cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Neonatal Narcotic Withdrawal Index: A Device for the Improvement of Care in the Abstinence Syndrome

Management of 50 experimental newborn infants ill with narcotic withdrawal has been carried out with the aid of an instrument developed for measuring its severity, the Neonatal Narcotic Withdrawal Index (NNWI). With its use, infants exposed to methadone in utero have been successfully cared for with detoxification needed in less than 25% of cases and for durations of less than 2 weeks. The percentage of cases and the length of treatment is much less than is customary for infants who have been prenatally exposed to similar doses of methadone. Validity of the NNWI is shown by the statistically significant difference between the mean scores for experimental and control subjects, a high significant correlation between simultaneously measured scores by separate examiners, statistically significant correlations between subscores and total withdrawal scores for the narcotic-exposed experimental cases, and for this group, a statistically significant correlation between scores of withdrawal and the maternal dose o...
Cognitive functioning in acute and remitted psychiatric patients.

Tests of vocabulary and abstraction administered to groups of schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic patients at time of hospital admission and at time of clinical remission and discharge home revealed some evidence of general cognitive impairment in both groups, with significant improvement by time of discharge, as well as evidence of continuing specific conceptual impairment among schizophrenics.
Effects of chronic mental stress and atherogenic diet on the immune inflammatory environment in mouse aorta

Inflammation and stress are regarded as two important atherogenic factors. Because stress can affect leukocyte distribution, we hypothesized that stress-mediated leukocyte extravasation can modify the inflammatory environment of the arterial wall possibly contributing to atherogenesis. To test this hypothesis we evaluated the inflammatory environment of the aorta in C57Bl/6 mice subjected to 3 and 12 months of chronic stress and compared it to age matched non-stressed animals. Experiments were carried out in mice fed regular chow or atherogenic diets. Both treatments increased the expression of vascular and leukocyte adhesion molecules and leukocyte accumulation. At 3 months, stress but not an atherogenic diet elevated the number of CD4 cells, CD8 cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils. These changes were associated with elevation of transcripts for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, E-selectin and neuropeptide Y. At 12 months, stress or high cholesterol acted similarly to elevate the number of CD8 and macrophages, and synergistically on the number of all cell types investigated. At this time-point, strong synergism was also observed on the level of E-selectin and NPY in the aorta, but not in the circulation. Despite these effects, histological and morphological alterations of the arterial wall were severe in the atherogenic diet, but not in the stress groups. Thus, although stress and an atherogenic diet may both affect leukocyte accumulation in the aorta, they may contribute differently to atherogenesis.
A surprising cause of masses in the chest

An 82-year-old male presented to the emergency department with an acute onset of chest pain and mild shortness of breath at rest. The pain in his left lower chest was pleuritic with intensity 9- on a 10-point scale. He had driven 2 h in his car that day, but had no other prolonged immobility. About 15 years previously, he was found to have increased hemoglobin (18.1 g/dL) and diagnosed with secondary erythrocytosis due to active smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and residence in Payson, Arizona (altitude 4,999 ft). Polycythemia vera was entertained, but not pursued due to multiple secondary risks. He had been treated with daily aspirin and monthly phlebotomies to maintain a hematocrit below 45%. He also had a history of superficial thrombophlebitis, nephrolithiasis, hypertension and superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder resected and in remission. There was also a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) 13 years previously, believed to be provoked by prolonged immobility after a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer now in remission. His medications were aspirin and lisinopril; he had no known drug allergies. He quit smoking 2 years prior after a 70 pack-year history. There was no other family history of thrombosis or bleeding disorder, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary disease or malignancy.
A SHIPMENT INFORMATION CENTRE.

The revolution in information processing and communication technology has transformed the logistics business and opened new opportunities. To capitalize on these opportunities one can imagine a computer system which can manage and provide decision support across all facets of the transportation and logistics function for today's complex worldwide business enterprises. This paper outlines such a system — the shipment information centre. It includes information gathering, processing and reporting from the point a shipment is ordered through its movement, delivery, the associated payment, and subsequent analysis based on its movement.
Sources and Acceleration of Energetic Particles in Planetary Magnetospheres

Energetic particles in the magnetospheres of the solar system originate from various different sources, such as the solar wind, the planetary ionospheres as well as the moons and rings of the planetary systems. Important acceleration sites are the auroral regions, the magnetotail, and the equatorial regions of the magnetospheres where electric fields, wave-particle interactions, and magnetic pumping are among the major acceleration mechanisms proposed. Over the last decade mass- and charge-sensitive particle spectrometers on satellites and space probes have collected a wealth of information about the relative contribution of the various particle sources and the major acceleration processes to the energetic particle populations. Emphasis will be put on recent studies of the source populations and the acceleration processes in the Earth's auroral zones and magnetotail. Furthermore, the Jovian system with the largest magnetosphere and its unique mixture of particle sources with strong contributions from moons will be highlighted in some results from Ulysses.
Heparanase Enhances the Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway to Activate Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase in Multiple Myeloma

