cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laws vs. Contracts: Legal Origins, Shareholder Protections, and Ownership Concentration in Brazil, 1890–1950

The early development of large multidivisional corporations in Latin America required much more than capable managers, new technologies, and large markets. Behind such corporations was a market for capital in which entrepreneurs had to attract investors to buy either debt or equity. This paper examines the investor protections included in corporate bylaws that enabled corporations in Brazil to attract investors in large numbers, thus generating a relatively low concentration of ownership and control in large firms before 1910. Archival evidence such as company statutes and shareholder lists document that in many Brazilian corporations voting rights provisions, in particular, maximum vote provisions and graduated voting scales (that provided for less than proportional votes as shareholdings increase), balanced the relative voting power of small and large investors. In companies with such provisions the concentration of ownership and control is shown to have been significantly lower than in the average company. Overall, from the sample of Brazilian companies studied it seems like the concentration of control was significantly lower before 1910 than what it is today.
Winter gas exchange between the atmosphere and snow-covered soils on Niwot Ridge, Colorado, USA

Background: There is a growing interest in understanding the gas exchange between the atmosphere and seasonally snow-covered regions, especially in light of projections that climate change will alter the timing and extent of seasonal snow cover. In snow-covered ecosystems, gas fluxes are due both to microbial activity in the snow-covered soils and to chemical and physical reactions with the various gases and/or dissolved constituents in the snowpack. Niwot Ridge, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, has one of the most extensive sets of measurements of winter gas exchange globally.Aims: Our goal was to examine the temporal patterns and environmental controls on Niwot Ridge of gas fluxes for gases with different sources and sinks.Methods: Here, we review the concentrations and fluxes that have been measured for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, ozone, gaseous elemental mercury and volatile organic carbon compounds.Results and Conclusions: We looked for similarities and differences among ...
Response of shoal grass, Halodule wrightii, to extreme winter conditions in the Lower Laguna Madre, Texas

Abstract Effects of a severe freeze on the shoal grass, Halodule wrightii, were documented through analysis of temporal and spatial trends in below-ground biomass. The coincidence of the second lowest temperature (−10.6°C) in 107 years of record, 56 consecutive hours below freezing, high winds and extremely low water levels exposed the Laguna Madre, TX, to the most severe cold stress in over a century. H. wrightii tolerated this extreme freeze event. Annual pre- and post-freeze surveys indicated that below-ground biomass estimated from volume was unaffected by the freeze event. Nor was there any post-freeze change in biomass among intertidal sites directly exposed to freezing air temperatures relative to subtidal sites which remained submerged during the freezing period.
DX-like centers in NaI:Tl upon aliovalent codoping

Aliovalent doping has been recently shown to remarkably improve energy resolution in some halide scintillators. Based on first-principles calculations we report on the formation of DX-like centers in a well-known scintillator material, Tl-doped NaI (NaI:Tl), when codoped with Ca or Ba. Our calculations indicate a net binding energy favoring formation of the defect complex (TlNa−+CaNa+) involving a new cation-cation bond, instead of the isolated substitutional defects. The pair has properties of a deep DX-like acceptor complex. Doping with the aliovalent anion impurity Te is also found to induce deep centers, which can act as effective electron or hole traps. The hole trapped as TeI0 involves large lattice relaxation of the Te and an adjacent iodine, consistent with extrinsic self-trapping of the hole. Thus, in contrast to the positive effect achieved by aliovalent co-doping of the rare-earth tri-halides LaBr3:Ce and CeBr3:Ca as reported recently, co-doping with donor-like cations Ca, Ba, or the acceptor-l...
Substantiating the Worthless Securities Deduction

The Internal Revenue Code generally provides for the deductibility of economic losses incurred by taxpayers in for‐profit transactions. § 165(g) specifically allows the deduction of losses associated with securities that become worthless. Unfortunately, neither Congress nor Treasury have articulated specific conditions necessary to demonstrate that a security satisfies the requisite “worthless” condition. This uncertainty has led to the courts having been placed in the role of arbiter in the many cases where taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service differ in perceptions regarding whether a particular stock is worthless. This article examines statutory provisions, factors the courts have considered in deciding the worthless stock question, an analysis of case law, and proposes conditions that Treasury could consider in establishing safe harbor rules. Such rules could provide both taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service with a means to reduce the continuing litigation of this question.
Leibniz on the unicorn and various other curiosities.

