cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive Function and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases and their risk factors negatively impact the brain and neurocognitive function prior to stroke, dementia, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Indeed, a progression of neurocognitive and neurobiological impairments may be associated with increasingly severe manifestations of CV risk and disease. In samples ranging from children to elderly, a broad spectrum of CV risk factors, and both subclinical and clinical CV diseases, have been related to decrements in cognitive function and cognitive decline across multiple domains of performance including executive functions, attention, learning and memory, perceptuo-motor speed, and others. In contrast to the MCI literature, the possibility of distinct subgroups has not been explored. Further, it remains unknown whether neurocognitive performance (or its pattern) per se can predict conversion to MCI and later dementia. We suggest that neurocognitive function may contribute to such prediction in concert with relevant radiological, genetic, biomedical, sociodemographic, and other data. To best do so, future research would benefit from inclusion of a breadth of neurocognitive tests that tap multiple domains of function and have historical sensitivity to vascular and neurodegenerative pathology, in addition to biological or radiological assessment of such pathology. Aggressive efforts at prevention and early intervention with CV risk may play a critical role in the prevention of MCI or dementia.
A modular approach to the analytic calculation of spectral phase for grisms and other refractive/diffractive structures

Analytic expressions for spectral phase for optical systems are very important for the design of wide-bandwidth optical systems. We describe a general formalism for analytically calculating the spectral phase for arbitrary optical structure made up of nested pairs of plane-parallel interfaces that can be diffractive or refractive. Our primary application is the calculation of the spectral phase of a grism pair, which is then used to analyze the behavior of higher-order phase terms. The analytic expressions for the grism spectral phase provide insight into the tunability of the third-order phase of grisms as well as the fourth-order limits. Our exact and approximate expressions are compared with a raytracing model.
Role of MHC class II expressing CD4+ T cells in proteolipid protein91- 110 -induced EAE in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice

MHC class II molecules play a central role in the control of adaptive immune responses through selection of the CD4(+) T cell repertoire in the thymus and antigen presentation in the periphery. Inherited susceptibility to autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and IDDM are associated with particular MHC class II alleles. Advent of HLA transgenic mice has helped us in deciphering the role of particular HLA DR and DQ class II molecules in human autoimmune diseases. In mice, the expression of class II is restricted to professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). However, in humans, class II is also expressed on T cells, unlike murine T cells. We have developed new humanized HLA class II transgenic mice expressing class II molecules not only on APC but also on a subset of CD4(+) T cells. The expression of class II on CD4(+) T cells is inducible, and class II(+) CD4(+) T cells can present antigen in the absence of APC. Further, using EAE, a well-established animal model of MS, we tested the functional significance of these class II(+) CD4(+) T cells. DR3.AEo transgenic mice were susceptible to proteolipid protein(91-110)-induced EAE and showed CNS pathology accompanied by widespread inflammation and demyelination seen in human MS patients, suggesting a role for class II(+) CD4(+) T cells in the pathogenesis.
AN ALGORITHM FOR CAUSAL MODELING IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES

By extending the path analytic method, a new algorithm for causal modeling in epidemiological etiologies is developed, which is based mainly on simple correlation coefficients. The utility of the proposed analysis is assessed, relative to cluster analysis, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. As the result of this evaluation, it is suggested that multivariate analysis should be used together with causal modeling, since multivariate analysis, especially factor analysis, appears to be a useful tool of confirming the estimated causal model.
The Riemann theta constant and the GSO projection

Abstract It is shown for type-II superstring and heterotic string higher-genus amplitudes on a ten-dimensional flat background that the coefficient for the sum over even or odd spin structures is identically one, and that the coefficient of the GSO projection at one loop automatically appears in the factorization limit from the Riemann theta constant in the determinant of the superconformal ghost.
“The Nation Stands Behind You”: Mobilizing Social Support on 38pitches.com

This research explored social support expressions to and for Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, in response to troubling events he disclosed on his blog, www.38pitches.com. An interpretive analysis of 514 comments posted by blog readers to Schilling's blog entries was conducted. The analysis revealed that, via their supportive postings, blog readers emerged as a mobilized support group who authenticated Schilling's identity as a sports media critic and active sports media participant while also cementing his legacy in Red Sox culture. The analysis suggests that blogs possess valuable public relations utility for professional athletes, particularly for those who have combative relationships with sports journalists, as social support is covertly obtained, enabling professional athletes to preserve “face” while simultaneously garnering support for their views.
Cryogenic and air blast freezing techniques and their effect on the quality of catfish fillets