ERK signaling regulates proliferation, survival, drug resistance, and angiogenesis in cancer. Although the mechanisms regulating ERK activation are not fully understood, we previously demonstrated that ERK phosphorylation is elevated by heparanase, an enzyme associated with aggressive behavior of many cancers. In the present study, myeloma cell lines expressing either high or low levels of heparanase were utilized to determine how heparanase stimulates ERK signaling. We discovered that the insulin receptor was abundant on cells expressing either high or low levels of heparanase, but the receptor was highly phosphorylated in heparanase-high cells compared with heparanase-low cells. In addition, protein kinase C activity was elevated in heparanase-high cells, and this enhanced expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), the principle intracellular substrate for phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. Blocking insulin receptor function with antibody or a small molecule inhibitor or knockdown of IRS-1 expression using shRNA diminished heparanase-mediated ERK activation in the tumor cells. In addition, up-regulation of the insulin signaling pathway by heparanase and the resulting ERK activation were dependent on heparanase retaining its enzyme activity. These results reveal a novel mechanism whereby heparanase enhances activation of the insulin receptor signaling pathway leading to ERK activation and modulation of myeloma behavior.
Spontaneous diabetes in BB rats: Evidence for a T cell dependent immune response defect

Approximately 50% of BB rats develop insulinopenic hyperglycaemia and ketosis spontaneously in association with insulitis. Amelioration of the syndrome by immunosuppression suggests a cell mediated immune pathogenesis. Analysis of the cell-mediated immune profile of overtly diabetic and normoglycaemic diabetes prone BB rats indicates that they are lymphocytopenic relative to non-diabetes prone BB rats and that the T cell pool is particularly affected. Furthermore, lymphocytes from diabetic and diabetes prone BB rats, while producing normal responses to the T cell mitogen concanavalin A, do not respond when mixed in vitro with major histocompatibility complex incompatible lymphocytes. This anergy is not restored either by enriching the responding cell population for T cells or by adding exogenous T cell growth promoting factor. Thus BB rats have a numerical and regulatory deficit of their T cells which could be related to their propensity for diabetes.
Distributed network decomposition: A probabilistic greedy approach

In this paper, we propose a novel distributed network decomposition algorithm with the aid of the factor graph model and the max-product algorithm, which aims to achieve minimum cut weight. Its effectiveness is testified for general graph partition as well as distributed inference in wireless networks. Our algorithm is fully distributed, simple in computation, and readily extensible, thus providing a potentially powerful, data-independent clustering scheme for a wide range of data processing and networking applications.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Commentary Upper GI bleeding is one of the most important therapeutic areas in gastroenterology. Many of the cases fall under the category of an emergency situation and thus require urgent endoscopic intervention. In this review, Dr Loren Laine provides updated information about the epidemiology, the clinical presentation, and therapeutic interventions in various GI bleeding scenarios. In addition, Dr Laine provides a critical review of some of the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that are commonly pursued despite their very low yield. Lastly, Dr Laine emphasizes, in his review, the importance of combining endoscopic and medical therapeutic interventions in patients who present with upper-GI bleeding. – Ronnie Fass, MD, Editor
Global assessment of seasonal potential distribution of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is one of the world's most economically damaging pests. It displays highly seasonal population dynamics, and the environmental conditions suitable for its abundance are not constant throughout the year in most places. An extensive literature search was performed to obtain the most comprehensive data on the historical and contemporary spatio-temporal occurrence of the pest globally. The database constructed contained 2328 unique geo-located entries on Medfly detection sites from 43 countries and nearly 500 unique localities, as well as information on hosts, life stages and capture method. Of these, 125 localities had information on the month when Medfly was recorded and these data were complemented by additional material found in comprehensive databases available online. Records from 1980 until present were used for medfly environmental niche modeling. Maximum Entropy Algorithm (MaxEnt) and a set of seasonally varying environmental covariates were used to predict the fundamental niche of the Medfly on a global scale. Three seasonal maps were also produced: January-April, May-August and September-December. Models performed significantly better than random achieving high accuracy scores, indicating a good discrimination of suitable versus unsuitable areas for the presence of the species.
Bromine-, chlorine-, and mixed halogen-substituted 4-methyl-2(5H)-furanones: synthesis and mutagenic effects of halogen and hydroxyl group replacements.

