cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraspinal localization of the somatosensory evoked potential

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are used widely for monitoring neurophysiological function in experimental spinal injury. Yet the spinal pathways for SEP conduction remain unclear. Consequently, we sought to define specific changes in the SEP after interruption of selected spinal pathways. We activated cortical SEPs with sciatic nerve stimulation in 11 anesthetized (25 mg of pentobarbital per kg) cats after a multilevel thoracic laminectomy. The most consistent wave from component was an initial positivity (IP) at a 17- to 19-ms onset latency. We then used a Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator to interrupt specific spinal pathways. A unilateral dorsal column lesion abolished the ipsilateral IP, but did not affect conduction in the contralateral column. Bilateral dorsal column lesions obliterated the IP, but sometimes left some longer latency components. Interruption of all but the ventral columns abolished the SEPs. When we interrupted all spinal pathways but the dorsal columns, an intact IP remained. In fact, a distinct IP was conducted through a single dorsal column after the division of all other spinal cord pathways. We concluded that, in the barbiturate-anesthetized cat: (a) the most consistent SEP wave form is an initial positivity at a 17- to 19-ms onset latency, (b) the integrity of the dorsal columns is both necessary and sufficient to conduct a normal-appearing IP component of the SEP, (c) the lateral columns may carry some longer latency component of the SEP, (d) the ventral columns carry no component of the SEP, and (e) bilateral recording may be useful for detecting asymmetry of injury.
Differences in negative mood-induced smoking reinforcement due to distress tolerance, anxiety sensitivity, and depression history

Rationale Negative mood increases smoking reinforcement and may do so to a greater degree in smokers vulnerable to negative mood dysregulation.
The low-cycle fatigue and cyclic fracture behaviour of 7150 aluminium alloy

Abstract A study has been made to understand the low-cycle fatigue properties, the cyclic-stress response characteristics and the cyclic fracture behaviour of the high-purity aluminium alloy 7150. The alloy was cycled over a range of plastic strains giving lives of less than 10 4 cycles. The specimens were cycled using tension-compression loading under total strain control. The alloy in the ageing condition (T77) displayed softening at all plastic strain amplitudes. The presence of shearable matrix precipitates in the alloy, in the ageing condition studied, results in a local decrease in resistance to dislocation movement, leading to progressive loss of any ordering contributions to hardening. The observed softening behaviour is ascribed primarily to interactions between the dislocations and the matrix precipatates. The fracture was predominantly intergranular with tortuous crack paths. The low-cycle fatigue properties and the cyclic fracture behaviour of the alloy are discussed in terms of competing effects involving the plastic strain amplitude, response stress, intrinsic microstructural features and deformation behaviour.
Gene expression in response to acute unilateral ureteral obstruction

Gene expression in response to acute unilateral ureteral obstruction. Acute unilateral ureteral obstruction results in differential growth characteristics of both the ipsilateral and contralateral kidney. The obstructed kidney undergoes cellular atrophy following an initial phase of interstitial proliferation while the contralateral kidney hypertrophies. To evaluate the molecular events occurring in both kidneys after obstruction, we examined the expression of growth related (c- fos , c- myc , cH- ras , HSP 70), cell maintenance (β-actin), and cellular damage (TRPM-2) genes at the mRNA level. In the contralateral kidney an early and transitory induction of c- fos and c- myc expression occurred while a bimodal induction was noted in the obstructed kidney. The patterns of cH- ras , HSP 70 and actin expression also differed in both kidneys. Induction of TRPM-2 was noted only in the obstructed kidney. Rapid gene activation is evident in both the contralateral and obstructed kidney following unilateral ureteral obstruction. The patterns of expression are distinct and may reflect the cellular response to stress (cell death and stromal proliferation) in the obstructed kidney versus a response to a systemic stimulus resulting in cellular hypertrophy in the contralateral kidney.
Experimental results from high energy proton-nucleus interactions, critical phenomena, and the thermal liquid drop model of fragment production