Abstract The effects of cryogenic and air blast freezing techniques on catfish fillet quality during frozen storage was evaluated. Fresh channel catfish fillets were cryogenically frozen by liquid carbon-dioxide using a pilot plant size cabinet type cryogenic freezer (CF) and by air blast (BF) frozen to −21 °C, separately. Freezing time (FT), freezing rate (FR), and energy removal rate (ERR) for freezing depend on the freezing techniques, which affect energy consumption and frozen seafood quality. The frozen fillets were stored at −20 °C and analyzed for weight loss, relative moisture loss, color, and lipid oxidation (Thiobarbituric acid; TBA) after 1-day, 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months of storage. Triplicate experiments were conducted and data were statistically analyzed at α = 0.05. FT for cryogenic freezing and air blast freezing were 19.3, and 55.1 min, respectively. Cryogenic freezing had higher FR (1.29 °C/min) and ERR (10.62 J/s) than BF (0.46 °C/min and 3.38 J/s, respectively). The cryogenically frozen catfish fillets had a lower freezing loss than fillets frozen by air blast freezing. TBA (mg MDA/kg sample) of the fillets frozen by CF was 0.94 which was lower than BF (1.25). The study demonstrated that catfish fillets cryogenically frozen had better quality characteristics than blast frozen catfish fillets after 6-months of storage.
Convective transport in vapor growth systems

Abstract The interaction of gravity with fluid density gradients greatly influences mass and heat transfer in vapor growth systems. These affects are reviewed by discussing specific examples of closed and open tube chemical or physical vapor transport systems. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results are presented. Emphasis is placed on the closed tube systems since they are often the best characterized and are the best initial candidates for study in a low- g environment (e.g., space). The open tube systems discussed include halide vapor phase epitaxy of GaAs and the endothermic (cold wall) epitaxial process for Si. The convective stability criteria for open tubes are reviewed and a guide to the mass transfer literature is presented. For terrestrial closed tube systems, two recent results are of particular significance. First, laser Doppler anemometry experiments have demonstrated a complicated detailed flow pattern near the crystal interface. Presumably this effect can strongly influence crystal homogeneity. Second, numerical calculations have shown the well known Klosse and Ullersma transport rate calculations [J. Crystal Growth 18 (1973) 167] to be correct only at low Grashof numbers and that such closed tube transport is also Prandtl number dependent.
The future of higher education finance

Higher education's historic and successful search for every expanding revenues and missions may be reaching its limits. If true, the agenda for the future will focus much more on the difficult and uncomfortable expenditure side of the financing equation.
QUANTITATIVE EXPERIMENTS WITH ANTIBODIES TO SPECIFIC PRECIPITATES. II.

1. Rabbits were injected with the washed specific precipitate from Type II antipneumococcus horse serum. Antibody in the resulting antiserum was determined by the quantitative agglutinin method using various specific precipitates as antigens. 2. Suspensions of Types I and II antipneumococcus horse specific precipitates, as well as the specific precipitates derived from Type VIII Pn (anti-C portion), and H. influenzae horse antisera were found to remove the same amount of antibody from the immune rabbit serum. 3. Purified antibody solutions prepared by dissociation methods from Types I and II antipneumococcus horse sera were found to remove the same quantity of antibody as did the homologous specific precipitates. 4. Specific precipitates from anti-crystalline egg albumin and anti-diphtheria horse sera were found to remove only a fraction of the antibody. The reasons for this are discussed. 5. A specific precipitate prepared from pepsin-digested Type I anti-pneumococcus horse serum removed all of the antibody to the homologous antigen from the rabbit anti-precipitate serum, but followed a different quantitative course. 6. From the quantitative course of these reactions and from experiments with specific precipitates from anti-Pn rabbit and pig sera it is concluded that the only antigenic specificity demonstrable for the antibodies investigated was that due to their common origin, and that the groupings responsible for their antibody function constitute either a small part of the total protein molecule or else are non-antigenic.
Lower Endoscopy Reduces Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Older Individuals

Background & Aims In older individuals, there are unclear effects of lower endoscopy on incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and of colonoscopy on site of CRC. We investigated whether sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is associated with a decreased incidence of CRC in older individuals, and whether the effect of colonoscopy differs by anatomic location. Methods We performed a case-control study using linked US Veterans Affairs and Medicare data. Cases were veterans aged 75 years or older diagnosed with CRC in fiscal year 2007. Cases were matched for age and sex to 3 individuals without a CRC diagnosis (controls). We determined the number of cases and controls who received colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies from fiscal year 1997 to a date 6 months before the diagnosis of CRC (for cases) or to a corresponding index date (for controls). The probability of exposure was modeled using generalized linear mixed equations, adjusted for potential confounders. For the analysis of CRC risk in different anatomic locations, the proximal colon was defined as proximal to the splenic flexure. Results We identified 623 cases and 1869 controls (mean age, 81 y; 98.7% male, 86.2% Caucasian). Among cases, 243 (39.0%) underwent any lower endoscopy (177 colonoscopies). Among controls, 978 (52.3%) underwent any lower endoscopy (758 colonoscopies). Cases were significantly less likely than controls to have undergone lower endoscopy within the preceding 10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.69). This effect was significant for colonoscopy (aOR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.47–0.70), but not sigmoidoscopy. Similar results were observed when a 5-year exposure window was applied. Colonoscopy was associated with a reduced risk of distal CRC (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.32–0.62) and proximal CRC (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46–0.92). Conclusions In a study of the US Veterans Affairs and Medicare databases, lower endoscopy in the preceding 10 years was associated with a significant reduction in CRC incidence among older veterans. Colonoscopy was associated with significant reductions in distal and proximal CRC.
Trope analysis of women’s political subjectivity Women secretaries and the issue of sexual harassment in Latvia

