cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Avian Community Changes in Relationto Different Forest Fire Conditions in Central Idaho

Wildfire is an important driver of forest bird communities in western North America. To fully understand wildfire effects, more studies comparing species-specific responses across space, time, and a range of burn severities are needed. We analyzed point count data (n = 809 point × year survey occasions; 2002–2010) from central Idaho to examine forest bird community responses to fire. Using community occupancy models, we analyzed changes in point occupancy before and after prescribed burning and wildfire, and along a post-wildfire burn-severity gradient. Occupancy patterns were largely consistent with those expected from species life histories. Cavity nesters and aerial insectivores (mountain bluebird [Sialia currucoides; n = 37 survey occasions detected], house wren [Troglodytes aedon; n = 15], Olive-sided Flycatcher [Contopus cooperi; n = 15]) responded positively to fire consistent with increases in nesting substrate and foraging opportunities expected for these species. Shrub-nesting species (lazuli bunting [Passerina amoena; n = 75], Black-headed Grosbeak [Pheucticus melanocephalus; n = 29]) exhibited lagged positive responses with the expected lag in shrub development after wildfire. In contrast, canopy-nesting foliage gleaners and pine-seed consumers (Clark’s nutcracker [Nucifraga Columbiana; n = 50], Townsend’s warbler [Setophaga townsendi; n = 133]) responded negatively to wildfire. More species responded positively than negatively to fire, and responses to high-severity wildfire were stronger than to prescribed burning. Consequently, species richness increased by approximately 3 species from low- to high-severity burned points and pre- to post-wildfire years. Our results suggest high-severity wildfires generate important habitat for many species, contributing positively to avian diversity.
Benchmark 3D: A multipoint flux mixed finite element method on general hexahedra

In this paper we discuss a family of numerical schemes for modeling Darcy flow, the multipoint flux mixed finite element (MFMFE) methods. The MFMFE methods allow for an accurate and efficient treatment of irregular geometries and heterogeneities such as faults, layers, and pinchouts that require highly distorted grids and discontinuous coefficients. The methods can be reduced to cell-centered discretizations and have convergent pressures and velocities on general hexahedral and simplicial grids.
A Little Labeling Goes a Long Way: Semi-supervised Learning in Infancy

There is considerable evidence that labeling supports infants' object categorization. Yet in daily life, most of the category exemplars that infants encounter will remain unlabeled. Inspired by recent evidence from machine learning, we propose that infants successfully exploit this sparsely labeled input through "semi-supervised learning." Providing only a few labeled exemplars leads infants to initiate the process of categorization, after which they can integrate all subsequent exemplars, labeled or unlabeled, into their evolving category representations. Using a classic novelty preference task, we introduced 2-year-old infants (n = 96) to a novel object category, varying whether and when its exemplars were labeled. Infants were equally successful whether all exemplars were labeled (fully supervised condition) or only the first two exemplars were labeled (semi-supervised condition), but they failed when no exemplars were labeled (unsupervised condition). Furthermore, the timing of the labeling mattered: when the labeled exemplars were provided at the end, rather than the beginning, of familiarization (reversed semi-supervised condition), infants failed to learn the category. This provides the first evidence of semi-supervised learning in infancy, revealing that infants excel at learning from exactly the kind of input that they typically receive in acquiring real-world categories and their names.
The TIMSS 2019 Item Equivalence Study: Examining Mode Effects for Computer-Based Assessment and Implications for Measuring Trends.

TIMSS 2019 is the first assessment in the TIMSS transition to a computer-based assessment system, called eTIMSS. The TIMSS 2019 Item Equivalence Study was conducted in advance of the field test in 2017 to examine the potential for mode effects on the psychometric behavior of the TIMSS mathematics and science trend items induced by the change to computer-based administration. The study employed a counterbalanced, within-subjects design to investigate the potential for eTIMSS mode effects. Sample sizes for analysis included 16,894 fourth grade students from 24 countries and 9,164 eighth grade students from 11 countries. Following a review of the differences of the trend items in paper and digital formats, item statistics were examined item by item and aggregated by subject for paperTIMSS and eTIMSS. Then, the TIMSS scaling methods were applied to produce achievement scale scores for each mode. These were used to estimate the expected magnitude of the mode effects on student achievement. The results of the study provide support that the mathematics and science constructs assessed by the trend items were mostly unaffected in the transition to eTIMSS at both grades. However, there was an overall mode effect, where items were more difficult for students in digital formats compared to paper. The effect was larger in mathematics than science. Because the trend items cannot be expected to be sufficiently equivalent across paperTIMSS and eTIMSS, it was concluded that modifications must be made to the usual item calibration model for TIMSS 2019 to measure trends. Each eTIMSS 2019 trend country will administer paper trend booklets to a nationally representative sample of students, in addition to the usual student sample, to provide a bridge between paperTIMSS and eTIMSS results.
The Quality of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Erectile Dysfunction Treatment and Management Published in the Sexual Medicine Literature.

