cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties of Si/sub 3/N/sub 4//Si/sub x/Ge/sub 1-x/ metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors

The density of fast interface states was studied in Si3N4/Si0.8Ge0.2 metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) capacitors. The interface state density does not appear to be strongly affected by the presence of a thin Si interlayer between the nitride and SiGe alloy. This is in contrast to the results when SiO2 is used as the insulator material in similar structures.
IMMUNOGLOBULIN G RECEPTOR-MEDIATED PHAGOCYTOSIS BY THE PIGMENTED EPITHELIUM OF THE CILIARY PROCESSES

The current ultrastructural study of cultured explants of bovine and rabbit posterior ciliary processes using immunoglobulin (Ig) G-opsonized red blood cells (E-IgG) showed specific IgG Fc receptor-mediated attachment, ingestion, and digestion of IgG-coated erythrocytes by the pigmented epithelium (PE). Nonpigmented epithelial cells (NPE) in the cultured explants and a transformed cell line of bovine NPE, with and without lymphokine stimulation, did not have IgG-receptor activity. The interaction between PE and E-IgG involved the extension of micropseudopods toward adherent E-IgG, the formation of a linear uniform cap of roughly 200 A between opposing cell membranes, the ingestion of E-IgG by PE into a membrane-lined compartment, and the disintegration of the ingested ligand into membranous debris. Disintegration of some surface-associated E-IgG was also observed and was consistent with the release of a lytic substance by the receptor-activated PE.
Increased μ-opioid receptor labeling is found on inner molecular layer terminals of the dentate gyrus following seizures

The hippocampal formation is a brain region sensitive to seizure development, a phenomenon thought to be mediated in part by μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activation. Previous studies have found a delayed increase in MOR immunoreactivity (IR) in the inner molecular layer (IML) of the dentate gyrus after experimentally induced seizures. However, whether these increases in MOR-IR are restricted to certain cell types or cellular compartments (i.e., presynaptic, postsynaptic, or glial profiles) has not been determined. Thus, the present study examined which subcellular profiles demonstrate changes in MOR-IR after kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. Light microscopic (LM) analysis demonstrated seizure-induced increases in MOR-IR at three points of the IML (dorsal blade, ventral blade, and crest) at three levels of section (septal, mid-septotemporal, and temporal). Electron microscopic analysis of the IML revealed that MOR-IR was present in the same types of cellular profiles in both control and KA-treated rats. However, a significant increase in the number of MOR-labeled terminal profiles was revealed in KA-treated rats compared to controls. Additionally, some MOR-labeled terminals in KA-treated rats possessed excitatory-type morphology and contained enkephalin or dynorphin, peptides found in mossy fiber terminals. These data suggest that most of the seizure-induced increases in MOR expression in the IML are associated with terminals originating from several different neuronal populations, including granule cells, and possibly, surviving GABAergic interneurons, septal cholinergic, and/or supramamillary projection neurons.
Detection of Alexandrium tamarensis by rapid PCR analysis

Alexandrium tamarensis is a toxigenic dinoflagellate found in coastal waters worldwide. A critical factor in alleviating the health and economic threats posed by this species is the development of a rapid and reliable method for detection. This study stream-lined a labor- and resource-intensive protocol for the isolation of A. tamarensis ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Subcultures of A. tamarensis were established in water samples from several coastal Atlantic sites. A commercial DNA isolation kit protocol for cultured cells was used for isolation of the dinoflagellate DNA. Samples were amplified by PCR using primers specific for a 700-bp sequence of A. tamarensis rDNA. It was determined that this method facilitated the detection of 10(-4) ng/microL of A. tamarensis DNA. Furthermore, the kit enabled A. tamarensis to be isolated from the water sources with little signal degradation. This is a valuable technique for the rapid detection of A. tamarensis, even before cell numbers are large enough for morphological identification.
An intelligent debater for teaching argumentation

Despite the growing number of ITSs for teaching argumentation, few tutors actually debate the student An intelligent debater allows the student to practice argumentation and provides the motivation to analyze evidence Here I describe an intelligent debater used in Policy World to argue with students about policy recommendations The intelligent debater forces the student to recommend a policy intervention, to describe how the intervention affects the desired policy outcomes, and to provide evidence The debater then attacks infeasible recommendations, implausible mechanisms, and weak evidence Key aspects of the intelligent debater algorithm are presented for those interested in using intelligent debaters in science, law, and history.
Effect of Carbon Source on Size and Associated Properties of Bacillus megaterium Spores

