cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated exploration of multi-principal element alloys with solid solution phases

Recent multi-principal element, high entropy alloy (HEA) development strategies vastly expand the number of candidate alloy systems, but also pose a new challenge--how to rapidly screen thousands of candidate alloy systems for targeted properties. Here we develop a new approach to rapidly assess structural metals by combining calculated phase diagrams with simple rules based on the phases present, their transformation temperatures and useful microstructures. We evaluate over 130,000 alloy systems, identifying promising compositions for more time-intensive experimental studies. We find the surprising result that solid solution alloys become less likely as the number of alloy elements increases. This contradicts the major premise of HEAs--that increased configurational entropy increases the stability of disordered solid solution phases. As the number of elements increases, the configurational entropy rises slowly while the probability of at least one pair of elements favouring formation of intermetallic compounds increases more rapidly, explaining this apparent contradiction.
Nuclear techniques in ischemic heart disease

Abstract Until recently, it was necessary to measure parameters such as ventricular pressure to assess the effects of drugs on the force of myocardial contraction—the inotropic effect. Even simpler measurements such as cardiac output are not completely satisfactory, because they are determined not only by the contractile state but also by the diastolic volume of the ventricles, outflow impedance, and heart rate. Within the past few years, the use of radioactive tracer techniques has made it possible to measure the changes in ventricular volume that occur throughout the cardiac cycle. With these techniques, it is now possible to measure end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, the rates of ventricular emptying and filling, stroke volume, and systolic and diastolic time intervals. In complicated diseases such as combined valvular and coronary artery disease the ventricular response to antiarrhythmic, vasodilator, and inotropic drugs can be assessed in individual patients.
Impact of retropharyngeal lymph node Metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background The impact of metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) group is poorly understood because of the difficult access of the retropharyngeal space. Previous studies concluding to the negative impact of RPLN metastasis rely heavily on radiographic assessment, which introduces the possibility of diagnostic error. Objective To better define the prognostic significance of metastatic retropharyngeal adenopathy in patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Study Design A retrospective cohort study of patients with non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who underwent resection of the RPLN group and were followed up for an average of 24 months. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Patients The 51 patients included in the study had been treated for advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and/or supraglottic larynx via a surgical approach to the primary tumor that afforded access to the RPLN group. All patients underwent dissection and pathologic interpretation of the RPLNs, most patients received postoperative radiotherapy, and 43 patients met survival analysis criteria. Main Outcome Measures Local and regional recurrence rates, the development of distant metastasis, and disease-free and overall survival. Results Metastasis to the RPLN group was confirmed pathologically in 14 (27.5%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without RPLN metastasis in rates of local recurrence (24.8% vs 28.4%), regional recurrence (17.5% vs 19.6%), distant metastasis (17.0% vs 11.2%), disease-free survival (40.5% vs 30.5%), and overall survival (40.6% vs 38.5%). Conclusion Metastasis to the RPLN group does not impact disease control or survival in patients with advanced non-nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with multimodality therapy.
Plicatin B, the antimicrobial principle ofPsoralea juncea

Abstract The major antimicrobial agent present in extracts of the leaves and stems of Psoralea juncea is identified as methyl 3-[4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl]-2-( E )-propenoate (plicatin B) by spectroscopic and chemical correlations.
Automatic tracking of rolling leukocytes in vivo

The analysis of instantaneous and average rolling leukocyte velocity is crucial to the study of inflammatory disease. In order to record features associated with leukocyte rolling, the leukocyte position must be tracked, typically by manual observation. Automated tracking of leukocytes is possible for in vitro studies, but not for recordings resulting from intravital experiments. Therefore, we have designed and implemented an image processing system for automated tracking of rolling leukocytes in vivo. The novel image processing techniques used in the tracking system successfully address the four major problems associated with tracking cells in vivo: background movement, severe image noise and clutter, cell deformation and contrast change, and occlusion of the target cell by other structures. We have tested the system in two experimental protocols in which leukocyte rolling is observed in venules of the mouse cremaster muscle with and without TNF-alpha treatment. The automated tracking system was validated by comparing automatically generated displacement and velocity data with data from the same recordings collected manually. The root mean squared error between the computed displacements and the manually measured displacements was less than 12% of the average displacement in TNF-alpha-treated venules. The average velocity error was also less than 12%. For untreated venules, the computed and measured displacements and velocities had an RMSE of less than 8%. The automated tracking system allows one, for the first time, to reliably track rolling leukocytes in vivo, thus eliminating possible investigator bias and increasing throughput.
Mass spectrometry across the sciences