Abstract Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition that requires high-quality evidence to guide clinical practice; however, systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) often vary in quality, raising concerns regarding the validity of their results. Aim To perform an objective analysis of SRs and MAs in ED treatment and management and to report on the quality of published literature. Methods A comprehensive search in PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE of 12 high-impact urology journals was used to identify relevant publications. 2 authors independently performed searches, screened citations for eligibility, extracted data for analysis, and graded methodologic quality using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) criteria. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome was AMSTAR score, which is a validated tool to evaluate the quality of SRs and MAs. Results 31 publications met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The mean AMSTAR score (± SD) among all publications was 6.5 (±2.2) of 11, reflecting “fair to good” quality. 74.2% of systematic reviews and meta-analyses focused on pharmaceutical therapy for ED, with 51.6% studying the effect of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Only 1 SR/MA studied intracavernosal injection therapy and vacuum erection devices. No publications studied intraurethral injection therapy or implantable penile prostheses. Although not statistically significant, there has been a trend of increasing quality of SRs/MAs over time (P = .072). Clinical Implication The methodologic quality of SRs/MAs should be assessed to ensure high-quality evidence for clinical practice guidelines in ED treatment and management. Strength & Limitation The data showed that methodologic quality of SRs/MAs in the treatment and management of ED is increasing over time. 12 high-impact urology journals were included in our search, which may introduce selection bias in our results. Conclusions This review highlights a need for increased effort to study second- and third-line treatments for patients who fail oral therapy. Greenberg DR, Richardson MT, Tijerina JD, et al. The Quality of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Erectile Dysfunction Treatment and Management Published in the Sexual Medicine Literature. J Sex Med 2019;16:394–401.
Gender-Specific Factors Influencing Medical Students' Career Choice of IR.

Abstract The authors conducted an anonymous survey to assess positive and negative factors that may affect medical students’ decisions to pursue a career in interventional radiology (IR). The survey was sent to registrants for the Midwest IR Student Symposium in 2016 and/or 2017, with a response rate of 13%; male and female responses were then compared. Female and male medical students shared similar rankings of factors affecting their decisions about choosing IR as a career, such as concern about lifestyle and excitement about therapeutic applications. Access to female IR mentors and diversification of the currently male-dominated workplace were important, gender-specific concerns.
The utility and challenges of histopathologic evaluation in the diagnosis of nonmalignant skin ulcers

Histopathologic evaluation of cutaneous ulcers is indicated when the clinical diagnosis is unclear or when ulcers have not responded to standard of care. Many nonmalignant skin ulcers lack specific histologic findings on biopsy and pose a diagnostic challenge. While the usefulness of skin biopsies to diagnose underlying malignancy in ulcerated lesions has been demonstrated in previous studies, their utility in the diagnosis of ulcers of other etiologies has not been reported. We conducted a retrospective study of 45 nonmalignant ulcer biopsies in a 3-year period to compare the histologic diagnosis with the final diagnosis. Additionally, we assessed the diagnostic concordance among three blinded dermatopathologists when reviewing these cases. The leading histologic diagnosis from each of the three observers agreed with the final clinical diagnosis, on average, for 29.6% of the cases (average pairwise kappa = 0.15). Inflammatory ulcers had the lowest concordance between the observers and final diagnosis with an average of 26.0% of cases (average pairwise kappa = 0.06). The observers agreed with each other for 35.6% of the cases (Fleiss' kappa = 0.32). The highest agreement among observers was in the vascular/vasculopathic category (50%, Fleiss' kappa = 0.44). Our results indicate that skin biopsies alone are useful in the evaluation of nonmalignant ulcers to rule out other conditions (e.g. neoplasm) but frequently not sufficient to establish a definitive diagnosis. Additional clinicopathologic correlation is necessary in the final assessment of nonmalignant ulcers to determine the diagnosis. Future research endeavors should explore alternative approaches to more efficiently diagnose nonmalignant skin ulcers.
Spontaneity, Coalition Structure, and Strategic Choice:

Following the Great Recession, austerity programs and restrictions on the public sector were introduced worldwide. In this article, I ask how and why labor coalitions in two states used differing o...
Abstract P376: Associations Between Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity And Sedentary Time On Cognitive Function In Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with increased risk for cognitive decline. Lifestyle behaviors such as moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and reduced sedentary time (ST) may m...
Traditional functional food of Sri Lanka and their health significance

