cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The validity of the reinstatement model of craving and relapse to drug use.

The reinstatement procedure has been used increasingly as a laboratory model of craving and relapse to drug abuse. With the number of reports involving this procedure growing, its validity as a model of relapse merits discussion. The present commentary addresses the validity of the reinstatement procedure in relation to the following three types of models: 1) formal equivalence models, which are assessed on the basis of how well they resemble some phenomenon outside the laboratory (i.e. face validity); 2) correlational models, which are assessed on the basis of how well they predict outcomes of various interventions (such as drug administration or environmental change) when effected outside the laboratory (i.e. predictive validity); and 3) functional equivalence models, which are assessed on the basis of whether the laboratory phenomenon is mechanistically identical or reasonably similar to the phenomenon outside the laboratory (i.e. content validity). In order to evaluate the reinstatement model, we briefly examined its various forms and uses, and compared preclinical outcomes to what is known about relapse from the clinical literature. In its most general form, the reinstatement model has reasonable face validity; that is, there is a general agreement in appearance or form of the behavior in the model and the clinical target, relapse. This face validity is generally absent for the procedure when it is used as a model of craving. The predictive validity of the model has not been established. Evidence from studies of treatments for drug relapse have not supported the validity of the model, however from studies of the effects of the presentation of various types of stimuli (e.g. drug "priming") there is mixed evidence supporting predictive validity. With regard to functional equivalence, there is reasonable evidence supporting functional commonalities between drug self-administration in laboratory animals and human drug abusers, which lends support to the validity of the reinstatement model. However, there are several specific areas of departure between the methods and results using the model and clinical practices and observations about relapse, suggesting a lack of functional equivalence. There is reasonable evidence to support the face validity of the model, but at this time, neither its predictive validity nor functional equivalence has been fully established, which underscores the need for caution in generalizing results from the model to the clinical condition.
Alcohol expectancies and drinking behaviors in Mexican American college students.

Abstract Research with non-Latinos has shown that alcohol expectancies (“the anticipated effects of alcohol use”) are associated with drinking behaviors; however, prior studies have not fully examined such relations in Latino college students. This investigation examines positive alcohol expectancies and their association with contextual drinking and alcohol-related problem behaviors in a sample of 107 Mexican American college students (mean age=25; 54% female) who completed self-report surveys. Results showed that students who endorsed expectancies of physical and social pleasure and increased social assertiveness were likely to engage in frequent heavy drinking and imbibe in less personal settings. Furthermore, gender (being male) and the expectancy of enhanced sexual performance and experience were associated with involvement in risk behaviors due to drinking. This study highlights the link between specific alcohol expectancies and alcohol-related problem behaviors in Mexican American college students. Intervention approaches aimed at modifying drinking expectancies in physical, social, and sexual domains could prove useful in this population.
Estimation of cellular manufacturing cost components using simulation and activity-based costing

It can be difficult estimating all of the cost components that are attributed to a machined part. This problem is more pronounced when a factory uses group technology manufacturing cells as opposed to a functional or process layout of a job shop. This paper describes how activity-based costing (ABC) concepts can be integrated into a discrete-event simulation model of a U-shaped manufacturing cell producing a part family with four members. The simulation model generates detailed Bills of Activity for each part type and includes specific information about the cost drivers and cost pools. The enhanced model output can be used for cost estimation and analysis, manufacturing cell design, part scheduling and other manufacturing decision processes that involve economic considerations. Although the scope of this effort is restricted to a small scale manufacturing cell, the costing concepts have general applicability to manufacturing operations at all levels.
Analysis of Electrodes Displaying Frequency Dispersion in Mott-Schottky Tests

A procedure is proposed for using the Mott-Schottky approximation to obtain the electronic properties (flatband potential and charge carrier density) of passive films that are modeled by equivalent circuits that contain a constant phase element (CPE) rather than a capacitor. Capacitances are calculated from the equivalent circuit containing a CPE using expressions developed by Hsu and Mansfeld [Corrosion, 57, 747 (2001)], and Brug et al. [J. Electroanal. Chem., 176, 275 (1984)]. Both expressions calculate similar flatband potentials for Ti and Ni, but the charge carrier densities are significantly different. The approach is applied to the analyses of passive films formed on titanium in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 and nickel in 1 M NaOH. The passive film formed on Ti was found to be n-type, have a flatband potential of -330 mV vs a sat. Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a charge carrier density of 1.4 X 10 21 cm -3 . The film formed on Ni was p-type, had a flatband potential of 100 mV, and a charge carrier density of 3 × 10 21 cm -3 .
Relaxation of problems of optimal structural design

