cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender, Law, and Resistance in India

Gender, Law, and Resistance in India Erin P. Moore (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1998)
Independent elevation of cytosolic [Ca2+] and pH of mammalian sperm by voltage-dependent and pH-sensitive mechanisms.

Previous work (Babcock, D. F., Rufo, G. A., and Lardy, H.A. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 1327-1331) established that increased cytosolic pH (pHi) promotes metabolic and swimming activity of bull sperm and that intracellular alkalinization results from elevated extracellular K+, presumably as a consequence of membrane depolarization. The present studies show that a persistent but reversible increase in [Ca2+]i accompanies the increase in pHi that similarly results from treatment of ram sperm with elevated [K+] in alkaline media. Because comparable increases in pHi occur in the presence or absence of external Ca2+ and because [Ca2+]i is unaltered by imposed changes in pHi alone, [Ca2+]i and pHi apparently are neither directly linked by transmembrane Ca2+/H+ exchange nor indirectly linked through Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchange under these conditions. Instead, inhibition of K+-induced increases in [Ca2+]i (but not of increases in pHi) by prenylamine, diltiazem, nifedipine, or verapamil (C1/2 = 6, 20, 30, and 60 microM, respectively) indicates that voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, distinct from previously described voltage-dependent effectors of pHi, operate in mammalian sperm to control [Ca2+]i. Treatment with Cs+ plus valinomycin (as an alternative method of membrane depolarization) increases pHi much more effectively than it increases [Ca2+]i, and thus also partially supports this contention. In contrast to an apparent insensitivity to pHi, K+-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i are promoted reversibly by elevation of pHo, probably reflecting local surface charge effects on channel activity (as suggested by patch-clamp studies in other systems). A selective increase in membrane permeability to Ca2+ that is induced by 12 mM NaF under nondepolarizing conditions is not a consequence of cellular aggregation, but is attenuated by the chelator deferoxamine, suggesting that GTP-binding protein additionally may couple sperm Ca2+ channels to surface receptors and promote channel opening during sperm capacitation, presumably in response to agonists produced within the mammalian female reproductive tract.
Transcriptome analysis of bacteriophage communities in periodontal health and disease

The role of viruses as members of the human microbiome has gained broader attention with the discovery that human body surfaces are inhabited by sizeable viral communities. The majority of the viruses identified in these communities have been bacteriophages that predate upon cellular microbiota rather than the human host. Phages have the capacity to lyse their hosts or provide them with selective advantages through lysogenic conversion, which could help determine the structure of co-existing bacterial communities. Because conditions such as periodontitis are associated with altered bacterial biota, phage mediated perturbations of bacterial communities have been hypothesized to play a role in promoting periodontal disease. Oral phage communities also differ significantly between periodontal health and disease, but the gene expression of oral phage communities has not been previously examined. Here, we provide the first report of gene expression profiles from the oral bacteriophage community using RNA sequencing, and find that oral phages are more highly expressed in subjects with relative periodontal health. While lysins were highly expressed, the high proportion of integrases expressed suggests that prophages may account for a considerable proportion of oral phage gene expression. Many of the transcriptome reads matched phages found in the oral cavities of the subjects studied, indicating that phages may account for a substantial proportion of oral gene expression. Reads homologous to siphoviruses that infect Firmicutes were amongst the most prevalent transcriptome reads identified in both periodontal health and disease. Some genes from the phage lytic module were significantly more highly expressed in subjects with periodontal disease, suggesting that periodontitis may favor the expression of some lytic phages. As we explore the contributions of viruses to the human microbiome, the data presented here suggest varying expression of bacteriophage communities in oral health and disease.
Modification of a shielded cell to handle tritium

Irradiated tritium targets may be handled in the Main Cell of the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) to support transient safety tests for the New Production Reactor (NPR). To support this activity, the systems at HFEF were examined with the goal of minimizing tritium contamination of HFEF while achieving the requirements of the transient tests. In this paper conceptual design descriptions are provided for required experimental systems and tritium recovery systems.
Trauma-exposed firefighters: relationships among posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, resource availability, coping and critical incident stress debriefing experience

This project examines protective factors associated with resilience/posttraumatic growth and risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress among firefighters exposed to critical incidents. The participants were 286 (257 men and 29 women) volunteer and paid firefighters in Whatcom County, Washington. Participants completed an anonymous survey asking about demographics, critical incident exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic growth, resource availability, coping, occupational stress and critical incident stress debriefing experience. Most participants had significant critical incident exposure, and about half had attended critical incident stress debriefing sessions. Posttraumatic growth was associated with being female, critical incident exposure, critical incident stress debriefing attendance, posttraumatic stress symptoms (negative association), occupational support, occupation satisfaction, occupational effort, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping and personal characteristic resources. Posttraumatic stress symptoms were positively associated with years of firefighting, burnout, occupational effort and disengagement coping and negatively associated with critical incident stress debriefing attendance, posttraumatic growth, social support, internal locus of control, personal characteristic resources, energy resources and condition resources. The findings support conservation of resources stress theory and show that the maintenance and acquisition of resources can offset losses and facilitate resilience/posttraumatic growth. Implications of the findings for enhancing firefighter resources, facilitating resilience and minimizing occupational stressors are discussed.
THE COST OF IGNORING RULES: FOREST CONSERVATION AND RURAL LIVELIHOOD OUTCOMES IN MADAGASCAR

