. Phosphorus was found to be fractionated by the bubble-bursting process. The enrichment factor ranged from 4 to 170. Enrichment was found to increase with decreasing phosphorus concentration at 20 cm depth while it decreases with increasing wind velocity. Enrichment was independent of bubbling depth. Together these facts suggest that the sea-surface microlayer is the source of the phosphorus on the ejected drops. Organic phosphorus on the filter samples was found to be enriched relative to surface-water phosphorus by factors of 100–200, while reactive phosphorus was enriched by factors of only 6–8. This suggests that surface-active organic phosphorus compounds are the source phosphorus in the microlayer. The organic phosphorus content of samples of atmospheric particulates collected over the phosphate-rich upwelling waters near the Peru coast was found to correlate significantly with sea-salt sodium. Enrichments calculated using the average phosphorus concentration of the surface water in this area agree well with the results of the BIMS study. Thus it appears that phosphorus fractionation does occur in nature and may be important in supplying this nutrient to some coastal regions of the world.
α-Iminocarboxamide Nickel Complexes: Synthesis and Uses in Ethylene Polymerization

A series of nickel complexes containing α-iminocarboxamide, η1-benzyl, and PMe3 ligands were synthesized to identify structural features of neutral Ni complexes that are employed in ethylene polymerization and ethylene/functionalized norbornene copolymerizations. Variations in steric bulk on aryl substituents in the α-iminocarboxamide framework were used to probe N,N- versus N,O-binding modes. When the steric bulk is sufficiently large, as in [N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)propanamidato-κ2N,O]Ni(η1-CH2Ph)(PMe3) (1), [N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-2-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)propanamidato-κ2N,O](η1-CH2Ph)(PMe3)nickel (2), and [N-(2,6-methyl-isopropylphenyl)-2-(2,6-methylisopropylphenylimino)propanamidato-κ2N,O](η1-CH2Ph)(PMe3)nickel (3), one observes N,O-binding. In the case of [N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)propanamidato]((η1-CH2Ph)(PMe3)nickel (4), both, N,O- and N,N-bound modes can be obtained and isolated; the N,N structure is the thermodynamic product. N,N products ...
Updating the Mathematical Model of a Structure Using Vibration Data

Model updating is an important step for correlating the mathematical model of a structure to the real one. There are a variety of techniques available for model updating using dynamic and static me...
Regulation of Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB) in the Nucleus of Cardiomyocytes by G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 5 (GRK5)

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 GRK5 plays a key role in regulating cardiac signaling and its expression is increased in heart failure. GRK5 activity in the nucleus of myocytes has been shown to be detrimental in the setting of pressure-overload hypertrophy. The ubiquitous nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) is involved in the regulation of numerous genes in various tissues, and activation of NF-κB has been shown to be associated with heart disease. Herein, we investigated whether GRK5 can specifically regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway in myocytes. We found that overexpression of GRK5 increased the levels of NF-κB -p50 and p65 in vitro and in vivo, whereas loss of GRK5 resulted in lower cardiac NF-κB levels. Furthermore, increased GRK5 expression induced the phosphorylation status of p65, increased the activity of a NF-κB reporter, and increased NF-κB DNA binding activity in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Importantly, siRNA against GRK5 presented with the opposite results in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes as p65 and p50 were decreased, and there was a loss of NF-κB DNA binding activity. The influence of GRK5 on NF-κB expression and activity was dependent on its nuclear localization as overexpression of a mutant GRK5 that cannot enter the nucleus was devoid of NF-κB activation or DNA binding. Our study demonstrates that a novel pathological consequence of GRK5 up-regulation in the injured and failing heart is the induction of NF-κB expression and activity.
A celebration of Harry B. Gray's 75th birthday

Harry B. Gray is one of the towering figures in modern chemistry. Harry's career has touched nearly every area of inorganic chemistry. His early research led to the development of molecular orbital theory for inorganic molecules. In a 1962 paper with C. J. Ballhausen, he first formulated the concept of metal–ligand multiple bonding. The Ballhausen–Gray model for metal–oxo bonding remains the standard to this day, receiving thousands of citations in the scientific literature since 1982. In this paper, along with two later papers, Harry derived valence orbital ionization energies and analytical orbital wave functions that enabled a generation of computational chemists to perform molecular-orbital calculations of the structures and reactivity of inorganic molecules. After a decade studying bonding, electronic structure, and spectroscopy in transition metal complexes, Harry moved into bioinorganic chemistry with investigations of the active sites and reactivity of metalloproteins. Harry's singular achievement in bioinorganic chemistry is the demonstration of the phenomenon of long-range electron tunneling in proteins, and his experimental elucidation of the chemical principles that regulate the efficiencies of these vital transformations. The current understanding of long-range electron tunneling in biology derives in large measure from a 30-year research effort in Harry's laboratory. During a 50-year research career marked repeatedly by groundbreaking innovations in both theory and experiment, Harry Gray has earned a position among that elite group of scientists who have fundamentally changed the way chemists look at their field.
Expression of Escherichia coli AppA2 phytase in four yeast systems.