I discuss some of Leibniz's pronouncements about fringe phenomena__various monsters; talking dogs; genies and prophets; unicorns, glossopetrae, and other games of nature__in order to understand better Leibniz's views on science and the role these curiosities play in his plans for scientific academies and societies. However, given that Leibniz's sincerity has been called into question in twentieth-century secondary literature, I begin with a few historiographical remarks so as to situate these pronouncements within the Leibnizian corpus. What emerges is an image of Leibniz as a sober, cautious interpreter, a skeptic one might say, but one who is prepared to concede the possibility of many strange phenomena. Leibniz expects these fringe phenomena to take their place among the natural curiosities catalogued as part of a hoped for empirical database intended as means toward the perfection of the sciences.
Monte Carlo study of the Yang-Mills vacuum wavefunctional in D=4 dimensions☆

Abstract We apply the Monte Carlo method to measure the relative magnitude of the Yang-Mills vacuum wavefunctional Ψ[ A ] in sets of non-abelian constant, and abelian plane wave, field configurations. The calculation is carried out for SU(2) lattice gauge theory in temporal gauge, for D =4 dimensions. We find that for both non-abelian constant configurations, and long-wavelength plane wave configurations, the data for Ψ [ A ] is accurately fit by a (suitably latticized) vacuum wavefunctional of the form Ψ [ A ] = N × exp (− μ ∫ d 3 xTr [ F ij 2 ]) which represents the ground state of a magnetically disordered theory.
Predicting Intentions to Use Research Evidence for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Decisions Among Certified Hand Therapists

Introduction: Research evidence is not routinely used for clinical decisions among rehabilitation practitioners. The purpose of this study was to model the predictors of intention to use research evidence for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) clinical decisions among certified hand therapists (CHTs). Methods: A total of 308 American CHTs (M age = 46 years, SD = 8.1, M clinical experience = 21 years, SD = 8.2) completed a validated mail survey measuring the variables of intention, attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy, workload, and autonomy. Structural equation modeling was used to test the overall model and estimate the direct and indirect relationships of study variables on intention. Results: The model demonstrated excellent overall fit and explained 52% of the variance in intention. The direct significant predictors of intention were attitudes (β = 0.43) and subjective norms (β = 0.34) (Ps = 0.00). Self-efficacy and workload did not directly significantly predict intention (Ps = 0.82/0.09, respectively). Workload and autonomy did not indirectly significantly predict intention (Ps = 0.82/0.07, respectively). Neither did workload significantly predict attitudes (P = 0.06). There were no direct or indirect effects of autonomy, self-efficacy, or workload on the intention to use research evidence. However, autonomy significantly predicted self-efficacy (β = 0.36, P = 0.00). Conclusions: Intention to use research evidence in clinical practice is a complex yet predictable phenomenon. Attitudes and subjective norm were identified as significant predictors of intention. Workload, autonomy and self-efficacy did not directly or indirectly effect intentions for research use. Altering subjective norms and managing attitudes about research are recommended as key factors for increasing the use of research evidence for clinical decisions among CHTs.
Dithiane-Based Photolabile Amphiphiles: Toward Photolabile Liposomes1,2

A series of externally and internally sensitized photolabile amphiphiles having their hydrophilic headgroups and hydrophobic tails tethered via the dithiane-based photocleavable “latch” is prepared. These lipids are tested in various formulations with naturally occurring phospholipids and/or cholesterol to prepare light-sensitive liposomes. Irradiation of such liposomes in phosphate-buffered saline solution (medium-pressure mercury lamp, Pyrex filter, λ > 300 nm) increases the bilayer permeability and accelerates the release of entrapped small organic molecules by up to an order of magnitude. A novel assay, based on 1H or 19F pulsed field gradient NMR measurements of diffusion coefficients, is developed to monitor the lifetimes of dark leakage and light-induced unloading of the probe molecules.
Ultra-sensitive detection of bacterial toxin with silicon nanowire transistor

Nanowire field effect transistors (nano-FET) were lithographically fabricated using 50 nm doped polysilicon nanowires attached to two small gold terminals separated from each other by a ∼150 nm gap to serve as the basis for electronic detection of bacteria toxins. The device characterizations, semiconducting properties and use in a robust and sensitive bio-molecular detection sensor of bacterial toxins were reported in this work. The device characteristics were demonstrated with varying gate and drain voltages. The bio-molecular detection was demonstrated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), using Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin B (SEB) as the target molecule. The detection limit of SEB was observed in the range of 10–35 fM.
Effect of Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage and/or PartiaI Exsanguination on Tolerance to Prolonged Aortic Cross‐Clamping

