cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Central Connections of Medullary Octavolateral Centers in a Mormyrid Fish

Mormyrid fish have a small gas bladder on each side of the head which abuts the sacculus. As von Frisch (1938) and Stipetic (1939) indicated, the gasbladder probably functions as a pressure to displacement transducer, allowing the fish to sense sound pressure waves. The close apposition to the gasbladder thus implies a hearing role for the sacculus inmormyrids. For most fish, behavioral studies also indicate a role in hearing for the sacculus, and in equilibrium for the utriculus and canals (Popper and Fay 1973).
Studies on the Process of Ultrasonic Bonding of Nonwovens: Part 2: Experiments and Results

Bicomponent PET fibers and a spunbonded PET fabric were used for the experimental studies of the ultrasonic bonding process. There were five different bonding process settings and they were grouped as the speed and pressure groups. From calculations the highest heat generation rate was found to be in the middle of the bonding positions. The rate of temperature rise was also found to be the highest in the middle of the bonding positions. The calculated temperature results were found to be close to the experimental measurements. For the speed group settings the slower speed resulted in fabrics that were stiffer, and stronger, and the degree of bonding was also higher. The middle speed setting produced the fabrics with the highest elongation. For the pressure group settings the higher pressure resulted in making fabrics stiffer, and stronger, and the degree of bonding was also higher. But for elongation the middle speed setting resulted in the highest value. The SEM micrographs of the cross-section of fabric...
Harvest of Hazards: Family Farming, Accidents, and Expertise in the Corn Belt, 1940–1975

Review of: Harvest of Hazards: Family Farming, Accidents, and Expertise in the Corn Belt, 1940–1975, by Derek S. Oden
Treating chronic insomnia in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia, sleep restriction therapy, and sleep hygiene education

Study Objectives Insomnia is a leading cause of disability in postmenopausal women. Multicomponent cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, but support for its efficacy in treating menopause-related insomnia is scarce. The present study evaluated whether CBTI is an efficacious treatment for menopause-related chronic insomnia, and whether sleep restriction therapy (SRT)-a single component of CBTI-is equally efficacious compared with CBTI. Methods In a single-site, randomized controlled trial, 150 postmenopausal women (56.44 ± 5.64 years) with chronic DSM-5 insomnia disorder related to menopause were randomized to three treatment conditions: sleep hygiene education (SHE), SRT, or CBTI. Blinded assessments were performed at baseline, posttreatment, and 6 months after treatment. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and sleep diaries served as primary outcomes. Results From baseline to posttreatment, ISI decreased 7.70 points in the CBTI group (p < .001), 6.56 points in the SRT group (p < .001), and 1.12 in the SHE group (p = .01). Although average sleep duration increased in all groups by 6 month follow-up, CBTI patients obtained 40-43 more minutes of nightly sleep than those who received SHE or SRT. Remission rates in the CBTI (54%-84%) and SRT (38%-57%) groups were higher than SHE patients (4%-33%) at posttreatment and 6 month follow-up. CBTI patients were generally more likely to remit than SRT patients. Conclusions CBTI and SRT effectively treat menopause-related insomnia disorder and are superior to SHE. Response to CBTI and SRT is similar, but CBTI outperforms SRT in improving sleep maintenance, which may increase likelihood of remission. Clinical Trial Name: Behavioral Treatment of Menopausal Insomnia: Sleep and Daytime Outcomes. URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration: NCT01933295.
Lack of Effect of L-Methionine Ingestion on 14CO2 Excretion from L-Histidine (Imidazole-2-14C) in Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Deficient Humans

Three human subjects with folic acid and one with vitamin B 12 deficiency failed to show any effect of ingestion of L-methionine (400-800 µg./kg. body weight) on the production of 14 CO 2 from parenterally administered high specific activity L-histidine (imidazole-2- 14 C). It is suggested that the inhibitory effect of methionine on intestinal absorption and cell membrane transport of histidine can explain previously published effects of methionine on the oxidation of the imidazole-2 carbon atom of L-histidine and that a direct effect of methionine on histidine metabolism need not be invoked.
L8.1 Systems Medicine Approaches to Cancer and the Emergence of Proactive P4 Medicine