Abstract Sri Lanka has a diverse range of food products, mostly of plant origin. Starting with its staple—rice, the country holds a rich treasure of agro-biodiversity. Sri Lankans consume many leafy greens in the form of vegetables, and many of these have even been used as medicines in the traditional medicinal system of the country. There are many spices available in Sri Lanka, and it has been known since the days of the ancient and maritime Silk Road as a key location to obtain spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Along with the biodiversity of Sri Lanka, there are many endemic as well as nutritious fruits and vegetables that have several functional properties. Starch and tuber crops also provide a substantial part of the country’s food supply and are generally considered as a significant source of a number of compounds. The locals consume many cereals that have bioactives and associated health benefits too. Overall, Sri Lanka has much to offer to the global consumer market of functional food, and there are several unexplored territories requiring scientific investigations, especially when it comes to the understanding the synergistic effects.
Characterization and verification of a two-body wave energy converter with a novel power take-off

Abstract The lack of high efficient, predictable, and reliable power take-off (PTO) systems limits developments of ocean wave energy technology. In this paper, a two-body self-reacting wave energy converter (WEC) with a novel PTO is designed, modelled and implemented for efficiency enhancement. A novel mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) using a ball screw mechanism and an enclosed gear set is integrated to improve the energy harvesting efficiency and reliability by rectifying the oscillatory wave motion into unidirectional rotation of the generator. Detailed design and dynamic modelling for the proposed WEC are presented. A prototype of the PTO is tested in a dry lab to characterize and refine the dynamic modelling. The characterized PTO model is combined with the WEC model to create an overall system model. A water tank test is conducted to verify the overall system dynamics, which proves the accuracy of the model and shows the advantages of the proposed WEC on efficiency and predictability. Following the method of how the WEC system is characterized, performance prediction of the proposed WEC with MMR PTO can be achieved with high accuracy.
p†q: a tool for prototyping many-body methods for quantum chemistry

p†q is a C++ accelerated Python library designed to generate equations for many-body quantum chemistry methods and to realise proof-of-concept implementations of these equations for rapid prototypi...
Do early adopters pass on convenience? Access to and intention to use geographically convenient hydrogen stations in California

Abstract This study addresses two topics relevant to the expanding research on how early adopters of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) evaluate stations. First, we assess FCV adopters' access to available stations near home or on the way when they adopted their FCV. Second, we analyze characteristics of geographically convenient stations that drivers did not intend to use (“unlisted stations”) and compare to those they did (“listed stations”). Responses from a web-based survey distributed to FCV adopters in California indicate that nearly half lacked a station within 10 min’ drive of home, while nearly all had one on the way. Drivers did not intend to use nearly half of their geographically convenient stations. Compared to listed stations, unlisted stations are closer to other available ones and commonly only on the way, and several neighborhood-level differences are observed. These findings are important in the context of efforts to expand FCV uptake.
Joint Tenancies and Tenancies by the Entirety in Michigan—Federal Gift Tax Considerations

THE establishment of joint tenancy1 ownership of property, or the termination of such a tenancy, may have federal gift tax consequences to the co-owners of the property. Consequently, the gift tax is a factor to be weighed before embarking on either of these ventures. The gift tax consequences are determined by the nature of the property rights enjoyed by the joint tenants under the controlling state property law, and accordingly it is desirable, where Michigan property law is applicable, to consider the Michigan law and the significance of that law to the operation of the gift tax. However, before discussing Michigan property law, it may be helpful to review briefly the general principles controlling the applicability of federal gift taxes to joint tenancy interests.2
Local Spin Density Treatment of Substitutional Defects in Ionic Crystals with Self-Interaction Corrections

Abstract The application of the self-interaction correction to the local density functional theory to the problem of transition metal defects in alkali-halide crystals is reviewed. The computational machinery involves a number of approximations that are based on the localized, atomic-like nature of the charge distributions in these systems. These allow the detailed calculation of the variationally correct local orbitals to be circumvented and a much more computationally convenient approach to determining the defect and host crystal orbitals to be used. Results are presented for the NaCl:Cu + and LiCl:Ag + impurity systems.
Design and Implementation of Robust Decentralized Control Laws for the ACES Structure at Marshall Space Flight Center

Many large space system concepts will requir active vibration control to satisfy critical performance requirements such as line-of-sight accuracy. In order for these concepts to become operational it is imperative that the benefits of active vibration control be practically demonstrated in ground-based experiments. This report describes an experiment conducted by Harris as part of the NASA CSI Guest Investigator Program. The results of this experiment successfully demonstrate active vibration control for a flexible structure. The testbed is the ACES structure at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The ACES structure is dynamically traceable to future space systems and especially allows the study of line-of-sight control issues.
Modelling and Theories of Alloy Phase Behavior