The versatility of 4-(hydroxymethyl)-2(5H)-furanone as a starting point for the synthesis of several bromine and mixed halogen analogues of the potent water mutagen 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) has been demonstrated. However, in some preparations the yields of desired products were lower for bromine- than chlorine-substituted counterparts. A total of 12 bromine-, chlorine-, and mixed halogen-substituted 4-methyl-2(5H)-furanones were tested repeatedly in 10 independent experiments for levels of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100) mutagenicities. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the mutagenic response to changing halogen content, type, and position as well as to learn the measure of these responses in the presence and absence of the C-5 OH group. Mutagenicities reached levels of 103 and 102 rev/nmol for all trihalo- and dihalo-4-methyl-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones, respectively, notwithstanding substitutions by bromine or chlorine. Trihalides lacking the C-5 hydroxyl gr...
Longevity of male and female, intact and gonadectomized, untrected and hormone‐treated, neoplastic and non‐neoplastic syrian hamsters

Two thousand four hundred and fifty-six male and 1432 female Syrian hamsters, dying spontaneously at different ages, are arranged in age at death increments of 100 days. These are arranged further into groups of intact male, female, orchiectomized and ovariectomized animals; animals with and without benign or malignant tumors; animals treated with androgen, estrogen or both; animals with or without various hormonal imbalances; solitary and grouped animals; and virgins and breeders. The age at death incidences of each sex are plotted in graphs. Although longevity is decreased by gonadectomy and by neoplasia, the same sex differential is evident in each group, with males showing a distinct and consistent tendency to outlive females. Results are expressed in absolute numbers and in percentages. The data provide strong evidence supporting the frequently published suggestion that the Syrian hamster may be remarkable among mammals in that males tend to outlive females.
The solid solution chemistry of vesuvianite

Solid solution in vesuvianite is elucidated by examining chemical trends and cation abundances in 22 microprobe analyses of samples from the Big Maria Mountains, southeastern California. Two recent structure refinements indicate 50 filled cation sites per formula, providing the basis for data normalization. Previous optical absorption and Mossbauer studies help clarify site occupancies. Stoichiometric abundances of Si and Ca + Na indicate 18 and 19 per formula, filling all 4- and 8-fold sites respectively. The four 6-fold A-sites are filled with Al. The solid solution occurs mainly within the eight 6-fold AlFe-sites (Al, Mg, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ti) and one 5-fold B-site (Mg, Fe2+, Fe3+). Chemical trends and crystal chemical constraints delineate eight independent substitutions.
Figuring youth citizenship: Communicative practices mediating the cultural politics of citizenship and age

Abstract The central aim of this special issue is to bring together linguistic anthropologists whose work addresses how the cultural politics of citizenship intersects with children and youth’s expressive forms in late modernity. Our approach to cultural citizenship is in keeping with discourse-centered, post-structural approaches within cultural and linguistic anthropology. Specifically, we theorize and analyze how children and youth across different nation-states draw on concrete, situated communicative practices to navigate their senses of belonging in evolving state-civil society relations during an era of political economic neoliberalism. The collection attends to the quotidian ways through which youth engender and at times transform particular sociocultural figures of citizenship.
Partial Matroid Representations

A central theorem of matroid 3-connectivity is established that has a number of new and old connectivity results as corollaries. The proof of this theorem relies on a matrix theory developed here for partial matroid representations.
Fabrication of multiple-antibody arrays using a hydrogel microstamp

This work demonstrates a simple method for protein micropatterning. A new sugar poly(acrylate) hydrogel acts as a reusable `stamper' which deposits antibodies directly onto a silane modified capture surface. The antibodies are directly placed on the surface so a precise arrangement can be obtained with minimal cross-contamination among the antibody spots. Circular antibody spots have been created using this approach with diameters ranging from less than 20 to greater than 100 microns. Patterns were imaged using immunofluorescence microscopy wherein a fluorescently- labeled IgG antigen was selectively bound to the patterned (stamped) antibody. Signal to background ratios of greater than 25:1 have been routinely observed. Arrays with three antibodies were prepared and visualized by sequential exposure to fluorescently-labeled partner antigens. No cross-reactivity among the different antibody spots was observed. Engineered biosurfaces created using this new technology may be useful in the areas of multianalyte immunosensors, the assembly of protein ensembles, and cell patterning methods.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Understanding the efficiency of human perception

We compare the high perceptual efficiency exhibited by humans at a number of tasks in visual perception with that predicted by models of visual information processing, in particular the broad class of "feature detector" models, which we represent as an Ising spin system responding to a quasirandom magnetic field. The observed excitatory-center, inhibitory-surround organization of the neural receptive fields is seen to be desirable.
Absorber blackness and extrapolation distance

There is a simple and elegant relation, first given by Spinks and proved by Pellaud, between the blackness β of a cylindrical gray control rod surrounded by a pure scattering medium, the average angle of scattering f1 in the medium, and the increase Δd in the extrapolation distance for the medium due to the fact that the rod is not black. The relation is exact under certain conditions given by Pellaud. We have extended the result, showing that it is valid for more general scattering laws, and for plane and spherical geometry as well. We get another simple result in a case not considered by Pellaud. We also derive a formula for Δ which holds generally in all three geometries in a one-speed model with no other assumptions.
Market games with asymmetric information: the core

