cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An in situ method to quantitatively determine dissolved free drug concentrations in vitro in the presence of polymer excipients using pulsatile microdialysis (PMD)

In drug formulations containing polymer excipients, the effects of the polymer on the dissolved free drug concentration and resulting dissolution or release can be important, especially for poorly soluble drugs. In this study, an in vitro method based on pulsatile microdialysis (PMD) was developed to quantitatively determine dissolved free concentrations of drugs in the presence of polymers in aqueous media in situ (e.g., in place within the system being characterized). Formulations were made by dissolving various ratios of the drug griseofulvin and polymer PVP K30 in water and allowing the mix to equilibrate. A PMD probe was immersed in each mixture and the dissolved free drug concentrations were determined in the PMD samples. The experimental procedure and the equations used for data analysis are presented. To assess the consistency of data, a binding model was fit to the data obtained using PMD by calculating the dissolved free drug fraction fD for each drug-polymer ratio in solution, and obtaining the product of the binding stoichiometry and binding constant (νK per mole of polymer) from the slope of a plot of (1-fD)/fD vs. the molar polymer concentration. For comparison, equilibrium binding experiments were also performed at 23C, and the determined value of νK was similar to the value found using PMD. Experiments were performed at three temperatures, and a plot of ln (νK) vs. 1/T was linear and a binding enthalpy of -110.9±4.4J/mol of monomer was calculated from its slope. It was concluded that PMD can be used to determine the dissolved free drug concentrations in situ, which allows characterization of the drug-polymer interaction, even for low drug concentrations. This information may be important in modeling the dissolution or release of drugs from formulations containing polymers.
Glucocorticoid Inhibits Elevated Polyamine Biosynthesis in Psoriasis

In the genetic skin disease psoriasis, the number of Proliferating cells is 12-fold greater in lesional (involved) and 2.5-fold greater in uninvolved epidermis than in normal epidermis. Since increased polyamine biosynthesis is associated with Cell proliferation, we measured polyamine levels and the activities of the polyamine biosynthetic enzymes from biopsies of involved and uninvolved psoriatic epidermis and normal epidermis. Polyamine (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) levels were: (1) higher in involved than in uninvolved epidermis (N = 7, P
Comparison of opioid agonists in maintaining responding and in suppressing morphine withdrawal in rhesus monkeys.

Sixteen opioid agonists were studied for their capacity both to maintain responding previously reinforced by codeine and to suppress the withdrawal syndrome induced by morphine deprivation in rhesus monkeys. All compounds, which included examples from each of the major chemical families of opioids, maintained responding at rates above those maintained by saline. There were differences among the compounds in the maximal response rates maintained, and large differences in their potencies in maintaining responding. In morphine-dependent monkeys, the abstinence signs that developed 14 h after the last morphine dose were suppressed completely by all of the compounds except codeine. There was a strong positive correlation (r=0.92) between the potency of a compound in maintaining drug-reinforced responding and the potency of the compound in suppressing the morphine withdrawal syndrome.
Prevalence and ultrastructure of sarcocystis in American woodcock harvested in Connecticut.

The range-wide population of American woodcock Scolopax minor has been in slow, steady decline since the late 1960s. The parasite load carried by woodcock and its possible role in the population decline has not been investigated since the early 1970s. A survey of parasites in American woodcock in Connecticut was undertaken in 2002; Sarcocystis spp. was found in 32 of 78 (42%) individuals examined. Elongate sarcocysts, 25 × 125 μ, containing numerous packed bradyzoites with distinct, tightly packed villar projections of the cyst wall, were found scattered throughout skeletal type and myocardial muscle. Sarcocystis spp. was also recorded during the earlier surveys and considered common, but was not examined with the use of electron microscopy. The present study includes the first ultrastructural description of Sarcocystis sp. in the skeletal muscle of woodcock and will serve as a basis for future comparisons in woodcock.
Alzira Rufino's a casa de cultura de mulher negra as a form of female empowerment: a look at the dynamics of a black women's organization in Brazil today

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the history and development of a black women's organization situated in Brazil. The Coletivo de Mulheres Negras da Baixada Santista/Casa de Cultura da Mulher Negra (The Black Women's Collective of Baixada Santista/House of Culture of the Black Woman) is important as a case study, for it offers insight into the way women in Brazil, through affiliation with the black movement and women's organizations, are articulating to ensure their participation at national level in policies and politics that eventually impact their lives. Formed in 1986, the Casa is today one of the leading women's groups in Santos, Sao Paulo, working especially to improve health and offer legal assistance to domestically abused women. Run by Alzira Rufino, widely known as an activist in the black movement and defender of Afro-Brazilian women's interests, the Casa is also an nongovernmental organization (NGO), substantially funded by the British and designed to attend to particular needs of the community it is located in. Of particular interest to this description is this center's relationship with the political interests of the black movement and dominant political parties. Additionally, I will examine to what extent the existence of such a space has strengthened the Afro-Brazilian woman's capacity to develop her own infrastructure, capital and leadership capabilities, while working to improve the quality of life in her community.
Return Shipping Policies of Online Retailers: Normative Assumptions and the Long-Term Consequences of Fee and Free Returns:

