cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte proliferation in mice after a full laparotomy is the same whether performed in a sealed carbon dioxide chamber or in room air.

Purpose: Our laboratory has demonstrated that significantly more cell-mediated immunosuppression occurs after full laparotomy than after either anesthesia control or carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. We further demonstrated that the postoperative immunosuppression is related to the length of the incision. Other investigators believe that the immunosuppression observed after laparotomy is caused by peritoneal exposure to small amounts of lipopolysaccharide found in circulating air. They believe that the better-preserved immune function associated with laparoscopic surgery results from the avoidance of air contamination of the peritoneal cavity. To investigate this hypothesis, we determined and compared postoperative lymphocyte proliferation rates after (a) laparotomy in room air, (b) laparotomy in a CO2 chamber, (c) CO2 insufflation in a murine model, and (d) anesthesia alone. Methods: Female C3H/He mice (n= 21) were divided randomly into four groups: (a) anesthesia control, (b) air laparotomy, (c) CO2 laparotomy, and (d) CO2 insufflation. The control mice underwent no procedure. The group 2 animals underwent a full midline incision (xiphoid to pubis) and exposure to room air for 20 min and then were clipped closed. The group 3 mice underwent a full midline incision in a sealed CO2 chamber for 20 min, and the group 4 mice insufflation with CO2 gas at 4 to 6 mmHg for 20 min. Splenocytes were harvested from all the animals on day 2 after the interventions. Lymphocyte proliferation then was assessed using the nonradioactive colorimetric MTS/PMS system 72 h after concanavalin-A stimulation. Results: There was no significant difference in lymphocyte proliferation between the air and CO2 laparotomy groups. Lymphocyte proliferation in the anesthesia control and CO2 insufflation groups was significantly higher than in both the air laparotomy (p < 0.05) and CO2 laparotomy (p < 0.05) groups (p values by Tukey-Kramer test). There was no significant difference between the anesthesia control and CO2 pneumoperitoneum groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that full laparotomy performed in a sealed CO2 chamber compared to room air laparotomy resulted in similar suppression of lymphocyte proliferation. Furthermore, no significant suppression of lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the CO2 pneumoperitoneum group. These results, with regard to lymphocyte proliferation rates, refute the hypothesis that postoperative immunosuppression is related to air exposure and support the alternative hypothesis that immunosuppression is related to incision length.
Glioma vascularity correlates with reduced patient survival and increased malignancy.

Abstract Background The objective of this study was 2-fold: (1) document the presence and degree of vascularity in gliomas of different pathologic grades and (2) determine whether the presence of abnormal vascularity, determined by catheter angiography, correlates with a shortened survival. Methods As part of a protocol for radiographic data acquisition that was used in a computer-assisted, stereotactic system, all patients who underwent biopsy or resection of a newly diagnosed glioma between 1994 and 2000 at our institution routinely underwent preoperative catheter angiography. The presence and degree of tumor vascularity were recorded and then correlated with survival and pathologic grade. The confounding effects of age, KPS, adjuvant treatment, and extent of resection on survival were considered. Results Two hundred thirty-one patients were included in this study. The mean follow-up of survivors was 7.8 years. Tumor vascularity correlated with a shortened survival (proportional hazards RR for survival, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58-0.82). This correlation persisted after correction for age, KPS score, adjuvant therapy, and extent of resection (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68-0.97). Abnormal vascularity was present in 25 (30%) of 82 low-grade (WHO grade 2) gliomas. Overall, the extent of vascularity (none [120 patients, 52%], blush [63 patients, 27%], neovessels [25 patients, 11%], and arteriovenous shunting [23 patients, 10%]) correlated with worse WHO tumor grade (P Conclusions The presence of abnormal vascularity correlates with both a shortened survival and higher grade of malignancy. These findings underscore the importance of antiangiogenesis factor investigation and drug development for the treatment of gliomas, regardless of their pathologic grade.
Promoting Democracy after Conflict: The Difficult Choices

This article examines the democratic reconstruction model advocated by western countries for postconflict societies. It finds that the model has not been implemented successfully, in part because of a lack of international political will and financial resources, in part because the model has grown too complex. As the international community learned from successive experiences with postconflict reconstruction, the model grew in sophistication and complexity. While this is good in theory, in practice it widens the gap between the ideal and what can actually be accomplished with limited international resources and weak local governments. Even in Bosnia, where international commitment has been large, this maximalist approach to state reconstruction has met with only limited success. The international community must rethink its approach to postconflict reconstruction and scale it down to something that can realistically be achieved.
Troglitazone, a Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) Ligand, Selectively Induces the Early Growth Response-1 Gene Independently of PPARγ A NOVEL MECHANISM FOR ITS ANTI-TUMORIGENIC ACTIVITY