The size of the spores produced by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213 depended upon the nature of the carbon source present in the defined medium in which they were produced. Homogeneous preparations of small (0.38 mum(3)), nearly spherical spores were produced after batch culture in the presence of 2.8 mm citrate, and large (1.17 mum(3)), oblong spores were produced by replacement culture in the presence of 7.35 mm acetate. Large and small spores had approximately the same deoxyribonucleic acid content, density, and heat resistance. Large spores contained about 2.5 times the dipicolinic acid, glucosamine, ribonucleic acid, Mn(2+), and lipid and about 1.5 times the Mg(2+), Fe(2+), Ca(2+), and dry weight of small spores. Large spores were especially enriched in Zn(2+) (4.5-fold). More protein (1.5-fold) was extracted from small spores with 1 n NaOH than from large spores, possibly indicating a difference in the spore coats, but large spores contained about twice the Kjeldahl nitrogen of small spores. A difference in the coats may account for the fact that, unlike small spores, large spores showed improved germination with increased times and temperature of heat shocking. The possibility of determining the location of some of these substances within the spore by comparing the compositional ratios with estimated volumes of specific spore layers is discussed.
The language dependent recall effect influences the number of items recalled in autobiographical memory reports

This study investigated the influence of the language dependent recall effect on the number of memory items recalled in bilingual adults’ autobiographical memories. Thirty-nine Spanish–English bilinguals were randomly assigned to receive task instructions and write one childhood memory (before age 10) and one recent memory (from the last five years) in either Spanish (Bi-Sp) or English (Bi-Eng). Twenty English monolinguals served as a control group. Memory items were coded by calculating the proportion of nouns, verbs, and adjectives relative to the total word count. When recalling childhood memories, but not recent memories Bi-Sp participants were more likely to experience a match between encoding and retrieval linguistic contexts than Bi-Eng participants. Consequently, Bi-Sp participants recalled a significantly greater proportion of nouns than Bi-Eng participants. In contrast, there were no significant differences in recent memories. These findings suggest that match between encoding and retrieval ling...
Skeletons and techniques for the systematic development of constraint logic programs

We study the systematic development of constraint logic programs from the viewpoint of "skeletons and techniques" as described by M. Kirschenbaum et al. (1994). We describe a number of fundamental skeleton classes for CLP, and generalize the notion of skeletons to deal with non-structural recursion. Then we describe a range of useful techniques for extending these skeletons. Furthermore, we introduce important classes of techniques that alter the control flow of skeletons in certain well-defined and desirable ways. >
ORGANIZED ASSEMBLIES OF SURFACTANTS IN SOLUTION, AND THE DYNAMICS OF W/O MICROEMULSIONS

Abstract The content of this thematic issue is intended to promote communication and collaboration between the research communities of pure liquids and complex fluids. In this article, a brief overview is given of self-organization in general, organized assemblies, the main questions of inquiry, and the methodologies applied. In the last section, results of some of the work of our own laboratory on the dynamics of water-in-oil microemulsions are reviewed.
Effects of cortisone on bone metabolism in intact and thyroidectomized rabbits

Adult male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the following groups: 1) control, no treatment; 2) cortisone acetate (CA) 5 mg/kg body weight/day intramuscularly; 3) total thyroidectomy with daily replacement of 25 μg thyroxine given intramuscularly as in Group 2; 4) total thyroidectomy with thyroxine replacement as above and CA treatment as in Group 2. After 21, 28, and 35 days of treatment, the femora and vertebral bodies were examined histologically, roentgenographically, and by determination of mass per unit volume. Ribs, femora and vertebral bodies were analyzed for total calcium, hydroxyproline, and hexosaminecollagen ratio. Serial determinations of serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus were also made. Cortisone-treated animals, intact or thyroidectomized, had decreased bone mass, but by all parameters the decrease was more significant in Group 4. Since these animals were known to be euthyroid but calcitonin-deficient, the decreased bone mass observed in Group 4 may be correlated with CT insufficiency. These observations suggest that endogenous CT contributes to the maintenance of bone mass in the early stages of hyperadrenocorticism, possibly by offsetting hyperactivity of the parathyroid gland.
Validation of DSM-IV Model of Psychiatric Syndromes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The objective of this study was to assess the internal construct validity of the DSM-IV as a conceptual model for characterizing behavioral syndromes in children with ASD. Parent and teachers completed the Child Symptom Inventory-4, a DSM-IV-referenced rating scale, for 6-to-12 year old clinic referrals with an ASD (N = 498). Ratings were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis and models were assessed for fit. Results were also compared to those obtained for a sample of non-ASD psychiatric outpatient school-age children. Fit indices ranged from acceptable to good for the ASD samples and compared well to those obtained in typically developing children. Findings lend support to the notion that DSM-IV syndromes may be an appropriate conceptual model for characterizing psychopathology in ASD.
A note on periodic points for ergodic toral automorphisms

We prove that the periodic point measures are dense in the space or invariant measures for ergodic toral automorphisms.
An experimental comparison of the effectiveness of the all-uses and all-edges adequacy criteria