Abstract To limit costs associated with product returns, some online retailers have instituted equity-based return shipping policies, requiring customers to pay to return products when retailers determine that customers are at fault. The authors compare the normative assumptions about customers that underlie equity-based return shipping policies with the more realistic, positivist expectations as predicted by attribution, equity, and regret theories. Two longitudinal field studies over four years using two surveys and actual customer spending data indicate that retailer confidence in those normative assumptions is unjustified. Contrary to retailer assumptions, neither the positive consequences of free returns nor the negative consequences of fee returns were reversed when customer perceptions of fairness were taken into account. Depending on the locus and extent of blame, customers who paid for their own return decreased their postreturn spending at that retailer 75%–100% by the end of two years. In contr...
The effects of introspection on creating privacy policy

Prior work in psychology shows that introspection inhibits intuition: asking human users to analyze judgements they make can cause them to be quantitatively worse at making those judgments. In this paper, we explore whether this seemingly contradictory phenomenon also occurs when humans craft privacy policies for a Facebook-like social network. Our study presents empirical evidence that suggests the act of introspecting upon one's personal security policy actually makes one worse at making policy decisions; if one aims to reduce privacy spills, the data indicate that educating users before letting them set their privacy policies may actually increase the exposure of private information.
Representations with fuzzy darts

Abstract Fuzzy information is organized by partitioning the fuzzy interval [0, 1] into layers of “fuzzy strata”. At each level fuzzy information is approximated by a fuzzy dart; information at all levels is combined and recorded as an n-tuple of fuzzy darts. From this perspective, fuzzy numbers with “continuous boundaries” are approximated by Pn-fuzzy numbers. Then, within the framework of fuzzy level sets, the problem of comparing Pn-fuzzy numbers is addressed. For applications, differentiably smooth fuzzy maps which are either “expansive” or “contractive” are characterized by their derivatives. Finally, anti-fuzzy numbers are introduced and discussed.
Abstract 4792: Analysis of the relationship between experimentally induced rodent forestomach hyperplasia and tumorigenesis.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number resulting from physiological processes such as irritation, or pathological processes like carcinogenesis. The difficulty in differentiating reactive versus preneoplastic (or dedicated) hyperplasia has been the subject of debate in the literature, especially in regard to prediction of human health risks following chronic chemical exposure. Squamous hyperplasia and neoplasia are frequently detected in the rodent forestomach (FS) following chronic oral administration of chemicals evaluated in rodent cancer bioassays. Molecular level mechanistic details related to FS hyperplasia progression are not available for a wide range of chemicals, despite the increasing need for this level of mechanistic understanding to support evaluations for human health risk. In order to facilitate further discussion on the use of rodent FS lesions in the estimation of cancer and noncancer reference values, a comparison of chemical hyperplasia versus tumor induction was performed. FS lesion classification and incidence data were obtained from rat and mouse gavage bioassays on over 50 chemicals from National Toxicology Program (NTP) 2-year bioassays that reported dose-related increases in FS hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions in one or more rodent sex/strain combinations tested. Chemical effects were tabulated and sorted by strain, sex, genotoxicity assay results and irritation effects, and the relationship between FS hyperplasia and FS tumor (e.g., squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma) induction was analyzed using grouped animal data. When considering chemicals with positive results in genotoxicity assays, FS tumors positively correlated with FS hyperplasia incidence in both rats and mice. Increased incidence of FS hyperplasia was not correlated with FS tumors in animals exposed to chemicals that were negative for genotoxicity and irritation. The potential results of this analysis may be useful in the evaluation of chemicals with limited chronic bioassay data by informing predictions of long-term tumor formation based on chemical properties observable during short-term animal or in vitro studies (e.g., genotoxicity, irritation). The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Citation Format: Jason M. Fritz, Maureen R. Gwinn. Analysis of the relationship between experimentally induced rodent forestomach hyperplasia and tumorigenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4792. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4792
Severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in a 5-year-old girl

Summary The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common cause of morbidity during childhood. Although pediatric OSAS usually stems from adenotonsillar hypertrophy, it is also related to craniofacial anomalies. We report a case of extremely severe OSAS in a 5-year-old girl who has undergone adenoidectomy and partial tonsillectomy 1.5 year previously. A second adenotonsillectomy was elected to resolve abnormal respiration during sleep. Polysomnography was repeated 8 weeks after surgery and revealed an outstanding improvement but not complete resolution. The residual number of apnoeas is attributed to the retrognathia of the patient.
Survival differences between black and white women with breast cancer