This paper concerns cores of economies with asymmetric information. Alternative definitions of the information available to traders in coalitions and the cooperative games they generate are analyzed. An important technical result states that such NTU games in characteristic function form are well defined. Properties of various cores with asymmetric information are examined. Sufficient conditions on information sharing rules are provided for the induced games to be totally balanced or balanced, so that their cores are nonempty. Incentive compatibility issues are considered. Finally, a perspective on this research area is provided.
Ordovician low‐ to intermediate‐Mg calcite marine cements from Sweden: marine alteration and implications for oxygen isotopes in Ordovician seawater

Petrography demonstrates the presence of three types of fibrous calcite cement in buildup deposits of the Kullsberg Limestone (middle Caradoc), central Sweden. Translucent fibrous calcite has intrinsic blue luminescence (CL) indicative of pure calcite. This cement has 2–5 mol% MgCO3, low Mn and Fe (≤ 100 p.p.m.), and is considered to be slightly altered to unaltered, primary low- to intermediate-Mg calcite. Grey turbid fibrous calcite has variable but generally low MgCO3 content (most analyses <2 mol%) and variable CL response, with Mn and Fe concentrations up to 1200 and 500 p.p.m., respectively. The heterogeneous characteristics of this variety of fibrous calcite are caused by diagenetic alteration of a translucent fibrous calcite precursor. Light-brown turbid fibrous calcite has low MgCO3 (near 1 mol%) and variable Mn (up to 800 p.p.m.) and Fe (up to 500 p.p.m.) concentrations, with an abundance of bright luminescent patches, which formed during alteration caused by reducing diagenetic fluids. The δ13C and δ18O values of all fibrous calcite form a tight field (δ13C=1·7 to 3·1‰ PDB, δ18O= − 2·6 to − 4·1‰ PDB) compared with fibrous calcite isotope values from other units. Fibrous calcite δ18O values are larger than adjacent meteoric or burial cements, which have δ18O δ − 8‰ PDB. Consequently, most diagenetic alteration of Kullsberg fibrous calcite is interpreted to have occurred in the marine diagenetic realm. First-generation equant and bladed calcite cements, which pre-date fibrous calcite, are interpreted as unaltered, low-Mg calcite marine cements based on δ13C and δ18O data (δ13C = 2·3 to 2·7‰ PDB, δ18O= − 2·8 to − 3·5‰ PDB). Unlike fibrous cement, which reflects global sea water chemistry, first-generation equant and bladed calcite are indicators of localized modification of seawater chemistry in restricted settings. Kullsberg abiotic marine cements have larger δ18O values than most Caradoc marine precipitates from equatorial Laurentia. Positive Kullsberg δ18O values are attributed to lower seawater temperatures and/or slightly elevated salinity on the Baltic platform relative to seawater from which other marine precipitates formed.
Thermal ecology of Interior Alaska dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera)

Summary 1 We examined the thermal ecology of Interior Alaska dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera). The relationships between mass and passive cooling rate, wing loading, minimum flight temperature (MFT) and thermoregulating ability were examined. These properties were also compared between the behavioural classes: perchers and fliers. All factors with the addition of seasonal and daily flight activity were related to generalized thermal strategies. 2 Passive cooling rate decreased while wing loading and MFT increased with mass. 3 While all species were able to elevate thoracic temperature, larger species were better able to maintain a constant temperature. 4 Both the smallest and largest species of dragonflies were capable of activity at ambient temperatures of approximately 14 °C by employing different thermal strategies: low MFT and physiological heat production, respectively. 5 For small species active in cool conditions low MFT may be favoured even if accompanied by poor thermoregulating ability. By contrast, thermoregulation and specialization for high-temperature performance may be favoured in both small and large species during the warmer summer flight season. 6 The smallest and largest dragonflies in Interior Alaska have the shortest and longest daily activity periods, respectively. However this pattern does not hold for the intermediate-sized dragonflies. Thermal strategy displays no clear relationship to daily activity pattern.
Sialosyl-Tn antigen is prevalent and precedes dysplasia in ulcerative colitis: A retrospective case-control study

