cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid lesioning of large numbers of identified vertebrate neurons: applications in zebrafish

Establishing a causal role between the activity of specific individual nerve cells and the behaviors they produce (or the neural computations they execute) is made difficult in vertebrate animals because of the large numbers of neurons involved. Traditional techniques for establishing causal roles, such as tract cutting and electrolytic lesions, are limited because they produce damage that affects a variety of different cell types, invariably intermingled, and often of uncertain identity. We propose here an alternative lesioning technique in which large numbers of neurons are lesioned, but the lesioned neurons are specifically identified by fluorescent labeling. We use the locomotor control system of the larval zebrafish to illustrate this approach. In this example, the technique involves injection of fluorescent dextrans into far-rostral spinal cord to label descending nerve fibers. Such injections appear to interrupt the descending nerve fibers, and therefore their accompanying locomotor control signals. This protocol is shown to produce significant behavioral deficits. Because the CNS of the larval zebrafish is transparent, the entire population of lesioned cells can be imaged in vivo and reconstructed using confocal microscopy. This large-scale lesioning technique is important, even in this relatively 'simple' vertebrate animal, because the ablation of smaller numbers of neurons, using more precise laser-ablation techniques, often fails to produce observable behavioral deficits. While this technique is most readily applied in simpler and transparent vertebrate animals, the approach is general in nature and might, in principle, be applied to any vertebrate nerve tract.
Plane wave scattering from a curved HIS: Normal incidence

An approximate analytical method is developed to characterize the reflection properties of a cylindrically curved high impedance surface (HIS). This method assumes a homogenized model for the curved HIS which can be extracted from the reflection properties of the flat HIS. In this work, only the normal incidence case is considered for TEz and TMz polarizations.
Effect of Heat-Treatment Temperature on the Properties of a Lithium Aluminosilicate Glass

The effects of isochronal heat treatments on the properties of a lithium aluminosilicate glass have been measured. Heat treatment of the base glass at temperatures between 700° and 1100°C initially results in phase separation of the glass, followed by the formation of β-quartz solid solution (ss) at about 850°C. The β-quartz(ss) converts to β-spodumene in the temperature range between 950°C and 1000°C. The dependence of the properties of the material on the heat-treatment temperature is controlled by phase separation below 850°C, by the rapid crystallization of β-quartz(ss) between 850°C and 900°C, and by the lack of change in morphology with heat treatment above 900°C. The effects of heat treatment on the properties of this material are explained on the basis of the changes in the composition and morphology of the residual amorphous and crystalline phases.
Issues in the Closed-Loop Digital Control of Reactor Power: The MIT Experience

The 5 MWt MIT Research Reactor's license was recently amended to permit the general use of a closedloop digital control system for the adjustment of reactor power. This regulatory approval is significant because the avoidance of challenges to the reactor's safety system now depends on the design of the controller rather than, as was previously the case, on the characteristics of the actuator. Considerations involved in the granting of this license amendment are discussed including information on the technical basis for the controller, the prevention of challenges to the safety system, and the relation between the control and safety systems. The results of the initial use of the controller are presented together with a discussion of the possible applications of this controller.
Improvements in the design and analysis of the segmented expanding mandrel test

Abstract The segmented expanding mandrel test is modified and improved to yield more quantitative information on the local stress and strain concentrations in Zircaloy tubing samples. The experimental apparatus has undergone changes in segment design, end restraint fixture design and the method of sample heating. These changes result in localization of stress and strain concentrations to known locations in the tubing, the introduction of a small degree of biaxiality and a more uniform sample temperature, respectively. A chamfered specimen design has been introduced for the purpose of producing a near plane-strain condition. Finite-element analysis has been added to provide information on the magnitude of localized stresses and strains given the sample geometry, test procedure and measured diametral strains. The resulting test represents a significant increase in the quantitative information produced in the segmented expanding mandrel technique.
Earthquakes and sea level: Space and terrestrial metrology on a changing planet

A review is presented of the stability and scale of crustal deformation metrology which has particular relevance to monitoring deformation associated with sea level and earthquakes. Developments in space geodesy and crustal deformation metrology in the last two decades have the potential to acquire a homogeneous global data set for monitoring relative horizontal and vertical motions of the earth's surface to within several millimeters. New tools discussed for forecasting sea level rise and damaging earthquakes include: very long baseline interferometry, satellite laser ranging, the principles of GPS geodesy, and new sea level sensors. Space geodesy permits a unified global basis for future metrology of the earth, and the continued availability of the GPS is currently fundamental to this unification.
HIV risk behaviors among gay male methamphetamine users: Before and after treatment

SUMMARY Methamphetamine-using gay men are at high risk for HIV transmission, largely due to the high-risk sexual risk behaviors they engage in while using the drug. Gay men who use the drug frequently report that it enables them to have intense, long-lasting sexual encounters. Substance abuse treatment interventions that target both substance use and sexual behavior have been successful in helping gay men reduce their sexual risks including: reducing the number of sexual partners, reducing the frequency of unprotected anal intercourse, and reducing frequency of public sex encounters. Such treatments have the potential to curtail the spread of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), while simultaneously treating the substance abuse disorder.
The development and anatomy of the staminate flower of the cucumber.