Mass is a fundamental yet easily understood characteristic of a chemical species. For many analytical problems, mass is also highly specific. J. J. Thomson's 1912 mass spectrum of neon showed isotopes of masses 20 and 22 in a 10:1 ratio, explaining its apparently anomalous atomic weight of 20.2 (1). Mass spectrometry (MS) then became important for such fundamental data of elements and for isotopic analysis, such as 235U/238U in the nuclear weapons program. Also critical in World War II, MS replaced laborious analytical distillations of light hydrocarbon gases, such as butadiene feedstocks for the synthetic rubber program. Gaseous ions are required for mass separation; ionization of a molecule such as butane, C4H10, causes bond dissociation into many fragments (CH3, C2H5, C3H7, etc.), so that their masses and relative abundances provide multiple characteristics for both specificity and quantitation (2). Furthermore, ion detectors give unusual sensitivity and recording speed. Complex mixture analysis became routine by coupling MS online to gas and liquid chromatography, with computer automation providing far more information far faster. Additional molecular specificity became possible with “MS/MS,” in which additional mass spectra are obtained from the molecule's fragment ions or from the individual molecular ions of a mixture mass spectrum (3).
Treatment of periodontal infections due to anaerobic bacteria with short‐term treatment with metronidazole

In the present report, five selected periodontal patients were treated for 1 week with metronidazole. Two of the patients had their teeth scaled and root-planed the week they received metronidazole. Prior to treatment, B. asaccharolyti cus accounted for 41 % of the cultivable isolates and the spirochetes averaged 29 % of the microscopic count in plaque removed from each of four pockets per patient. The presence of these elevated proportions of periodontopat hic bacteria combined with the presence of periodontal pockets and attachment loss suggested that the patients were in a state of an active infectious pro- cess involving primarily anaerobic bacteria. If this be the case, then antimicrobial therapy directed against these anaerobes with metronidazole was indicated. The 1-week treatment with metronidazole significantly reduced the proportions of these organisms for up to 6 months after treatment. Coincident with these findings was an improvement in the clinical parameters, especially in those sites that initially had greater than 5 mm pocket or at- tachment loss. These sites showed a 2 mm or more reduction in pocket depth and an almost 2 mm gain in apparent attachment that was evident 6 months after treatment. The results obtained were in only five patients. However, the magnitude of improvement suggests that antimicrobial therapy directed against anaerobic organisms may be a valuable adjunct to periodontal therapy.
The relation between total finger ridge-count and variability of counts from finger to finger: genetic implications of racial variation

The measure of ridge-count diversity, S/square root 10, was computed for a sample of American Whites, American Blacks and African Blacks, and the regression of S/square root 10 on total ridge-count was determined for each group. The shapes of the regression lines differed considerably. The American White curve was very similar to that obtained by Holt in an English sample, while the two Negro curves generally showed lower lower S/square root 10 values for ridge-counts over 80. The American Negro curve was found to behave like a mixture of the White and African Negro curve to a degree approximating to the fraction of White genes in their gene pool. Holt's parent-child data are used to construct a simple test of the hypothesis that that S/square root 10 reflects zygosity in total ridge-count genotypes. The preliminary results support this hypothesis.
Evaluation of a Discontinuous Treatment Protocol (VELCAP‐S) for Canine Lymphoma

Eighty-two dogs with lymphoma received a single 15-week course of chemotherapy, after which treatment was ceased until relapse. Fifty-six dogs (68%) achieved complete remission for a median 1st remission duration of 20 weeks. Forty-eight dogs relapsed, of which 30 repeated the induction cycle. In 22 of these dogs, 1st remission had been short, and they received maintenance chemotherapy; the other 8 dogs received 2 or 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy. Second remission rate for these 30 dogs was 87% (26 dogs). Overall disease control for the 38 dogs that remained on protocol was 44 weeks, which was not markedly shorter than for dogs treated with a previously reported protocol in which maintenance chemotherapy was instituted in all dogs after an identical 1st induction (VELCAP-L). Dogs that were febrile and dogs that were dyspneic were less likely to achieve a complete remission to induction chemotherapy. Of dogs that achieved a complete remission, those that were thrombocytopenic at entry had a shorter 1st remission, and dogs that were anorexic at entry had shorter overall disease control. There was a correlation between 1st remission duration and length of any subsequent remission obtained. The incidence of toxicity was high, particularly after the combination of doxorubicin and vincristine. Dose reductions because of toxicity did not markedly reduce remission duration. We conclude that discontinuous chemotherapy may reduce patient visits in a small number of patients because of long-term disease control. Delaying maintenance chemotherapy until after 2nd remission is achieved does not markedly affect overall disease control.
Strong THz emission from low-energy acoustic-like surface plasmons in InAs nanowires

InAs nanowires have been previously shown to be efficient emitters of THz radiation, upon excitation with NIR pulses. In this work we report complementary measurements of THz radiation and reflectometry together with DC transport measurements that point to a unifying picture of low-energy acoustic-like longitudinal surface plasmons as being the origin of this THz emission from the nanowires.
A proposed revision of the fagerstrom tolerance questionnaire