ABSTRACT In this article. I argue that the lack of attention paid to the rules affecting how resource users exploit and manage the forests on which their livelihood depends has hindered the promulgation of sound policies aimed at securing rural populations' livelihood and biodiversity conservation. Looking at how state and community rules are implemented at the community level in each of the four scenarios of a “win—lose” matrix. I suggest that to be successful conservation strategies, must integrate and use local communities' institutional capital as starling points. To appreciate the complexity of the deforestation problem, the institutional elements that merge with demographic and economic factors must be examined. This claim is relevant to the Madagascar cases examined in this analysis and, in all likelihood, to other parts of the world where issues of environmental and socio-economic degradation need to be addressed.
AXLE LOAD SPECTRA CHARACTERIZATION BY MIXED DISTRIBUTION MODELING

Traffic comprises a primary input to any pavement design methodology. As pavement design evolves from traditional empirically based methods toward mechanistic-empirical (M-E), there will be a greater emphasis placed on accurate characterization of the distributions of axle loads, because they are entered directly into pavement response models. Known as load spectra, these distributions of axle weight are often complex and not well represented by individual theoretical statistical distributions. This research proposes a mixed distribution model of two or more theoretical distributions to accurately characterize axle load spectra. This paper details the model development and demonstrates its predictive capability using weigh-in-motion data from 13 sites in Alabama. The data show the predictive capability of the mixed distribution model through high R2 values, exceeding 0.96 in all cases. The typical axle load distribution in Alabama is comprised of a combination of lognormal and normal distributions.
Morphological and physiological identification of neurons in the cat motor cortex which receive direct input from the somatic sensory cortex

The population of neurons in the cat motor cortex which receives monosynaptic input from a specific functional region of the somatic sensory cortex was identified with the techniques of intracellular recording and staining with HRP. Both pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells located in the superficial layers of the pericruciate cortex responded to stimulation of the sensory cortex with short latency, excitatory postsynaptic potentials. More than half of the labeled cells were classified as pyramidal cells and the remainder as sparsely spinous or aspinous nonpyramidal cells. The characteristics of the EPSP's of the 2 groups of cells, ie. latency, time from beginning to peak and amplitude were found to vary only slightly. The results suggest that input from the sensory cortex impinges upon neurons which may in turn have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on cortico-fugal neurons in the motor cortex.
Cancer detection using NIR elastic light scattering and tissue fluorescence imaging

Summary form only given. The feasibility of developing surface or near surface cancer detection methods using near infrared (NIR) light scattering and/or tissue fluorescence is the focus of the investigation. Two main imaging approaches are explored: a) NIR polarized elastic light scattering and b) fluorescence in the NIR spectral region under laser excitation in the green and red spectral regions.
Source of drugs for prescription opioid analgesic abusers: a role for the Internet?

Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA ABSTRACT Objective. There has been a sharp increase in the abuse of prescription opioid analgesics in the United States in the past decade. It has been asserted, particularly by several governmental and regulatory agencies, that the Internet has become a significant source of these drugs which may account to a great extent for the surge in abuse. We have studied whether this is correct. Design. We asked 1,116 prescription drug abusers admitted for treatment, through standardized questionnaires, where they obtained their drugs. We also attempted to purchase scheduled II and III drugs from a random sample of Internet sites offering such sales. Results. Dealers, friends or relatives, and doctors' prescriptions were listed as a source of drugs with equal frequency ( ≈ 50-65%), with theft and forgery far behind at 20%. The Internet was mentioned by fewer than 6% of the total responders. Because these data suggest either lack of availability or that our sample has not yet realized that the Internet is a potential source, we attempted to purchase scheduled II and III opioids and the unscheduled opioid, tramadol, from a random sample of 10% of the sites listing such sales. We were unsuccessful in purchasing a single scheduled opioid analgesic, but found that tramadol, as an unscheduled drug, was freely available. Conclusions. The assertion that the Internet has become a dangerous new avenue for the diversion of scheduled prescription opioid analgesics appears to be based on no empirical evidence and is largely incorrect.
Information asymmetry and accounting restatement: NYSE-AMEX and NASDAQ evidence

