cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bioenergetics in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration

Evidence implicating both mitochondria and bioenergetics as playing a crucial role in necrotic and apoptotic cell death is rapidly accumulating. Mitochondria are essential in controlling specific apoptosis cell death pathways and they are the major source of free radicals in the cell. Direct evidence for a role of mitochondria in neurodegenerative diseases comes from studies in Friedreich's Ataxia. Mutations in frataxin lead to an accumulation of iron within mitochondria. We found a three-fold increase in a marker of oxidative damage to DNA in the urine of patients with Friedreich's Ataxia. There is evidence for mitochondrial defects in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There are mitochondrial abnormalities in liver biopsies and muscle biopsies from individuals with sporadic ALS. Muscle biopsies have shown reduced complex I activity in patients with sporadic ALS. A study of ALS cybrids showed a significant decrease in complex I activity as well as trends towards reduced complex 3 and 4 activities. We found increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative damage to DNA in the plasma, urine and CSF of sporadic ALS patients and increased numbers of point mutations in mtDNA of ALS spinal cord tissue. There is mitochondrial vacuolization in transgenic mouse models of ALS. We found substantial evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction in Huntington's Disease (HD). In HD postmortem brain tissue, there are significant reductions in complex 2, 3 activity. We also demonstrated increased brain lactate concentrations as well as reduced phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio in the resting muscle of patients with HD. More recent studies have demonstrated that there is abnormal depolarization of mitochondria of HD lymphoblasts, which directly correlates with CAG repeat length. There are reductions in ATP production in muscle are both presymptomatic and symptomatic HD patients. Transgenic mouse models of HD show significant reductions in N-acetylaspartate concentrations, which precede the onset of neuronal degeneration. We investigated a number of therapeutic interventions in both transgenic mouse models of ALS and HD. In transgenic ALS mice we found that oral administration of creatine dose-dependently extends survival and reduces the neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord. We found modest protection with ginkgo biloba and lipoic acid. In the HD mice we found significant improvement with oral administration of creatine in two different transgenic mouse models. Creatine not only extended survival but it also improved motor performance, delayed weight loss and attenuated striatal atrophy. Creatine significantly attenuated reductions in N-acetylaspartate concentrations as assessed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We also found significant neuroprotective effects with dichloroacetate, which stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase. These findings implicate bioenergetic dysfunction in transgenic mouse models of both ALS and HD, and they suggest several novel therapeutic strategies aimed at energy replenishment.
Factorial invariance of the CES-D in low socioeconomic status African Americans compared with a nationally representative sample.

This study examined the factor structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in low socioeconomic status African Americans (ns426). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the four factors— (1) depressed affect, (2) positive affect, (3) somatic complaints, and (4) interpersonal problems—of the CES-D scale previously foundin the general population were supportedin this sample. These results were cross-valid atedin other nationally representative samples of African-American participants (ns988) andCaucasians (ns666), andthe fourfactor structure of the CES-D scale replicated in all three groups in this study. An alternative model was also tested with the factors d epressedaffect andsomatic complaints combinedas a single factor, a find ing often reportedin minority groups. Results indicated a significantly poorer fit for the three-factor model compared with the four-factor model for all three groups. In addition, higher loading differences were significantly evident between AfricanAmerican andCaucasian groups, while higher load ing similarities were foundbetween the two African-American groups. These findings provide further evidence of measurement equivalency of the CES-D scale in samples with differential characteristics including race and socioeconomic status. 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Safety and complications of endoscopic mucosal resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an alternative to surgical resection or endoscopic ablation of superficial neoplasms of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and rectum and in many instances has become the preferred treatment for early cancers in these locations. This minimally invasive technique allows for effective treatment of diseases that would otherwise require major surgery. However, in addition to efficacy, EMR must prove to be safe for the majority of subjects when performed by competent practitioners. This article provides an overview of the safety, complications, and treatment of complications associated with EMR.
Age-associated changes in poly(adenylate) polymerase of rat liver and brain

The activity of poly(adenylate) polymerase was measured in nuclear lysates of rat brain and liver of animals ranging from 25 to 300 days. The activity was 26 nmoles AMP incorporated per h per mg of protein in liver and 8 moles per h mg in brain for 25-day-old rats, and declined to 1.0 and 3.3 for liver and brain, respectively, in 300-day-old rats. At all ages the liver showed a linear time course and had a Km for ATP of 0.5 mM. The brain enzyme gave a non-linear time course at all ages with an ATP optimum of 0.2 mM. Mixing enzyme preparations from young and old animals produced additive results. Mixing brain and liver enzyme produced greater than additive results. No substantial increase in activity was observed when enzyme was prepared from old or young partially hepatectomized rats as compared to sham-operated controls.
Factors affecting broiler breeder performance. 2. Relationship of daily feed intake to performance of force molted broiler breeder hens.