The article focuses on the narratives of women secretaries regarding their work experiences in private business in Latvia, and aims at understanding the barriers that prevent the formation of women’s political subjectivity in Latvia, by looking at why sexual harassment does not become a political issue for working women in Latvia. Using Hayden White’s theory of trope analysis, the article analyses the dominant tropes and the political results of their use in secretaries’ articulations and narratives about their experiences of sexual harassment. Additionally, the article provides a critical trope analysis of Western feminist theories of sexual harassment, thus pointing out their usefulness for women’s politics in Latvia. Finally, the article outlines the discursive strategies that women in Latvia could use in order to claim their own distinct and transformative political subjectivity in the newly independent, capitalist and highly nationalist post-Soviet Latvia.
Teach Your Kids West African Children's Games

(1999). Teach Your Kids West African Children's Games. Strategies: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 13-16.
Sex Differences in Attainment of Independent Funding by Career Development Awardees

Concerns have been raised about whether female researchers in academic medicine are as successful as men. Jagsi and associates found that although 31.4% of 1919 K08 awardees and 43.7% of 865 K23 aw...
REDEFINING A SOUTHERN CITY'S HERITAGE: Historic Preservation Planning, Public Art, and Race in Richmond, Virginia

Historic preservation is a planning technique employed in many American metropol- itan areas. A local ordinance specifies those districts that deserve careful attention, then an Archi- tectural Review Board determines whether or not the proposed redevelopment schemes are appropriate for the historic design character of those precincts. Today, there are over 1,800 such boards in place, making critical decisions on rehabilitations, infill development, urban amenities, and public art projects. This narrative examines the siting of a public art project within an historic district in Richmond, Virginia: The district is the Monument Avenue Historic District, and the pub- lic art project is the sculpture of Arthur Ashe, which is sited within that historic area. In the process that culminated in the Arthur Ashe statue taking its place on Monument Avenue, the activities of public planning institutions were central. But the ultimate decision was the product, as well, of local politics, racial attitudes, public art standards, and passionate concern for the integrity of an historic landscape. This article seeks to illuminate the intricacies of that local decision-making process.
Dr. Martin Robison Delany, 19Th-Century Africana Womanist: Reflections on His Avant-Garde Politics Concerning Gender; Colorism, and Nation Building

Past and contemporary researchers' evaluations of Martin Robison Delany's (born May 6, 1812; died January 24, 1885) achievements are glowing and quite impressive. Scholars refer to him as a "Renaissance Man" who was able to cram at least a "half dozen lifetimes into one" (Clark, 1974, p. xxv). He was a dentist, writer, editor, medical doctor, theorist, abolitionist, explorer, scientist, philosopher, diplomat, civil rights activist, ethnologist, and politician and, during the Civil War, an army major, surgeon, and recruiter. Yet, scholars do not simply commend him for his multidisciplinary achievements. Delany is paid tribute particularly for his vigor and mastery of these professions in his mission to strive toward the restoration, reclamation, redevelopment, and enhancement of African peoples' lives. In the 19th century, Frances Rollin Whipper, author of the book The Life and Public Service of Martin Delany,1 lauded him for his lifelong commitment to the upliftment of Black people and the rejection of any assertions about the African's innate inferiority. Whipper described him as being a man who soared above the prescribed limits and stood proudly before the country, "the blackest of the black presenting in himself a giant's powers warped in chains, and evidencing in his splendid career the fallacy of the old partisan theory of Negro inferiority and degradation" (Rollin,
Soil Phosphorus and Vegetation Influence on Wetland Phosphorus Release after Simulated Drought

Phosphorus enrichment of marsh soils can act as an internal source of nutrients to the water column, continuing to drive existing wetland eutrophic conditions even after external sources have been terminated. The goal of this study were to determine the effects of soil P concentration and flood intolerant vegetation presence on initial (1-10 d) and extended (10-38 d) P release rates from the soils after reflooding. Intact soil cores were collected from P enriched and unenriched areas of the Blue Cypress Marsh in east-central Florida. Initial P release was greater in soils with higher soil total P concentrations and containing vegetation. Soil P enrichment resulted in the final water column P concentrations in the enriched cores to be 50% higher than those in the P unenriched cores. A single drawdown and reflood event led to -6% of the total soil P released to the water column from the P enriched vegetated treatment compared with a -1% of total P released from the P enriched non-vegetated treatment. Initial P release rates from the enriched, vegetated treatment were five times greater than the enriched, non-vegetated treatment. Episodic growth of flood inrolerant plants under drawdown conditions was shown to be a significant mechanism for nutrient release in ephemerally flooded P enriched wetland systems. Episodic flooding and drying cycles could therefore mobilize P over the long-term from P enriched to P unenriched areas.
SYSTEM FOR ENERGY CONTROL AND ABSOLUTE CALIBRATION OF A 23-Mev BETATRON