In an inclusive experiment, isotopically resolved fragments, $3\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}13$, produced in high-energy proton-nucleus collisions have been studied using a low mass time-of-flight, gas $\ensuremath{\Delta}E$-silicon $E$ spectrometer and an internal gas jet. Measurement of the kinetic energy spectra from 5 to 100 MeV enabled an accurate determination of fragment cross sections from both xenon and krypton targets. Fragment spectra showed no significant dependence on beam energy for protons between 80 and 350 GeV/c. The observed isobaric yield is given by $Y\ensuremath{\alpha}{A}_{f}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\tau}}$, where $\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\sim}2.6$ for both targets; this also holds for correlated fragment data. The power law is the signature for the fragment formation mechanism. We treat the formation of fragments as a liquid-gas transition at the critical point. The critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ can be determined from the fragment isotopic yields, provided one can set an energy scale for the fragment free energy. The high energy tails of the kinetic energy spectra provide evidence that the fragments originate from a common remnant system somewhat lighter than the target which disassembles simultaneously via Coulomb repulsion into a multibody final state. Fragment Coulomb energies are about $\frac{1}{10}$ of the tangent sphere values. The remnant is characterized by a parameter $T$, obtained from the high energy tails of the kinetic energy distributions. $T$ is interpreted as reflecting the Fermi momentum of a nucleon in this system. Since $T\ensuremath{\gg}{T}_{c}$, and $T$ is approximately that value expected for a cold nucleus, we conclude that the kinetic energy spectra are dominated by this nonthermal contribution.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $\mathrm{Xe}(\mathrm{p},X)$, $\mathrm{Kr}(\mathrm{p},X)$, $80\ensuremath{\le}{E}_{q}\ensuremath{\le}350$ GeV; measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E,\ensuremath{\theta})$, $X=\mathrm{Li} \mathrm{to} \mathrm{Al}$, $\ensuremath{\theta}={34}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. Fragmentation.]
Automatic Parameter Estimation From Well Test Data Using Artificial Neural Network

We propose a robust way of achieving a well test interpretation by combining the sequential predictive probability method with an artificial neural network approach. The sequential predictive probability method considers all possible reservoir models and determines which candidate model or models best predict the well response. This method is dependent on obtaining good initial estimates for the parameters governing the candidate reservoir models, which is achieved by applying the artificial neural network approach. We use the neural network to identify the characteristic components of the pressure derivative curve corresponding to the flow regimes known to be in each candidate model. Reservoir parameters are then computed using the data in the identified range of the corresponding behavior. As a final step, the candidate models and their initial estimates are evaluated using the sequential probability method. The method discriminates between the candidate models and simultaneously performs nonlinear regression to compute the best estimates of reservoir parameters. The trained neural network was able to identify the characteristic components of the derivative curve in most cases. The algorithm written to interpret the neural network signals into flow regimes required special procedures to take care of the misclassification from the neural network. The initial estimatesmore » of reservoir parameters from the neural network were found to be reasonably close to the eventual estimates from the sequential predictive probability method.« less
TSRC1, a widely expressed gene containing seven thrombospondin type I repeats

The thrombospondin type 1 repeat domain is found in nearly 100 mammalian proteins with diverse biological functions that include cellular adhesion, angiogenesis, and patterning of the developing nervous system. We have characterized a novel thrombospondin type 1 repeat containing gene, TSRC1, encoding a predicted protein with seven thrombospondin repeats, six of which are clustered at the C-terminus. The 17 coding exons and two nontranslated exons of TSRC1 span 10 kb of genomic DNA. The human and mouse genes encode proteins of 1074 and 1036 amino acids, respectively, with 76% amino acid sequence identity. Thirty of the extra amino acids in the human protein are encoded by exon 6. Mouse Tsrc1 is expressed in all fetal and adult tissues tested. Three conserved noncoding sequence elements with potential regulatory function are located in intron 1. Mouse Tsrc1 was genetically mapped to chromosome 3 within the nonrecombinant region for the sodium channel modifier locus Scnm1. The sensitive and resistant alleles of Scnm1 did not differ in Tsrc1 protein sequence, transcript length, or transcript abundance. Human TSRC1 is located on chromosome 1q21 within an 11.7 Mb segment of conserved synteny. TSRC1 and the closely linked gene ADAM15 appear to be derived by a chromosomal inversion that interrupted an ancestral ADAMTS gene.
Some Advancements to Visualizing Constrained Functions and Inequalities of Two Variables

Based on the problem of visualizing the potential energy of a two-degree-of-freedom spring-mass system restrained by an elastic string, several advancements to visualizing functions with constraints and inequalities of two variables are introduced. These innovations include logarithmically spacing level curves (either mapped on the surface or projected on the bottom plane) and the possibility of truncating the portions of the function surface that exceed above and below the bounding box―both allowing better detailing of certain regions of the function surface, in particular the minimum and maximum areas. By selectively displaying the surface patches that either intersect or not the top and/or bottom planes of the bounding box in a truncated representation, sets of inequalities of two variables can be represented graphically in a suggestive manner. Also proposed are a new approach to producing the gradient of the function as an arrow field mapped on the bottom of the plot box that uses a finite-difference scheme applied to the 2D image-space nodes of the function surface rather than the original 3D data, and a new way of displaying the color scale in 3D surface plots.
Maximum-Entropy Representations in Convex Polytopes: Applications to Spatial Interaction

