cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dorsal horn opiate administration attenuates the perceived intensity of noxious heat stimulation in behaving monkey

In monkeys trained to detect and discriminate noxious heat stimuli, morphine microinjected into the medullary dorsal horn attenuated the perceived intensity of noxious heat in a dose- and stimulus-dependent fashion. These data demonstrate a pharmacologically specific effect of opiates on the sensory intensity component of pain at the earliest central relay pathway transmitting noxious information.
The rotary door flap procedure for laryngotracheal reconstruction

The rotary door flap is intended for complex laryngotracheal lesions with either severe or multiple defects. The infrahyoid rotation of the sternohyoid muscle 180° longitudinally creates this bipedicled flap. The rotary door flap is supportive, yet flexible enough to accommodate movements and changes in airway pressure. Long-term patient follow-up shows that the procedure can restore the patient's airway, swallowing capabilities, and voice.
A Lamellar Hydrated Barium Cobalt Phosphate with a Two-Dimensional Array of Co–O–Co Network: Ba(CoPO4)2·H2O

The hydrothermal synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a hydrated barium cobalt phosphate are presented. The structure is built from cobalt octahedra edge-shared with phosphorus tetrahedra. Cobalt polyhedra form corner-sharing chains along the crystallographicbaxis. These chains are interconnected by water molecules and phosphate groups to form an infinite two-dimensional sheet. Sheets are stacked along the crystallographiccaxis with charge balancing cations, Ba2+, located in the interlayer region. The structure also consists of two-dimensional arrays of Co–O–Co networks with cobalt centers forming hexagonal patterns. There are a limited number of cobalt(II) phosphates in which the Co/P ratio is 1. A summary of these cobalt(II) phosphates is given. A classification scheme based on the extent of the Co–O–Co linkage is provided for cobalt phosphates. Crystal data for Ba(CoPO4)2·H2O,M=463.16, space groupC2 (No. 5),a=9.2494(4) A,b=4.9140(2) A,c=8.2650(4) A,β=91.744(2)°,V=375.48(3) A3,Z=2,Dc=4.097 g cm−3, thin plate, MoKα,λ=0.71073 A,μ=10.005 mm−1, 2θmax=56.44°,R(F)=2.43% for 70 parameters and 908 reflections withI>2σ(I).
On Neuropteris brongniart and Cardiopteridium nathorst from the early carboniferous price formation, southwestern Virginia, U.S.A.

Abstract Collections of compressions and impressions of fossil plants from several outcrops of the Lower Mississippian Price Formation in southwestern Virginia have yielded numerous well preserved vegetative and reproductive structures, some of which are new and others referable to previously described taxa. Among these are two foliage types, here identified as Cardiopteridium Nathorst and Neuropteris Brongniart, which are more extensively and better preserved than any previously collected ones. They thus represent the first clearly documented occurence of these foliage types in the Lower Carboniferous of North America. Bipinnate fronds terminated by pinnules conforming in every respect to Neuropteris Brongniart are described and are referred to N. antiqua (ex Cycadopteris antiqua Stur). Comparison with the genus Neurocardiopteris Lutz is made and the suggestions of Hartung (1938) and Gothan (1949) that specimen attributed to this genus should be called Neuropteris are supported. A survey of the literature shows that possibly four species of Neuropteris, N. antiqua, N. antecedens, N. broilii and N. loshii , existed in the Early Carboniferous. The specimens referable to Cardiopteridium Nathorst consist of slender axes or portions of bipinnate fronds on which are borne orbicular or reniform pinnules attached by slender pedicles. Pinnule venation is dichotomous, with individual veins converging at the base. The specimens compare best with Cardiopteridium nanum f. spetsbergense described by Walton (1941), Gothan (1949) and Daber (1959) from Early Carboniferous localities in Europe. They are distinguished from isolated pinnules or parts of branch systems of Fryopsis (ex Cardiopteris ) by aspects of frond and pinnule morphology. While the affinities of these foliage taxa remain uncertain, present knowledge suggests that Cardiopteridium , on the basis of leaf characters, more likely is the foliage of a progymnosperm or pteridosperm. Neuropteris traditionally has been regarded as foliage of some medullosan pteridosperms although confirmation of attachment is needed; if so, its undoubted presence in the Early Carboniferous constitutes the earliest record of the group.
Laser Shock Based Controlled Forming of Silver Nanowires

One-dimensional nanomaterials have attracted a great deal of research interest in the past few decades due to their unique mechanical, electrical and optical properties. Changing the shape of nanowires is a big challenge, but remains key for realistic applications of nanowires. Here we report a general technique to flexibly form nanowires into different shapes by making use of laser shock pressure. Controllable deformation is induced into nanowires in a similar manner as traditional metal forming. Shaping of silver nanowires is demonstrated, during which the Ag nanowires exhibit very good ductility (strain to failure is larger than 1). The microstructure observation indicates that the main deformation mechanism in Ag nanowires under dynamic loading is controlled by twinning and stacking fault formation. Dislocation motion and pile-up is still operative but less important. Our method provides a simple, unique, and one-step approach in massive forming and machining nanowires.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
You da man: Narrating the racial other in the production of white masculinity