An experimental comparison of the effectiveness of the all-uses and all-edges test data adequacy criteria was performed. A large number of test sets was randomly generated for each of nine subject programs with subtle errors. For each test set, the percentages of (executable) edges and definition-use associations covered were measured and it was determined whether the test set exposed an error. Hypothesis testing was used to investigate whether all-uses adequate test sets are more likely to expose errors than are all-edges adequate test sets. All-uses was shown to be significantly more effective than all-edges for five of the subjects; moreover, for four of these, all-uses appeared to guarantee detection of the error. Further analysis showed that in four subjects, all-uses adequate test sets appeared to be more effective than all-edges adequate test sets of the same size. Logistic regression showed that in some, but not all of the subjects there was a strong positive correlation between the percentage of definition-use associations covered by a test set and its error-exposing ability.
Pregnancy-associated major basic protein in amniotic fluid

The pregnancy-associated major basic protein, a protein elevated in the sera of all pregnant women, is virtually identical to the eosinophil granule major basic protein. To determine whether pregnancy-associated major basic protein is present in amniotic fluid, we examined samples from both early and late gestation by a double antibody radioimmunoassay. A total of 112 amniotic fluids were tested and all but three contained levels of pregnancy-associated major basic protein greater than 400 ng/ml. Amniotic fluid pregnancy-associated major basic protein antigenic activity was immunochemically identical to that of the eosinophil granule major basic protein and also had identical physicochemical properties such as heat stability and the need for reduction and alkylation. Although the majority of amniotic fluid samples (90 of 112) were obtained from healthy women with normal gestations, the remaining 21 amniotic fluid samples were from women with Rh sensitization and from one gestation complicated by intrauterine growth retardation.
Pore-bridging poly(dimethylsiloxane) membranes as selective interfaces for vapor-phase chemical sensing.

A new kind of polymer-based sensor is described in which the experimental parameters controlling selectivity and sensitivity are decoupled. The sensor is based on a surface acoustic wave (SAW) gravimetric transducer modified with a high-surface-area, nanoporous alumina coating. A very thin (∼40 nm) poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating resides atop the porous alumina structure. In this configuration, the total surface area of the nanoporous alumina coating controls the sensitivity of the device, while the chemical properties of the PDMS membrane control selectivity. In conventional polymer-based sensors, the polymer plays the dual role of controlling both selectivity (via the chemical composition of the coating) and sensitivity (via the volume of the film). In this paper, we show that PDMS acts as a chemically selective gate that absorbs polar and nonpolar VOCs but does not transport these analytes to the underlying pore volume. In contrast, water vapor is absorbed by the PDMS to a very minor extent but i...
Poetry in a New Race Era

A growing literary arts movement is shaping discourses about youth and youth culture. With the historic election of President Obama serving as a departure point, this essay calls attention to poetry and the new race era to offer insights into the power of writing. For many youth who write in their own contexts or compete in the Brave New Voices Poetry Slam Festival, for example, such themes as voice, identity, citizenship, and leadership in the twenty-first century reveal how language is used to expose social realities often steeped in the margins. What do these themes suggest about the possibilities of poetry in a new race era? Indeed, what do they convey about inhabiting a new race era? Examples that tackle these themes are included in the essay.
A Highly Conserved Large Molecular Weight Cyclophilin of Filarial Parasites

Abstract Hong, X., Ma, D., Page, A. P., Kumar, S., and Carlow, C. K. S. 1998. A highly conserved large molecular weight cyclophilin of filarial parasites. Experimental Parasitology 88 , 246–251.
Flexible spacecraft maneuver: Inverse attitude control and modal stabilization☆

A control law is presented for three-axis rotational maneuvers of a spacecraft (orbiter)-beam-tip body (antenna or a reflector) configuration based on nonlinear inversion and modal velocity feedback. Using invertibility and functional reproducibility results, a decoupling attitude control law is presented such that, in the closed-loop system, the attitude angles of the spacecraft are independently controlled using the control moments acting on the space vehicle. This controller asymptotically decouples the flexible dynamics from the rigid one and also allows the decomposition of the elastic dynamics into two subsystems representing the transverse deflections of the beam in two orthogonal planes. These low-order subsystems are used for derivation of a modal velocity feedback stabilizer using the force and moment actuators at the end body. Simulation results are presented to show that, in the closed-loop system, attitude control and elastic mode stabilization are accomplished in spite of the parameter uncertainty and disturbance torque input in the system.
Accuracy of trajectory calculation in a finite-difference circulation model

Abstract The prediction of drifting object motion due to currents in an irregular body is a complex problem with a wide range of practical applications. Simple numerical methods for interpolating current velocity fields have spatial interpolation and time integration errors that result in misleading solutions. The method described in this paper minimizes these problems, yielding much more accurate predictions. This method can be easily implemented in other finite-difference models or finite-element models.
The life cycle of Brachycoelium mesorchium Byrd, 1937 (Trematoda: Digenea: Brachycoeliinae).