Abstract The problem of optimal structural design is considered. The goal of design is to minimize an integral functional which characterized the quality of construction. Classes of optimal microstructures of composites made of given materials are described and analysed. The proposed method deals with the averaged description of minimizing sequences of materials layout which physically are the composites with a special microstructure. In contrast with the known approach of the G -closure description, the suggested procedure does not require the description of the full variety of effective properties of an arbitrary composite, but instead selects the class of structures which are the only candidates to optimal design. The approach is illustrated by the structural design problems of conducting and elastic composites.
Energy dissipation in micromechanical resonators

Recent years have witnessed breakthrough researches in micro- and nano-mechanical resonators with small dissipation. Nano-precision micromachining has enabled the realization of integrated micromechanical resonators with record high Q and high frequency, creating new research horizons. Not too long ago, there was a perception in the MEMS community that the maximum f.Q product of a microresonator is limited to a frequency-independent constant determined by the material properties of the resonator. In this paper, the contribution of phonon interactions in determining the upper limit of f.Q product in micromechanical resonators will be discussed and shown that after certain frequency, the f.Q product is no longer constant but a linear function of frequency. This makes it possible to reach very high Qs in GHz micro- and nano-mechanical resonators and filters. Contributions of other dissipation mechanisms such as thermoelastic damping and support loss in the quality factor of a microresonator will be discussed as well.
The Transradial Learning Curve and Volume-Outcome Relationship

This article discusses how learning curves correlate with learning in transradial catheterization. Although learning curves exist in the conversion to transradial approaches, current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures are so safe that only surrogate end points such as contrast usage and x-ray exposure show learning effects. Using these surrogates, a learning curve of 30 to 50 patients seems typical to transition cardiologists from transfemoral to transradial PCI. This transition occurs with the immediate benefit of reduced vascular complications and bleeding and without loss of overall procedural success. These measures of safety during learning exist despite difference of procedural volumes.
Systems analysis evaluation of gamma-ray detectors for remote monitoring applications

Because of the large number of different gamma-ray detectors available, including both scintillation and semiconductor types, extensive analysis may be required to determine which detector system is optimal for a given application. In the selection of detectors for remote monitoring of nuclear materials, a methodology has been developed to assess which detectors are best suited for this application. The analysis provides a numerical ranking of the performance of each detector thereby reducing the large set of all potential detectors to a small tractable set of most promising candidates. The basis for the evaluation will be discussed, along with the application of the methodology to a wide range of scintillator and semiconductor detector materials. The most promising scintillator and semiconductor materials are identified for remote monitoring applications.
Library of Congress' Class L: Education, Table L7: An Expansion for Local Use

ABSTRACT Table L7 provides ranges of Cutter numbers, with no directions for the allocation of the numbers within the ranges. For an extensive collection such as a library might assemble of its parent institution's output, more guidance is needed. Between normal institutional changes and multiple catalogers of varying degrees of expertise, the chances of maintaining a logical shelf arrangement over time become vanishingly small. This case study describes the problem that developed as the table was applied to the institutional publications of Georgia State University, and proposes an explicit expansion of Table L7 for local use as a solution. With suitable adaptations to accommodate their specific administrative and academic divisions, this expansion of Table L7 could be helpful to other “one-number institutions” using both Table L7 and Table L13.
Potentiation by GTP of hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase in renal cortex plasma membrane preparations

Abstract GTP potentiated the stimulation by parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E1 of adenylate cyclase in a renal cortex preparation enriched in proximal tubule basal-lateral plasma membranes. Adenylate cyclase in these membranes did not respond to epinephrine nor glucagon, in the absence or presence of GTP. Activation of basal activity by GMP-PNP was strongly inhibited by GTP. GTP also increased the sensitivity of renal adenylate cyclase to parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E1. The synergistic effect of GTP was not inhibited by chelating nor thiol-reducing reagents.
Influence of Lifestyle Factors on Inflammation in Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004

Background Type 2 diabetes is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, increasing the risk for various adverse health outcomes.
Characterizing the Flaming Ignition of Cellulose Fuel Beds by Hot Steel Spheres

In this work, the flaming ignition of powdered cellulose fuel beds by hot steel spheres of various diameters and initial temperatures is studied. The spheres were heated in a tube furnace and then dropped onto a fuel bed, and the occurrence of flaming ignition or lack thereof was visually observed and recorded. A multivariable logistic regression method was developed and used to obtain an approximate ignition probability distribution and flaming ignition limits for the parameter space investigated. Each test was also recorded using high speed Schlieren videography, which gave qualitative insight into the ignition process. Ignition of larger spheres (>8.5 mm) appears to depend more strongly on sphere temperature than diameter. Alternatively, ignition by small spheres (<3.5 mm) appears less sensitive to temperature and more sensitive to sphere size. It was also confirmed that ignition cannot be predicted by bulk sphere energy alone. Flaming ignition occurs in the gas phase, in some cases away from the ball ...
Factors influencing polybutadiene deposition within porous chromatographic zirconia