We examine the impact of accounting restatement announcement on firms’ value and information asymmetry for both auction market (NYSE-AMEX) and dealer market (NASDAQ) using a public sample of restatement announcements from 1997 to 2005. In both markets, we document economically and significantly negative mean cumulative abnormal returns around the announcement dates. The restatements attributed to auditors are associated with more negative returns than those attributed to management and the SEC. However, there is no significant difference between market reactions arising from the core and non-core restatements. We also find a significant increase in volume, number of transactions, average order size, volatility, and various measures of spreads after the restatement announcement indicating that restatement announcements diminish company prospects and contribute to increased uncertainty and information asymmetry. Finally, we find that the information asymmetry in the NASDAQ market around the event date is less pronounced than in the NYSE-AMEX market.
Update on atypical epithelial hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ

SummaryAtypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) as an indicator of increased risk for developing breast cancer is well established. Refinement in its molecular characterisation, especially as it relates to risk, continues to be challenging, largely because of its small and very focal nature. Also a challenge is appropriate management of ADH when present on core biopsy. Additional support for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) as a precursor to invasive cancer, as well as recent molecular characterisation of DCIS are presented. The importance of margin assessment in cases of DCIS and the limited role for sentinel lymph node biopsy in this setting are reviewed.
An automated microprocessor-controlled data collection device for use with the technicon autoanalyzer system

An automated microprocessor-controlled data collection system for use with a Technicon AutoAnalyzer in a research or clinical laboratory is described. The collection system can digitize an analog output from the AutoAnalyzer, perform mathematical operations on this digital data, detect and record peak-trough data, and perform these data acquisition and mathematical data processing operations in parallel. The data collection system can be interfaced to a variety of host computers for further data analysis. The accuracy of the data collection system was tested and compared to existing procedures using an analysis of bovine serum albumin protein. The correlation coefficient for the comparison of the results was 0.99998. Hence, the automated system is as accurate as previous methods, but is considerably faster, more efficient, and, in comparison to existing devices, less expensive.
Theory and individual behavior of first-price auctions

First-price auction theory is extended to the case of heterogeneous bidders characterized byM-parameter log-concave utility functions. This model, and its specific two-parameter constant relative risk averse special case, is generally supported by the results of 47 experiments. The one-parameter special case that comprises most of the theoretical literature is not supported by the experiments. One anomaly for the two-parameter model is that too many of the subjects exhibit positive (or negative) intercepts in their linear estimated bid functions. Accordingly, we develop a specific three-parameter model, which introduces a utility of winning, and a threshold utility of surplus. The new model, tested directly by introducing lump-sum payments or charges for winning, is not falsified by the new experiments.
Terrorism and Africa: A Study of Agenda Building in the United States

An agenda-building model was examined for the question of Africa and terrorism. A path analysis compared real-world events (deaths and attacks attributed to terrorism), presidential emphasis, media coverage, and foreign aid for 20 African nations. Results show a clear agenda-building trend—when nations were emphasized with a terrorism frame. Presidential emphasis of nations’ involvement in terrorism influenced media coverage and the policy agenda. The findings also suggest that deaths attributed to terrorism influenced the news and policy agendas. Media coverage of nations with a terrorism frame influenced the policy agenda. Only one significant path coefficient was found in the analysis of agenda setting without terrorism framing: The more President Bush mentioned a nation in his public statements, the more The New York Times covered the country.
The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, as a potential prey for phytoseiid mites in California

In laboratory studies, individuals ofEuseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot,Typhlodromus rickeri Chant,T. porresi McMurtry andT. annectens DeLeon offered broad mite,Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), as prey had developmental and ovipositional rates comparable to those offered a known favorable food (tetranychid mites or pollen).Euseius hibisci (Chant) had a longer developmental period and a markedly lower oviposition rate onP. latus than on the control food. Immature survival and ovipositional rates ofEuseius concordis Chant,Typhlodromus occidentalis Nesbitt,Amblyseius limonicus Garman and McGregor andIphiseius degenerans (Berlese) were very low onP. latus compared to control foods.
Should patients with persistent severe asthma be monitored for medication adherence

Background Poor asthma outcomes often result from patients not following physician medication recommendations (ie, nonadherence). Estimates suggest that 50% of patients with asthma do not follow physician medication recommendations. Objective To examine the rationale for making available objective medication adherence monitors for physicians to improve the quality of care for patients with severe persistent asthma. Methods Review of the literature was undertaken in the following areas related to asthma: cost, morbidity, adherence, adherence monitoring, outcomes, and guidelines. Results Patients with severe asthma are at risk for nonadherence because of (1) the use of multiple medications to control symptoms, (2) coexisting disease states, (3) the occurrence of depression and anxiety, and (4) the high cost of care. Research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of objective monitoring as part of multiple clinical strategies to improve adherence and reduce morbidity and the cost of asthma care. Without objective adherence monitoring, physicians may not accurately assess nonadherence as the cause of treatment failure. This may lead to inappropriate increases in therapy, diagnostic studies, and consultations and may leave the patient at risk for persistent symptoms, morbidity, and death. Conclusion By correctly assessing nonadherence as the cause of treatment failure in patients with not only severe asthma but mild and moderate disease as well, practicing physicians may improve the quality of care provided.
The power of work experiences: Characteristics critical to developing expertise in strategic thinking