Abstract This article presents the results of initial testing of a revised version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (TQ). Revisions were designed to improve the psychometric properties of the TQ. Four diverse samples of cigarette smokers completed the 10-item Revised Tolerance Questionnaire (RTQ), and responses were subjected to psychometric and factor analyses. Substantial improvement in internal consistency was obtained as compared to prior studies of the TQ. In addition, the results of factor analysis indicate that a subtantial amount of covariation among the 10 items can be accounted for by a single common factor. Thus, unlike the TQ, the RTQ appears to be measuring a unidimensional construct. Also, preliminary data on temporal stability are positive. With respect to validity, the RTQ correlated moderately with the TQ and outperformed the TQ in predicting expired alveolar carbon monoxide. Finally, suggestions for further establishing the validity of the RTQ are offered.
Designing Finance Structures to Satisfy Equity and Adequacy Goals

In addition to setting high standards for student performance, educational policies must consider what resources are essential to provide an adequate educational program to meet all students' learning needs. Policy makers also want to ensure that educators make efficient use of available resources. In this exploration of school finance policy, we advance a conception of adequacy as the ideal state of vertical equity, examine the evolution of this concept through judicial reviews, and discuss methods for determining the level of funding required to achieve adequacy. We then discuss economic and political problems inherent in institutional inefficiencies that are likely to derail efforts to raise achievement in poorly performing schools even after granting them an adequate level of resources. The paper concludes with a description of how a state funding formula might provide a foundation for adequacy in all districts.
A study on the sociospatial context of ethnic politics and entrepreneurial growth in Koreatown and Monterey Park

The study examines the various sociospatial features of immigrant populations in two transnationally-linked ethnic enclaves in terms of how they may facilitate and constrain the politics of growth and development. In recent decades, the growing ethnic enclave economies of Koreatown and Monterey Park have witnessed the emergence of progrowth ethnic interest groups comprised of immigrant capitalists, entrepreneurs, developers, and organizations, who are playing key roles in politically spearheading (re)development projects in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Our aim is to understand how the sociospatial, entrepreneurial, and residential layout of these host municipalities set the context for the politics of growth in these ethnic enclave economies based on an analysis of GIS spatial mapping, 2000–2010 census data, and other secondary sources. The data suggests that Korean and Chinese elite face different political opportunities and challenges because of their different sociospatial characteristics—the former based on their greater entrepreneurial influence and weak electoral impact and the latter on their stronger political presence as residents.
Optical investigations of the high-density electron gas in pseudomorphic In x Ga 1 − x As quantum-well structures

Low-temperature photoluminescence was studied in a large number of pseudomorphic modulation-doped transistor structures having an ${\mathrm{In}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As (x0.3) quantum well with sheet densities up to 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$. The Fermi edge appears clearly in the spectra, and its separation from the n=1 transition peak varies linearly with measured sheet densities of the two-dimensional electron gas. Appearance of a strong high-energy peak marks the occupation of the second electron subband if the electron density or well width is large, and a feature due to phonon interactions is present if the Fermi energy exceeds the optical-phonon energy. No enhancement is seen at the Fermi edge except for a slight increase when it lies less than about 10 meV below the second subband.
Diffuser contact lenses retard axial elongation in infant rhesus monkeys.

In each of five monkeys, one eye was fitted with a diffuser lens at birth. This lens allowed pattern vision, but also reduced contrast by about 1 log unit. In four out of five monkeys, the treated eyes were shorter and more hyperopic than the untreated fellow eyes. At 25 weeks of age, interocular differences (OD-OS) of the experimental group were significantly greater than interocular differences of age-matched normal monkeys for both axial length (P < 0.05) and refractive error (P < 0.02). In addition, while the treated eyes were significantly different from normal eyes for both axial length measurements (P < 0.01) and refractive error (P < 0.01), there were no significant differences between the untreated fellow eyes and normal eyes. In primates less severe pattern deprivation appears to produce an effect on eye growth that is opposite to that of severe pattern deprivation (little or no pattern vision), which typically results in axial myopia.
Elevated VEGF Levels in Pulmonary Edema Fluid and PBMCs from Patients with Acute Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is characterized by vascular permeability, hypoxia, and acute pulmonary edema. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is induced by hypoxia, potently induces vascular permeability, and is associated with high-altitude-induced pulmonary edema. Hantaviruses alter the normal regulation of β3 integrins that restrict VEGF-directed permeability and hantavirus infected endothelial cells are hyperresponsive to the permeabilizing effects of VEGF. However, the role of VEGF in acute pulmonary edema observed in HPS patients remains unclear. Here we retrospectively evaluate VEGF levels in pulmonary edema fluid (PEF), plasma, sera, and PBMCs from 31 HPS patients. VEGF was elevated in HPS patients PEF compared to controls with the highest levels observed in PEF samples from a fatal HPS case. VEGF levels were highest in PBMC samples during the first five days of hospitalization and diminished during recovery. Significantly increased PEF and PBMC VEGF levels are consistent with acute pulmonary edema observed in HPS patients and HPS disease severity. We observed substantially lower VEGF levels in a severe HPS disease survivor after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. These findings suggest the importance of patients' VEGF levels during HPS, support the involvement of VEGF responses in HPS pathogenesis, and suggest targeting VEGF responses as a potential therapeutic approach.
“Thank You for Your Words” Observations from a Disability Summer Camp

