cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The form of cosmic string cusps. (arXiv:gr-qc/9810005v2 UPDATED)

We classify the possible shapes of cosmic string cusps and how they transform under Lorentz boosts. A generic cusp can be brought into a form in which the motion of the cusp tip lies in the plane of the cusp. The cusp whose motion is perpendicular to this plane, considered by some authors, is a special case and not the generic situation. We redo the calculation of the energy in the region where the string overlaps itself near a cusp, which is the maximum energy that can be released in radiation. We take into account the motion of a generic cusp and the resulting Lorentz contraction of the string core. The result is that the energy scales as $\sqrt {rL}$ instead of the usual value of $r^{1/3} L^{2/3}$, where $r$ is the string radius and $L$ and is the typical length scale of the string. Since $r << L $ for cosmological strings, the radiation is strongly suppressed and could not be observed.
EMINENT DOMAIN WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING: PRIVATE BENEFIT MASQUERADING AS CLASSIC PUBLIC USE

A gaping hole remains unaddressed in the midst of the debate on eminent domain. It is barely mentioned in the reform movement that was energized by Kelo v. City of New London.It is understandable that the reform movement focused on private to private transfers, because that was the potential form of abuse that was at issue in Kelo. However, this approach left open the possibility that those intent on reaping private benefit from eminent domain could do so by structuring transactions using public ownership. This strategic maneuver has the potential of circumventing even some of the strongest reform legislation. While this structure may not enable every Kelo-type taking, it works often enough that it must be recognized and addressed.It is an area ripe for abuse, but is more difficult to detect than the private to private transfer in Kelo. These covert private to private transfers should be of as much concern because they cause the same harm. Like the infamous result in Kelo, the major beneficiary of the taking is a private party. Often the private party initiates the activity that results in the taking. This Article reveals the extent and seriousness of this additional form of abuse and seeks to encourage its inclusion within the eminent domain reform movement so that effective means of addressing it can be developed.
Transition from IV epoprostenol to oral treprostinil in a patient with group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Purpose Epoprostenol and treprostinil are prostacyclins indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although there is literature describing the conversion of intravenous (IV) epoprostenol to IV treprostinil or IV treprostinil to oral treprostinil, there is little data on the direct conversion of IV epoprostenol to oral treprostinil. In this case, we describe the direct conversion of IV epoprostenol to oral treprostinil without an intermediary conversion to IV treprostinil. Summary A 39 year-old female with PAH was admitted for altered mental status and self-removal of her peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) used for IV epoprostenol. Given the unplanned hospitalization, absence of a dedicated central line for IV prostacyclin therapy, and concern the patient may remove a future subcutaneous line, the patient was transitioned to oral treprostinil. Of note, despite triple PAH therapy, the patient was unable to reach a low risk group based on her prognostic risk assessment. A right heart catheterization four months prior found severe PAH with a pulmonary arterial pressure of 79/32 mmHg (mean, 49 mmHg) and pulmonary vascular resistance of 10.6 Wood units. To expedite the transition, the patient was directly converted from IV epoprostenol to oral treprostinil without an intermediary conversion to IV treprostinil. A target oral treprostinil dose of 5 mg TID was calculated based on 110% of the IV epoprostenol dose (19 ng/kg/min) utilizing the conversion recommended by the medication manufacturer. Every 8 hours, IV epoprostenol was decreased by 2 ng/kg/min and oral treprostinil was increased by 0.5 mg. The target oral treprostinil dose of 5 mg TID was reached 72 hours after conversion initiation. Three hours after the final titration, the patient was discharged home on room air. Conclusion In this case, rapid transition from IV epoprostenol to oral treprostinil was achieved in 72 hours without reported adverse effects.
Novel Research Designs

Innovative technologies such as mobile health (mHealth) and just-in-time adaptive interventions have created an opportunity to individualize health care. Yet, the evidence to support scaling of these innovative technologies has lagged behind the pace of technology advancement. This chapter examines consider current approaches to clinical evidence generation and how innovative research designs could drive precision medicine forward. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are currently considered the gold standard to inform practice, conventional RCTs can be costly and time intensive. This could hinder their usefulness when evaluating rapidly evolving technologies. As a result, a variety of novel study designs have evolved to help further individualize patient care and in some cases allow faster evidence generation. These new methods are expanded on within the chapter and include micro-randomized trials (MRTs), n-of-1, site-less design, and stepped wedge trials. Furthermore, we discuss study methodologies that are used to develop mHealth interventions such as patient centered participatory research and user centered design. Each of these research designs aim to propagate precision medicine by moving classic research techniques from population-averaged effects to those directly relevant to the individual, which is ideally where the future of medicine is headed.
Intensive Mothering and the Unequal School-Search Burden:

Expanded school-choice policies have weakened the traditional link between residence and school assignment. These policies have created new school options and new labor for families to manage and d...
The periods of ZZ Ceti variables

