cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social skills interventions for the autism spectrum: essential ingredients and a model curriculum

This article outlines the ingredients the authors feel are critical to making social skills interventions successful for children with autism spectrum disorders. The authors described basic principles for teaching social skills that capitalize on the strengths of such children, while specifically addressing their deficits. The authors applied these widely used principles to group social skills intervention. In particular, social skills groups for children with ASD need to break down complex social behaviors into concrete steps and rules that can be memorized and practiced in a variety of settings. Abstract concepts must be made concrete through a variety of visual, tangible, "hands-on" activities that make socialization fun. Visual structure and predictable routines are essential. Also critical to the success of social skills intervention are instruction and activities that provide necessary support for the language abilities of the participants. A variety of learning opportunities must be used to teach the goals and skills most relevant to children with ASD. These skills must be integrated as intervention progresses. Furthermore, interactions that require the children to focus on peers create a positive social group culture. Within this culture and environment, self-awareness and positive self-esteem can be fostered. A behavior plan that specifies individual goals for group members and a specific system for delivering rewards should be included. Other important ingredients include generalization, which is encouraged through community outings, skill practice in more naturalistic settings, and collaboration with parents and teachers to work on skills outside the group intervention. Weekly therapy does little to change basic deficits of ASD unless there is daily practice and reinforcement of the skills being learned in more natural situations. The authors hope that outlining these principles and specific techniques will encourage more clinicians to offer social skills groups and thus increase their availability around the nation and world. Continued research and treatment for social skills is necessary to provide much needed empiric evidence to determine effectiveness of such interventions.
956-115 Method of Reducing Emergency Room Time to Treatment for Acute Myocardial Infarction

In the United States, the average time between a patient's arrival in the emergency room (ER) and the administration of thrombolytic therapy for ST elevation and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is over one hour. If the time to treatment (Rx) after arrival in the ER could be reduced by 30 minutes, it has been estimated that at least 5,000 lives could be saved annually in the United States. In our institution, the average time to Rx after arrival in the ER for ST elevation AMI from June 1991 to June 1993 was 71 ± 32 minutes (median 64 minutes). We then developed an “AMI team” approach which included ER physicians, ER nurses, ECG technicians, and pharmacists. The diagnostic approach of the AMI team was based on two pocket cards that contained information on the following: 1) indications/contraindications of thrombolytic treatment in AMI; 2) thrombolytic treatment drug selection guidelines (tPA versus SK); 3) ancillary therapy drugs and dosages; and 4) ancillary therapy indications/contraindications. Treatment by the AMI team centered around an AMI kit-a tackle box that contained both thrombolytic drugs, all necessary ancillary treatments (ASA, heparin, beta blockers, nitrates, MS, and magnesium) and IV tubing plus drug compatibility charts. The time to Rx before and after institution of the AMI team was as follows: Download high-res image (78KB) Download full-size image We also instituted this AMI team approach in three area small town rural hospitals to see if this approach would be beneficial in this setting. Similar reductions in time to treatment were observed. Conclusion 1) AMI team approach effectively lowers time to treatment in large medical center hospitals and in small town rural hospitals; 2) widespread use of this concept could significant lower mortality from ST segment elevation AMI in the United States.
Feedforward shunting: a simple second-order neural network motion sensor

A single-layer locally-connected neural network that uses a simple second-order neural architecture is presented. This network demonstrates surprisingly good performance in the detection and isolation of traveling pulses superposed on a randomly fluctuating background. The processin topology and dynamics can be traced to High Order eral Networks (HONNs) and motion sensitive cellular automata '' . Similar processing strategies have also been found in biological processing systems. 1.
Glucose intolerance following cis-platinum treatment in rats

cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum (cis-Pt) is a heavy metal complex used in cancer chemotherapy. Since this drug has been shown to induce hyperglycemia in rats, these studies were initiated to elucidate the effects of cis-Pt on carbohydrate tolerance and insulin and glucagon secretion. Two days following i.v. cis-Pt (2.5 or 7.5 mg/kg, 5 ml/kg) or vehicle administration to male F-344 rats, plasma glucose, immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) concentrations were determined in the basal state and serially following a glucose load (2 g/kg, i.p.). Since cis-Pt induces a dose-related anorexia, a pair-fed control group was also studied. Administration of 7.5 mg/kg cis-Pt was associated with plasma glucose concentrations 2.5-5 times greater than ad-libitum and pair-fed controls at every time point during the 2-h glucose tolerance test. Although basal plasma IRI concentrations of the 7.5-mg/kg group were comparable to ad-libitum fed controls, they were significantly greater than those of pair-fed partners. Furthermore, the appropriate IRI response to a glucose stimulus observed in both controls and the 2.5-mg/kg group was absent in the 7.5-mg/kg group. Basal plasma IRG concentrations of the 7.5-mg/kg group were approximately 3-4 times greater than ad-libitum and pair-fed controls and were not suppressed following a glucose load. These results suggest that cis-Pt induces marked glucose intolerance in association with an impaired IRI response and abnormal glucagon response to a glucose stimulus.
The effects of objective career success on subsequent subjective career success

Abstract We use a sample of working adults (N = 638) to explore the effects of past objective career success (mobility, promotions, and salary change) on current subjective success (human capital assessments by one's managers, core self evaluations, satisfaction with one's career) by gender, across an economic cycle (2004–2011), controlling for career stage. Results support a strong influence of past promotions, and less so for salary changes, on subjective career success. These effects were stronger for men and during the economic contraction, with managers being affected in their assessments based on the employees' past promotions. In contrast, past job mobility did not relate to subjective career success for either gender in periods of economic expansion or contraction. Evidence for an interactive perspective of career success whereby past objective success affects current subjective success is presented, as well as potential implications of the findings.
Torsion in fiber bundle models of gauge theories

We investigate the possibility of having non-zero torsion in the geometrical fiber bundle models of gauge theories. We specifically look at torsion in the principal bundle space itself rather than in the base space (space-time). The formalism is developed for a general non-Abelian gauge group. We then look in more detail at the example of torsion in the fiber bundle description of electromagnetism. In this case, we show that torsion is related to magnetic monopoles.
Cement-based thermocouples

Abstract A cement-based thermocouple in the form of a junction between dissimilar cement pastes and exhibiting thermocouple sensitivity 70±7 μV/°C is provided. The dissimilar cement pastes are steel fiber cement paste (n-type) and carbon-fiber silica-fume cement paste (p-type). The junction is made by pouring the cement pastes side by side.
Three-Wave Interactions between Fast-Ion Modes in the National Spherical Torus Experiment

Simultaneous bursts of energetic particle mode (EPM) and toroidicity-induced Alfven eigenmode (TAE) activity that correlate with significant fast-ion loss are observed in beam heated plasmas. Three-wave interactions between these modes are conclusively identified, indicating fixed phase relationships. This nonlinear coupling concentrates the energy of the TAEs into a toroidally localized perturbation frozen in the frame of a rigid, toroidally rotating structure formed by the EPMs. This redistribution of energy is significant because it will modify the effect of the TAEs on fast-ion loss.
Quantitative Studies of microstructural phase transformation in Nickel–Titanium

Abstract A new experimental approach is used to quantify the full field heterogeneous strain accommodation associated with martensitic phase transformation in Nickel–Titanium at the microstructural length scale. Local deformation measures were matched with underlying microstructural characteristics obtained by EBSD, providing point-by-point correlation between transformation extent and microstructure. It was found that a single grain can accommodate both a heavily deformed martensite phase and an austenite phase, and that the transformation does not progress in an ordered fashion but rather can skip over grains or portions of grains in an extremely heterogeneous manner. The martensite front was diffuse at the microstructural length scale, and formed a cross-hatch structure in advance of the stable band. Strain accommodation was strongly heterogeneous at the grain level; while on average the martensite band accommodated approximately 10% strain, some individual regions accommodated up to 20% strain while regions of retained austenite remained at 1% strain.
Movements, Habitat Selection, and Activity Periods of Northern Pike in Eleven Mile Reservoir, Colorado

Abstract Ultrasonic telemetry was used to determine movements, habitat use, and activity patterns of 21 adult northern pike Esox lucius in Eleven Mile Reservoir, Colorado. Individual fish were monitored for periods up to 13 months. Most movements paralleled the shoreline and movements directly across the reservoir were rare, Although northern pike did not occupy distinct home ranges, they preferred the vegetated littoral areas of the reservoir. Aquatic vegetation was the key factor in northern pike habitat selection. Changes in macrophyte distribution, current weather conditions, sex of the fish, and time of year all influenced habitat selection. Northern pike were active approximately 37% of the time, with crepuscular activity peaks during summer and a diurnal peak during winter. Northern pike were most active during April and May and least active during October.
Heterogeneity of the protein moiety of the human serum high-density lipoproteins.

