cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Over-the-counter analgesics in older adults: a call for improved labelling and consumer education

The use of analgesics increases with age and on any given day 20-30% of older adults take an analgesic medication. Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are generally well tolerated and effective when taken for brief periods of time and at recommended dosages. However, their long-term use, use at inappropriately high doses, or use by persons with contraindications may result in adverse effects, including gastrointestinal haemorrhage, cardiovascular toxicity, renal toxicity and hepatotoxicity. Many OTC drugs are also available through a prescription, for a broader range of indications and for longer durations of use and wider dose ranges, under the assumption that healthcare providers will help patients make safe choices about analgesics. Safe and effective use of medications is one of the greatest challenges faced by healthcare providers in medicine. More than 60% of people cannot identify the active ingredient in their brand of pain reliever. Additionally, about 40% of Americans believe that OTC drugs are too weak to cause any real harm. As a result of a recent US FDA policy, the conversion of prescription to OTC medications will result in a 50% increase of OTC medications. To reduce the risks of potential adverse effects from OTC drug therapy in older adults, we propose that the use of analgesics will be enhanced through the use of patient and healthcare provider education, as well as improved labelling of OTC analgesics. Improved labelling of OTC analgesics may help consumers distinguish common analgesic ingredients in a wide variety of preparations and facilitate informed decisions concerning the use of OTC drugs.
Hypothetical rape scenarios as a pedagogical device to facilitate students' learning about prosecutorial decision-making and discretion

The use of scenarios to facilitate learning about the complexities of prosecutorial decision-making is a useful pedagogical device for facilitating student learning about sensitive criminal justice issues such as rape or sexual assault. It is also useful in helping instructors gain insight concerning the premises students carry with them into the classroom. Hypothetical rape scenarios were presented to 178 students who were asked to make decisions as to whether or not to pursue prosecution. Findings suggest that race, sex, age, and education play significant roles in students' decision-making processes. Furthermore, as the rape scenario becomes more complicated, demographic factors play a heavier hand in arriving at decisions concerning the disposition of a case.
Triplet-singlet emission spectra of benzene in a crystalline matrix of cyclohexane at 4·2°K and 77°K

Abstract The triplet-singlet emission of benzene in a crystalline matrix of cyclohexane was found to consist of a great number of well-defined bands between 3388 and 4712 A which are particularly sharp at 4°K. The pattern is that of a band system built upon three “zero” levels the middle of which is the strongest and hence acts as origin for the main bands of the spectrum. The vibrational analysis is fairly straightforward and is in agreement with a 3 B 1 u → 1 A 1 g or 3 B 2 u → 1 A 1 g transition. It is suggested that the two main “zero” levels represent positions of benzenes of slightly different energies in the cyclohexane lattice. Occurrence of ordered groups of pure and mixed composition in the liquid mixture benzene-cyclohexane are considered important for the crystallization process of the mixture.
Two notions of correctness and their relation to testing

We consider two interpretations for what it means for test data to demonstrate correctness. For each interpretation, we examine under what conditions data sufficient to demonstrate correctness exists, and whether it can be automatically detected and/or generated. We establish the relation between these questions and the problem of deciding equivalence of two programs.
A dose-response analysis of the reproductive effects of a single gestational dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in male Long Evans Hooded rat offspring

Male rats exposed in utero to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) display reduced fertility as a consequence of the direct action of TCDD on the epididymides, as well as delayed puberty and altered reproductive organ weights. The current study provides dose-response data for the reproductive effects of TCDD, administered during pregnancy, with an emphasis on the effects of TCDD on testicular, epididymal, and ejaculated sperm numbers. Long Evans Hooded rats were dosed by gavage with 0, 0.05, 0.20, or 0.80 microg TCDD/kg on Day 15 of gestation. After birth, growth, viability, and developmental landmarks were monitored in both male and female offspring. Shortly after puberty (49 and 63 days of age) and at 15 months of age, male offspring were necropsied. Growth and viability of the pups were reduced only at 0.80 microg TCDD/kg, eye opening was accelerated (all dosage groups), and puberty was delayed (at 0.20 and 0.80 microg TCDD/kg). Treated progeny displayed transient reductions in ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weights, while epididymal sperm reserves and glans penis size were permanently reduced. Ejaculated sperm numbers were reduced (45% in the 0.8 and by 25% in the 0.05 and 0.2 microg TCDD/kg dosage groups) to a greater degree than were cauda or caput/corpus epididymal or testicular (unaffected) sperm numbers. In conclusion, administration of TCDD on Day 15 of pregnancy at 0.05 microg/kg altered eye opening and reduced ejaculated sperm counts, while higher dosage levels also delayed puberty and permanently reduced cauda epididymal sperm reserves.
Activation and activity of the superoxide-generating system of neutrophils from human infants.