Several reports have indicated that black women with breast cancer have a poorer prognosis than white women. To investigate this phenomenon and to identify some of the underlying reasons, 172 patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, who were managed similarly, were studied. Survival analysis comparing the two populations with breast cancer revealed that white women had significantly longer overall survival (OS), P = 0.015 by Wilcoxon and 0.019 by log-rank, and borderline significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS), P = 0.04 by Wilcoxon and 0.07 by log-rank. While there was no significant difference in OS and DFS between the two groups with negative nodes, significantly poorer DFS and OS was noted in black patients with one to three positive lymph nodes compared to white patients, P = 0.008. The white patients had a higher incidence of hormone receptor-positive tumors, especially progesterone receptor (P = 0.0016). However, survival analysis failed to show any difference between the black and the white populations based on hormonal receptors. Such findings suggested that further investigation of other factor(s) is warranted. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Parallel TREE code for two-component ultracold plasma analysis

The TREE method has been widely used for long-range interaction N-body problems. We have developed a parallel TREE code for two-component classical plasmas with open boundary conditions and highly non-uniform charge distributions. The program efficiently handles millions of particles evolved over long relaxation times requiring millions of time steps. Appropriate domain decomposition and dynamic data management were employed, and large-scale parallel processing was achieved using an intermediate level of granularity of domain decomposition and ghost TREE communication. Even though the computational load is not fully distributed in fine grains, high parallel efficiency was achieved for ultracold plasma systems of charged particles. As an application, we performed simulations of an ultracold neutral plasma with a half million particles and a half million time steps. For the long temporal trajectories of relaxation between heavy ions and light electrons, large configurations of ultracold plasmas can now be investigated, which was not possible in past studies.
Constructing Hopes and Fears Around Technology: A Discourse Analysis of Introductory Qualitative Research Texts

Graduate students often receive their first training in qualitative methods during an introductory course. The textbook that is chosen often sets the tone for how qualitative research is understood...
Comprehensive Functional Annotation of Seventy-One Breast Cancer Risk Loci

Breast Cancer (BCa) genome-wide association studies revealed allelic frequency differences between cases and controls at index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To date, 71 loci have thus been identified and replicated. More than 320,000 SNPs at these loci define BCa risk due to linkage disequilibrium (LD). We propose that BCa risk resides in a subgroup of SNPs that functionally affects breast biology. Such a shortlist will aid in framing hypotheses to prioritize a manageable number of likely disease-causing SNPs. We extracted all the SNPs, residing in 1 Mb windows around breast cancer risk index SNP from the 1000 genomes project to find correlated SNPs. We used FunciSNP, an R/Bioconductor package developed in-house, to identify potentially functional SNPs at 71 risk loci by coinciding them with chromatin biofeatures. We identified 1,005 SNPs in LD with the index SNPs (r2≥0.5) in three categories; 21 in exons of 18 genes, 76 in transcription start site (TSS) regions of 25 genes, and 921 in enhancers. Thirteen SNPs were found in more than one category. We found two correlated and predicted non-benign coding variants (rs8100241 in exon 2 and rs8108174 in exon 3) of the gene, ANKLE1. Most putative functional LD SNPs, however, were found in either epigenetically defined enhancers or in gene TSS regions. Fifty-five percent of these non-coding SNPs are likely functional, since they affect response element (RE) sequences of transcription factors. Functionality of these SNPs was assessed by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and allele-specific enhancer assays. Unbiased analyses of SNPs at BCa risk loci revealed new and overlooked mechanisms that may affect risk of the disease, thereby providing a valuable resource for follow-up studies.
Research and Development of Drones for Peace—High Power High Energy Supply Required

Drones are useful in climate science, space research, energy and environmental research, surveillance to protect sensitive areas. Drones, including land autonomous vehicles (AV), are being recognized as being very useful in the 21st century, and their beneficial peaceful functions is one focus of this article. The technology of drones depends mainly on many branches of engineering, including but not limited to robotics, computer technology, avionics, air and space research, mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy and the environment. This work is also focused on the research and development of drones including AVs. In the area of mass transport systems (which needs to be encouraged and optimized with respect to energy consumed in this age of energy awareness), automation has been achieved but much still needs to be done. Sensors and computers needs to be developed to a high enough level where they can duplicate the senses of an experienced pilot or operator, backed up by a huge database storage of scenarios and follow-up actions that would avert accidents and damage. Some futuristic beneficial uses for drones have also been identified, indicating some directions for research and development. The other hugely important subfield for further work is energy supply for the drones. High power and high energy supply for a long duration is required.
SNS detector plans