The account here presented is based entirely on the study of a white-spine variety of the cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., known as "Burpee's No. 38I, Arlington." Seeds were obtained from the grower in I923 and I924. Abundant material for this study, and also for a cytological investigation, was secured from plants grown in the greenhouse at Purdue University in the autumn and winter of I923-I924. Additional material was grown in the botanical greenhouse at the University of Wisconsin in the summer and autumn of I924 and the spring of I925. A few plants were grown outdoors. Material was fixed in several fixing solutions. Schaffner's chrom-acetic and Flemming's medium chrom-osmo-acetic fixatives proved to be the most satisfactory. Whole staminate inflorescences of various ages were fixed, as well as individual staminate flowers. Inflorescences and individual flowers are very pubescent, and for this reason offer difficulty in fixation. An air pump was used to remove the air bubbles in the case of inflorescences and also of some individual flowers. Very satisfactory results were also secured by treating individual staminate flowers as follows: after severing a flower from the plant, it was placed under a dissecting lens, and there, with the use of a needle and scalpel, the hairs were removed from the whole perianth tube. A few scraping strokes of the scalpel easily accomplishes this. Then, after cutting off the pedicel very close to the base of the receptacle, and in most cases also removing the perianth at about the base of the calyx lobes, the clean-shaven portion was immersed in the fixing solution. In most cases sinking took place in a short time. The material was dehydrated, cleared in chloroform, and further treated according to the usual paraffin method. Sections were cut from 4 u to 25 ,u in thickness and stained in safranin and Delafield's haematoxylin, Flemming's triple stain, and Haidenhain's iron-alum haematoxylin. Some nearly mature staminate flowers were studied by hand dissection. [The Journal for April (I4: I69-226) was issued April 26, 1927.] 227
Cell-specific processing and release of the hormone-like precursor and candidate tumor suppressor gene product, Ecrg4

The human open reading frame C2orf40 encodes esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (Ecrg4), a newly recognized neuropeptide-like precursor protein whose gene expression by cells in vitro, over-expression in mice in vivo, and knock-down in zebrafish affects cell proliferation, migration and senescence, progenitor cell survival and differentiation, and inflammatory function. Unlike traditionally secreted neuropeptide precursors, however, we find that Ecrg4 localizes to the epithelial cell surface and remains tethered after secretion. Here, we used cell surface biotinylation to establish that 14-kDa Ecrg4 localizes to the cell surface of prostate (PC3) or kidney (HEK) epithelial cells after transfection. Accordingly, this Ecrg4 is resistant to washing cells with neutral, high salt (2 M NaCl), acidic (50 mM glycine, pH 2.8), or basic (100 mM Na2CO3, pH 11) buffers. Mutagenesis of Ecrg4 established that cell tethering was mediated by an NH2-terminus hydrophobic leader sequence that enabled both trafficking to the surface and tethering. Immunoblotting analyses, however, showed that different cells process Ecrg4 differently. Whereas PC3 cells release cell surface Ecrg4 to generate soluble Ecrg4 peptides of 6–14 kDa, HEK cells do neither, and the 14-kDa precursor resembles a sentinel attached to the cell surface. Because a phorbol ester treatment of PC3 cells stimulated Ecrg4 release from, and processing at, the cell surface, these data are consistent with a multifunctional role for Ecrg4 that is dependent on its cell of origin and the molecular form produced.
Biologically Inspired Networks: On Energy Efficient Event-Driven Data Collection for Wireless Sensor Networks

Inspired by the nature, the interesting properties of natural organisms can be imitated in many different applications. The nature has been optimizing itself for billions of years and in many cases it simply introduces the most optimal approaches. On the other hand, the task of data collection and aggregation is critical in wireless sensor networks WSN. The information packets should traverse the network towards the aggregating center i.e. sink node. The problem of finding the best path to route the data has been long under investigation. The authors propose a new method for collecting the data from sensor field based on a biological inspired method adopted from tubular network formation behavior of slime mold where biological organisms efficiently self-organize unreliable and dynamically changing topology, to compensate for the failure of individual components while not relying on explicit central coordination. They show that the emergent network exhibits a widely observed property in natural topologies called scale-free which explains a lot of inherent characteristics in living creatures. At the end the authors show that the data collection time for a biologically inspired network is shorter than uniform channel capacity scheduling.
A heart failure initiative to reduce the length of stay and readmission rates