Summary: We investigated the superoxide-generating system of neutrophils obtained from human neonates and their mothers. Using a standard assay to measure the cumulative production of superoxide anion over 15 min, neonatal neutrophils generated equivalent or increased quantities of superoxide when compared to mothers and controls. Nanamoles of superoxide produced by 2.5 × 106 unstimulated neutrophils was 7.95 ± 3.45 for neonates, 2.25 ± 1.50 for mothers, and 2.70 ± 0.90 for controls. Comparable values for neutrophils stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate were 97.95 ± 2.10, 84.75 ± 7.50, and 88.50 ± 2.55, respectively (neonates > controls, P < 0.02). When studied by a continuous assay to assess kinetics of superoxide generation, neonatal neutrophils were more rapidly activated (P < 0.02) than were cells from mothers or controls. Seconds elapsed from the addition of 0.667 μg/ml phorbol until maximal rates of superoxide production were 39.3 ± 2.88, 49.1 ± 3.12, and 52.2 ± 4.32 for neonates, mothers, and controls, respectively. After complete activation, the rates of superoxide production were similar for all subjects (about 8 nmole/min/2 × 106 neutrophils under a variety of conditions). The increased activity of some aspects of oxidative metabolism that occurs in neutrophils from human neonates might be explained, at least in part, by a more easily activated superoxide-generating system that promptly initiates the oxidative burst. In contrast, those aspects reported to be decreased cannot be explained by abnormalities of superoxide generation per se because maximal rates of superoxide production were comparable in neonatal and control neutrophils. Although the mechanisms responsible for decreased oxidative metabolism in neonatal neutrophils remain undefined, they apparently affect the oxidative burst at steps subsequent to the early steps in superoxide generation.
Quantum networks enabled by quantum optics

Summary form only given. Quantum networks offer opportunities for the exploration of physical systems that have not heretofore existed in the natural world with applications to quantum computation, communication, metrology, and quantum many-body physics [1]. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a quantum network is created by generating and storing quantum states locally in quantum nodes. These nodes interact over quantum channels to enable entanglement to be spread across the network.In my presentation [2], I will provide an overview of quantum networks from formal to physical. I will discuss research at Caltech for the laboratory realization of small networks composed of atoms that interact strongly by way of single photons [3-6]. The goal is to achieve lithographic quantum optical circuits, for which atoms are trapped near microand nano-scopic dielectric structures and “wired” together by photons propagating through the circuit elements. Single atoms and atomic ensembles can endow quantum functionality for otherwise linear optical circuits and thereby the capability to build quantum networks component by component.
Role of delayed feeding and of feeding increments in necrotizing enterocolitis.

In spite of a number of studies on necrotizing enterocolitis, there remains controversy concerning prevention regimens, especially with regard to enteral alimentation. This report is of a matched case-control study of the relationship of necrotizing enterocolitis to timing of first feeding, size of feeding volumes and increments, and a risk factor index in 59 case patients with necrotizing enterocolitis and 59 matched control patients. Comparison with control patients showed that case patients were fed earlier, received full-strength formula sooner, and received larger feeding volumes and increments. More highly stressed infants, as measured by the risk index, were more vulnerable to larger feeding increments. Among case patients there was significant correlation of age at first feeding and age at diagnosis ( p
Time since prior testing and quality of Pap test specimens collected by nurses trained to serve native populations

To respond to the service needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Island women, we developed an educational program (Nurses Providing Annual Cancer Screening; NPACS) that trains clinic nurses to collect Pap test specimens, perform clinical breast examinations, and organize clinical screening systems for cancer prevention and control. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the impact of the training program on nurses' ability to collect satisfactory Pap test specimens. Nurses in 30 clinics serving American Indian and Pacific Island women underwent 40 hours of training to perform clinical breast examinations, collect Pap test specimens, and organize clinical systems to support screening activities. In addition, they reported the quality of the tests to the NPACS office. As of July 15, 1997, 1733 Pap test specimens were collected and reported by the nurses. These reports were used to generate a rate of satisfactory specimens by year. The interpretation of quality was not available for 124 tests (7.2%). However, only 6 tests (0.3%) were reported as unsatisfactory for pathologic analysis. After 1 week of training, nurses can collect high-quality Pap test specimens. Policy makers should consider implementing this service delivery model in any location where women suffer from the lack of cancer prevention and control services. Cancer 1998;83:1809-1814. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Molecular cloning of the ADE1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and stability of the transformants.