Sociolinguistic research on the linguistic construction of identity has begun to attend to the construction of culturally normative, unmarked social categories such as whiteness and masculinity. The study of these categories involves the investigation of ideology as well as identity, because ideology produces hegemonic forms of white masculinity. Such ideologies of race and gender shape narratives of interracial conflict told by middle-class European American boys at a California high school. The article focuses on one such narrative, told by a white boy who aligns with black youth culture and uses elements of African American Vernacular English in his speech. Via language crossing and other discursive strategies such as constructed dialogue, the narrative positions black masculinity, in contrast to white masculinity, as physically powerful and locally dominant. At the same time, the narrative preserves the racial hierarchy that enables white cultural appropriation of African American culture through language crossing.
Arginine decarboxylase (polyamine synthesis) mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana exhibit altered root growth

Putrescine and polyamines are produced by two alternative pathways in plants. One pathway starts with the enzyme arginine decarboxylase; the other with ornithine decarboxylase. The authors developed an in vivo screening strategy to identify mutants with low levels of arginine decarboxylase activity. The screen requires both a primary screen of the M2 generation and a secondary screen of the M3 generation. The method used was to screen 15,000 EMS-mutagenized M2 seedlings for low levels of arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity and identified seven mutants that fall into two complementation groups. These mutants have from 20% to 50% of wild-type enzyme activity. Morphological alterations common among the mutants include increased levels of lateral root branching. The authors obtained a double mutant combining the alleles with the lowest activities from the two complementation groups; this has lower ADC enzyme activity and putrescine levels than either of the single mutants. The double mutant has highly kinked roots that form a tight cluster; it also has narrower leaves, sepals, and petals than either single mutant or wild-type, and delayed flowering. These results suggest there may be more than one ADC gene in Arabidopsis, and that ADC and polyamine levels play roles in root meristem function and in lateral growth of leaf-homolog organs.
Does Dual Enrollment Increase Students' Success in College? Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Analysis of Dual Enrollment in New York City.

This chapter reviews previous studies on dual enrollment and discusses the results of an evaluation of College Now, the dual enrollment program of The City University of New York. The authors find that dual enrollment participation increases postsecondary achievement.
Ovarian metastases of appendiceal tumors with goblet cell carcinoidlike and signet ring cell patterns: A report of 30 cases

Synchronous and metachronous ovarian and appendiceal mucinous tumors are often the subject of diagnostic consultations in gynecologic pathology practices to address whether the tumors are independent neoplasms or related as primary and metastasis. Those with goblet cell carcinoidlike patterns have not been extensively evaluated in a large series. Clinicopathologic features of 30 cases were examined. All patients presented with signs or symptoms related to a pelvic/adnexal or abdominal mass. The ovarian tumors were bilateral in 25 of 28 cases with data on both ovaries and were typically large (mean/median: 14 cm, range: 4.5 to 24.0 cm). The appendices were often firm or thickened but usually did not have a discrete measurable tumor and were not notably enlarged; microscopically, transmural invasion was present in all of them. The ovarian and appendiceal tumors exhibited a variety of patterns of differentiation, including signet ring cell and glandular, with all displaying some goblet cell carcinoidlike patterns (nests, islands, cords, or cryptlike tubules with goblet cells); teratomatous elements were not identified in any ovarian tumors. Chromogranin was expressed in 7 of 19 ovarian tumors (mean/median: 6.3%/0%; range: 0% to 20%) and synaptophysin was expressed in 4 of 18 of these (mean/median: 7.8%/0%; range: 0% to 90%). Chromogranin was expressed in 6 of 16 appendiceal tumors (mean/median: 11.9%/0%; range: 0% to 70%) and synaptophysin was expressed in 6 of 15 of these (mean/median: 16.7%/0%; range: 0% to 90%). Follow-up was available for 25 patients: 17 died of disease at intervals ranging from 4 to 47 months (mean/median: 18/16) and 8 were alive with disease at 1 to 25 months (mean/median: 11/10); median survival was 19 months and the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 63% and 34%, respectively. The clinicopathologic features of these ovarian tumors indicate they should be labeled as metastatic appendiceal adenocarcinomas rather than as goblet cell carcinoid tumors both to reflect their behavior and help distinguish them from the rare true primary ovarian goblet cell carcinoid tumors. As the ovarian tumors have appreciable components of signet ring cells they qualify as Krukenberg tumors. In cases in which the primary tumor is not already evident, their "goblet cell carcinoidlike" patterns should direct attention to the appendix as a possible source.
Anticoagulant therapy: warfarin sensitivity genotyping closer to clinical practice.