Of all representations of a given point situated in a convex polytope, as a convex combination of extreme points, there exists one for which the probability or weighting distribution has maximum entropy. The determination of this multiplicative or exponential distribution can be accomplished by inverting a certain bijection—developed by Rothaus and by Bregman—of convex polytopes into themselves. An iterative algorithm is available for this procedure. The doubly stochastic matrix with a given set of transversals (generalized diagonal products) can be found by means of this method. Applications are discussed of the Rothaus -Bregman map to a proof of Birkhoff's theorem and to the calculation of trajectories of points leading to stationary or equilibrium values of the generalized permanent, in particular in spatial interaction modeling.
Ammonia Photolysis and the Role of Ammonia in Chemical Revolution

THE suggestion that the primitive atmosphere was highly reducing and consisted mainly of methane, ammonia and water vapour1 is supported by Miller's observation that amino-acids are formed by electrical discharges through such a mixture2 and the synthesis of various biomolecules under presumed primitive Earth atmospheres containing ammonia3. Bada and Miller4 point out that an ammonium ion concentration of 10−2 to 10−3 M is necessary for the synthesis of these biomolecules while Rasool and McGovern5 suggest that a methane–ammonia atmosphere could have been maintained for 109 years by a low leakage rate of hydrogen.
The challenge of early intervention: How do you identify low performance?

As predicted, regression-based methods picked up on variability not captured by norms, which may prove helpful for identifying early decline in those who start out as high performers. However, in our relatively young sample, it is still unclear which of these approaches will do the best job of targeting AD-specific change. Additional followup of this sample is needed to determine the overall sensitivity and specificity of these approaches for identifying patients who are on a trajectory to develop MCI and AD. In the meantime, clinicians may want to consider both absolute and relative low performance for a given individual when assessing patient risk of AD. Distribution of classifications: In general, Method 1 identified fewer people as performing worse or better than expected than did either of the other methods. The average percentage (worse, better) across the seven outcomes was (4, 6) for Method 1, (6, 9) for Method 2, and (6, 10) for Method 3. Furthermore, the average performance of those identified by Methods 2 and 3 was less extreme (Table 1). This suggests that Methods 2 and 3 allow one to identify more subtle declines. Model agreement: The classifications made by Models 2 and 3 had good to very good agreement for all outcomes (weighted kappa values .71-.83). However, Model 1 did not agree well with either of the other two (weighted kappa values .08-.38), suggesting that norm-based methods and regression-based methods do not identify the same people as low performers (Fig. 1-4). Overlap of cognitive indicators: Poor performance on one outcome did not generally transfer to poor performance on another outcome. Figure 5 shows the relative proportion of low performers who were classified as “Worse” on multiple composite score outcomes by Methods 1, 2, or 3. TaBleS & figureS
Two prototype blood-pool agents for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the portal vein in pigs.

Rationale and Objectives. Macromolecular “blood-pool” agents such as polylysine-gadopentetate dimeglumine or albumin-gadopentetate dimeglumine, which provide prolonged intravascular enhancement, were tested as magnetic resonance (MR) angiography contrast agents for the portal vein in pigs. Methods. Phase-contrast MR angiography of the portal veins was performed on six pigs before and after intravenous administration of polylysine-gadopentetate dimeglumine (n = 3) or albumin-gadopentetate dimeglumine (n = 3). Results. The contrast-to-noise ratio of the portal veins was improved by 74% and 52%, respectively, using polylysine-gadopentetate dimeglumine or albumin-gadopentetate dimeglumine. More branches of the intrahepatic portal veins were visualized on postcontrast images. Conclusion. Blood-pool paramagnetic contrast agents improved the visualization of hepatic vasculature using phase-contrast MR angiography in our experimental model.
The ionic strength dependence of the coil dimensions of viral DMA in NH4Ac Solutions

Abstract The well-known expansion of the DNA coil at low ionic strengths is best interpreted by an increase in the excluded volume of the coil and an increase in the stiffness of the backbone of DNA. Sedimentation data can be interpreted as demonstrating an increase in the statistical length of DNA in very concentrated NH 4 Ac solutions coupled with a decrease in excluded volume.
Mapping the Dimensions of Labor Revitalization: Movement Innovators Survey the California Frontier

In light of the ongoing dialogue regarding the possibility and potential for revitalizing the U.S. labor movement, this paper seeks to map systematically the emblematic activities of this re-emergence. An inventory of innovative and promising labor movement activity is compiled and analyzed through semi-structured interviews with labor scholars, community leaders, organizers, and union officials in California. Analysis of the data suggests several emerging patterns: (1) the declining role of traditional union activity in the new labor movement, (2) the importance of immigrant workers to labor's revitalization, and (3) the absence of white-collar workers from the range of labor activity viewed as promising.
The Development and Initial Validation of the COPLAG Scale: Measuring the Concerns of Parents of Lesbians and Gays