The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge, TN, USA is scheduled to begin operation in April 2006. As of October 2003, seventeen neutron scattering instruments have been approved for development. Unfortunately the detector requirements for many of these instruments exceed the capabilities of the systems that are available today. While improved detectors would significantly enhance the scientific capabilities of the facility, detector decisions have been made based on the current best option. This paper will present the detector requirements of the instruments, list the detector selections for initial operation, and review the deficiencies of these selections. The need for new detectors is significant and the SNS staff strongly endorses detector research that will eliminate these deficiencies. New detectors will not only improve the quality of the science being done at neutron scattering facilities, they will also open new areas of research.
Sample size, effect size, and statistical power: a replication study of Weisburd’s paradox

Objectives This study expands upon Weisburd’s work (1993) by reexamining the relationship between sample size and statistical power in criminological experiments. This inquiry, now known as the Weisburd paradox, postulates that increasing the sample size of experiments does not always lead to increases in statistical power. The current research also begins to explore the potential sources of the Weisburd paradox.
Gubernatorial elections and attitudes toward the police: State elections as focusing events

Traditional views hold that citizens’ attitudes toward the police are driven by local concerns. We contend that public attitudes toward the police are also responsive to systematic and periodic state-level political factors. We show that state elections as a focusing event alter periodically the determinants of attitudes toward the police. Using an ordered logistic regression model and data from national public policy surveys from 1998 and 1999, we find that gubernatorial elections have a significant effect on the state/police relationship. State elections create conditions that separate the bureaucratic and partisan functions of the state government. In turn, the bureaucratic performance of the state government is less related to police approval, while partisan contestation for control of the governor office (control of the state) is significantly and positively related to police approval. During gubernatorial election years, attitudes toward the state government account for more of the variation in police attitudes.
New optical technology for low mass intelligent trigger and readout

New optical devices offer the potential for reductions in mass, power, and cost of data paths for on-board trigger and readout of tracking detectors. We give examples of optical modulators, MEMS beam steering devices, and optical coupling. We also present results on radiation hardness of materials as well as different approaches to using optics in triggering.
Peak Earthquake Response of Structures Under Multi-component Excitations

Accurate estimation of the peak seismic responses of structures is important in earthquake resistant design. The internal force distributions and the seismic responses of structures are quite complex, since ground motions are multi-directional. One key issue is the uncertainty of the incident angle between the directions of ground motion and the reference axes of the structure. Different assumed seismic incidences can result in different peak values within the scope of design spectrum analysis for a given structure and earthquake ground motion record combination. Using time history analysis to determine the maximum structural responses excited by a given earthquake record requires repetitive calculations to determine the critical incident angle. This paper presents a transformation approach for relatively accurate and rapid determination of the maximum peak responses of a linear structure subjected to three-dimensional excitations within all possible seismic incident angles. The responses can be deformations, internal forces, strains and so on. An irregular building structure model is established using SAP2000 program. Several typical earthquake records and an artificial white noise are applied to the structure model to illustrate the variation of the maximum structural responses for different incident angles. Numerical results show that for many structural parameters, the variation can be greater than 100%. This method can be directly applied to time history analysis of structures using existing computer software to determine the peak responses without carrying out the analyses for all possible incident angles. It can also be used to verify and/or modify aseismic designs by using response spectrum analysis.
Effect of interior door position on room-to-room differences in residential pollutant concentrations after short-term releases

Abstract Residential interior door positions influence the pollutant concentrations that result from short-term indoor sources, such as cigarettes, candles, and incense. To elucidate this influence, we reviewed past studies and conducted new experiments in three residences: a single-story 714 m 3 ranch-style house, a 510 m 3 two-story split-level house, and a 200 m 3 two-story house. During the experiments, we released sulfur hexafluoride or carbon monoxide tracer gas over short periods (≤30 min) and measured concentrations in the source room and at least one other (receptor) room for various interior door opening positions. We found that closing a door between rooms effectively prevented transport of air pollutants, reducing the average concentration in the receptor room relative to the source room by 57–100% over exposure periods of 1–8 h. When intervening doors were partially or fully open, the reduction in average concentrations ranged from 3% to 99%, varying as a function of door opening width and the distance between source and receptor rooms.
Regionalization in Neonatal Congenital Heart Surgery: The Impact of Distance on Outcome After Discharge

Studies have shown improved perioperative outcomes after neonatal heart surgery at centers with greater surgical volumes. The impact of increasing distance from such centers on outcome after discharge has not yet been reported. Chart review and cross-sectional survey were performed on children discharged or transferred after undergoing neonatal congenital heart surgery as neonates (<30 days of age) from January 2005 to June 2006. The association of distance from center with mortality and adverse events was analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression and stratified by the Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery-1 for complexity. Among 217 patients, those living further from the surgical center were smaller and older at surgery and more likely to be RACHS-1 class 6. Overall mortality was 8% (16 of 202) and was not associated with distance. Surveys were completed by 109 (54%) families with mean follow-up of 24 (±3) months. Unplanned admissions after discharge and unplanned interventions occurred in 45% and 40% of patients, respectively. After adjusting for case complexity, living 90–300 min away from the surgical center was associated with fewer unplanned admissions compared with those living <90 min away. After neonatal cardiac surgery, adverse events were common. Distance from the surgical center was not associated with mortality, but it was associated with morbidity in a nonlinear fashion. This relation, its mediators, and its possible impact on mortality and later outcomes warrant further study to aid in planning appropriate patient follow-up.
A policy of discrimination: reproductive health care in the military.