Abstract Plasmid YEp( ADE1 )1a, containing a 2.7-kb Sau 3A fragment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA inserted at the Bam HI site of the yeast shuttle vector pBTI-1 (Morris et al., 1981), results in high frequency, unstable transformation of ade1 yeast strains. A second plasmid, YRp( ADE1 )2, containing adjacent 0.5-kb and 3.0-kb Bam HI fragments in pBR322 gave three types of yeast transformants: (1) transformants carrying extrachromosomal copies of the plasmid which indicate the presence of a functional ars sequence, (2) transformants indistinguishable from ade1 strains by hybridization analyis, and (3) a transformant carrying a multimeric form of YRp( ADE1 )2. Cells transformed with either of the plasmids are free of the red pigment characteristic of ade1 mutants and indicate potential for direct colour-based selection of yeast transformants using ADE1 plasmids.
Robust control and differential games on a finite time horizon

It is well known that theH ∞ control problem has a state space formulation in terms of differential games. For a finite time horizon control problem, the analogous differential game is considered. The disturbance is the control for the maximizing player. In order to allow forL 2 disturbances, the controls for at least one player must be allowed to be unbounded. It is shown that the value of the game is the viscosity solution of the corresponding Isaacs equation under rather general conditions.
Characterization of interfacial charge transport and recombination by impedance spectroscopy on SiO 2 coated TiO 2 based dye sensitized solar cells

Performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was improved 80%, by treating the mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) surface using atomic layer deposited (ALD) ultra thin silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), compared to a DSSC with untreated mesoporous TiO 2 photoelectrode. Effect of SiO 2 treatment on charge transport, recombination and lifetime of electrons in the TiO 2 were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the ultra thin growth of SiO 2 on the surface of mesoporous TiO 2 . Dark current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the DSSCs with SiO 2 surface treatment showed that the TiO 2 /electrolyte interface quality was better than that of DSSC with untreated mesoporous TiO 2 in terms of defect density. Photovoltaic performance of the DSSC which used SiO 2 surface treatment showed that the effect of reverse electron recombination was significantly suppressed compared to the DSSC which did not use SiO 2 treatment. Dark and illuminated I-V measurements of the DSSCs which used SiO 2 surface treatment suggested that the lower thickness of SiO 2 (5 cycles) did not block electron transport from the dye to TiO 2 but thicker SiO 2 (20 cycles) blocked but still the performance was better than the DSSC with no SiO 2 treatment due to the control on density and activity of TiO 2 surface states on electron transport.
Tracheobronchial sleeve resection in children and adolescents

Bronchoplastic techniques preserving lung parenchyma allow resection and reconstruction of the major bronchi and carina and are widely used in adults. The smaller and more delicate airways of children make such operations more demanding, but successful outcome can still be achieved with particular attention to technique. The authors treated 12 patients age 8 to 19 years (mean, 13.8 years) over a 12-year period. Ten patients had tumors of the airway: carcinoid (4), mucoepidermoid (2), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (1), adenocarcinoma (1), granular cell (1), and invasive fibrous tumor (1); and 2 had nonneoplastic strictures. Previous operative treatment included incomplete local excision in 2 and laser ablation in 1. Carinal resection and reconstruction was performed in 6 patients, main-stem bronchial resection in 3, and sleeve lobectomy in 3. There was one death after a complex airway reconstruction for extensive mediastinal fibrosis involving the airway. Postoperative morbidity consisted of prolonged atelectasis in 3 patients. Residual malacia in 1 patient with postpneumonectomy syndrome required further tracheobronchial resection. Follow-up is complete (mean, 64 months; range, 7 to 130). There has been no anastomotic stenosis or tumor recurrence. Preservation of lung function is expected in all patients. In 7 patients, bronchoscopy 4 months to 11 years postoperatively confirmed anastomotic patency and growth. The understanding of bronchoplastic techniques and precise attention to technical detail should allow these procedures to be successfully performed in pediatric patients.
A new functional role of HIV-1 integrase during uncoating of the viral core

An early and critical event of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle is uncoating of the viral core. Uncoating involves the disassembly of HIV-1 capsid (CA). The underlying mechanisms governing uncoating are poorly defined, and the role of viral and host factors in uncoating is not well understood. Cyclophilin A and TRIM5α are two cellular factors that interact with CA in exerting their effects on HIV-1 replication. Here, we review the current understanding of uncoating and the new functional role of HIV-1 IN during uncoating.
A physical model for PDZ-domain/peptide interactions

The PDZ domain is an interaction motif that recognizes and binds the C-terminal peptides of target proteins. PDZ domains are ubiquitous in nature and help assemble multiprotein complexes that control cellular organization and signaling cascades. We present an optimized energy function to predict the binding free energy (ΔΔG) of PDZ domain/peptide interactions computationally. Geometry-optimized models of PDZ domain/peptide interfaces were built using Rosetta, and protein and peptide side chain and backbone degrees of freedom are minimized simultaneously. Using leave-one-out cross-validation, Rosetta’s energy function is adjusted to reproduce experimentally determined ΔΔG values with a correlation coefficient of 0.66 and a standard deviation of 0.79 kcal mol−1. The energy function places an increased weight on hydrogen bonding interactions when compared to a previously developed method to analyze protein/protein interactions. Binding free enthalpies (ΔΔH) and entropies (ΔS) are predicted with reduced accuracies of R = 0.60 and R = 0.17, respectively. The computational method improves prediction of PDZ domain specificity from sequence and allows design of novel PDZ domain/peptide interactions.
Waveguide refractometry as a probe of thin film optical uniformity