Purpose/objectives The purpose of this pilot was to improve multidisciplinary coordination of care and patient education and foster self-management behaviors. The primary and secondary outcomes achieved from this pilot were to decrease the 30-day readmission rate and heart failure length of stay. Primary practice site The primary practice site was an inpatient medical-surgical nursing unit. Finding and conclusions The length of stay decreased from 6.05% to 4.42% for heart failure diagnostic-related group 291 as a result of utilizing the model. The length of stay decreased from 3.9% to 3.09%, which was also less than the national rate of 3.8036% for diagnostic-related group 292. In addition, the readmission rate decreased from 23.1% prior to January 2013 to 12.9%. Implementation of standards of care coordination can decrease length of stay, readmission rate, and improve self-management. Implications for case management practice Implementation of evidence-based heart failure guidelines, improved interdisciplinary coordination of care, patient education, self-management skills, and transitional care at the time of discharge improved overall heart failure outcome measures. Utilizing the longitudinal model of care to transition patients to home aided in evaluating social support, resource allocation and utilization, access to care postdischarge, and interdisciplinary coordination of care. The collaboration between disciplines improved continuity of care, patient compliance to their discharge regimen, and adequate discharge follow-up.
Plasma monoamine metabolites in psychotic disorders.

The measurement of monoamine metabolites in the plasma of psychiatric patients is now possible thanks to methods that have become available over the past ten years. 1.2 As was true to some degree for investigations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), clinical research using these measures in plasma has proceeded without full knowledge of their origin and significance. 3 Currently, most investigators believe that both central and peripheral sources contribute to plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) and methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) metabolites of dopamine and norepinephine, respectively. Debrisoquin has been used in some studies in an effort to minimize the peripheral See also pp 553, 561, and 564. contribution to plasma monoamine metabolite values. 4 Diet can be a major contributor to plasma HVA concentrations under certain circumstances, 5 and diurnal changes have been noted. 6 Despite incomplete information regarding the processes plasma monoamine metabolites may reflect, a number of interesting clinical findings have already
An EMG index: Its values in health and disease and its changes with fatigue.

Summary This study was designed to measure an EMG index which relates to the width of the motor unit innervation zone under the assumptions made in Lindstrom's model. This index was measured in healthy and in diseased muscles, intramuscularly, in fatigue inducing maximal voluntary contractions. The bicipital EMG interference patterns of 188 subjects in five diagnostic groups (32 healthy, 83 neuropathic, 28 myasthenic, 13 myotonic and 32 myopathic) were recorded with coaxial needle electrodes. From them, our index was computed repeatedly, in periods of 5.84 s each, to complete fatigue. The data display showed that our index decreased with fatigue. This decrement was found to be significant at P =0.00001 when all cases' data was combined. Separately, however, only the normals and the neuropathic groups reached significance at P
A role for synaptotagmin (p65) in regulated exocytosis

Abstract Proteins that are specifically localized to synaptic vesicles in the nervous system have been proposed to mediate aspects of synaptic transmission. Antibodies raised against the cytoplasmic domains of five of these proteins, vamp, rab3A, synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, and SV2, were used to investigate their function. Microinjection of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against synaptotagmin (p65), but not the other vesicle proteins, decreases K + /Ca 2+ -mediated dopamine β-hydroxylase surface staining, a measure of regulated secretion in PC12 cells. Microinjection of a soluble fragment of synaptotagmin encompassing one of the domains homologous to the C2 regulatory region of protein kinase C, but lacking the membrane anchor, also inhibits evoked dopamine β-hydroxylase surface staining. These results provide support for the hypothesis that synaptotagmin, a Ca 2+ - and phospholipid-binding protein, is important for regulated exocytosis in neurons.
A novel spalt gene expressed in branchial arches affects the ability of cranial neural crest cells to populate sensory ganglia