Paraplegia as a consequence of spinal cord ischemia associated with procedures on the thoracic and thoracoabdominai aorta has been linked to the interaction of proximal hypertension with elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) during aortic cross-clamping (AXC). CSFP reduction via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is thought to significantly prolong the cord's tolerance to AXC. Likewise, partial exsanguination is reported to effectively reduce ischemic injury by controlling proximal hypertension. To evaluate the individual and collective efficacy of both techniques, 18 mongrel dogs (25 to 35 kg), divided into three equal groups, underwent a fourth interspace left thoracotomy AXC. Baseline proximal arterial blood pressure (PABP), distal arterial blood pressure (DABP), and CSFP were established and monitored at 5-minute intervals during 120 minutes of AXC, and for 30 minutes thereafter. Group I animals were partially exsanguinated prior to AXC to maintain PABP at a mean of 115 to 120 mmHg. Group II animals had sufficient (16 ± 5 cc) CSF withdrawn to maintain a DABP-CSFP gradient, i.e., spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) of 20 mmHg. Group III animals were treated with both CSF drainage and partial exsanguination in the same manner as groups I and II, respectively. Periop-erative somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) monitoring evaluated cord function. Postoperative neurological outcome was assessed with Tariov's criteria. SEPs degenerated approximately 22 minutes following AXC for groups II and III. In contrast, group I exhibited rapid (10 ± 7 min) SEP loss. All five surviving group I animals displayed paralysis 48 hours postopera-tively. Mean PABP was significantly higher in group II (155 ±18 mmHg) than in either group 1 (117 ± 9 mmHg) or Ill (120 ± 14 mmHg) (p < 0.001). CSFP was significantly higher in group I (14 ± 4 mmHg) than in either group II or III (5 ± 2 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). The only parameter associated with neurological injury was low SCPP, which inversely correlated with CSF dynamics. Group I animals, with a mean SCPP of 4.6 mmHg, exhibited paraplegia, while groups II and Ill, with SCPP values above 20 mmHg, were free of neurological injury. Proximal hypertension did not play a role in cord injury. This study underscores the potential of CSF drainage to protect the ischemic spinal cord. (J Card Surg 7994;9:637–637)
Evaluation of microhardness and elastic modulus of thermally sprayed nanostructured zirconia coatings

Abstract Results concerning microhardness and roughness ( R a ) of plasma sprayed coatings fabricated from nanostructured partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) feedstock are presented. Nanostructured zirconia particles were plasma sprayed (Ar/H 2 ) at three power levels, with two argon flow rates at two spray distances. The results indicate that the microhardness, elastic modulus and roughness of the nanostructured zirconia coatings exhibit the following trends: the smoother the roughness, the higher the microhardness and elastic modulus. It was found that roughness is an indicator of the coating state that reflects the intrinsic microstructure of the coatings. It was ascertained that a surface profilometer could be used to determine the level of microhardness and elastic modulus as a non-destructive and in situ test by simple comparison with standard samples.
The prevalence and fate of secondary nodules found in patients undergoing resection for lung cancer

References 1. The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team, Aberle DR, Adams AM, BergCD,BlackWC,ClappJD, FagerstromRM, et al.Reduced lung-cancermortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:395-409. 2. McWilliams A, Tammemagi MC, Mayo JR, Roberts H, Liu G, Soghrati K, et al. Probability of cancer in pulmonary nodules detected on first screening CT. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:910-9.
X-ray microtomography for fracture studies in cement-based materials

ABSTRACT In this study we are interested in microstructure-property relationships in portland cement-based materials. Specifically, we areinterested in relating microfracture and damage to bulk mechanical properties. To do this a high resolution three-dimensionalscanning technique called x-ray microtomography was applied to measure internal damage and crack growth in small mortarcylinders loaded in uniaxial compression. Synchrotron-based microtomography allows us to resolve internal features that areonly a few microns in size. Multiple tomographi scans were made of the same specimen at different levels of deformation, thedeformation being applied through a custom built loading frame. Three-dimensional image analysis was used to measure inter-nal crack growth during each deformation increment. Measured load-deformation curves were used to calculate the non-recov-erable work of load on the specimen. Incremental non-recoverable work of load was related to measured incremental change incrack surface area to estimate work-of-fracture in three dimensions. Initial results indicate a nearly constant work-of-fracturefor the early stages of crack growth. These results show that basic fracture mechanics principles may be applied to concrete incompression, however we must think in terms of 3D multiple crack systems rather than traditional 2D single crack systems.Keywords: concrete, fracture, tomography, image analysis
Structure and bonding in lithium ruthenate, Li2RuO3

Abstract The metallic lithium ruthenate Li2RuO3 was prepared from Li2CO3 and RuO2 at high temperature; its structure was studied by powder neutron diffraction and found to be in agreement with that previously published on the basis of powder X-ray diffraction. Li2RuO3 has a monoclinic unit cell (C2/c; a = 4.9116A˚,b = 8.7586A˚,c = 9.8544A˚, β = 100.08°); its structure closely resembles that of β-Li2SnO3, but there is a different stacking of alternating, close-packed Li andLiM2 (M =Ru, Sn) layers. The He I photoelectron spectrum of Li2RuO3 shows an intense Fermi edge, which implies a high electronic density of states at the Fermi energy. Li2RuO3 is paramagnetic and obeys the Curie-Weiss law above 80 K (μeff = 1.83 μB, O = −167 K). A semiempirical band model for Li2RuO3 accounts for its metallic conductivity, photoelectron spectrum, magnetic behavior, and unusual stacking sequence. Electrochemical delithiation of Li2RuO3 led to a rearrangement of Ru within layers that stabilizes additional Ru Ru bonding.
Can a Firm’s Expected Marginal Tax Rate Exceed 100 Percent?