This article recounts the authors’ experiences at the Authentic Voices of America summer camp for severely disabled youths who are learning to become more proficient at using computerized communication devices to speak. The five-day camp was founded by Jon Feucht, who also uses a device and continues to serve as its director. In the summer of 2011, Feucht invited sociologist Ron Berger to attend the camp as part of a collaborative research project about Feucht’s life story. This article is written in Berger’s voice, but includes excerpts from Feucht’s “Straight Talks” that he gave at the camp as well as his views about living with a severe disability. By way of conclusion, insights from critical disability studies and crip theory are also considered.
Chemoselective ethylene acetalization of α, β-unsaturated vis-à-vis saturated carbonyl groups

Abstract The difficulties which in the past have precluded controlled acetalization of an α,β-unsaturated ketone functionality in the presence of a saturated carbonyl group can be overcome simply by making recourse to 2,4,6-collidinium p-toluenesulfonate as catalyst.
Identification of a high frequency of mutation at exon 8 of the ATP7B gene in a chinese population with Wilson disease by fluorescent PCR

Background Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport. Mutation analysis has led to the discovery of more than 100 mutations atATP7B,and most of them are population specific. Objectives To verify the high frequency of mutation at exon 8 ofATP7Bin Chinese patients with WD and to establish a DNA diagnostic method for WD. Setting University medical centers. Patients and Methods Screening for mutations at exon 8 ofATP7Bby fluorescent polymerase chain reaction analysis and restriction analysis was conducted in 106 unrelated Chinese patients with WD and in 55 individuals from 10 Chinese families with WD. Results Five homozygotes and 32 heterozygotes were identified. Sequence analysis showed a missense mutation (2273G→T) and a nonsense mutation (2250C→G) together at exon 8. The rate of gene mutation in 106 patients was 35% (5% homozygous and 30% heterozygous). Samples of DNA from 55 individuals from 10 Chinese families with WD were examined by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. We found that 13 siblings were carriers (24%). Conclusions A high frequency of mutation at exon 8 of theATP7Bgene exists in the Chinese population, and fluorescent polymerase chain reaction analysis may be an effective and accurate assay in detection of theWDgene.
Vector Bundles over Affine Surfaces.

In view of the well-known correspondence between vector bundles and projective modules [50], this implies a similar cancellation theorem for vector bundles on an affine surface over an algebraically closed field. The example of the tangent bundle of the real 2-sphere [57] shows that Theorem 1 fails for k = IR. We will consider some cases where it holds for non-algebraically closed fields in w 3. We can use this theorem to obtain a result relating the structure of vector bundles to more geometric properties of the surface. We let K0(A)=ker[ rk : Ko(A)---, Z], SKo(A) = ker [det: Ko(A ) ~ Pic A] and SA o(X) = ker [Ao(X)--, Alb X], where A o is the group of zero cycles of degree zero modulo rational equivalence [36, 41, 42], and Alb X is the Albanese variety of X.
A methodology for incorporating metallization loss in the electromagnetic modeling of the power distribution network

A methodology is presented for modeling the frequency dependence of the ohmic loss in the metallization planes of power distribution networks. The methodology relies on the definition of an effective, frequency-dependent, complex magnetic permeability. Numerical results are presented for the validation of the proposed methodology in the context of the extended segmentation procedure.
Visiones británicas del Mundo Atlántico español, c. 1740–1830

A medida que en las ultimas decadas del siglo XVIII Espana llevaba a cabo sus reformas en la Peninsula y en sus posesiones ultramarinas, sus estadistas emulaban a menudo las practicas y las politicas tanto de sus rivales como de sus aliados. Dada la emergente supremacia maritima y colonial britanica, no es de extranar que los observadores espanoles apuntaran a las politicas economicas y a las instituciones de su viejo rival con una mezcla de envidia, aversion y curiosidad 2. Sin embargo, este interes estaba lejos de ser unilateral. Aunque las visiones britanicas sobre Espana estaban todavia fuertemente influenciadas por la omnipresente Leyenda Negra, el conflicto armado permanente entre ambas potencias, la proximidad de sus posesiones coloniales, las ambiciones comerciales britanicas sobre los mercados de la America espanola y las eficaces reformas coloniales hispanas desde 1760, hicieron que se escribiera, se debatiera y se discutiera sobre Espana en la vida publica britanica con mayor frecuencia y apasionamiento desde 1750. En el periodo posterior a 1808, la participacion britanica en la guerra de la Independencia espanola y el interes general sobre las luchas que culminaron en la independencia de Hispanoamerica, llevaron a una reactivacion y renovacion de la fascinacion britanica sobre el mundo atlantico espanol, un interes que se mantuvo al menos hasta 1830. Esta contribucion ofrece un breve estudio y analisis de las visiones y concepciones de los observadores britanicos sobre Espana y su imperio entre fines del siglo XVIII y principios del XIX, y como estas se abrieron paso en los debates britanicos sobre la poblacion, la eficacia del gobierno y el comercio. Se trata de demostrar que este interes britanico sobre Espana era omnipresente y sorprendentemente influyente.
Adolescent Depression: Meeting Therapeutic Challenges Through an Integrated Narrative Approach