Abstract A systems approach to cancer is beginning to revolutionized our understanding of this disease. The systems approach includes global, experimental approaches as well as the application of powerful new technologies such as next generation sequencing and single-cell analyses. For example, the Cancer Atlas Project has led to a powerful integration of many different types to genomic information on various cancers to provide mechanistic and on occasion therapeutic insights. I will then focus on our efforts at taking a systems approach to cancer looking at a glioblastomas in mice. These studies have given us new “systems insights” into cancer processes that include a better understanding of disease mechanisms, as well as new approaches to diagnostics and therapy. One interesting questions that I will discuss is how important animal models of disease are for dealing with the signal to noise problems inherent in all large data sets and how closely these murine model diseases mimic their human counterparts. Then I will discuss briefly some of the emerging technologies that will transform biology and medicine over the next 10 years - e.g., next generation DNA sequencing and its applications to human genome and RNA sequencing, targeted mass spectrometry, microfluidic protein chips, single-cell analyses and the use of induced pluripotential cells to understand development, disease mechanisms and disease stratification. It appears that systems medicine, together with emerging technologies and the development of powerful new computational and mathematical tools will transform medicine over the next 5-20 years from its currently reactive state to a mode that is predictive, personalized, preventive and participatory (P4 medicine). I will describe the nature of P4 medicine and its societal implications for healthcare. I will also briefly mention our efforts to bring P4 medicine to patients.
Case Study on Dynamic Effects of Blast and Collapse Loads on Nearby Buildings at Roof Level

AbstractThree structures were monitored during a nearby controlled implosion of two 13-story reinforced concrete buildings. The controlled implosion included localized blasts on alternate floor lev...
Additive Manufacturing of Copper -H13 Tool Steel Bi-Metallic Structures Via Ni-Based Multi-Interlayer

Abstract When selecting a material for dies and molds, strength is needed at high temperatures to hold the shape of the component along with a high thermal conductivity to decrease the solidification time of the components. This need has led to the investigation of Cu to H13 tool steel bi-metallic structures. Utilizing a directed energy deposition experimental setup, two fabrication approaches were used: direct deposition of Cu on H13 and utilizing an intermediate layer of Deloro 22 (D22, >95 wt.% Ni content). Three structures were fabricated: Cu-H13 direct joints (DJ), Cu-D22-H13 multi-metallic structures (MMS), and D22-H13 DJ. In order to characterize the structures, the following was performed: microstructure characterization, elemental distribution, tensile testing, hardness, and thermal conductivity measurements. Directly joining the Cu onto the H13 resulted in cracking at the interface. By introducing D22 buffer layers, defect-free Cu was successfully deposited on H13. A sharp transition of elemental contents was experienced at the D22-H13 interface due to very limited layer diffusion. Across the D22-Cu interface, a gradual transition of Cu and Ni was detected, indicating a successive elemental diffusion. Tensile testing revealed that the Cu-D22-H13 MMS specimens fractured in the Cu zone with a morphology indicating a ductile fracture. The D22-H13 DJ failed in the D22 region although elongation mostly happened in the H13 section. The interfaces of both Cu-D22-H13 MMS and D22-H13 DJ survived tensile testing, indicating a strong bonding strength. Microhardness measurements observed an increased hardness at the surface of H13 due to laser hardening. The material hardness dropped rapidly across the Cu-H13 DJ but gradually in the Cu-D22-H13 MMS as the Ni in D22 diffused in multiple layers of the Cu. Thermal conductivity test shows the overall thermal conductivity of the Cu-D22-H13 MMS increased by approximately 100 % when compared with pure H13. The volume fraction of Cu can significantly affect the overall thermal conductivity of the Cu-D22-H13 MMS.
Typhus Group and Related Rickettsioses

A previously healthy 50-year-old man presents with a 4-day history of fevers to 39 °C, chills, night sweats, headache, and myalgias. He describes the headache as continuous, dull, and pounding. The illness began during his travel home to the United States after a 4-week stay in Ecuador for the purpose of Spanish language immersion. He stayed with a local family who owns a small, rural cacao and banana plantation. The family had dozens of domestic cats to help control the rodent population around their farm. The man noted that he attempted to avoid the cats because they were heavily flea infested but awoke one morning last week to find one of the cats on his bed and dozens of flea bites on his lower extremities. He does not recall seeing or being bitten by mosquitoes or other insects, attributing their scarcity to the lack of rainfall during “dry season.” On physical examination, the patient appears moderately ill. His temperature is 38.7 °C. Other vital signs are normal. His neck is supple. He has no conjunctivitis. His mucous membranes are slightly dry, but his oropharyngeal exam is otherwise normal. He has normal heart sounds, and his lungs are clear. His abdomen is soft, without organomegaly. A complete neurological exam is normal. Initial laboratory results show mild leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, elevated hepatic transaminases, and elevated biomarkers of inflammation. A full battery of diagnostic studies is sent to the laboratory searching for the cause of his illness. Based on the history and initial laboratory test results, you treat the patient empirically with doxycycline for possible rickettsial infection. When he returns for follow-up 2 days later, he reports that the fevers and night sweats have resolved and that the headache is no longer constant. Results of serologic testing for rickettsial infection are suggestive of infection with Rickettsia typhi, the cause of endemic typhus. When the patient is seen again 3 weeks later, his illness has completely resolved. Repeat serologic testing for R. typhi showed the expected fourfold rise in titer between the initial result (acute) and subsequent result (convalescent), thereby confirming the diagnosis of endemic typhus.
p-Harmonic maps to $$S^1$$ S 1 and stationary varifolds of codimension two