White dwarf pulsators (ZZ Ceti variables) occur in the extension of the radial pulsation envelope ionization instability strip to the observed luminosities of 3 × 10−3 L⊙ according to van Horn (1979). Investigations have been underway to see if the driving mechanisms of hydrogen and helium ionization can cause radial pulsations as they do for the Cepheids, the RR Lyrae variables, and the δ Scuti variables. Masses used in this study are 0.60 and 0.75 M⊙ and the temperature Te used ranged between 10,000 K and 14,000 K, the observed range in Te. Helium rich surface compositions like Y = 0.78, Z = 0.02 as well as Y = 0.28, Z = 0.02 have been used in spite of observations showing only hydrogen lines in the spectrum. The deep layers are pure carbon, and several transition compositions are included. The models show radial pulsation instabilities for many overtone modes at periods between about 0.3 and 3 seconds. The driving mechanism is mostly helium ionization at 40,000 and 150,000 K. The blue edge at about 14,000 K is probably due to the driving region becoming too shallow, and the red edge at 10,000 K i s due to so much convection in the pulsation driving region that no radiative luminosity is available for modulation by they and κ effects. It is speculated that the very long observed periods (100–1000 sec) of ZZ Ceti variables are not due to nonradial pulsations, but are possibly aliases due to data undersampling.
Correlation effects in the high formal oxidation-state compoundSr2CoO4

Two recent reports confirm that the newly synthesized Sr$_2$CoO$_4$ (formal oxidation state Co$^{4+}$) shows a high Curie temperature (~ 250 K), but they report different moments of 1.8 $\mu_B$ and 1 $\mu_B$ per Co. Using both commonly used functionals in the correlated band approach (LDA+U) as well as the local density approximation (LDA),the combined effects of correlation and hybridization with O 2p states are calculated and analyzed. Sr$_2$CoO$_2$ is already ferromagnetic within LDA (M=1.95 $\mu_B$). Increasing U from zero, the two LDA+U schemes affect the moment oppositely out to a critical value $U_c$=2.5 eV, at which point they transform discontinuously from different states to the same large U state. Fixing U at $U_c$, fixed spin moment calculations show similar behavior out to a minimum at 1$\mu_B$ (a half metallic state), beyond which the fully-localized-limit scheme jumps to a state with energy minimum very near 2$\mu_B$ very close to the LDA moment). Although the energy minima occur very near integer values of the moment/Co (1$\mu_B, 2$\mu_B$), the strong 3d-2p mixing and resulting 3d orbital occupations seem to preclude any meaningful S=1/2 or S=1 assignment to the Co ion.
Diverticulitis; symptoms, complications, and management, particularly in the female.

Abstract The incidence of diverticulosis is not definitely known. In 95 per cent of the cases, the disease occurs in persons 40 years of age or older. Among approximately 15 per cent of these, diverticulitis will develop. In this group complications requiring surgical treatment will develop in about one in four patients. These complications are perforation, obstruction and formation of fistula. Colostomy is the safest preliminary surgical procedure, and subsequently should be followed by resection of the involved segment of the sigmoid. The operative mortality rate has been markedly reduced by the use of the sulfonamides.
On optimum cross-current extraction

Abstract The notion of dynamic programming is here applied to the problem of allocating an extracting solvent to the various stages of a cross-current extraction unit. The basic ideas of optimizing a multi-stage process by the techniques of dynamic programming are first explained and then shown in detail in an example of extraction by an immiscible solvent. This problem is fully solved either when a value is ascribed to the solvent or when it is available in a fixed total quantity. Finally it is shown how the case of miscible solvents can be reduced to a similar computation.
The SIMPLE T-scope

The SIMPLE system for a computer-based tachistoscope is reviewed, and features of its structure are described. An example is explained in detail.
Observations of Psoriasis in the Absence of Therapeutic Intervention Identifies Two Unappreciated Morphologic Variants, Thin-Plaque and Thick-Plaque Psoriasis, and their Associated Phenotypes

Psoriatic plaque thickness is a clinical measure of psoriasis severity. We have observed that patients tend to revert to a baseline thickness of psoriatic plaques when in an untreated state, and hypothesized that other features of psoriasis could associate with this trait. Data prospectively collected on 500 participants in the Utah Psoriasis Initiative were used for the study. In response to a question assessing plaque thickness when disease was at its worst, 144 (28.8%) reported thick plaques, 123 (24.6%) reported thin plaques, and 233 (46.6%) reported intermediate thickness. For patients with "worst-ever" disease at enrollment (n=122), there was significant correlation of thickness between assessment by the patient and the physician (r=0.448, P-value 0.01). Thick plaques associated with male gender, increased body mass index, nail disease, psoriatic arthritis, larger plaques, more body sites, and greater total body surface area affected. Thin plaques associated with eczema, guttate psoriasis, and skin cancer. We suggest that this is preliminary evidence that plaque thickness is an easily measured trait that associates with other clinical features of psoriasis, and that stratification on this phenotype may be useful in further defining the genetic basis of this disease.
The Prediction of Students' Satisfaction with Community College Vocational Training