This article discusses the development and initial validation of a scale designed to assess parents’ concerns upon their learning about their children's gay or lesbian sexual orientations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the scale's items resulted in a three-factor solution distinguishing among parental concerns about (1) their children's physical, psychological, and social well-being, (2) themselves as parents of gay or lesbian children, and (3) being rejected by loved ones.
Large intraocular pressure fluctuations: a risk factor for glaucoma progression

Purpose: We are aware of the detrimental effects of peaks of intraocular pressure (IOP) above the normal range. However, we have observed that many of our patients continue to experience glaucomatous progression despite their mean IOP being below what the physician considers an adequate target IOP for that individual. We studied the risk associated with diurnal IOP variations in open angle glaucoma. Methods: The patients who were enrolled in the study used the Zeimer self-tonometer to measure IOP over a period of 5 days. The readings were taken upon waking, noon, mid-afternoon, dinnertime and bedtime. Visual fields over the 10-year duration of the study were reviewed for progression. We performed statistical analyses on these readings to study the relative risk of disease progression. Results: Baseline office IOP had no predictive value (relative hazard: 0.98). The IOP range over multiple days was a significant risk factor for progression even after adjusting for office IOP, age, race and visual field damage at baseline (relative hazard ratio 5.76). 88% of patients in the upper 25 percentile of IOP fluctuation, and 57% of patients in the lower 25th percentile of IOP fluctuation, progressed within 8 years Conclusions: In this presentation, corroborating studies, common IOP fluctuations and proposed mechanisms for IOP fluctuations will be presented. Ways to control IOP spikes will be discussed and pharmacotherapy options will be explored. Diurnal fluctuations in IOP present a greater risk of visual-field loss to the patient with glaucoma compared to mean IOP. By monitoring IOP more closely and by prescribing medication that offers the best control of IOP with the least amount of fluctuation, ophthalmologists can offer their patients the best therapy for glaucoma.
Measurement of velocity profiles in reverse‐screw elements of a twin‐screw extruder

A laser Doppler anemometer was used to measure velocity components for the flow of a Newtonian fluid in a reversing section of a pilot-scale corotating twin-screw extruder. Measurements were made at a fixed axial position in the intermeshing (nip) region and the translational region (away from the nip). Tangential and axial velocity profiles reached a maximum in the middle of the screw channel, indicating pressure flow. Leakage flow through the gaps between screw flights and backflow toward the hopper were observed only in the nip region. No reversal of flow was detected in the translational region. Measured velocity profiles showed substantially higher shear rates in the reversing section of the screw as compared to those in the forward-conveying section.
A decision model for the analysis of ergonomic investments

Costs associated with worker injuries can be high and some suggest investments in ergonomic solutions can lower those costs. However, many employers are still unsure if investing in various ergonomic solutions will generate benefits such as increased production and/or reduce workmen's compensation expenses. Estimating current losses and predicting possible gains provide most of the information needed to decide upon ergonomic investment. This paper presents a model employers can use to predict cost savings from ergonomic investments given certain input factors, including current losses, cost of implementation, and success of implementation.
Biological stoichiometry: a theoretical framework connecting ecosystem ecology, evolution, and biochemistry for application in astrobiology

Astrobiology is an extremely wide-ranging field and thus is in special need of conceptual and theoretical frameworks that can integrate its various arenas of study. In this paper I review recent work associated with a conceptual framework known as ‘ecological stoichiometry’ and even more recent extensions in the development of ‘biological stoichiometry’. Ecological stoichiometry is the study of the balance of energy and multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions and has developed rapidly in the study of nutrient cycling and energy flow in aquatic food webs. It identifies the elemental composition of interacting biota as central in understanding the nature of their interactions and dynamics, including key feedbacks via nutrient recycling. Biological stoichiometry extends this mode of thinking to all types of biological systems. It especially seeks to better understand, at the biochemical and genetic levels, the factors influencing the elemental composition of living things and the evolutionary forces that drive and constrain that elemental composition. By connecting key concepts of ecosystem ecology, evolutionary biology and biochemistry, stoichiometric theory integrates biological information into a more coherent whole that holds considerable promise for application in astrobiology. Several examples of potential astrobiological applications of stoichiometric analysis are offered, including ones related to pre-biotic evolution, the Cambrian explosion, biosignatures and biological feedbacks on planetary carbon cycling.
A Simple Lower Bound for the Capacity of the Deletion Channel

We present a simple proof that the capacity of the binary independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) deletion channel, where each bit is deleted independently with probability d, is at least (1-d)/9, by developing a correspondence between the deletion channel and an insertion/deletion channel that we call a Poisson-repeat channel
TOWARD AN ACTION THEORY OF DIALOGUE