Troglitazone (TGZ) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) ligand that has pro-apoptotic activity in human colon cancer. Although TGZ binds to PPAR gamma transcription factors as an agonist, emerging evidence suggests that TGZ acts independently of PPAR gamma in many functions, including apoptosis. Early growth response-1 (Egr-1) transcription factor has been linked to apoptosis and shown to be activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We investigated whether TGZ-induced apoptosis may be related to Egr-1 induction, because TGZ has been known to induce ERK activity. Our results show that Egr-1 is induced dramatically by TGZ but not by other PPAR gamma ligands. TGZ affects Egr-1 induction at least by two mechanisms; TGZ increases Egr-1 promoter activity by 2-fold and prolongs Egr-1 mRNA stability by 3-fold. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation in HCT-116 cells abolishes the Egr-1 induction by TGZ, suggesting its ERK-dependent manner. Further, the TGZ-induced Egr-1 expression results in increased promoter activity using a reporter system containing four copies of Egr-1 binding sites, and TGZ induces Egr-1 binding activity to Egr-1 consensus sites as assessed by gel shift assay. In addition, TGZ induces ERK-dependent phosphorylation of PPAR gamma, resulting in the down-regulation of PPAR gamma activity. The fact that TGZ-induced apoptosis is accompanied by the biosynthesis of Egr-1 suggests that Egr-1 plays a pivotal role in TGZ-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Our results suggest that Egr-1 induction is a unique property of TGZ compared with other PPAR gamma ligands and is independent of PPAR gamma activation. Thus, the up-regulation of Egr-1 may provide an explanation for the anti-tumorigenic properties of TGZ.
Dilemmas Families Face in Talking With Returning U.S. Military Service Members About Seeking Professional Help for Mental Health Issues

Drawing on Goldsmith's (2004) normative theory, this article maps dilemmas family members experience when talking with returning service members (SMs) about seeking mental health care. Eighty family members of United States SMs who served in Iraq or Afghanistan read a scenario where their SM was displaying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression symptoms. Participants described goals they would pursue, barriers they might encounter, and advice they would give others in the situation. Four dilemmas of talking about mental health emerged: (a) getting you to recognize the problem without implying you're not normal, (b) convincing you to seek help without implying you're weak, (c) being persistent but patient, and (d) wanting you to open up without implying I can understand. Family members reported using four groups of strategies to manage these dilemmas. Directions for expanding the concept of dilemmas as "paradoxes" and for supporting military families as well as rethinking policy assumptions are discussed.
Asymmetric Price Movements and Borrowing Constraints: A Rational Expectations Equilibrium Model of Crises, Contagion, and Confusion

This study proposes a rational expectations equilibrium model of crises and contagion in an economy with information asymmetry and borrowing constraints. Consistent with empirical observations, the model finds: (1) Crises can be caused by small shocks to fundamentals; (2) market return distributions are asymmetric; and (3) correlations among asset returns tend to increase during crashes. The model also predicts: (1) Crises and contagion are likely to occur after small shocks in the intermediate price region; (2) the skewness of asset price distributions increases with information asymmetry and borrowing constraints; and (3) crises can spread through investor borrowing constraints.
Acknowledging our reviewers

—Monica L. Helton, BA As established in recent years, the July issue contains a list of all individuals who reviewed for The Journal in the past year. On behalf of the Editors, Editorial Board members, and Publisher of The Journal, we would like to take this opportunity to thank every one who serves as a reviewer for The Journal. We especially thank the 75 reviewers who completed 5 ormore reviews, who are indicated by a special notation in the list, representing the top 5% of reviewers. The Journal continues to publish highquality articles with the assistance of high-quality reviews. Also in this issue, details of The Journal’s peer-review process can be found in the Commentary. To prepare reviewers, as well as let authors know how their articles will be reviewed, the Guidelines for Reviewers are available in The Journal’s Guide for Authors (http://www.jpeds.com/authorinfo#guiderev); these Guidelines also are sent to reviewers who agree to review manuscripts. If you are interested in being added to our database of reviewers, please e-mail your full contact information, including email address and your area(s) of expertise, to journal.pediatrics@cchmc.org. Article page A10< Article page 150<
Micro Characterization of the Diffusion of Cr in Natural Diamond Particles

The development of new technology based on diamond provides a promising future due to the ability of diamond to be adapted to several conditions such as radioactive environments and space exploration. Diamond is a wide band gap material with unique combinations of properties useful for a number of applications like harsh and chemically corrosive environments. Elemental doping of diamond may change the structure of the crystal along with the electronics and physical properties of diamond such as resistivity, strength and heat capacity. The recently proven ability to diffuse several elements in natural diamond that can act as donors or acceptors has opened the possibility of developing micro-electronic applications like sensors and LED’s that can tolerate such extreme environments [1-2]. The diffusion method provides an alternate mechanism for the incorporation of impurities in diamond without creating extensive damage which results due to other techniques such as ion implantation [3]. The study of the diffusion process and its effect on diamond is then of vital importance for the development of novel materials in the next generation of micro and nano electronics, surface coatings, optical windows and biological and chemical sensors.
Toroidal Winding Geometry for High Voltage Superconducting Alternators