The ability to think strategically is an increasingly important requirement for managers at all organizational levels. HRD professionals have attempted to help develop this ability through work experiences. However, research identifying which work experiences are most beneficial is limited. As a result, HRD efforts may be weakened. This paper presents findings indicating the importance of nine categories of work experiences to developing the ability to think strategically, and specifies their required characteristics. The characteristics vary with the experience but do follow some general themes.
Changing paradigms in dermatology: nuclear hormone receptors

Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are a family of proteins that function similarly as nuclear transcription factors. The NHR family includes glucocorticoid receptors, retinoic acid and retinoid receptors, vitamin D receptors, thyroxin receptors, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors. These proteins are targets for some of the most commonly prescribed medications in dermatology, including corticosteroids, retinoids, and vitamin D analogues, all of which have limiting side effects. Advances in this field have led to better understanding of the mechanisms of NHR therapeutic and toxic effects, receptor subtypes, tissue distribution, and interaction with other molecules. New generations of more specific NHR ligands designed to increase therapeutic efficacy and limit adverse effects have dramatically expanded the clinical application of NHR-targeting drugs. The current understanding of NHRs and future directions for NHR ligands in dermatology are discussed.
Chemistry of sulfonyl isocyanates and sulfonyl isothiocyanates. IX†. Routes to substituted oxazolidin-2-ones and oxazolidine-2-thiones

4-Chlorobenzenesulfonyl isocyanate (I) reacted with 2-chloroethanol and 1-chloro-2-propanol to give, respectively, 2-chloroethyl 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl carbamate (III) and 1-chloro-2-propyl 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl carbamate (VI). The carbamates III and VI cyclized under the influence of pyridine to afford, respectively, 3-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)oxazolidin-2-one (IV) and 3-(4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)-5-methyloxazolidin-2-one (VII). The oxazolidin-2-ones were stable toward hydrochloric acid but hydrolyzed in 2M sodium hydroxide solution to N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide (V) and N-(2-hydroxy-1-propyl)-4-chlorobenzene-sulfonamide (VIII), respectively. 4-Toluenesulfonyl isothiocyanate (II) reacted with 2-chloroethanol to give 2-chloroethyl 4-chlorobenzenesulfonyl thiocarbamate (IX), which was converted by pyridine to 3-(4-toluenesulfonyl)oxazolidine-2-thione (X).
Proposal concerning high-density digital recording

The sign of the nonlinear intersymbol interference or peak shift is opposite for the longitudinal and perpendicular modes of recording. It is proposed, therefore, that more attention be paid to the potential of high-density recording on media in which the anisotropy axis is neither longitudinal nor perpendicular but rather oblique. >
Heat shock protein 27 expression in human proximal tubule cells exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of CdCl2.

The expression of hsp 27 mRNA and protein was determined in cultured human proximal tubule (HPT) cells exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of Cd2+ under both acute and extended condition...
Analyzing and Interpreting NSSE Data.

Drawing on their experience, current and former NSSE research analysts offer helpful tips and recommendations for institutional researchers on how to analyze student engagement data, including ways to work with multiple years of results and interpret effect sizes.
Dependence of the bilayer phase transition temperatures on the structural parameters of phosphatidylcholines

Most saturated diacyl phosphatidylcholines C(X):C(Y)PC (saturated 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine with X carbons in thesn-1 acyl chain and Y carbons in thesn-2 acyl chain), in excess water, can self-assemble into lamellae which, upon heating, may undergo multiple thermotropic phase transitions at well-defined, discrete temperatures. The transition temperature corresponding to the main or the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition (Tm) is known for many bilayers of fully hydrated phosphatidylcholines. In this study, we have analyzed the Tm values of 44 molecular species of phosphatidylcholines in terms of their structural and packing characteristics in the gel-state bilayer. Two general equations are thus derived: Tm=162.26−3651.71 (1/N)−88.42 (ΔC/N) for C(X):C(Y)PC with X≥Y, and Tm=157.68−3525.44 (1/N)−93.28 (ΔC/N) for C(X):C(Y)PC with X<Y. Here, N is the minimal hydrophobic thickness of the dimeric C(X):C(Y)PC in the gel-state bilayer and ΔC is the effective chain length difference between thesn-1 andsn-2 acyl chains for the monomeric C(X):C(Y)PC in the gel-state bilayer. The advantage of these two equations in predicting the Tm values for phosphatidylcholines with ΔC/CL values in the range of 0.07 to 0.40 is their simplicity. A figure containing a total of 173 calculated Tm values is also presented.
Globally-optimal greedy algorithms for tracking a variable number of objects