Cranial neural crest cells differentiate into diverse derivatives including neurons and glia of the cranial ganglia, and cartilage and bone of the facial skeleton. Here, we explore the function of a novel transcription factor of the spalt family that might be involved in early cell-lineage decisions of the avian neural crest. The chicken spalt4 gene (csal4) is expressed in the neural tube, migrating neural crest, branchial arches and, transiently, in the cranial ectoderm. Later, it is expressed in the mesectodermal, but not neuronal or glial, derivatives of midbrain and hindbrain neural crest. After over-expression by electroporation into the cranial neural tube and neural crest, we observed a marked redistribution of electroporated neural crest cells in the vicinity of the trigeminal ganglion. In control-electroporated embryos, numerous, labeled neural crest cells (approximately 80% of the population) entered the ganglion, many of which differentiated into neurons. By contrast, few (approximately 30% of the population) spalt-electroporated neural crest cells entered the trigeminal ganglion. Instead, they localized in the mesenchyme around the ganglionic periphery or continued further ventrally to the branchial arches. Interestingly, little or no expression of differentiation markers for neurons or other cell types was observed in spalt-electroporated neural crest cells.
Historic and recent age structure and growth of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Seventy-four lapilli from Lost River suckers captured in Upper Klamath Lake in 1970 during a snag fishery on spawning adults and 192 lapilli from adults sacrificed from 2001–2006 were examined to determine age and growth parameters; lapilli from 165 shortnose suckers sacrificed from Upper Klamath Lake from 2001–2006 were also examined. Relative marginal distance analyses indicated that growth marks were annuli and formed in December–January. Lost River suckers from the historic collection were aged to 57 years, while Lost River and shortnose suckers from the recent collection were aged to 40 years and 24 years, respectively. Larger and older Lost River suckers were represented in the historic collection compared to the recent collection. Uncoupling of otolith length and fish length in Lost River suckers as well as a large spread in the predicted age- at-size for shortnose suckers precluded the ability to back-calculate size-at-age. Likelihood ratio tests indicated the growth model parameters were significantly different at both the sex and collection level. Growth in body length for both species appeared determinate in that growth was rapid until maturity, and then slowed over several years until growth in length was nearly nonexistent; a 650–700 mm Lost River sucker could be between 14 and 57 years old, while a 460 mm shortnose sucker could range from 12–24 years old. In contrast, while growth in body length slowed for both species, body mass continued to increase. This growth strategy, which is also found in other western lake suckers, may allow for more energy to be utilized for reproduction and help populations persist in spite of years of limited recruitment or recruitment failure.
The early history of anaesthesia in Newfoundland.

The early history of anaesthesia in Newfoundland is described by reference to newspapers and other writings of the time. News of ether first reached Newfoundland in February 1847 with a report from England of Robert Liston’s amputation of a leg on December 21, 1846.
Pulsed liquid microjet for intravascular injection

Occlusions of the retinal veins and arteries are associated with common diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis and usually cause severe and irreversible loss of vision. Treatments for these vascular diseases have been unsatisfactory to date in part because of the difficulty of delivering thrombolytic drugs locally within the eye. In this article we describe a pulsed liquid microjet for minimally invasive intra-vascular drug delivery. The microjet is driven by a vapor bubble following an explosive evaporation of saline, produced by a microsecond-long electric discharge in front of the 25 micrometers electrode inside the micronozzle. Expansion of the transient vapor bubble produces a water jet with a diameter equal to the diameter of the nozzle, and with a velocity and duration that are controlled by the pulse energy. We found that fluid could be injected through the wall of a 60-micrometers -diameter artery in choriallantoic membrane using a 15-micrometers diameter liquid jet traveling at more than 60 m/s. Histological analysis of these arteries showed that the width of the perforation is limited to the diameter of the micronozzle, and the penetration depth of the jet is controlled by the discharge energy. The pulsed liquid microjet offers a promising technique for precise and needle-free intravascular delivery of thrombolytic drugs for localized treatment of retinal vascular occlusions.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Internal oxidation in heat-resisting stainless steels caused by presence of halides

When Ni-20 Cr alloys or stainless steels are heated in air in contact with liquid sodium halides, massive internal oxidation can occur, but only when the surface of the alloy is not well shielded from the air by the salt film. Thus, internal oxidation can occur during intermittent exposure to an aqueous salt solution, and to high temperature oxidation. On the contrary, if the alloy is completely submerged in molten NaCl-KCl and oxidized by bubbling oxygen into the fused salt, the effective oxygen concentration at the alloy surface is too low to allow internal oxidation; only surface porosity results, as previously shown. Different morphologies of internal oxidation were observed for oxidation in the presence of NaBr, NaI, NaCl, and NaF.
The use of Larson-Miller parameters to monitor the evolution of Raman lines of tetragonal zirconia with high temperature aging

Abstract The evolution of the Raman lines of metastable tetragonal yttria-stabilized zirconia with annealing for different times at different high temperatures has been monitored and the data analyzed using a Larson–Miller parameter. This normalization allowed the shift and sharpening of the Raman peaks of tetragonal zirconias having different stabilizer concentration and produced by different methods with different microstructures to be described by a common curve. The observed Raman shifts are consistent with evolution into a coherent mixture of tetragonal and cubic phases.
Comparisons of metastases in different organs: biological and clinical implications.

Tumors which acquire metastatic competence present substantial challenges to treatment and survival because this phenomenon extends the disease to other sites in the body and exponentially increases the effect of the disease on the host. Consequently, the metastatic process is the most urgent,
The Political-Geographic Bases of the Austrian Nationality Problem

The breakup of the Habsburg monarchy was perhaps the most exceptional change made in the political geography of the European world of our times. It would be too much to say that the shot fired at Sarajevo destroyed the Austro-Hungarian empire. But it is hardly an exaggeration to suggest that the young assassin was a living embodiment of the principle of nationalism in the South Slavic lands and that the shot which he fired was a deliberate blow at the political-geographic structure of the Habsburg monarchy. Those competent to discuss the question are almost unanimous in their verdict: the dissolution of the empire was brought on by a combination of external forces and an internal disintegration. The internal disintegration actually impelled the state to expose itself to the external forces. The works of scholars from many countries and disciplines2 who have carefullyanalyzed the structure and function of the Habsburg empire have been scrutinized with the view of studying the regions which formed this empire, their different characteristics and associations, and their connections with each other and to the state in order to ascertain to what extent the area of the empire constituted a state in the modern sense and to note any weaknesses in its morphology and physiology that helped to account for its collapse. The contribution of political geography to this critical evaluation of nationalism as a disintegrating force of the Habsburg empire lies in an analysis of the major problems of the internal situation of that empire.
Adriamycin-induced DNA damage in human leukemia cells.