It has been recognized since the early work of Hume-Rothery and others that many trends in alloy phase formation are readily understood in terms of physically plausible atomic parameters. For example, a substitutional alloy can only occur if there is not too great a difference in the sizes of the alloy constituents, so as not to require too great a cost in the elastic energy associated with deforming the lattice. This has led, in turn, to the introduction of so-called structural maps where two (or more) such atomic parameters are employed as the coordinates and well defined regions are observed to be associated with particular crystalline phases. These coordinates sometimes involve the difference in atomic parameters, such as the difference in the sizes of the constituent atoms, and sometimes involve an average, such as the average d-band occupancy of constituent transition element metals. An alternative approach to the emphasis on atomic parameters has been the consideration, as pioneered by Pearson, of how atoms are packed in some crystal structure and how this controls what the constituent atoms may be. Recently this has led to the utilization of Wigner-Seitz (sometimes called Voronoi or Dirichlet) constructs of the atomic cells in a crystal structure and, in turn, to the observation that sometimes two crystals which are nominally considered to have the same crystal structure according to normal crystallographic designation should, in fact, be considered to be different. The Wigner-Seitz cell constructs have also offered a framework for understanding trends in the magnetic and chemical properties of particular phases as well as making coordination between crystalline and glassy structures. Neither of the above approaches—correlations with atomic parameters or with packing considerations—provide numerical estimates of quantities of thermodynamic interest such as heats of formation. Such heats are being calculated with varying rigor and varying computational complexity ranging from model Hamiltonians employing atomic parameters to intricate electron band theory calculations. This chapter will attempt to provide the reader with a sense of some of successes and some of the problems when employing the above approaches to trace out trends in alloy phase behavior. Because of space limitations, this review will be highly selective.
A Note on Auto-tuning GEMM for GPUs

The development of high performance dense linear algebra (DLA) critically depends on highly optimized BLAS, and especially on the matrix multiplication routine (GEMM). This is especially true for Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), as evidenced by recently published results on DLA for GPUs that rely on highly optimized GEMM. However, the current best GEMM performance, e.g. of up to 375 GFlop/s in single precision and of up to 75 GFlop/s in double precision arithmetic on NVIDIA's GTX 280, is difficult to achieve. The development involves extensive GPU knowledge and even backward engineering to understand some undocumented insides about the architecture that have been of key importance in the development. In this paper, we describe some GPU GEMM auto-tuning optimization techniques that allow us to keep up with changing hardware by rapidly reusing, rather than reinventing, the existing ideas. Auto-tuning, as we show in this paper, is a very practical solution where in addition to getting an easy portability, we can often get substantial speedups even on current GPUs (e.g. up to 27% in certain cases for both single and double precision GEMMs on the GTX 280).
Transcriptomic analysis of toxoplasma development reveals many novel functions and structures specific to sporozoites and oocysts.

Sexual reproduction of Toxoplasma gondii occurs exclusively within enterocytes of the definitive felid host. The resulting immature oocysts are excreted into the environment during defecation, where in the days following, they undergo a complex developmental process. Within each oocyst, this culminates in the generation of two sporocysts, each containing 4 sporozoites. A single felid host is capable of shedding millions of oocysts, which can survive for years in the environment, are resistant to most methods of microbial inactivation during water-treatment and are capable of producing infection in warm-blooded hosts at doses as low as 1–10 ingested oocysts. Despite its extremely interesting developmental biology and crucial role in initiating an infection, almost nothing is known about the oocyst stage beyond morphological descriptions. Here, we present a complete transcriptomic analysis of the oocyst from beginning to end of its development. In addition, and to identify genes whose expression is unique to this developmental form, we compared the transcriptomes of developing oocysts with those of in vitro-derived tachyzoites and in vivo-derived bradyzoites. Our results reveal many genes whose expression is specifically up- or down-regulated in different developmental stages, including many genes that are likely critical to oocyst development, wall formation, resistance to environmental destruction and sporozoite infectivity. Of special note is the up-regulation of genes that appear “off” in tachyzoites and bradyzoites but that encode homologues of proteins known to serve key functions in those asexual stages, including a novel pairing of sporozoite-specific paralogues of AMA1 and RON2, two proteins that have recently been shown to form a crucial bridge during tachyzoite invasion of host cells. This work provides the first in-depth insight into the development and functioning of one of the most important but least studied stages in the Toxoplasma life cycle.
Malformations induced in offspring of crowded and parabiotically stressed mice.

Various malformations and anomelies were induced in fetuses of mice parabiotically joined on the 6th, 7th, or 8th day of pregnancy and in fetuses of crowded pregnant mice. Mice were crowded by placing them 18/cage (dimensions 7″ × 7″ × 10″ ) on days 3–4 of pregnancy. The abnormalities included amputation of peripheral limb structures, open neural folds, exencephaly, blisters, head, face, and tail malformation, and generalized growth retardation. The hypothesis that the teratogenic and other effects were consequences of prolonged prenatal stress induced by the experimental conditions is supported by the observation that both procedures led in a short time to significant increases in mean maternal adrenal weight.
Exogamy in first marriages and remarriages: An analysis of mate selection in first and second marriages among American Jews in the 1990s, and its theoretical implications