We analyze the computational problem of multi-object tracking in video sequences. We formulate the problem using a cost function that requires estimating the number of tracks, as well as their birth and death states. We show that the global solution can be obtained with a greedy algorithm that sequentially instantiates tracks using shortest path computations on a flow network. Greedy algorithms allow one to embed pre-processing steps, such as nonmax suppression, within the tracking algorithm. Furthermore, we give a near-optimal algorithm based on dynamic programming which runs in time linear in the number of objects and linear in the sequence length. Our algorithms are fast, simple, and scalable, allowing us to process dense input data. This results in state-of-the-art performance.
Identification of maze learning-associated genes in rat hippocampus by cDNA microarray.

Long-term memory formation requires de novo RNA and protein synthesis. To assess gene-expression changes associated with learning and memory processes, we used cDNA microarray to analyze hippocampal gene expression in male Fischer-344 rats following training in a multiunit T-maze. Here, we report the identification of 28 clones (18 known genes and 10 ESTs) for which expression increased after the maze learning. Some of the known genes appear to be involved in Ca2+ signaling, Ras activation, kinase cascades, and extracellular matrix (ECM) function, which may regulate neural transmission, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. The geneexpression profile presented here provides the groundwork for future, more focused research to elucidate the contribution of these genes in learning and memory processes.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) in BALB/c Mice

Danshen, the root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, has unique immunomodulatory effects. Danshen is capable of anti-inflammation and antiallergy, which are immunosuppressive activities, whereas it is also able to promote immunity against cancer, viruses, and bacteria. Most previous reports were performed with use of a purified compound or compounds of Danshen. Since there are more than twenty active compounds in Danshen, it is very difficult to predict that one compound will act the same way when it is combined with other compounds. In order to overcome this limitation, we used the crude form of Danshen to study its immunomodulatory effects in a mouse model. The mice were fed daily diet supplements of Danshen for three months and then tested for their immunity, including leukocyte subsets in peripheral blood, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and host defenses against a Listeria monocytogenes (LM) infection. Different doses of Danshen caused different immunomodulatory effects. Danshen at 0.5% decreased serum IgE production in BALB/c mice; 1% Danshen promoted cell-mediated immunity; Danshen at 0.5 and 1% inhibited the production of oxygen free radicals in liver and spleen and NO production in liver; 2% Danshen enhanced the host resistance against LM with increased numbers of peripheral monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells and decreased production of IL-1β and NO.
Identification of the unusual polyamines 3,3'-diaminodipropylamine and N,N'-bis(3-aminoproply)-1,3-propanediamine in the white shrimp Penaeus setiferus.

Summary Polyamines of the white shrimp Penaeus setiferus were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as spermidine, 3,3′-diaminodipropylamine, and N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-propanediamine. Two diamines were also found but were not identified.
Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure: Altered Maturation of Visual Evoked Potentials

We investigated the effects of prenatal substance use on visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Seventy-four children were tested at birth and 1 month of age with binocular flash VEPs and at 4, 8, and 18 months of age with binocular pattern VEPs. Regressions were run by trimester to assess the independent effects of substance exposure. Variables included in the regression model were alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, other drug use for each trimester, maternal age, education, income, race, marital status, infant sex, birthweight, and Dubowitz score. Changes in specific components of the binocular VEP were both substance- and trimester-specific. First trimester alcohol use was associated with prolonged P1 wave latencies at 1 month of age. Prolonged P1 wave latencies at birth and 18 months were associated with tobacco use during each of the three trimesters, at 1 and 18 months with third trimester marijuana use, and at 1 and 18 months with first trimester other illicit drug use. Although these women were moderate substance users during pregnancy, their offspring exhibited maturational changes in components of the VEP in the absence of neonatal behavioral disturbances.
Measuring “Mature Coping” Skills among Adult and Juvenile Offenders A Psychometric Assessment of Relevant Instruments

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity) of a battery of scales and subscales used to measure Robert Johnson's mature coping construct. The battery of instruments includes a Program Attitudes Scale, a Coping Strategies Inventory, a Social Problem Solving Inventory, a Self-Esteem Inventory, a Depression Scale, and an Anti-Social Attitudes Scale. Statistical results demonstrating the factorial validity, internal consistency reliability, and the construct validity of each scale are presented. Furthermore, descriptive statistics for these scales are reported for the adult and juvenile boot camp samples at focus in this study. Keywords: Juvenile justice Language: en
Families who adopt children with special needs