Optical inhomogeneities through the thickness of a sol-gel-derived, spin-coated Pb(Zr,Ti)O{sub 3} (PZT) thin film have been evaluated using prism-coupled waveguide refractometry. Unusual waveguide coupling angle behavior has been treated using a multilayer model to describe the optical characteristics of the film. Waveguide refractometry measurements, performed after incremental reductions in film thickness, were used to develop a consistent model for optical inhomogeneity through the film thickness. Specifically, a thin film layer model, consisting of alternating layers of high and low refractive index material, was found to accurately predict irregularities in transverse-electric (TE) mode coupling angles exhibited by the film. This layer structure has a spatial periodicity that is consistent with the positions of the upper film surface at intermediate firings during film synthesis. The correlation emphasizes the impact of the multistep thin-film deposition approach on the optical characteristics of the resulting thin film. {copyright} {ital 1997 Materials Research Society.}
In vitro and in vivo inhibition of LPS-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-α secretion by the gallotannin β-D-pentagalloylglucose

The naturally occurring gallotannin beta-D-pentagalloylglucose (beta-PGG) decreases tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) output from human peripheral blood mononucleocytes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by as much as 90% (vs control) at approximately 5 microM concentration. A qualitatively similar but less pronounced effect ( approximately 50% decrease) was observed in the serum of rats dosed with both LPS and beta-PGG. These results may have relevance to therapies that target disease states characterized by an overproduction of TNF-alpha.
Modelling of plastic deformation via segmented voce curves, linked to characteristic LEDS's which are generated by LEDS transformations between workhardening stages

The LEDS theory is briefly surveyed and is shown to predict 1. that the partitioning of stress-strain curves into the commonly recognized workhardening stages is caused by LEDS transformations which lower the energy per unit length of dislocation line in accordance with the LEDS hypothesis; 2. that, to a first approximation, the rate of glide dislocation trapping decreases linearly with the applied stress; 3. that such trapping is the dominant cause of workhardening and that therefore the workhardening coefficient tends to decrease linearly with the flow stress; 4. that this behavior gives rise to tensile true stress-true strain curves which are sequences of Voce curves, correlated with specific LEDS types; 5. that therefore the Voce parameters can be connected with measurable parameters of the dislocation microstructure; 6. that superimposed on the Voce curves are gradual changes of the «frictional» stress, τ 0 *, composed of Hall-Petch, solid solution and particle hardening; 7. that the Hall-Petch relationship has a simple general basis independent of the specific prevailing LEDS structure; 8. that other components of τ 0 *, specifically due to solid solution and precipitation hardening, should not catch the bulk of attention as in the past, since in fact the corresponding physical effects can greatly influence the Voce parameters and thus dwarf the respective contributions to τ 0 *; 9. that simple regularities exist regarding the Voce parameters which can be studied via a combination of TEM investigations plus slip line determinations, X-ray studies and calorimetry as may be suitable; 10. that by means of such directed studies the construction of equations of state within wide ranges of strain, strain rates and temperature, will become possible
Pediatric Appointment Keeping: Improving Adherence in a Primary Care Allergy Clinic

We evaluated the effects of introducing and discontinuing an intervention designed to improve adherence with scheduled appointments in a pediatric allergy clinic. Five nonadherent and three adherent patients received reminders and incentives for keeping their scheduled appointments. Adherence with appointments increased for three of the five nonadherent children, who had an average increase of 13%, and adherent patients continued to keep appointments during the intervention condition. After 10 scheduled allergy clinic appointments had been kept, incentives were discontinued while reminders continued. Improvements in adherence were not maintained after incentives were discontinued and two children showed reductions in adherence to below-baseline levels. Incentive programs increase appointment keeping, but discontinuing incentives abruptly may result in the return of nonadherence, even when reminders are provided as a maintenance strategy. Future pediatric psychology research and practice should investigate both the benefits and limitations of strategies designed to improve adherence.
Second-harmonic generation in Langmuir-Blodgett films of hemicyanine-poly(octadecyl methacrylate) and hemicyanine-behenic acid☆