We study the limiting behavior as $$p\uparrow 2$$ of the singular sets $$Sing(u_p)$$ and p-energy measures $$\mu _p:=(2-p)|du_p|^pdvol$$ for families of stationary p-harmonic maps $$u_p\in W^{1,p}(M,S^1)$$ from a closed, oriented manifold M to the circle. When the measures $$\mu _p$$ have uniformly bounded mass, we show that—up to subsequences—the singular sets $$Sing(u_p)$$ converge in the Hausdorff sense to the support of a stationary, rectifiable varifold V of codimension 2, and the measures $$\mu _p$$ converge weakly in $$(C^0(M))^*$$ to a limit of the form $$\begin{aligned} \mu =\Vert V\Vert +|h|^2dvol, \end{aligned}$$ where h is a harmonic one-form. For solutions on two-dimensional domains, we show moreover that the density of V takes values in $$2\pi {\mathbb {N}}$$ . Finally, we observe that nontrivial families $$u_p$$ of such maps arise naturally on any closed Riemannian manifold of dimension $$n\ge 2$$ , via variational methods.
Correction to: Toward Concurrent Engineering of the M1-Based Catalytic Systems for Oxidative Dehydrogenation (ODH) of Alkanes

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. The authors would like to correct the error with this erratum.
Current Concepts in Meniscus Pathology and Repair

In the intact state, the medial and lateral menisci are important shock absorbers of the knee and contribute to knee stability. Meniscal pathology can lead to pain, mechanical symptoms, and progression of degenerative changes. Meniscal repair provides improved clinical outcomes and limits arthritis progression versus partial meniscus resection. Tears that would previously have been treated with subtotal or total meniscectomy are now being considered for surgical repair as techniques have advanced and new biologic augmentation methods continue to evolve. A thorough understanding of the importance of meniscal preservation and the current surgical techniques is essential for practitioners treating these pathologies. This chapter will describe the diagnosis, surgical indications, techniques, and outcomes of typical meniscus tears, meniscal root injuries, ramp lesions, and discoid menisci. Biologic augmentation and post-operative rehabilitation will also be discussed.
Characterizing health care utilization following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize health services utilization among individuals hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 1-year post-injury.Methods: Using a retrospec...
Association Between Unpredictable Work Schedules and Depressive Symptoms in Korea

Abstract Backgrounds Irregular and unpredictable work schedules have become more common in most societies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between unpredictable work schedules and depressive symptoms in Korea. Methods Data from 34,486 workers who participated in the Korean Working Condition Survey in 2017 were used. Unpredictable work schedules were measured by questions about the frequency of changes in work schedule and limited advanced notice. Depressive symptoms were assessed by a single item asking if the participants had depressive symptoms over the last 12 months. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for high depressive symptoms. Results The OR for depressive symptoms was significantly higher in the workers with unpredictable work schedules compared to those with predictable work schedules after controlling for age, sex, education, salary, marital status, occupation, contract period, full-time versus part-time, shift work, weekly working hours, and having a child under the age of 18 years (OR = 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.93–3.07). Conclusion Unpredictable work schedules were associated with depressive symptoms controlling for the other dimensions of precarious employment in a representative working population in Korea.
A Brief History of the Book: From Tablet to Tablet: by Steven K. Galbraith, Santa Barbara, CA, Libraries Unlimited ABC-CLIO, 2020, 164 pp., $50.00, (paperback), ISBN 978-1-4408-6939-6

The history of material texts is a wide-ranging and interdisciplinary field of study, drawing from history, literary studies, art, media studies, economics, and more. This makes for some vibrant an...
The association of parental monitoring and parental communication with sexual and substance use risk behaviors among Native American Youth