The terrestrial mollusks Triodopsis caroliniensis (LEA) and Mesodon inflectus (Say) served satisfactorily as the first intermediate hosts for Brachycoelium mesorchiumByrd, 1937. They, along with the other species exposed, served as second intermediate hosts. On losing its ciliated epidermal plates the miacidium became transformed into a syncytium having eight, large nuclei (the primary mass). The primary mass entered a blood vessel where all further development occurred. Within three weeks the mass developed into a multiloculated (compartmentalized) cyst-like organism, the compartments of which were incompletely surrounded by fibers and cells of the blood vessel's wall, strengthened by an accumulation of the host's connective tissue (reactive) cells. The “first generation” embryos developed (in situ) into elongated, sporocyst-like organisms enclosed in a supporting layer of host tissues. After six weeks the parasitic mass comprised many centers of growth, first generation organisms containing second generation embryos and a conglomerate of parasitic cells. By the ninth week the second generation embryos had developed (in situ) into thick-walled, tubular organisms possessing a prominent musculo-glandular, sucking apparatus and had a covering of fibers and cells derived from the host's tissues. As these redia-like forms aged they assumed many different shapes and sizes, although typically they were flask-shaped, with a tubular, neck-like part and a vesicular body: ultimately ranged from flask-shaped forms to individuals having two or more vesicular portions joined by longer or shorter, thick-walled tubular parts. Cercarial embryos filled most of their vesicular portions. The cercaria was tailless, and devoid of a stylus. On escaping from the mollusk it as completely encapsulated in mucous which sustained it for about six days. On being ingested by any of the several species of terrestrial mollusks available, the cercaria reentered the tissues and encysted as a metacercaria. These metacercariae developed into young flukes (some with eggs) within one, two or three weeks after being fed to larval (aquatic) stages of host salamanders, Eurycea bislineata cirrigera (Green) and Desmognathus fusca fuscaRafnesque.
Nuclear magnetic relaxation in the transition metals scandium, yttrium, lanthanum and yttrium dihydride

Abstract Nuclear spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times of 45 C, 89 Y and 139 La have been measured in the temperature range 1–4°K in the respective hexagonal metals Sc, Y and La, and in the cubic intermetallic compound YH 2 .
DISTRIBUTION OF NEURONS PROJECTING TO THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS CORRELATES WITH THICK CYTOCHROME OXIDASE STRIPES IN MACAQUE VISUAL AREA V2

In visual area V2 of macaque monkeys, cytochrome oxidase (CO) histochemistry reveals a pattern of alternating densely labeled thick and thin stripe compartments and lightly labeled interstripe compartments. This modular organization has been associated with functionally separate pathways in the visual system. We examined this idea further by comparing the pattern of CO stripes with the distribution of neurons in V2 that project to the superior colliculus. Visually evoked activity in the superior colliculus is known to be greatly reduced by blocking magnocellular but not parvocellular layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). From previous evidence that V2 thick stripes are closely associated with the magnocellular LGN pathway, we predicted that a significant proportion of V2 neurons projecting to the superior colliculus would reside in the thick stripes. To test this prediction, the tangential distribution of retrogradely labeled corticotectal cells in V2 was compared with the pattern of CO stripes. We found that neurons projecting to the superior colliculus accumulated preferentially into band-like clusters that were in alignment with alternate CO dense stripes. These stripes were identified as thick stripes on the basis of their physical appearance and/or by their affinity to the monoclonal antibody Cat-301. A significantly smaller proportion of labeled cells was observed in thin and interstripe compartments. These data provide further evidence that the spatial distribution of subcortically projecting neurons can correlate with the internal modular organization of visual areas. Moreover, they support the notion that CO compartments in V2 are associated with functionally different pathways.
Activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon trans-dihydrodiol proximate carcinogens by human aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C) enzymes and their functional overexpression in human lung carcinoma (A549) cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are environmental pollutants and suspected human lung carcinogens. In patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma, differential display shows that aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C) transcripts are dramatically overexpressed. However, whether AKR1C isoforms contribute to the carcinogenic process and oxidize potent PAHtrans-dihydrodiols (proximate carcinogens) to reactive and redox active o-quinones is unknown; nor is it known whether these reactions occur in human lungs. We now show that four homogeneous human recombinant aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1–AKR1C4) are regioselective and oxidize only the relevant non-K regiontrans-dihydrodiols. However, these enzymes are not stereo-selective, since they oxidized 100% of these racemic substrates. The highest utilization ratios (V max/K m ) were observed for some of the most potent proximate carcinogens known (e.g.7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol (DMBA-3,4-diol) and benzo[g]chrysene-11,12-diol). In vitro, DMBA-3,4-diol was oxidized by AKR1C4 to the highly reactive 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione (DMBA-3,4-dione), which was trapped in situ as its mono- and bis-thioether conjugates, which arise from the sequential 1,6- and 1,4-Michael addition of thiol nucleophiles. Human multiple tissue expression array analysis showed that AKR1C isoform transcripts were highly expressed in the human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Isoform-specific reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that AKR1C1, AKR1C2, and AKR1C3 transcripts were all expressed. Western blot analysis and functional assays confirmed high expression of AKR1C protein and enzyme activity in these lung cells. A549 cell lysates were found to convert DMBA-3,4-diol to the corresponding o-quinone. In trapping experiments, LC/MS analysis identified peaks in the cell lysates that corresponded to the synthetically prepared mono- and bis-thioether conjugates of DMBA-3,4-dione. This quinone is one of the most electrophilic and redox-active o-quinones produced by AKRs. Its unique ability to form bis-thioether conjugates parallels the formation of bis- and tris-glutathionyl conjugates of hydroquinone, which display end organ toxicity. The ability to measure DMBA-3,4-dione formation in A549 cells implicates the AKR pathway in the metabolic activation of PAH in human lung.
Bond strength and microleakage of porcelain repair materials