What factors account for the decision to marry exogamously in second marriages in a community with a long history of valuing endogamous marriage? That question is addressed by an analysis of a subsample of remarried Jewish respondents drawn from the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey. While several demographic and family background factors: sex, denominational family background, religious education, year of marriage, and academic attainment are found to predict a first intermarriage, only two are significantly related to exogamy in remarriage: academic attainment and year of marriage. Surprisingly, academic attainment increases the likelihood of endogamy in first marriage, but exogamy in remarriage. The findings suggest that previous theories bearing on the subject require greater integration of structural, cultural, and interactionist assumptions about mate selection.
Translocations in avian conservation: reintroduction biology of the South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus)

Translocation is a commonly used tool in conservation management. However, because post-release monitoring has been infrequent in the past, reasons for the outcomes of translocations have often been unknown. Here, I review the reintroduction biology (including dispersal patterns, social organisation, survival, habitat use and foraging patterns) of a population of 26 South Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus), on Motuara Island, New Zealand. After release on Motuara Island, South Island Saddlebacks dispersed widely through forest areas. During their first post-release breeding season, saddlebacks established territories of 1.9 ha-8.8 ha (X¯=4.21 ha, SD=2.42) in size, and territorial confrontations were very rare. Saddlebacks bearing both adult and subadult plumage held territories and attempted to breed, and successful breeding produced approximately 10 fledglings. Saddlebacks foraged on a variety of plant species, dead wood and the ground. Except for five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus), a preferred foraging substrate, birds foraged in all plant material in proportion to its availability. Saddlebacks preferred to forage in the lower levels of the forest. Although vegetation composition differed significantly between territories, all territories contained forest areas, and birds appeared to prefer foraging in larger sized trees. Large territory sizes, breeding attempts by young birds and rarity of territorial confrontations are most likely products of low population density. As density increases, birds are expected to occupy smaller territories, forage more efficiently within these smaller areas, start breeding at older ages, and possibly colonise scrub habitats. The translocated group sustained no more than 50% mortality at 8-10 months after release. In the past, translocations of 15–59 South Island Saddlebacks have been successful, suggesting that the relatively small founder group does not threaten the success of the transfer to Motuara Island. Saddlebacks are flexible in their habitat use, appear to readily adapt to ‘new’ environments and have high reproductive potential, increasing the likelihood of success of translocations of this species.
The war before: the true life story of becoming a Black Panther, keeping the faith in prison and fighting for those left behind

by Safiya Bukhari/edited by Laura Whitehorn, New York, Feminist Press, 2010, 264 pp., $15.95 (paper), ISBN 978-1-55861610-3 The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther, Keeping ...
Graduate student/faculty mentoring relationships: Who gets mentored, how it happens, and to what end

Given the importance of mentoring in the academic context, this study proposed five objectives. Analyses of surveys from 145 students across 12 universities and diverse disciplines, revealed first of all, a demographic profile of the typical graduate student protege and faculty mentor. Second, ten diverse communication strategies emerged that demonstrate how students initiate a mentoring relationship. Third, protege evaluations of their initiation attempts revealed their efforts to be somewhat ineffective and unduly difficult. Fourth, students reported their mentors to provide primarily psychosocial, rather than career support. And fifth, proteges characterized their mentoring relationships as extremely positive and satisfying. Results throughout are, for the most part, independent of both protege and mentor demographics (including ethnicity).
Space weathering of lunar and asteroidal surfaces

Abstract Exposure to the solar wind and solar cosmic rays for long periods of time may cause substantial alterations in the geochemistry of the target material. Experimental results indicate that hydration of oxygen-rich materials can be expected in any surfaces which are exposed to solar protons. Furthermore, surfaces which are undergoing little erosion and no churning may develop a chemical stratification consisting of a thin upper layer of chemically reduced material overlying the thicker hydrated zone. For bodies unprotected by magnetic fields, hydration of all unit cells to a depth of 10 −3 cm may be achieved in 10 6 to 10 7 years. Increased erosional rates would proportionately decrease the amount of hydration. In the case of surface materials undergoing churning, the amount of weathering and erosion is a function of the depth and rate of churning. If Shoemaker's deductions are correct, that is, one turnover of the uppermost millimeter every 10 to 100 years, the hydration of the upper millimeter could be considerable for particles of less than 10 −3 cm in diameter.
Interferometric Measurement Of Large Aperture Infrared Windows

A versatile interferometer has been designed and built to evaluate infrared windows as large as 51 cm in diameter. Transmitted wavefront measurements may be made with an accuracy of 0.05λ peak-to-valley at 10.6 µm. Variations in refractive index of transmitting materials as small as 5 x 10-6 may be measured and mapped. Through the use of an auxiliary mirror, systems or components requiring a spherical wavefront at f/6 or slower may also be tested.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Smectic- C –smectic- I critical point in a liquid crystal mixture: Static and dynamic thermal behavior