A modification of the Gramme-Ring armature winding is proposed-for possible use in high voltage alternators. The geometry of a toroidal winding permits good management of both eectric and magnetic fields within a machine. Design formulae for a superconducting alternator with atoroidally wound armature are presented, and a comparison is made between an armature designed on this principle and an existing armature for the MIT-EEI superconducting alternator.
Neighbourhood differences in diet: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether neighbourhood characteristics are related to dietary patterns independently of individual level variables. DESIGN: A cross sectional analysis of the relation between neighbourhood median household income and food and nutrient intakes, before and after adjustment for individual level variables. SETTING: Four United States communities (Washington Co, MD; Suburban Minneapolis, MN; Forsyth Co, NC, and Jackson, MS). PARTICIPANTS: 13,095 adults aged 45 to 64 years participating in the baseline examination of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a prospective study of atherosclerosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Information on diet and individual level income was obtained from the baseline examination of the ARIC Study. Diet was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Information on neighbourhood (census defined block groups) median household income was obtained from the 1990 US Census. Multilevel models were used to account for the multilevel structure of the data. Living in lower income neighbourhoods was generally associated with decreased energy adjusted intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and increased intake of meat. Patterns generally persisted after adjustment for individual level income, but were often not statistically significant. Inconsistent associations were recorded for the intake of saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and cholesterol. Overall, individual level income was a more consistent predictor of diet than neighbourhood income. CONCLUSION: Despite limitations in the definition and characterisation of neighbourhoods, this study found consistent (albeit small) differences across neighbourhoods in food intake, suggesting that more in depth research into potential neighbourhood level determinants of diet is warranted.
Halo, Alkyl, Aryl, and Bis(imido) Complexes of Niobium Supported by the β-Diketiminato Ligand

Synthesis of the complex (BDI)Nb(NtBu)Cl2py (BDI = HC[C(Me)N(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)]2) was achieved in high yield following the treatment of Nb(NtBu)Cl3py2 with Li(BDI)(OEt2). Substitution of the chlorides for fluorides was effected by introducing 2.0 equiv of Me3SnF in toluene, providing the pyridine-coordinated difluoride complex (BDI)Nb(NtBu)F2py in modest yield. The pyridine ligands from both halide compounds were removed by treatment with B(C6F5)3, affording the Lewis base-free complexes (BDI)Nb(NtBu)X2 (X = Cl, F). Additionally, the Lewis base-free dichlorides of the tBu-imido and Ar-imido (Ar = 2,6-iPr2-C6H3) complexes were obtained following treatment of Nb(NR)Cl3(dme) (R = tBu, Ar) with Li(BDI)(OEt2). The pyridine-coordinated dichloride was alkylated and arylated to form the dimethyl complex (BDI)Nb(NtBu)Me2 (described previously, see text) and the mono(p-tolyl) complex (BDI)Nb(NtBu)Cl(p-tol), the latter of which was methylated with MeMgBr to yield the mixed alkyl/aryl complex (BDI)Nb(NtBu)Me(p-tol) in g...
Optimal Reorganization Policies for Stationary and Evolutionary Databases

The problem of determining optimal reorganization policies for databases which employ file structures with overflow chaining is studied. The dynamics of the file performance driven by update transactions and reorganizations is formulated as a stochastic control model which incorporates micro-level design parameters of the physical file structure. Various simplifying assumptions employed in past research are relaxed in the model. Polynomial time procedures for solving the optimization models are developed for two cases: when the file size is stationary as in the steady-state and when the file size evolves stochastically with a nonlinear trajectory. The model and the solution procedures are applied to an ISAM file revealing the effectiveness of the solution procedures and the relationship between file design parameters and the optimal policy.
Characterizing and reducing route oscillations in the Internet

Oscillation of routes in the Internet causes unnecessary overhead. Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) transactions collected from the MAE-East exchange point for 2000 (January-December) show that approximately 16% of routing overhead traffic exhibits oscillating Autonomous System paths. About 66% of these paths used extra, unnecessary hops to route data traffic resulting in up to 10% extra-hop count. Common characteristics are shown to exist in oscillating routes. Our findings demonstrate that long-theorized route oscillations really do occur in the Internet. Faulty implementations and/or poor policy choices are likely causes, where the currently specified method of BGP implicit withdrawals causes propagation through the Internet. To reduce oscillations, we propose a new method of forcing explicit withdrawals in BGP. Simulation experiments with forcing explicit withdrawals show an overall reduction of the transaction traffic, as well as a reduction in path length.
Epifaunal and algal assemblages associated with the native Chondrus crispus (Stackhouse) and the non-native Grateloupia turuturu (Yamada) in eastern Long Island Sound.