The effects of a progressive marginal tax rate structure are examined when the base of the tax is a firm’s realized profit, which depends on the realization of a random variable and the firm’s choice of an output level. Even though the firm is risk neutral and the marginal tax rate on any realized outcome is in strictly less than 100 percent, it is shown that the progressive rate structure causes the firm to choose a lower output level than would be chosen in the absence of the tax. This result is in striking contrast to the choice neutrality of such a tax in a world of certainty. A novel reason for this is identified—namely, that uncertainty and the progressive rate structure generate expected marginal tax rates of 100 percent and higher.
Sports and pediatric cerebrospinal fluid shunts: who can play?

Objective The purpose of this study was to collect and review available data on the incidence of sport-related complications in children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts. Methods After review of medical and legal literature revealed no reports on sports and shunts, an Internet-based survey was conducted of pediatric neurosurgeons. Observed complications, recommendations for sport participation, and shunt volume data were collected. Results Ninety-two providers (55% sample) responded. Seventy-seven percent had never observed a sport-related shunt complication in their practice. The remaining 23% witnessed an estimated total of 25 to 30 complications. Broken shunt catheters and shunt dysfunction were the most common complications observed. Only one acute intracranial hematoma was reported in the entire series. The incidence of sport-related CSF complications in children seems to be significantly less than 1%. Ninety percent of pediatric neurosurgeons do not restrict their patients' participation in noncontact sports. For contact sports, approximately one-third of neurosurgeons preclude all participation, whereas another third restrict specific sports. The final third of neurosurgeons surveyed do not restrict participation in contact sports for children with CSF shunts. Conclusion Sport-related complications in children with CSF shunts are very uncommon.
PARENTS' REPORTS OF TRICKS OF THE TRADE FOR MANAGING CHILDHOOD CHRONIC ILLNESS

purpose. To examine how parents respond to and manage the challenges of childhood chronic illness. design. Qualitative, comparative, secondary analysis. participants. Fifty-eight families (55 mothers, 44 fathers) with a school-age child (6-15 years old) with a chronic illness. results. Three approaches to illness management were identified: strict adherence, flexible adherence, and selective adherence. These approaches varied in the extent to which parents developed and relied on target management behaviors that concurred with or deviated from the treatment plan prescribed by healthcare providers. conclusions. The three management approaches contribute to understanding the processes associated with differing interactions between healthcare professionals and parents when a child has a chronic illness.
Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Fine-Tunes Host’s Autophagic Response to Infection: A Comprehensive Analysis in Productive Infection Models

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection causes severe conditions, with serious complications, including corneal blindness from uncontrolled ocular infections. An important cellular defense mechanism against HSV-1 infection is autophagy. The autophagic response of the host cell was suggested to be regulated by HSV-1. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of autophagy in multiple HSV-1-targeted cell types, and under various infection conditions that recapitulate a productive infection model. We found that autophagy was slightly inhibited in one cell type, while in other cell types autophagy maintained its basal levels mostly unchanged during productive infection. This study refines the concept of HSV-1-mediated autophagy regulation to imply either inhibition, or prevention of activation, of the innate immune pathway.
Further studies using X-ray fluorescence to sample lead contaminated carpeted surfaces.

The sampling of carpeted surfaces to test for lead contamination primarily focuses upon vacuum techniques. Vacuum sampling techniques, however, require time-consuming, expensive laboratory analysis of the dusts obtained and are unable to determine total lead load on the carpet. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is an on-site, inexpensive, non-destructive, quick technique for predicting metals levels in a variety of media, such as water, soil, filter paper and painted surfaces. A 1992 study of the feasibility of XRF to analyze for lead and soil loadings on carpeted surfaces indicated that XRF can detect lead at a low enough level to warrant further study. This paper expands this earlier study and developes lead and soil loading calibration curves for three different carpet types based upon XRF lead L-beta peak areas and XRF iron and barium K-alpha peak and background areas. Results indicate that variation in the data can be reduced through modifications of the XRF analysis technique, thus reducing the statistically determined detection level, and that carpet type does affect the calibration. Detection levels of approximately 70 mg/m2 for lead and 5 g/m2 for soil were obtained. Overall, good agreement was found between results of this study and the earlier one. XRF shows excellent potential for quantitative analysis of lead on carpeted surfaces.
Cytoarchitecture and Sound Activated Responses in the Auditory Cortex of the Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus

Under free field and closed-system stimulation conditions, we studied the frequency threshold curves, auditory spatial sensitivity and binaurality of neurons in the primary auditory cortex (AC) of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus. All 298 recorded AC neurons discharged phasically. They were recorded at depths less than 1,000 μm with response latencies of 7–25 ms, best frequencies (BFs) of 28–97 kHz and minimum thresholds (MTs) of 8–90 dB SPL. They received excitatory inputs from the contralateral ear and either excitatory (EE) or inhibitory (EI) inputs from the ipsilateral ear. These cortical neurons were tonotopically organized along the anteroposterior axis of the AC. High best frequency neurons were located anteriorly and low best frequency neurons posteriorly. They were most sensitive to sounds delivered from a restricted region of the contralateral frontal auditory space (0°-50° in azimuth and 2° up, 15° down in elevation). Frontal auditory space representation appears to be systematically arrange...
Enhancing Nanoparticle Electrodynamics with Gold Nanoplate Mirrors

Mirrors and optical cavities can modify and enhance matter–radiation interactions. Here we report that chemically synthesized Au nanoplates can serve as micrometer-size mirrors that enhance electrodynamic interactions. Because of their plasmonic properties, the Au nanoplates enhance the brightness of scattered light from Ag nanoparticles near the nanoplate surface in dark-field microscopy. More importantly, enhanced optical trapping and optical binding of Ag nanoparticles are demonstrated in interferometric optical traps created from a single laser beam and its reflection from individual Au nanoplates. The enhancement of the interparticle force constant is ≈20-fold more than expected from the increased intensity due to standing wave interference. We show that the additional stability for optical binding arises from the restricted axial thermal motion of the nanoparticles that couples to and reduces the fluctuations in the lateral plane. This new mechanism greatly advances the photonic synthesis of ultrast...
A New Wrinkle on Topical Vitamin E and Photo-inflammation: Mechanistic Studies of a Hydrophilic γ-Tocopherol Derivative Compared with α-Tocopherol

The antioxidant function of vitamin E is thought to mediate its photo-protective effects. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important mediator of early photo-inflammation. Thus, the ability of gamma-tocopherol to inhibit COX-2 activity independently of its antioxidant function raises important questions regarding potential roles that this form of vitamin E plays in photo-protection and skin cancer chemoprevention.
High Levels of β-Endorphin in Hypophyseal Portal Blood

β-Endorphin was measured by RIA in the hypophyseal portal blood of six pig-tailed monkeys after pituitary stalk section. The mean β-endorphin concentration was 4,770 pg/ml (range, 2,900-10,500 pg/ml). This was more than 100 times greater than the mean simultaneous peripheral venous concentration, which was 45 pg/ml. After gel filtration of the portal plasma extracts, the majority of β-endorphin immunoactivity eluted as a single peak coincident with synthetic β-endorphin standard. The demonstration of high levels of β-endorphin in the hypophyseal portal blood suggests that endogenous opioids of hypothalamic origin are secreted into the portal blood and may directly affect the pituitary. (Endocrinology 106: 1323, 1980)
Urinary excretion of immunoreactive prostaglandin E: A circadian rhythm and the effect of posture

Abstract The excretion of urinary immunoreactive prostaglandin E (iPGE), sodium, potassium, creatinine and volume was studied in 4 hr collections in normal women at normal activity. iPGE exhibited a circadian rhythm with an amplitude of 29% and peak excretion at 4:55 P.M. There were also significant circadian rhythms for sodium, potassium, creatinine, and volume, all peaking in late afternoon. There were no significant changes either in the total excretion or in the circadian rhythms of iPGE, potassium, or creatinine excretion when the subjects remained in bed for an entire day while the circadian rhythms of sodium and volume were significantly modified in amplitude and phase, respectively. Urinary aldosterone excretion decreased significantly when the subjects were at bed rest. iPGE excretion increased 33% when subjects were first recumbent and then erect for consecutive 4 hr periods on the same day (but when subjects were erect 1 day for a 4 hr period, iPGE excretion was lower by 32% than for the same 4 hr period the preceding day when they were recumbent). These data indicate that: 1) the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system do not affect the circadian rhythm of urinary iPGE, and 2) short-term experiments of prostaglandin E excretion must be designed to avoid misleading results due to the circadian rhythm.
A Video game for teaching Dynamic Systems & Control to mechanical engineering undergraduates

Dynamic Systems & Control is one of the most difficult courses to teach in the mechanical engineering curriculum. The subject is very mathematical and the mathematical framework is unfamiliar to novice students. Recently we began using a video game to demonstrate and teach content of the course. The game provides a natural way to align instruction with constructivist theories on how people learn. Herein, we describe the game and present preliminary results demonstrating its effectiveness.
Successful lung transplantation in an octogenarian

II (Thoratec, Pleasanton, Calif) axial flow pumps have sustained patients for 4 years. Given the reservations about survival advantage and economic viability of cardiac transplantation in United Network for Organ Sharing status II patients, properly structured clinical trials to compare LVADs with transplantation or continued medical therapy are indicated and probably overdue. Indeed, for those who wish to avoid the side effects of immunosuppression, a rotary blood pump might provide a realistic alternative to a donor heart. In the meantime, rotary blood pumps can offer symptomatic relief for many patients with heart failure who will never reach a transplant waiting list.
Charged Ising model of neutron star matter

Background: The inner crust of a neutron star is believed to consist of Coulomb-frustrated complex structures known as ``nuclear pasta'' that display interesting and unique low-energy dynamics.
Dynorphin A (1-13) potentiates dynorphin A (1-17) on loss of the tail-flick reflex after intrathecal injection in the rat.