Abstract The ability of adriamycin to alter integrity of DNA in leukemia cells from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia was tested. DNA damage (i.e. alkaline lability or strand scission) was found in most cell samples after a 2 h incubation with adriamycin (1.0 μg/ml). In cultured human leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) DNA damage was progressive, continuing with no evidence of DNA repair after removal of adriamycin from the growth media. Analysis of human leukemia cells taken from patients before and during adriamycin therapy revealed extensive drug-induced DNA strand breakage, consistent with in vitro observations.
Use of phagotrophic microalga Ochromonas danica to pretreat waste cooking oil for biodiesel production.

In this study, the feasibility of pretreatment and/or upgrading of waste cooking oil (WCO) using the microalga Ochromonas danica was investigated. Two WCO samples with initial acid values (AV) of 10.7 mg KOH/g (~5.4 % FFA content) and 3.9 mg KOH/g (~2.0 % FFA content) were examined. The algal cells engulfed oil droplets and grew rapidly on both WCO samples. The cell growth rates on WCO were compared with the rates on olive oil, with or without surfactant addition to make the oil droplets smaller and easier for algal ingestion. Comparison was also made with the growth rate in a sugar-based medium. More importantly, contacting the WCO with the phagotrophic O. danica cells was found to decrease the acid values of the remaining oil by 2.8 and 2.4 mg KOH/g WCO, respectively. The O. danica-pretreated WCO, with lower acid values, are potentially better feedstock for biodiesel production.
PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AFTER BLALOCK-TAUSSIG ANASTOMOSIS.

Abstract A patient with Fallot's tetralogy who had bilateral subclavian-pulmonary anastomoses at 12 years of age was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension 8 years later. The pressure and vascular resistance in the pulmonary circulation were equal to the systemic circulation. The pulmonary stenosis was severe, and virtually all the pulmonary blood flow occurred via the anastomoses. Despite severe pulmonary stenosis, no systolic pressure gradient was demonstrated across the right ventricular outflow tract, and the angiocardiographic picture simulated that of pulmonary atresia. Systolic and diastolic murmurs at the upper left sternal border were present, simulating the usual subclavian-pulmonary anastomotic murmur but probably arising from aortic insufficiency. Hemoptysis and gross enlargement of the pulmonary artery were clinical clues pointing to the true situation, which was revealed by cardiac catheterization. Repeat study 3 years later showed slight clinical and hemodynamic improvement.
Constructing numerically stable real number codes using evolutionary computation

Real number codes have been widely used in many applications. However, it is difficult to analytically find the numerically optimal codes even for three erasures. In this paper, an evolutionary computation approach is presented which can computationally construct real number codes that have near optimal numerical stability. Experimental results demonstrate that the evolutionary algorithm presented here produces real number codes close to the theoretical optimum for two erasures. The real number codes obtained from the evolutionary algorithm outperform any known existing real number codes for three erasures.
Friendship and its Implications for Mental Health or Social Competence

A review of the theoretical and research literature indicates having few or no friends is a major diagnostic criterion for a number of psychiatric disorders and is presumptive evidence of some disturbance in development. Adolescents do value friends, but it is not clear if the functions of friendship are unique or whether they might be served in other human relationships. There is much concern about the mental health implications of males having less intimate friendships than females, yet little data to clarify this issue. There is growing evidence to indicate poor peer relationships in adolescence are predictive of social incompetence and maladjustment in adulthood. There is increasing attention being given to the complexity of what is involved in peer acceptance, peer rejection, the selection of friends, social incompetence, and the negative and positive consequences of friendship. Research and theoretical implications are discussed.
Synthetic Rat Scotophobin Induces Dark Avoidance in Mice

Two independent research groups replicate alteration of dark preference to dark avoidance by mice injected with synthetic scotophobin, a pentadecapeptide.
Prophecy and Scepticism in the sixteenth and seventeenth century

(1996). Prophecy and Scepticism in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. British Journal for the History of Philosophy: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1-20.
EFFECT OF SODIUM DIATRIZOATE ON THE IN VITRO GROWTH OF THREE COMMON CANINE URINARY BACTERIAL SPECIES