To develop an effective fermentation system for producing Escherichia coliphytase AppA2, we expressed the enzyme in three inducible yeast systems: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (pYES2), Schizosaccharomyces pombe (pDS472a), and Pichia pastoris (pPICZ αA), and one constitutive system: P. pastoris (pGAPZαA). All four systems produced an extracellular functional AppA2 phytase with apparent molecular masses ranging from 51.5 to 56 kDa. During 8-day batch fermentation in shaking flasks, the inducible Pichia system produced the highest activity (272 units ml−1 medium), whereas the Schizo. pombesystem produced the lowest activity (2.8 units ml−1). The AppA2 phytase expressed in Schizo. pombehad 60–75% lower K m for sodium phytate and 28% higher heat-stability at 65 °C than that expressed in other three systems. However, all four recombinant AppA2 phytases had pH optimum at 3.5 and temperature optimum at 55 °C and similar efficacy in hydrolyzing phytate–phosphate from soybean meal.
Bargaining over International Multilateral Agreements: The Duration of Negotiations

This article examines the duration of international multilateral agreement negotiations. Based on propositions in the literature concerning factors which may have an effect on the length of negotiations, I derive testable hypotheses concerning the involvement of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations in the negotiation process, the number of negotiating parties, and the duration of the agreement. These hypotheses are tested using new data collected from the negotiations of 168 multilateral agreements. I find that whether a nonstate actor makes the first proposal does have an effect on the duration of multilateral agreement negotiations, but this relationship is conditional on issue area. In particular, when an intergovernmental organization makes the first proposal for security-related agreements, negotiations are longer, but the opposite is true for non-security agreement.
Balancing Scientific and Community Interests in Community-Based Participatory Research

Community-based participatory research is an approach to studying human populations that emphasizes extensive partnerships between researchers and community members. While there are many advantages of this approach, it also faces a number of conceptual and practical challenges, one of which is managing the conflict that sometimes arises between promoting scientific and community interests. This essay explores the potential conflict between scientific and community interests in several different stages of community-based participatory research, including research design, data interpretation, and publication, and makes some suggestions for practice and policy. To manage potential conflicts between scientific and community interests, investigators and community partners should enter into written agreements at the beginning of the study. In some cases, it may be necessary for a third party, such as a review committee from a supporting institution, the community, or a funding agency, to help investigators and ...
Observations on the histology and histochemistry of the oesophagus of the perch, Perca fluviatilis L.

The anatomy and enzyme histœhemistry of the œsophagus of a freshwater teleost perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) has been studied. The mucosa is composed of an undifferentiated layer of basal epithelial cells, mucous cells and surface epithelial cells. The submucosa is compact and contains blood vessels, nerves and bundles of striated longitudinal muscles. The outer circular muscular layer contains both striated and smooth muscle fibres. Electron microscopy shows that the surface epithelial cells are degenerative and that they surround and support pores of the mucous cells. Undifferentiated epithelial cells undergo cytoplasmic changes and eventually become surface epithelial cells. Mucous cells arise from the undifferentiated epithelial cells and their droplets contain acid and neutral mucosubstances. Alkaline phosphatase, non-specific carboxylic esterases and aminopeptidase activity is absent in the mucosa. However, acid phosphatase activity is localized in the surface epithelial cells.
The Significance of Adrenal Hemorrhage: Undiagnosed Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome, A Case Series†