Abstract Two trials were conducted to assess the effect of several daily feed intake levels on postmolt performance of individually caged Hubbard broiler breeder hens. The levels of maximum feed intake ranged from 127.2 to 172.5 g/hen/day. The layer ration was a corn-soy diet which contained 16% protein and 2805 kcal ME/kg of diet. Egg production, egg specific gravity, egg weight, and feed conversion were assessed on the basis of seven or eight, 28-day periods. Body weight, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, and chick weights were assessed several times during the two trials. Hens exhibited higher egg specific gravities, lower egg weights, improved feed conversions, and lower body weights as daily feed intake decreased from 172.5 to 145.2 g/hen/day. Fertility and hatchability were affected similarly by feed restriction. Feed intake levels below 145.2 g/hen/day failed to elicit further improvement in the above parameters but did decrease egg production.
Overcoming resistance to change: a case study of revision and renewal in a US secondary education teacher preparation program

Abstract Historically, secondary teacher preparation in the United States has been slow to respond to changes in public education. Using Goodlad's concept of educational renewal to bridge the traditional disconnect among teacher education, schools, and content area disciplines, this qualitative case study examines the process of revision and renewal of a secondary education program. The study examines internal and external factors contributing to the change process, bureaucratic and personal responses, and resistance to change in higher education. Recurring phenomena within the study, such as structural barriers and enhancements, provide insights for change. Positive outcomes, including a revised program and renewed trust among faculty are discussed.
Kinetics of boron deposition from BBR3 + H2

The kinetics of the reaction between the two vapor-phase species BBr3 and H2 to form solid B and HBr in a well-mixed flow reactor at feed pressures from 0.001 to 1.0 Torr have been studied by monitoring reaction rates with a differentially pumped mass spectrometer to determine reactant and product partial pressures. A resistively heated tantalum foil was used as the deposition substrate to provide surface temperatures up to 1500°C. This technique provides rapid measurement (∼ 2s) of gas composition in a well-mixed flow reactor so that reaction rates could be examined quantitatively. We observed reaction orders that varied from + 12 to approximately − 1 with respect to PH2 and orders that varied from + 1 to approximately − 2 with respect to PBBr3. Simple Langmuir—Hinshelwood kinetic models qualitatively explain our experimental observations, suggesting that reaction order variations can be attributed to competitive adsorption of species such as H atoms and BBrx fragments on the boron surface. Two more realistic chemical mechanisms are proposed, but no single expression fits the data for all compositions considered. An expression based on a mechanism involving Br abstraction from BBrx(ads) by H(ads) was found to give best agreement with data.
The Width of X-Ray Diffraction Lines From Cold-Worked Tungsten and α -Brass

The x-ray line width from specimens of cold worked $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-brass and tungsten has been measured as a function of Bragg angle and of x-ray wave-length. The results are in agreement with a microstress theory of broadening. In $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-brass the line width is found to depend on crystallographic direction in a systematic manner while with tungsten it does not. Both observations are explained on the basis of the elastic properties of the materials.
Oligofluorene−Thiophene Derivatives as High-Performance Semiconductors for Organic Thin Film Transistors

A series of alkyl chain end-capped oligofluorene−thiophenes have been prepared with high yields using Suzuki or Stille coupling reactions. The electronic and optical properties of the thin films deposited at different substrate temperatures have been investigated. Morphological studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed well-interconnected microcrystalline domains in these thin films. X-ray diffraction measurements of the vacuum-evaporated films showed enhanced crystalline order with increasing substrate deposition temperature. Thermal analysis as well as electrochemical measurements of the materials indicated that the new oligomers have high thermal and oxidative stability. Highly ordered polycrystalline vacuum-evaporated films with charge carrier mobility as high as 0.12 cm2 V-1 s-1 have been achieved with 5,5‘-bis(7-hexyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)-2,2‘-bithiophene (DHFTTF). Thin film field-effect transistor (TFT) devices made from these materials showed remarkable stability even after UV (366...
The gadonanotubes: structural origin of their high-performance MRI contrast agent behavior

We present an X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of the local structure around the Gd3+ ions loaded within ultra-short carbon nanotubes (US-tubes). For this material, called gadonanotubes (GNTs), detailed modeling and analyses of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended fine structure (EXAFS) data have helped decipher the structural origin of their exceedingly high-performance MRI contrast agent behavior. Analysis revealed that the Gd3+ ions are surrounded by ∼9 oxygen ions in the first coordination sphere with ∼3 O2− ions and ∼6 O2− ions, respectively, centered around 2.24 A and 2.41 A and that the Gd3+-ion sites in the GNTs are small. These sites are proton decorated once in solution through formation of the –(OH) and/or –(OH2) ligands. A large hydration number due to small Gd3+-ion sites and short Gd–O bonds, and thus short Gd–H distances, are the essential structural details pertinent to the high proton relaxivity observed for GNTs suspended in water.
Occupational Therapy in the Treatment of the Patient with Chronic Pain