The theoretically predicted smectic-C (Sm-C)--smectic-I (Sm-I, a tilted hexatic phase) critical point has been discovered in a racemic mixture of methylbutyl phenyl octylbiphenyl-carboxylate (8SI) and the octyloxybiphenyl analog (8OSI). High-resolution ac calorimetry and nonadiabatic scanning calorimetry show an evolution from a first-order Sm-C--Sm-I transition in 8SI to continuous supercritical behavior in 8OSI (no thermodynamic transition). The critical composition is ${\mathit{X}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}75, where X is the weight percent 8OSI. The static critical heat capacity ${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{p}}$(T,X=75) is characterized by a critical exponent x=1.06\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08 that corresponds to the exponent \ensuremath{\gamma} due to the path of approach to the critical point. This is a mean-field value of \ensuremath{\gamma} rather than the value associated with the new universality class that includes Sm-C--Sm-I, Sm-${\mathit{C}}^{\mathrm{*}}$--Sm-${\mathit{C}}^{\mathrm{*}}$, and Sm-${\mathit{A}}_{\mathit{d}}$--Sm-${\mathit{A}}_{2}$ (partial bilayer--bilayer smectic) critical points. It is proposed that mean-field behavior is observed due to long bare correlation lengths (Ginzburg criterion). Note that ${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{p}}$(T,X) measured along the path X=${\mathit{X}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is effectively a susceptibility, like ${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{p}}$ for a pure fluid near its liquid-gas critical point. Data obtained close to ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ show a systematic frequency dependence, and these ${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{p}}$(T,\ensuremath{\omega}) data are discussed in terms of critical slowing down and dynamic scaling behavior.
Non-NMDA receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla mediate somatosympathetic pressor responses.

Abstract The role of excitatory amino acid receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in mediating a somatosympathetic pressor response (SPR) was studied. Rats were anesthetized with urethane, bilaterally vagotomized, paralyzed and respirated. Increases in mean arterial pressure were evoked by 10-s trains of electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve afferents before and after bilateral microinjections into the RVLM of the N- methyl- d -aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist d -2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (D-AP7) or the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX). DNQX reversed or markedly attenuated the SPR. In contrast, the SPR was not significantly altered by blockade of NMDA receptors in the RVLM with D-AP7. However, prior administration of D-AP7 prevented reversal of the SPR by DNQX, while administration of D-AP7 after DNQX partially restored the SPR. These results indicate that pressor responses evoked by electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve afferents require synaptic activation of non-NMDA receptors in the RVLM. A somatic depressor response, revealed after blockade of non-NMDA receptors within the RVLM, may be mediated by activation of NMDA receptors in this region of the brainstem.
Donepezil in Vascular Dementia

patients with mild and moderately severe attributable to the higher rate of co-morbid condiAlzheimer’s disease (AD). Its use in AD is strongly tions and concomitant medications among those supported by the well recognised loss of cholinergic with cerebrovascular disease associated with decells in the basal forebrain and associated cholinermentia. Drop out due to adverse events was nearly gic markers in the cerebral cortex. The rationale for twice as common in the 10mg once daily group its use in vascular dementia (VaD) is less clear, but compared with the 5mg once daily group (19% vs some evidence suggests a potential basis for cortical 11%, respectively). This potentially explains the acetylcholine deficiencies in patients with the typifailure of 10mg once daily to achieve significance cal types of cerebrovascular lesions associated with on global measures, since adverse events might negimpaired cognition.
Multiphoton Ionization And Short Wavelength Stimulated Emission Using Excimer Lasers

Multiphoton absorption of picosecond ArF (193 nm) laser radiation has resulted in the production of highly charged ions and in the observation of stimulated emission in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (XUV).
Novel protein kinase C inhibitors: α-terthiophene derivatives

A series of α-terthiophene derivatives were prepared and their protein kinase C inhibitory activity were evaluated. The aldehyde derivatives were most potent inhibitors (IC50 < 1 μM). α-Terthiophene monoaldehyde was inactive in the inhibitions of protein kinase A, mitogen activated protein kinase and protein tyrosine kinase.
An approximate internal model principle: Applications to nonlinear models of biological systems

Abstract The proper function of many biological systems requires that external perturbations be detected, allowing the system to adapt to these environmental changes. It is now well established that this dual detection and adaptation requires that the system has an internal model in the feedback loop. In this paper we relax the requirement that the response of the system adapts perfectly, but instead allow regulation to within a neighborhood of zero. We show, in a nonlinear setting, that systems with the ability to detect input signals and approximately adapt require an approximate model of the input. We illustrate our results by analyzing a well-studied biological system. These results generalize previous work which treats the perfectly adapting case.
Stoichiometric Relation between Liver-Receptor, Intrinsic Factor and Vitamin B12.