THE possibility of preparing a water-soluble, essentially lipid-free protein, αP (ref. 1), from human serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL) of d 1.063–1.21 gm/ml. has provided a means for studying its physical and chemical properties and the reason for its high avidity for lipids2. As a partial aid to the elucidation of these problems a comparative analysis of the antigenic properties of HDL and αP was conducted. Normal human serum HDL was separated by flotation at density between 1.063 and 1.21 gm ml. (NaCl–NaBr) in a Spinco model L ultracentrifuge (40.3 rotor, 114,480g, 16° C, 24 h) and re-spun for an additional 48 h under the same conditions to remove serum protein contaminants.
Could Hearing Loss Be Related to Delay in Administration of Other Antibiotics Rather Than Early Use of Vancomycin

To the Editor .— We read with interest the article “Early Vancomycin Therapy and Adverse Outcomes in Children With Pneumococcal Meningitis.”1 An unexpected finding was the association between hearing loss as a complication of meningitis and early administration of vancomycin relative …
Effects of mutagenesis of C912 in the streptomycin binding region of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA.

Four different mutations were produced at position 912 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA in the multicopy plasmid pKK3535. Cells transformed with the mutant plasmids were assayed for growth in steptomycin. The U912 mutant conferred low level streptomycin resistance as reported originally by Montandon and co-workers (EMBO J 1986; 5: 3705–3708). The G912 mutant also gave low level resistance but, unlike U912, caused significant retardation in growth rate and tended to select for fast-growing revertants. The A912 mutant was without effect on growth rate or streptomycin sensitivity, while deletion of C912 was lethal. Cells with U912 were selected for increased streptomycin resistance (MIC up to 160 μg/ml) and then cured of the plasmid. The cured cells retained a higher level of streptomycin resistance (MIC: 80 μg/ml) than the original wild type strain (MIC: 10 μg/ml), but sequencing by reverse transcriptase showed no evidence of U912 in the cellular 16S rRNA. Thus, recombination of the plasmid-coded U912 mutation into host rrn operons was not the mechanism by which increased streptomycin resistance occurred. The plasmid with U912 was transformed into three different streptomycin-dependent strains to determine whether the rRNA mutation, which presumably alters streptomycin binding, was compatible with S12 mutations which require bound streptomycin in order to function properly. In one strain, no transformants could be isolated, indicating that the plasmid was lethal. The two other streptomycin-dependent strains were transformed, but ribosomes containing the mutant rRNA were non-functional.
MINIMAX ESTIMATION OF A MULTIVARIATE NORMAL MEAN UNDER A CONVEX LOSS FUNCTION