article i nfo Although the spread of non-native algae is rapidly escalating, relatively few ecological studies have been done to gauge the impacts incurred to native flora and fauna. A reduction in the dominance of a native habitat-forming macroalga due to the replacement by an introduced species can have adverse effects on the community. The non-native red alga Grateloupia turuturu, first reported in Rhode Island, USA in 1994, has since extended its southern range into eastern Long Island Sound. This large alga has the potential to impact coastal communities by altering the floristic composition important to associated flora and fauna. A comparison of algal and epifaunal assemblages was made during 2006 and 2007 between native and non-native algal communities dominated by either G. turuturu or the native, Chondrus crispus at two sites in Long Island Sound. We found that within Grateloupia-dominated habitat, there was a large decrease in overall macrophyte biomass as compared to native habitat. We also found that habitat dominated by the non-native alga reduced species richness and total abundance of invertebrates relative to nearby habitats dominated byC. crispus. In addition, we found that the dominant mesofaunal species, important to higher trophic level consumers, had greatly reduced densities in communities dominated by the non-native alga. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Technical asset lives

This short presentation will cover the definition of technical asset lives within national grid. As examples, the derivation of air-blast switchgear and oil-filled cable asset lives will be discussed. The application of technical asset lives in replacement planning will be covered briefly.
Research challenges in sustainable strategic management: change and sustainability

This paper examines some of the major challenges in performing research on Sustainable Strategic Management (SSM) with an emphasis on accurately assessing the extent to which strategies actually result in true organisational change. The concepts of alpha, beta and gamma change are introduced. Whereas change is a scale recalibration that occurs when a respondent recalibrate the measurement scale over the course of time of a study. Gamma change is a concept redefinition that occurs when a respondent redefines or alters his or her understanding of the concept of interest over the course of a measurement period. All three categories of change should be considered when conducting SSM research.
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes from a Model Food by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based PCR with an Asymmetric Fluorogenic Probe Set

It has been shown that fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based PCR, including the TaqMan assay and molecular beacons, has potential for rapid detection of pathogens. In these promising real-time detection assays a single internal oligonucleotide probe labeled on both the 5′ (reporter) and 3′ (quencher) ends is used for selective generation of fluorescence. In this paper, we describe the use of a previously reported novel probe design for FRET-based PCR detection of Listeria monocytogenes in pure culture and in a model food commodity. In the assay described here an asymmetric probe set is used; this probe set consists of a long 5′ fluorescein-labeled reporter probe and a short, complementary 3′ DABCYL-labeled quencher oligonucleotide, which are used in a 5′ nuclease amplification and detection assay. By using the listeriolysin O (hly) and p60 (iap) genes as amplification targets, the performance of two primer-probe sets in amplification and subsequent detection of target DNA was evaluated. In studies performed with pure cultures of L. monocytogenes, the PCR profiles indicated that the relative change in fluorescence intensity was correlated with both the initial number of cells and the accumulation of specific amplicons for both hly and iap gene fragments. Experiments were also done to determine the applicability of the method to the detection of L. monocytogenes by targeting hly DNA and its short-lived mRNA product in a model food commodity. Twenty-five-milliliter samples of reconstituted nonfat dry milk (NFDM) were seeded with L. monocytogenes and processed to concentrate the bacteria by centrifugation, and this was followed by nucleic acid extraction and amplification with hly-specific primers. Endpoint detection of PCR and reverse transcription-PCR amplicons could be achieved at inoculum levels of 103 and 104 CFU of L. monocytogenes/25 ml of NFDM, respectively. This study demonstrated that this asymmetric FRET-based amplification and detection protocol provides an alternative approach for endpoint detection of nucleic acid amplification products as applied to detection of pathogens in a model food.
Insights on the evolution of a vegetatively propagated crop species.

The opportunity for gene flow between a vegetatively propagated crop and its wild relatives is expected to be much lower than for seed-propagated crops, since sexual reproduction in the crop occurs only infrequently. A study by Duputie and colleagues now demonstrates evidence of sexual reproduction between a vegetatively propagated crop and a closely related wild congener. Working in French Guiana, these workers have documented a hybrid zone arising from introgression between cassava ( Manihot esculenta ssp. esculenta , Euphorbiaceae), which is propagated by stem cuttings, and wild Manihot populations growing in close proximity. Patterns of heterozygosity suggest that there are little–to–no barriers to reproduction between the crop and these wild populations. Previous work by these researchers has documented the importance of occasional sexual reproduction for the development of cassava varieties in traditional Amerindian farming systems. Taken together with their previous work, these new findings suggest that gene flow between wild Manihot populations and cassava plants could potentially play a much greater role in the crop’s evolution than previously thought.
Direct effects of propofol on myocardial and vascular tissue from mature and immature rats