A retrospective series of five cases of nontraumatic gross adrenal hemorrhage were identified in 800 consecutive forensic autopsies. All patients were males, of different ethnicities and with ages ranging from 2 to 48 years. All patients had a clinical history and autopsy findings suggestive of sepsis. Pre- or postmortem microbiological cultures were variably positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The fifth case was positive for yeast and a coagulase negative staphylococcus; contamination of this culture medium cannot be excluded. No cases had a culture positive for Neisseria meningitidis. We find that the reviewed patients with grossly or microscopically identifiable adrenal hemorrhage were otherwise healthy individuals who died suddenly as a consequence of bacterial infection. In each case, signs and symptoms compatible with premortem adrenal insufficiency were reported; in no instance was the adrenal hemorrhage clinically identified.
Screening the physical properties of novel Pseudomonas exopolysaccharides by HPSEC with multi-angle light scattering and viscosity detection

The physical properties of three novel acidic exopolysaccharides obtained from P. marginalis types A, B and C, one from P. ‘gingen’, one from P. andropogenis and one from P. fluorescens have been partially characterized. These EPSs were chromatographed on three serially placed SE Shodex OH pak columns covering a molar mass range for pullulans from about 4 × 107 to 1 × 103. The mobile phase was 0.05 M NaNO3. Physical measurements were performed on about 30 mg of sample for each EPS. The weight average molar mass of these EPSs ranged from about 0.71 to 2.85 × 106, the weight average intrinsic viscosity from 7.15 to 35.3 dl/ g and the radius of gyration from 62 to 123nm. The polydispersities of these EPSs ranged from 1.01 to 1.37. The large molar mass, size and viscosities of these EPSs may indicate that they have potential for use as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and gelling agents in the food and non-food industries.
Latest Approaches for the Treatment of Spasticity and Autonomic Dysreflexia in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Two of the most prevalent secondary complications following spinal cord injury (SCI), besides loss of function and/or sensation below the level of injury, are uncontrolled muscle spasticity and hypertensive autonomic dysreflexia. Despite the desires of the SCI community, there have been few advances in the treatment and/or management of these fundamental impediments to the quality of life associated with chronic SCI. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to focus on current drug treatment strategies that alleviate symptoms of spasticity and autonomic dysfunction. Subsequently, looking ahead, we discuss whether individuals suffering from autonomic dysreflexia and/or muscle spasms can take certain compounds that specifically and rapidly block the neurotransmission of pain into the injured spinal cord to get rapid relief for both aberrant reflexes for which painful stimuli below the level of SCI are common precipitants.
User evaluation of a domain-oriented end-user design environment for building 3D virtual chemistry experiments

Three-dimensional virtual world technologies have the potential to be applied in the domain of education. However, end users such as teachers found it difficult to apply virtual world technologies because of technical issues. This paper discusses the technical difficulties end users face when developing 3D virtual worlds. We investigate the problem from the perspective of end-user programming and propose a methodology for solving this problem. In order to evaluate this methodology, a domain-oriented end-user design environment implementing the methodology has been developed and applied in the domain of educational virtual chemistry laboratory. Two user studies are designed to assess the methodology from two different perspectives. The first user study evaluates the usability of the methodology. The second user study assesses the usability of virtual experiments generated using the methodology.
Ab initio and transition state theory studies of the energetics of H atom resurfacing on Ni(1 1 1)

Ab initio methods based on density functional theory are used to compute the potential energy surface for the motion of H from the subsurface onto the Ni(1 1 1) surface. Transition state theory is used to calculate rate constants for this resurfacing. The influences of tunneling and lattice relaxation are computed and discussed, and comparisons are made with measured vibrational and thermal desorption spectra. Due to the metastable nature of the subsurface octahedral site, the resurfacing H has an excess energy of roughly 1 eV. The resulting hot and highly mobile atoms can engage in unique chemistry with surface-adsorbed species.
Avian and human homologues of the P2Y1 receptor: Pharmacological, signaling, and molecular properties

The P2Y receptor on turkey erythrocyte membranes was the first P2 receptor to be shown to activate phospholipase C (PLC) in a strictly guanine nucleotide-dependent manner and remains the only G protein-coupled P2 receptor for which G protein-coupling kinetics have been defined. This membrane receptor has provided a model system for detailed pharmacological analyses of a series of chain-extended 2-thioether derivatives of adenine nucleotides that exhibit remarkable selectivity and potency for P2Y receptors. This model system also has led recently to identification of a novel series of P2 receptor antagonists. The turkey erythrocyte receptor is the species homologue of the chick P2Y 1 receptor originally cloned by Webb and coworkers [Webb et al., 1993]. We also have cloned the human homologue of the P2Y 1 receptor, which exhibits identical pharmacological and second messenger signaling properties to that of the avian P2Y 1 receptor.
Optics of bianisotropic media