Determining the appropriate dose of warfarin that should be used in each patient is challenging, and the rate of adverse events at the beginning of therapy remains high. Testing for genetic variability related to warfarin sensitivity at the start of treatment is a promising strategy to guide dosing in clinical practice.
Egg-laying behavior in Aplysia californica

An assessment of the behavior of Aplysia californica following an injection of material known to contain the egg-laying hormone was undertaken. At 10 min following the injection, puckering of the mouth musculature begins. This behavior is quite characteristic of animals that will lay eggs, and it can serve as a reliable predictive cue. At 15 min, the common genital groove swells and this can also be used as a cue. Weaving head movements also become apparent at this time and subsequently increase in frequency until they become the dominant activity of the animal. Subsequently, quiescence disappears and locomotion becomes infrequent. Egg laying begins approximately 60 min after injection. Substantially similar behavioral patterning is observed whether the injected solution is a crude extract of the neurosecretory bag cell organs or is an isolated polypeptide fraction of the cells. These observations are discussed in terms of the possibility that the egg-laying hormone has two target sites, one in the ovotestis and another in the nervous system.
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in children with hematological abnormalities

Abstract Objective Tonsillectomy is a common procedure performed in children with the main complication being post-operative hemorrhage. It is uncertain if patients with hematological abnormalities face a higher risk of post-operative hemorrhage. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary referral hospital. Patients selected All patients with a known hematologic disorder as well as children without a hematologic abnormality undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy in the past two years at our institution were included in this study. Main outcome measure We sought to determine whether children with hematologic disorders are at an increased risk of post-operative hemorrhage after surgery. Results Four-hundred and sixty-two patients were identified who underwent a tonsillectomy during this time period. Fourteen patients with hematological abnormalities were identified with only one patient suffering a post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. All patients with abnormal laboratory values prior surgery underwent medical treatment in conjunction with pediatric hematology and did not suffer a post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Despite a small study group, the low incidence (1/14) of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in patients with hematological abnormalities suggests that these patients may not be at an increased risk, especially if appropriately evaluated and treated pre-operatively. Conclusion Despite small sample size the results of our study suggest that patients with coagulation disorders may not have an increased risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage when evaluated and corrected pre-operatively.
Towards Discrete Interval, Set, and Fuzzy Computations

In many applications, we know the function f (x1,...,xn), we know the intervals xi of possible values of each quantity xi, and we are interested in the range of possible values of y = f(x1,...,xn), this problem is known as the problem of interval computations. In other applications, we know the function f(x1,...,xn), we know the fuzzy sets Xi that describe what we know about each quantity xi, and we are interested in finding the fuzzy set Y corresponding to the quantity y = f(x1,...,xn), this problem is known as the problem of fuzzy computations. There are many efficient algorithms for solving these problems, however, most of these algorithms implicitly assume that each quantity xi can take any real value within its range. In practice, some quantities are discrete: e.g., xi can describe the number of people. In this paper, we provide feasible algorithms for interval, set, and fuzzy computations for such discrete inputs.
Divergence buckling of an edge-loaded axially moving band

The equations governing the instability of an edge-loaded, constant velocity, axially moving band are formulated and a numerical procedure for critical edge-load determination is presented. High-speed band saws and belts are particular technological examples of the model analyzed. A significant overestimate in the critical edge load is shown to result from neglecting the contribution of the axial, transport velocity. A simple, approximate method of determining the critical edge load, requiring only hand calculations, is presented and illustrated. This approximation, termed the first approximation, is sufficiently accurate for applications in the relatively large stiffness to tension ratio range E∗ > 0·1.
The Enhanced Effect of Parenteral Nutrition on Hepatotoxicity

Recent studies have demonstrated that enteral feedings are associated with decreased morbidity and mortality when compared with parenteral feedings. In this study, we hypothesized that (1) route of feeding affects morbidity and mortality in a model of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and (2) glutamine and polymyxin B, which have been reported to reduce bacterial translocation, attenuate this effect when TPN is used. Male virus-free Wistar rats were divided into six groups receiving: (1) ad libitum chow infused with intravenous (IV) saline (Chow), (2) standard total parenteral nutrition solution administered via gastrostomy (Enteral), (3) standard total parenteral nutrition infused via a central catheter (TPN), (4) standard TPN containing polymyxin B (TPN-PolyB), and (5) glutamine-enriched TPN (TPN-GLN). A final group of animals was not manipulated but harvested at time 0 to serve as controls. The dose of polymyxin B used in this study has previously been shown to significantly reduce bacterial translocation. After 4 d of feeding, all rats received 5% dextrose infusion after an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of acetaminophen (ACM). Rats were sacrificed 0, 6, and 24 h after ACM administration. The TPN group had a lower liver glutathione level after 6 and 24 h, greater levels of liver enzymes after 24 h, and a lower survival rate after 24 h compared with Chow. The Enteral group had less morbidity than TPN but greater morbidity than Chow. Addition of polymyxin B or glutamine had a minimal effect on morbidity or mortality when compared to the TPN group. We conclude that rats receiving IV nutrition have greater morbidity and mortality following a standard hepatic insult than chow-fed rats. We speculate that alteration of microsomal cytochrome P-450 or drug clearance may be related to the benefits of providing nutrients by the gastrointestinal route.
A TECHNIQUE FOR PREDICTION OF CHILDREN'S SOCIAL PROBLEM-SOLVING