Abstract The present study was conducted with 1,632 college vocational students in North Carolina to test the job satisfaction postulate of Rusbult's (1980a) investment model. The model postulate, that satisfaction is a function of perceived positive and negative outcomes, received support and proved to be defensible even after controlling for a broad array of situational variables. This postulate has also received empirical support from studies of satisfaction with business relationships, friendships, and romantic associations. The present study also introduced a new measure of outcomes: the Perceived Outcomes of College Life measure.
Cost-effectiveness of FDG-PET for staging non–small cell lung cancer: a decision analysis

Abstract Background . Preliminary studies have shown that thoracic positron emission tomography (PET) is more accurate than thoracic computed tomography (CT) for the staging of non–small cell lung carcinoma. In the present study the cost-effectiveness, as measured by national Medicare reimbursed costs, and patient life expectancy are used to compare several thoracic PET-based strategies with a conventional thoracic CT-based strategy for preoperative staging. Methods . Five decision strategies for selection of potential surgical candidates were compared; thoracic CT alone or four different strategies that use thoracic CT plus thoracic PET. The various paths of each strategy are dependent on numerous variables that were determined from a review of the medical literature. Life expectancy was calculated using the declining exponential approximation of life expectancy and reduced on the basis of procedural morbidity and mortality. Costs were based on national Medicare reimbursed costs. For all possible outcomes of each strategy, the expected cost and projected life expectancy were determined. The effects of changing one or more variables on the expected cost and life expectancy were studied using sensitivity analysis. Results . A strategy that uses PET only after a negative CT study is shown to be a cost-effective alternative to the CT-alone strategy ($25,286 per life-year saved). Conclusions . These results show through rigorous decision tree analysis the potential cost-effectiveness of using thoracic PET in the management of non–small cell lung carcinoma. Greater use of thoracic PET for non–small cell lung carcinoma staging is warranted, and further clinical trials should help to validate the analytic results predicted from this study.
A phorbol ester that activates protein kinase C mimics the action of estradiol or epidermal growth factor for initiating embryo implantation in the delayed implanting hypophysectomized rat.

Abstract In rodents an action of estrogen is required for the initiation of implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium of a progesteroneprimed uterus. Thus removal of endogenous estrogen, either directly by ovariectomy or indirectly by hypophysectomy, prevents implantation in the pregnant rat. In the present study, delayed implanting hypophysectomized progesterone-primed rats were used to test the efficacy of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), which are agents that have been shown to mimic some uterine actions of estradiol, to initiate implantation. In confirmation of previous studies, EGF injected into the uterine lumen plus intravenously was effective at initiating implantation in all animals. IGF-I showed no such activity in this model system. Cyclic AMP, increased via direct activation of adenylyl cyclase by forskolin, or administration of sodium dibutyryl cAMP, did not initiate implantation. However, a ligand for protein kinase C (PKC), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, was effective in augmenting the action of intrauterine EGF, or forskolin, for initiation of implantation. A phorbol ester that does not activate PKC was ineffective. The results provide circumstantial evidence for the requirement of PKC activity in the implantation initiating action of estrogens.
Gender differences in HIV risk and mental health among methamphetamine users

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 140 (2014) e2–e85 e39 Gender differences in HIV risk and mental health among methamphetamine users Karen F. Corsi, C. Garver-Apgar, R.E. Booth Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver,
Intermetallic TiAlNb alloys based on strengthening of the orthorhombic phase by ω-type phases

Abstract The microstructure of an alloy, with composition Ti30Al20Nb (atomic percent), when annealed at temperatures between 700 and 900°C for up to 18 days, consists of two intermetallic phases: orthorhombic Ti 2 AlNb and ω-type B8 2 Ti 4 Al 3 Nb. The presence of the two phases in the microstructure is independent of the heat treatment path and, thus, the two phases appear to be in thermodynamic equilibrium. The potential for high strength alloys in this two-phase field, based on the combination of properties of the two different phases, is demonstrated by microhardness measurements.
Functional connectivity in the mouse brain imaged by B-mode photoacoustic microscopy

The increasing use of mouse models for human brain disease studies, coupled with the fact that existing functional imaging modalities cannot be easily applied to mice, presents an emerging need for a new functional imaging modality. Utilizing acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (AR-PAM), we imaged spontaneous cerebral hemodynamic fluctuations and their associated functional connections in the mouse brain. The images were acquired noninvasively in B-scan mode with a fast frame rate, a large field of view, and a high spatial resolution. At a location relative to the bregma 0, correlations were investigated inter-hemispherically between bilaterally homologous regions, as well as intra-hemispherically within the same functional regions. The functional connectivity in different functional regions was studied. The locations of these regions agreed well with the Paxinos mouse brain atlas. The functional connectivity map obtained in this study can then be used in the investigation of brain disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, autism, and epilepsy. Our experiments show that photoacoustic microscopy is capable to detect connectivities between different functional regions in B-scan mode, promising a powerful functional imaging modality for future brain research.
A resistive-pulse sensor chip for multianalyte immunoassays.