Topic The adolescent period is a time of transition and change often associated with losses and adjustment issues at the family, school, and individual levels. When this normal developmental transition is interrupted and compounded by depressive illness, treatment needs and nursing therapeutic challenges can be daunting. Purpose This clinically based article explores the clinical process and progress in work with a 14-year-old adolescent boy who was diagnosed with a major depressive episode. Core clinical features, distinguishing characteristics of depression in youth, as well as specific therapeutic issues and challenges are discussed. The value of an integrated clinical approach with special emphasis on narrative methods both for achievement of clinical goals and for establishing a therapeutic alliance is highlighted. Sources Used The study used published literature and the author's professional and clinical experiences. Conclusion Nursing therapeutics with adolescents experiencing depression must embrace a holistic integrated approach to adolescent recovery with an emphasis on what works with each unique clinical situation. Special attention to the nurse–adolescent therapeutic alliance not only facilitates achievement of therapeutic goals related to the depressive illness, but in addition, supports the shaping of a new self-narrative, wholeness, and healthy adolescent development and well-being.
Pretransplant sensitization with major histocompatibility complex class I+ class II− hepatocytes leads to accelerated skin graft rejection

Abstract The immunogenicity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I+ class II− hepatocytes is controversial. We studied the effect of pretransplant donor-specific sensitization with either purified hepatocytes (HC) or splenocytes (Spl) on subsequent skin allograft survival. Five million Percoll-purified DBA HC or 10 × 106 DBA Spl were injected into C57BL/6 recipients either intraperitoneally (ip) or into a sponge matrix allograft. Twelve days later, sensitized mice received a DBA skin graft. On the same day, allogeneic (DBA) and syngeneic (BL/6) skin grafts were placed on naive BL/6 mice. In naive BL/6 mice, allogeneic skin graft survival was 7.8 ± 0.5 days (n = 4), and syngeneic survival was indefinite (n = 5). Skin graft survival (mean ± SD in days) in recipients sensitized with hepatocytes ip was 6.0 ± 1.2 days (n = 5) compared with 5.6 ± 0.5 days in recipients sensitized with splenocytes ip. Similarly, graft survival in recipients that received hepatocytes into a sponge matrix allograft was 5.67 ± 1 days (n = 6) compared with 5.2 ± 1.1 days (n = 8) in those that received splenocytes into the sponge. There was no difference in graft survival between mice sensitized with HC vs Spl, nor between mice injected ip vs with the sponge. All sensitized mice experienced accelerated graft rejection compared with naive controls (P
Johns Hopkins on the chip: microsystems and cognitive machines for sustainable, affordable, personalised medicine and healthcare

Semiconductor technology is contributing to the advancement of biotechnology, medicine and healthcare delivery in ways that it was never envisioned - from chip micro-arrays, to scientific grade CMOS imagers and ion sensing arrays to implantable prosthesis. This exponential growth of sensory microsystems has led to an exponential growth of data. Cognitive machines, i.e. advanced computer architectures and algorithms, are carefully co-designed to extract knowledge from such health data making rational decisions and recommendations for therapies. Nano, micro and macro robotics driven by sophisticated algorithms interface to the human body at different levels and scales, from nano-scale molecules to micron-scale cells to networks and all the way to the scale of organisms. The present era is one where semiconductor technology and the -chip- is the foundation of sustainable and affordable personalised medicine and healthcare delivery.
The Effect of Snow Cover on the Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) Low-Level Forecasts

Abstract The response of the Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS) low-level forecast fields to the geographical distribution of snow cover is discussed. The errors produced by an improper specification of this field in the forecast model can have a wide variety of local forecasting implications, ranging from poor forecasts of lee-side Great Lakes snowfalls, to errors in forecasts of the earth's surface temperature in areas where the snow cover is changing rapidly. The use of the snow-cover data in the forecast model and its effect on forecast guidance are described.
Replication of the neurochemical characteristics of Huntington's disease by quinolinic acid