The theoretical and technical features of a system used to determine and control the operating energy of a 23 Mev betatron are described. By observing the variation in orbit radius as a functi on of magnet excitation, we are able to predict the shape of the calibration curve to maximum operating energy. Although an absolute calibration of the predicted energy scale is possible, the present calibration is empirical and based on only the 16.22 Mev resonance in the 0/sup 16/( gamma ,n)0/sup 15/ reaction. Photo-neutron threshold energies based on the present energy scale are in good agreement with accepted values. (auth)
Non-standard algorithmic and dynamic logic

The present author as well as Andreka's group has experienced, while writing program- verifying programs, the following dilemma. We have to decide which program verification method (i.e. logic of programs) to choose as a framework for our software system. It is not obvious that the strongest method is also the best because it might overload the theorem prover subprogram. So we have to optimise. But for this we need as much information and insight as possible into the natures of available methods. Non-standard algorithmic logic of dynamic logic (NDL from now on) is a complete first order logic with a decidable proof concept for reasoning about programs, developed in 1978 by H. Andreka et al. NDL unifies existing approaches to program verification and turns incompleteness results into completeness results. Still, it is far from being popular and this is because non-standard models of computation are unpopular. It is the aim of the present paper to show that these models play for dynamic logic the same role which, say, complex numbers, play for physics. They are merely a tool for proving very realistic, standard properties of programs (e.g. non-provability by a given standard method) or for reasoning about (existing) program verification methods. The paper also provides two essential proofs, which are missing in their complete or proper form from the publications.
Single nucleotide polymorphism discovery in cutthroat trout subspecies using genome reduction, barcoding, and 454 pyro-sequencing

Salmonids are popular sport fishes, and as such have been subjected to widespread stocking throughout western North America. Historically, stocking was done with little regard for genetic variation among populations and has resulted in genetic mixing among species and subspecies in many areas, thus putting the genetic integrity of native salmonid populations at risk and creating a need to assess the genetic constitution of native salmonid populations. Cutthroat trout is a salmonid species with pronounced geographic structure (there are 10 extant subspecies) and a recent history of hybridization with introduced rainbow trout in many populations. Genetic admixture has also occurred among cutthroat trout subspecies in areas where introductions have brought two or more subspecies into contact. Consequently, management agencies have increased their efforts to evaluate the genetic composition of cutthroat trout populations to identify populations that remain uncompromised and manage them accordingly, but additional genetic markers are needed to do so effectively. Here we used genome reduction, MID-barcoding, and 454-pyrosequencing to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms that differentiate cutthroat trout subspecies and can be used as a rapid, cost-effective method to characterize the genetic composition of cutthroat trout populations. Thirty cutthroat and six rainbow trout individuals were subjected to genome reduction and next-generation sequencing. A total of 1,499,670 reads averaging 379 base pairs in length were generated by 454-pyrosequencing, resulting in 569,060,077 total base pairs sequenced. A total of 43,558 putative SNPs were identified, and of those, 125 SNP primers were developed that successfully amplified 96 cutthroat trout and rainbow trout individuals. These SNP loci were able to differentiate most cutthroat trout subspecies using distance methods and Structure analyses. Genomic and bioinformatic protocols were successfully implemented to identify 125 nuclear SNPs that are capable of differentiating most subspecies of cutthroat trout from one another. The ability to use this suite of SNPs to identify individuals of unknown genetic background to subspecies can be a valuable tool for management agencies in their efforts to evaluate the genetic structure of cutthroat trout populations prior to constructing and implementing conservation plans.
Use of Maraviroc-, Raltegravir-, and Etravirine-Containing Regimens in Treatment-Experienced Patients: A Case-Series Study:

The development of newer agents such as raltegravir, etravirine and maraviroc has improved the perspective of viral load suppression. However, there is not enough data regarding their use together. In this study, we describe nine patients who were triple-class experienced and were on a salvage regimen consisting of a combination of raltegravir, etravirine, and maraviroc. Our results showed that this regimen is safe with no major side effect and has good virological efficacy with two-thirds of the patients achieving an undetectable viral load by 24 weeks.
Reactions of sodium/antimony‐clusters with molecular chlorine in a flow‐tube‐reactor coupled to a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer

A gas aggregation technique is used to produce Na x Sb y clusters. After passing a flow-tube reactor, the clusters are ionized with unfocused high fluence KrF-excimer laser radiation and then mass analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Dramatic changes are observed in the cluster ion distribution upon adding high purity chlorine gas into the flow tube. As a result of reactions with Cl 2 , all Na x Sb y clusters disappear while pure antimony cluster ions arise. The distribution patterns of the produced Sb x + clusters are the same as those observed in experiments with pure antimony.
The phosphorylation state of Ser-129 in human α-synuclein determines neurodegeneration in a rat model of Parkinson disease