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Expression of the carbohydrate-associated sialosyl- Tn (STn) antigen has been correlated with carcinogenesis in sporadic colon cancer. This retrospective study analyzed surveillance colonoscopy biopsy specimens to determine whether STn antigen could serve as a marker for neoplasia risk in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Eleven patients who developed dysplasia or cancer and who had undergone at least three surveillance colonoscopies were matched with 11 controls who had not developed neoplasia. Sections from 969 available surveillance biopsy specimens were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibody TKH2 and were interpreted blindly. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients expressed STn antigen more frequently in their biopsy specimens (44% patient biopsy specimens vs. 11% control biopsy specimens). Patients were also more likely to undergo colonoscopies with two or more colonic segments expressing STn antigen (73% vs. 22%), repeated STn antigen expression in two or more consecutive colonoscopies (91% vs. 27%), and STn antigen expression proximal to the hepatic flexure (64% vs. 0%). STn antigen appearance preceded the detection of neoplasia by 7 or fewer years, and its preferential expression in patients was not confounded by the degree of active inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated STn antigen expression in nondysplastic colonic mucosa may presage the development of neoplasia in long-standing ulcerative colitis and may be a useful adjunct to dysplasia during colonoscopic surveillance. (Gastroenterology 1996 Mar;110(3):694-704)
Justification of Empirical Belief: Problems with Haack's Foundherentism

The empirical foundationalist2 intuition is that a subject's experience alone is what confers justification on a belief. The coherentist intuition is that justification of a belief is solely a matter of how this belief coheres with the subject's other beliefs. In Evidence and Inquiry Haack argues for a theory of the justification of empirical beliefs which includes elements from both empirical foundationalist and coherentist intuitions and is not a form of reliabilism.3 She calls the theory 'foundherentism'. Haack's project is controversial since empirical foundationalism and coherentism are generally considered to be incompatible. Yet, I would argue that Haack does manage to incorporate only elements from foundationalism and coherentism which are compatible with one another. However, she is unable to do this while at the same time avoiding reliabilism. Haack borrows from foundationalist theories the tenet that experience is a necessary condition of the justification of any given empirical belief.4 The way that Haack argues for this is by linking experience with truth-a link which, if successful, confers justificatory power on experience. However, experience is corrigible, and therefore, experience is generally not sufficient for the justification of an empirical belief.5 The support of other beliefs is also necessary for that justification. And this latter tenet expresses the coherentist element to foundherentism. Haack addresses the following questions in support of her view:
Removal of dislocated intraocular lenses using Pars plana vitrectomy with placement of an open-loop, flexible anterior chamber lens

Abstract Objective There are many alternatives available to the vitreoretinal surgeon in the management of posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses (IOL). The lens may be repositioned in the ciliary sulcus if there is adequate capsular support, but if this support is absent, it must either be sutured in place (to the sclera or iris) or exchanged for an anterior chamber (AC) IOL. Scleral-sutured IOLs can be associated with hemorrhage, cystoid macular edema, retinal detachment, and endophthalmitis (through the suture tract), and use sutures that must last for the lifetime of the patient. Anterior chamber IOLs (ACIOLs) are easier to implant but require a limbal incision for insertion. The authors sought to determine the safety and efficacy of combining removal of posteriorly dislocated IOLs with ACIOL placement. Design A retrospective chart review, in which all cases of dislocated IOLs managed at the authors’ institution over the last 5 years were reviewed. Patient characteristics, pre-existing ocular conditions, preoperative visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), type of lens dislocated, operation performed, postoperative VA and IOP, and length of follow-up were recorded. Results A total of nine cases were identified. Seven of these underwent primary posterior chamber (PC) IOL removal with ACIOL implantation. One had an ACIOL placed after a sulcus-sutured PCIOL dislocated, and one had enough capsular support for placement of a PCIOL after removal of a plate haptic silicone lens. Of the seven primary ACIOL cases, the best-corrected VA improved in five cases, was unchanged in one (remained 20/20), and declined in another. The final postoperative VA (mean follow-up, 12 months) was 20/30 or better in five patients, and was limited by age-related macular degeneration and epiretinal membrane in the other two. A hyphema occurred in two patients and cleared in both without visual compromise. There was no evidence of corneal compromise or exacerbation of glaucoma in any of the patients. Conclusions Given that the results and complication rates in this small series appear to be similar to those reported for sulcus-suture techniques, implantation of an ACIOL after removal of a posteriorly dislocated IOL appears to be a viable alternative to suture fixation in the absence of capsular support.
MENGZI AND RECENT SCHOLARSHIP

Book reviewed in this article: MENCIUS: CONTEXT AND INTERPRETATIONS Edited by Alan K. L. Chan ESSAYS ON THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF MENGZI Edited by Xiusheng Liu and Philip J. Ivanhoe
Hypopharyngeal perforation: A compilation of endotracheal intubation