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurological disorder characterized by progressive chorea, cognitive impairment and emotional disturbance. The disease usually occurs in midlife and symptoms progress inexorably to mental and physical incapacitation. It has been postulated that an excitotoxin is involved in the pathogenesis of HD. Schwarcz and colleagues have shown that quinolinic acid (QA) can produce axon-sparing lesions similar to those observed in HD. The lesions result in a depletion of neurotransmitters contained within striatal spiny neurones, for example gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while dopamine is unaffected. Recently, we and others have demonstrated that in HD striatum there is a paradoxical 3-5-fold increase in both somatostatin and neuropeptide Y which is attributable to selective preservation of a subclass of striatal aspiny neurones in which these peptides are co-localized. In the present study we demonstrate that lesions due to quinolinic acid closely resemble those of HD as they result in marked depletions of both GABA and substance P, with selective sparing of somatostatin/neuropeptide Y neurones. Lesions produced by kainic acid (KA), ibotenic acid (IA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (MeAsp) were unlike those produced by QA, as they affected all cell types without sparing somatostatin/neuropeptide Y neurones. These results suggest that QA or a similar compound could be responsible for neuronal degeneration in HD.
Isoproterenol-Enhanced Diastolic Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca Leak in Ventricular Myocytes Requires Activation of Nitric Oxide Synthase

We have previously shown increased cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR)-dependent diastolic SR Ca leak to be present in heart failure (HF) and in conditions when beta-adrenergic (β-AR) tone is high. This SR Ca leak could contribute to the cause of the observed decreased contractility in HF by limiting SR Ca load. Simultaneously, it could also lead to arrhythmogenic Ca-dependent inward depolarizing current commonly seen in failing hearts. We recently demonstrated that this leak increases in manner dependent on calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and completely independent of either protein kinase A (PKA) activation or an increase in bulk free Ca concentration ([Ca]i). Here we investigate this PKA- and [Ca]i-independent activation of CaMKII. We have found that while stimulating intact myocytes with the β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO, 250 nM) the CaMKII-dependent enhancement of SR Ca leak is abolished by treatment of the myocytes with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μM). When SR Ca load was matched in each group (156 μM), myocytes treated with ISO alone had significantly higher leak (14.2 ± 2.0 μM) vs. those treated with ISO and L-NAME (3.8 ± 1.4 μM) or those left completely untreated (8.0 ± 0.91 μM). When SR Ca leak was matched (9.0 μM) we found the SR Ca load necessary to induce that leak was significantly lower in ISO-treated myocytes (91.6 ± 1.9 μM) vs. those treated with ISO and L-NAME (129.4 ± 16.3 μM) or those left untreated (127.4 ± 2.8 μM). This evidence indicates that NOS activation, and therefore generation of nitric oxide, is necessary for ISO-dependent activation of RyR by CaMKII.
On the processing of nanocrystalline and nanocomposite ceramics

Abstract Two methods are being developed for the production of nanostructured bulk ceramics. The first method utilizes hot pressing to consolidate a flame-synthesized metastable nanopowder; taking advantage of a pressure-induced phase transformation to suppress grain growth during consolidation. This process; called Transformation Assisted Consolidation (TAC), is being used to prepare test samples of single phase nanoceramics- nanocrystalline ceramics. The second method utilizes plasma spraying of an aggregated powder feed to generate a splat-quenched metastable phase with extended solid solubility. In this case; TAC processing promotes co-nucleation of two or more nanophases from the rapidly quenched material; which provides an additional mechanism to limit grain growth during sintering. This variant on TAC processing is being used to prepare test samples of multiphase nanoceramics- nanocomposite ceramics.
Comparisons of Two Statistical Approaches to Study Growth Curves: The Multilevel Model and the Latent Curve Analysis.

This article compares two statistical approaches for modeling growth across time. The two statistical approaches are the multilevel model (MLM) and latent curve analysis (LCA), which have been proposed to depict change or growth adequately. These two approaches were compared in terms of the estimation of growth profiles represented by the parameters of initial status and the rate of growth. A longitudinal data set obtained from a school‐based substance‐use prevention trial for adolescents was used to illustrate the similarities and differences between the two approaches. The results indicated that the two approaches yielded very compatible results. The parameter estimates associated with regression weights are the same, whereas those associated with variances and covariances are similar. The MLM approach is easier for model specification and is more efficient computationally in yielding results. The LCA approach, however, has the advantage of providing model evaluation, that is, an overall test of goodnes...
Battlefield Recognition of Armored Vehicles

Accurate and rapid recognition of armored vehicles as friend or foe is critical to battlefield success. As evidenced by incidents in the Persian Gulf conflict with Iraq, the potential for fratricid...
Progression of Biopsy-Measured Liver Fibrosis in Untreated Patients with Hepatitis C Infection: Non-Markov Multistate Model Analysis