Sirmmary.-A technique is described for assessing children's predictions of the behavioral strategies that they or other children would be likely to employ in various social situations. The research context in which this assessment technique was developed is also described. Following Kelly's personal construct theory, it is proposed that this technique could provide a means for enriching theoretical knowIedge of the connections between children's interpersonal cognitive problem-solving ability and their actual behaviors. Various ways in which the proposed technique could be used in a clinical context are discussed.
Camptothecin Blocks Memory of Conditioned Avoidance in the Goldfish

Intracranial injection of 10 to 75 micrograms of camptothecin, a plant alkaloid that blocks RNA synthesis in eucaryotic cells, blocks incorporation of tritiated uridine into RNA in the goldfish brain. Injection of 10 to 50 micrograms of the drug within 1.5 hours of training results in greatly diminished memory, tested 1 week later. Injection of the drug 5 or 24 hours after training produces no measurable effect on retention of the learned response.
A study of urban middle school students with high and low attitudes toward science

Scientific literacy is essential to survive in this technological world, but it appears that scientific literacy is not of high priority for many students. This research project was undertaken to gather demographic data, intentions to engage in science, and attitudes of urban, middle school students. Scores on the Simpson-Troost Attitude Instrument were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. Results indicate less than 50% of the students come from high-school-graduated parents who work full-time to support the family. Less than 50% of these students indicate any interest to engage in science at the high school level, yet many plan to enter a science-related career. A majority of the students possess an uncertain attitude toward their science teachers and science curricula. However, all possessed high achievement motivations, strong positive attitudes toward their families, and high self-concepts.
Long-term carvedilol therapy increases parasympathetic nervous system activity in chronic congestive heart failure

Abstract Treatment with carvedilol produced striking increases in parasympathetic nervous system activity in patients with moderate to severe CHF. This effect of carvedilol is greater in patients with higher pretreatment heart rates.
Mechanisms for Silanol Formation on Amorphous Silica Fracture Surfaces

Amorphous SiO 2 fracture surfaces created under different partial pressures of water vapor (p H2 O) were analyzed using temperature-programmed static secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The results were used to develop an atomistic model for the formation of a fracture surface. It was found that substantial reconstruction of the SiO 2 fracture surface took place immediately after the fracture event. Formation of the fracture surface was modeled as three individual steps-rupture of Si-O-Si bonds to form dangling Si * and Si-O * bonds, reconstruction and relaxation of the surface to form both strained and unstrained siloxane bonds, and, lastly, reaction of H 2 O molecules with strained siloxane bonds to form surface silanol groups. The final concentration of surface silanol groups was found to have only a weak dependence on the p H2 O in the ambient atmosphere during the fracture process. It was also found that the number of strained siloxane bonds on the SiO 2 fracture surface could be substantially reduced by heat treatment of the glass under vacuum.
S6-5 Role of cystathionine-beta synthase and its product, hydrogen sulfide in cancer biology

In colorectal and ovarian cancer, increased production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) plays an important role in promoting cellular bioenergetics, proliferation and migration. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic silencing of CBS exerts antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, and potentiates the efficacy of current standard-of-care anticancer therapeutics. In this four-part presentation, we will first summarize recently published studies documenting a critical role for CBS-dependent H2S production in cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Second, we will discuss the state-of-the-art of CBS activity modulation with special reference to allosteric CBS activators (such as S-adenosylmethionine) and pharmacological CBS inhibitors of various classes including the complex pharmacology of aminooxyacetic acid. Third, we will present new experimental evidence designed to reconcile a controversy in the literature regarding the apparently contradictory effects of H2S donors on cancer cell proliferation and survival. Finally, we will discuss current and future strategies for targeting cancer cell H2S-production in the development of novel anticancer therapies.
SEVERITY OF PLATELET DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY PROPHYLACTIC INDOMETHACIN IN THE PREMATURE

The effect of indomethacin [I] upon platelet dysfunction in the very-low-birth-weight infant was assessed during an investigator-blind trial of [I] prophylaxis for patent ductus arteriosus. Sixty-one inborn infants were randomized by birth weight (Group A: <900 gm; Group B: 900-1300 gm) to receive either placebo [P] or [I]. The first dose (0.2 mg/kg), given within 12 hours after birth, was followed by two q 12 hourly doses (0.1 mg/kg each). Platelet count (PC) and bleeding time (BT) were obtained prior to Dose # 1, twice within 1-72 hours following dose # 3, and at 1 week postnatal age. Pre-dose #1, mean PC and BT were normal in all groups. PC declined significantly during the first postnatal week in all groups. Maximum BT ≥10 min. post-dose # 3 was noted in 6/10 [P] and 9/10[I]infants in Group A and 3/20 [P] and 17/19 [I] infants in Group B; p<0.001. In Group A, severely abnormal PC (<75,000/mm3) rather than platelet dysfunction may have affected BT in 5 [P] infants, whereas only 1[I] infant had PC <75,000/mm3. By one week postnatal age, BT had returned to normal(<6 min) in the majority of [I] infants in both groups A and B.
Tubal plastic operations.