Summary“Receptors”for intrinsic factor exist in rat, bull, and rabbit liver homogenate precipitate, and remain intact after lyophilization and acetone-washing of the homogenate. There appears to be a stoichiometric relation between receptors, intrinsic factor, and Vit. B12. Within stated limits, an incubation system of receptors, intrinsic factor, and/or Co60-B12 may prove useful for assay of intrinsic factor, of the quantity of free B12 in biological fluids, and of receptors.
Anglo-Saxon Literacy and the Roman Letters on the Franks Casket

The Franks Casket, a carved whalebone box from eighth century Northumbria, has attracted nearly continual interest since coming to light. 1 The Casket presents an endlessly fascinating riddle of wo...
Depression and broadening of the superconducting transition in superlattices based on YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ : Influence of the barrier layers

The superconducting properties of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$-based superlattices are shown to depend strongly on the electronic properties of the barrier layers. The resistive transition width decreases significantly as the hole carrier density in the barrier layers is increased. However, ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$(onset) does not change, contrary to predictions of hole-filling models. ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$(onset) is apparently determined by the ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ layer thickness, while the transition width, determined by long-range phase coherence of the superconducting wave function, depends on the electronic properties of the isolating barrier layers.
Sulphonamides: updates on use in veterinary medicine

Sulphonamides are the oldest class of antimicrobials and are still the drug of choice for many diseases in veterinary patients. They are classified based on their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This article presents an overview of various sulphonamides in each classification, the mechanisms of bacterial resistance, and the effectiveness and maintenance of skin concentrations. Clinical indications, routes and frequency of administration, duration of therapy, compliance factors, cost, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions are described. Controversial topics such as current usage and recommendations for sulphonamide use in dermatology are also discussed.
Unusual structural types in polynuclear iron chemistry from the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH4): Fe5, Fe6, and Fe12 clusters.

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization of five new iron clusters [Fe5O2(O2CPh)7(edte)(H2O)] (1), [Fe6O2(O2CBut)8(edteH)2] (2), [Fe12O4(OH)2(O2CMe)6(edte)4(H2O)2](ClO4)4 (3), [Fe12O4(OH)8(edte)4(H2O)2](ClO4)4 (4), and [Fe12O4(OH)8(edte)4(H2O)2](NO3)4 (5) (edteH4 = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine) are reported. The reaction of edteH4 with [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3](NO3) and [Fe3O(O2CBut)6(H2O)3](OH) gave 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 3 was obtained from the reaction of edteH4 and NaO2CMe with Fe(ClO4)3, whereas 4 and 5 were obtained from the reaction of edteH4 with Fe(ClO4)3 and Fe(NO3)3, respectively. The core of 1 consists of a [Fe4(μ3-O)2]8+ butterfly unit to which is attached a fifth Fe atom by four bridging O atoms. The core of 2 consists of two triangular [Fe3(μ3-O)]7+ units linked together by six bridging O atoms. Finally, the cores of 3−5 consist of an [Fe12(μ4-O)4(μ-OH)2]26+ unit. Variable-temperature (T) and -field (H) solid-state direct and alternati...
Study of Dst/ring current recovery times using the WINDMI model

[1] We use the WINDMI model of the nightside magnetosphere to investigate the contributions of ring current, magnetotail current, and magnetopause current on the observed two-phase decay of the Dst index. For the analysis, several geomagnetic events in the period 2000–2007 were identified, during which the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz) turns northward during the early recovery phase of the storm. The Dst recovery rate for these events were first estimated for either of two possible periods: by assuming an initial fast decay phase or by assuming an overall decay for the entire duration of storm. The recovery rates were estimated by matching Dst and Dst* data against WINDMI model predictions. We consistently found an increase in the Dst recovery times when a shorter initial decay phase was chosen as compared to an overall decay phase, thus, confirming the observations of two-phase decay and indicating the possibility of contributions from faster initial decay mechanisms. We then modified the Dst index as estimated by the WINDMI model to include contributions from the cross-tail current and magnetopause currents. The modified Dst was then optimized for all the events. The optimized results correlate very well to the Dst dynamics and indicate that under northward IMF Bz conditions and during the early recovery phase of a storm; contributions from the geotail currents to the fast initial decay of the Dst index are important, while the slower recovery of Dst in the later phases of the storm are due to the charge exchange dominated ring current decay.
It's not over till the last glomerulus forms

The Brenner hypothesis postulated that low birth weight and decreased nephron number at birth are linked to chronic kidney disease and systemic hypertension in adulthood. To date, little is known about the effect of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) on adult kidney disease. Bacchetta et al. present novel data using inulin to show a decrease in renal function for premature children with EUGR. The role of protein nutrition and timing in nephrogenesis is discussed.
The pharmacokinetics of the bispecific antibody MDX-H210 when combined with interferon gamma-1b in a multiple-dose phase I study in patients with advanced cancer.