Abstract Endotracheal intubation is a safe procedure. Annually, thousands are performed with few complications. The technique is relatively easy to learn and apply. In recent years it has become the method of choice for airway security in the critically ill. The medical literature so extolls its safety that one may regard it as a riskless procedure. Occasionally, a combination of unfortunate circumstances transforms this safe procedure into one fraught with danger. Recently, at Howard University Hospital a patient sustained the rara complication of hypopharyngeal perforation secondary to endotracheal intubation.
Effects of eight weeks of an alleged aromatase inhibiting nutritional supplement 6-OXO (androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione) on serum hormone profiles and clinical safety markers in resistance-trained, eugonadal males.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6-OXO, a purported nutritional aromatase inhibitor, in a dose dependent manner on body composition, serum hormone levels, and clinical safety markers in resistance trained males. Sixteen males were supplemented with either 300 mg or 600 mg of 6-OXO in a double-blind manner for eight weeks. Blood and urine samples were obtained at weeks 0, 1, 3, 8, and 11 (after a 3-week washout period). Blood samples were analyzed for total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, estriol, estrone, SHBG, leutinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), cortisol, FT/estradiol (T/E). Blood and urine were also analyzed for clinical chemistry markers. Data were analyzed with two-way MANOVA. For all of the serum hormones, there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to baseline, free testosterone underwent overall increases of 90% for 300 mg 6-OXO and 84% for 600 mg, respectively (p 0.05) and clinical safety markers were not adversely affected with ingestion of either supplement dose (p > 0.05). While neither of the 6-OXO dosages appears to have any negative effects on clinical chemistry markers, supplementation at a daily dosage of 300 mg and 600 mg for eight weeks did not completely inhibit aromatase activity, yet significantly increased FT, DHT, and T/E.
Blood lead levels and mortality.

Background Despite declines in blood lead levels during the past 20 years, lead exposure continues to be a public health concern. Studies have linked lead exposure with increased risk for diverse health outcomes. Few studies have evaluated the association of lead exposure and mortality in the general population. Methods To evaluate the association of lead exposure and mortality in the United States, we used the recently released mortality follow-up data for participants of the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national cross-sectional survey of the general population conducted from 1976 to 1980. Survey participants aged 30 to 74 years with blood lead measurements were followed up through December 31, 1992 (n = 4292). Results After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals with baseline blood lead levels of 20 to 29 µg/dL (1.0-1.4 µmol/L) had 46% increased all-cause mortality (rate ratio [RR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.86), 39% increased circulatory mortality (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01-1.91), and 68% increased cancer mortality (RR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.02-2.78) compared with those with blood lead levels of less than 10 µg/dL ( Conclusions Individuals with blood lead levels of 20 to 29 µg/dL in 1976 to 1980 (15% of the US population at that time) experienced significantly increased all-cause, circulatory, and cardiovascular mortality from 1976 through 1992. Thus, we strongly encourage efforts to reduce lead exposure for occupationally exposed workers and the 1.7 million Americans with blood lead levels of at least 20 µg/dL (≥1.0 µmol/L).
Changing patterns of Pennsylvanian coal-swamp vegetation and implications of climatic control on coal occurrence

Abstract Improved regional and interregional stratigraphic correlations of Pennsylvanian strata permit comparisons of vegetational changes in Euramerican coal swamps. The coal-swamp vegetation is known directly from in situ coal-ball peat deposits from more than 65 coals in the United States and Europe. Interpretations of coal-swamp floras on the basis of coal-ball peat studies are extended to broader regional and stratigraphic patterns by use of coal palynology. Objectives of the quantitative analyses of the vegetation in relation to coal are to determine the botanical constituents at the peat stage and their environmental implications for plant growth and peat accumulation. Morphological and paleoecological analyses provide a basis for deducing freshwater regimes of coal swamps. Changes in composition of Pennsylvanian coal-swamp vegetation are quire similar from one paralic coal region to another and show synchrony that is attributable to climate. Paleobotany and paleogeography of the Euramerican province indicate a moist tropical paleoclimate. Rainfall, runoff and evapotranspiration were the variable climatic controls in the distribution of coal-swamp vegetation, peat accumulation and coal resources. In relative terms of climatic wetness the Pennsylvanian Period is divisible into five intervals, which include two relatively drier intervals that developed during the Lower-Middle and Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian transitions. The climate during Early Pennsylvanian time was moderately wet and the median in moisture availability. Early Middle Pennsylvanian was drier, probably seasonally dry-wet; late Middle Pennsylvanian was the wettest in the Midcontinent; early Late Pennsylvanian was the driest; and late Late Pennsylvanian was probably the wettest in the Dunkard Basin. The five climatic intervals represent a general means of dividing coal resources within each region into groups with similar botanical constituents and environments of peat accumulation. Regional differences in basinal geology and climate were significant variables, but the synchronous control of paleoclimate was of primary importance.
Observer Attribution: Effects of Dynamic Qualities of the Actor.