In 2002, the wife of a young U.S. Navy sailor was given the news that her fetus had no brain, a birth defect known as anencephaly (Wilson, 2010). This condition is not compatible with life, and, at 16 weeks of gestation, the couple decided not to continue the pregnancy. In fiscal 1977, over 25,000 abortions were performed in military facilities (Boonstra, 2010; Burrelli, 2008). However, in 2002 federal law prohibited termination of the pregnancy at the military health care facility where they were stationed. In addition, federal funds could not be used for the abortion (10 USC 1093, 1996). This young family faced a $3,000 medical bill for the abortion procedure at a local civilian clinic, or the pain of going through 5 months of carrying a fetus that would die. Service members make less than civilians in similar occupations and depend on the military for their health coverage (Wilson, 2010). The additional $3,000 was beyond the financial capability of the couple. With the help of family and friends, they were able to overcome the financial burden and obtain the abortion. Had the family been stationed overseas, finding a civilian abortion provider may not have been possible. While stationed overseas in the Philippines from 1989 to 1991, one of the authors (J.T.J.) witnessed firsthand the burden of restrictive abortion policy. Active duty women electing to terminate an unwanted pregnancy were forced to make a difficult choice: Take emergency leave and travel to Hawaii for a legal abortion (at their own expense) or obtain an illegal abortion under unsafe conditions locally. Not surprisingly, the burden of
Thoracic, Abdominal and Vertebral Actinomycosis

The clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and histologic features and the response to therapy in three dogs with actinomycosis are reported. One dog (dog 1) had a 12-cm nonresectable mass extending from the ventrolateral chest wall into the left ventricular myocardium. Another dog (dog 2) had a diffuse peritonitis with “sulfur granules‘1 and two large masses. One of these masses was nonresectable involving adjacent abdominal structures. A third dog (dog 3) had a subvertebral mass at Ti_3 producing quadra-plegia. Two dogs had periosteal reactions involving adjacent sternebrae (dog 1) or ribs and vertebral bodies (dog 3) that are characteristic of Actinomyces spp infections. In dogs 1 and 2 the diagnosis was based on the morphologic and tinctorial properties of free sulfur granules and/or tissue granules. Culture results were variable. Tissue from dog 1 yielded no growth, while polymicrobial infections, which included Actinomyces spp, were identified in dogs 2 and 3. Actinomyces odontolyticus was isolated from dog 3. Although the actinomycotic granulomas were either not excised or only partially excised from dogs 1 and 2, both animals were cured by the oral administration of high doses of penicillin G for 19 and 6 months, respectively. Dog 3 responded dramatically to the same antibiotic therapy given for 5 months. However, within 4 months of discontinuing treatment an abscess and draining fistulous tracts developed in the left axillary region. Two surgical fistulectomies and additional penicillin therapy were required to cure this animal. These cases and the current veterinary and human literature on actinomycosis are used to propose a rational approach to the treatment of actinomycosis in the dog. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1988; 2:184–191)
Cellulose/chitosan hybrid nanofibers from electrospinning of their ester derivatives

A facile approach has been established to generate cellulose/chitosan hybrid nanofibers with full range of compositions by electrospinning of their ester derivatives, cellulose acetate (CA) and dibutyryl chitin (DBC), followed by alkaline hydrolysis to cellulose (Cell) and chitosan (CS). DBC was synthesized by acid-catalyzed acylation of chitin (CHI) with butyric anhydride and the newly formed butyl groups on C3 and C6 were confirmed by FT-IR and 1HNMR. DBC had robust solubility in acetone, DMAc, DMF, ethanol, and acetic acid, all except ethanol were also solvents for CA, allowing mixing of these ester derivatives. Fiber formation by electrospinning of either DBC or CA alone and together in these common solvents and their mixtures were studied. The 1/1 acetone/acetic acid was found to be the optimal solvent system to generate fibers from either DBC or CA as well as their mixtures at all CA/DBC ratios, resulting in hybrid fibers with diameters ranging from 30 to 350 nm. DBC and CA were well mixed and showed no phase separate in the hybrid fibers. Alkaline hydrolysis (NaOH) of the equal mass CA/DBC nanofibers regenerated Cell and CHI readily via O-deacylation, then proceeded to further deacetylate CHI to CS via N-deacetylation at higher alkaline concentrations and/or temperatures. Under conditions studied, hydrolysis with 5N NaOH at 100 °C for 3 h was optimal to regenerate cellulose/chitosan hybrid nanofibers.
The metal abundance and specific energy of intracluster gas