MultiAnalyte immunoassays are often required to diagnose a pathologic condition. Here, we show how resistive-pulse sensing and multiple artificial pores can be integrated together on a single chip to detect different antigens rapidly and simultaneously. We use multiple pores on a single chip to detect the size change of latex colloids upon specific antigen–antibody binding on the colloid surface. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate our ability to detect simultaneously human G-CSF and GM-CSF antigens on a single chip. Our novel technique is a scalable technology that can lead to the sensing of at least N2 antigens simultaneously with an N × N array of pores on a single chip.
Fairness, efficiency and externalities

Abstract While some recommend the Coase theorem as a guide for choosing among feasible legal rules, others condemn the theorem as intellectually bankrupt. This disagreement arises primarily because the theorem does not suffice to define a unique social contract (and hence a specific theory of rights). To illustrate the scope of necessary assumptions, I use Gauthier's cooperative bargaining solution to resolve the externality problem that arises when track fires destroy crops in nearby fields. By analyzing the problem as specified by Coase, I indicate how assumptions about fairness and the structure of bargaining affect the practical implications of Coase's insights.
Inositol Phosphates in Processed Foods

Myo-inositol bis-, tris-, tetrakis-, pentakis- and hexakisphosphates (IP2–6) were quantified in nine thermally processed or fermented food products. Total inositol phosphate content (mmol/kg dry weight) ranged from 1.35 in white bread to 23.26 in tofu and 26.05 in soy isolate. In all foods analyzed, inositol hexakisphosphate (phytic acid) accounted for more than 40% of the total inositol phosphates on a molar basis. Step-gradient ion exchange and ferric chloride precipitation methods for phytate determination were evaluated with a soy isolate sample to which inositol phosphates or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) had been added individually. Both methods measured all of the inositol phosphates, while the former also measured ATP.
Single apomorphine pretreatment results in a rapid decline in high-affinity dopamine binding to the striatal dopamine D-2 receptor

The formation of a ternary complex of agonist, receptor, and G-protein precedes inhibition of adenylate cyclase and is associated with high-affinity agonist binding. The present experiment was conducted to determine if a single direct dopamine (DA) agonist, apomorphine (APO), pretreatment could produce a rapid uncoupling of the striatal DA D-2 receptor from its G-proteins. APO (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and saline were administered once, with killing 60 or 90 min following the APO or vehicle treatment. APO pretreatment resulted in a reduction in the high-affinity binding of DA to the striatal DA D-2 receptor without altering total agonist binding. The total density of antagonist-defined D-2 receptors (Bmax) was not altered by the treatment. The present results represent, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of changes in high-affinity agonist binding to the DA D-2 receptor following a single in vivo pretreatment of a direct DA agonist.
Designing unbiased surveys for HCI research

Surveys are a commonly used method within HCI research. While it initially appears easy and inexpensive to conduct surveys, overlooking key considerations in questionnaire design and the survey research process can yield skewed, biased, or entirely invalid survey results. Fortunately decades of academic research and analysis exist on optimizing the validity and reliability of survey data, from which this course will draw. To enable the creation of unbiased surveys, this course demonstrates questionnaire design biases and pitfalls, provides best practices for minimizing these, and reviews different uses of surveys within HCI.
THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXERCISE ON IMMUNOGLOBULINS

The effects of acute exercise (both graded-maximal and submaximal) and exercise training on resting immunoglobulin levels and immunoglobulin production are reviewed. Brief graded-maximal or intensive short term submaximal exercise tends to be associated with increases in serum immunoglobulins, the pattern of which does not vary between athletes and nonathletes. Plasma volume changes appear to largely explain these acute increases. Acute moderate exercise, such as a 45-minute bout of walking, on the other hand, has been associated with a transient rise in serum immunoglobulin levels despite no change in plasma volume. This increase is probably the result of contributions from extravascular protein pools and an increased lymph flow. Total serum immunoglobulin changes following less than 40 km of running are minor and/or statistically insignificant, although the concentration of IgG is observed to be at its lowest by 1.5 hours after exercise. The greatest effect of acute submaximal exercise appears to be on serum IgM levels which tend to increase, although results are somewhat inconsistent. Various mechanisms of stimulation have been proposed to explain the exercise-induced effect on IgM, which is the first antibody class produced in an immune response. These mechanisms include nonspecific noradrenergic sympathetic neural interactions with the immune system and the possibility of antigen stimulation through greater-than-normal quantities of microorganisms entering the body through both increased ventilation rates and breakdown of natural mucosal immunity by drying of airway secretions. When athletes run 45 to 75 km at high intensities, serum immunoglobulin levels have been reported to be depressed for up to 2 days. Thus intense ultramarathon running may lead to greater and longer lasting decreases in serum immunoglobulin levels than following exercise of shorter duration. IgA and IgG, immunoglobulins commonly found in airway and alveolar space secretions, may have diffused from the serum during recovery from prolonged endurance exercise nonspecifically and/or in response to microbial agents and antigens introduced into the airways during the exercise bout. It has been well established that prolonged endurance exercise is associated with muscle cell damage and local inflammation. It has been hypothesised that natural (IgM) autoantibodies may be used to assist macrophages in disposal of muscle cell breakdown products. This could occur either by IgM binding to breakdown products present in the blood, followed by their clearance from the circulation, or it is possible that these antibodies may leave the circulation to carry out this same function in tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of exogenous interleukin-7 on human thymus function.