Objective: To determine the effect of age on the direct myocardial and vascular effects of propofol in rats. Design: Randomized, prospective with repeated measures. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Myocardial and aortic tissue from 12 immature (4-week-old) and 12 mature (16-week-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions: Change in force of contraction was measured in isolated myocardial strips or in isolated descending thoracic aorta rings during exposure to propofol or intralipid. Measurements and Main Results: Propofol produced a dose-dependent decrease in vascular tone (p < 0.05). This effect was similar for intralipid. Propofol was more potent in the younger animals (EC50, 5.3 μg/mL [confidence interval, 2.5 to 11.1] for 4-week-old and 26.6 μg/mL [confidence interval, 6.8 to 103.7] for 16-week-old rats; p < 0.05). In contrast, propofol produced a dose-dependent decrease in contractility (p = 0.001), whereas intralipid produced no decrease in contractility. Conclusions: Although propofol does produce a dose-dependent decrease in contractility, this effect is similar at different ages. Propofol produces more direct vascular relaxation in the immature tissue. Propofol's direct cardiovascular effect and its indirect cardiovascular effects should be considered in the young and old, especially when cardiovascular reserve is limited. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Some Key Pedagogic Principles for Helping ELLs to Succeed in School

In this article, we put forward 4 pedagogic principles that we consider to be particularly important in helping English language learners (ELLs) to succeed in school. These principles are: creating multiple and varied opportunities for ELLs to use the target language in both speech and writing, promoting high engagement by building on students' interests, connecting the curriculum to ELLs' lives and their funds of knowledge, and working toward a tangible goal. We illustrate these principles in action by presenting 2 case studies drawn from our research. They show how the teachers with whom we worked used these principles to meet their students' needs in two demographically different classroom contexts.
A survey of five antidepressant properties influencing clinician's treatment choices in MDD.

INTRODUCTION The goal of the present work was to examine how clinicians' perceptions of the properties of antidepressants may influence their choice of antidepressants when treating major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS 273 of 682 (40%) clinicians attending a psychopharmacology review course responded to a questionnaire designed to explore their practices and perceptions with regards to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. RESULTS Most clinicians ranked efficacy (57.3%) as the most important factor when selecting antidepressants, followed by safety (23.0%), tolerability (9.4%), rapidity of action (5.2%), and cost (4.9%). However, when presented with hypothetical scenarios in which there was a difference in efficacy between two antidepressant agents, the relative safety, tolerability, and cost of the two agents significantly influenced the likelihood of choosing one antidepressant over another. In fact, clinicians required progressively greater differences in efficacy between two agents in order to select one antidepressant over another given a difference in terms of their safety than tolerability, or their tolerability than cost (p < 0.0001 all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS When selecting an antidepressant, clinicians appear to be most influenced by efficacy, followed by safety. Rapidity of action and cost may be less salient considerations in clinical practice. Further research is necessary to elucidate factors that influence clinicians' choice of antidepressants.
THYMIC STROMAL ORGANIZATION IS REGULATED BY THE SPECIFICITY OF T CELL RECEPTOR/MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX INTERACTIONS

The thymic architecture is normally compartmentalized into a central medulla surrounded by a peripheral cortical region. We investigated how compartmentalization of the thymic stroma is regulated using T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic mouse models. Our studies show that the signals generated by TCR/peptide/major histocompatibility complex interactions regulate thymic stromal cell compartmentalization. In TCR-transgenic mice, normal stromal cell compartmentalization occurs when the transgenic TCR is expressed on a background that does not result in skewing toward either positive or negative selection. In models representing strong positive selection, the thymic stromal elements do not fully organize into a central medulla. Instead, small medullary foci are dispersed throughout the thymus with some regions residing directly under the capsule. The highest degree of disorganization in medullary epithelial regions is observed in TCR-transgenic mice that exhibit negative selection. Although the medullary foci lack central organization, the expression in these regions of CD80, CD86 and CD40, as well as the clustering of dendritic cells, is similar to that observed in medullae of wild-type mice. Thus, the organization of the medulla appears to occur in two stages: (1) small medullary epithelial regions that are dispersed in fetal thymi expand and associate with antigen-presenting cells, and (2) the expanded medullary foci organize into a central medullary compartment. Our data suggest a model in which this second stage of stromal cell organization is increasingly inhibited as the normal balance of TCR-mediated signals is skewed by higher-avidity interactions between thymocytes and antigen-presenting cells.
Avoiding Prematurity in Elective Repeat Cesarean Section: A Role for Amniotic Fluid Phosphatidylglycerol