Background Fibrosis stages from liver biopsies reflect liver damage from hepatitis C infection, but analysis is challenging due to their ordered but non-numeric nature, infrequent measurement, misclassification, and unknown infection times. Methods We used a non-Markov multistate model, accounting for misclassification, with multiple imputation of unknown infection times, applied to 1062 participants of whom 159 had multiple biopsies. Odds ratios (OR) quantified the estimated effects of covariates on progression risk at any given time. Results Models estimated that progression risk decreased the more time participants had already spent in the current stage, African American race was protective (OR 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.95, p = 0.018), and older current age increased risk (OR 1.33 per decade, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.54, p = 0.0002). When controlled for current age, older age at infection did not appear to increase risk (OR 0.92 per decade, 95% confidence interval 0.47 to 1.79, p = 0.80). There was a suggestion that co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus increased risk of progression in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment beginning in 1996 (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 4.4, p = 0.059). Other examined risk factors may influence progression risk, but evidence for or against this was weak due to wide confidence intervals. The main results were essentially unchanged using different assumed misclassification rates or imputation of age of infection. Discussion The analysis avoided problems inherent in simpler methods, supported the previously suspected protective effect of African American race, and suggested that current age rather than age of infection increases risk. Decreasing risk of progression with longer time already spent in a stage was also previously found for post-transplant progression. This could reflect varying disease activity, with recent progression indicating active disease and high risk, while longer time already spent in a stage indicates quiescent disease and low risk.
The Effects of Chaperones and the Influence of Protein Assembly on Peroxisomal Protein Import

Peroxisomal proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm and post-translationally translocated into the organelle. The role of chaperones and protein folding in peroxisomal protein transport is still unclear. Translocation of proteins into mitochondria requires that precursor proteins assume an extended conformation; cytosolic chaperones are thought to help maintain this conformation. In contrast, peroxisomal protein import does not require unfolding of the targeted protein. However, the molecular chaperones Hsp70 and Hsp40 may be important for translocation. We present several lines of evidence that show that plant peroxisomal protein import is enhanced by chaperones. First, peroxisomes isolated from heat-shocked pumpkin seedling tissues exhibited increased protein import relative to control peroxisomes. Second, antibodies raised against wheat germ cytosolic Hsp70 and Escherichia coli Hsp90 inhibited import of the peroxisomal protein isocitrate lyase. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Hsp90 has been directly implicated in a protein transport event. Third, peroxisomal proteins were immunoprecipitated by wheat germ Hsp70 antibodies. We also present results that suggest that the efficiency of peroxisomal protein import is influenced by the structure of the targeted protein; monomeric isocitrate lyase was imported more efficiently than oligomeric isocitrate lyase. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the assembly state of peroxisomal proteins and the chaperones that may mediate those states are both important for efficient peroxisomal protein import.
Long-term follow-up of type II endoleak embolization reveals the need for close surveillance

Objective Aneurysm growth after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients with type II endoleak is associated with adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the long-term success of embolization of type II endoleaks in preventing aneurysm sac growth. Methods We retrospectively reviewed outcomes of patients who underwent infrarenal EVAR who were treated for a type II endoleak between 2000 and 2008. Computed tomography scans were evaluated for aneurysm sac growth or shrinkage from the time of treatment of the endoleak. The embolization material used, graft type, target vessel embolized, and comorbidities were evaluated for their association with sac growth or shrinkage. Results Ninety-five patients underwent 140 embolization procedures. The mean time from EVAR to embolization was 26.1 ± 22.2 months, and the average increase in size of the aneurysm sac from EVAR to treatment was 0.7 × 0.5 cm. Patients underwent an average of 1.6 ± 0.8 embolization procedures after EVAR. Thirteen patients underwent initial simultaneous embolization of two targets. Embolization was with glue (61%), coils (29%), glue and coils (7%), and Gelfoam (3%; Pfizer Inc, New York, NY). No abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) ruptured. Eight patients (8.4%) underwent graft explant and open repair; 19 (20%) required two or more embolization procedures. There was no difference in the target vessel treated or the treatment used in halting sac expansion (>5 mm). Coil embolization alone resulted in more second procedures. The 5-year cumulative survival was 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52%-77%), freedom from explant was 89% (95% CI, 81%-97%), freedom from second embolization was 76% (95% CI, 66%-86%), and freedom from sac expansion >5 mm was 44% (95% CI 30%-50%). Univariable analysis identified continued tobacco use (hazard ratio [HR], 2.30; 95% CI, 1.02-5.13; P = .04) was associated with continued sac expansion, and hyperlipidemia (HR, 9.64; 95% CI, 2.22-41.86) was associated with patients requiring a second embolization procedure. Conclusions Embolization of type II endoleaks is successful early in preventing aneurysm sac growth and rupture after EVAR. However, a significant number of patients require more than one procedure, and at 5 years, many patients who underwent embolization of a type II endoleak continued to experience sac growth. Patients with hyperlipidemia who undergo coil embolization are more likely to require a second embolization procedure, and patients who smoke have a higher likelihood of AAA sac expansion after embolization. Continued long-term surveillance is necessary in this cohort of patients.
Coexistence of Juncus articulatus L. and Glyceria australis C.E. Hubb. in a temporary shallow wetland in Australia.