Immune reconstitution is a critical component of recovery after treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, cancer chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The ability to enhance T-cell production would benefit such treatment. We examined the effects of exogenous interleukin-7 (IL-7) on apoptosis, proliferation, and the generation of T-cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TRECs) in human thymus. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the highest level of TRECs (14 692 copies/10 000 cells) was present in the CD1a+CD3−CD4+CD8+stage in native thymus, suggesting that TREC generation occurred following the cellular division in this subpopulation. In a thymic organ culture system, exogenous IL-7 increased the TREC frequency in fetal as well as infant thymus, indicating increased T-cell receptor (TCR) rearrangement. Although this increase could be due to the effect of IL-7 to increase thymocyte proliferation and decrease apoptosis of immature CD3− cells, the in vivo experiments using NOD/LtSz- scid mice given transplants of human fetal thymus and liver suggested that IL-7 can also directly enhance TREC generation. Our results provide compelling evidence that IL-7 has a direct effect on increasing TCR-αβ rearrangement and indicate the potential use of IL-7 for enhancing de novo naive T-cell generation in immunocompromised patients.
Self-directed hostility and family functioning in normal-weight bulimics and overweight binge eaters

The aim of this study was to examine whether overweight binge eaters demonstrate similar perceptions of family interactions and views of the self as do normal-weight bulimics. We compared 37 obese binge eaters and 37 normal-weight bulimics to 38 normal-weight nonbulimic controls, and 10 overweight nonbulimic controls on the Bulimia Test (BULIT), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) Short Form, which includes measure of hostility of family interactions and self-directed hostility; the Family Interaction Survey (FIS), and a measure of history of physical and sexual abuse and familial psychopathology. Both normal-weight bulimics and overweight binge eaters differed from nonbulimic controls across all measures of symptomatology, family functioning, history of abuse, familial psychopathology, and self-directed hostility. Normal-weight bulimics demonstrated significantly higher BULIT scores and self-directed hostility than did overweight binge eaters. Post hoc analysis showed that among binge eaters and bulimics, self-directed hostility accounted for a significant percentage of the variance of BULIT scores when controlling for the effects of age, BMI, family hostility, and mood. The possible role of self-directed hostility in the maintenance of bulimic symptomatology is discussed.
M-preserving propensities for rotationally inelastic NH3-He collisions. In the kinematic apse frame

Abstract Semiclassical calculations are used to obtain integral cross sections in both the initial velocity, or collision-fixed, frame and the kinematic apse frame (defined by Khare et al.) for rotational excitation in the NH 3 -He system at a collision energy of 100 cm − . A comparison with earlier close-coupling calculations in the initial velocity frame. using the same interaction potential, shows that the semiclassical method predicts relative M -dependence quite accurately. The kinematic apse cross sections, unlike those in the initial velocity frame, are highly diagonal in the quantum number M . An examination of the M -dependent transition probabilities as a function of impact parameter indicates that the propensity for conservation of M in the kinematic apse frame is due to the dominance of backward, or high-angle, scattering in the cross section. The propensity for conservation of M breaks down for large impact parameters where the interaction is attractive.
Resonance Raman enhancement of phenyl ring vibrational modes in phenyl iron complex of myoglobin

Resonance Raman spectra are reported for the organometallic phenyl-FeIII complexes of horse heart myoglobin. We observed the resonance enhancement of the ring vibrational modes of the bound phenyl group. They were identified at 642, 996, 1,009, and 1,048 cm-1, which shift to 619, 961, 972, and 1,030 cm-1, respectively, upon phenyl 13C substitution. The lines at 642 and 996 cm-1 are assigned, respectively, as in-plane phenyl ring deformation mode (derived from benzene vibration No. 6a at 606 cm-1) and out-of-plane CH deformation (derived from benzene vibration No. 5 at 995 cm-1). The frequencies of the ring "breathing" modes at 1,009 and 1,048 cm-1 are higher than the corresponding ones in phenylalanine (at 1,004 and 1,033 cm-1) and benzene (at 992 and 1,010 cm-1), indicating that the ring C--C bonds are strengthened (or shortened) when coordinated to the heme iron. The excitation profiles of these phenyl ring modes and a porphyrin ring vibrational mode at 674 cm-1 exhibit peaks near its Soret absorption maximum at 431 nm. This appears to indicate that these phenyl ring modes may be enhanced via resonance with the Soret pi-pi transition. The FeIII--C bond stretching vibration has not been detected with excitation wavelengths in the 406.7–457.9-nm region.
Developmental Neurobiology of the Stress Response: Multilevel Regulation of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Function