We have studied the effect of the conditions for the deposition of polymers in the preparation of polybutadiene-coated porous zirconia particles for reversed-phase chromatography. Chromatographic performance improves when the particle surface is pre-coated with elemental carbon by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Conversely, performance is significantly degraded when the solvent is removed very slowly during the deposition process. No improvement results when the particles are coated using small sequential loads of polymer. We hypothesize that the polymer deposition process is controlled by the rate at which the solvent meniscus recedes during solvent evaporation, by the affinity of the polymer for the zirconia surface, and by polymer-solvent and polymer-polymer interactions.
RNA-Seq Profiling of a Defective Seed Coat Mutation in Glycine max Reveals Differential Expression of Proline-Rich and Other Cell Wall Protein Transcripts

The plant cell wall performs a number of essential functions including providing shape to many different cell types and serving as a defense against potential pathogens. The net pattern mutation creates breaks in the seed coat of soybean (Glycine max) because of ruptured cell walls. Using RNA-Seq, we examined the seed coat transcriptome from three stages of immature seed development in two pairs of isolines with normal or defective seed coat phenotypes due to the net pattern. The genome-wide comparative study of the transcript profiles of these isolines revealed 364 differentially expressed genes in common between the two varieties that were further divided into different broad functional categories. Genes related to cell wall processes accounted for 19% of the differentially expressed genes in the middle developmental stage of 100-200 mg seed weight. Within this class, the cell wall proline-rich and glycine-rich protein genes were highly differentially expressed in both genetic backgrounds. Other genes that showed significant expression changes in each of the isoline pairs at the 100-200 mg seed weight stage were xylem serine proteinase, fasciclin-related genes, auxin and stress response related genes, TRANSPARENT TESTA 1 (TT1) and other transcription factors. The mutant appears to shift the timing of either the increase or decrease in the levels of some of the transcripts. The analysis of these data sets reveals the physiological changes that the seed coat undergoes during the formation of the breaks in the cell wall.
Genetics of reovirus: Identification of the ds RNA segments encoding the polypeptides of the μ and σ size classes

Abstract Recombinants derived from crosses between reovirus serotypes 1, 2, and 3 were utilized to identify the ds RNA segments encoding polypeptides of the μ and σ size classes. The results indicate the following assignments: M1 ds RNA encodes polypeptide μ2, M2 encodes μ1, M3 encodes μNS, S1 encodes σ1, S2 encodes σ2, S3 encodes σNS, and S4 encodes σ3. In addition polypeptide species μ2 has been conclusively identified as a structural component of the reovirus core. A new nomenclature for the viral polypeptides is discussed.
Fuel cell system economics: comparing the costs of generating power with stationary and motor vehicle PEM fuel cell systems

Abstract This investigation examines the economics of producing electricity from proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems under various conditions, including the possibility of using fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to produce power when they are parked at office buildings and residences. The analysis shows that the economics of both stationary fuel cell and FCV-based power vary significantly with variations in key input variables such as the price of natural gas, electricity prices, fuel cell and reformer system costs, and fuel cell system durability levels. The “central case” results show that stationary PEM fuel cell systems can supply electricity for offices and homes in California at a net savings when fuel cell system costs reach about $6000 for a 5 kW home system ($1200/kW) and $175,000 for a 250 kW commercial system ($700/kW) and assuming somewhat favorable natural gas costs of $6/GJ at residences and $4/GJ at commercial buildings. Grid-connected FCVs in commercial settings can also potentially supply electricity at competitive rates, in some cases producing significant annual benefits. Particularly attractive is the combination of net metering along with time-of-use electricity rates that allow power to be supplied to the utility grid at the avoided cost of central power plant generation. FCV-based power at individual residences does not appear to be as attractive, at least where FCV power can only be used directly or banked with the utility for net metering and not sold in greater quantity, due to the low load levels at these locations that provide a poor match to automotive fuel cell operation, higher natural gas prices than are available at commercial settings, and other factors.
Abstract 4268: Gene signature of host irradiation from Trp53 null mammary tumors detects radiation-preceded human cancers and has prognostic value for sporadic human breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The microenvironment mediates many important aspects of tumorigenesis, providing complementary mechanisms that work in concert with mutagenic challenges to initiate and promote tumor development. To test the effect of ionizing radiation, a carcinogen known to act via the microenvironment, we employed a radiation-genetic chimera in which an irradiated mouse was transplanted with unirradiated Trp53 null mammary epithelium. Host irradiation not only decreased tumor latency, but unexpectedly enriched for tumors that were negative for estrogen receptor-α (Cancer Cell 19:40-51, 2011). Using gene expression microarrays we identified a profile containing 323 genes (323-IHC) that could separate the tumors that arose in irradiated hosts from those that arose in naive mice. To evaluate the relevance of an irradiated microenvironment in human cancer, the 323-gene expression signature was applied to expression profiles of sporadic or radiation-preceded human cancers. Clustering using the 323-IHC was able to detect radiation history in thyroid carcinomas from Chernobyl and radiotherapy associated sarcomas even though there was no overlap with the differential gene profiles published for either data set, demonstrating the relevance of microenvironment reprogramming as one of the fundamental facets of radiation carcinogenesis. We next utilized a gene expression data set representing 1,608 human breast cancers compiled from 10 independent studies. Clustering of these samples, using genes from our mouse-derived radiation signature that were also present on the breast cancer gene expression platform, segregated four subgroups that were enriched for intrinsic subtypes, and two major groups with differential relapse-free and overall survival. A 72-gene centroid derived from the 323-IHC classified the breast cancers as either similar to tumors from host-irradiation, or similar to tumors from non-irradiated hosts. Classification of the human breast cancer expression profiles revealed an association between host-irradiation and estrogen receptor negative, basal-like breast cancers. Thus, the biology represented in the 323-IHC signature is present in human cancers and associates with etiology and clinical outcome. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4268. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4268
Simple equivalent circuit for the nonlinear surface-wave convolver