A less than adequate Doctors survey (only 734 of 4900 physicians answered) and a personal patient series were combined to present the following data concerning tubal plastic operations for restoration of fertility. When the etiology of the tubal disorder was traced to tubal ligation which was true in 3 cases there were 0 complications and 33.3% are now positive by the Rubens test and 33.3% have experienced pregnancies. In the 2 women with salpingectomy as the etiological cause of infertility there were 0 complications no positive Rubens tests and no pregnancies. 5 cases suffering from isthmica nodosa resulted in 1 complication postsurgery a 75% Rubens positivity and 0% pregnancies. Pelvic or adnexal infection-caused infertility was corrected in 19 women with 2 complications 47% Rubins positivity and 11.1% pregnancies. The totals (including 7 service patients from another physician) show that from a total of 36 cases undergoing surgical intervention to repair tubal maladies (from 1948-1955) there were 3 complications 54.8% Rubins positivity and 11.1% pregnancies. The various operative procedures used for each underlying condition are breezily described and the bulk of the text is 5 figures depicting various abdominal approaches and surgical instrumentation.
Color images in telepathology: How many colors do we need?

Abstract It is generally assumed that for telepathology, accurate depiction of microscopic images requires the use of "true color" (ie, 24 bits, eight bits each for red, green, and blue) in the digitized image used for transmission. If such a 24-bit color image file, which provides a palette of 16.7 million colors, could be reduced in size by decreasing the possible numbers of colors displayed in the image to 8 bits (palette of 256 colors), the image files would require less storage space, could be transmitted more rapidly, and would require less telecommunications bandwidth. However, such color reduction must not result in detectable image degradation, especially if the images are to be used for diagnosis. Therefore, we performed a carefully controlled study to determine whether pathologists could detect differences in the quality of microscopic images that were reduced from 24 to 8 bits of color. Thirty pathologists were each asked to view a set of 30 image pairs displayed on a computer monitor. Each image pair consisted of the original 24-bit color version and an 8-bit color-reduced version, derived using an adaptive color reduction algorithm with diffusion dithering. Observers were asked whether they could detect any difference in quality between the image pairs. Then, regardless of their answer, they were asked to choose the better quality image of the pair. Overall, there was not a statistically significant ability to consciously detect differences between the image pairs ( P P
Silence of the Rings

Two recent papers (de Napoles et al., 2004 and Wang et al., 2004) have linked monoubiquitylation of histone H2A to the activities of E3 ubiquitin ligases that reside in Polycomb-group repressor complexes.
Elastic and inelastic scattering of electrons by atomic manganese

Electron scattering by manganese has been studied in the 10-100 eV impact energy and 10-130 degrees angular ranges. In certain energy and angular ranges cross sections for several inelastic processes exceed those associated with elastic scattering. The angular distributions which characterise optically spin-allowed and spin-forbidden transitions involving singlet and triplet states in the case of light elements seem to apply to transitions among states of high spin multiplicity. Differential, integral and momentum-transfer cross sections for elastic scattering and excitation of the y6P, z6P, a6D, a4P, z4P and z8P states have been obtained at 20 eV impact energy. The cross sections were normalised to the absolute scale by using the optical f value of the z6P excitation.
Cost Effectiveness of Early Treatment with Oral Aciclovir in Adult Chickenpox

Treatment of adult chickenpox with aciclovir is controversial because of the relatively high cost of medication and small proven benefits of therapy. A decision-tree model was used to estimate the cost effectiveness of aciclovir, from third-party payer and societal perspectives: the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was calculated for aciclovir treatment of chickenpox compared with no antiviral therapy in immunocompetent adults who presented within 24 hours of the onset of chickenpox rash. Incremental costs for aciclovir compared with no antiviral treatment were 42,900 US dollars per QALY gained, when viewed from a third-party payer perspective; however, results are sensitive to variation of clinical parameters. From a societal perspective, aciclovir therapy was cost saving compared with no antiviral treatment; aciclovir remained cost saving or cost effective (less than 50,000 US dollars per QALY gained) when probabilities, quality-of-life utility values and costs were varied within clinically plausible ranges, and when other scenarios for chickenpox severity and aciclovir effectiveness were examined. From a societal perspective, oral aciclovir is cost effective, and perhaps cost saving, when given within 24 hours of rash onset in adult chickenpox. The argument for antiviral use may be less strong when viewed from the perspective of a third-party payer.
The association of beta-2 adrenoceptor genotype with short-cervix mediated preterm birth: a case-control study