Abstract This study explores the type of family who adopts children with special needs. Fifty-six families who adopted special needs children were interviewed. Many of the interview questions were based upon a cognitive social learning framework. These questions assessed such areas as parent expectations, competencies, and sense of responsibility and attachment. This framework, along with demographic characteristics and an assessment of parents' discretionary and support resources, resulted in a profile of adoptive parents. Implications are discussed for recruitment of adoptive parents for children with special needs and suggestions are given for future research.
Pre-exposure to drought increases the resistance of tropical forest soil bacterial communities to extended drought

Global climate models project a decrease in the magnitude of precipitation in tropical regions. Changes in rainfall patterns have important implications for the moisture content and redox status of tropical soils, yet little is known about how these changes may affect microbial community structure. Specifically, does exposure to prior stress confer increased resistance to subsequent perturbation? Here we reduced the quantity of precipitation throughfall to tropical forest soils in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. Treatments included newly established throughfall exclusion plots (de novo excluded), plots undergoing reduction for a second time (pre-excluded) and ambient control plots. Ten months of throughfall exclusion led to a small but statistically significant decline in soil water potential and bacterial populations clearly adapted to increased osmotic stress. Although the water potential decline was small and microbial biomass did not change, phylogenetic diversity in the de novo-excluded plots decreased by ∼40% compared with the control plots, yet pre-excluded plots showed no significant change. On the other hand, the relative abundances of bacterial taxa in both the de novo-excluded and pre-excluded plots changed significantly with throughfall exclusion compared with control plots. Changes in bacterial community structure could be explained by changes in soil pore water chemistry and suggested changes in soil redox. Soluble iron declined in treatment plots and was correlated with decreased soluble phosphorus concentrations, which may have significant implications for microbial productivity in these P-limited systems.
Vector-soliton collision dynamics in nonlinear optical fibers.

We consider the interactions of two identical, orthogonally polarized vector solitons in a nonlinear optical fiber with two polarization directions, described by a coupled pair of nonlinear Schrodinger equations. We study a low-dimensional model system of Hamiltonian ordinary differential equations (ODEs) derived by Ueda and Kath and also studied by Tan and Yang. We derive a further simplified model which has similar dynamics but is more amenable to analysis. Sufficiently fast solitons move by each other without much interaction, but below a critical velocity the solitons may be captured. In certain bands of initial velocities the solitons are initially captured, but separate after passing each other twice, a phenomenon known as the two-bounce or two-pass resonance. We derive an analytic formula for the critical velocity. Using matched asymptotic expansions for separatrix crossing, we determine the location of these "resonance windows." Numerical simulations of the ODE models show they compare quite well with the asymptotic theory.
Effects of intravenous glucose during pacing‐induced angina pectoris in patients with coronary artery disease

The effects of hypertonic glucose infusion on the anginal threshold determined by atrial pacing was studied in 14 patients with significant coronary artery disease. After glucose, angina occurred at a significantly lower heart rate and double product (systolic arterial pressure × heart rate), suggesting a decreased tolerance to ischemic stress. No stoichiometric relationship was noted between glucose uptake and lactate production, and there was no evidence that hypertonic glucose infusion resulted in enhanced anaerobic glycolysis in the ischemic myocardium. Acute elevation of plasma glucose levels may not be beneficial to patients with coronary artery disease.
Extra-fibrillar matrix mechanics of annulus fibrosus in tension and compression

The annulus fibrosus (AF) of the disk is a highly nonlinear and anisotropic material that undergoes a complex combination of loads in multiple orientations. The tensile mechanical behavior of AF in the lamellar plane is dominated by collagen fibers and has been accurately modeled using exponential functions. On the other hand, AF mechanics perpendicular to the lamella, in the radial direction, depend on the properties of the ground matrix with little to no fiber contribution. The ground matrix is mainly composed of proteoglycans (PG), which are negatively charged macromolecules that maintain the tissue hydration via osmotic pressure. The mechanical response of the ground matrix can be divided in the contribution of osmotic pressure and an elastic solid part known as extra-fibrillar matrix (EFM). Mechanical properties of the ground matrix have been measured using tensile and confined compression tests. However, EFM mechanics have not been measured directly. The objective of this study was to measure AF nonlinear mechanics of the EFM in tension and compression. To accomplish this, a combination of osmotic swelling and confined compression in disk radial direction, perpendicular to the lamella, was used. For this type of analysis, it was necessary to define a stress-free reference configuration. Thus, a brief analysis on residual stress in the disk and a procedure to estimate the reference configuration are presented. The proposed method was able to predict similar swelling deformations when using different loading protocols and models for the EFM, demonstrating its robustness. The stress–stretch curve of the EFM was linear in the range 0.9 < λ3 < 1.3 with an aggregate modulus of 10.18±3.32 kPa; however, a significant nonlinearity was observed for compression below 0.8. The contribution of the EFM to the total aggregate modulus of the AF decreased from 70 to 30% for an applied compression of 50% of the initial thickness. The properties obtained in this study are essential for constitutive and finite element models of the AF and disk and can be applied to differentiate between functional degeneration effects such as PG loss and stiffening due to cross-linking.
Synthesis of Branched Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Using Highly Active Neutral, Single-Component Ni(II) Catalysts