T he increased use of porcelain restorations engenders the need for a reliable porcelain repair system. Retention of restorative resins to dental porcelain is poor and difficult to attain. Commercial repair materials are used for all types of restorative materials, including porcelain, while others are specifically designed for porcelain fractures. Jochen and Caputo’ reported that the abrasion of the surface of the porcelain with a diamond rotary instrument increased the retention of the repair material. It is not known how important mechanical retention is compared with chemical retention of the resin. It seems that undercuts in the porcelain would enhance the bond of the repair material. Semmelman and Kulp’ evaluated silane as a bonding agent and concluded that silane increased the retention of porcelain denture teeth to acrylic resin. Newberg and Pameijer3 found that the use of a silane solution before bonding a composite resin to dental porcelain greatly increased the retention. Eames et a1.4~5 have also shown similar findings when using Fusion (George Taub Products, and Fusion Co., Jersey City, N.J.) before bonding restorative resins. They observed, after 1 year, that the retention was higher for all the materials and that with Fusion plus Concise (3M Co., Dental Products Div., St. Paul, Minn.) all the bond failures occurred in the porcelain. Highton and Caputo6 reported that Fusion, used with a composite resin, was superior to Den-Mat (Den-Mat Inc., Santa Maria, Calif.). Thirty-nine percent of the strength was regained after 3 months with the acrylic resin and 25% with the composite resin. Nowlin et al.’ reported that Fusion plus Concise was superior to Den-Mat and 18% of the original porcelain strength was regained.
Has Devolution Injured American Workers? State and Federal Enforcement of Construction Safety

Although the issue of regulatory devolution has received much scholarly scrutiny, rigorous empirical studies of its effects on important policy outcomes are scarce. This article explores the effects of partial regulatory devolution in the occupational safety arena by exploiting a unique historical anomaly whereby some US states enforce protective labor regulations that are enforced elsewhere by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Analyzing data from the construction industry, this article contains several important findings. First, state inspectors use traditional enforcement tools more sparingly than their federal counterparts, typically citing fewer violations and collecting lower fines per violation. Second, although federal enforcement significantly lowers the estimated frequency of nonfatal construction injuries, it also predicts a significant increase in occupational fatalities. I suggest that although higher underreporting of nonfatal injuries in federally regulated states could explain this puzzling finding, it is equally possible that different regulatory styles have different "comparative advantages" in deterring nonfatal injuries on one hand and occupational fatalities on the other. (JEL D73, D78, H73, I18, J08, J28, J88, K00, K23, K31, K32, L51, and L74) The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Distribution and correlates of serum high-density lipoprotein subclasses (LpA-I and LpA-I:A-II) in children from a biracial community. The Bogalusa heart study

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses are considered to differ in terms of antiatherogenic potential. Therefore, the distribution and correlates of serum lipoprotein A-I (LpA-I) and LpA-I:A-II were examined in a random community-based subsample of black (n = 1,021) and white (n = 1,087) children aged 5 to 17 years. Black children had significantly higher LpA-I levels than white children. With respect to LpA-I:A-II, prepubertal (age 5 to 10 years) black males and pubertal (age 11 to 17 years) white children showed significantly higher values than their counterparts. With the exception of the LpA-I:A-II difference among prepubertal males, the observed black-white difference was independent of the racial differential in serum triglycerides, a metabolic correlate of HDL. A significant sex differential (males > females) was noted among blacks and whites for both HDL subclasses, with the exception of LpA-I levels at the pubertal age. Among the pubertal age group, a male-female crossover trend (females > males) in LpA-I levels was apparent after age 14. Sexual maturation and age were the major factors (negative) contributing to the variability in the levels of HDL subclasses among race-sex groups; adiposity (negative), insulin (negative), alcohol intake (positive), and oral contraceptive use (positive) emerged as minor but significant predictor variables. In terms of a relation to other lipoprotein variables, LpA-I compared with LpA-I:A-II correlated much more strongly with HDL cholesterol. Unlike LpA-I, LpA-I:A-II was associated significantly (positively) with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. These findings are indicative of intrinsic metabolic differences among the race-sex groups early in life, resulting in variability in the HDL subclass pattern and attendant antiatherogenic potential.
Obesity does not increase mortality after emergency surgery.

Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of obesity on patient outcomes after emergency surgery. Methods. A list of all patients undergoing emergent general surgical procedures during the 12 months ending in July 2012 was obtained from the operating room log. A chart review was performed to obtain the following data: patient characteristics (age, gender, BMI, and preexisting comorbidities), indication for surgery, and outcomes (pulmonary embolus (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), respiratory failure, ICU admission, wound infection, pneumonia, and mortality). Obesity was defined as a BMI over 25. Comparisons of outcomes between obese and nonobese patients were evaluated using Fischer's exact test. Predictors of mortality were evaluated using logistic regression. Results. 341 patients were identified during the study period. 202 (59%) were obese. Both groups were similar in age (48 for obese versus 47 for nonobese, P = 0.42). Obese patients had an increased incidence of diabetes, (27% versus 7%, P < 0.05), hypertension (52% versus 34%, P < 0.05), and sleep apnea (0% versus 5%, P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant increased incidence of postoperative wound infection (obese 9.9% versus nonobese 4.3%, P < 0.05) and ICU admission (obese 58% versus nonobese 42%, P = 0.01) among the obese patients. Obesity alone was not shown to be a significant risk factor for mortality. Conclusions. A higher BMI is not an independent predictor of mortality after emergency surgery. Obese patients are at a higher risk of developing wound infections and requiring ICU admission after emergent general surgical procedure.
Lumbar isthmic defects in teenagers resulting from stress fractures.

Abstract Background context: An accepted classification of spondylolysis exists. However, etiology remains controversial. There are several reports supporting acquired stress fractures in the etiology of this condition, although radiographic evidence of an acquired fracture in a given individual is very rare. Purpose: To present evidence of development of pars defects during the teenage years. Study design/setting: Retrospective review of charts. Patient sample: Two case studies. Methods: Charts and X-rays were reviewed to look for radiographic evidence of development of pars defects in patients who were ultimately found to have spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis. Results: Two cases were found that demonstrated development of a pars fracture. Both patients had radiographic evidence that these fractures developed during their teenage years. Both were active individuals with a consistent level of participation in athletics. Conclusions: Although development of pars defects may be multifactorial, these two cases support the concept that these fractures can be acquired lesions resulting from repetitive stress injury. They also demonstrate that isthmic defects can arise in teenagers, in these cases in an athletic population.
Chronic treatment with naltrexone enhances morphine-stimulated dopamine neurotransmission: neurochemical and behavioral evidence.

Abstract Rats were implanted for 10 days with a slow-release pellet of naltrexone or were given sham surgery. At one of various different intervals during or after implantation of the pellet, the synthesis of dopamine (DA) was assessed in the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems. The results indicated that naltrexone alone was without effect on the synthesis of DA. However, one day after removal of the pellet, naltrexone-treated animals displayed an enhanced response to the DA-stimulatory action of morphine (15 mg/kg) in both the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems. This change was accompanied by an increase in specific binding of the μ-specific radioligand [3H]DAGO in whole brain and by an increase in the depressant action of morphine on locomotor activity. In contrast, at 10 days after removal of the pellet, naltrexone was without effect on morphine-induced changes in the synthesis of DA and locomotor activity, thus indicating that the supersensitivity to morphine was transient. These results support the idea that opioids modulate DAergic neurotransmission in the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways and that this modulatory role may underlie opiate-induced changes in locomotor behavior.
Oral calcium tolerance and urinary cyclic amp in urolithiasis

Abstract Oral calcium tolerance and urinary cyclic AMP testing was used in floe c valuation of 61 unselected patients with .stones. The oral calcium tolerance test was easy to perform and was useful in defining several distinct metabolic abnormalities contributing to calculous fo rmation Oral calcium tolerance testing is more precise than twenty four-hour- urinary calcium determination and should provide et means of determining proper medical treatment of urolithiasis. Urinary cyclic AMP was disappointing as a measure of parathormone activity.
Application of lean methods improves surgical clinic experience.