Objective To determine whether β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) genotype is associated with shortening of the cervix or with preterm birth (PTB) risk among women with a short cervix in the second trimester. Design A case–control ancillary study to a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Setting Fourteen participating centres of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Population Four hundred thirty-nine women, including 315 with short cervix and 124 with normal cervical length. Methods Nulliparous women with cervical length <30 mm upon a 16–22-week transvaginal sonogram and controls frequency-matched for race/ethnicity with cervical lengths ≥40 mm were studied. β2AR genotype was determined at positions encoding for amino acid residues 16 and 27. Main outcome measures Genotype distributions were compared between case and control groups. Within the short cervix group, pregnancy outcomes were compared by genotype, with a primary outcome of PTB <37 weeks. Results Genotype data were available at position 16 for 433 women and at position 27 for 437. Using a recessive model testing for association between short cervix and genotype, and adjusted for ethnicity, there was no statistical difference between cases and controls for Arg16 homozygosity (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.3) or Gln27 homozygosity (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.3–2.7). Among cases, Arg16 homozygosity was not associated with protection from PTB or spontaneous PTB. Gln27 homozygosity was not associated with PTB risk, although sample size was limited. Conclusions β2AR genotype does not seem to be associated with short cervical length or with PTB following the second-trimester identification of a short cervix. Influences on PTB associated with β2AR genotype do not appear to involve a short cervix pathway.
Health maintenance organizations, financial incentives, and physicians' judgments.

Excerpt Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) use financial incentives to influence physicians' clinical decisions (1). Although many physicians claim that they are somehow immune to these measur...
Optical spikes in a free electron laser: theory and experiment

Abstract It is shown that the nonlinear dynamics of the radiation field in a free electron laser (FEL) can be modeled by the Ginzburg-Landau equation. The refractive index of the electron beam in the nonlinear regime and the saturation intensity of the radiation field is obtained from a WKB theory. Though the Ginzburg-Landau equation does not permit soliton solutions, it is shown that certain types of solitary wave solutions bear a strong resemblance to spikes observed in simulations and experiments. In particular, we describe experiments on spikes in the Columbia FEL facility.
Investigation of plasma-grown planar alumina films for use in the modeling of bulk alumina

Abstract The use of plasma-assisted oxidation of aluminum for preparation of planar alumina is explored as a method of preparing pure alumina for applications in modeling of bulk alumina catalysts. Preparation of alumina films by this method has been found to avoid many of the problems associated with other methods of alumina film preparation, such as inclusion of electrolyte counter-ions and contaminants from solution as encountered in the anodic or sol-gel methods or limitations on thickness of the film found in thermal oxidation studies. In this study, optimization of the plasma parameters for growth of the desired product is carried out through analysis of the product by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The investigation of plasma-grown alumina films using XPS has shown that the crystalline transition temperature is significantly reduced for these films. Its suitability for use as a model in investigating alumina catalysis is confirmed.
Understanding travel expenditure patterns: a study of Japanese pleasure travelers to the United States by income level

Abstract Japanese travelers have been one of the largest groups of travelers to the United States. Given the importance of Japanese travel, an understanding of expenditure patterns is vital to travel organizers and destination marketers. Using the 1997 In-Flight Survey data, this study profiled Japanese pleasure travelers by income level and investigated the determinants of travel expenditure in the US. Marketing implications were drawn from the findings. Several socio-demographic and trip-related variables including age, occupation, travel companion, number of nights spent in the US, and repeat visit were found to significantly contribute to explaining expenditure variations. The findings should be useful to tourism marketers for a better understanding of Japanese pleasure travelers and travel consumption behavior in the US.
Adaptive Radar Beamforming for Interference Mitigation in Radar-Wireless Spectrum Sharing

The key to the feasibility of spectrum sharing between radar and wireless systems is effective mainlobe interference mitigation processing by the radar. Traditional array processing is capable to cancel sidelobe interferences only. This letter presents an innovative beamforming approach, the first of its kind, to eliminate wireless interference in both mainlobe and sidelobe directions based on a coherent phase-coding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar platform. The theoretical proof and conditions of simultaneous mainlobe interference cancellation and target detection using coherent MIMO radar are mathematically derived and numerically verified. The simulation results demonstrate the radar can effectively eliminate wireless interferences from base stations and mobile handsets during spectrum-sharing.
Dynamic event trees in accident sequence analysis: application to steam generator tube rupture

Abstract A dynamic event tree method for analyzing the risk associated with dynamic nuclear power plant accident sequences is presented. The method provides a framework for treating stochastic variations in operating crew states (defined by substrates characterizing the accident diagnosis, the planned actions, and the crew quality) as well as stochastic variations in hardware states. Plant process variables are treated deterministically; they are used when determining the likelihood of stochastic branchings. The method is used in an analysis of a steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accident; it is shown that a number of important operator behavior patterns can be reasonably represented, and that, comparing with conventional event trees, sources of dependencies between failure events can be better defined.
DEGASSING KINETICS AND SORPTION EQUILIBRIUM OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN FRESH ROASTED AND GROUND COFFEE