Neutral nickel methyl complexes incorporating 2,8-diarylnaphthyl groups have been synthesized and characterized. Salicylaldiminato nickel systems 1a,b are exceptionally active neutral nickel single component catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene capable of producing lightly branched ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In addition, complex 1a shows a “quasi-living” polymerization behavior.
Perioperative considerations in patients with Gitelman syndrome: a case series

Abstract Study Objective To determine the perioperative considerations for low-risk and high-risk surgery in patients with Gitelman syndrome. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting University-affiliated medical center. Patients 42 patients with Gitelman syndrome. Measurements Of the 42 patients with Gitelman syndrome, 5 underwent procedures requiring anesthesia: mastectomy, spinal fusion, thyroidectomy, tonsillectomy, and bronchoscopy. The anesthesia record and all associated laboratory tests and clinical notes associated with those procedures were recorded. Main Results No acute electrolyte abnormalities or postoperative complications occurred with these procedures in patients with Gitelman syndrome. Conclusion Gitelman syndrome is a mild disorder when appropriately managed.
Some data conversions for managing the internal and output form of formac constants

Three PL/I functions for managing Formac constants have been throughly tested and documented. These functions are: FLT&CHR for converting double precision floating point numbers to rational form as a PL/I character strings, TRUNCATE for truncating the numerator and denominator of a Formac rational constant to prescribed length, and EXT&FLT for constructing a PL/I character string containing an arbitrary length (precision) floating point equivalent of a Formac rational constant.
Brain tissue volume segmentation in patients with anorexia nervosa before and after weight normalization.

Objective To examine whether gray and white matter volumes are preferentially reduced and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) increased with starvation in patients with anorexia nervosa compared with healthy controls and to determine what changes occur with weight normalization. Method Whole intracranial volumes of patients and controls were segmented into gray matter, white matter, and CSF volumes and results compared. A subgroup of patients were rescanned after weight normalization. Results Total white matter and several regional white matter volumes were significantly reduced and total and regional CSF volumes were significantly increased in patients versus controls whereas gray matter was not significantly reduced. Total and regional CSF volumes were significantly decreased in patients upon weight normalization whereas white and gray matter volumes increased. Discussion These changes in brain tissue may be related to a variety of pathophysio logic mechanisms. We hypothesize that insulin-like growth factor-1 may be involved. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 33–44, 2003.
Cardiac anomalies in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and their prognosis: a report from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group

Abstract Background/Purpose Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are known to have associated cardiac anomalies. Data from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group has allowed better definition of the types of heart defects (HDs) and survival for these patients. Methods Since 1995, 2636 patients were enrolled in the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group from 82 centers. Patients with hemodynamically significant HD, excluding patent ductus arteriosus (PDA); patent foramen ovale (PFO); and atrial septal defect (ASD), were selected. Cardiac anatomy and survival data for all patients were reviewed. Results Two hundred eighty (10.6%) patients had significant HDs: ventricular septal defect (VSD); (42.2%), aortic arch obstruction (15%), univentricular anatomy (13.9%), tetralogy of Fallot variants (11.1%), total anomalous pulmonary venous return (3.9%), double outlet right ventricle (RV) (3.2%), pulmonary stenosis (2.5%), transposition of the great arteries (2.5%), and various other defects in 5.7%. Survival for the entire group was 67.1%; survival for patients without HD was 70.2% and for patients with HD was 41.1% ( P P Conclusion Significant HD is associated with 10.6% of CDH. Survival for patients with HD is significantly lower than for patients with normal cardiac anatomy. Patients with CDH and univentricular cardiac anatomy have a poor prognosis.
Height of Nations: A Socioeconomic Analysis of Cohort Differences and Patterns among Women in 54 Low- to Middle-Income Countries