Summary Let X = (X1, - Xp)prime; ˜ Np (μ, Σ) where μ= (μ1, -, μp)′ and Σ= diag (Σ21, -, Σ2p) are both unknown and p3. Let (ni - 2) wi/Σ2i! X2ni, independent. of wi (I ≠ j = 1, -, p). Assume that (w1, -, wp) and X are independent. Define W = diag (w1, -, wp) and ¶ X ¶2w= X′W-1Q-1W-1X where Q = diag (q1, -,n qp), qi > 0, i = 1, -, p. In this paper, the minimax estimator of Berger & Bock (1976), given by δ (X, W) = [Ip - r(X, W) ¶ X ¶-2w Q-1W-1] X, is shown to be minimax relative to the convex loss (δ - μ)′[αQ + (1 - α) Σ-1] δ - μ)/C, where C =α tr (Σ) + (1 - α)p and 0 α 1, under certain conditions on r(X, W). This generalizes the above mentioned result of Berger & Bock.
Quantitative trait loci for aluminum resistance in Chinese wheat landrace FSW.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major constraint for wheat production in acid soils worldwide. Chinese landrace FSW demonstrates a high level of Al resistance. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between FSW and an Al-sensitive Chinese line, ND35, using single seed descent, to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Al resistance. Wheat reaction to Al stress was measured by net root growth (NRG) in a nutrient solution culture containing Al3+ and hematoxylin staining score (HSS) of root after Al stress. After 1,437 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were screened using bulk segregant analysis, three QTLs were identified to control Al resistance in FSW. One major QTL (Qalt.pser-4DL) was mapped on chromosome 4DL that co-segregated with Xups4, a marker for the promoter of the Al-activated malate transporter (ALMT1) gene. The other two QTLs (Qalt.pser-3BL, Qalt.pser-2A) were located on chromosomes 3BL and 2A, respectively. Together, the three QTLs accounted for up to 81.9% of the phenotypic variation for HSS and 78.3% of the variation for NRG. The physical positions of flanking markers for Qalt.pser-4DL and Qalt.pser-3BL were determined by analyzing these markers in corresponding nulli-tetrasomic, ditelosomic, and 3BL deletion lines of Chinese Spring. Qalt.pser-3BL is a novel QTL with a major effect on Al resistance discovered in this study. The two major QTLs on 4DL and 3BL demonstrated an additive effect. The SSR markers closely linked to the QTLs have potential to be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to improve Al resistance of wheat cultivars in breeding programs.
Effect of capsaicin and resiniferatoxin on peptidergic neurons in cultured dorsal root ganglion

The neurotoxic effect of capsaicin has been shown to be selective on a subpopulation of small dorsal root ganglion neurons in newborn animals. The aim of this study was to provide evidence of the long lasting effect of capsaicin and its ultrapotent analog resiniferatoxin (RTX) on sensory peptidergic neurons maintained in organotypic cultures. The effects of the two irritants were examined on neurons that contained substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Exposure of the cultures to 10 microM capsaicin and 100 nM RTX for periods of 2 days or longer resulted in almost complete elimination of SP-immunoreactive (IR) neurites and reduction, but not elimination, of CGRP-IR neurites. In addition, both 10 microM capsaicin and 100 nM RTX significantly reduced the number of SP- and CGRP-IR cell bodies within DRG explants. Capsaicin in 100 microM concentration produced complete elimination of SP-IR fibers and a greater decrease in the number of CGRP-IR fibers, but failed to completely eliminate IR cell bodies. Exposure of the cultures to the irritants in the same concentrations for 90 min did not produce a measurable effect on SP- or CGRP-IR in neurites or cell bodies. It is important to establish that the effect of capsaicin and RTX on cultured neurons was of long duration (longer than 4 days) and is therefore different from depletion of peptides. These findings demonstrate that processes of cultured sensory neurons are much more sensitive to capsaicin and RTX than cell bodies. Furthermore, our results show that SP-IR neuronal elements are more sensitive to capsaicin than CGRP-IR elements. These data suggest that cultured sensory neurons express the functional properties of differentiated sensory neurons in vivo.
Compact holographic memory and its application to optical pattern recognition

JPL is developing a high-density, nonvolatile Compact Holographic Data Storage (CHDS) system to enable large- capacity, high-speed, low power consumption, and read/write of data for commercial and space applications. This CHDS system consists of laser diodes, photorefractive crystal, spatial light modulator, photodetector array, and I/O electronic interface. In operation, pages of information would be recorded and retrieved with random access and high- speed. In this paper, recent technology progress in developing this CHDS at JPL will be presented. The recent applications of the CHDS to optical pattern recognition, as a high-density, high transfer rate memory bank will also be discussed.
Pseudophakic glaucoma and vision loss after clear lens extraction for high myopia

A myopic 44-year-old man was treated with bilateral clear lens extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. A year later, the patient noted decreased vision in the right eye and was diagnosed with chronic open-angle glaucoma in both eyes. Despite medical and surgical treatment, the patient became legally blind. Pseudophakic glaucoma is a potential cause of vision loss after clear lens extraction.
MgSe/ZnSe/CdSe coupled quantum wells grown on InP substrate with intersubband absorption covering 1.55 μm