Abstract Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is used to probe the structure and order in monolayer and multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of highly polarizable dye molecules deposited on glass. Optical measurements on LB monolayers of hemicyanine-poly(octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA) and hemicyanine-behenic acid mixtures in conjuction with data from compression isotherms show that the hemicyanine-PODMA system is immiscible and that the hemicyanine-behenic acid system is miscible. Incomplete Y-type LB multilayers of 54 mol.% hemicyanine in PODMA exhibited an erratic increase, which was less than linear, in the SHG with the number of layers deposited on the upstroke. Multilayer films of hemicyanine interleaved with behenic acid showed a slightly greater than quadratic increase in SHG with the number of hemocyanine layers deposited.
NEPHELINITES AND BASANITES OF THE SAMOAN LINEAR VOLCANIC CHAIN: THEIR POSSIBLE TECTONIC SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract The Samoan Islands, along with numerous seamounts and banks, form a 1200 km long linear volcanic chain at the north end of the Tonga Trench. The linear volcanic chain is nearly parallel to the westerly trending part of the Tonga Trench and to the calculated vector of relative plate motion of the Pacific Plate with respect to the India Plate. Bathymetric profiles normal to the trend of the chain suggest that the Pacific Plate is sharply flexed downward into the westerly trending part of the trench and probably is disrupted by faulting due to the sharp curvature of the trench axis near 15°S, 172°W. The linear volcanic chain and young fissures cutting the islands appear to be aligned along the hinge line of the plate flexure. Volcanic rocks from the chain are predominantly alkalic olivine basalt but also include differentiates such as phonolite and quartz trachyte. Basanite and olivine nephelinite cap both isolated and aligned seamounts; on the Samoan Islands they have erupted after erosion of collapsed calderas. The chemistry and mineralogy of the basanite-olivine nephelinite suite suggest that they were derived from near the base of the lithosphere. The linear chain appears to have been volcanically active over most of its length more or less simultaneously. The Samoan Chain is similar in petrology and morphology to late volcanic stages of some other linear volcanic chains. However, it appears that a combination of lithosphere flexure and viscous shear melting at the base of the lithosphere provides a better explanation for its origin than does upwelling from a fixed “hotspot” in the mantle.
Fracture mechanics analysis of asperity cracking due to adhesive normal contact

A two-dimensional linear-elastic fracture mechanics analysis of asperity cracking induced by adhesive normal contact was performed with the finite element method. Normal contact between two elastic asperities was analyzed with the equivalent contact system of an elastic asperity with equivalent radius of curvature and effective elastic modulus compressed by a rigid plane. Surface adhesion was modeled by nonlinear springs obeying a constitutive force-distance law derived from the Lennard–Jones potential. The maximum ranges of the tensile and shear stress intensity factors were used to determine the crack-growth direction and the dominant mode of asperity fracture in terms of the Maugis parameter (a function of the equivalent radius of curvature, work of adhesion, effective elastic modulus, and intermolecular equilibrium distance), friction coefficient at the crack interface, maximum surface interference, and crack position. Finite element simulation results indicate that the direction and the rate of crack growth are mostly affected by the Maugis parameter and the maximum surface interference. A transition from shear to tensile dominant mode of crack growth is encountered with the increase of the Maugis parameter and/or the decrease of the maximum surface interference. Opening, slip, and stick between the crack faces during loading and unloading are discussed in the context of crack mechanism maps.
Ultrashort pulse propagation in visible semiconductor diode laser amplifiers

Ultrafast gain recovery dynamics of a diode laser are explored when a picosecond pulse propagates through a semiconductor amplifying medium. Theoretical modelling employs a set of nonlinear dynamical equations to predict the temporal dependence of the population difference and the diode laser output intensity in the wake of an applied signal pulse. Experimentally, this system of study is a cw-pumped 670 nm InGaAlP diode laser probed by a tunable train of 10 psec pulses emitted from a synchronously pumped mode-locked pyridine 1 dye laser. In addition to discussing the details of the gain, the authors also report the phase locking of the diode laser to the applied signal over a broad range of wavelengths.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Anatomical considerations for surgery of the rat abdominal vagus: distribution, paraganglia and regeneration

In order to provide a detailed surgical anatomy of the rat abdominal vagus, we examined pyridine silver-stained tissue from one group of normal animals and a second group that survived 9 months after vagotomy. In the normal sample, as has been established for man, there was considerable variability in the levels at which each of the vagal branches separated from the main trunks. Contrary to reports from dissection studies, most of the branches were not single fiber bundles but rather consisted of two or more separate bundles. At the extreme, the posterior gastric and coeliac branches each consisted of as many as 15 individual bundles. Even the main trunks of the subdiaphragmatic vagus were occasionally observed to have multiple components (anterior trunk, 13% of the cases; posterior, 25%). In addition to the classically recognized hepatic, anterior gastric, coeliac, and posterior gastric branches, we also observed an accessory coeliac branch of the anterior trunk in all animals. This accessory coeliac division originated just caudal to the hepatic branching and extended first laterally and then dorsally while running caudally to exit from the esophagus just before the separation of the coeliac branch from the posterior trunk. The vagi were observed to contain paraganglia consisting of islands of glomus cells, neurons, and extensive capillary beds, all situated within the perineurium. The paraganglia occurred in greatest frequency at the sites where the hepatic and coeliac branches divide from their respective trunks. Paraganglia were also observed peripherally within vagal branches; there they were most numerous within the coeliac branch and least numerous in the accessory coeliac. Other studies yielded evidence that regeneration had occurred after complete vagotomy. First, stumps of the branches distal to the resection scar contained axons. Central to the scar, axons grew out in all directions from the neuroma; some of them appeared to cross the scar and to reinnervate the distal stumps. Secondly, 30% of the animals in which regeneration was thought to be possible increased their insulin secretion in response to electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus. The implications of the above findings for experiments that involve manipulation or recording of the vagus are discussed.
Animals, predators, the right to life, and the duty to save lives