This paper discusses the role of the occupational therapist in the treatment of chronic pain. It begins with a critical evaluation of our current theoretical understanding of pain, concentrating on...
Rising to the challenge: Developing a survey of workplace skills, civic engagement, and global awareness

This chapter describes the ongoing development of a survey of students' workplace skills, civic engagement, and global awareness that colleges and universities can use to document their contributions to the public good.
Vulnerability of striped bass Morone saxatilis Waldbaum eggs and larvae to predation by juvenile white perch Morone americana Gmelin

Abstract Striped bass Morone saxatilis Waldbaum early life stages and juvenile congeneric white perch M. americana Gmelin co-occur in Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Vulnerabilities of striped bass eggs and laboratory-reared larvae to predation by juvenile (58–65 mm total length) white perch were determined. Predation experiments of 15-min duration were carried out in 76-1 tanks with individual predators. Vulnerability of striped bass larvae was directly related to light level in the range 0–1000 lux, but turbidity level (0–15 NTU) had no effect on vulnerability. Eggs and larvae that were progeny of large or small female striped bass, and which differed in size-at-age, were found to be equally vulnerable to white perch predation. Predation rate on eggs was relatively low (1.7·15 min−1), increased on yolk-sac larvae (7.3·15 min−1) and was highest (13.1·15 min−1) on 12-day posthatch larvae, after which it declined. Larvae of 7.0–7.9 mm standard length and 0.25–0.49 mg dry wt were most vulnerable. Predation by white perch on striped bass eggs and larvae potentially is a significant cause of mortality in Chesapeake Bay tributaries, although additional laboratory and field experiments are needed to quantify its impact.
Discovering Trends in Large Datasets Using Neural Networks

A novel knowledge discovery technique using neural networks is presented. A neural network is trained to learn the correlations and relationships that exist in a dataset. The neural network is then pruned and modified to generalize the correlations and relationships. Finally, the neural network is used as a tool to discover all existing hidden trends in four different types of crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and auto theft) in US cities as well as to predict trends based on existing knowledge inherent in the network.
Calcium deficiency and CaCO3 on micronutrient status of plants grown in solution culture

Abstract Plants were grown in solution culture with different levels of Ca to further evaluate Ca relationships to trace metal uptake and to toxicity of trace metals. When tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum L., Tropic) were grown at a low level of Ca, the Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Al, and Ti concentrations of leaves, stems, and roots were considerably increased. The use of an excess of CaCO3 which increased pH did not influence the trace metal concentrations of plants any more than did Ca++. In a factorial experiment with bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. C.V. Improved Tendergreen) with Ca (10‐4,10‐2, 10‐2 N) and Ni (0, 2 × 10‐6 M, 2 X10‐5 M), Ni phytotoxicity and Ni uptake were decreased somewhat at the highest Ca level. High Ni tended to decrease the Ca concentration in leaves. High Ca and Ni both tended to decrease Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn concentrations in leaves. The Ni had some interactions on the P concentrations of shoots.
Laryngeal contact granuloma.

Objective: To report outcomes of treatment for laryngeal contact granuloma. Study Design: Prospective treatment of 21 patients with laryngeal contact granulomas using proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medication. Methods: Patients were diagnosed and followed by office endoscopy and patient interview. Results: Three patients did not tolerate PPI medication and were managed by treatment with type 2 histamine (H 2 ) blockers. The lesion completely resolved in 14 of the 18 patients maintained on PPI medication, and significantly regressed in the other 4. Residual granulomas were surgically excised in one patient. Lesions resolved in two patients following injection of botulinum toxin into one thyroarytenoid muscle. One patient had a residual lesion, but symptoms were controlled by medication, and he declined treatment with botulinum toxin. Of the three patients treated with H 2 -blocker medication, the lesion resolved in only one. Conclusion: PPI medication is effective in the treatment of laryngeal contact granuloma, even in the absence of identifiable symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.
On the use of cuts in reverse convex programs

A cutting plane method, using the idea of Tuy cuts, has been suggested in earlier papers as a possible means of solving reverse convex programs. However, the method is fraught with theoretical and numerical difficulties. Stringent sufficient conditions for convergence inn dimensions are given. However, examples of nonconvergence are given and reasons for this nonconvergence are developed. A result of the discussion is a convergent algorithm which combines the idea of the cutting plane method with vertex enumeration procedures in order to numerically improve upon the edge search procedure of Hillestad.
Effect of Synthetic Polylysine on Fungi.