A prospective study was undertaken in 107 elective repeat cesarean deliveries in which the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio was positive. The frequency of neonatal complications in 87 of these women having positive amniotic fluid (AF) phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was compared with the frequency in the remaining 20 patients exhibiting a negative PG. Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) did not occur in either group. However, neonatal complications and related clinical procedures were significantly increased in the PG-negative patients. These neonatal complications included increased frequency of admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit, physiologic jaundice, poor feeding, transient tachypnea, prolonged oxygen therapy, arterial blood gas determinations, chest X-ray and placement of a peripheral intravenous line. The cause of this increased frequency in neonatal complications appears to be mild prematurity in patients exhibiting a positive AF L/S with a negative PG. This study suggests that, in hospitals where PG determinations are available, neonatal complications could be reduced further by awaiting the AF PG result before electively performing a repeat cesarean section.
FINITE-ELEMENT METHODS FOR AN OPTIMAL STEADY-STATE CONTROL PROBLEM

An optimal steady-state control problem governed by an elliptic state equation is solved by several finite element methods. Finite element discretizations are applied to different variational formulations of the problem yielding accurate numerical results as compared with the given analytical solution. It is sated that, for minimum computational effort and high accuracy, ‘mixed’ finite elements requiring only C° continuity, and approximating the control and state functions simultaneously are better suited to similar ‘fourth order’ problems.
Composite relation for laminar free convection in inclined channels with uniform heat flux boundaries

Abstract A composite correlation of the average Nusselt number and the channel Rayleigh number for buoyant air flow through inclined channels with uniform heat flux boundaries is presented. The form of the correlation is based on dimensional analysis and is a superposition of the developing and fully developed flow limits. In the limit of fully developed flow, an analytical solution for the Nusselt number is derived. The developing flow limit follows the format of the correlation for a single plate. The composite relationship based on the top wall temperature is Nu ¯ = 6.25 ( 1 + r ) Ra ″ sin ϕ + 1.64 ( Ra ″ sin ϕ ) 2 / 5 - 1 / 2 , where r is ratio of the heat flux at the top and bottom wall. At inclination angles of 30 ° ≤ ϕ ≤ 90 ° , this correlation predicts the available data base for 10 ≤ Ra ″ ≤ 10 5 and agrees with the analytical solution for 1 ≤ Ra ″ ≤ 10 2 .
The influence of urbanization on timberland use by forest type in the Southern United States

Abstract We use a modified multinomial logit approach to quantify the influence of urbanization on timberland use in general and by forest type in eight southern states in the U.S. between 1992 and 1997. Our results show that urbanization, economic returns, demographics, economic growth, and land quality explain the decline in timberland use in general. However, these factors impact softwood, hardwood, and mixed forest-type timberland in different magnitudes, and treating all timberland as one category imposes undue restrictions on estimation models. Modeling timberland use by forest type can improve land use projections.
ACID-SENSITIVITY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE RETROTRAPEZOID NUCLEUS IN PHOX2B-EGFP TRANSGENIC MICE

The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) contains noncholinergic noncatecholaminergic glutamatergic neurons that express the transcription factor Phox2b (chemically coded or "cc" RTN neurons). These cells regulate breathing and may be central chemoreceptors. Here we explore their ultrastructure and their acid sensitivity by using two novel BAC eGFP-Phox2b transgenic mice (B/G, GENSAT JX99) in which, respectively, 36% and 100% of the cc RTN neurons express the transgene in complete or partial anatomical isolation from other populations of eGFP neurons. All but one of the eGFP-labeled RTN neurons recorded in these mice were acid activated in slices. These cells contained VGLUT2 mRNA, and 50% contained preprogalanin mRNA (determined by single-cell PCR in the B/G mouse). Two neuronal subgroups were revealed, which differed in discharge rate at pH 7.3 (type I approximately 2; type II approximately 4 Hz) and the degree of alkalization that silenced the cells (type I 7.4-7.6, type II 7.8-8.0). Medial to the RTN, C1 neurons recorded in a tyrosine hydroxylase-GFP mouse were pH insensitive between pH 6.9 and pH 7.5. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated that eGFP-labeled RTN neurons were surrounded by numerous capillaries and were often in direct contact with glial cells, pericytes, and the basement membrane of capillaries. Terminals contacting large proximal eGFP dendrites formed mainly symmetric, likely inhibitory, synapses. Terminals on more distal eGFP dendrites formed preferentially asymmetric, presumably excitatory, synapses. In sum, C1 cells are pH insensitive, whereas cc RTN neurons are uniformly acid sensitive. The RTN neurons receive inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs and may have unfettered biochemical interactions with glial cells and the local microvasculature.
Effects of Ryanoids on Spontaneous and Depolarization-Evoked Calcium Release Events in Frog Muscle