Studies have shown that α-synuclein (α-syn) deposited in Lewy bodies in brain tissue from patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is extensively phosphorylated at Ser-129. We used recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to overexpress human wild-type (wt) α-syn and two human α-syn mutants with site-directed replacement of Ser-129 to alanine (S129A) or to aspartate (S129D) in the nigrostriatal tract of the rat to investigate the effect of Ser-129 phosphorylation state on dopaminergic neuron pathology. Rats were injected with rAAV2/5 vectors in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) on one side of the brain; the other side remained as a nontransduced control. The level of human wt or mutant α-syn expressed on the injected side was about four times the endogenous rat α-syn. There was a significant reduction of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc and dopamine (DA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in the striatum of all S129A-treated rats as early as 4 wk postinjection. Nigral DA pathology occurred more slowly in the wt-injected animals, but by 26 wk the wt α-syn group lost nigral TH neurons equivalent to the mutated S129A group at 8 wk. In stark contrast, we did not observe any pathological changes in S129D-treated animals. Therefore, the nonphosphorylated form of S129 exacerbates α-syn-induced nigral pathology, whereas Ser-129 phosphorylation eliminates α-syn-induced nigrostriatal degeneration. This suggests possible new therapeutic targets for Parkinson Disease.
Femtosecond laser excitation of coherent optical phonons in ferroelectric LuMnO 3

We have used femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy to excite and probe coherent optical phonon vibrations in single crystals of hexagonal ferroelectric ${\text{LuMnO}}_{3}$. An optical phonon mode of ${A}_{1}$ symmetry was coherently excited with 25 fs pump-laser pulses $(\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}800\text{ }\text{nm})$. The phonon mode, involving Lu ion motion along the $c$ axis, was identified as the soft mode driving the ferroelectric transition. The excitation mechanism was determined to be purely displacive in nature due to resonant excitation of a narrow intra-atomic ${d}_{xy,{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{d}_{3{z}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{r}^{2}}$ transition in Mn. The lifetime of the $\text{Mn}\text{ }{d}_{xy,{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{d}_{3{z}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{r}^{2}}$ excitation was measured to be 0.8 ps. A remarkable reversal of the sign of the oscillation amplitude ($\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase shift) of the reflectivity curve was observed upon comparing longitudinal-optical (LO) with transverse-optical (TO) mode geometries. The phase reversal is attributed to the macroscopic electric depolarization field accompanying infrared-active longitudinal phonon modes but absent in TO modes. In addition to the direct effect of the ion motion on the optical properties, which is the same in LO and TO modes, the longitudinal depolarization field of the LO mode gives rise to an additional modulation of the refractive index via the linear electro-optic effect which dominates the optical response.
Constraints in semicrystalline polymers: Using quasi-isothermal analysis to investigate the mechanisms of formation and loss of the rigid amorphous fraction

Abstract The nanoscale phase behavior of a semicrystalline polymer is important for mechanical, thermal, optical and other macroscopic properties and can be analyzed well by thermal methods. Using quasi-isothermal (QI) heat capacity measurements, we investigate the formation behavior of the crystalline, mobile amorphous, and rigid amorphous fractions in poly(trimethylene terephthalate), PTT. The crystal and rigid amorphous phases comprise the total solid fraction in PTT at temperatures above T g , the glass transition temperature of the mobile amorphous fraction. PTT was quasi-isothermally cooled step-wise from the melt which causes its crystalline fraction to be fixed below 451 K. Between the high temperature fulfillment of the T g step and 451 K, the temperature dependent rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) is completely determined. For PTT, most of the RAF vitrifies between 451 K and T g step by step during QI cooling after the crystals have formed. The constraints imposed by the crystal surfaces reduce the mobility of the highly entangled polymer chains. We suggest the vitrification of RAF proceeds outward away from the lamellar surfaces in a step by step manner during QI cooling. Upon reheating, devitrification of RAF occurs at a temperature above its previous vitrification temperature, due to the effects of densification brought by physical aging during the long period of quasi-isothermal treatment. Finally, we consider recent concepts related to jamming, which have been suggested to apply to filled polymer systems, and may also be applicable in describing constraints exerted by crystal lamellae upon the RAF.
Interaction of cis-(6-Benzhydrylpiperidin-3-yl)benzylamine Analogues with Monoamine Transporters: Structure−Activity Relationship Study of Structurally Constrained 3,6-Disubstituted Piperidine Analogues of (2,2-Diphenylethyl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)piperidin-4-ylmethyl]amine