This paper explores the theoretical and practical dimensions of dialogue as a means of harnessing profound and previously unrealized levels of coordination and insight. Dialogue is not only a philosophical concept, but also an actionable skill available to individuals and teams. Often the claim is made that the difficulty in making dialogue more concrete or actionable is inherent in the nature of the phenomenon itself—that dialogue cannot be “willed”, that it is a process that questions the instrumental rationality which arises from the subject-object Cartesian split. The paper seeks to address this and other concerns and makes more explicit how the dialogic process might work in concrete settings, in particular by identifying and removing face-to-face obstacles, and by inviting inquiry into the underlying shared “field” of meaning in which the interactions and conversations take place.
Imaginary chemical potential and finite fermion density on the lattice

Standard lattice fermion algorithms run into the well-known sign problem with a real chemical potential. In this paper we investigate the possibility of using an imaginary chemical potential and argue that it has advantages over other methods, particularly for probing the physics at finite temperature as well as density. As a feasibility study, we present numerical results for the partition function of the two-dimensional Hubbard model with an imaginary chemical potential. We also note that systems with a net imbalance of isospin may be simulated using a real chemical potential that couples to ${I}_{3}$ without suffering from the sign problem.
On a generalized test sequencing problem

The primary focus of diagnosis in field maintenance of systems is to identify the faulty modules rather than the individual faults within the modules. In addition, diagnosis is often integrated with two types of repair: type 1 repair wherein a module is repaired after complete diagnosis, and a type 2 repair wherein a module suspected to be faulty is replaced after partial diagnosis. The problem of constructing optimal and suboptimal test sequences to diagnose faults in modular systems with type 1 and type 2 repair options is considered. Dynamic programming recursion for this generalized test sequencing problem is derived, and lower bounds on the optimal cost-to-go based on information theory are derived. These bounds ensure that an optimal test algorithm is found by AND/OR graph heuristic search procedures. It is illustrated how type 2 repair can be profitably combined with diagnosis to reduce the expected test time. >
The expression Of Cultural Sensitivity in the Presence of African Americans: An Analysis of Motives

This study explores the motivational factors underlying European American individuals’ tendency to display more culturally sensitive behavior in the presence of African Americans. European American...
Avulsion of an H graft during closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft surgery*

SINCE ITS FIRST DESCRIPTION by Cohn et al1 in 1998, minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) using the H graft technique has been proposed as an alternative to conventional coronary revascularization for isolated LAD occlusive disease. This approach involves access through a left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST), followed by limited dissection of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA), exposure and stabilization of the LAD, and interposition of a segment of saphenous vein or other suitable conduit between the LIMA and the LAD, without cardiopulmonary bypass. Considerable advantages of this technique include avoidance of a median sternotomy and extracorporeal circulation and dissection of only a short segment of LIMA; in contrast, the standard LAST procedure requires dissection of a longer segment of LIMA for direct anastomosis to the LAD.2 Limiting dissection of the internal mammary artery facilitates the procedure considerably and minimizes traction on the chest wall, reducing postoperative pain. Potential disadvantages of the H graft technique include a greater risk of graft kinking and the potential for a steal phenomenon, with blood flow being diverted away from the coronary system into the systemic circulation by intercostal arteries and other branches of the internal mammary artery.3 The H graft technique introduces a second anastomosis along with the interposition of an additional conduit which, as in the case of the saphenous vein, may adversely affect long-term patency rates. As a result of its location and configuration as a bridge between the LIMA and the LAD, the newly constructed H graft may become susceptible to injury in the presence of mechanical forces that alter the geometry of the thorax, such as in the case of vigorous external cardiac massage or during emergent chest re-entry. A patient in whom avulsion of a saphenous vein H graft from the LIMA occurred as a result of closed chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPB) followed by emergent median sternotomy, which ultimately led to a fatal outcome, is reported.
The influence of nutrition on neural and behavioral development. I. Critical review of some data on the growth of the body and the brain following dietary deprivation during gestation and lactation

The scanty data available on the effects of undernutrition during gestation and lactation upon neural development in man are reviewed briefly. This review is followed by a description of the various techniques that have been employed for the experimental undernutrition of laboratory animals. Then a detailed review is given of the effects of dietary deprivation during gestation, lactation, after weaning, and in adulthood upon the development of the nervous system and its different parts in a variety of mammalian species, with special emphasis on the rat. Finally, in a programmatic statement, the developmental phases during which undernutrition can be produced experimentally are related to critical stages or vulnerable periods of brain development.
Women and Substance Abuse: Gender, Age, and Cultural Considerations