One challenge to the idea that animals have a moral right to life claims that any such right would require us to intervene in the wild to prevent animals from being killed by predators. I argue that belief in an animal right to life does not commit us to supporting a program of predator-prey intervention. One common retort to the predator challenge contends that we are not required to save animals from predators because predators are not moral agents. I suggest that this retort fails to overcome the predator challenge. I seek to articulate a more satisfactory argument explaining why we are not required to save wild prey from predators and how this position is perfectly consistent with the idea that animals have a basic right to life.
The oxygen consumption and histology of the thyroid gland in vitro.

THE HISTOLOGY of the thyroid gland in normal, pathological and experimental states has been widely studied by a large number of investigators. Observations are also available on the oxygen consumption of the gland in vitro. Cytological study of thyroid tissues from Warburg respirometers, however, has been almost wholly neglected. In order tovalidate microscopical observations made on such material it is necessary to demonstrate that the Warburg technique introduces no significant distortion of intracellular architecture or that any distortion which does occur is constant under given conditions. It is believed that the experiments to be reported provide such a demonstration. If such a cytological base may be regarded as established, the technique presents unique advantages for the correlation of controlled functional states with thyroid histology.
"Lingering effects" of discrimination: tracing persistence over time in local populations

The broad principle that historical injustice may call for corrective remedies in today’s world poses new and interesting challenges for applied demographers. I illustrate applications of demographic analysis to examine how former policies and practices produced effects that persist (or linger on) among members of a contemporary population. Such effects involve populations at different times and places and posit causal mechanisms that can be examined and evaluated. Applying standard demographic concepts and thinking to these issues can clarify and sharpen public understanding of whether past experiences still matter and precisely for whom, and whether proposed corrective remedies under the law are feasible.
Oil-sealed femtoliter fiber-optic arrays for single molecule analysis

This paper describes a novel method for fabricating and sealing high-density arrays of femtoliter reaction chambers. We chemically etch one end of a 2.3 mm diameter glass optical fiber bundle to create an array of microwells. We then use a contact printing method to selectively modify the surface of the material between microwells with a hydrophobic silane. This modification makes it possible to fill the wells with aqueous solution and then seal them with a droplet of oil, forming an array of isolated reaction chambers. Individual β-galactosidase molecules trapped in these reaction chambers convert a substrate into a fluorescent product that can be readily detected because a high local concentration of product is achieved. This binary readout can be used for ultra-sensitive measurements of enzyme concentration. We observed that the percentage of wells showing enzyme activity was linearly dependent on the concentration of soluble β-galactosidase in the picomolar range. A similar response was also observed for streptavidin-β-galactosidase captured by biotinylated beads. These arrays are also suitable for performing single-molecule kinetics studies on hundreds to thousands of enzyme molecules simultaneously. We observed a broad distribution of catalytic rates for individual β-galactosidase molecules trapped in the microwells, in agreement with previous studies using similar arrays that were mechanically sealed. We have further demonstrated that this femtoliter fiber-optic array can be integrated into a PDMS microfluidic channel system and sealed with oil on-chip, creating an easy to use and high-throughput device for single-molecule analysis.
An exploratory study of women club members’ experiences with an NFL franchise brand extension

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to arrive at a better understanding of the experiences of the women who comprise a distinct National Football League (NFL) women’s only fan club. Design/methodology/approach – A semi-structured focus group interview was conducted and analyzed using margin coding for a NFL fan club. The focus group data were triangulated with secondary sources such as participant observation, field notes, and documents (e.g. web site and written documents from fan club). Findings – The data analysis revealed the following eight themes: philanthropy, team affiliation, events, social media, brand elements, fan identity, apparel, perks. Research limitations/implications – The paper examines the experiences of women fan club members, which could potentially provide the franchise with insights on how to enhance the member experience. While the present study represents only one case, the researchers believe there are key factors to call attention to for NFL marketers considering a brand ext...
On the stability definition of difference approximations for the initial boundary value problem

Abstract A new stability definition for difference approximations is discussed and conditions are given that the stability of the totally discretized method follows from the stability of the semidiscrete method.
Ambigous sets of partial-wave amplitudes cannot intersect

Abstract The correct set of partial-wave amplitudes can sometimes be distinguished from ambiguous ones because it joins continuously, as a function of energy, to a lower-enegy set known unambiguously. If two sets intersect, however, this continuity criterion yields no unique answer. We show that such an intersection is in fact impossible in the usual experimental spin-0 spin - 1 2 scattering situation.
Allocating anthropogenic pollutant emissions over space: application to ozone pollution management