A simple equivalent circuit for the centre-plate nonlinear acoustic-surface-wave convolver has been derived. This model has been tested experimentally and used to separate the magnitude of the nonlinear electromechanical coupling constant for the circuit response of the device.
Content divide: Africa and the global knowledge footprint sponsored by: SIG/III

The purpose of this panel is to discuss the global knowledge output at a macro level with a view to understand key inputs that foster scientific and research performance. Here, knowledge production is limited to scientific and technical journals and patent registrations to gauge the performance of each region and continent the world over. Greater emphasis will be placed to highlight important indicators from the input side that help spur national research and innovation systems in Africa. Defined here as “content divide,” panel members focus on key variables that help build scientific and research capabilities of Africa. Closely interrelated variables that will be discussed include (1) access to the global knowledge base, (2) the role of higher education systems (3) national, regional, and global research and education networks (RENs); and (4) gross expenditure on R&D (GERD).
Haemophilus somnus-induced IgE in calves vaccinated with commercial monovalent H. somnus bacterins

The ability of commercially available Haemophilus somnus bacterins to elicit an immunoglobulin E (IgE) response was examined in healthy calves using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting techniques. Thirty five calves were utilized in this study. Calves in Group 1 (n=7) did not receive any H. somnus vaccination and served as negative controls. Calves in each of Groups 2–5 (n=7 each) were vaccinated on days 0 (primary) and 14 (booster) with one of four commercially available H. somnus bacterins. Sera were harvested on days 0 and 14 and at weekly intervals for a total of 45 days. Sera were tested for the presence of IgE antibodies using a bovine IgE-specific ELISA. Low levels of H. somnus-specific IgE were detected by ELISA in all animals prior to the initiation of the study. All bacterins induced IgE levels that were significantly higher than control levels. Two bacterins elicited higher IgE levels at all time points. Sera were adsorbed against washed whole cells of either Salmonella typhimurium, P. multocida, or H. somnus or extracts of H. somnus. ELISA absorbance values were significantly decreased by adsorption with washed whole cells or extracts of H. somnus, whereas adsorption with other gram-negative bacteria only minimally decreased ELISA absorbance values. These results indicate that commercially available H. somnus bacterins can induce IgE antibody as early as 14 days post-vaccination. This IgE can be detected 45 days after the primary vaccination. Results also indicate that H. somnus-specific IgE antibodies can be found in serum of some cattle, possibly induced by existing or previous sensitization.
Applications for New Real-time Seismic Information: The TriNet Project in Southern California

Historically, California's seismic networks have contributed to emergency response efforts after major earthquakes and provided, within the limits of available technology, rapid information on seismic activity. Since the late 1980's, the information generated by the networks has included magnitude, location, identification of the fault that ruptured, and, more recently, assessment of the probability of damaging aftershocks. While useful, this information was not sufficient to support critical postearthquake emergency management decision-making. With the implementation of TriNet in 1997, this situation has changed in southern California. In a post-Northridge assessment of seismic network performance, scientists concluded that use of new digital broadband sensors, modern data communications methods, and advanced computing could greatly improve the accuracy and timeliness of seismic information and provide useful decision-support tools for emergency responders. In the months that followed Northridge, seismologists responsible for network operations assembled a proposal detailing the necessary steps to develop a state-of-the-art broadband and strong-motion network that would reliably serve the needs of emergency management and those of scientific investigation and building code development (Hauksson et al., 2001; Goltz and Hauksson, 2001). The TriNet project was initiated in 1997 by three institutions: the California Institute of Technology, the California Geological Survey (formerly the California Division of Mines and Geology), and the United States Geological Survey. The five-year effort to build a state-of-the-art digital seismic and strong-motion network was supported by a Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) of $20.8 million with funding provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Because of provisions of the HMGP that tied funding of the project to the Northridge earthquake recovery, funds could be spent only for network enhancement in southern California. The Caltech outreach component (the California Geological Survey sponsored its own outreach program targeting the engineering community) of TriNet …
Chimeras between SRS and Moloney murine leukemia viruses reveal novel determinants in disease specificity and MCF recombinant formation.