The ability to respond to adverse environmental cues is present in the neonatal and infant rat, although in an immature form: A number of laboratories have demonstrated stress-induced elevations of plasma glucocorticoids during the first two postnatal weeks. The limbic and hypothalamic mechanisms controlling the hormonal stress-response during this period are not fully understood and are, therefore, the focus of this report. Both hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin contribute to the release of ACTH from the pituitary in the adult. The relative roles of these two peptides during the neonatal (first week) and infant (second week) developmental period, are controversial. Evidence is presented that argues strongly for a major role for CRH. Up-regulation of hypothalamic CRH synthesis is a major component in the mature stress response. CRH-mRNA levels in the hypothalamic PVN are increased with cold stress by ninth postnatal day, but not during the first postnatal week. Further, down-regulation of CRH gene expression by glucocorticoids (GC) constitutes a critical "shut-down" mechanism for the hormonal stress response. In vivo and in vitro experiments supporting the "immaturity" of GC feedback on CRH synthesis during the first postnatal week are described. CRH-mediated neurotransmission, in both the endocrine and neuronal effector arms of the response to stress may be modulated via alteration of receptor number. The first member of the CRH receptor family, CRF1, probably mediates the neuroendocrine effects of CRH. The developmental profile of CRF1-mRNA reveals several distinctive spatial and temporal patterns. In the hippocampal CA1, CA2, and CA3a peak (300-600% adult values) CRF1-mRNA is found on postnatal day 6. In the amygdala, CRH receptor mRNA levels are maximal on the ninth postnatal day (at 180% of adult values). In cortex, a steady decline from high postnatal day 2 levels results in adult levels by 12. These findings demonstrate distinct, regional, age-specific control of the synthesis of CRF1. Receptor expression profile may provide important information regarding modulation of the age-specific roles of CRH in different regions. For example, a high ratio of hippocampus/amygdala receptors may preferentially activate negative hippocampal input to the hypothalamus during the neonatal period. Additionally, increased CRH receptor mRNA in the infant compared with the adult provides a mechanism for enhanced excitatory effect of the peptide at this age. In conclusion, increasing evidence exists for multiple control points of the early postnatal response and adaptation to stress. CRH synthesis in hypothalamus and amygdala, its sensitivity to GC feedback, and the abundance and distribution of at least two distinct CRH receptors in the limbic central nervous system and the pituitary are developmentally regulated. All serve as control points permitting an effective endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral response to stressful environmental cues.
Photochemical disproportionation of metalmetal bonded carbonyl dimers

Mecanismes de reactions radicalaires dans la majorite des reactions de dismutation relatives a Mn 2 (CO) 10 , Re 2 (CO) 10 , Co 2 (CO) 8 , Cp 2 Mo 2 (CO) 6 , Cp 2 Fe 2 (CO) 4 , Cp 2 Ni 2 (CO) 2
Thermodynamics of the mechanism of the nitrogenase reaction

The fixation of molecular nitrogen by nitrogenase requires a lot of energy because 16 mol of ATP are hydrolyzed per mole of nitrogen converted to ammonia. Kim and Dees determined the crystallograpic structure of nitrogenase and this has led to a three-step mechanism that involves Feprotein and MoFeprotein in addition to ferredoxin. Each of these steps can be interpreted in terms of two half reactions that are connected through their transfer of electrons. Estimates can be made of the standard apparent reduction potentials of these three steps and their dependencies on pH and ionic strength. This mechanism is compared with the same type of analysis of an alternative three-step mechanism in which the hydrolysis of ATP is coupled with the reduction of molecular nitrogen, rather than the reduction of Feprotein. The problem with the first mechanism is that the second step produces 12 mol of hydrogen ions per mole of nitrogen fixed and the third step consumes 10 mol of hydrogen ions per mole of nitrogen fixed. The alternative mechanism does not have this problem.
An Epidemiologic Analysis of Pain in the Elderly: The Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study

Despite acknowledgment that pain is likely to be a major problem for many older adults, it is difficult to accurately estimate the frequency of pain problems for this population because of the lack of systematic epidemiological investigation. This article reports a study of the prevalence and nature of pain in a population of 3,097 rural persons 65 years and older (the Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study). Of the subjects, 86% reported pain of some type in the year prior to the interview, and 59% reported multiple pain complaints. Joint pain was the most prevalent site of pain reported, followed by night leg pain, back pain, and leg pain while walking. As reported severity of pain increased, there was a corresponding increase in impact on daily activities.
Experimental studies of the compressive line sensing underwater serial imaging system

The compressive line sensing (CLS) imaging system adopts the paradigm of independently sensing each line and jointly reconstructing a group of lines. This system achieves “resource compression” and is compatible with the conventional push-broom line-by-line sensing mode. This paper discusses the development of a prototype system to enable the experimental study the CLS imaging system. The results from an initial turbidity cycle experiments are presented.
Reflections on some important contributions made by Lotfi A. Zadeh that have impacted my own research