An inventory of volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions is an important tool for the management of ground-level ozone pollution. This paper has two broad aims: it illustrates the potential of a geographic information system (GIS) for enhancing an existing spatially-aggregated, anthropogenic emissions inventory (EI) for Tucson, AZ, and it discusses the ozone-specific management implications of the resulting spatially-disaggregated EI. The main GIS-related methods include calculating emissions for specific features, spatially disaggregating region-wide emissions totals for area sources, and adding emissions from various point sources. In addition, temporal allocation factors enable the addition of a multi-temporal component to the inventory. The resulting inventory reveals that on-road motor vehicles account for approximately 50% of VOC and NOxemissions annually. On-road motor vehicles and residential wood combustion are the largest VOC sources in the summer and winter months, respectively. On-road motor vehicles are always the largest NOxsources. The most noticeable weekday vs. weekend VOC emissions differences are triggered by increased residential wood combustion and increased lawn and garden equipment use on weekends. Concerning the EI’s uncertainties and errors, on-road mobile, construction equipment, and lawn and garden equipment are identified as sources in the most need of further investigation. Overall, the EIs spatial component increases its utility as a management tool, which might involve visualization-driven analyses and air quality modeling.
Aberrant activation of NF-κB signaling in mammary epithelium leads to abnormal growth and ductal carcinoma in situ

Approximately 1 in 5 women diagnosed with breast cancer are considered to have in situ disease, most often termed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Though recognized as a risk factor for the development of more invasive cancer, it remains unclear what factors contribute to DCIS development. It has been shown that inflammation contributes to the progression of a variety of tumor types, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is recognized as a master-regulator of inflammatory signaling. However, the contributions of NF-κB signaling to tumor initiation are less well understood. Aberrant up-regulation of NF-κB activity, either systemically or locally within the breast, could occur due to a variety of commonly experienced stimuli such as acute infection, obesity, or psychological stress. In this study, we seek to determine if activation of NF-κB in mammary epithelium could play a role in the formation of hyperplastic ductal lesions. Our studies utilize a doxycycline-inducible transgenic mouse model in which constitutively active IKKβ is expressed specifically in mammary epithelium. All previously published models of NF-κB modulation in the virgin mammary gland have been constitutive models, with transgene or knock-out present throughout the life and development of the animal. For the first time, we will induce activation at later time points after normal ducts have formed, thus being able to determine if NF-κB activation can promote pre-malignant changes in previously normal mammary epithelium. We found that even a short pulse of NF-κB activation could induce profound remodeling of mammary ductal structures. Short-term activation created hyperproliferative, enlarged ducts with filled lumens. Increased expression of inflammatory markers was concurrent with the down-regulation of hormone receptors and markers of epithelial differentiation. Furthermore, the oncoprotein mucin 1, known to be up-regulated in human and mouse DCIS, was over-expressed and mislocalized in the activated ductal tissue. These results indicate that aberrant NF-κB activation within mammary epithelium can lead to molecular and morphological changes consistent with the earliest stages of breast cancer. Thus, inhibition of NF-κB signaling following acute inflammation or the initial signs of hyperplastic ductal growth could represent an important opportunity for breast cancer prevention.
Microarchitectural wire management for performance and power in partitioned architectures

Future high-performance billion-transistor processors are likely to employ partitioned architectures to achieve high clock speeds, high parallelism, low design complexity, and low power. In such architectures, inter-partition communication over global wires has a significant impact on overall processor performance and power consumption. VLSI techniques allow a variety of wire implementations, but these wire properties have previously never been exposed to the microarchitecture. This paper advocates global wire management at the microarchitecture level and proposes a heterogeneous interconnect that is comprised of wires with varying latency, bandwidth, and energy characteristics. We propose and evaluate microarchitectural techniques that can exploit such a heterogeneous interconnect to improve performance and reduce energy consumption. These techniques include a novel cache pipeline design, the identification of narrow bit-width operands, the classification of non-critical data, and the detection of interconnect load imbalance. For a dynamically scheduled partitioned architecture, our results demonstrate that the proposed innovations result in up to 11% reductions in overall processor ED/sup 2/, compared to a baseline processor that employs a homogeneous interconnect.
Does body mass dimorphism increase male–female dietary niche separation? A comparative study of primates