The hot gas in the cores of rich galaxy clusters is metal-rich with nearly solar abundances of metals. It is not clear whether the metals were shed from galaxies via protogalactic winds or via ram-pressure stripping. It has been suggested that if metals were injected via centrally concentrated stripping, the overall abundances could be much less than those observed in cluster cores, diminishing the degree of stellar processing required. The observed energetics of intracluster gas can be used to deduce the metal injection mechanism, which in turn may allow the global metal abundance uncertainty to be resolved in the absence of spatially resolved X-ray spectra. Existing X-ray spectral and surface brightness data for galaxy clusters indicate that the gas in cool clusters has substantially greater specific energy than could have been gained through cluster collapse. Supernovae-driven protogalactic winds can provide this extra energy, while ram-pressure stripping cannot. Such protogalactic winds will distribute metals fairly homogeneously. Much processing of gas through stars is then required, with protogalaxies losing perhaps one-half of their initial luminous mass in metal-rich winds. Furthermore, the oxygen-to-iron ratio observed in two clusters indicates that the bulk of the iron in cluster gas was produced by Type II supernovae, not Type I supernovae, as is usually supposed.
Commentary: Cortisol levels and conduct disorder in adolescent mothers.

The study by Azar et al. (2004) in this issue investigates the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in adolescent antisocial girls. This question is important because disturbance of HPA functioning has been found in populations of violent adult males and antisocial adolescent males, suggesting that it may be a marker of a physiological disorder associated with antisocial behavior. The investigators examined 228 pregnant or postpartum teenage girls, categorizing them as having conduct disorder (CD) or not having conduct disorder (NCD). HPA axis function was assessed with saliva cortisol samples obtained in the midmorning when the girls were 4 and 9 months postpartum. The hypothesis was that girls with CD would have lower cortisol levels than girls without CD. The investigators did not find any significant difference in cortisol levels between the two groups, an important but puzzling finding. Azar et al. suggested that this result may demonstrate a lack of clear HPA axis involvement in antisocial mothers.
Lake restoration by dilution: Moses lake, Washington

Abstract Dilution water, low in macronutrients, was added to Moses Lake on three occasions in 1977 and once in 1978 during the spring-summer period. The addition resulted in reducing the annual average inflow concentration of phosphorus from about 130–140 μg l −1 to 100 μg l −1 . The water exchange rate in Parker Horn, which is 8% of the lake volume, increased from about 1% day −1 normally to 7 and 11% day −1 for the May–September period in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Lake water was displaced at a predictable rate in the whole lake as well as the areas proximal to the input, as verified by specific conductance. Improvements in lake quality, compared to values from 1969–70, were rather good with greater reductions in algal biomass occurring than might have been expected to result from the less impressive reductions in total P content. Chlorophyll a decreased by about 60–80% and total P decreased by about 50–60%, depending on the area of the lake. However, Chl a averaged only 15 μg l −1 during May–September 1978, while total P was rather high at 70–80 μg l −1 . The fraction of the phytoplankton composed by blue-green algae decreased from 96% in 1970 to 68% in 1977–78. The cause for the effect on biomass and species composition is unknown, but may be related to dilution of blue-green excretory products. A dilution water input of about 6 m 3 s −1 continuously during April–September would require 20% less total water and should provide adequate control of eutrophication in at least 30% of the lake volume proximal to the input and Parker Horn. That would provide an exchange rate of 5% day −1 for Parker Horn and should achieve lake water residuals by midsummer of ⩽50%. Two additional inputs to the lake are also proposed as two more phases in the restoration project.
Type 2 transglutaminase differentially modulates striatal cell death in the presence of wild type or mutant huntingtin