Carbon dioxide produced by both the Strecker degradation reaction (Maillard reaction) and carbohydrate pyrolysis during high temperature roasting of coffee, and trapped in the fresh roasted and ground (FRG) coffee, is one of the major problems in the industry. Coffee solids can entrap or sorb up to 10 mL CO 2 /g. The eventual evolution of this carbon dioxide during storage after packaging in flexible films can cause the bursting of the package. A good understanding of the mechanism that governs carbon-dioxide evolution and equilibrium in FRG coffee will provide true control over carbon dioxide release and equilibrium in the package. The objective of this study was to establish the equilibrium parameters of carbon-dioxide sorption/desorption, and determine the rate of carbon-dioxide diffusion from the ground coffee. Carbon dioxide sorption in FRG coffee is best described by the Langmuir isotherm. A higher degree of roasting resulted in an increase of CO 2 sorption in the coffee. The degassing kinetics of CO 2 from FRG coffee followed an exponential pattern, described by a series expansion function, which forms the basis for the simplified Crank solution. The range of diffusivities of the various roasts was at 10 -14 to 10 -15 m 2 /s. The temperature effect on the diffusivity can be described by the Arrhenius equation, with activation energy of 73.6 kJ/mole.
How should we ethically justify alcohol warning labels? Thinking more broadly about risk, benefit, and efficacy.

We agree with Louise and colleagues (2015) that the ethical justifications for alcohol warning labels are currently underdeveloped. Their work is a valuable contribution to our understanding of how...
A statistical theory for mass transfer near interfaces

Abstract A statistical theory for mass transfer near fluid—fluid and solid—fluid planar interfaces is developed using the method of projection operators applied to the convective—diffusion equation. A first order smoothing approximation gives a closed integro-differential equation for the mean concentration; a local differential equation results under certain restrictive conditions. For a simplified one-dimensional model, the mass transfer coefficient is related to the structure of the turbulence by a space—time correlation for velocity oscillations near the interface. A unique feature of the theory is that it accounts for the effect of diffusive damping on concentration fluctuations. The dependence of the Sherwood number on the Schmidt number is consistent with experiments for both free and rigid interfaces.
The morphogen signaling network in forebrain development and holoprosencephaly.

Forebrain development is directed by secreted signaling molecules known as morphogens, and morphogen signaling defects often lead to failed midline induction and holoprosencephaly (HPE), the most common malformation of the human forebrain. Genetic studies in multiple organisms implicate 4 well-known morphogens or morphogen families-Nodal, Sonic hedgehog, Fibroblast growth factors, and Bone morphogenetic proteins-as causes of HPE. Here I review the roles of these morphogens in HPE and forebrain midline development. In particular, this review focuses on recent evidence for cross-regulatory interactions between morphogens, which lead to a signaling network model of forebrain development that can explain the distinctive HPE phenotypes seen in humans and animal models.
Sleep apnea and cervical spine pathology

Sleep apnea is a multi-factorial disease with a variety of identified causes. With its close proximity to the upper airway, the cervical spine and its associated pathologies can produce sleep apnea symptoms in select populations. The aim of this article was to summarize the literature discussing how cervical spine pathologies may cause sleep apnea. A search of the PubMed database for English-language literature concerning the cervical spine and its relationship with sleep apnea was conducted. Seventeen published papers were selected and reviewed. Single-lesion pathologies of the cervical spine causing sleep apnea include osteochondromas, osteophytes, and other rare pathologies. Multifocal lesions include rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine and endogenous cervical fusions. Furthermore, occipital–cervical misalignment pre- and post-cervical fusion surgery may predispose patients to sleep apnea. Pathologies of the cervical spine present significant additional etiologies for producing obstructive sleep apnea in select patient populations. Knowledge of these entities and their pathophysiologic mechanisms is informative for the clinician in diagnosing and managing sleep apnea in certain populations.
Plutonism in Pan-African belts and the geologic evolution of northeastern Africa

Abstract Plutonic igneous rocks of Pan-African belts (500–600 m.y. age) in Africa can be described in terms of three types of assemblages: (1) migmatites formed largely by remobilization of pre-existing sialic crust during Pan-African time; (2) calcalkaline batholithic suites formed in association with subduction of oceanic crust; and (3) alkali-rich, post-tectonic granites. Many suites cannot be placed precisely in one of these categories, either because of intermediate (gradational) characteristics or because of lack of adequate information. Distinction of rocks formed during Pan-African time from older ones whose radiometric clocks were reset at that time is also difficult. The rock suites are very unevenly distributed geographically. Migmatites formed by ensialic crustal remobilization occur mostly in southern and central Africa. Calcalkaline suites occur in north Africa, particularly the northeast. Alkali-rich granites are virtually restricted to the northeastern portion of the continent, the one major part of Africa not occupied by an Archean shield. Evidence for subduction of oceanic crust is also restricted to northeastern Africa. The geologic history proposed for northeastern Africa is as follows: During, and immediately preceding, Pan-African time an ocean basin of uncertain size and shape occurred between the West African and Nubian-Arabian shields. Subduction zones were active on the margins and within the basin. During, and at the end of, Pan-African time extensive development of alkali-rich granites was associated with cratonization of the basin. Paleozoic sediments were then deposited under platform conditions on the newly formed craton, which showed mild epeirogenic activity throughout the Phanerozoic.
Biomarker identification by knowledge-driven multi-scale independent component analysis