Background: A quality visit in high volume surgery clinics is challenging. There is variability in numbers of patients seen and care provider behavior. Documentation, regulatory and compliance issues and computerization of patient care systems may decrease clinic efficiency and throughput. We tried to reduce variability and improve patient experience. Methods: Baseline data included: patients seen, time in exam rooms, and spent with providers, and patient satisfaction surveys. Two Rapid Process Improvement Workshops (RPIWs) were conducted to apply lean methods. 5S techniques helped standardize exam rooms. Similar data were collected at 30 days, 60 days, and 1 year. Satisfaction surveys were followed at 6 months and 1 year. Results: Median pre-RPIW room time was 49 minutes. Post-RPIW times were 33 minutes at 30 days, 41 minutes at 60 days, and 42 minutes at 1 year. Face to face provider-patient time increased 30% to 61% at 30 days, 58% at 60 days, and 59% at 1 year. The median number of patients in a 4-hour clinic increased from 10 to 12. Satisfaction survey Problem Scores improved and were sustained. Conclusions: Lean methodology may be used to improve clinic efficiency as well as patient and staff's experience.
T-lymphocyte recovery and function after cord blood transplantation

The Szabolcs laboratory is focused on understanding the biology of donor-derived cellular immunity in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation that can be translated into new immunotherapy strategies. To this end, we are focused on developing novel laboratory approaches to analyze and augment immune recovery for high risk patient cohorts without increasing graft-versus-host disease. Much of our work has focused on unrelated cord blood transplantation as the dominant clinical scenario and laboratory model. Our overarching goal is to minimize transplant-related mortality and morbidity and render HLA-mismatched unrelated cord blood transplant, a widely accepted safe cellular therapy. Donor leukocyte infusions in the allogeneic hematopoietic transplant setting can provide a clinically relevant boost of immunity to reduce opportunistic infections and to increase graft-versus-leukemia activity. Our laboratory has a major focus toward ex vivo expansion of cord blood T cells with anti-apoptotic cytokines and CD3/CD28 co-stimulatory beads. Expanded lymphocytes lack alloreactivity against recipient and other allogeneic cells indicating a favorable safety profile from graft-versus-host disease. Nevertheless, expanded T cells can be primed subsequently against lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cells to generate tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells. These findings offer a major step in fulfilling critical biological requirements to quickly generate a cellular product ex vivo, using a negligible fraction of a cord blood graft that provides a flexible adoptive immunotherapy platform for both children and adults.
Cardiac response to relevant stimuli as an adjunct in diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder: Replication and extension

The utility of measurement of heart rate (HR) responses to relevant auditory cues(combat sounds) in distinguishing between Vietnam veterans with PTSD and those with combat experience but without PTSD was replicated in a new sample of 59 PTSDs and 12 non-PTSD combat veterans. Although the new sample of PTSDs remained responsive to the relevant stimuli, HR values were consistently about 6 BPM lower than the values observed in the original sample. Psychological measures of anxiety and/or depression failed to discriminate among the PTSD samples between subjects who show HR responses to combat sounds and those who do not respond
RF cavity design and performance for the tunl polarized ion source

Abstract A detailed discussion of the design of new rf cavities is presented in addition to several performance parameters. Four rf resonant structures
Enthalpy–entropy compensation in the transition of a monospecific antibody towards antigen-binding promiscuity

In a recent article published in Molecular Immunology (Dimitrov, J.D., Lacroix-Desmazes, S., Kaveri, S.V., Vassilev, T.L., 2007. Transition towards antigen-binding promiscuity of a monospecific antibody. Mol. Immunol. 44, 1854-1863.), the authors perform kinetic and thermodynamic analyses using a surface plasmon resonance-based technique to explain polyspecificity of antibodies in terms of molecular mechanisms. They found that after the antibody was exposed to urea, a protein destabilizing agent, it had the same affinity as the native state and that the two forms of the antibody use two distinct thermodynamic pathways for binding to the same antigen. In this letter, we report our analysis of these results in terms of equilibrium thermodynamics to show that the specificity transition of the antibody exhibits enthalpy-entropy compensation.
Photo-thermal ionization in a copper-doped germanium detector☆

Abstract The spectral response of a copper-doped germanium photo-conductive detector has been examined. Two series of sharp photo-thermal neutral acceptor excitations are observed; one is identified with copper impurities while the other is of unknown origin.
INELASTIC CYCLIC TESTING OF WELDED UNREINFORCED MOMENT CONNECTIONS

The results of an experimental study of the seismic performance of improved, welded unreinforced beam-to-column moment connections are presented. The study involved the inelastic cyclic testing of 11 full-scale connection specimens to evaluate the effects of weld access hole geometry, beam web attachment detail, panel zone strength, continuity plates, and composite slab on connection performance. With a high toughness weld metal and modified detailing, it is demonstrated that a welded unreinforced flange moment connection can reliably achieve an inealstic rotation of 0.03 rad or more prior to failure. The modified details include the use of a weld access hole with a modified geometry and a welded beam web. The test results indicate that a strong panel zone enhances inelastic connection performance. Based on the results of the study recommendations are given for the seismic-resistant design of improved welded unreinforced connections for steel moment-resisting frames.
Symbolic action, art, and social order: the sociological theory of Hugh Dalziel Duncan.