Abstract Context: Native American (Native) youth face high rates of substance use, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Native communities are strengthened by values of family, yet limited research exists examining the associations between parental communication, monitoring and these risk behaviors. Methods: Analyses of a cross-sectional sample of Native youth ages 11–19 examined associations between youth and parental communication, parental monitoring and sexual and substance use behaviors. Logistic regressions, controlled by age, were performed in sex-specific bivariate models and multivariate models. Results: N = 543 youth were enrolled. Bivariable analyses Female youth with greater parental communication about sex were significantly less likely to report intention to use marijuana. Female youth with high parental monitoring were significantly less likely to report intention to drink alcohol or have sex; they were significantly less likely to have ever smoked, used marijuana, or had vaginal sex. Male youth were significantly more likely to report intention to use a condom if they had higher parental communication, higher parental communication about sex and higher parental monitoring. Multivariable analyses Female youth with greater parental communication were significantly less likely to ever have drank alcohol. Female youth with high parental monitoring were significantly less likely to report intentions to drink alcohol or have sex; they were also significantly less likely to have ever smoked, used marijuana, or had vaginal sex. Among male youth, intention to use condoms was significantly higher for those with high parental communication and high parental monitoring. Conclusions: Positive associations between parental monitoring, parental communication and reduced youth risk-taking show that families, parents and trusted adults are a meaningful and crucial protective factor against high risk substance and sexual behaviors and should be included in prevention programming for Native youth. Parental monitoring and communication impacted genders differently, suggesting that the quality and depth of communication surrounding substance use and sex may vary widely between families, community and Native cultures and by youth gender.
Macrovasculature and positron emission tomography (PET) standardized uptake value in patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between macrovasculature features and the standardized uptake value (SUV) of positron emission tomography (PET), which is a surrogate for the metabolic activity of a lung tumor. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 90 lung cancer patients who had both chest CT and PET-CT examinations before receiving cancer treatment. The SUVs in the medical reports were used. We quantified three macrovasculature features depicted on CT images (i.e., vessel number, vessel volume, and vessel tortuosity) and several tumor features (i.e., volume, maximum diameter, mean diameter, surface area, and density). Tumor size (e.g., volume) was used as a covariate to adjust for possible confounding factors. Backward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to develop a model for predicting PET SUV from the relevant image features. The Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons. RESULTS PET SUV was positively correlated with vessel volume (R = 0.44, p 0.05). After adjusting for tumor size, PET SUV was significantly correlated with vessel tortuosity (R = 0.299, p = 0.004) and vessel number (R = 0.224, p = 0.035), but only marginally correlated with vessel volume (R = 0.187, p = 0.079). The multiple regression model showed a performance with an R-Squared of 0.391 and an adjusted R-Squared of 0.355 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our investigations demonstrate the potential relationship between macrovasculature and PET SUV and suggest the possibility of inferring the metabolic activity of a lung tumor from chest CT images.
The palm has its time : an ethnoecology of Sabal uresana in Sonora, Mexico

Participant observation and formal interviews were used to learn what local people understood of palm natural history and how palms were managed. Ecological and ethnographic methods were combined to assess traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and traditional resource management (TRM). Palm workers understood TEK and TRM for palms. This knowledge was not general in the population, however. Residence, harvester status, and gender were strongly correlated with TEK and TRM. Harvest practices included limiting access, “sparing,” controlling harvest times and levels, and choice of leaf age and palm size. “Alpha” management is proposed as practices which maintain populations long-term. In this case, sparing was the single most important practice. “Beta” management is shorter term and important for obtaining good quality product in sufficient quantities. Although the impacts are more subtle, it can affect population structure over time. This study provides one prototype for identifying practices which function as de facto conservation traditions for wild-harvested species.
Surface effects on network formation of conjugated polymer wrapped semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes and thin film transistor performance

Abstract SWCNT network morphology and TFT performance of polyfluorene wrapped sc-SWCNT on different substrates is reported. The polymer/tube weight ratio and concentration impacts network formation and device performance. Hydrophilic SiO2 surfaces show stronger adsorption compared to poly- l -lysine treated SiO2, which leads to more uniform and higher density networks. TFTs with mobility up to 38 cm2/Vs with
The Use of Residual Dipolar Coupling in Studying Proteins by NMR

The development of residual dipolar coupling (RDC) in protein NMR spectroscopy, over a decade ago, has become a useful and almost routine tool for accurate protein solution structure determination. RDCs provide orientation information of magnetic dipole–dipole interaction vectors within a common reference frame. Its measurement requires a nonisotropic orientation, through a direct or indirect magnetic field alignment, of the protein in solution. There has been recent progress in the developments of alignment methods to allow the measurement of RDC and of methods to analyze the resulting data. In this chapter we briefly go through the mathematical expressions for the RDC and common descriptions of the alignment tensor, which may be represented using either Saupe order or the principal order matrix. Then we review the latest developments in alignment media. In particular we looked at the lipid-compatible media that allow the measurement of RDCs for membrane proteins. Other methods including conservative surface residue mutation have been invented to obtain up to five orthogonal alignment tensors that provide a potential for de novo structure and dynamics study using RDCs exclusively. We then discuss approximations assumed in RDC interpretations and different views on dynamics uncovered from the RDC method. In addition to routine usage of RDCs in refining a single structure, novel applications such as ensemble refinement against RDCs have been implemented to represent protein structure and dynamics in solution. The RDC application also extends to the study of protein–substrate interaction as well as to solving quaternary structure of oligomer in equilibrium with a monomer, opening an avenue for RDCs in high-order protein structure determination.
On the excess thermodynamic properties of aqueous electrolyte solutions—I: Free energies including excess solvent isotope effects

Abstract A new approximate formulation describing the electrostatic contribution to the excess free energy of electrolyte solutions is presented. The final equation contains only one parameter and reduces to the Debye-Huckel limiting law at low enough concentrations. It represents the experimental data nicely for the series of alkali metal halides out to quite high concentration, and clarifies certain difficulties in interpretation of solvent isotope effect data with extended theories now in widespread use.
Toward an Understanding of the 'Medical Plantation' as a Cultural Location of Disability