The mean concentration of diatrizoate in urine specimens of eight dogs collected 20 minutes after intravenous injection of 2.2 ml/kg of sodium and meglumine diatrizoate (iodine concentration, 288 mg/ml) was 80 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 48 mg/ml). The mean concentration plus 1 SD was 111 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 66 mg/ml), and the mean concentration plus 2 SD was 142 mg/ml (iodine concentration, 85 mg/ml). The presence of diatrizoate at a concentration of 142 mg/ml did not inhibit in vitro bacterial growth of any of ten randomly selected canine urinary isolates of Escherichia coli or any of ten randomly selected urinary isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro bacterial growth of all ten randomly selected urinary bacterial isolates of Proteus mirabilis was significantly inhibited by a diatrizoate concentration of 80 mg/ml. Bacterial growth was progressively inhibited by increased diatrizoate concentrations.
Dimensional measurement of seasonal variation in mood and behavior

Abstract Recent epidemiologic studies have found that the behaviors that characterize seasonal affective disorder (SAD) show seasonal variation in 92%–95% of the general population, suggesting that seasonal variation in behavior and mood is a continuous, dimensional variable extending throughout the general population, defined at the upper extreme by SAD. Research into population seasonality will require a dimensional measure of seasonal variation in mood and behavior that produces a broad, finely graded distribution of seasonality scores sensitive to individual differences throughout the entire range of scores. Accordingly, the Inventory of Seasonal Variation (ISV) was developed as such a measure. This study demonstrated that the ISV has high internal structural validity and is highly sensitive to individual differences in seasonality across its entire range of scores in the normal population. This latter characteristic is not shared by other existing measures of seasonality. Initial external validity of the (ISV) was supported in that the mean of ISV scores of a SAD sample was found to lie at the 97th percentile of the normal population of scores. Analysis of ISV scores revealed that a winter pattern of seasonality was reported by over 95% of subjects, a pattern that was more pronounced in women than men, while a summer type of seasonality was reported by only 0.6% of the general population.
Lifetime measurements on nitrogen ion beams from a low-energy accelerator

Abstract Previously reported experimental lifetimes for the 2p3p 3 D levels of N + vary from ~2 ns to about 20 ns. High-statistics decay curves for the 2p3p 3 D levels in the current study show clear evidence of a short-lived cascade and a 18.5-ns main component. Decay curves for two of the important cascade levels were also obtained, along with decay curves for the 3p 1 D laser levels. These curves were subjected to a systematic deletion-of-points curve-fitting routine which was evaluated using Monte Carlo generated decay curves. Level lifetimes (in ns), associated statistical errors, and total estimated uncertainties obtained from the experimental decay curves are: 2p3p 3 D: 18.50 ± 0.72 (7%); 2p3d 3 F°: 8.23 ± 0.28 (6%); 2p4f 3 G: 2.93 ± 0.18 (10%); 2p3p 1 D: 6.42 ± 0.13 (5%).
Biliary duct ablation with N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

PURPOSE To assess the efficacy of percutaneous insertion of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in the ablation of bile ducts in patients with persistent postsurgical bile leaks in which traditional means of treatment have failed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ablation of bile ducts with NBCA was performed in six patients (two men and four women). The average length of follow-up was 27 months (range, 13–46 months). Four patients presented after hepatic lobectomy with a persistent bile leak, one patient presented after cholecystectomy with a chronically obstructed bile duct, and one patient presented after cholecystectomy from intraoperative bile duct injury. After access to the biliary system was obtained, a cholangiogram was obtained. After the desired duct was isolated, it was copiously irrigated with saline solution. A glue solution containing NBCA glue, Ethiodol, and tantalum powder was delivered into the duct through a polyethylene catheter that had been irrigated with dextrose solution. RESULTS Four patients had problems arising from isolated segmental ductal systems that had no communication with the normal biliary ductal system and were treated successfully on the first attempt. In two patients, there was communication to the main biliary ductal system and a persistent bile leak occurred that required placement of a coil and a second final gluing procedure. The only complication observed was unintentional spillage of glue into the main biliary system in one patient, which was ultimately clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION The use of NBCA glue in obliteration of bile ducts is a safe procedure with excellent results in patients with complications from isolated segmental ducts. Although a repeat procedure may be necessary if the duct communicates with the main biliary tree, the procedure can decrease the morbidity associated with chronic external biliary drainage.
Dynamic Responses to Magnetic Reconnection in Solar Arcades

We present a numerical simulation of the interaction between two line dipoles through magnetic reconnection in the lower solar atmosphere, a process believed to be the origin of many manifestations of solar activity. This work differs from previous studies in that the field is sheared asymmetrically and that the dipoles have markedly unequal field strengths. This calculation already yielded one key discovery, denoted reconnection driven current filamentation, as described in a previous Astrophysical Journal letter. In this paper we focus on the chromospheric and coronal dynamics resulting from the shear-driven reconnection of unequal dipoles, discuss the important implications for chromospheric eruptions, compare our calculation with high-resolution Normal Incidence X-Ray Telescope observations of a surge, and contrast our results with the predictions of "fast reconnection" models.
Synthesis of azido‐polymers of butadiene