Abstract SRS 19-6 MuLV is a murine retrovirus originally isolated in mainland China. A noteworthy feature of this virus (referred to as SRS MuLV here) induces tumors of multiple hematopoietic lineages, including myeloid, erythroid, T-lymphoid and B-lymphoid. To identify the determinants of disease specificity, chimeras between SRS and Moloney MuLV (M-MuLV) were generated by molecular cloning, and the pathogenic properties of the chimeras were investigated. The results indicated that, while the M-MuLV LTR can confer lymphoid specificity to SRS MuLV, the SRS LTR by itself was not sufficient to confer multiple lineage tumorigenesis to M-MuLV; additional sequences in gag or pol were also required. Thus, a secondary determinant for myeloid/erythroid leukemia in SRS MuLV is located in gag–pol . In these chimeras, an independent determinant for T-lymphoma was found in M-MuLV gag–pol . It was also interesting that insertion of M-MuLV env into SRS MuLV decreased the rate of leukemogenicity, while insertion of SRS env into M-MuLV (SEM) accelerated leukemogenesis. The enhanced pathogenicity of SEM was found to correlate with earlier formation of MCF recombinants. The basis for the accelerated MCF recombinant formation was investigated. The endogenous polytropic MuLV env sequences contributing to several SEM MCF recombinants were identified, and the cross-over points were identified. While no obvious differences in the relative homologies between SRS MuLV env and polytropic env vs. M-MuLV and polytropic env s suggested a reason for the more rapid MCF recombinant formation, an overlapping but different set of polytropic env proviruses were found to participate in MCF formation for M-MuLV vs. SEM. Thus, the mechanisms for MCF formation appear to differ for M-MuLV and SEM.
Agent-Based Supply Chain Management: Bidding for Customer Orders

Supply chains are a current, challenging problem for agent-based electronic commerce. Motivated by the Trading Agent Competition Supply Chain Management (TAC SCM) scenario, we consider an individual supply chain agent as having three major subtasks: acquiring supplies, selling products, and managing its local manufacturing process. In this paper, we focus on the sales subtask. In particular, we consider the problem of finding the set of bids to customers in simultaneous reverse auctions that maximizes the agentýs expected profit. The key technical challenges we address are i) predicting the probability that a customer will accept a particular bid price, and ii) searching for the most profitable set of bids. We first compare several machine learning approaches to estimating the probability of bid acceptance. We then present a heuristic approach to searching for the optimal set of bids. Finally, we perform experiments in which we apply our learning method and bidding method during actual gameplay to measure the impact on agent performance. Full details can be found in the extended version of this paper [1].
Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Implanted Defibrillators

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) are important causes of mortality and morbidity in a wide variety of heart diseases. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are now widely used in patients who survive sustained VT or VF that is not attributable to a transient correctable cause, or who are at high risk for recurrent arrhythmia.1,2 ICDs are dramatically effective for terminating VT and VF. The extent to which VT termination extends survival, however, depends on the severity of the underlying heart disease and associated comorbidities.3–6 The occurrence of VT or VF is associated with increased mortality and heart failure hospitalizations in ICD patients, despite effective termination of the arrhythmia.7 VT or VF is associated with heart disease severity and, in some patients, is a marker for deterioration or intercurrent illness. Whether short VT or VF episodes and the hemodynamic and neurohormonal responses they may elicit contribute directly to adverse outcomes is not known.7,8 Frequent or incessant VT can cause hemodynamic deterioration, and death from uncontrollable VT occasionally occurs. ICD shocks in response to VT can damage myocardial cells and elicit sympathetic responses.8 ICD shocks have been associated with mortality in post hoc analyses of ICD trials, but whether there is a direct causal relationship of shocks to cardiac mortality and heart failure remains a controversial topic.8,9 A patient who reports arrhythmia symptoms or a perceived shock should be promptly evaluated with an ICD interrogation to determine whether the event was truly a ventricular arrhythmia, rather than an inappropriate ICD therapy in response to rapid atrial fibrillation, or electric noise from a lead malfunction, which warrants further intervention.10 Those who have had VT or VF will broadly fall into 1 of 3 groups. The first are typically …
Inappropriate prehospital ventilation in severe traumatic brain injury increases in-hospital mortality