Research has shown that observers tend to attribute causality for an actor's behavior to dispositional characteristics of the actor rather than to external factors. Several authors have suggested that this phenomenon occurs because observers tend to focus attention on the actor. The present experiment was designed to determine whether dynamic qualities of the actor can, in part, account for observers' attentional and attributional behavior. Subjects were assigned the role of observers and were exposed to either a mildly dynamic or a stable actor. Subjects' attributions for the actor's behavior revealed that greater causality was attributed to the dynamic actor.
Asymmetric divisions, aggresomes and apoptosis

Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a fundamental process used to generate cell diversity during metazoan development that occurs when a cell divides to generate daughter cells adopting distinct fates. Stem cell divisions, for example, are a type of ACD and provide a source of new cells during development and in adult animals. Some ACDs produce a daughter cell that dies. In many cases, the reason why a cell divides to generate a dying daughter remains elusive. It was shown recently that denatured proteins are segregated asymmetrically during cell division. Here, we review data that provide interesting insights into how apoptosis is regulated during ACD and speculate on potential connections between ACD-induced cell death and partitioning of denatured proteins.
High-activity heparin: Chain length, affinity for antithrombin, and anticoagulant activity☆

Abstract The heparin species with high anticoagulant activity, obtained by affinity chromatography of heterogeneous heparin on antithrombin-Sepharose, was separated into fractions with different molecular weights. The stoichiometries and dissociation constants for the binding of each of the fractions to antithrombin was determined. It was found that the affinity of heparin to antithrombin increases with the molecular weight of the heparin and that the respective anticoagulant activities can be related to the percentage of the total heparin that is bound to antithrombin under the conditions of the assay system. The results are consistent with a model in which heparin contains a specific binding site for antithromin and multiple auxilliary interaction sites.
On particle-mesh coupling in Monte Carlo semiconductor device simulation

Improved nearest-grid-point and cloud-in-cell particle-mesh schemes are suggested, and a new nearest-element-center scheme proposed, to help reduce self force and improve the spatial accuracy of forces in Monte Carlo semiconductor device simulation. These schemes are exercised on both one-and two-dimensional model problems. An attempt to design a scheme with reduced self force for unstructured triangular meshes is unsuccessful.
OLDER ADULTS IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES: CHOICES, ATTITUDES, AND GOALS

Older adults comprise a growing population in America's community colleges. Today, approximately 15% of adults 40 years or older are enrolled in community colleges. Reasons for choosing the community college are as varied as the students themselves. Arguably, older adults are choosing the community college for reasons that include low tuition, convenient location, comprehensive course offerings, and flexible schedules. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine a cohort of older adults age 55 or older who were enrolled in public two-year colleges in 1996 and 1997. Specifically, the choices, attitudes, and goals of older adults were examined. The descriptive findings provide administrators, faculty, student affairs professionals, and researchers with information about a population seldom examined.
Water Dimers in the Atmosphere II: Results from the VRT(ASP-W)III Potential Surface

We report refined results for the equilibrium constant for water dimerization (KP), computed as a function of temperature via fully coupled 6D calculation of the canonical (H2O)2 partition function on VRT(ASP-W)III, the most accurate water dimer potential energy surface currently available. Partial pressure isotherms calculated for a range of temperatures and relative humidities indicate that water dimers can exist in sufficient concentrations (e.g., 1018 m-3 at 30 °C and 100% relative humidity) to affect physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere. The determinations of additional thermodynamic properties (ΔG, ΔH, ΔS, CP, and CV) for (H2O)2 are presented, and the role of quasi-bound states in the calculation of KP is discussed at length.
Disappearing violence: JSOC and the Pentagon’s new cartography of networked warfare:

In the twilight of the USA’s ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has been an expanding shadow war of targeted killings and drone strikes outside conventional war zones, where violence is largely disappeared from media coverage and political accountability. While many attribute the growth in these shadowy operations to the use of new technologies and platforms such as drones, this article argues that the central transformation enabling these operations is the increasing emergence of network forms of organization within and across the US military and related agencies after 2001. Drawing upon evidence from unclassified reports, academic studies, and the work of investigative journalists, this article will show that elements within the US military and related agencies developed in the decade after 2001 a form of shadow warfare in which hybrid blends of hierarchies and networks combine through common information and self-synchronization to mount strike operations across transnational battle spaces. But,...
Activated carbon decreases invasive plant growth by mediating plant–microbe interactions