The synthetic, basic poly-α-amino acid, polylysine, had antifungal activity against plant pathogens (three strains of fusaria, three isolates of verticillia, and Ceratocystis fimbriata ) and against the human pathogens ( Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum , and Candida albicans ) in vitro. It inhibited penetration of Ceratocystis fimbriata on sweet potato slices. Polylysine inhibited the infection of tomato cuttings by Flsarium oxysporum f. lycopersici , but it was also toxic to the plants.
Big data as complementary audit evidence

SYNOPSIS In this paper we argue for the use of Big Data as complementary audit evidence. We evaluate the applicability of Big Data using the audit evidence criteria framework and provide cost-benefit analysis for sufficiency, reliability, and relevance considerations. Critical challenges, including integration with traditional audit evidence, information transfer issues, and information privacy protection, are discussed and possible solutions are provided.
Evaluation of a revised Glasgow Coma Score scale in predicting long-term outcome of poor grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients ☆

Although many scales attempt to predict outcome following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), none have achieved universal acceptance, and most scales in common use are not statistically derived. We propose a statistically validated scale for poor grade aSAH patients that combines the Hunt and Hess grades and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores; we refer to this as the Poor Grade GCS (PGS). The GCS scores of 160 poor grade aSAH patients (Hunt and Hess Grades 4 and 5) were recorded throughout their hospital stay. Outcomes were assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Analysis of variance and the Chi-square test were used to guide an analysis of GCS breakpoints according to outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the ability of the Hunt and Hess, GCS, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons Grading Scale, and the PGS to predict long-term outcome. Outcome analysis revealed significant breakpoints in admission GCS scores: PGS-A (GCS 10-12); PGS-B (GCS 8-9); PGS-C (GCS 5-7); PGS-D (GCS 3-4) (p<0.001). In surgical patients, 95.2% of PGS-A, 58.1% of PGS-B, 35.4% of PGS-C, and 28.6% of PGS-D had a favorable one-year outcome. When controlling for age, sex, and operation status, PGS was the only scale predictive of long-term outcome. The odds ratios (OR) for unfavorable outcome according to PGS admission scores (with PGS-A as the reference) were: PGS-B, OR=14.2 (95% CI 1.5-140.5); PGS-C, OR=38.5 (95% CI 4.2-340.0); and PGS-D, OR=63.4 (95% CI 5.6-707.1). In addition to PGS admission scores, an age of 70 or greater was a significant predictor of poor outcome with an OR of 7.5 (95% CI 1.8-30.7). No patients with a PGS-C or PGS-D over the age of 70 had a favorable long-term outcome. Therefore, elements of the Hunt and Hess and GCS can be combined into the PGS to predict long-term outcome in poor grade aSAH patients. However, patients with PGS-C and PGS-D over the age of 70 should be assessed carefully prior to definitive treatment.
Linear and Pseudolinear Enhanced Phased-Locked Loop (EPLL) Structures

In this paper, the enhanced phase-locked loop (EPLL) is modified to achieve a linear time invariant (LTI) and a pseudolinear (PL) EPLL called the LTI-EPLL and the PL-EPLL, respectively. The modification is based on using the estimated amplitude to make the EPLL operation independent from the input signal magnitude. The LTI-EPLL is input-output LTI, and its input-output relationship is represented by a transfer function, a representation that has not been possible for any other type of existing PLL structures. Having a transfer function representation is very useful for design and analysis purposes. The PL-EPLL introduces frequency adaptivity into the LTI-EPLL and is no longer LTI, but its performance is still independent from the input signal magnitude. The transfer function approach also facilitates the development and design of various EPLL extensions to estimate and reject the dc component and the harmonics as well as the extension with controlled attenuation of wideband noises. These topics are discussed in this paper. The presentation is focused on single-phase EPLL, but extension to three-phase PLLs is also briefly presented.
Unexpected transient creep behavior of tin alloys strengthened by high volume fractions of SbSn

An unexpected transient creep behavior characterized by a stress exponent of 1 was observed at low stresses in tin alloys strengthened by large volume fractions (>15 pct) of the precipitate SbSn. By way of solid-state precipitation, SbSn forms as high-aspect ratio whiskers. At large volume fractions, whiskers are both directly and indirectly observed to be in direct contact with multiple other whiskers. The transient creep behavior is attributed to a phase-boundary-enhanced diffusional creep mechanism, possibly diffusional creep along continuous phase-boundary paths between tin grain boundaries. It is thought that the creep behavior is, in fact, a “steady-state” behavior characteristic of the initial microstructure. The ultimate transient nature is due to precipitate coarsening occurring with time during the creep test.
Inhibition of Brain Oestrogen Receptors by RU 58668

The purpose of this study was to determine if injections of the 11 beta-substituted steroidal antioestrogen, RU 58668, would block two measures of oestrogen receptor action in ovariectomized adult female rats. Using an in vitro nuclear exchange assay, it was found that RU 58668 reduced cell nuclear [3H]-oestradiol binding in brain tissue 24 h after it was injected. However, pituitary cell nuclear [3H]-oestradiol binding was significantly reduced just 2 h after the antioestrogen was injected. Our results demonstrate that RU 58668 can reach the brain following a subcutaneous injection, but that it needs more time to reach the brain than it does to reach the pituitary. Since the levels of hypothalamic and pituitary progestin receptors are known to be regulated by oestradiol, cytosolic [3H]-R5020 binding was used as an in vitro assay of endogenous oestrogen receptor action. RU 58668 blocked induction by oestradiol of cytosolic [3H]-R5020 binding in both the brain and pituitary 48 h after it was injected. In the absence of oestradiol, RU 58668 did not stimulate cell nuclear [3H]-oestradiol binding or cytosolic [3H]-R5020 binding in either brain or pituitary. In conclusion, injections of RU 58668 blocked two measures of oestrogen receptor action in the brain and pituitary without showing oestrogenic activity itself.
Efficient FPGAs using nanoelectromechanical relays