Abstract In the setting of acute brainstem herniation in traumatic brain injury (TBI), the use of hyperventilation to reduce intracranial pressure may be life-saving. However, undue use of hyperventilation is thought to increase the incidence of secondary brain injury through direct reduction of cerebral blood flow. This is a retrospective review determining the effect of prehospital hyperventilation on in-hospital mortality following severe TBI. All trauma patients admitted directly to a single level 1 trauma center from January 2000 to January 2007 with an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤8 were included in the study (n = 77). Patients without documented or with late (>20 min) arterial blood gas at presentation (n = 12) were excluded from the study. The remaining population (n = 65) was sorted into three groups based on the initial partial pressure of carbon dioxide: hypocarbic (Pco2 45 mm Hg). Outcome was based on mortality dur...
Single domain magneto-optical circulators in photonic crystals

During the past decade, defect engineering in photonic crystals has successfully miniaturized many optical devices, such as optical filters and lasers, to a sub-wavelength scale. In the field of magneto-optics, previous researches on one-dimensional photonic crystals have demonstrated that magnetic cavities can be used to create Friday rotation in sub-wavelength optical paths, important for integrated optical isolators. In this paper, we study an optical circulator formed of a bismuth-iron-garnet defect infiltrated in a two dimensional silicon photonic crystal. The additional dimension of the field confinement allows further miniaturization and paves the way for monolithic in-plane integration with current integrated optical devices. The magneto-optical defect is constructed to support two doubly-degenerate TE modes and side-coupled to three photonic-crystal waveguides to form a three-port Y-junction circulator. When maximized with geometrically-optimized bismuth-iron-garnet domain, the gyrotropic effects cross couple the two modes and split them into a pair of counter-spinning states. We use the coupled-mode theory to derive the general criterion between the magneto-coupling and resonance decay constant for complete transmission and isolation. Numerical experiments with finite-difference time-domain methods confirmed the coupled mode theory and demonstrate a Y-junction circulator with an isolation ratio greater than 40dB. The design principle for this two dimensional photonic crystal defect can be readily transferred to magneto-optical defects in three dimensional slab photonic crystals. The silicon/air based system has a small footprint of one wavelength squared and good compatibility for integration with other planar optical devices.
Evidence for Distinct Precursor Pools for Biliary Cholesterol and Primary Bile Acids in Cebus and Cynomolgus Monkeys

The abnormal metabolism and distribution of plasma lipoproteins have been associated with atherosclerosis and gallstones. To better understand the process of cholesterol excretion, a study was designed to determine whether the contribution of lipoprotein free 14C-cholesterol (as LDL or HDL) to biliary cholesterol or primary bile acids differs in two species of nonhuman primates, cebus and cynomolgus monkeys, having opposite plasma LDL/HDL ratios. Since amino acid conjugation might influence bile acid synthesis or secretion, the taurine and glycine conjugates of newly synthesized primary bile acids, cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), were measured in the species capable of conjugating with taurine or glycine (cynomolgus). After total bile acid pool washout, monkeys were infused with human LDL or HDL labeled with free 14C-cholesterol, and the specific activities (SA) of biliary cholesterol and primary bile acid conjugates were determined. In both species, regardless of the lipoprotein infused, the SA of biliary cholesterol and CA were greater than those for total bile acids and CDCA, respectively. In cynomolgus, the SA of glycine conjugates was higher for CA than CDCA, while the SA of taurine conjugates was greater for CDCA than CA. Under these conditions, (i) infused lipoprotein free cholesterol (as either LDL or HDL) contributed more to biliary cholesterol than to bile acids and more to CA than to CDCA; (ii) glycine conjugated preferentially with CA rather than CDCA, while taurine was the preferred conjugate for CDCA.
Anti-S-100 antibody recognizes ellipsoid-associated cells and other dendritic cells in the chicken spleen

The chicken spleen was studied immunohistochemically with anti-S-100 protein polyclonal antibody. S-100-positive cells accumulated around the penicilliform capillaries during the first 3 weeks of life. After 2 weeks posthatch the S-100-positive cells appeared in the red pulp, periarterial lymphatic sheath, and subsequently in the germinal center. Their ontogenetic development and intrasplenic distribution strongly suggested that the S-100-positive cells were identical with ellipsoid-associated cells. The S-100-negative cells of the periellipsoidal white pulp gradually transformed to S-100-positive, functionally active cells on the surface of the ellipsoid. The immunohistological findings support the hypothesis that the interdigitating dendritic cells and follicular dendritic cells were not of monocytic origin but belong to a splenic resident, endocytic cell line located on the surface of the ellipsoid.
Observations on the fracture and deformation behaviour during annealing of residually stressed polycrystalline aluminium oxides