This article uses Sharon Snyder and David Mitchell's concept of "cultural locations of disability" to theorize the 19th century medical plantation as a space in which black enslaved women were used as raw materials for medical-scientific advancement. The central argument is that the history can be perceived in new ways by applying the dual frameworks of black feminist theory and cultural disability theory to understand the medical plantation as a cultural location of disability. In so doing, the article demonstrates that on the 19th century medical plantation—a locality spatially separate from the agricultural plantation—black women's bodies were imagined as the ideal test subjects of research and innovation within what became modern gynecology. Keywords : medical plantation, cultural locations of disability, slavery, nineteenth-century medicine, black feminist theory, women's health, disability theory
Response of the water balance to climate change in the United States over the 20th and 21st centuries: Results from the VEMAP Phase 2 model intercomparisons

Using the VEMAP Phase 2 data set, we tested the hypothesis that changes in climate would result in changes in the water balance as projected by four terrestrial ecosystem models: BIOME-BGC, Century, LPJ, and MC1. We examined trends in runoff and actual evapotranspiration (AET), changes in runoff in relation to changes in precipitation, and differences in runoff ratios as produced by these models for 13 United States watersheds. Observed climate data were used as inputs for simulations covering 1895–1993. From 1994 to 2100, the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis (CGCM1) and the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research (HADCM2) general circulation models provided climate forcing. Runoff and AET trends were significantly positive in the majority of 13 watersheds examined. Percentage changes in runoff exceeded the underlying changes in precipitation and this amplification increased over time. Calculated runoff ratios showed model variability and differences based on the two GCM scenarios.
Effect of capture and season on fecal glucocorticoid levels in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi)

The effect of confinement and season on fecal glucocorticoid (GC) levels in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) was determined. Deer mice confined in a Sherman trap more than 4 h had fecal GC levels that were significantly higher than those in individuals that remained in a trap 4 h or less. However, this treatment may not be stressful for red-backed voles as neither plasma nor fecal GC levels were significantly elevated after 12 h of confinement. In addition, a clear temporal pattern in the secretion of fecal GCs was observed between mid June and early November in both species.
Rheumatic Manifestations of Primary and Metastatic Bone Tumors and Paraneoplastic Bone Disease

Bone tumors can show a wide range of nonspecific rheumatic manifestations. The presence of unexplained or atypical chronic bone pain, an enlarging bone mass, neurovascular compression syndromes, or pathologic fractures should alert us to the possibility of a bone tumor causing these symptoms. These patients must undergo a complete physical examination; adequate imaging; and, if needed, a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis and offer them an opportune treatment. In addition, bone tumors and other malignancies can present remote clinical manifestations and unusual laboratory findings (eg, HOA, hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphaturia, and hypercalcemia) that may be the first and early manifestation of an occult cancer. These findings should motivate a cancer screening according to age, sex, and personal history. Cancer therapies also have a big impact on bone health, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and/or osteonecrosis. Rheumatologists should be aware of possible long-term adverse events of cancer treatment to avoid future complications.
Tobacco withdrawal symptoms: an experimental analysis.

This study was a prospective examination of tobacco withdrawal symptoms in a controlled environment. Smokers (N=27) were hospitalized for a 7-day period during which a battery of tests was administered. Smokers were assigned to either an experimental group (N=20) or a control group (N=7). Subjects in the experimental group smoked ad libitum for a 3-day baseline period and then underwent 4 days of tobacco deprivation. Subjects in the control group continued to smoke ad libitum throughout the study. Of the 37 measures of tobacco withdrawal employed in this study, nine showed significant changes following tobacco deprivation. These changes include decreased heart rate and increased caloric intake, weight, craving for tobacco, confusion, depression-dejection, number of awakenings, duration of awakenings, and increased poor concentrations as observed by others.
Effects of prenatal cocaine, morphine, or both on postnatal opioid (μ) receptor development

Abstract We studied the effects of prenatal cocaine and morphine given separately and in combination on the (1) postnatal brain μ-opioid receptor development and (2) interaction of dopamine with μ receptors. Pregnant rats received single daily intraperitoneal (I.P.) injections of saline, cocaine (20 mg/kg), morphine (2 mg/kg), or the combination of both drugs from day 13 to day 20 of gestation. Postnatal days (P) 1, 7, 14, and 28, whole brains were analyzed for opioid receptor binding and μ mRNA. Prenatal cocaine administered by itself had no significant effect on the ontogeny of brain μ receptors on all the days studied when compared to controls. The morphine-treated group showed a significant increase in μ receptor binding on P1 and P7. Exposure to both cocaine and morphine showed a significant increase in μ receptor density on P1 and P7. In addition, there was also a significant increase in MOR mRNA in both the morphine alone and combination groups. Pretreatment with dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist (sulpiride, 20 mg/kg) prior to drug administration showed decreased μ receptor binding on P1 and P7. These results suggest that prenatal exposure to morphine or a combination of cocaine and morphine significantly increases μ receptor density. By P14, μ-opioid receptor binding was no longer different than the control. This may suggest that the effect on receptor may be short-lived and that other key intracellular events may be activated to mediate the long-term effects. Also, the data show that dopaminergic mechanisms are (or opioid–dopamine interaction is) involved in the effects of morphine alone or morphine in combination with cocaine on μ receptor regulation.
The complexity of the capacitated tree problem