Abstract Dynorphin A (1–13) or dynorphin A (1–17) administered intrathecally to rats induces a dose-dependent loss of the tail-flick reflex and a reversible hindlimb paralysis. Although their potency is comparable, dynorphin A (1–17) is less efficacious in producing loss of the tail-flick reflex. These data suggest that dynorphin A (1–17) acts as a partial agonist or exerts its neurotoxic effect in the presence of an endogenous non-competitive inhibitor. To determine whether these substances act at similar sites we performed isobolographic analysis. This analysis revealed that dose-additivity exists for paralysis whereas deviation from dose-additivity exists for loss of the tail-flick reflex.
The dilemma of the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents: disease or distraction?

Background: The alarming increase of obesity in children occurring globally is raising concern about the implications for development, at earlier ages, of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and is driving efforts to evaluate and predict risk in the young. A major component of this undertaking has been directed to adapting for children the criteria described in adults as the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: This article briefly examines the status of and controversy about definition of the MS in adults and its value, and then it moves on to review the descriptions of the MS in the pediatric age group. This is done primarily from the point of view of its usefulness to the clinician. The ranges of the criteria used by different investigators, the differences in their prevalence and their effectiveness in predicting cardiovascular risk are discussed. Current information about cardiovascular risk factors in children, their progression into adulthood and their correlation with atherosclerosis in children and young adults is outlined. Finally, the current information and recommendations for treatment, in children, of cardiovascular risk factors including those composing the MS are reviewed. Conclusions: One conclusion is that there needs to be consensus about the criteria for defining the MS in children if its use as a diagnosis is to be helpful in this age group. A second conclusion questions the value of using this syndromic collection of risk factors in children rather than concentrating on the risk factors themselves, evaluating their importance in early cardiovascular risk and assessing the safety and efficacy of intervention in early life.
Relationship between type of health insurance and time to inpatient rehabilitation placement for surgical subspecialty patients.

A significant proportion of patients on a neurosurgical service require inpatient rehabilitation placement after discharge. The relationship between the type of health insurance of the patient at the time of admission and the time to placement of patients has not previously been addressed. We prospectively studied all patients on the adult neurosurgical service at our hospital to determine whether the type of health insurance carried by patients is related to the time necessary to arrange acceptance into inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Ninety-one patients (51 men, 40 women; mean age, 56 years) admitted to the neurosurgery service during a 6-month period required inpatient rehabilitation placement after discharge. The time in days between the request for placement into a rehabilitation facility and the acceptance of the patient was examined. The mean time for placement of patients with and without health insurance at the time of admission was 0.8 days and 2.1 days, respectively (overall mean, 1.1 days...
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in a program for children with end stage renal disease

Eighteen infants, children, and adolescents were trained in the techniques of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as a therapy for end stage renal disease (ESRD) at the University of Florida. Fourteen patients successfully continued CAPD 4–24 months, for a total of 193 patient-months.
Intestinal microflora in a chronic carrier of Vibrio cholerae.

Previous investigations of carriers of V ibrio cholerae have shown that these microorganisms are probably sequestered in the gallbladder during the chronic state [1-3]. These studies demonstrated that although large numbers of vibrios could be found in duodenal fluid, normally passed fecal specimens from chronic carriers were often vibrio-free. Purged stool specimens from the same individuals, however, usually yielded a positive culture. Such data suggest that vibrios are suppressed in the lower intestinal tract of the chronic carrier and that this inhibitory activity is overcome by rapid intestinal transit. This report describes investigations of a young man who harbored V. cholerae for 11 months after his acute attack of choleraic diarrhea. Microbial populations at different levels of the gastrointestinal tract were considered in relation to clearance of vibrios and intestinal physiology. Such studies may shed light on microbial interaction in the bowel, not only with regard to vibrios but to the resident microflora as well.
Glass Transition Temperature of Polymer Nanoparticles under Soft and Hard Confinement

When confined to the nanoscale, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymer films can deviate substantially from the bulk, i.e., the Tg-confinement effect. Due to ease of processing most studies have focused on the thickness-dependent Tg of thin films, while few have focused on extending investigations beyond thin films to other geometries. As polymers confined to higher geometrical dimensionalities become the enabling material in technologies ranging from drug delivery to plastic electronics to ultrafiltration, a greater understanding of size effects on the Tg is warranted. Here, we investigate the effects of three-dimensional confinement on the Tg of polymer nanoparticles under soft and hard confinement and quantitatively compare our results to those of thin films to explore commonalities or differences between the Tg-confinement effect for polymers confined to different geometries. Via modulated differential scanning calorimetry, we show that Tg decreases with size for polystyrene (PS) nanoparticl...
Solid-phase synthesis of acridine-based threading intercalator peptides.