Iodine azide adds to cyclohexene in acetonitrile or 4:1 methylene chloride/acetonitrile to give trans-1-azido-2-iodocyclohexane. In methylene chloride this reaction gives a mixture of the cis-and trans-iodoazides owing to competing radical addition. Iodine azide adds to 1-hexene in acetonitrile by an ionic mechanism to give a 3:1 mixture of the 2-azido-1-azido- and 1-azido-2-iodohexanes. Dehydroiodination of the model iodoazides proceeds smoothly with potassium t-butoxide in diethyl ether or THF in the presence of 5 mol % 18-crown-6 at room temperature, giving in the previous example a mixture of 2-azido- and trans-1-azidohexenes. Polybutadiene, carboxyterminated poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene), and hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene gave iodoazide derivatives with up to 96% of the theoretical maximum nitrogen content and strong azide IR absorption. High azidoiodination gave polymer with N3/I ratios slightly higher than unity while low percent azidoiodination led to polymer with N3/I ratios of as low as 2:3. All of the nitrogen introduced was in the form of azide function. Dehydroiodination gave polymers with vinyl azide functionality and caused loss of some of the azide groups. All the azidoiodinated polymers decomposed between 120 and 160°C. The dehydroiodinated materials were less stable, decomposing between 100 and 150°C. The temperature of initial decomposition decreased as azide content increased. Polymers with >55–60% of the theoretical maximum azide content were shock sensitive.
Energy levels of zirconium isotopes

Abstract The energies of seven low-lying excited levels of 90Zr, 91Zr, and 92Zr have been measured to within a few tenths of a keV. A high-intensity bremsstrahlung beam from a linear accelerator was used to create the radioactive niobium nuclei, 92Nb, 91Nb, and 90Nb by the (γ,n), (γ,2n), and (γ,3n) reactions on 93Nb. After the niobium nuclei decayed to the zirconium isotopes, 92Zr, 91Zr, and 90Zr, the energies of the transition γ-rays from these zirconium isotopes were measured with a high-resolution, lithium-drifted germanium detector and were used to determine the energy levels of the zirconium isotopes. The energy levels determined in this way are, for 90Zr, 2186·3, 2318·8, 3447·6, and 3590·4 keV; for 91Zr, 1205·0 keV; and for 92Zr, 934·3 and 1847·2 keV.
The Power of Alternative Kolmogorov-Smirnov Tests Based on Transformations of the Data

The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistical test is commonly used to determine if data can be regarded as a sample from a sequence of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables with specified continuous cumulative distribution function (cdf) F, but with small samples it can have insufficient power, that is, its probability of rejecting natural alternatives can be too low. However, in 1961, Durbin showed that the power of the KS test often can be increased, for a given significance level, by a well-chosen transformation of the data. Simulation experiments reported here show that the power can often be more consistently and substantially increased by a different transformation. We first transform the given sequence to a sequence of mean-1 exponential random variables, which is equivalent to a rate-1 Poisson process. We then apply the classical conditional-uniform transformation to convert the arrival times into i.i.d. random variables uniformly distributed on [0, 1]. And then, after those two preliminary steps, we apply the original Durbin transformation. Since these KS tests assume a fully specified cdf, we also investigate the consequence of having to estimate parameters of the cdf.
Exploration of the potential energy surface of C4H4 for rearrangement and decomposition reactions of vinylacetylene: A computational study. Part I

The potential energy surface (PES) of C4H4 was explored using quantum chemical methods (DFT, MP2, MP4, GVB-MP2, CCSD(T), G2M, CBSQ/APNO) and 43 different structures located at global and local minima were identified. The majority of these structures correspond to carbenes, a minority to closed shell systems and biradicals (carbyne structures were not investigated). Whereas the chemistry of the closed shell systems such as vinylacetylene (1), butatriene (2), methylenecyclopropene (3), cyclobutadiene (5) or tetrahedrane (15) is well known, the carbenes represent unusual structural entities. 2-Methyl-cycloprop-2-en-1-ylidene (4) (ΔΔH(298) = 36.2 kcal mol−1 relative to 1) in its σ2π0 electron configuration at the carbene C of the 1A ground state is of comparable stability to cyclobutadiene (5) (ΔΔH(298) = 33.4 kcal mol−1; exp. value: 32.1 kcal mol−1) as a result of aromatic 2π-delocalization; carbene 3-vinylidenecyclopropene (13) (ΔΔH(298) = 53.9 kcal mol−1) does not possess C2v symmetry but has the vinylidene group bent toward the three-membered ring (Cs-symmetry) thus representing a frozen path point of the chelotropic addition of :CC: to ethene. Allenyl carbene (14) has a triplet ground state and two low lying excited singlet states of closed shell (2.5 kcal mol−1 higher) and open shell character (14.1 kcal mol−1). Carbene 14 is a crossing point on the C4H4 PES connecting closed-shell systems with each other. Because of the stability of 1, its rearrangement reactions are all connected with high activation enthalpies requiring 66 up to 92 kcal mol−1 so that they energetically overlap with the activation enthalpies typical of decomposition reactions (from 90 kcal mol−1 upward). The possible rearrangement reactions of 1 are investigated with a view to their relevance for the chemical behavior of the molecule under the conditions of Titan’s atmosphere.
Segmental allergen challenge enhances chitinase activity and levels of CCL18 in mild atopic asthma