Historically, data has shown that a smaller percentage of women use alcohol and illicit substances compared to men, and that frequency of use has been lower among women compared to use among men. Although this data on usage may be true, researchers also acknowledge that substance use among women has been a hidden issue, one not realistically acknowledged by society, especially prior to the mid-1960s. Along with this, more recent data indicates that rates of substance use among women are increasing. Factors contributing to this increase in substance abuse have begun to receive considerable attention, and recent research suggests that many issues exist that are unique to substance use among women. The purpose of this article is to discuss gender specific considerations in women's substance abuse by examining the history of substance use among women; analyzing gender-specific factors, including physiological factors, trauma-related factors, mental health issues, and cultural considerations that impact on women's substance use; articulating treatment approaches for working with substance abusing women and girls; and providing recommendations for further research in this area.
Head-down-tilt bed rest alters forearm vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses

To test the hypothesis that head-down-tilt bed rest (HDBR) for 14 days alters vascular reactivity to vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor stimuli, the reactive hyperemic forearm blood flow (RHBF, measured by venous occlusion plethysmography) and mean arterial pressure (MAP, measured by Finapres) responses after 10 min of circulatory arrest were measured in a control trial (n = 20) and when sympathetic discharge was increased by a cold pressor test (RHBF + cold pressor test; n = 10). Vascular conductance (VC) was calculated (VC = RHBF/MAP). In the control trial, peak RHBF at 5 s after circulatory arrest (34.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 48.9 +/- 4.3 ml . 100 ml-1 . min-1) and VC (0.34 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.53 +/- 0.05 ml . 100 ml-1 . min-1 . mmHg-1) were reduced in the post- compared with the pre-HDBR tests (P < 0. 05). Total excess RHBF over 3 min was diminished in the post- compared with the pre-HDBR trial (84.8 vs. 117 ml/100 ml, P < 0.002). The ability of the cold pressor test to lower forearm blood flow was less in the post- than in the pre-HDBR test (P < 0.05), despite similar increases in MAP. These data suggest that regulation of vascular dilation and the interaction between dilatory and constrictor influences were altered with bed rest.
Epidemiological Correlates of Virulence Genotype and Phylogenetic Background among Escherichia coli Blood Isolates from Adults with Diverse-Source Bacteremia

Associations of virulence genotype and phylogenetic background with epidemiological factors (primary source of bacteremia, host compromise status, and hospital versus community origin) were assessed among 182 Escherichia coli blood isolates from adults with diverse-source bacteremia in comparison with fecal controls from the E. coli Reference collection. A continuum of virulence was found, from urinary and pulmonary source bacteremia isolates (high virulence), through "other" or unknown source bacteremia isolates (intermediate virulence), to fecal isolates (low virulence), with a corresponding graded phylogenetic distribution from predominantly group B2 to predominantly groups A and B1. Associations of bacterial traits with clinical factors varied considerably, depending on subgroup and statistical method. However, certain putative virulence genes (including several "nontraditional" markers, such as pathogenicity island-associated malX) repeatedly emerged as significant epidemiological predictors, which provided evidence of their possible relevance in host-pathogen interactions and hence as potential targets for preventive interventions against extraintestinal infections due to E. coli.
Onychodystrophy and tumor-stage mycosis fungoides confined to a single digit: Report of a case and review of nail findings in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Mycosis fungoides is often considered one of the great disease imitators presenting with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. We present a case of tumor-stage mycosis fungoides involving a single digit clinically presenting with diffuse swelling of the digit and onychodystrophy. Histologic findings included a reticular dermal lymphocytic infiltrate with increased ratio of CD4:CD8 cells. The patient was treated with radiation resulting in complete resolution. Nail involvement with mycosis fungoides has been scarcely reported, but when present ranges from 20-nail dystrophy to yellow discoloration. The disease often involves most of the nails when present.
Reflection Soliton Oscillator

We report on an electrical oscillator that self-generates a periodic train of short-duration pulses. The oscillator consists of a nonlinear transmission line (NLTL), one end of which is connected to a one-port amplifier and the other end is open. In the steady state, a self-generated short-duration pulse travels back and forth on the NLTL, reflected at both ends of the NLTL due to impedance mismatches. The one-port amplifier produces a negative output resistance for a voltage beyond a particular threshold and a positive output resistance for a voltage below that threshold, and thus, the reflection from the amplifier provides gain for the main upper portion of the pulse to compensate loss, and attenuates small perturbations to ensure oscillation stability. The NLTL substantially sharpens the pulse.
A structural and functional homolog supports a general role for frataxin in cellular iron chemistry

Bacillus subtilis YdhG lacks sequence homology, but demonstrates structural and functional similarity to the frataxin family, supporting a general cellular role for frataxin-type proteins in cellular iron homeostasis.
Direct and computed tomography thickness measurements of the human, lumbar vertebral shell and endplate