The authors report the observation of intersubband (ISB) transitions in the optical communication wavelength region in MgSe/ZnSe/CdSe coupled quantum wells (QWs). The coupled QWs were grown on InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. By inserting ZnSe layers to compensate the strain, samples with high structural quality were obtained, as indicated by well resolved satellite peaks in high-resolution x-ray diffraction. The observed ISB transition energies agree well with the calculated values.
Avalanches and Olive Branches: A Multimethod Analysis of Disasters and Peacemaking in Interstate Rivalries

Multimethod analysis of earthquakes’ effects in two enduring rivalries demonstrates that natural disaster can promote rapprochement, political steps toward warmer relations that make it difficult for interstate rivalry to continue. Public expression of compassion and support for rapprochement create audience costs for leaders who otherwise would maintain hostile policies toward the rival state. However, routine violence, including communal violence, discourages public support for postdisaster cooperation and rapprochement. Content analysis and time-series analysis of rivalry change in two cases, India—Pakistan and Greece—Turkey, demonstrate these phenomena, and comparative case study analysis shows that communal violence helps account for divergent outcomes between the two cases.
Pourquoi et comment doit-on tenir compte des neurosciences en éthique ? Esquisse d’une approche neurophilosophique émergentiste et interdisciplinaire

Un debat est presentement en cours sur l’opportunite ou non d’etablir des liens entre l’ethique et les neurosciences. A premiere vue, cette proposition remet en question une conception traditionnelle de l’ethique qui se distingue des sciences empiriques. Elle semble, entre autres, suggerer une facon deterministe et reductionniste de voir l’ethique. Nous soutenons dans cet article que, contrairement a ce que laissent entendre certaines critiques, les neurosciences peuvent etre pertinentes pour l’ethique. Cinq arguments contre l’apport des neurosciences en ethique sont presentes et discutes (determinisme, paralogisme naturaliste, dualisme, reductionnisme et hegemonie de l’objectivite). Nous soutenons que ces arguments n’impliquent pas l’impossibilite d’integrer les neurosciences en ethique, sinon qu’ils suggerent des facons plus nuancees de le faire. Suivant cette discussion, nous presentons une approche neurophilosophique emergentiste et interdisciplinaire qui se distingue de la « neurophilosophie de l’ethique » proposee par Patricia Churchland. Nous enchainons ensuite avec la presentation d’un secteur de recherche en neurosciences (neurosciences du raisonnement moral et des emotions morales) qui illustrent l’interet de l’approche proposee. L’article conclut en presentant quelques commentaires critiques.
Justice and Time at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal: In Memory of Vann Nath, Painter and S-21 Survivor

This essay explores the interrelationship of justice and time at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC hyperlink: http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en) (ECCC, or "Khmer Rouge Tribunal"). In doing so, it follows the trial participation of the late Vann Nath, a survivor of S-21, a torture and detention center operated by the Khmer Rouge. From April 15, 1975 to January 6, 1979, this Maoist-inspired group of revolutionary implemented policies resulting in the death of up to two million of Cambodia's eight million inhabitants, almost a quarter of the population. This essay argue that, even as they seek to help post-conflict societies like Cambodia "move forward through justice" (as the ECCC slogan goes), transitional justice mechanisms like the ECCC are premised on a set of temporal assumptions that are part of a larger transitional justice imaginary. Scholars and practitioners need to attend to such assumptions as well as the sorts of "vernacular time," or local conceptions of temporality that also mediate the understanding and responses of people like Vann Nath.
Targeting Multiple Chorismate-Utilizing Enzymes with a Single Inhibitor: Validation of a Three-Stage Design