Huntington’s disease (HD), which is caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in huntingtin (htt), is characterized by extensive loss of striatal neurons. The dysregulation of type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) has been proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis in HD as TG2 is up-regulated in HD brain and knocking out TG2 in mouse models of HD ameliorates the disease process. To understand the role of TG2 in the pathogenesis of HD, immortalized striatal cells established from mice in which mutant htt with a polyglutamine stretch of 111 Gln had been knocked-in and wild type (WT) littermates, were stably transfected with human TG2 in a tetracycline inducible vector. Overexpression of TG2 in the WT striatal cells resulted in significantly greater cell death under basal conditions as well as in response to thapsigargin treatment, which causes increased intracellular calcium concentrations. Furthermore, in WT striatal cells TG2 overexpression potentiated mitochondrial membrane depolarization, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and apoptotic cell death in response to thapsigargin. In contrast, in mutant striatal cells, TG2 overexpression did not increase cell death, nor did it potentiate thapsigargin-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization or intracellular reactive oxygen species production. Instead, TG2 overexpression in mutant striatal cells attenuated the thapsigargin-activated apoptosis. When in situ transglutaminase activity was quantitatively analyzed in these cell lines, we found that in response to thapsigargin treatment TG2 was activated in WT, but not mutant striatal cells. These data suggest that mutant htt alters the activation of TG2 in response to certain stimuli and therefore differentially modulates how TG2 contributes to cell death processes.
Sacrocolpopexy without concomitant posterior repair improves posterior compartment defects

The aim of this study is to determine posterior compartment topography 1-year after sacrocolpopexy (SC). Women who had SC without concomitant anterior or posterior repairs for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were included. Vaginal topography was assessed at baseline and 1-year postoperatively using POP quantification (POPQ). At baseline, 24% had stage IV POP, 68% stage III, and 8% stage II. One year after surgery, 75% had stage 0/I POP, 24% stage II, and 1% stage III. 112 (75%) were objectively cured (stage 0 or I POP). Anterior compartment was the most common site of POP persistence or recurrence (Ba ≥ stage II in 23 women) followed by posterior compartment (Bp ≥ stage II in 12 women) and apex (C ≥ stage II in 2 women). In 1-year follow-up, SC without concomitant posterior repair restores posterior vaginal topography in the majority of women with undergoing SC.
Falling Clothes Irons Rarely Cause Burns

Children's Hospital of Michigan's Burn Center treats approximately three pediatric contact burns annually related to clothes irons, which involve the face, torso, and extremities. These burns leave well-demarcated burn patterns, including the steam holes from the heat plate of the iron. The average age of these children is 15 months. The history given by the parent is that the child pulled the cord of an iron that was on an ironing board or high shelf. It seemed unlikely to the investigators that a falling iron would produce such demarcated burns. A free-standing shelf unit was built with shelf heights of 36, 60, and 72 inches (the height of an ironing board and shelves at home). Three irons of different weights were put in three different positions on each shelf, with the cord dangling. A doll the approximate size of a 15-month old was positioned in front of the shelf. The dangling cord was pulled, and the falling iron was videotaped. The video was edited in freeze frame at the point at which the iron hit the doll. Two hundred seventy falls were recorded. The flat heat plate of the iron never hit the doll. The linear edge of the heat plate hit the doll on only seven falls. This study demonstrates that it is very unlikely for the flat heat plate of a falling iron to contact a toddler-sized doll. Children who allegedly sustain demarcated burns in this manner need to be investigated for nonaccidental injury.
Ceramic coatings for graphite fabrics by metalorganic pyrolysis

De nouveaux precurseurs organo-metalliques et polymeres pour Ti-Si-C-N ont ete synthetises. On etudie les methodes de revetement et infiltration pour diverses structures de toiles de fibres de graphite, la pyrolyse des materiaux revetus et finalement la resistance a l'oxydation des composites graphite-ceramique
Diastereoselectivity in epoxidation of carbohydrate fused [13]-macro-dilactones.

DMDO epoxidation of carbohydrate fused [13]-macro-dilactones was found to be highly diastereoselective. Facial selectivity of the epoxidation depended on the identity of the fused carbohydrate. Gluco-configured macro-dilactones gave the R,R epoxide, whereas the galacto- configuration gave the S,S epoxide. The epoxide stereochemisty was confirmed by independent syntheses of dimethyl 4R,5R-epoxyoctanedioate via Shi epoxidation of dimethyl E-oct-4-enedioate and by transesterification of the epoxide derived from the gluco-[13]-macro-dilactone. We demonstrate diastereoselectivity in alkene reactivity driven by remote rather than adjacent stereocenters.
Divine Nature and Divine Will

This paper examines the relationship between God and those universals that characterize his nature. It is argued that God has sovereignty over his nature, even though he is not self-creating, and does not give rise to the universals that characterize his nature by any act of intellection. Rather, God is himself an act of rational willing in which all that is has its existence. Because the act that is God is one of free will, he has sovereignty over the features it displays, which include all that characterizes his nature.
A Longitudinal Study of Serotonergic Function in Depression