The sociological theory of Hugh Dalziel Duncan is reviewed as a symbolic interactionist answer to the Hobbesian question. It is argued that Duncan's work provides contemporary sociology with a comprehensive symbolic theory, and that a reconsideration of this work will produce a much-needed awareness of the importance of form and art to sociological thinking. Duncan's theoretical work is proposed as a powerful alternative to structural-functionalism.
Before and After Revisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act

The final regulations issued in April 2004 by the Department of Labor make a number of changes to the way in which employers will apply the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The primary changes conc...
Aromatic Character of [n]Helicenes and [n]Phenacenes

Ab initio calculations have been made on [n]helicenes and their planar, zigzag isomers, the [n]phenacenes, at the HF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* levels for n = 6−10 and 16 and at B3LYP/6-311G** for n = 6−10. The energies and magnetic susceptibilities of the helicenes and phenacenes are found to vary linearly with n in both series; comparison of them indicates only slight loss of aromatic character in the helicenes despite their large departures from planarity. Proton chemical shifts of [7]helicene and [7]phenacene are in good agreement with experiment. For [16]phenacene, the eight inner rings have nearly identical bond lengths and chemical shifts, showing their convergence to the zigzag infinite-polymer limit. While geometrical convergence is also evident in [16]helicene, the magnetic shielding, subject to effects of nonadjacent rings, requires a larger value of n for convergence.
CUES TO STROKE REHABILITATION REFERRAL AMONG FAMILY PHYSICIANS

The analyses in this study—from the Rehabilitation Center at Montebello State Hospital, Maryland—indicate that physicians have been slow to accept as a legitimate activity the rehabilitation of their stroke patients. The physicians who are more likely to send patients for such care tend to be more recent graduates, to belong to hospital staffs and medical societies, and possibly to graduate from schools in which the faculty has more interest in rehabilitation. From the experience with their first patients, physicians may learn how to refer more suitable patients. The situation is complex, however; the available data concerned only indirectly those factors which are probably most crucial to the degree of innovation. To avoid upsetting Montebello's program, this study did not include personal interviews with the 294 general practitioners involved, thus leaving some crucial questions dangling in mid-air, and possibly overlooking some valid reasons for nonreferral for rehabilitation during this period. The findings are tentative but they seem to indicate that the norms for physicians may not favor the use of outside sources of help nor encourage the energetic treatment of stroke patients. Cultural norms change only slowly, and this may partly explain the slow referral for rehabilitation. However, we should strive to ensure that the concepts and scientific basis of rehabilitation be as clear and as strong as possible, and that the concepts be communicated accurately, intensively and repeatedly. This will prepare a more fertile field for the seeds of change.
Iterative transform algorithm for the computation of optimal beams

The problem of maximizing the integrated–weighted intensity of a transmitted beam in a receiver plane is equivalent to the problem of finding the largest eigenvalue’s eigenfunction for a particular Hermitian operator. Application of the power method for the determination of this eigenfunction, along with its associated eigenvalue, results in an iterative transform algorithm that can be applied to arbitrary apertures, nonnegative windows, and propagation media. The computational complexity of each iteration of this algorithm is equivalent to the numerical propagation of an arbitrary beam through the transmission medium.
Predialysis management of chronic renal failure in the geriatric nephrology patient

As more people live beyond 65 years of age, it is expected that there will also be more people with advanced renal disease. Since renal failure evolves slowly, awareness of the nature of the alterations involved as well as the principles of conservative management may decrease a patient's rate of progression to end-stage renal disease and dialysis. This review examines the water and electrolyte imbalances of progressive renal failure, systemic disease contributing to renal failure including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma and amyloidosis, systemic complications of advanced renal disease, nutritional changes and the predialysis management of these disorders.
The Effect of Polyphosphates and Sodium Chloride on Cooking Yields and Oxidative Stability of Chicken

Abstract PRODUCTION of precooked chicken is increasing in the poultry industry. Two important problems encountered with this product are reduced cooking yield and a decline in organoleptic quality during frozen storage as described by Hanson et al. (1959), Thomson (1964) and Tims and Watts (1958). The use of certain salts as additives has been suggested by some workers to offer possible advantages in improving cooking yields and oxidative stability of meat. Bendall (1954) and Swift and Ellis (1956) reported a decrease in cooking loss of ground and minced meats on incorporation of solutions of sodium chloride or phosphate or combinations of these salts prior to cooking. Wierbicki et al. (1957a, b) found sodium chloride to enhance the water-holding capacity of meat. With meats heated at temperatures ranging from 50°–70°C., sodium chloride treatment increased retention of potassium and magnesium ions. This relationship may be useful in application of other ions. The…
Onyx HD-500 for embolization of cerebral aneurysms

In this article, the indications for, technical principles of, and complications/outcomes after Onyx cerebral aneurysm embolization are reviewed.