The kDB system, consisting of the propagation vector k and the plane perpendicular to k and containing the field vectors D and B, is developed to treat electromagnetic waves in anisotropic and bianisotropic media. In using the kDB system, we first transform from the original coordinate systems to the kDB, determine the characteristics of the normal modes, and then transform the results back to the original coordinates.
Zone I Flexor Tendon Injuries

Zone I flexor tendon injuries entail injuries to the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon. These injuries occur distal to the superficialis insertion over the middle phalanx or proximal distal phalanx, and as such are isolated injuries to the FDP. The mechanism most commonly is closed avulsion from the distal phalanx or a laceration, but other mechanisms such as open avulsion or crush injury can occur. On physical examination, the cascade of the fingers will be disrupted, and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint flexion must be isolated to determine if the FDP tendon is continuous, as other mechanisms are present to enable finger flexion at the other joints.
Pazopanib synergizes with docetaxel in the treatment of bladder cancer cells.

Objectives To investigate the efficacy of pazopanib, both alone and in combination with docetaxel, in bladder cancer cells. Bladder cancer expresses many potential therapeutic targets of biological agents, including the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Pazopanib is a small molecule inhibitor of VEGFR-1, -2-3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and c-Kit. Materials and Methods Using human bladder cancer cells HTB3, HT1376, J82, RT4, CRL1749, T24, Sup, and HTB9, the treatment effect of pazopanib and cytotoxic chemotherapy was assessed using a tetrazolium-based assay. The combinatorial effect of these agents on clonogenic growth was further examined. Western blotting was used to assess changes in relevant downstream targets, including phospho-AKT, phospho-FAK, total AKT, and total FAK. Results Single-agent pazopanib had modest activity. However, synergy was seen with the combination of docetaxel and pazopanib in these multiple cells lines. J82 and T24 cells were selected for additional clonogenic testing because of their resistance to single-agent docetaxel chemotherapy. 1.25 nM of docetaxel had little effect on clonogenic formation; however, in combination with pazopanib, significant inhibition of colony formation was observed. This combination treatment additionally decreased phospho-AKT, an important mediator of cell survival in all cell lines, whereas phospho-FAK expression was variably affected. Conclusions The present study demonstrates synergistic efficacy of pazopanib with docetaxel in docetaxel-resistant bladder cancer cells. This work supports future evaluation of pazopanib with docetaxel for the treatment of bladder cancer with the potential of improved efficacy and toxicity.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy increases prefrontal cortex gray matter in patients with chronic pain.

Several studies have reported reduced cerebral gray matter (GM) volume or density in chronic pain conditions, but there is limited research on the plasticity of the human cortex in response to psychological interventions. We investigated GM changes after cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with chronic pain. We used voxel-based morphometry to compare anatomic magnetic resonance imaging scans of 13 patients with mixed chronic pain types before and after an 11-week CBT treatment and to 13 healthy control participants. CBT led to significant improvements in clinical measures. Patients did not differ from healthy controls in GM anywhere in the brain. After treatment, patients had increased GM in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior parietal, subgenual anterior cingulate/orbitofrontal, and sensorimotor cortices, as well as hippocampus, and reduced GM in supplementary motor area. In most of these areas showing GM increases, GM became significantly higher than in controls. Decreased pain catastrophizing was associated with increased GM in the left dorsolateral prefrontal and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices, right posterior parietal cortex, somatosensory cortex, and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. Although future studies with additional control groups will be needed to determine the specific roles of CBT on GM and brain function, we propose that increased GM in the prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices reflects greater top-down control over pain and cognitive reappraisal of pain, and that changes in somatosensory cortices reflect alterations in the perception of noxious signals. Perspective An 11-week CBT intervention for coping with chronic pain resulted in increased GM volume in prefrontal and somatosensory brain regions, as well as increased dorsolateral prefrontal volume associated with reduced pain catastrophizing. These results add to mounting evidence that CBT can be a valuable treatment option for chronic pain.
The origins of heterogeneous deformation during primary hot working of Ti–6Al–4V