Abstract This article provides very personal reflections on some of the important contributions made by Lotfi A. Zadeh that have made impacts upon my own research. Upon reflection, I found that his work-fuzzy and non-fuzzy-have influenced much of my career.
Evaluation of Egg Injection Method of Pantothenic Acid in Turkey Eggs and Effect of Supplemental Pantothenic Acid on Hatchability

Two experiments were conducted with a commercial strain cross of 120 Large White British United Turkeys of America to determine the effect of pantothenic acid egg injections and dietary pantothenic acid on hatchability. The hens were housed individually in cages in a conventional house. In Experiment 1, three dietary treatments were used: 1) an unsupplemented practical corn-soybean meal basal diet; 2) the basal diet supplemented with 37.4 mg pantothenic acid/kg; and 3) the basal diet supplemented with 74.8 mg pantothenic acid/kg. Incremental dietary supplemental pantothenic acid levels increased the transfer of pantothenic acid in eggs, but did not result in a hatchability increase over the unsupplemented pantothenic acid basal diet. The response patterns from dietary pantothenic acid for the reproductive variables were similar whether the data were analyzed on a production period basis using all of the hens or on a subset of hens producing eggs in each production period. In Experiment 2, with hens fed 37.4 mg supplemental pantothenic acid/kg of diet, hatchability did not increase in eggs injected with 1,800 micrograms pantothenic acid per egg as compared with uninjected eggs and eggs injected with the vitamin carrier solution. The results of the study indicate that hatchability was not increased in turkey eggs from hens fed supplemental pantothenic acid or with egg pantothenic acid injections, which suggests that pantothenic acid is not limiting for hatchability in commercial turkey hen diets that contain 10.5 mg/kg or more of pantothenic acid.
Survival and symptomatic benefit from palliative primary tumor resection in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a review

Background and aims Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a limited life expectancy and are at risk for life-threatening tumor-related obstruction, perforation, and hemorrhage. Though surgical resection is performed frequently in this setting, its true benefit is not well-established.
High Temperature off Current in a-Si TFTS - Effect of Process and Structure

The OFF current in a-Si TFT’s is an important parameter, especially for applications such as active matrix liquid crystal displays. In some demanding applications operation at 70°C or higher is required. This paper reports studies of the OFF current limiting mechanisms at room temperature and above. It is shown that the limiting mechanisms are hole injection from the drain junction at room temperature and electron conduction at higher temperatures. The importance of silicon thickness and interface state density at the passivation interface is stressed.
Blood flow and bone uptake of 99mTc-labeled methylene diphosphonate

In mature dogs with comparable levels of bone remodeling, we produced either increased (with adenosine triphosphate) or decreased (with epinephrine) blood flow to one hindlimb. In 13 dogs (five control, four with increased flow, and four with decreased flow), we compared uptake, at 3 h after injection of radiolabeled diphosphonate in the mid-tibia, with blood flow as determined by microspheres. Blood flow was determined with 85Sr-labeled microspheres, and determination of uptake of 99mTc methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) was by a gamma detector. There was a linear relationship between changes in diphosphonate uptake and changes in blood flow at decreased and normal flows; however, at high flows the relationship was nonproportional, indicating a disproportionately slower increase in 99mTc-MDP uptake with increasing blood flow. In six dogs an initial 1-h uptake curve of 99mTc-MDP was determined in both control and experimental limbs under states of increased and decreased blood flow. The 30-min uptake value, 60-min uptake value, area under the curve, and the slope of the curve were related to flow as determined by microspheres. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that deposition of bone-concentrating isotopes such as 99mTc-MDP is partly controlled by blood flow; at supranormal and normal flows tracer uptake is closely related to blood flow, but at supranormal flow rates it is not and appears to be diffusion limited.
Expandable metal stents in achalasia— is there a role?

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Achalasia is treated with pneumatic dilation or myotomy, and botulinum toxin injections are occasionally used. We review our community’s experience with expandable metal stents in six patients who failed medical treatment or were poor surgical candidates. METHODS: Eight stents were placed in six patients between July 1995 and November 1997. Four patients had achalasia and two pseudoachalasia. Four patients underwent successive botulinum toxin injections. One patient only agreed to periodic Maloney dilatations or a stent. Pneumatic dilation was performed in one patient and considered high risk in the rest. All were poor surgical candidates. Three different stents were used: Gianturco Rosch Z stent, Wallstent I, and Wallstent II. RESULTS: One-month mortality and morbidity were 33% and 50%, respectively. Two patients were asymptomatic on a liquid diet for ≥6 months but required repeat endoscopy for recurrent dysphagia because of food bolus impaction and proximal stent migration in each. CONCLUSIONS: Expandable metal stents in achalasia or pseudoachalasia do not provide sustained symptom relief, and their use is associated with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. We do not recommend the use of these devices in patients who have failed medical therapy or who are poor surgical candidates.
A mesh free approach using radial basis functions and parallel domain decomposition for solving three‐dimensional diffusion equations