Nanoelectromechanical (NEM) relays are promising candidates for programmable routing in Field-Programmable-Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This is due to their zero leakage and potentially low on-resistance. Moreover, NEM relays can be fabricated using a low-temperature process and, hence, may be monolithically integrated on top of CMOS circuits. Hysteresis characteristics of NEM relays can be utilized for designing programmable routing switches in FPGAs without requiring corresponding routing SRAM cells. Our simulation results demonstrate that the use of NEM relays for programmable routing in FPGAs can simultaneously provide 43.6% footprint area reduction, 37% leakage power reduction, and up to 28% critical path delay reduction compared to traditional SRAM-based CMOS FPGAs at the 22nm technology node.
Epac2-mediated dendritic spine remodeling: implications for disease

In the mammalian forebrain, most glutamatergic excitatory synapses occur on small dendritic protrusions called dendritic spines. Dendritic spines are highly plastic and can rapidly change morphology in response to numerous stimuli. This dynamic remodeling of dendritic spines is thought to be critical for information processing, memory and cognition. Conversely, multiple studies have revealed that neuropathologies such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are linked with alterations in dendritic spine morphologies and miswiring of neural circuitry. One compelling hypothesis is that abnormal dendritic spine remodeling is a key contributing factor for this miswiring. Ongoing research has identified a number of mechanisms that are critical for the control of dendritic spine remodeling. Among these mechanisms, regulation of small GTPase signaling by guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) is emerging as a critical mechanism for integrating physiological signals in the control of dendritic spine remodeling. Furthermore, multiple proteins associated with regulation of dendritic spine remodeling have also been implicated with multiple neuropathologies, including ASDs. Epac2, a GEF for the small GTPase Rap, has recently been described as a novel cAMP (yet PKA-independent) target localized to dendritic spines. Signaling via this protein in response to pharmacological stimulation or cAMP accumulation, via the dopamine D1/5 receptor, results in Rap activation, promotes structural destabilization, in the form of dendritic spine shrinkage, and functional depression due to removal of GluR2/3-containing AMPA receptors. In addition, Epac2 forms macromolecular complexes with ASD-associated proteins, which are sufficient to regulate Epac2 localization and function. Furthermore, rare non-synonymous variants of the EPAC2 gene associated with the ASD phenotype alter protein function, synaptic protein distribution, and spine morphology. We review here the role of Epac2 in the remodeling of dendritic spines under normal conditions, the mechanisms that underlie these effects, and the implications these disease-associated variants have on our understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD.
Lower pretreatment cerebral blood volume affects hemorrhagic risks after intra-arterial revascularization in acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE Intra-arterial therapies are being used more frequently in patients presenting with acute cerebral occlusions, but they have been limited by the potential for hemorrhage. We sought to determine whether pretreatment computed tomography perfusion parameters might help to identify patients at a higher risk of developing intracranial hemorrhage after intra-arterial stroke revascularization treatment. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all patients at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Michigan State University who underwent computed tomography perfusion imaging of the brain before intra-arterial thrombolysis between January 2006 and June 2007. Demographic information, angiographic variables, and types of endovascular interventions were recorded. The mean transit time and cerebral blood volumes were recorded for the ipsilateral and contralateral middle cerebral artery territories. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to determine the independent predictors of developing intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS A total of 57 patients (33 from the University of Pittsburgh and 24 from Michigan State University) with a mean age of 66 +/- 13 years and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 16 +/- 5 were studied. The overall recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Trial scale 2 or 3 flow) was 72% for the cohort, and the overall rate of parenchymal hemorrhage was 5 of 57 (9%) patients. The overall hemorrhage rate was 19 of 57 (33%) patients. The only variable found to be predictive of the development of hemorrhage after intervention was reduced pretreatment cerebral blood volume (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.91; P < 0.022). CONCLUSION A reduced pretreatment ipsilateral cerebral blood volume value before endovascular revascularization of an acute middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery occlusion significantly increases the risk of an intracranial hemorrhage.
Flight and Sexual Activity of the European Corn Borer

Although the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), began flight shortly after dusk, capture of feral males in traps baited with virgin females or feral males and females captured in light traps and studies of released insects in cultivated and uncultivated corn showed that this early evening activity is not oriented toward mating. Sexual activity peaked between 2400 and 0100 h, and most of it took place in tall (57.5–117.5 cm), dense foxtailgrass ( Setaria faberii Herrn. and S. viridis (L.) Beaur.), where large numbers of both sexes aggregated. Aggregation and sexual activity occurred as much as 100 m from the nearest cornfield. The grass habitat is of major importance in the aggregating phenomenon though pheromone emission by females may also have a part. Techniques employed to disrupt pheromone communication between the sexes in cornfields might be futile because mating could occur in dense vegetation outside the cornfield.
Lateral Position Test and Quantitative Lung Scan in the Preoperative Evaluation for Lung Resection