Chorismate-utilizing enzymes are attractive antimicrobial drug targets due to their absence in humans and their central role in bacterial survival and virulence. The structural and mechanistic homology of a group of these inspired the goal of discovering inhibitors that target multiple enzymes. Previously, we discovered seven inhibitors of 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase (ADCS) in an on-bead, fluorescent-based screen of a 2304-member one-bead-one-compound combinatorial library. The inhibitors comprise PAYLOAD and COMBI stages, which interact with active site and surface residues, respectively, and are linked by a SPACER stage. These seven compounds, and six derivatives thereof, also inhibit two other enzymes in this family, isochorismate synthase (IS) and anthranilate synthase (AS). The best binding compound inhibits ADCS, IS, and AS with Ki values of 720, 56, and 80 μM, respectively. Inhibitors with varying SPACER lengths show the original choice of lysine to be optimal. Lastly, inhibition data confir...
Characterization of the N-Terminal Tail Domain of Histone H3 in Condensed Nucleosome Arrays by Hydrogen Exchange and NMR

The N-terminal tail domains (NTDs) of histones play important roles in the formation of higher-order structures of chromatin and the regulation of gene functions. Although the structure of the nucleosome core particle has been determined by X-ray crystallography at near-atomic resolution, the histone tails are not observed in this structure. Here, we demonstrate that large quantities of nucleosome arrays with well-defined DNA positioning can be reconstituted using specific DNA sequences and recombinant isotope-labeled histones, allowing for the investigation of NTD conformations by amide hydrogen exchange and multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. We examined the NTD of Drosophila melanogaster histones H3 in condensed nucleosome arrays. The results reveal that the majority of the amide protons in the NTD of H3 are protected from exchange, consistent with the NTDs having formed folded structures. Our study demonstrates hydrogen exchange coupled with NMR can provide residue-by-residue characterization of NTDs of histones in condensed nucleosome arrays, a technique that may be used to study NTDs of other histones and those with post-translational modifications.
Mitochondrial sirtuins: regulators of protein acylation and metabolism.

Sirtuins are NAD + -dependent protein deacetylases and have been implicated in the regulation of metabolism, stress responses, and aging. Three sirtuins are located in mitochondria: SIRT3, 4, and 5. SIRT3 deacetylates and regulates the enzymatic activity of many metabolic enzymes in mitochondria, whereas SIRT5 removes two novel post-translational modifications, lysine malonylation and succinylation. Here, we review the current knowledge of how mitochondrial sirtuins function in metabolism and metabolic diseases, and offer a conceptual model how they may regulate mitochondrial function through distinct deacylation activities (deacetylation, demalonylation, or desuccinylation).
Using UML-based rate monotonic analysis to predict schedulability

Timeliness is essential in real-time systems, in which a late response is sometimes worse than no response at all because the violation of a single deadline could lead to loss of life or property. System analysts use an appropriate scheduling algorithm to ensure the predictability of such a system. The Object Management Group's adoption of the UML profile for schedulability, performance, and timeliness has increased interest in using UML and object-oriented technology to model and implement real-time systems. Rate monotonic analysis (RMA) is an extensively researched and successfully implemented technique that can be used in conjunction with the UML profile to analyze schedulability in these systems.
Spectrally Resolved Transmission Loss in Gamma Irradiated Yb-Doped Optical Fibers

Yb3+-doped silicate fibers are commonly employed in optical systems utilizing fiber lasers and amplifiers. Deployment of such materials and systems in space-based and other adverse radiation environments requires knowledge of their response to fluxes of ionizing radiation. This paper reports the results of gamma radiation exposures on a suite of passive, modern, highly Yb3+-doped aluminosilicate fibers. Of interest are the effects of total dose and dose rate as well as the development of radiation-induced absorption across a broad spectral window (1.0-1.7 mum). Results indicate that these fibers exhibit reasonable radiation resistance to gamma exposures typical of a five-year low-Earth-orbit environment. Maximum transmittance losses of less than 10% in the 1.0-1.7-mum spectral region for total gamma exposures of 2-5 krad (Si) were observed. In addition, it was found that the dependence of transmittance on radiation dose generally followed a power law that was dependent on dose rate.
Nonstrange hyperfine splitting in the relativistic harmonic-oscillator quark model

A mass formula relating the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{-}N$ and $\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ hyperfine splittings is derived within the context of the relativistic harmonic-oscillator quark model. The spring constant, determined from the Regge trajectories, adjusts the wave-function overlap integrals so that reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained. The formula involves the square of the hadron masses and clearly indicates factors due to color, SU(6), and internal quark motion.
Treatment of fungal infections of the central nervous system.