The analysis of transient heat conduction problems in large, complex computational domains is a problem of interest in many technological applications including electronic cooling, encapsulation using functionally graded composite materials, and cryogenics. In many of these applications, the domains may be multiply connected and contain moving boundaries making it desirable to consider meshless methods of analysis. The method of fundamental solutions along with a parallel domain decomposition method is developed for the solution of three-dimensional parabolic differential equations. In the current approach, time is discretized using the generalized trapezoidal rule transforming the original parabolic partial differential equation into a sequence of non-homogeneous modified Helmholtz equations. An approximate particular solution is derived using polyharmonic splines. Interfacial conditions between subdomains are satisfied using a Schwarz Neumann–Neumann iteration scheme. Outside of the first time step where zero initial flux is assumed, the initial estimates for the interfacial flux is given from the converged solution obtained during the previous time step. This significantly reduces the number of iterations required to meet the convergence criterion. The accuracy of the method of fundamental solutions approach is demonstrated through two benchmark problems. The parallel efficiency of the domain decomposition method is evaluated by considering cases with 8, 27, and 64 subdomains. Copyright 2004 © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Minnesota Dental Practice Analysis System

The Minnesota Dental Practice Analysis System (DPAS) is a three-year project sponsored cooperatively by the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry, Health Services Research Center, and the Minnesota Dental Association. The primary intent of the DPAS is to generate timely, reliable information on dental practice conditions for dental work force planning efforts. The system semiannually collects data from a representative sample of Minnesota dentists to monitor trends in such important areas as practice productivity, auxiliary utilization, types of procedures performed, payment mechanisms, and dental fees. Preliminary results of the project indicate that, in comparison with 1980 indicators, overall practice conditions among established Minnesota dentists have declined.
A conjugate directions method for subjective assessment of normal distributions

A procedure is developed that enables the encoding of a subjectiven-dimensional joint normal probability density function through the assessment of its marginal means and variances andn(n−1)/2 conditional means. The new method is based on the theory of conjugate directions for quadratic forms, and it exploits the fact that normal distributions have quadratic equal-likelihood surfaces. Unlike previous approaches, this new method enables easy detection and resolution of inconsistencies in the assessments that could lead to an indefinite estimate of the covariance matrix.
Suicide: CSF and neuroendocrine challenge studies

This paper summarizes current cerebrospinal fluid and neuroendocrine challenge research on the role of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in relation to suicidality. At present, the only compelling evidence for neurotransmitter or hormonal dysregulation in suicide comes from the data on serotonin. While early research implicated serotonergic dysfunction in depressive disorder, subsequent data have suggested more strongly that serotonergic dysfunction might be more directly related to suicidality in depression, than to suicidality in general, and now, more recently, to dysregulation of aggression, both inwardly-and outwardly-directed. Implications for such findings are discussed.
A Predicted ABC Transporter, FtsEX, Is Needed for Cell Division in Escherichia coli

FtsE and FtsX have homology to the ABC transporter superfamily of proteins and appear to be widely conserved among bacteria. Early work implicated FtsEX in cell division in Escherichia coli, but this was subsequently challenged, in part because the division defects in ftsEX mutants are often salt remedial. Strain RG60 has an ftsE::kan null mutation that is polar onto ftsX. RG60 is mildly filamentous when grown in standard Luria-Bertani medium (LB), which contains 1% NaCl, but upon shift to LB with no NaCl growth and division stop. We found that FtsN localizes to potential division sites, albeit poorly, in RG60 grown in LB with 1% NaCl. We also found that in wild-type E. coli both FtsE and FtsX localize to the division site. Localization of FtsX was studied in detail and appeared to require FtsZ, FtsA, and ZipA, but not the downstream division proteins FtsK, FtsQ, FtsL, and FtsI. Consistent with this, in media lacking salt, FtsA and ZipA localized independently of FtsEX, but the downstream proteins did not. Finally, in the absence of salt, cells depleted of FtsEX stopped dividing before any change in growth rate (mass increase) was apparent. We conclude that FtsEX participates directly in the process of cell division and is important for assembly or stability of the septal ring, especially in salt-free media.
Treatment of Pediatric Migraine in the Emergency Room

Migraine constitutes a relatively common reason for pediatric emergency room visits. Given the paucity of randomized trials involving pediatric migraineurs in the emergency department setting compared with adults, recommendations for managing these children are largely extrapolated from adult migraine emergency room studies and trials involving outpatient home pediatric migraine therapy. We review current knowledge about pediatric migraineurs presenting at the emergency room and their management, and summarize the best evidence available to guide clinical decision-making.
Electrically pumped mode-locked vertical-cavity semiconductor lasers.

We demonstrate what is to our knowledge the first electrically pumped mode-locked vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The lasing threshold current is 15 mA with a 1% output coupler. The output pulse width is 80 ps at a repetition rate of 1 GHz.