Highly residually stressed polycrystalline aluminium oxides were found to exhibit residual stress relaxation, as evidenced by changes in load-bearing ability, at temperatures as low as about 850° C. This temperature is much too low for such relaxation to occur by dislocation, Nabarro—Herring or Coble creep. Irreversible changes in specimen dimension coupled with SEM-fractography revealed that the stress relaxation resulted from creep by intergranular cavitation and crack propagation. In one aluminium oxide, such cavitation and crack propagation appeared to take place in a stable mode along a viscous glassy grain boundary phase. In high-purity fine-grained aluminium oxide, crack propagation occurred in a frequently totally catastrophic and highly unstable manner. This latter material was also observed to exhibit spontaneous fatigue during isothermal anneal. Implications of the findings of this study for the use of thermal anneals to promote residual stress relaxation in structural ceramic materials are discussed.
System Geometries and Transit / Eclipse Probabilities

Transiting exoplanets provide access to data to study the mass-radius relation and internal structure of extrasolar planets. Long-period transiting planets allow insight into planetary environments similar to the Solar System where, in contrast to hot Jupiters, planets are not constantly exposed to the intense radiation of their parent stars. Observations of secondary eclipses additionally permit studies of exoplanet temperatures and large-scale exo-atmospheric properties. We show how transit and eclipse probabilities are related to planet-star system geometries, particularly for long-period, eccentric orbits. The resulting target selection and observational strategies represent the principal ingredients of our photometric survey of known radial-velocity planets with the aim of detecting transit signatures (TERMS).
A theorem on induced corepresentations and applications to finite group theory

Abstract The author studies the notions of coinduced and induced comodules for coalgebras over homomorphic images. An extension of a theorem by N. Wallach which states that the finite dimensional irreducible representations of a classical type Lie algebra are induced from a Cartan subalgebra is given and interpretations for associative algebras are discussed. The results are then applied to the group SL(2, 3) in order to compute the irreducible representations over a field of characteristic 3.
Ischemic papillary muscle necrosis in stressed newborn infants

The recent association of transient tricuspid insufficiency in newborn infants with ischemic papillary muscle necrosis prompted a detailed retrospective clinical and histologic analysis of autopsied infants who died within seven days of birth between 1973 and 1977. Infants with congenital heart disease, erythroblastosis fetalis, and known congenital viral infections were excluded. Thirty-one of 82 infants hat at least one site of ischemic myocardial necrosis: 11 had lesions only in the right ventricle, 13 had lesions only in the left ventricle, and seven had bilateral lesions. The apical region of an anterior papillary muscle was the most common site. IMN occurred more commonly in older, larger infants. Asphyxia at birth, a murmur of atrioventricular valve insufficiency, and signs of congestive heart failure correlated well with the presence of IMN, but few other perinatal events predicted its occurrence. This report suggests that IMN is a common event in stressed infants who die early in life and probably is related to episodic hypoperfusion of the myocardium.
In Vitro Growth Effects of Colony-Stimulating Factors in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Human recombinant colony-stimulating factors may be used to treat or prevent neutropenia caused by marrow toxic chemotherapeutic agents administered to patients with cancer. Despite their common clinical use, little is known about the potential adverse effects that these cytokines may have on the growth of malignant cells. Indeed, several in vitro reports have indicated that colony-stimulating factors may act as stimulating growth factors in some human malignancies. To evaluate these effects in ovarian cancer, we investigated the possible growth effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF/Filgrastim) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GMCSF/Sargramostim) on four established ovarian cancer cell lines, as well as five primary ovarian cancer cultures over a wide range of pharmacologic doses. Cell viability was measured by an ATP bioluminescence assay and expressed as a percentage of untreated control cultures. G-CSF showed no growth-stimulating effects in any of the four established cell lines tested . In the OVCAR-3 cell line, a decrease in growth (>10%) was seen at 10, 100, and 1000 ng/ml after 5 days of continuous treatment. In the same cell line, GM-CSF caused an increase (>10%) in growth at the same doses. However, these changes did not demonstrate statistical significance in a dose-dependent fashion. In the five primary cultures treated with G-CSF, only one demonstrated statistically significant increases in growth in a dose-dependent manner. GM-CSF treatment had no significant growth alterations in these same five primary cultures. These results would suggest that colony-stimulating factors may act as growth factors in some but not all ovarian cancer cells. Further investigations into the receptor status of ovarian cancer cells for these cytokines are underway to clarify this issue.
Reports of Presumptive Brown Recluse Spider Bites Reinforce Improbable Diagnosis in Regions of North America Where the Spider Is Not Endemic