The effects of ryanoids on calcium sparks and transients were studied in voltage-clamped cut frog muscle fibers with a laser scanning confocal microscope. For each ryanoid employed, several sequential effects were observed, including: a), transient increases in spontaneous spark frequency; b), conversions of sparks to long-lasting steady glows; and c), occasional interruptions of the glows. The ratio of the amplitude of the glow induced by a ryanoid to that of the precursory spark followed the order: ryanodol > ryanodine > C(10)-O(eq)-glycyl-ryanodine > C(10)-O(eq)-beta-alanyl-ryanodol. This sequence of glow amplitudes parallels that of the subconductances induced by these ryanoids in single-channel studies, suggesting that the glows reflect Ca(2+) fluxes through semiopen calcium release channels. Ryanoids also abolished depolarization-evoked sparks elicited with small pulses, and transformed the calcium release during depolarization to a uniform nonsparking fluorescence signal. The ratio of this signal, averaged spatially, to that of the control followed the order: ryanodol < ryanodine < C(10)-O(eq)-glycyl-ryanodine < C(10)-O(eq)-beta-alanyl-ryanodol, implying an inverse relationship with the amplitudes of ryanoid-induced glows. The observation that depolarization-evoked calcium release can occur after ryanoid suppression of calcium sparks suggests the possibility of a new strategic approach for treating skeletal muscle diseases resulting from leaky calcium release channels.
Management Optimism and Corporate Acquisitions: Evidence from Insider Trading

In this study we integrate evidence about managers' personal beliefs about their firms' prospects into an analysis of managerial decisions on acquisitions and takeover resistance. We examine insider trading (a proxy for personal beliefs) around significant corporate acquisitions and find little cross-sectional differences in the trading patterns of all managers around an acquisition. In general, the insiders do not change their trading patterns in the period when their firm is making an important corporate acquisition. We still obtain this result after controlling for the announcement-day abnormal return. We also find that while managers of firms that do not become takeover targets themselves and of firms that are eventually targets of friendly bids earn positive abnormal returns in the period after their trade, this is not true for managers of firms that are later subject to a hostile bid. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Try, try, try again . . . and again.

Superficially there appears to be little in common between Janet Baum Director of the Department of Radiology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and the 14th Century King of the Scots Robert the Bruce. Yet although Janet freely admits that she had not heard of King Robert I (1274–1329) who ruled over Scotland from the declaration of his monarchy in March of 1306 until his death allegedly from leprosy in June of 1329 she shares the same philosophy of not capitulating in the face of defeat rejection or failure as exemplified by her battle with medical journals just over 30 years ago to publish the novel observation that oral contraceptives steroids (OCS) induce hepatic adenomas. Robert de Brus Earl of Carrick and 5th Lord Annandale was born of Norman and Celtic ancestry on July 11 1274 at Turnberry Castle on the Ayrshire coast in the west of the lowlands of Scotland. Although he was a grandson of a former claimant to the throne of Scotland Bruce wavered initially in his Scottish patriotism and even paid homage to the notorious “Hammer of the Scots” Edward I of England. (excerpt)
Dispositional Mindfulness as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Perceived Partner Infidelity and Women’s Dating Violence Perpetration

Mindfulness gained increased attention as it relates to aggressive behavior, including dating violence. However, no known studies examined how the combined influences of dispositional mindfulness and perceived partner infidelity, a well-documented correlate of dating violence, relate to women's dating violence perpetration. Using a sample of college women ( N = 203), we examined the relationship between perceived partner infidelity and physical dating violence perpetration at varying levels of dispositional mindfulness, controlling for the influence of alcohol use. Results indicated perceived partner infidelity and dating violence perpetration were positively related for women with low and mean dispositional mindfulness, but not for women with high dispositional mindfulness. These results further support the applicability of mindfulness theory in the context of dating violence. Implications of the present findings provide preliminary support for mindfulness intervention in relationships characterized by infidelity concerns.
Estimating the Satellite Equatorial Crossing Time Biases in the Daily, Global Outgoing Longwave Radiation Dataset

Abstract Due to its long record length (approximately 25 years), the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) dataset has been used in a multitude of climatological studies including studies on tropical circulation and convection, the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, and the earth's radiation budget. Although many of the climatological studies using OLR have proven invaluable, proper interpretation of the low-frequency components of the data could be limited by the presence of biases introduced by changes in the satellite equatorial crossing time (ECT). Since long-term global changes could be masked or contaminated by this instrumental bias, it is necessary to take steps to ensure that the daily, global OLR dataset is free from such biases and is as accurate as possible. The goal of this study is to derive a method for estimating the ECT biases in the daily, global OLR dataset. Our analysis utilizes a Procrustes targeted empirical orthogonal function rotation (REOF) on an interpolated OLR dataset ...
Similarity Grouping of Human Sleep Recordings Using EEG and ECG

Characterizing variations in sleep stage composition is important in the scientific study of sleep. We use clustering, a form of unsupervised machine learning, to seek naturally occurring types within a collection of records that describe the sleep stage composition of 244 all-night human sleep studies. The results uncover a hierarchy of sleep composition types differentiated primarily by sleep efficiency or total sleep time and by the relative proportion of slow-wave sleep. The potential significance of these sleep type clusters for sleep medicine is suggested by associations between sleep type and health-related variables such as body-mass index, smoking frequency, and heart disease. EEG and ECG features, including spectral power distribution and measures of heart-rate variability, differ significantly among sleep types. The EEG signal provides sufficient information for an approximate reconstruction of the sleep type clusters, while ECG alone is found to be insufficient.
Comparison of the CIDR Select and 5-day Select Synch + CIDR protocols that included limited estrus detection and timed insemination for synchronizing estrus in beef heifers