To explore structure−activity relationships (SAR) of a novel conformationally constrained lead cis-3,6-disubstituted piperidine derivative derived from (2,2-diphenylethyl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)piperidine-4-ylmethyl]amine (I), a series of compounds was synthesized by derivatizing the exocyclic N-atom at the 3-position of the lead. This study led to the formation of substituted phenyl and heterocyclic derivatives. All novel compounds were tested for their affinity at the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the brain by measuring their potency in competing for the binding of [3H]WIN 35 428, [3H]citalopram, and [3H]nisoxetine, respectively. Selected compounds were also evaluated for their activity in inhibiting the uptake of [3H]DA. The SAR results demonstrated that the nature of substitutions on the phenyl ring is important in activity at the DAT with the presence of an electron-withdrawing group having the maximum effect on potency. Replacement of ...
Abbie Hoffman: American Rebel

In this sympathetic history of a maligned decade, Marty Jezer, a fellow antiwar activist, details Abbie Hoffman's humor, manic energy, depressive spells, political skills, & above all, his incurable & still contagious optimism. He presents a thoughtful, solidly researched biography of the wildly creative & iconoclastic Yippie, portraying Hoffman as a fresh force in American political culture. Jezer surveys in detail the politics, philosophies, & struggles of the antiwar movement.
Mortgage Lending, Sample Selection and Default

Traditional models of mortgage default suffer from sample-selection bias because they do not control for the loan approval process. This paper estimates a sample-selection-corrected default model using the 1990 Boston Federal Reserve loan application sample and the 1992 Federal Housing Authority (FHA) foreclosure sample. A single-equation FHA default model appears to suffer from substantial selection bias, but the bias primarily arises from the omission of credit history and other variables that are only in the application sample. Therefore, default models that contain detailed information on applicants may not suffer from substantial selection bias. Finally, a test for prejudice-based discrimination is developed and conducted, but the findings are inconclusive.
Release of infectious human enteric viruses by full-scale wastewater utilities.

In the United States, infectious human enteric viruses are introduced daily into the environment through the discharge of treated water and the digested sludge (biosolids). In this study, a total of 30 wastewater and 6 biosolids samples were analyzed over five months (May-September 2008-2009) from five full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Michigan using real-time PCR and cell culture assays. Samples were collected from four different locations at each WWTP (influent, pre-disinfection, post-disinfection and biosolids) using the 1MDS electropositive cartridge filter. Adenovirus (HAdV), enterovirus (EV) and norovirus genogroup II (NoV GGII) were detected in 100%, 67% and 10%, respectively of the wastewater samples using real-time PCR. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was present in 100% of the cell culture samples for influent, pre- and post-disinfection and biosolids with an average log concentration of 4.1 (2.9-4.7, range) 1.1 (0.0-2.3, range) and 0.5 (0.0-1.6, range) MPN/100 L and 2.1 (0.5-4.1) viruses/g, respectively. A significant log reduction in infectious viruses throughout the wastewater treatment process was observed at an average 4.2 (1.9-5.0, range) log units. A significant difference (p-value 0.05) removal in MBR as compared to conventional treatment. MBR treatment was able to achieve an additional 2 and 0.5 log reduction of HAdV and EV, respectively. This study has demonstrated the release of infectious enteric viruses in the final effluent and biosolids of wastewater treatment into the environment.
Cardiac lesions in rheumatoid arthritis.

Post-mortem cardiac examinations of 36 patients who had rheumatoid arthritis revealed a high incidence of lesions suggesting previous attacks of rheumatic fever. A variety of inflammatory changes were observed supporting previous reports of similar studies. Le examine necroptic del corde de 36 patientes con arthritis rheumatoide revelava un alte incidentia de lesiones que suggesteva previe attaccos de febre rheumatic. Un varietate de alterationes inflammatori esseva observate le quales corroborava le conclusiones de simile studios previemente reportate.
Role of Composition in Metallic Glass Formation.

Abstract This paper surveys some ideas on the glass forming tendency of monatomic systems. According to the free volume model, glass formation in such systems would result primarily from “jamming” due to the action of repulsive forces. From this viewpoint the metals most prone to glass formation should be those in which the repulsive part of the pair potential is, relatively, the largest; these are the noble, transition and polyvalent metals. Actually the most stable metal glasses formed so far are alloys of noble or transition metals ( A ) with compositions predominantly in the range A 3 B to A 5 B where B is a metalloid. The A elements may form a skeleton having a Bernal dense random packed structure which may be somewhat stabilized by filling its holes with metalloid atoms in the manner suggested by Polk. Some additional ideas on the effect of alloying on metal glass forming tendency are discussed.
Transparent composite electrode for high-efficiency polymer OLEDs

Polymer composite electrodes based on silver nanowires or carbon nanotubes have been prepared with high transparency, surface conductivity, and low roughness suitable for the fabrication of OLEDs. The resulting OLEDs exhibit high efficiency and mechanical flexibility.
Type-specific antibody formation in man following injection of streptococcal M protein.

streptococcal infections are based on the use of sulfonamides and penicillin as chemoprophylactic agents. Their effectiveness depends upon continuous oral or parenteral administration of the drugs without the development of untoward reactions in recipients and upon the sustained susceptibility of the streptococcus to these agents. Although chemoprophylaxis has been generally successful, the necessity of constant surveillance of the subjects to avoid interruption of the prophylactic regimen has prompted the reinvestigation of the use of a streptococcal vaccine for the prevention of group A streptococcal infection.
Variations in physical properties within the Earth's crustal layers