We examine the complexity of a classical problem related to the design of centralized computer networks. Under very broad assumptions the problem is shown to be NP-complete, and hence most probably intractable. The same result holds for the “Euclidean” case of the problem; however, in the latter case a simple algorithm produces solutions with relative error almost certainly arbitrarily close to zero.
Cooled Avalanche Photodiodes Used For Photon Detection

Commercial avalanche photodiodes have been operated as single-photon detectors at an optimum operating temperature and bias voltage. These detectors were found to be 1.5 to 3 times more sensitive than presently-available photomultiplier tubes (PPMTs). Both single-photon detection probability and detector noise increase with bias voltage; detection probabilities greater than 25 percent were obtained with detector noise levels comparable to the noise of a PMT; higher probabilities were measured at higher noise levels. The sources of noise and their dependence on temperature and bias voltage are discussed.
The price of imperfect competition for a spanning network

A buyer procures a network to span a given set of nodes; each seller bids to supply certain edges, then the buyer purchases a minimal cost spanning tree. An e¢ cient tree is constructed in any equilibrium of the Bertrand game. We evaluate the price of imperfect competition (PIC), namely the ratio of the total cost that could be charged to the buyer in some equilibrium, to the true minimal cost. If each seller can only bid for a single edge and costs satisfy the triangle inequality, we show that the PIC is at most 2 for an odd number of nodes, and at most 2 n 1 n 2 for an even number n of nodes. Surprisingly, this worst case ratio does not improve when the cost pattern is ultrametric (a much more demanding substitutability requirement), although the overhead is much lower on average under typical probabilistic assumptions. But the PIC increases swiftly when sellers can only provide a subset of all edges.
Optical absorption spectra of the Holstein molecular crystal for weak and intermediate electronic coupling

We investigate the optical absorption spectrum in a Holstein model for a molecular chain with Frenkel excitons and linear coupling to one internal vibration. The model is extended for nearest-neighbor charge-transfer excitons that mix with the Frenkel excitons. We represent the Hamiltonian in a displaced oscillator (Lang-Firsov) basis and employ a problem-adapted scheme for the truncation of the phonon basis. For weak and intermediate electronic coupling, the complete absorption spectrum and the structure of the relevant eigenstates become accessible by direct numerical diagonalization. We discuss the structure of the phonon clouds and the applicability of the molecular vibron model, in which only joint exciton-phonon configurations are included. As examples, we model absorption spectra of PTCDA (3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) and MePTCDI $(N\ensuremath{-}{N}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-dimethylperylene-3,4,9,10-dicarboximide).
NMR determination of the conformation of a trimethylene interstrand cross-link in an oligodeoxynucleotide duplex containing a 5'-d(GpC) motif.

Malondialdehyde interstrand cross-links in DNA show strong preference for 5‘-d(CpG) sequences. The cross-links are unstable and a trimethylene cross-link has been used as a surrogate for structural studies. A previous structural study of the 5‘-d(CpG) cross-link in the sequence 5‘-d(AGGCG*CCT), where G* is the modified nucleotide, by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics using a simulated annealing protocol showed the guanine residues and the tether lay approximately in a plane such that the trimethylene tether and probably the malondialdehyde tether, as well, could be accommodated without major disruptions of duplex structure [Dooley et al. J. Am Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 1730−1739]. The trimethylene cross-link has now been studied in a GpC motif using the reverse sequence. The structure lacks the planarity seen with the 5‘-d(CpG) sequence and is skewed about the trimethylene cross-link. Melting studies indicate that the trimethylene cross-link is thermodynamically less stable in the GpC motif than in the ...
Lewis number effect on the propagation of premixed flames in closed tubes

The evolution of a premixed flame under conditions of confinement is studied theoretically. The analysis is based on a hydrodynamic model in which the flame is treated as a surface of discontinuity. The flame structure is assumed to be quasi-steady with a high activation energy and a large heat release. Its resolution in the postignition period yields a coupled system of equations for the determination of the pressure and the burning rate. The analysis also resolves the thermal and flow fields on either side of the flame and determines the instantaneous location of the flame front together with the overall time required for the flame to reach the end of the tube. The results indicate that qualitatively distinct behaviors are possible for mixtures depending on whether their Lewis numbers Le are less or greater than one.
The Briscoe Library, University of Texas Health Science Center