The objective of this study was to compare AI pregnancy rates between the 5-d Select Synch + CIDR (5dCIDR; CIDR = controlled internal drug-release insert) and CIDR Select (CS) programs in replacement beef heifers with a limited period of estrus detection and AI followed by a timed insemination (TAI) of heifers not exhibiting estrus. Crossbred beef heifers (n = 318) were equally and randomly assigned to either the 5dCIDR or CS treatment. The 5dCIDR treatment consisted of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at CIDR insertion, followed 5 d later by CIDR removal and administration of two 25-mg doses of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) administered approximately 12 h apart. The CS treatment consisted of insertion of a CIDR for 14 d, an injection of GnRH 9 d after CIDR removal, and administration of PGF 7 d following GnRH. In both treatments, heifers were detected for estrus for 52 h following PGF, and those exhibiting estrus were inseminated based on the AM/ PM rule. Heifers not observed in estrus were TAI 72 h after PGF, concurrent with GnRH administration. Ten days following TAI, bulls were placed with the heifers for approximately 45 d. Estrus response tended (P = 0.07) to be greater in the CS treatment than in the 5dCIDR treatment. However, conception rate of heifers exhibiting estrus, TAI conception rate, overall AI pregnancy rate, and breeding season pregnancy rate did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments. In conclusion, 5dCIDR and CS protocols were equally effective at synchronizing estrus in replacement beef heifers.
Structure Design and Service Performance Study of Low Wind-pressure Conductor

The low wind-pressure conductor is a dedicated conductor which obtains low wind resistance coefficient by changing the sectional shape of the conductor and has extensive application prospect in electric power transmission lines in strong wind areas. Previous wind tunnel testing results showed that the wind resistance coefficient in unit length of the low wind-pressure aluminium conductor steel reinforced was obviously lower than that of the conventional aluminium conductor steel reinforced, and the control factors of manufacturing process of the low wind-pressure conductor were proposed. In this paper, the low wind-pressure aluminium conductor steel reinforced JLX1/G1A(DFY)–680/45–338 was designed based on the structure optimization of the conventional aluminium conductor steel reinforced JL/G1A–630/45–45/7, and the service performance study of the conductor was carried out. Results showed that the mechanical properties, electrical properties and construction properties of the low wind-pressure conductor fully satisfied service requirements, and the conductor can be popularized and applied for transmission lines in strong wind areas.
Infrared spectroscopy of Mn+ (H2O) and Mn2+ (H2O) via argon complex predissociation.

Singly and doubly charged manganese–water cations, and their mixed complexes with attached argon atoms, are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle source. Complexes of the form Mn+(H2O)Arn (n = 1–4) and Mn2+(H2O)Ar4 are studied via mass-selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy, detected in the mass channels corresponding to the elimination of argon. Sharp resonances are detected for all complexes in the region of the symmetric and asymmetric stretch vibrations of water. With the guidance of density functional theory computations, specific vibrational band resonances are assigned to complexes having different argon attachment configurations. In the small singly charged complexes, argon adds first to the metal ion site and later in larger clusters to the hydrogens of water. The doubly charged complex has argon only on the metal ion. Vibrations in all of these complexes are shifted to lower frequencies than those of the free water molecule. These shifts are greater when argon is attached t...
Separated Metallic and Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Opportunities in Transparent Electrodes and Beyond

Ever since the discovery of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), there have been many reports and predictions on their superior properties for use in a wide variety of potential applications. However, an SWNT is either metallic or semiconducting; these properties are distinctively different in electrical conductivity and many other aspects. The available bulk-production methods generally yield mixtures of metallic and semiconducting SWNTs, despite continuing efforts in metallicity-selective nanotube growth. Presented here are significant advances and major achievements in the development of postproduction separation methods, which are now capable of harvesting separated metallic and semiconducting SWNTs from different production sources with sufficiently high enrichment and quantities for satisfying at least the needs in research and technological explorations. Opportunities and some available examples for the use of metallic SWNTs in transparent electrodes and semiconducting SWNTs in various device nanotechnologies are highlighted and discussed.
Philanthropical (and Apocryphal, or Canonical?) Cricket in Edinburgh: The Geography and Scenery of a Sherlock Holmes Vignette

What are we to make of “The Field Bazaar”? Is it just a joke told for charity by Arthur Conan Doyle, or is it an oddly short canonical Sherlock Holmes story? Reasonable minds have differed. Fortunately, the mere mapping of the story need not (and does not here) involve taking a position on the question. For additions and improvements to the material printed here, read the 2016 Green Bag Almanac & Reader.