Summary Body mass plays an important role in shaping an individual’s behavior, especially with respect to dietary behavior. Larger animals tend to consume higher quantities of low quality foods. In contrast, smaller individuals, with relatively higher metabolic rates require a high quality diet. Therefore, species that exhibit high amounts of sexual dimorphism in body mass should also display high levels of male–female dietary differentiation. This study investigated the relationship between body mass dimorphism and dietary sex differences for 38 primate species. We conducted multiple regressions using female body mass and body mass dimorphism as independent variables. We found that body mass dimorphism was significantly negatively correlated with male–female differences in fauna consumption using species values as well as phylogenetically independent contrasts. In addition, body mass dimorphism was positively related to male–female differences in percent time feeding using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Body mass dimorphism was not significantly related to male–female differences in the percent of fruit and leaves in the diet. The results suggest that, as body mass dimorphism increases, there is some degree of dietary niche separation between the sexes of primates. These results will be discussed in the context of existing studies of intersexual niche separation.
Increasing Reliability by the Use of Redundant Machines

The improvement of reliability and availability through redundancy of entire machines rather than of components is investigated. An attempt is made to break down the cost of operating a digital computer, and to determine the relationship between cost and system failure. Three specific cases are discussed. Case 1: Where n machines are operated independently, processing the same input data. The output is taken from a single one of them; if this machine fails, the output is promptly switched to a machine which is operating properly. As soon as repairs can be completed, the machine which had failed is returned to operation. System failure occurs only when all n machines are in the failed condition at the same time. A penalty cost is assessed for system failure, this cost being proportional to the system down-time. Case 2: Where n machines are operated as in Case 1, except that any machines which fail are not returned to operation until the beginning of the next operating period. Penalty cost for system failure is assessed in the same way as in Case 1. Case 3: Where n machines are operated as in Case 2, but where the penalty cost for system failure is a fixed amount and is independent of the resulting down-time.
Molecular modeling of polymers. IV: Estimation of glass transition temperatures

A method is described which allows molecular modeling to be combined with a group additive property model to estimate glass transition temperatures of linear polymers. Tg is assumed to be a function of conformational entropy and mass moments of the polymer. These two molecular properties are estimated in terms of the torsion angle units composing the polymer using conformational energy calculations. A “universal” Tg equation is derived using 30 structurally diverse polymers and multidimensional linear regression analysis. “Designer” Tg equations are also derived specifically for acrylate and methacrylate polymers. The work described here demonstrates how molecular modeling can be combined with group additivity theory to yield open-ended models that are not restricted by lack of requisite group additive parameters and take advantage of three-dimensional molecular information.
Cardiovascular adaptations to 10 days of cycle exercise

We hypothesized that 10 days of training would enhance cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) during peak exercise and increase the inotropic response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Ten subjects [age 26 +/- 2 (SE) yr] trained on a cycle ergometer for 10 days. At peak exercise, training increased O2 uptake, CO, and SV (P < 0.001). Left ventricular (LV) size and function at rest were assessed with two-dimensional echocardiography before (baseline) and after atropine injection (1.0 mg) and during four graded doses of dobutamine. LV end-diastolic diameter increased with training (P < 0.02), whereas LV wall thickness was unchanged. LV contractile performance was assessed by relating fractional shortening (FS) to the estimated end-systolic wall stress (sigmaES). Training increased the slope of the FS-sigmaES relationship (P < 0.05), indicating enhanced systolic function. The increase in slope correlated with increases in CO (r = -0.71, P < 0.05) and SV (r = -0.70, P < 0.05). The increase in blood volume also correlated with increases in CO (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and SV (r = 0.85, P < 0.004). These data show that 10 days of training enhance the inotropic response to beta-adrenergic stimulation, associated with increases in CO and SV during peak exercise.
ECTOPARASITES OF GRAY SQUIRRELS IN TWO DIFFERENT HABITATS AND SCREENING OF SELECTED ECTOPARASITES FOR BARTONELLAE

Gray squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, were livetrapped in 2 different habitat types, woodland (67 squirrels) and parkland (53 squirrels), in southeastern Georgia. Ectoparasites were recovered from anesthetized squirrels and compared between hosts from the 2 habitats. Because of the absence of low vegetation in parkland habitats, it was hypothesized that the ectoparasite fauna, especially ticks and chiggers, would be more diverse on woodland squirrels. The results were generally in agreement with this hypothesis. Seventeen species of ectoparasites were recovered from woodland squirrels, compared with 6 species from parkland squirrels. Five species of ticks and 3 species of chiggers parasitized the woodland squirrels compared with no ticks or chiggers on the parkland squirrels. Significantly higher infestation prevalences were recorded on woodland compared with parkland squirrels for the flea Orchopeas howardi, the tick Amblyomma americanum, and the mesostigmatid mite Androlaelaps fahrenholzi. The mean intensity for O. howardi also was significantly higher on woodland than on parkland squirrels. Because a new strain of Bartonella sp. was isolated recently from S. carolinensis in Georgia, selected ectoparasites from this study were screened for bartonellae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of the fleas and lice, but none of the mites tested, were PCR positive, suggesting that fleas, or lice, or both, might be vectors of bartonellae between squirrels. Six distinct strains of Bartonella sp. were detected, 2 in fleas and 4 in lice.