An investigation of amplitudes of P-waves in southern California in about 300 instances, having epicentral distances from 50 to 570 km, indicates that the velocity V of longitudinal waves in the granitic layer at depths h (in km) between about 2 km and its bottom at about 18 tan is given by V = (5.56 + 0.001 h) in km/sec. The second term is a first approximation only and indicates an increase in the bulk-modulus by about ¾ per cent corresponding to an increase in pressure by 1000 atmospheres. This is of the same order of magnitude as the values found for granite in laboratory experiments and from the theory of finite strain.
Conflict between fuel and food: The ethical dimension

Abstract It is a common consensus that the major problem facing the nation over the next two decades is one of energy supply: the necessity of replacing the oil and natural gas on which our society has come to depend with new energy sources, particularly energy derived from biomass conversion, coal combustion, and synthetic fuels. A broader perspective suggests that it may be food, not fuel, which is our dominant concern by the 1990's. Rapidly increasing demand for American exports will continue to grow into the next century according to all population forecasts, and it is questionable whether sufficient agricultural lands remain to be put into production to meet this demand for food. Current trends in biomass conversion (especially alcohol production), coal mining practice, and synthetic fules development are studied with regard to the competition between food and fuel. In each instance it is seen that further development of these energy resources will impact farm acreage availability and American food production adversely. In the last analysis the choice between food and fuel depends on ethical considerations as to America's responsibilities toward an increasingly food-poor world.
Germ cell malignancies of the ovary. Treatment with vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin and cisplatin containing chemotherapy combinations

Seventeen patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors were treated with vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin and cisplatin containing combinations. Many of these patients were heavily pretreated. Thirteen patients had objectively measurable disease and ten (77%) had an objective response (CR or PR). Four patients had nonmeasurable disease or were treated in an adjuvant setting and all remain without evidence of disease. Extensive disease and poor performance status were poor prognostic factors. Induction portions of these treatment programs which contained cisplatin appeared most effective. Maintenance portions without cisplatin appeared less effective.
Many-body semiclassical approximation for semiconductor plasmas

Realistic simulations of semiconductor plasmas require detailed, many-species descriptions of the phonon and electronic systems. Limited numerical power then usually requires simplifying approximations. One approximation is the use of a screened Coulomb interaction. When an accurate screening function is not available, or when a better electrostatics treatment is needed, one can perform ensemble Monte Carlo (EMC) simulations that use a phase-space- trajectories or 'molecular dynamics' (MD) evolution of the electronic ensemble. In these EMC/MD simulations, Coulomb scattering events are treated continuously in the MD evolution of electron trajectories rather than by instantaneous scattering in EMC. Dynamic scattering effects are then included accurately by the explicit correlated motion of the electron ensemble. The electron trajectories simulated by MD have until recently been completely classical. We describe extensions of EMC/MD into the semiclassical regime, thus incorporating quantum effects such as position-momentum uncertainty. The method takes account of the Fermi statistics of the many-electron ensemble, yielding spin-dependent exchange contributions to the forces and effective mass. We describe effects of these corrections on the velocity autocorrelation function and on thermalization of satellite-valley electrons.
XPS, EDX and FTIR analysis of pulsed laser deposited calcium phosphate bioceramic coatings: the effects of various process parameters

Many techniques have been used to produce calcium phosphate, especially hydroxyapatite (HA), coatings on metallic implant surfaces for improved biocompatibility. Although some techniques have produced coatings used clinically, the long-term stability of the coating/implant is still questionable. As a new technique for making HA coatings, pulsed laser deposition (PLD) shows some advantages in controlling the coatings' crystal structure and composition. In this study, three types of HA target and two wavelengths of laser were used to produce calcium phosphate coatings. Despite PLDs ability to improve the crystal structure by incorporating water vapor into the deposition process, the characterization with EDX and XPS showed that coatings had different Ca/P ratios from that of the pure HA targets, which almost assured the presence of non-HA phases. FTIR spectra also showed differences in phosphate bands of coatings and targets although the difference in data collecting modes might have been a factor. The observed differences might be related to the differences between the surface and bulk chemistries of the coatings. Nevertheless, when evaluating the suitability of the PLD technique for making HA coatings, the possibility of the formation of non-HA phases cannot be excluded, although it may not necessarily be a negative factor.
Making Hydrogen from Water Using a Homogeneous System Without Noble Metals