There is growing appreciation for the idea that plant-soil interactions (e.g. allelopathy and plant-microbe feedbacks) may explain the success of some non-native plants. Where this is the case, native plant restoration may require management tools that change plant-soil interactions. Activated carbon (AC) is one such potential tool. Previous research has shown the potential for high concentrations of AC to restore native plant growth to areas dominated by non-natives on a small scale (1 m × 1 m plots). Here we (i) test the efficacy of different AC concentrations at a larger scale (15 m × 15 m plots), (ii) measure microbial responses to AC treatment and (iii) use a greenhouse experiment to identify the primary mechanism, allelopathy versus microbial changes, through which AC impacts native and non-native plant growth. Three years after large-scale applications, AC treatments decreased non-native plant cover and increased the ratio of native to non-native species cover, particularly at concentrations >400 g m(-2). Activated carbon similarly decreased non-native plant growth in the greenhouse. This effect, however, was only observed in live soils, suggesting that AC effects were microbially mediated and not caused by direct allelopathy. Bacterial community analysis of field soils indicated that AC increased the relative abundance of an unidentified bacterium and an Actinomycetales and decreased the relative abundance of a Flavobacterium, suggesting that these organisms may play a role in AC effects on plant growth. Results support the idea that manipulations of plant-microbe interactions may provide novel and effective ways of directing plant growth and community development (e.g. native plant restoration).
Polycrystalline La0.5Sr0.5CoO3/PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3/ La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 ferroelectric capacitors on platinized silicon with no polarization fatigue

Pulsed laser ablation‐deposition is used to produce fatigue‐free La0.5Sr0.5CoO3(LSC)/ PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT)/LSC ferroelectric capacitors on oxidized (100) Si substrates coated with a bilayer of Pt/Ti. These capacitors utilize a unique bottom electrode combination of LSC on Pt, where the LSC (a conducting oxide) acts as a template to promote the ferroelectric perovskite phase of PZT and to minimize polarization fatigue, while Pt is used for its high electrical conductivity and high temperature stability. We have used the hybrid Pt/LSC electrode discussed in this letter to integrate PZT‐based capacitors with Si substrates. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that the PZT film is polycrystalline and is entirely perovskite phase. Devices show no significant degradation of the switchable polarization after 3×1010 switching cycles. Aging tests show that the rate of loss of switchable polarization may allow useful memory retention for times up to 1010 s.
Comparison of change in quality of care between safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals.

Context Safety-net hospitals (ie, those that predominantly treat poor and underserved patients) often have lower quality of care than non–safety-net hospitals. While public reporting and pay for performance have the potential to improve quality of care at poorly performing hospitals, safety-net hospitals may be unable to invest in quality improvement. As such, some have expressed concern that these incentives have the potential to worsen existing disparities among hospitals. Objective To examine trends in disparities of quality of care between hospitals with high and low percentages of Medicaid patients. Design and Setting Longitudinal study of the relationship between hospital performance and percentage Medicaid coverage from 2004 to 2006, using publicly available data on hospital performance. A simulation model was used to estimate payments at hospitals with high and low percentages of Medicaid patients. Main Outcome Measures Changes in hospital performance between 2004 and 2006, estimating whether disparities in hospital quality between hospitals with high and low percentages of Medicaid patients have changed. Results Of the 4464 participating hospitals, 3665 (82%) were included in the final analysis. Hospitals with high percentages of Medicaid patients had worse performance in 2004 and had significantly smaller improvement over time than those with low percentages of Medicaid patients. Hospitals with low percentages of Medicaid patients improved composite acute myocardial infarction performance by 3.8 percentage points vs 2.3 percentage points for those with high percentages, an absolute difference of 1.5 (P = .03). This resulted in a relative difference in performance gains of 39%. Larger performance gains at hospitals with low percentages of Medicaid patients were also seen for heart failure (difference of 1.4 percentage points, P = 0.04) and pneumonia (difference of 1.3 percentage points, P Conclusions Safety-net hospitals tended to have smaller gains in quality performance measures over 3 years and were less likely to be high-performing over time than non–safety-net hospitals. An incentive system based on these measures has the potential to increase disparities among hospitals.
Gastrointestinal motor and myoelectric correlates of motion sickness.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the digestive tract motor and myoelectric responses associated with motion sickness. Twenty-two cats (1.5–3.0 kg) were chronically implanted with f...
Adaptive Sliding-Mode Control of a Charged Particle in an Ion Trap

Currently, commercial ion traps used for mass spectrometry are controlled in an open-loop manner with sinusoidally varying inputs. In this paper, we discuss the possible advantages of adding nonlinear feedback control to this system and demonstrate them through numerical simulations. Using sliding-mode control, we find that we can have a particle fall onto a trapping surface of our choosing, despite the presence of uncertainty in the system. In addition, when used in an open-loop fashion, the sliding-mode input creates stable attractors in the phase space. This shows that nonsinusoidal periodic inputs can effectively trap a group of particles. When an adaptive component is added to the closed-loop sliding-mode controller, we see that a simulated particle of unknown mass and charge can be successfully trapped and driven onto a desired surface. In addition, if that trajectory satisfies the persistent-excitation condition, then the controller can attain perfect estimation of the unknown parameters, thus measuring the particle mass and charge without ejecting it from the trap. These simulation results suggest a number of interesting experiments.