The postpneumonectomy FEV 1 was predicted in 24 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV 1 ≤2.0 L) and a lung mass using the quantitative lung scan (QLS) and lateral position test (LPT). Although a good correlation (r = .72, p = 0.0006) was found between the FEV 1 predicted by QLS and LPT, there was more than 10 percent difference between the result in 59 percent of the subjects. A subgroup of these patients performed multiple (two to five) LPTs, and the results were calculated blindly to assess variability. The variation seen was 14 times greater than in previously reported normal subjects. Calculations suggest that as many as 37 tracings would be needed on each patient to obtain an acceptably low measurement error. Whereas there was a good overall correlation between the predicted postpneumonectomy FEV 1 using both methods, the variability found with LPT would suggest extreme caution in its use.
Thermal regimes, mantle diapirs and crustal stresses of continental rifts

Abstract Bridwell, R.J. and Potzick, C., 1981. Thermal regimes, mantle diapirs and crustal stresses of continental rifts. In: J.H. Illies (Editor), Mechanism of Graben Formation. Tectonophysics, 73: 15–32. A coupled, thermomechanical continuum model of a continental rift and platform calculates crustal stresses, free-surface velocities, viscosity profiles, and convective subsolidus creep of mantle geotherms. Two cases, a Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene model are evaluated. The initial geometry and geotherms for the Plio-Pleistocene case are derived by Bridwell and Anderson from seismic refraction and petrology of mantle xenoliths. Crustal thinning to ~34 km, surface heat flux of ~2.5 HFU, and a mantle with ρ ~3.22 g/cm 3 define this case. The Miocene case is an estimate of a prior geometry whose crustal thickness exceeds 37 km, whose surface flux is ~2.0 HFU, and whose density is ~3.22 g/cm 3 . The isotherms were established at t = ∞. Modeled geotherms of rift and continent are consistent with surface flux and xenolith data on crust and mantle temperature and pressure. From these initial values, a series of forward dynamic-flow problems are solved to calculate stress, free-surface velocity, viscosity, and mantle flow. Since material properties of the mantle beneath the rift are unknown, a parameter study was performed to deduce physical constants for a Weertman-type non-Newtonian flow law. These values are A = 10 8 kbar -n s -1 , V * = 17 cm 3 /mol, 95 E * n = 3.3. An existing mantle diapir for the Plio-Pleistocene case, whose hot, less-dense material creeps upward and spreads laterally beneath the rift, generates crustal uplift and spreading. Free-surface uplift rates are ~1 km/10 m.y. consistent with geologic constraints. Mantle viscosities for the Plio-Pleistocene case have minima of 10 21 to 10 22 poise for the range in E *. For lower crustal temperatures, surface heat flow, and small mantle diapir of the Miocene case, viscosities range from >10 22 to 10 23 poise. These values are somewhat higher than average values of 10 22 poise for a global model of the asthenosphere proposed by Hager and O'Connell. Velocities of the mantle diapir have the range 1 v. E * by a few percent changes uplift times for the Miocene case from 10 to 20 m.y./km. The Plio-Pleistocene case achieves uplifts of 1 km in 5–10 m.y. The Miocene mantle diapir can move upward 15 km in 15–36 m.y. for a similar range of E *. The hotter Plio-Pleistocene diapir can move upward 25 km in 5–10 m.y. These results support the interpretation that the increase in surface heat flux from Miocene to Present produces an acceleration in the continental rifting process.
Habitat Suitability and Fish Production: A Model Evaluation for Rock Bass in Two Virginia Streams

Abstract A habitat suitability index (HSI) model for rock bass Ambloplites rupestris was developed from available suitability curves and field tested by comparing HSI and habitat units with seasonal standing stock, biomass, and production of rock bass in two fourth-order streams in Virginia. Consistent ranking between HSI and mean standing stocks for the study year was observed only for 250-m stream sections, the largest spatial unit of comparison. In contrast, changes in HSI explained no more than 22% of the variability in mean standing stocks in 50-m subsections of Back Creek, and were not significantly correlated with standing stocks in Little Walker Creek. Factors that apparently contributed to low correlations and ranking success included geographically homogeneous habitat and seasonal fish movements, as well as potentially important variables such as depth and cover that are not features of the tested HSI models. Annual discharge and fish distribution data further suggested that physical habitat was...
The Results of Crosses between Inbred Strains of Guinea Pigs, Differing in Number of Digits.