Many statistical methods have been proposed to identify biomarkers from gene expression profiles. However, from expression data alone, statistical methods often fail to identify biologically meaningful biomarkers related to a specific biological process or disease under study. In this paper, we develop a novel strategy, namely knowledge-driven multi-scale independent component analysis (ICA), to infer regulatory signals and identify biologically relevant biomarkers from microarray data. Specifically, based on partial prior knowledge and clustering results, we apply ICA to find the most knowledge relevant linear regulatory mode in each subset of genes and then extract associated biomarkers according to their weighted loading factors. We have applied our method to a yeast cell cycle microarray dataset to find cell cycle regulated biomarkers. The experimental results indicate that our knowledge-driven multi-scale ICA method outperforms both baseline ICA method and correlation method significantly.
Book Review of A Dream Deferred: How Social Work Education Lost Its Way and What Can Be Done

Brij Mohan, Dean Emeritus at Louisiana State University and a member of Poverty and Public Policy's editorial board, reviews this book that is centered around the state of education in the social work field.
A sea-floor spreading event captured by seismometers.

Two-thirds of Earth's surface is formed at mid-ocean ridges, yet sea-floor spreading events are poorly understood because they occur far beneath the ocean surface. At 9°50'N on the East Pacific Rise, ocean-bottom seismometers recently recorded the microearthquake character of a mid-ocean ridge eruption, including precursory activity. A gradual ramp-up in activity rates since seismic monitoring began at this site in October 2003 suggests that eruptions may be forecast in the fast-spreading environment. The pattern culminates in an intense but brief (∼6-hour) inferred diking event on 22 January 2006, followed by rapid tapering to markedly decreased levels of seismicity.
Vema trench: western Indian Ocean

Abstract The greatest known depth in the western Indian Ocean, 3501 fm (6402 m) at 09° 8′S lat., 67° 15'E long., lies in a narrow trench which cuts across the axis of the Mid-Oceanic Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge).
Polyadenylic acid sequences in RNA able to transfer specific delayed type hypersensitiviry in vitro

Abstract Ribonucleic acid-rich extracts otbained from the spleens or lymph nodes of guinea pigs skin test sensitive to keyhold-limpet-hemocyanin (KLH) or coccidioidin were subjected to oligo(dT)-cellulose affinity chromatography. Two separate fractions were obtained from the extracts. One fraction eluted in the void volume of the column and is designated as Fraction I, and the other binding to the column, and presumably containing polyadenylic acid sequences, is designated as Fraction II. Fraction II was able to transfer specific KLH or coccidioidin sensitivity to nonsensitized GP-PEC in 18 experiments utilizing the agarose droplet cell-migration-inhibition correlate of delayed hypersensitivity. Fraction I eluted in the void volume of the column was unable to transfer KLH or coccidioidin sensitivity to GP-PEC. These results suggest that RNA able to transfer specific delayed sensitivity in this system possesses polyadenylic acid sequences characteristic of messenger RNA found in other systems.
Psychiatry beleaguered: or the psychiatric identity crisis.

The interdisciplinary exchange of skills and ideas during the past decade has taken up much of the time and energy of psychiatrists. To continue its own unique contribution to mental health and to medicine, psychiatry should reaffirm the primacy of its clinical orientation as a specialty of medicine, and should concentrate its major efforts on the delivery of quality patient care.
Existence theory for nonlinear eigenvalue problems

In this article, we study nonlinear boundary value problems of the form, with boundary conditions The λ we refer to is an eigenvalue of the associated linear Sturm–Liouville problem. We establish sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions to the nonlinear boundary value problem.
ESR spectroscopic evidence for hydration- and temperature-dependent spatial perturbations of a higher plant cell wall paramagnetic ion lattice

Abstract To study the influence of cell wall polyuronide structure on bound paramagnetic ion interactions, spin-spin coupling measurements were made on intact cell walls exchanged with a wide range fo Mn2+ and Cu2+ concentrations. These experiments were performed so that dimer-only intercationic nearest neighbor distances (d) and lattice constants (κ) could be calculated from the linewidth-concentration dependency. d values were estimated to be 12 and 14 A for Cu2+ and Mn2+, respectively. At the maximal bound ion concentration, κ was 2.3–2.6, indicating that about 5–7 paramagnetic ion nearest neighbor spin-spin interactions occur per dipole in the nearly filled lattice. This latter observation strongly argues for the egg-box model of the cell wall-polyuronide lattice structure. Mn2+ linewidths of hydrated cell wall-bound paramagnetic ions displayed an unusual temperature dependency, whereby linewidths increased between 20°C and the temperature at which maximal linewidths were observed (Tmax). Tmax was inversely proportional to the degree of lattice hydration, indicating that the temperature dependency was not associated with the freezing of bound water. The relative change in Mn2+ linewidths, between 20°C and Tmax, was affected by binding site-associated 1H spin-lattice relaxation times, indicating that the temperature dependency is at least partially controlled by cell wall polyuronide structure.