Background Adult height is a useful biological measure of long term population health and well being. We examined the cohort differences and socioeconomic patterning in adult height in low- to middle-income countries. Methods/Findings We analyzed cross-sectional, representative samples of 364538 women aged 25-49 years drawn from 54 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 1994 and 2008. Linear multilevel regression models included year of birth, household wealth, education, and area of residence, and accounted for clustering by primary sampling units and countries. Attained height was measured using an adjustable measuring board. A yearly change in birth cohorts starting with those born in 1945 was associated with a 0.0138 cm (95% CI 0.0107, 0.0169) increase in height. Increases in heights in more recent birth year cohorts were largely concentrated in women from the richer wealth quintiles. 35 of the 54 countries experienced a decline (14) or stagnation (21) in height. The decline in heights was largely concentrated among the poorest wealth quintiles. There was a strong positive association between height and household wealth; those in two richest quintiles of household wealth were 1.988 cm (95% CI 1.886, 2.090) and 1.018 cm (95% CI 0.916, 1.120) taller, compared to those in the poorest wealth quintile. The strength of the association between wealth and height was positive (0.05 to 1.16) in 96% (52/54) countries. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequalities in height remain persistent. Height has stagnated or declined over the last decades in low- to middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, suggesting worsening nutritional and environmental circumstances during childhood.
Evolutionary diversification of aminopeptidase N in Lepidoptera by conserved clade-specific amino acid residues

Members of the aminopepidase N (APN) gene family of the insect order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) bind the naturally insecticidal Cry toxins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of seven lepidopteran APN classes provided strong support for the hypothesis that lepidopteran APN2 class arose by gene duplication prior to the most recent common ancestor of Lepidoptera and Diptera. The Cry toxin-binding region (BR) of lepidopteran and dipteran APNs was subject to stronger purifying selection within APN classes than was the remainder of the molecule, reflecting conservation of catalytic site and adjoining residues within the BR. Of lepidopteran APN classes, APN2, APN6, and APN8 showed the strongest evidence of functional specialization, both in expression patterns and in the occurrence of conserved derived amino acid residues. The latter three APN classes also shared a convergently evolved conserved residue close to the catalytic site. APN8 showed a particularly strong tendency towards class-specific conserved residues, including one of the catalytic site residues in the BR and ten others in close vicinity to the catalytic site residues. The occurrence of class-specific sequences along with the conservation of enzymatic function is consistent with the hypothesis that the presence of Cry toxins in the environment has been a factor shaping the evolution of this multi-gene family.
No pain, no gain: the useful function of angina.

Myocardial ischemia, the major cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States, accounts for nearly 20% of all deaths.1 The prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction is strongly related to the amount of tissue destroyed during ischemia/reperfusion; hence, limiting this injury is of paramount importance for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic heart disease.2,3 Over the past 40 years, several hundred pharmacological or nonpharmacological therapies have been reported to alleviate ischemia/reperfusion injury in experimental animal models; unfortunately, few of these results have been reproducible, and, with the exception of early reperfusion, none have been translated into clinical therapies.4 These sobering facts provide a cogent rationale for a reassessment of the models and methodologies that have been used heretofore to test the efficacy of putative cardioprotective interventions. The obvious translational failure in this field calls for a new paradigm in which preclinical studies must be done as rigorously as their clinical counterparts, that is, using clinically relevant animal models, appropriate statistical methods, and a multicenter, randomized, blinded design using centralized core laboratories for data analysis.4 This paradigm would also improve our understanding of the mechanism of cardiomyocyte death during ischemia/reperfusion. Article p 3617 One facet of ischemic biology that has received relatively little attention is the role of cardiac sensory nerves. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion is known to cause the release of bradykinin and protons, both of which activate the vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1, also known as transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 [TRPV1]) on the capsaicin-sensitive cardiac sensory nerves (unmyelinated [type C] or thinly myelinated [A-δ] fibers).5 The VR1 is a nonselective cation channel that plays an important role in the polymodal detection of noxious stimuli such as low pH and heat.6 It can also be activated by chemicals such as capsaicin …
Metastable Patterns for the Cahn-Hilliard Equation, Part I

Abstract In this paper we study the dynamics of the one-dimensional Cahn-Hilliard equation in a neighborhood of an equilibrium having N + 1 transition layers. An approximation for an N-dimensional invariant manifold and "slow channel" are defined, and it is proved that ff a solution of the Cahn-Hilliard equation starts outside but close to the slow channel around the approximate manifold, then it will approach the channel at an exponentially large speed. After it enters the slow channel, it will follow the approximate manifold with speed O ( e − c /ϵ ) and stay in the channel for exponentially large time.
A High Resolution X-Ray Imaging Devicm

This paper describes a high resolution x-ray imaging device, which is under development at the University of Arizona. It is sponsored by NIH for application in coronary angiography, but has also application in other x-ray imaging fields requi ing high spatial resolution, such as mammography and nondestructive tasting. It consists of a 6" diameter external modular sensor, coupled fiber optically to the input of a 6" proximity focussed image intensifier. The intensifier's output is coupled via 6 fiber optic tapers to 6 CCD's for readout. The tapers are joined at the large end to form a 6" by 6" coplanar fiber optic taper assembly. The electronics is designed to form a composite image out of the 6 individual images provided by the 6 CCD's and display the image in full resolution (1152 x 1152) on a high resolution physicians review console. The paper discusses the design considerations, the features, the major problems and some preliminary results.