The preparation of a novel acridine-based amino acid is reported. This N-Alloc-protected monomer can be coupled and deprotected under solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures to create acridine–peptide conjugates as potential threading intercalators. A peptide containing this novel amino acid undergoes spectral changes in the presence of duplex DNA and RNA consistent with intercalative binding.
Cofactor and substrate requirements of collagen proline hydroxylase

Abstract Enzyme fractions which catalyze the hydroxylation of peptidyl-proline to form peptidyl-hydroxyproline have been prepared from chick embryo, guinea-pig granuloma and fetal rat skin. In all preparations ferrous ion, ascorbic acid, α-ketoglutarate and molecular oxygen are required for activity. No compounds have been found which can replace ferrous ion and α-ketoglutarate. Reduced pteridines can partially replace ascorbic acid, but reduced pyridine nucleotides are inactive. The enzyme has been called collagen proline hydroxylase and has been tentatively classified as a mixed-function oxidase. A formulation of the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme has been proposed in which ascorbate functions as a reducing agent and α-ketoglutarate as a modifier of the enzyme.
Assessing Welfare Reform, Over a Decade Later

It has now been over a decade since the passage of the 1996 welfare reform legislation (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act). In this paper, we synthesize the expansive literature on how welfare reform has affected poor families and nonprofit agencies that serve them. In particular, we explore state variation in welfare policies and the dramatic declines in welfare caseloads. We also investigate the employment, earnings, and levels of material hardships among current and former welfare recipients. Moreover, we examine what we know about welfare reform's impact on marriage, nonmarital childbearing, and child well-being. Lastly, we report on how welfare reform has affected nonprofit agencies that serve poor families. We are left with a complex account of the impacts of welfare reform that reveals both positive developments in a number of areas and a great deal of remaining challenges.
Use of the World Wide Web for distance education in a process control course

The WWW has created major innovations in the way knowledge is transferred in modern society. We explore the implications of WWW-based education for undergraduate and graduate level process control courses.
Postmortem Analysis and Retrieval of Implantable Pacemakers and Defibrillators

To the Editor: Recent recalls of implantable pacemakers and defibrillators have cast a spotlight on the need for improved product reliability.1 Although it is estimated that the failure rate of these devices is low, the true rate of device malfunction is not known. The Food and Drug Administration recently stated that it supports a policy requiring that defibrillators be returned to the manufacturer to be studied for possible defects after the death of a patient.2 The few published guidelines available for morticians concerning the handling of devices make no mention of routine interrogation or retrieval.3,4 Therefore, we surveyed embalmers . . .
Unmyelinated axons in the posterior funiculi

Electron microscopy of the dorsal funiculus in the rat reveals that most axons in this pathway are unmyelinated. These axons have not previously been counted, nor are they considered in modern studies on the organization of the dorsal funiculus. Because of the importance of this pathway in somatic sensation, it is important to understand that these fibers exist and that they are present in greater numbers than the well-studied myelinated axons.
Spatial transformation architectures with applications: an introduction

Spatial transformations (STs) constitute an important class of image operations, which include the well-known affine transformation, image rotation, scaling, warping, etc. Less well known are the anisomorphic transformations among cartographic projections such as the Mercator, gnomonic, and equal-area formats. In this preliminary study, we introduce a unifying theory of spatial transformation, expressed in terms of the Image Algebra, a rigorous, inherently parallel notation for image and signal processing. Via such theory, we can predict the implementational cost of various STs. Since spatial operations are frequently I/O-intensive, we first analyze the I/O performance of well-known architectures, in order to determine their suitability for ST implementation. Analyses are verified by simulation, with emphasis upon vision-based navigation applications. An additional applications area concerns the remapping of visual receptive fields, which facilitates visual rehabilitation in the presence of retinal damage.
Effect of scopolamine on the reactivity of the albino rat to footschock

Abstract To determine if anticholinergic drugs altered reactions to footshock, 9 female albino rats were tested for escape latencies following unsignaled presentations of footshock in a two-chambered shuttlebox. Different intensities of footshock (0, 0.04, 0.07, and 0.10 ma) were varied orthogonally with various doses of intraperitoneally injected scopolamine hydrobromide (0, 1.0, 4.0 and 16.0 mg/kg). Shock trials were randomly alternated with nonshock (pseudoshock) trials to estimate any drug-induced activity increase which might occur independently of any alteration in reactivity to aversive stimulation. Results indicated that scopolamine produced a significant increase in reactivity to footshock (i.e., shorter escape latencies) at near-threshold intensities as well as producing the expected increase in general activity.
Safety and Efficacy of Subretinal Readministration of a Viral Vector in Large Animals to Treat Congenital Blindness

Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a group of severe inherited retinal degenerations that are symptomatic in infancy and lead to total blindness in adulthood. Recent clinical trials using recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) successfully reversed blindness in patients with LCA caused by RPE65 mutations after one subretinal injection. However, it was unclear whether treatment of the second eye in the same manner would be safe and efficacious, given the potential for a complicating immune response after the first injection. Here, we evaluated the immunological and functional consequences of readministration of rAAV2-hRPE65v2 to the contralateral eye using large animal models. Neither RPE65-mutant (affected; RPE65−/−) nor unaffected animals developed antibodies against the transgene product, but all developed neutralizing antibodies against the AAV2 capsid in sera and intraocular fluid after subretinal injection. Cell-mediated immune responses were benign, with only 1 of 10 animals in the study developing a persistent T cell immune response to AAV2, a response that was mediated by CD4+ T cells. Sequential bilateral injection caused minimal inflammation and improved visual function in affected animals. Thus, subretinal readministration of rAAV2 in animals is safe and effective, even in the setting of preexisting immunity to the vector, a parameter that has been used to exclude patients from gene therapy trials.
Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics for the Treatment of Malignant Disease

The employment of the immune system to treat malignant disease represents an active area of biomedical research. The specificity of the immune response and potential for establishing long-term tumor immunity compels researchers to continue investigations into immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer. A number of immunotherapeutic strategies have arisen for the treatment of malignant disease, including various vaccination schemes, cytokine therapy, adoptive cellular therapy, and monoclonal antibody therapy. This paper describes each of these strategies and discusses some of the associated successes and limitations. Emphasis is placed on the integration of techniques to promote optimal scenarios for eliminating cancer.
Bibliography on the Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)

Recent outbreaks of the green bug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), on sorghum in the United States have spurred a great deal of renewed interest in an insect that Rondani (1852) first described in Italy. S. graminum first entered the United States from Europe ca. 1882 (Hunter 1909). Until recently, the species was primarily recognized as a pest of small grains, although earlier references indicate that it has long been associated with sorghum. Since 1968, the insect has caused widespread damage to grain sorghum in the United States and apparently has become well established on the crop. Harvey and Hackerott (1969) designated the sorghum greenbug as a biotype C of S. graminum .
Object-oriented software for quadratic programming

The object-oriented software package OOQP for solving convex quadratic programming problems (QP) is described. The primal-dual interior point algorithms supplied by OOQP are implemented in a way that is largely independent of the problem structure. Users may exploit problem structure by supplying linear algebra, problem data, and variable classes that are customized to their particular applications. The OOQP distribution contains default implementations that solve several important QP problem types, including general sparse and dense QPs, bound-constrained QPs, and QPs arising from support vector machines and Huber regression. The implementations supplied with the OOQP distribution are based on such well known linear algebra packages as MA27/57, LAPACK, and PETSc. OOQP demonstrates the usefulness of object-oriented design in optimization software development, and establishes standards that can be followed in the design of software packages for other classes of optimization problems. A number of the classes in OOQP may also be reusable directly in other codes.
Biological and physical processes in and around Astoria submarine Canyon, Oregon, USA

Abstract Astoria Canyon represents the westernmost portion of the Columbia River drainage system, with the head of the canyon beginning just 16 km west of the mouth of the Columbia River along the northern Oregon and southern Washington coasts. During the summer of 2001, physical, chemical, and biological measurements in the canyon were taken to better understand the hydrodynamic setting of, and the feeding relationships among, the pelagic and benthic communities. Results show that currents were strongly tidal, and transport, where measured, was primarily up and into the canyon below shelf depth as previous studies in the canyon have shown. Temperature time series suggests that the largest diurnal oscillations occurred at, or were trapped near, the bottom of the canyon. Within the upper canyon, subtidal temperature was correlated with upper-level shelf-edge currents, linking subtidal upwelling events in the canyon with near-surface subtidal along-shore flow. Invertebrates, such as shrimp, euphausiids, and squid, as well as mesopelagic fishes, dominated the Isaacs–Kidd midwater trawl catches along the canyon walls. Large trawl catches were comprised mainly of hake and rockfishes (shallow trawls) and macrourids, scorpaenids, stomiids, and zoarcids (bottom trawls). Gut-content analysis of rockfishes and lanternfishes revealed substantial use of midwater prey such as euphausiids and mesopelagic fishes. The δ 13 C values of fishes and invertebrates reflected local primary production, as indicated by particulate organic matter (POM) δ 13 C values from samples collected at various depths along the axis of the canyon, as well as across the canyon at several sites. The δ 15 N values of fishes and invertebrates indicated lanternfishes, along with euphausiids, amphipods, shrimp and squid, may be important dietary components of higher-trophic-level fishes in both the benthic and benthopelagic food webs. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of Sebastes species showed significant enrichment in the adults of species that are largely piscivorous relative to the values of adults of more omnivorous species.