Introduction: MDX-H210 is a Fab′×Fab′ bispecific antibody (BsAb) constructed chemically by crosslinking Fab′ mAb 520C9 (anti-HER-2/neu) and humanized Fab′ mAbH22 (anti-CD64). Study design and objectives: This was a phase I dose-escalation study of intravenous MDX-H210 (1–70 mg/m2) combined with subcutaneous IFN-γ, 50 µg/m2 given 24 h before the BsAb, both drugs being given three times a week for 3 weeks. The major objectives of the study were to define the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of MDX-H210 when given with IFN-γ on this schedule. Results: The study group comprised 23 patients (19 female, 4 male; median age 51.5 years, range 25–72 years) with advanced HER-2/neu-positive cancers (19 breast, 3 prostate and 1 lung). Inspection of the log plasma MDX-H210 concentrations-time data for both days 1 and 17 of treatment revealed monoexponential decay in the majority of patients with adequate concentration-time data points. The MDX-H210 T1/2 ranged from 2.9 to 21.9 h. The MDX-H210 Cmax on day 1 (means±SD) increased from 0.30±0.22 µg/ml at the 1-mg/m2 dose tier to 86.91±6.46 µg/ml at 70 mg/m2. Equivalent day-17 values were 0.27±0.30 µg/ml increasing to 147.85±40.23 µg/ml. The MDX-H210 Tmax occurred at or after the end of the infusion for all treatments. The mean MDX-H210 total body clearance (Cl) was in the range 0.01–0.34 ml/min per kg and the mean MDX-H210 apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) in the range 20–170 ml/kg, compatible with distribution primarily limited to the intravascular space. MDX-H210 T1/2 increased with dose (ANOVA P=0.001) and Cl decreased with dose (ANOVA P=0.006). There were no significant changes in MDX-H210 Cmax, AUC, Cl or Vdss between day 1 and day 17. Conclusions: MDX-H210 pharmacokinetics appeared saturable over the dose range 1–70 mg/m2, and there was no significant change in MDXH210 pharmacokinetics over the course of the study, or evidence of excessive accumulation of MDX-H210 on this multiple dosing schedule. When MDX-H210 was combined with IFN-γ, the estimated MDX-H210 pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to the published data for single-agent MDX-H210.
Vascular basement membrane components and the lesions of Alzheimer's disease: light and electron microscopic analyses.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of several systemic and cerebral diseases that involve the abnormal deposition of fibrillar proteins called amyloids. All amyloids share conformational and staining characteristics, as well as an association with resident tissue macrophages and two extracellular matrix components [heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and amyloid P component]. Vascular, glomerular, and Schwann cell basement membrane pathologies have been documented in many forms of amyloidosis, and often amyloid fibrils fuse to and project from the basement membrane in these diseases. The present report demonstrates the vascular basement membrane (VBM) alterations in AD autopsy samples, and details the methodologies used. Electron microscopy reveals the fusion of amyloid fibrils with the VBM and the alteration of the VBM in the absence of amyloid accumulation. Double-labelling and pre-embed immuno-electron microscopy techniques demonstrate the colocalization of amyloid P component and VBM components with amyloid, and also reveal that amyloid P component is not localized to the cerebral VBM. Finally, a novel correlative light/electron microscopy technique demonstrates the association between amyloid P component and cerebral resident tissue macrophages, the microglia. Taken together, these data suggest that the physicochemical processes of amyloid formation, rather than amyloid deposition, may be responsible for VBM pathology. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of microwave dielectric heating on intraparticle diffusion in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Abstract The influence of microwave (MW) irradiation on the mass transfer kinetics in reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was studied by placing a column in a microwave oven and measuring the incremental change in the temperature of the column effluent stream at various microwave energies and mobile phase compositions. The microwave energy dissipated in the column was set between 15 and 200 W and the mobile phase composition used varied from 100 to 70, 50, and 10% methanol in water at 1.2 mL/min. At all the mobile phase compositions considered, the effluent temperature increased with increasing microwave energy. At 70% methanol, the mobile phase flow rate was set at 1.2, 2.0, and 2.8 mL/min. At 1.2 mL/min, the effluent temperatures at the lowest (15 W) and highest (200 W) microwave energy inputs were 25 ± 1 °C and 41 ± 1 °C for pure methanol, 25 ± 1 °C and 48 ± 1 °C for 70% methanol, 25 ± 1 °C and 50 ± 1 °C for 50% methanol, and, 25 ± 1 °C and 52 ± 1 °C for 10% methanol, respectively. With 70% methanol and microwave energy inputs of 15, 30, and 50 W, the effluent temperature did not change with increasing flow rate; a considerable change was observed at 100, 150, and 200 W between 1.2 and 2.0 mL/min and none between 2.0 and 2.8 mL/min. Chromatographic elution band profiles of propylbenzene were recorded under linear conditions, in 70% methanol solutions, for microwave energy inputs of 0, 15 and 30 W, at constant temperature. The intraparticle diffusion coefficient, De, under microwave irradiation was ca. 20% higher than without irradiation. These preliminary results suggest that microwave irradiation may have a considerable influence on intraparticle diffusion in RPLC.