Several reports have described abnormal neuroendocrine responses to serotonergic challenge tests in depression, but few have studied depressed patients followed longitudinally. In order to determine whether blunted prolactin responses to clomipramine challenge is a “state” vs. “trait” marker in depression, we applied this challenge paradigm to 20 patients with Major Depression prior to treatment and at three additional time points following response to desipramine: at the completion of acute treatment; at the end of the continuation phase of treatment; and after a minimum of three weeks “washout” following the discontinuation of treatment. The prolactin response to clomipramine challenge was blunted in depressed patients compared with matched healthy control subjects, at each time point over the longitudinal course of their illness and recovery. Challenge test results in depressed patients did not change after response to acute desipramine therapy, at the conclusion of the continuation phase of treatment, or while in a medication-free state of remission. Blunted prolactin response to clomipramine challenge persists in depressed patients after recovery from acute illness, and may reflect an underlying biological vulnerability.
Structured spatial domain image and data comparison metrics

Often, images or datasets have to be compared, to facilitate choices of visualization and simulation parameters respectively. Common comparison techniques include side-by-side viewing and juxtaposition, in order to facilitate visual verification of verisimilitude. In this paper, we propose quantitative techniques which accentuate differences in images and datasets. The comparison is enabled through a collection of partial metrics which, essentially, measure the lack of correlation between the datasets or images being compared. That is, they attempt to expose and measure the extent of the inherent structures in the difference between images or datasets. Besides yielding numerical attributes, the metrics also produce images, which can visually highlight differences. Our metrics are simple to compute and operate in the spatial domain. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our metrics through examples for comparing images and datasets.
Analysis of ZnS:Mn-Type ac Thin-Film Electroluminescent Display Devices with Bulk Traps

— Analysis of a ZnS:Mn-type ac thin-film electroluminescent device with a deep level in the bulk of the phosphor layer was performed. Both donor- and acceptor-type levels were considered. Calculations of field, current, and luminescence as a function of the interface-state-level energy (ECD) showed that a trailing-edge peak in the luminescence waveform appears when ECD is less than 0.5 eV. It was found that an acceptor-type bulk level can, under certain conditions, lead to oscillations in the electron flux and the device current. A reasonable match between theoretical and experimental luminescence waveforms could be obtained for ECD = 0.8 eV. However, theory and experiment could not be matched simultaneously at three different drive conditions consisting of three different slew rates for the drive pulses. Further refinement of the model is necessary for predicting the ACTFEL drive response for all drive conditions. These refinements include the energy distribution of hot electrons, probability of impact excitation, and carrier multiplication in the phosphor layer.
Calculated hadronic transmission through iron absorbers

The transmission of hadrons through iron absorbers is investigated for a variety of experimental configurations, and incident particle types (protons, and charged pions) and energies (0.8 GeV/c to 100 GeV). The results obtained are consistent with available experimental data.
Use of anticytoplasmic autoantibodies in the diagnosis of wegener's granulomatosis with subglottic stenosis

Subglottic stenosis is one of the lesser known manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis and poses great difficulty in confirming the diagnosis. We present the use of the anticytoplasmic autoantibodies (ACPA) blood test, which has been shown to be highly specific for Wegener's granulomatosis, for corroboration of Wegener's granulomatosis in a patient with subglottic stenosis for whom tissue biopsies were nondiagnostic. The ACPA test and the presentation, diagnosis, and management of subglottic stenosis due to Wegener's granulomatosis are discussed. Otolaryngologists must be aware of the varied manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis and the availability of the ACPA blood test as an aid in confirming the diagnosis.
Transitioning from Fellowship to a Physician-Scientist Career Track

Given the remarkable advances in bio-medicine in recent years, there has never been a better time to devote one's efforts towards bench to beside medicine. Accordingly, well-trained physician-scientists are in high demand in the private and academic sectors, and there is increasing awareness of the need to support and nurture such individuals. Clinical fellows in hematology, oncology and hematopathology with an interest in the physician-scientist career path must be well prepared to succeed in transitioning from fellowship to their first academic position. This article will discuss some of the key elements that prospective clinical scientists need to assemble in order to survive this critical period.
Detection of misaligned cropping and recompression with the same quantization matrix and relevant forgery

Image tampering, being widely facilitated and proliferated by today's digital techniques, is increasingly causing problems concerning the authenticity of digital images. As one of the most favorable compressed media, JPEG image can be easily tampered without leaving any visible clues. JPEG-based forensics, including the detection of double compression, interpolation, rotation, etc, has been actively performed. However, the detection of misaligned cropping and recompression, with the same quantization matrix that was once used to encode original JPEG images, has not been effectively expressed or ignored to some extent. Aiming to detect such manipulations for forensics purpose, in this paper, we propose an approach based on block artifacts caused by the manipulation with JPEG compression. Specifically, we propose a shift-recompression based detection method to identify the inconsistency of the block artifacts in doctored JPEG images. The learning classifiers are applied for classification. Experimental results show that our approach is very promising to detect misaligned cropping and recompression with the same quantization matrix and greatly improves the existing methods. Our detection method is also very effective to detect relevant copy-paste and composite forgery in JPEG images.