The Briscoe Library at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio opened in 1983, to replace and expand space for the growing campus. Work on the design phase began in 1979, once the legislature allocated $9.5 million for the new building. Of the 23 design objectives specified in the building program, flexibility to accommodate changing services and technology was given first priority. Details cover layout and technology, as well as changes to the environment and the building since it opened.
Current Trends in the Management of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Historically, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) has been considered an aggressive and lethal neoplasm. However, contemporary series have demonstrated improved outcomes following a combination of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. We sought to assess the trends in management and survival of patients with MPM in the United States. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify all patients diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from 1973 to 2010. Overall survival (OS) was studied with Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analyses. We identified 1,591 patients with MPM. Median age at diagnosis was 64 years (IQR 53–74 years) with the majority of patients presenting with metastatic disease (n = 962, 60.5 %). A total of 980 patients (61.6 %) did not receive surgical therapy. Receipt of radical cytoreduction for patients with metastatic MPM demonstrated a significant improvement in OS compared with patients not receiving surgery (20 vs. 4 months, p < 0.01). A temporal increase was observed in OS for patients receiving surgery (1991–1995: 15 vs. 2006–2010: 38 months, p = 0.1). In multivariate models, limited (HR 0.55; 95 % CI 0.48–0.63; p < 0.01) and radical (HR 0.66; 95 % CI 0.54–0.80; p < 0.01) surgery were independently associated with improved survival. In the current era, approximately three of every five patients do not receive surgery when diagnosed with MPM, although a significant survival benefit is noted in select patients. The opportunity to improve patient survival with surgical therapy is lost in a significant number of MPM patients.
Crystal Structure of Human CD38 Extracellular Domain

Human CD38 is a multifunctional protein involved in diverse functions. As an enzyme, it is responsible for the synthesis of two Ca2+ messengers, cADPR and NAADP; as an antigen, it is involved in regulating cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. Besides, CD38 is a marker of progression of HIV-1 infection and a negative prognostic marker of B-CLL. We have determined the crystal structure of the soluble extracellular domain of human CD38 to 1.9 A resolution. The enzyme's overall topology is similar to the related proteins CD157 and the Aplysia ADP-ribosyl cyclase, except with large structural changes at the two termini. The extended positively charged N terminus has lateral associations with the other CD38 molecule in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The analysis of the CD38 substrate binding models revealed two key residues that may be critical in controlling CD38's multifunctionality of NAD hydrolysis, ADP-ribosyl cyclase, and cADPR hydrolysis activities.
Decreased erythrocyte insulin binding in hypertensive subjects with hyperinsulinemia.

Abstract Background This study investigates erythrocyte insulin receptor binding and affinity in subjects with hypertension and hyperinsulinemia. Insulin receptor-binding function has not been extensively studied in hypertensive subjects. Methods Insulin receptor density, binding affinity, and protein tyrosine kinase activity were measured in erythrocytes from 18 hypertensive and 16 normotensive subjects. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the fasting plasma insulin/glucose ratio and the homeostatic assessment model algorithm (HOMA) index. Erythrocyte insulin binding was determined by a competitive binding assay and protein tyrosine kinase activity was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay technique. Results Fasting plasma insulin/glucose ratio and the insulin resistance index (HOMA) were significantly higher in the hypertensive versus normotensive subjects. Receptor saturation of the high affinity binding sites (Bmax) was reduced in the hypertensive versus control subjects. The Kd values were lower in the erythrocytes from hypertensive than control subjects. Insulin-induced protein tyrosine kinase activity was decreased in erythrocytes from hypertensive versus control subjects. Conclusions A reduced erythrocyte insulin receptor density and tyrosine protein kinase activity may reflect insulin receptor dysfunction in hypertensive individuals who have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. More information is needed examining insulin receptor function in other target tissues such as fat or skeletal muscle cells before defects in the insulin receptor can be firmly proposed as a cause of the metabolic syndrome.
Axial Dispersion Coefficients in Laminar Flows of Water-Distribution Systems

Because longitudinal dispersion is becoming increasingly germane to the problem of accurately determining water quality, water-resource managers and engineers seeking to represent solute transport in drinking-water systems must be able to compute relevant dispersion coefficients. Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to develop and experimentally verify a modified advection-dispersion-reaction transport equation as well as the formulas used to calculate the axial dispersion coefficient. The analysis assumes laminar flows, constant mean velocities, and short travel times (dimensionless time, T<0.01). With regard to the modified transport equation, the dispersion term was assumed to be direction-dependent. Thus, two distinct dispersion rates (forward and backward) were recognized and quantified as opposed to the single value used in conventional dispersion models. With the dimensionless travel time taken to be the independent variable, the developed dispersion coefficients increased at about one-fou...
Type specimens of Polygonum (Polygonaceae) in the Meisner herbarium at the New York Botanical Garden

Carl Friedrich Meisner (1800–1874) described 186 new taxa inPolygonum in his series of publications. This paper provides the list of type, specimens ofPolygonum found in the Meisner herbarium at the New York Botanical Garden. One hundred fifty-eight, types and possible types representing 108Polygonum taxa described by Meisner have been located.
FACTORS AFFECTING UNBOUND BILIRUBIN LEVELS IN INFANTS