Juncus articulatus, a species introduced to Australia, is codominant over large areas of Mother of Ducks Lagoon but is rare in other lagoons. It occurs widely within the lagoon but is concentrated in lower, wetter areas that are more disturbed by birds and cattle. This suggests that J. articulatus may be separated over elevation (and therefore water regime) and disturbance gradients from the native grass Glyceria australis, the dominant species in the lagoon. This paper compares the growth and interaction of G. australis and J. articulatus under different water regimes. The species responded differently to water regime both in monoculture and in mixture. Above ground production of J. articulatus was greatest under fluctuating water levels, least under a damp water regime and intermediate under flooded conditions. G. australis production was greatest under the damp, least under the flooded and intermediate under the fluctuating water regime. The outcome of interaction is dependent on water regime and time. After one year J. articulatus was the superior competitor under all water regimes. At the end of two years J. articulatus was still the superior competitor under fluctuating and flooded water regimes but not under the damp regime. The change in outcome after two years was due to the competitive superiority of G. australis during the second year under all water regimes. The relative importance and the management implications for the invasive potential of J. articulatus are assessed in shallow Australian wetlands with fluctuating water regimes.
The “second economy” and resource allocation under central planning☆

Abstract A formal model of intermediate product reallocation through Second Economy markets in a centrally planned economy is discussed. The principal result is that there exists an equilibrium allocation determined in these Second Economy markets in spite of fixed official prices and centrally monitored trading at these prices. It is always a constrained Pareto optimum with respect to the initial plan-generated allocation. Hence, Second Economy markets can effectively and “second best” efficiently ration the intermediate-product “sellers' market” of a centrally planned economy.
Investigation for Toroidal Microfluidic Vortices Generated by a Laser Illumination Application in an Uniform Electric Field

Using micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) [1], we visualize and analyze strong toroidal microfluidic vortices generated when a near-infrared (1064 nm) laser beam and an alternating current (AC) electric field is simultaneously applied to a chip. The vortices exhibit a source type behavior in the plane normal to the electric field and the flow vorticity is characterized as a function of the electric field potential, electrical AC frequency and laser power. At a constant AC frequency of 9 kHz, the flow vorticity increase as the square of the electric field strength. At constant electric field, the flow vorticity does not change appreciably in 10–100 kHz range and it decreases at larger frequencies (>500 kHz) until when Brownian motion dominates the movement of the 3μm tracer particles. At constant electrical frequency and voltage of 9 kHz and 20Vpp , the flow vorticity remarkably increases as the laser power increases from 20 to 100mW, due to the rapid change of the temperature gradient inside a fluid and its coupling effect with the applied electric field.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Alcohol-induced blackouts and maternal family history of problematic alcohol use

Abstract Background Consequences of heavy drinking include alcohol-induced blackouts, which are periods of amnesia for all or part of a drinking event. One risk factor for blackouts is family history of problematic alcohol use (FH +); however, research rarely distinguishes maternal from paternal FH +. The objective of this study was to examine whether maternal or paternal FH + better predicts likelihood of experiencing blackouts than a general measure of overall FH +, and whether gender moderates this association. Method Participants (N = 1164; 65.4% are female) were first-time college freshmen (age range = 17–19) who participated in a 6-year, 10-assessment, longitudinal study in the United States. Alcohol-induced blackouts, the dependent measure, were dichotomized (yes/no) based on endorsement of memory problems after drinking using a single item during Years 4–6. FH +, captured at baseline, was coded if participants self-reported that their mother, father, or any of their four grandparents were a possible or definite problem drinker. Results Overall, 773 (66.4%) participants reported experiencing blackouts during Years 4–6. Women were more likely to report blackouts than men; however, compared with women with a maternal FH +, men with a maternal FH + were more than twice as likely to report blackouts. Discussion Men appear to be more susceptible than women to the effects of a maternal FH +. Genetic and environmental explanations for this finding are discussed. In sum, these findings are an important step toward understanding a significant yet understudied negative consequence of heavy alcohol use.
Improved CCD Standard Fields

We have combined multiple nights of CCD observations of NGC 7790, NGC 7006 and NGC 4147 in order to establish a deep sequence of photometric standards whose errors have been objectively derived through statistical comparisons. In addition to extending these previously studied fields to a fainter limit, we have increased the range in observed color, making the new mean sequences more suitable for deriving photometric transformation coefficients.
Joining composite pipes using hybrid prepreg welding and adhesive bonding

A critical technology for composite piping systems in offshore platforms is the joining technique. This paper discusses the development of a hybrid joining approach by using heat-activated prepreg welding and adhesive bonding. The joining procedure was demonstrated via specimens' fabrication. Four adhesives, with varying mechanical properties, were used to seal the gap between the two pipes. A glass fiber reinforced prepreg was used to wrap the pipes. A total of forty-five specimens were prepared and evaluated using standardized internal pressure tests. A finite element analysis was conducted to aid in the understanding of the mechanisms of the hybrid joining method. Recommendations for further studies were made based on the test and finite element analysis results.