Guinea pigs normally have only 3 toes on the hind feet. This is the condition in all of the wild species of the family Caviidae. Atavistic return of the little toe is not, however, especially uncommon. CASTLE (1906) noticed an animal with an imperfect little toe and by inbreeding and selection developed a strain in which every animal had 4 perfect digits on the hind feet. Strain D, in my possession, traces exclusively to 3 animals of this strain, kindly presented by Professor CASTLE in 1915. It has bred true to the 4-toed condition to the present time. As there have seldom been more than 2 or 3 breeding males at a time, there has been much inbreeding. It may safely be assumed to be homozygous in most respects.
Women's Use of Force Voices of Women Arrested for Domestic Violence

Following changes in law enforcement policies that encourage or mandate arrest of domestic violence offenders, a concomitant increase inwomen arrested and mandated to batterer treatment programs has resulted. Most research findings, however, suggest that heterosexual intimate violence is gendered, with abuse, power, and control wielded by men over their female partners, and that when women use violence, it is typically in selfdefense or for nonaggressive reasons. However, fewstudies have investigated the female batterer treatment programs and the context of thewomen's use of violence. Using qualitative data collected from observations of three female domestic violence offender programs, this article examines women's interpretations of their violent experiences. In addition, the findings raise policy-level questions about the appropriateness of such programs, weighing the costs and benefits of a criminal justice approach to women's use of force in intimate relationships.
Allocating Resources to Enhance Resilience, with Application to Superstorm Sandy and an Electric Utility

This article constructs a framework to help a decisionmaker allocate resources to increase his or her organization's resilience to a system disruption, where resilience is measured as a function of the average loss per unit time and the time needed to recover full functionality. Enhancing resilience prior to a disruption involves allocating resources from a fixed budget to reduce the value of one or both of these characteristics. We first look at characterizing the optimal resource allocations associated with several standard allocation functions. Because the resources are being allocated before the disruption, however, the initial loss and recovery time may not be known with certainty. We thus also apply the optimal resource allocation model for resilience to three models of uncertain disruptions: (1) independent probabilities, (2) dependent probabilities, and (3) unknown probabilities. The optimization model is applied to an example of increasing the resilience of an electric power network following Superstorm Sandy.
Speculations on evolution of the terrestrial lithosphere–asthenosphere system—Plumes and plates

Abstract In the early Earth, accretionary impact heating, including collision with a large, Mars-sized object, decay of short-lived radioisotopes, and (after an initial thermal run-up) continuous segregation of the liquid Fe–Ni core resulted in extensive the melting of the silicate mantle and in the formation of a near-surface magma mush ocean. Progressive, continuous degassing and chemical–gravitational differentiation of the crust–mantle system accompanied this Hadean stage, and has gradually lessened during the subsequent cooling of the planet. Mantle and core overturn was vigorous in the Hadean Earth, reflecting deep-seated chemical heterogeneities and concentrations of primordial heat. Hot, bottom-up mantle convection, including voluminous plume ascent, efficiently rid the planet of much thermal energy, but gradually decreased in importance with the passage of time. Formation of lithospheric scum began when planetary surface temperatures fell below those of basalt and peridotite solidi. Thickening and broadening of lithospheric plates are inferred from the post-Hadean rock record. Developmental stages of mantle circulation included: (a) 4.5–4.4 Ga, early, chaotic magma ocean circulation involving an incipient or pre-plate regime; (b) 4.4–2.7 Ga, growth of small micro-oceanic and microcontinental platelets, all returned to the mantle prior to 4.0 Ga, but increasing in size and progressively suturing sialic crust-capped lithospheric amalgams at and near the surface over time; (c) 2.7–1.0 Ga, assembly of cratons surmounting larger, supercontinental plates; and (d) 1.0 Ga–present, modern, laminar-flowing asthenospheric cells capped by gigantic, Wilson-cycle lithospheric plates. Restriction of komatiitic lavas to the Archean, and of ophiolite complexes ± alkaline igneous rocks, high-pressure and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes to progressively younger Proterozoic–Phanerozoic orogenic belts supports the idea that planetary thermal relaxation promoted the increasingly negative buoyancy of cooler oceanic lithosphere. The Thickening of oceanic plates enhanced the gravitational instability and the consequent overturn of the outer Earth as cold, top-down oceanic mantle convection. The scales and dynamics of deep-seated asthenospheric circulation, and of lithospheric foundering + shallow asthenospheric return flow evidently have evolved gradually over geologic time in response to the progressive cooling of the Earth.
Rarity of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in the Korean population.