A photocatalytic noble metal-free system for the generation of hydrogen has been constructed using Eosin Y (1) as a photosensitizer, the complex [Co(dmgH)2pyCl]2+ (5, dmgH = dimethylglyoximate, py = pyridine) as a molecular catalyst, and triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial reducing agent. The system produces H2 with an initial rate of ∼100 turnovers per hour upon irradiation with visible light (λ > 450 nm). Addition of free dmgH2 greatly increases the durability of the system addition of 12 equiv of dmgH2 (vs cobalt) to the system produces ∼900 turnovers of H2 after 14 h of irradiation. The rate of H2 evolution is maximum at pH = 7 and decreases sharply at more acidic or basic pH. Spectroscopic study of photolysis solutions suggests that hydrogen production occurs through protonation of a CoI species to give a CoIII hydride, which then reacts further by reduction and protolysis to give CoII and molecular hydrogen.
Aortic valve resistance as an adjunct to the gorlin formula in assessing the severity of aortic stenosis in symptomatic patients

Objectives. This study was conducted to determine the utility of aortic valve resistance in assessing the severity of aortic stenosis. Background. Assessment of the severity of aortic stenosis has traditionally employed hemodynamic data and the Gorlin formula to calculate the area of the aortic valve. Recently, flow dependence of the Gorlin formula has been identified and the accuracy of the formula challenged. Aortic valve resistance, the quotient of gradient and cardiac output, has been advanced as potentially useful in assessing the severity of valve stenosis. Methods. We studied 48 symptomatic patients with an initial diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis based on a calculated aortic valve area of ≤0.8 cm2by the Gorlin formula. Forty of these patients (Group I) were confirmed to have severe stenosis, whereas 8 (Group II) were subsequently proved no severe aortic stenosis. The 18 patients in Group I with a severe area of 0.6 to 0.8 cm2(Group IA) were directly compared with Group II patients who had a similar valve area. Results. Aortic valve area was nearly identical in Group IA and Group II patients (0.69 ± 0,05 and 0.71 ± 0.06 cm2, respectively, p = NS). However, aortic valve resistance was much less in Group II patients (212 ± 6 vs. 316 ± 11 dynes· s· cm−5, p < 0.0001). In this small cohort, aortic valve resistance achieved nearly complete separation of patients in Groups IA and II. Conclusions. In some patients with relatively mild aortic stenosis, the calculated valve area may indicate that the stenosis is severe. The use of aortic valve resistance in conjanction with the Gorlin formula helps separate patients with truly severe aortic stenosis from those with milder disease.
Timing and magnitude of tetrapod extinctions across the Permo-Triassic boundary

A review of the tetrapod (amphibian and amniote) record across the Permo-Triassic boundary (PTB) indicates a global evolutionary turnover of tetrapods close to the PTB. There is also a within-Guadalupian tetrapod extinction here called the dinocephalian extinction event, probably of global extent. The dinocephalian extinction event is a late Wordian or early Capitanian extinction based on biostratigraphic data and magnetostratigraphy (the extinction precedes the Illawara reversal), so it is not synchronous with the end-Guadalupian marine extinction. The Russian PTB section documents two tetrapod extinction events, one just before the dinocephalian extinction event and the other at the base of the Lystrosaurus assemblage. However, generic diversity across the latter extinction remains essentially the same despite a total evolutionary turnover of tetrapod genera. The Chinese and South African sections document the stratigraphic overlap of Dicynodon and Lystrosaurus. In the Karoo basin, the lowest occurrence of Lystrosaurus is in a stratigraphic interval of reversed magnetic polarity, which indicates it predates the marine-defined PTB, so, as previously suggested by some workers, the lowest occurrence of Lystrosaurus cannot be used to identify the PTB in nonmarine strata. Correlation of the marine PTB section at Meishan, southern China, to the Karoo basin based primarily on magnetostratigraphy indicates that the main marine extinction preceded the PTB tetrapod extinction event. The ecological severity of the PTB tetrapod extinction event has generally been overstated, and the major change in tetrapod assemblages that took place across the PTB was the prolonged and complex “replacement” of therapsids by archosaurs that began before the end of the Permian and was not complete until well into the Triassic. The tetrapod extinctions are not synchronous with the major marine extinctions at the end of the Guadalupian and just before the end of the Permian, so the idea of catastrophic causes of synchronous PTB extinctions on land and sea should be reconsidered.
Fertility Awareness–Based Methods for Family Planning and as an Alternative to Hormonal Contraceptives for Therapeutic Reasons

In current medical practice, many women are prescribed hormonal contraceptives as a method of family planning. Over the years, medical professionals have prescribed hormonal contraceptives to manage numerous health conditions in addition to family planning purposes. A particular question arises in regard to women taking hormonal contraceptives for therapeutic reasons if the drug has a contraceptive effect and abortifacient properties. An important consideration is a definite lack of knowledge among medical professionals and patients about alternatives to hormonal contraceptives. To most lay people and medical professionals, fertility awareness-based methods equate to the outdated calendar rhythm method and therefore tend to be regarded as mostly a matter of chance so that they would have no benefit in helping manage gynecological conditions. In this paper, one will be able to see that modern fertility awareness-based methods are effective as a method of family planning and that there are medical applications that offer an excellent alternative in the treatment of various gynecological conditions, including infertility.