Unbound bilirubin(UB) was measured in the blood of 79 infants using a micro automated modified peroxidase method employing the UB Analyzer developed by Nakamura.This simple micromethod was found to correlate with the manual method and showed very good reproducibility(Coeff.var.4%). Several factors influencing the level of unbound bilirubin were examined,including gestational age,birth wt.,sick vs. well,post-natal age,total bilirubin(TB), total protein(TP) ,and phototherapy.Direct correlation was found between TB and UB (r=0.69,p=.0001,n(sample)=145)and negative correlation with total protein vs UB(r=-0.24,p=0.001,n=l52).The ratio TB/TP vs UB correlated directly(r=0.88,p=0.0001,n=145).Unbound bilirubin was higher in the first 168 hrs of life than in infants>168 hrs of life.At the same total bilirubin level,there was a dramatic difference in the amount of unbound bilirubin in blood of infants of BW<1000 g than in infants≥1000 g.There was a sequential decrease in UB with increasing BW. Sick infants ,had higher UB than did well infants in the same weight group. At a given serum bilirubin level, unbound bilirubin was higher before phototherapy than during or after phototherapy.It is clear that several factors in addition to total bilirubin determine the concentration of unbound bilirubin in the blood of newborn infants. The UB Analyzer affords a simple reproducible micromethod for measurement of UB in the clinical setting. The ratio TB/TP corresponded better with UB than did TB alone and could be useful as a screen for UB.
Diagnostic challenges in Balamuthia mandrillaris infections

Balamuthia mandrillaris is an emerging cause of subacute granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). The diagnosis of this infection has proven to be difficult and is usually made postmortem. Early recognition and treatment may offer some benefit. This report describes a previously healthy woman who died from GAE due to B. mandrillaris.
Time-Shared Computer Operations With Both Interarrival and Service Times Exponential

The concept of time-shared computer operations is briefly described and a model of a time-sharing system is proposed, based on the assumption that both interarrival and service times possess an exponential distribution. Although the process described by this model is non-Markovian, an imbedded Markov chain is analyzed by exploiting the fact that the instants of completion of a “quantum” of service are regeneration points. It is shown that user congestion possesses a limiting distribution, and the method of generating functions is used to derive this distribution. The concept of cycle time is discussed and two measures of cycle time developed for a scheduling discipline employing a single queue. Finally, a number of numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effect of the system parameters upon user congestion, system response time and computer efficiency.
Finite Rank Commutators and Semicommutators of Quasihomogeneous Toeplitz Operators

We study finite rank semicommutators and commutators of Toeplitz operators on the Bergman space with quasihomogeneous symbols. We show that in this context, the situation is different from the case of harmonic Toeplitz operators.
Auditor Industry Specialist Research Design

Auditor industry specialization has generated significant interest in the academic community. However, a review of prior research suggests a lack of consensus as to how auditor industry specialization should be measured. This paper analyzes data from the 1989–1997 time period and: (1) examines the underlying concepts of specialization that are embodied in the different measurement approaches to industry specialists and the reasons why these measures yield inconsistent results and conclusions, (2) presents a framework to assist researchers in selecting the most appropriate auditor industry specialization metric to apply, and (3) proposes an alternative metric for research designs in particular investigative settings. Our analyses, results, and discussion highlight the differences inherent in industry specialization metrics and offer an interpretation of why such differences exist and provide some guidance for auditor industry metric selection.
Biotic control of calcium cycling in northern hardwood forests: Acid rain and aging forests

Observations of declining base saturation in soils and declining calcium (Ca) in streamwater have contributed to concerns that prolonged exposure to acid rain threatens forest health and productivity. We suggest that these changes could be caused, in part, by aging of the forests. To test this possibility, we characterized Ca cycling in previously harvested, variously aged northern hardwood stands over 15–18 years. The Ca content and concentrations in the forest floor and the density of snails, which require Ca for growth, increased in young stands (less than 30 years old) and decreased in older stands (more than 30 years old) over the measurement period. Similarly, the concentrations of Ca in litterfall decreased with stand age, and hydrologic export of Ca from a young stand was higher than that from an old stand. Ecosystem budgets suggest that the supply of Ca from the mineral soil to other parts of the ecosystem is large (3.3–4.7 g Ca m 2 y 1 ) in young forest stands but negligible or negative in older stands (–1 g Ca m 2 y 1 ). This difference in Ca mobilization between young and old stands is large compared to the changes in soil Ca that can reasonably be attributed to acid precipitation (less than 1gm 2 y 1 ). We conclude that changes in soil and streamwater Ca in maturing forests do not necessarily indicate an important loss of bioavailable Ca. Trace amounts of apatite in the mineral soil may be the source of Ca needed for forest regrowth.