SummaryBackground Allergic airway inflammation contributes to the airway remodelling that has been linked to increased obstruction and morbidity in asthma. However, the mechanisms by which allergens contribute to airway remodelling in humans are not fully established. CCL18, chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and YKL-40 are readily detectable in the lungs and contribute to remodelling in other fibrotic diseases, but their involvement in allergic asthma is unclear. Objective We hypothesized that CCL18, YKL-40 and CHIT1 bioactivity are enhanced in allergic asthma subjects after segmental allergen challenge and are related to increased pro-fibrotic and Th2-associated mediators in the lungs. Methods Levels of CCL18 and YKL-40 protein and chitotriosidase (CHIT1) bioactivity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, as well as CCL18, YKL-40 and CHIT1 mRNA levels in BAL cells were evaluated in patients with asthma at baseline and 48 h after segmental allergen challenge. We also examined the correlation between CCL18 and YKL-40 levels and CHIT1 activity with the levels of other pro-fibrotic factors and chemokines previously shown to be up-regulated after allergen challenge. Results Chitotriosidase activity and YKL-40 and CCL18 levels were elevated after segmental allergen challenge and these levels correlated with those of other pro-fibrotic factors, T cell chemokines, and inflammatory cells after allergen challenge. CCL18 and YKL-40 mRNA levels also increased in BAL cells after allergen challenge. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Our results suggest that CCL18 and YKL-40 levels and CHIT1 activity are enhanced in allergic airway inflammation and thus may contribute to airway remodelling in asthma.
Functional Dissection of Eyes absent Reveals New Modes of Regulation within the Retinal Determination Gene Network

The retinal determination (RD) gene network encodes a group of transcription factors and cofactors necessary for eye development. Transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of RD family members is achieved through interactions within the network and with extracellular signaling pathways, including epidermal growth factor receptor/RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), transforming growth factor β/DPP, Wingless, Hedgehog, and Notch. Here we present the results of structure-function analyses that reveal novel aspects of Eyes absent (EYA) function and regulation. We find that the conserved C-terminal EYA domain negatively regulates EYA transactivation potential, and that GROUCHO-SINE OCULIS (SO) interactions provide another mechanism for negative regulation of EYA-SO target genes. We have mapped the transactivation potential of EYA to an internal proline-, serine-, and threonine-rich region that includes the EYA domain 2 (ED2) and two MAPK phosphorylation consensus sites and demonstrate that activation of the RAS/MAPK pathway potentiates transcriptional output of EYA and the EYA-SO complex in certain contexts. Drosophila S2 cell two-hybrid assays were used to describe a novel homotypic interaction that is mediated by EYA's N terminus. Our data suggest that EYA requires homo- and heterotypic interactions and RAS/MAPK signaling responsiveness to ensure context-appropriate RD gene network activity.
Gate size optimization for row-based layouts

A transistor sizing algorithm for row-based layouts is presented under an improved area model. This algorithm uses convex programming to find a minimal area circuit for a given delay specification. The new area model uses a concept of row heights as opposed to the conventional metric of sum of gate sizes. Results over a number of circuits indicate a significant reduction both in the minimum delay achievable and area as compared to TILOS-like optimizer.
Role of human papillomavirus in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Background The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) is not well defined, with past studies showing conflicting results. Objective We sought to determine if there is a significant association between HPV and cuSCC and whether cuSCC from immunosuppressed patients are more likely to carry HPV than cuSCC from immunocompetent patients. Methods We performed a systematic review and abstracted data from articles that included: skin samples by biopsy, HPV detection by polymerase chain reaction, and a minimum of 10 cases and 10 controls. Pooled effect size and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects meta-analysis using the inverse variance method. Results cuSCC were more likely to carry HPV than normal-appearing skin (pooled effect size [ES] 3.43, 95% confidence interval 1.97-5.98, P P Limitations The greatest limitation is the heterogeneity of the studies included. The association of higher HPV prevalence in squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal-appearing skin does not imply causality. Conclusion These results contribute to evidence that HPV is associated with cuSCC. Higher HPV burden in tumors from immunosuppressed patients compared with immunocompetent patients may have therapeutic implications.