Although the trabecular bone of the human vertebral body has been well characterized, the thin "cortical" shell and endplate that surround the trabecular centrum have not. In addition, the accuracy of estimating the thickness of the shell and endplate using computed tomography (CT) has not been evaluated directly. To address these issues, we measured the thickness of the vertebral shell and endplate in the mid sagittal plane of 16 human L1 vertebral bodies using direct and CT based methods. Specimens were assigned to four equal sized groups based on age (middle-aged, mean age = 49 years; old, mean age = 84) and gender. We investigated the dependence of the shell and endplate thicknesses on age, gender, and anatomic region. Our findings indicate that the shell and endplate in vertebrae over age 45 are porous and often irregular, with an average thickness of approximately 0.35 mm. However, when measured from CT images, the vertebral shell and endplate appear significantly thicker, indicating that measurements based on clinical CT scans overestimate the thickness by a factor of at least two. In addition, our data indicated that, in the midsagittal plane, the anterior shell is thicker than the posterior shell or either endplate. Although these data indicated that thickness did not depend on age or gender, these particular findings are inconclusive given the small and heterogeneous sample we examined. We conclude that the so-called cortical shell and endplate of the vertebral body are thin (less than one-half of a millimeter) and porous, and perhaps are better thought of as thin membranes of fused trabeculae than as true cortices.
Probability distribution of multi-hop-distance in one-dimensional sensor networks

In spatially random sensor networks, estimating the Euclidean distance covered by a packet in a given number of hops carries a high importance for various functions such as localization and distance estimations. The inaccuracies in such estimations motivate this study on the distribution of the Euclidean distance covered by a packet in spatially random sensor networks in a given number of hops. Although a closed-form expression of distance distribution cannot be obtained, highly accurate approximations are derived for this distribution in one-dimensional spatially random sensor networks. Using statistical measures and numerical examples, it is also shown that the presented distribution approximation yields very high accuracy even for small number of hops. Furthermore, the distribution of hop distance that covers a given Euclidean distance is also approximated.
Adaptive Molting Signal in a Gregarious Sawfly Larva, Perga affinis ?

For any arthropod, molting is a risky endeavor; it leaves an organism vulnerable until its new cuticle hardens. In some social organisms, the safest place for an individual to molt may be within their group. Here I present preliminary observations of a potential signaling behavior associated with molting in the gregarious larvae of the Australian sawfly, Perga affinis. Observations of molting activity revealed that larvae were significantly more likely to molt during the day, while residing in tight clusters, than at night when they were dispersed. Additionally, on two occasions I witnessed a vibrational and tactile behavior given by a larva 30 min prior to ecdysis. In each case, this behavior affected the other group members by delaying dispersal for foraging until the molting individual finished ecdysis; this change in the group’s behavior suggests that the molting larva engaged in a form of communication. Potential benefits for a molting signal are discussed.
Ethnic spirituality, gender and health care in the Peruvian Amazon.

By addressing ethnic identities of riparian people in Loreto, this article shows the relevance of spirituality, ethnic difference, and gender subordination affecting health interventions. Ethnic spirituality defines daily life behavior and attitudes revealing different meanings associated with medicine, illness, and healing. Gender segregates natural spaces and portrays women and children as more vulnerable to illness caused by spiritual powers, imposing taboos, and regulations. Due to lesser exposure to the modern outside world, adult women remain less familiar with it, even though modernity is also present in the village and reinterpreted by local ethnic views. Women seem closer to ethnic beliefs that ‘color’ their views and attitudes toward modern medicine and for that reason experience higher levels of discrimination and subordination. Being the principal care takers, their views and attitudes on medicine, illness, and healing are extremely important to consider. In practice, women and their ethnic vi...
Climatic control of trophic interaction strength: the effect of lizards on spiders.

We investigated how temporal variation in rainfall influences the impact of lizards on spiders inhabiting small islands in Abaco, Bahamas. Annual censuses of web spiders were conducted on nine lizard islands and on eight no-lizard islands 1994–2003. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that annual variation in spider density (time) and in the lizard effect on spider density (lizard × time) were both significant. Correlation coefficients between the lizard effect (ln ratio of no-lizard to lizard spider densities) and number of rainfall days were generally negative, and strengthened with length of the time period during which rainfall was measured prior to annual spider censuses. Spider density was also negatively correlated with rainfall days and strengthened with length of the prior time period. Longer time intervals included the hurricane season, suggesting that the strong negative correlations were linked to high rainfall years during which tropical storms impacted the region and reduced spider and lizard densities. Split-plot ANOVA showed that rainfall during the hurricane season had a significant effect on the lizard effect and on spider density. Results in this study are opposite to those found in our previous 10-year study (1981–1990) conducted in the Exuma Cays, a moderately xeric region of the Bahamas, where the relation between rainfall and the lizard effect on spider density was positive. Combined data from the Exuma and Abaco studies produce a unimodal relation between trophic interaction strength and rainfall; we suggest that the negative effect of storms associated with rainfall was paramount in the present study, whereas the positive bottom-up effect of rainfall prevailed in our previous study. We conclude that climatic variability has a major impact on the trophic interaction and suggest that a substantial change in precipitation in either direction may weaken the interaction significantly.
Preventing Pediatric Sudden Cardiac Death: In Reply