Abstract A Ti–6Al–4V cylindrical specimen with a large grain colony microstructure was upset forged to 35% reduction at 815 °C at a nominal strain rate of 0.1 s −1 . An orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) analysis was conducted in two representative areas, near the center with an estimated von Mises strain of 1.6, and 0.8 about midway from the center to the outer edge. The process of physically breaking up the lamellar microstructure (globularization) was examined, focusing on how the globularization efficiency was affected by the initial colony orientation. Microstructural maps based upon the electron backscattered pattern quality, crystal orientation, and an estimated Taylor factor (using a continuum assumption) were used to identify and quantify heterogeneous deformation phenomena. These analyses show that in regions where both prism and basal slip systems were not operational, macro shear bands developed, leading to kinked lamellar microstructural features. The shear bands concentrated shear in localized regions that were able to flow easily around remaining hard regions, leaving remnants of the hard regions intact. Also, development of large misorientations of 50–90° from the parent grain arising from a transformation from β to α are quantified and related to the globularization efficiency.
Demographic and socioeconomic links to cigarette smoking.

Abstract This paper illuminates the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with smoking statuses. It employs the 1990 National Health Interview Survey's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement and logistic regression to examine the covariates of smoking status among the U.S. adult population. Polychotomous logistic regression, which provides an alternate way to examine smoking practices, simultaneously considers multiple variables and their interactions, controls for other important covariates, produces predicted values and patterns, and allows multiple comparisons. By examining interactions, we have found that age displays distinct, often curvilinear, patterns with smoking; that compared to females, males have higher rates of cigarette consumption except at the youngest ages; that Anglos, especially Anglo males, exhibit high probabilities of cigarette consumption but also high probabilities of being former smokers; that Black males exhibit high probabilities of light smoking, but onl...
Enumerating virus-like particles in an optically concentrated suspension by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is one of the most sensitive methods for enumerating low concentration nanoparticles in a suspension. However, biological nanoparticles such as viruses often exist at a concentration much lower than the FCS detection limit. While optically generated trapping potentials are shown to effectively enhance the concentration of nanoparticles, feasibility of FCS for enumerating field-enriched nanoparticles requires understanding of the nanoparticle behavior in the external field. This paper reports an experimental study that combines optical trapping and FCS to examine existing theoretical predictions of particle concentration. Colloidal suspensions of polystyrene (PS) nanospheres and HIV-1 virus-like particles are used as model systems. Optical trapping energies and statistical analysis are used to discuss the applicability of FCS for enumerating nanoparticles in a potential well produced by a force field.
A simple model for metal cation-phosphate interactions in nucleic acids in the gas phase: alkali metal cations and trimethyl phosphate.

Threshold collision-induced dissociation techniques are employed to determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of complexes of alkali metal cations to trimethyl phosphate, TMP. Endothermic loss of the intact TMP ligand is the only dissociation pathway observed for all complexes. Theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory are used to determine the structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational constants of neutral TMP and the M+(TMP) complexes. Theoretical BDEs are determined from single point energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p) level using the B3LYP/6-31G* optimized geometries. The agreement between theory and experiment is reasonably good for all complexes except Li+(TMP). The absolute M+—(TMP) BDEs are found to decrease monotonically as the size of the alkali metal cation increases. No activated dissociation was observed for alkali metal cation binding to TMP. The binding of alkali metal cations to TMP is compared with that to acetone and methanol.
Technique of thoracic pedicle screw fixation for trauma

Abstract Thoracic fractures after trauma can lead to devastating neurological injury because of the close relationship among spinal cord, nerve roots, and their bony surroundings. Transpedicular fixation using pedicle screws in the thoracic spine is technically challenging but can be done safely and effectively if surgeons understand the complex anatomy of the region and adhere to biomechanical principles. This article discusses different approaches for placing pedicle screws in the thoracic spine and presents some case examples that demonstrate the technique. Surgeons involved with the operative management of spine trauma should become familiar with the placement of thoracic pedicle screws. The technique requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the region and the techniques used for placing instrumentation.
Thermal stabilities of slabs and hollow spheres with internal heat generation and variable thermal conductivity. I: Thermal stability of Landau slabs with linearly varying thermal conductivity

Abstract Landau's thermal stability analysis is extended to a slab material whose thermal conductivity varies linearly across the slab thickness. Two simple combinations of boundary conditions are applied, and appropriate critical parameters are determined, thus ascertaining the effect of varying thermal conductivity of the slab material. The critical solutions obtained in this study can be shown to closely approach, but not be exactly reducible to, Landau's solution for constant thermal conductivity. The knowledge of a Landau solution, however, gives credence to the present results selected from a multitude of critical solutions.