Purpose: Activation of the innate immune system and chronic low-grade inflammation are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and also thought to be associated with type 2 diabetes and its complications. As a receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide and heat-shock proteins, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the central regulators of the immune response. Recent studies have reported an association between TLR4 polymorphisms and diabetes and its complications in Caucasian populations. Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms in patients with features of type 2 diabetes and healthy controls in Korea. Two polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) were examined in 225 diabetic patients and 153 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Results: No Asp299Gly or Thr399Ile mutations were detected in any of the 378 subjects. Seven subjects from each group who had slightly different SSCP patterns were selected for sequencing, but we found no TLR4 polymorphisms on Exon3. The Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile TLR4 gene polymorphisms were absent in both groups, which was similar to the results for Japanese and Chinese Han subjects. Conclusion: Our data and other Asian data suggest that a racial difference can be found in the frequency of the TLR4 polymorphism.
Transmission and reflection characteristics of a conducting wall with periodic apertures (TE case)

The two-dimensional scattering problem of an electrically conducting (PEC) plane perforated by an infinite array of uniform apertures has been formulated. The problem is transformed to an equivalent one, in which the apertures are covered with electric conductors, and impressed magnetic surface current sources of equal magnitude and opposite polarity are placed on two opposing sides of each conductor. An integral equation for the magnetic current density function is obtained by enforcing the continuity of tangential magnetic field across the apertures, which is subsequently solved using moment method. Computationally efficient formulas for impedance elements have been proposed. Due to periodicity of the structure all elements of the impedance matrix are obtained form a single row. The formulation of this problem can be applied to the electromagnetic characterization of metal studded walls in wireless communication channels.
The electrically ruptured area of crosslinked polyethylene

The electrically ruptured areas of failed crosslinked polyethylenes have been investigated using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The formation of well-defined banded spherulites was observed around the ruptured areas. Since spherulites do not occur in crosslinked polyethylenes, the formation of spherulites in failed specimens is considered to be related to breakage of the network during the breakdown process. FTIR results are shown to support this suggestion, revealing that more than oxidation occurred during the breakdown process. This observation contradicts some well-established breakdown mechanisms, such as thermal breakdown. It is also shown that, if the initiation of electrical breakdown involves network rupture, the properties of crosslinked polyethylene could be enhanced by designing less reactive crosslink points. >
Recipe for Success

Don Pederson once told me that there are two different types of Ph.D. dissertations. Using my own terminology, they are:
High-frequency rolloff in the response of junction detectors

A model is developed for junction detectors based on the antisymmetric electromagnetic-structure mode for two high-free-carrier-density regions separated by a slightly conductive barrier. The complex propagation constant is shown to increase as the 3/4 power of the frequency in a range defined by the ratio of the barrier conductivity to dielectric coefficient and by the free-carrier relaxation frequency and as the 1/4 power below this frequency range. This is shown to result in a decrease in the visible frequency heterodyne mixing response proportional to the 3/4 power of the intermediate frequency (2.3 dB per decade) from 100 GHz to a few terahertz. A linear inverse-frequency decrease in internal-junction quantum efficiency results for the same frequency range with a constant internal quantum efficiency below this.
The Vascular Flora of The Cucumber Creek Nature Preserve, Leflore County, Oklahoma

Abstract The Cucumber Creek Nature Preserve is located in the Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, a region of high plant diversity in the state. An inventory of the preserve yielded 341 taxa of vascular plants in 231 genera and 98 families. The largest families were the Asteraceae (46) and Poaceae (27). The flora consisted of 52 annuals, 1 biennial, 287 perennials, and 95 woody taxa. Sixteen exotic species were collected, representing 4.7% of the flora. Twenty-five species were present that are tracked by the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory: Actaea pachypoda, Carex cephalophora, C. latebracteata, C. ouachitana, C. striatula, Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis, Chionanthus virginicus, Dirca palustris, Fraxinus quadrangulata, Galium arkansanum, Halesia tetraptera, Hamamelis vernalis, H. virginiana, Hypericum gentianoides, Ilex opaca, Iris cristata, Magnolia tripetala, Mitchella repens, Panax quinquefolius, Piptochaetium avenaceum, Polygala polygama, Ribes cynosbati, Spigelia marilandica, Stachys e...
BURIAL PRACTICES AT TEOTIHUACAN IN THE EARLY POSTCLASSIC PERIOD: The Vaillant and Linné Excavations (1931–1932)

In 1931 and 1932, George Vaillant and Sigvald Linne excavated 34 burials and 17 offerings dating to the Early Postclassic period (a.d. 900–1150). The features were located on the ruins of the Classic-period site of Teotihuacan and within the boundaries of a roughly 25–50 ha zone identified by the Teotihuacan Mapping Project as having a dense Early Postclassic-period occupation. The results of Vaillant's excavations have not been published. An examination of the Vaillant–Linne data sheds new light on Early Postclassic-period mortuary ritual and social organization. The identification of several types of burials shows that local people conducted primary and secondary mortuary rituals and indicates the presence of at least two social strata at the site. The content of the burials and offerings supports a division of the Early Postclassic period into two local phases, Mazapan (ca. a.d. 900–1000) and Atlatongo (ca. a.d. 1000–1100/1150), with these features dating to the earlier phase.
Effect of connectivity in associative memory models

The authors investigate how good connectivity properties translate into good error-correcting behavior in sparse networks of threshold elements. They determine how the eigenvalues of the interconnection graph (which in turn reflect connectivity properties) relate to the quantities, number of items stored, amount of error-correction, radius of attraction, and rate of convergence in an associative memory model consisting of a sparse network of threshold elements or neurons. >