We thank Dr Yabek for his letter in response to our recent commentary about pediatric sudden cardiac death (SCD).1 To date, we are not aware of any prospective evaluation of a standardized preparticipation-evaluation form (such as currently proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics) for screening of patients and families at risk for SCD. Other studies in the literature2,3 have been retrospective but reported a relatively high incidence of patient symptoms and positive family history for patients who suffered sudden cardiac arrest episodes. We do not believe that the …
Development of Herpes Simplex Virus Disease in Patients Who Are Receiving Cidofovir

BACKGROUND Cidofovir is a nucleotide analogue with antiviral activity against a wide range of DNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV). In vitro resistance to cidofovir has been reported with use of laboratory HSV strains; clinical failure of cidofovir therapy for HSV disease has also been reported with an isolate that was susceptible by in vitro testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three patients with HSV disease that was unresponsive to cidofovir therapy had viral isolates obtained and stored; the isolates were analyzed for antiviral susceptibility by an antigen reduction assay (ARA). PCR cloning and automated sequencing were performed for isolates that displayed in vitro resistance. Mutations were identified by comparison with the appropriate HSV consensus sequence. RESULTS An HSV type 2 (HSV-2) isolate recovered from patient 2 displayed in vitro cidofovir resistance with an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of 13.06 microg/mL. HSV type 1 isolates recovered from patients 1 and 3 had elevated IC50s to cidofovir (7.32 and 8.23 microg/mL, respectively); however, these isolates did not meet the cutoff point for resistance according to the ARA. Sequencing of a cidofovir-resistant HSV-2 isolate revealed several DNA polymerase mutations that had not been previously described during in vitro resistance selection. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report of cidofovir resistance in HSV developing in vivo. The 3 sequenced clones all contained mutations truncating the pol C' end, suggesting that this region may be critical for cidofovir antiviral activity. In addition, the presence of multiple mutations suggests that the altered DNA polymerase of cidofovir-resistant virus may have introduced additional mutations into the viral genome. Introduction of the mutations identified in wild-type HSV strains is needed before the resistance phenotype can be definitively associated with any of the mutations found. Additional studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of cidofovir resistance in HSV.
Public Pubic: Narcissister's Performance of Race, Disavowal, and Aspiration

Narcissister’s performances in masks and merkins question the fluctuating status of objecthood and subjectivity in popular renderings of the black female body. Embracing a DIY aesthetic, Narcissister scavenges material and image. Her citation of dance functions as the active disavowal of virtuosity, shifting attention from climax to aspiration, delineating an aesthetic of dramaturgical disavowal that performs an alternate imaginary for the racialized, gendered American body.
Radiation chemistry and the Radiation Research Society: a history from the beginning.

Abstract Zimbrick, J. D. Radiation Chemistry and the Radiation Research Society: A History from the Beginning. Radiat. Res. 158, 127–140 (2002). Radiation chemistry studies began in the early 20th century with observations involving the decomposition of various materials by X rays and radium. Hugo Fricke recognized that the chemical effects of radiation should be studied to help understand the response of living systems to radiation, and in 1928 he established a laboratory to conduct such studies. Early radiation chemists were intimately involved in the founding of the Radiation Research Society and contributed substantially to its interdisciplinary culture. In this historical review, the highlights of research in radiation chemistry leading up to the founding of the Radiation Research Society in 1952 are discussed. The status of the field is established at that point, and a sampling of the major accomplishments from then until the present is presented, with emphasis on those scientists who have contribut...
The Korean War Termination Experience, 1951-1953: Strategy and Policy Lessons Learned

There is insufficient evidence to state definitively why the Chinese and North Koreans agreed to truce negotiations in the first place, why they prolonged the talks, and why they ultimately agreed to the Armistice. Such incomplete, circumstantial evidence makes varying theories possible. Regardless, there was cause for the United States to consider whether it had relied too much on violence and the threat of violence during negotiations. There was also cause to consider whether it should have invited greater input from U.N. coalition partners and whether it should have shown more patience toward the dismissive and disdainful demeanor of the Communist negotiators. There is also cause to consider whether it should have placed more emphasis on pressuring Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
Voltage-Dependent Uptake Is a Major Determinant of Glutamate Concentration at the Cone Synapse: An Analytical Study

Roska, Botond, Lubor Gaal, and Frank S. Werblin. Voltage-dependent uptake is a major determinant of glutamate concentration at the cone synapse: an analytical study. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1951–1960,...