Envenomations by the brown recluse spider have been reported throughout North America, despite the fact that the spider's range is limited to the South and central Midwest of the United States. Several of these medical reports have originated from regions of nonendemicity where the spider has never or rarely been documented and brown recluse spider populations are unknown. In most of these reports, no spider is positively identified in association with the dermonecrotic wound, and diagnosis has been based on clinical examination findings. Considering the extreme rarity of brown recluse spiders in areas of nonendemicity, the diagnosis of a presumptive bite is a misdiagnosis that reinforces the assumption that brown recluse spiders are common local etiologic agents of necrosis. There are many medical conditions of diverse origin that have been misdiagnosed as brown recluse spider bites, some of which can be fatal or debilitating. Physicians' awareness of these conditions will increase diagnostic accuracy in areas of North America where bites from brown recluse spiders are improbable.
A Note on Survival Time of an Infectious Bronchitis Virus at Various pH in Distilled Water

ABSTRACT The introduction of commercial infectious bronchitis vaccines to be administered in the drinking water made it desirable to determine the survival time of this virus in water. Initially, a pathogenic strain of IB which is routinely used at this laboratory to challenge birds for immunity against IB was used to determine its survival time in triple-distilled water buffered at different pH and kept at 25°C. for various periods of time. The inoculum consisted of chorioallantoic fluid of chicken-embryonating eggs which had been infected with IB virus. A previous titration of this strain (Massachusetts strain L43g7) in two-month-old susceptible chickens indicated an infective dose 50 of l0−6.17. Three 250 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks were used in this experiment, and each flask contained 50 ml. of the IB virus diluted 1:50 in tripledistilled water. The distilled water was buffered with Sorensen solutions a t pH 6.39 in the first flask, at pH . . .
Assessing sexual aggression: Addressing the gap between rape victimization and perpetration prevalence rates

Abstract Obtaining consistent and accurate rates of women's sexual assault experiences and men's history of sexual aggression has proved difficult and rates vary tremendously throughout the literature [Koss, M.P. (1993a). Detecting the scope of rape: A review of prevalence research methods. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8 (2), 198–222].It has been suggested that methodological factors influence the detection of women's sexual assault experiences and contribute to the rate disparities [Fisher, B. S., Cullen, F. T. & Turner, M. G. (2000). The sexual victimization of college women (NCJ 182369). Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics,National Institute of Justice.; Hamby, S. L. & Koss, M. (2003). Shades of gray: A quantitative study of terms used in the measurement of sexual victimization. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 27, 243–255.; Koss, M.P. (1993a). Detecting the scope of rape: A review of prevalence research methods. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8 (2), 198–222].Survey methods are commonly used in the assessment of women's experience with sexual assault victimization. Men's history of sexually aggressive behaviors is typically examined using parallel versions of the survey instruments used with women.While much is known about variables affecting the reliability, validity, and utility of these assessment methods when applied to women, less is known about the influence of these factors in the assessment of men's self-reported aggression. This paper discusses current sexual victimization and perpetration incidence and prevalence rates.An overview of the major sources of these data, as well as a review of the methodological factors known to influence levels of rape detection in women is presented. An examination of how these issues may be relevant in the measurement of male sexual aggression is discussed with suggestions for future research.
Comparative effects of rosuvastatin and allopurinol on circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in patients with chronic heart failure.

Abstract Background Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) are characterized by alterations in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) levels. However, the impact of hypolipidemic and antioxidant treatment in MMPs and TIMPs is unknown. In the present study, we sought to compare the effects of statins and xanthine oxidase inhibitors on circulating levels of MMPs and TIMPs in patients with chronic HF. Methods Forty-two clinically stable patients with mild to moderate HF were randomized to receive rosuvastatin 10 mg or allopurinol 300 mg daily and followed up for 1 month. Serum levels of MMP-2, -9, TIMP-1, and -2 were measured before and after treatment. Results Levels of MMP-2 and -9 were significantly decreased in the rosuvastatin group (from 251±52 ng/ml and 400±206 ng/ml to 215±47 ng/ml and 309±166 ng/ml, p p p Conclusions Short-term rosuvastatin but not allopurinol administration decreases MMP-2 and -9 and increases TIMP-2 levels.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed From Something Blue: Experiments on Dual Viewing TV and Twitter

The use of second screens to dual-view television and social media is exponentially increasing. As a result, television producers are increasingly augmenting television content with social media comments from viewers, which may serve as a type of real-time public opinion indicator. The current research effort utilizes two experimental studies to explore the effects of this new media production practice on viewer's attitudes and opinions. In these studies, a Twitter feed was integrated in to entertainment (Study 1) and political (Study 2) television broadcasts and manipulated to convey either positive or negative opinions of the content. Participants' opinions were found to conform to the majority opinion presented in the manipulated Twitter feed in nearly all of the analyses. Implications for dual viewing and second screen use are discussed in light of findings.