The recent development of new antifungal antimicrobials that can be administered in combination with amphotericin B or as alternatives to it has expanded the dimensions of treatment for fungal infections of the central nervous system. These disorders have acquired increasing importance as patients with malignant and other illnesses associated with immunosuppression survive longer and as renal transplantation is more widely applied. Amphotericin B has remained the most effective therapeutic preparation for most types of neurological fungal disease, although important roles for 5-fluorocytosine, miconazole, and, more recently, ketoconazole are being recognized. Bell WE: Treatment of fungal infections of the central nervous system.
Methanol as a carbon source for microbiological treatment of acid mine drainage

Abstract Sulfate reducing passive bioreactors are increasingly being used to remove metals and raise the pH of acidic waste streams from abandoned mines. These systems commonly use a variety of organic substrates (i.e. manure, wood chips) for sulfate reduction. The effectiveness of these systems decreases as easily accessible reducing equivalents are consumed in the substrate through microbial activity. Using column studies at room temperature (23–26°C), we investigated the addition of lactate and methanol to a depleted manure substrate as a method to reactivate a bioreactor that had lost >95% of sulfate reduction activity. A preliminary experiment compared sulfate removal in gravity fed, flow through bioreactors in which similar masses of each substrate were added to the influent solution. Addition of 148 mg/l lactate resulted in a 69% reduction in sulfate concentration from 300 to 92 mg/l, while addition of 144 mg/l methanol resulted in an 88% reduction in sulfate concentration from 300 to 36 mg/l. Because methanol was found to be an effective sulfate reducing substrate, it was chosen for further experiments due to its inherent physical properties (cost, low freezing point and low viscosity liquid) that make it a superior substrate for remote, high elevation sites where freezing temperatures would hamper the use of aqueous solutions. In these column studies, water containing sulfate and ferrous iron was gravity-fed through the bioreactor columns, along with predetermined methanol concentrations containing reducing equivalents to remove 54% of the sulfate. Following an acclimation period for the columns, sulfate concentrations were reduced from of 900 mg/l in the influent to 454 mg/l in the effluent, that reflects a 93% efficiency of electrons from the donor to the terminal electron acceptor. Iron concentrations were reduced from 100 to 2 mg/l and the pH increased nearly 2 units.
Alcohol Activates TGF-Beta but Inhibits BMP Receptor-Mediated Smad Signaling and Smad4 Binding to Hepcidin Promoter in the Liver

Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, is activated by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Mice pair-fed with regular and ethanol-containing L. De Carli diets were employed to study the effect of alcohol on BMP signaling and hepcidin transcription in the liver. Alcohol induced steatosis and TGF-beta expression. Liver BMP2, but not BMP4 or BMP6, expression was significantly elevated. Despite increased BMP expression, the BMP receptor, and transcription factors, Smad1 and Smad5, were not activated. In contrast, alcohol stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation. However, Smad4 DNA-binding activity and the binding of Smad4 to hepcidin promoter were attenuated. In summary, alcohol stimulates TGF-beta and BMP2 expression, and Smad2 phosphorylation but inhibits BMP receptor, and Smad1 and Smad5 activation. Smad signaling pathway in the liver may therefore be involved in the regulation of hepcidin transcription and iron metabolism by alcohol. These findings may help to further understand the mechanisms of alcohol and iron-induced liver injury.
Emissions from an International Airport Increase Particle Number Concentrations 4-fold at 10 km Downwind

We measured the spatial pattern of particle number (PN) concentrations downwind from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with an instrumented vehicle that enabled us to cover larger areas than allowed by traditional stationary measurements. LAX emissions adversely impacted air quality much farther than reported in previous airport studies. We measured at least a 2-fold increase in PN concentrations over unimpacted baseline PN concentrations during most hours of the day in an area of about 60 km2 that extended to 16 km (10 miles) downwind and a 4- to 5-fold increase to 8–10 km (5–6 miles) downwind. Locations of maximum PN concentrations were aligned to eastern, downwind jet trajectories during prevailing westerly winds and to 8 km downwind concentrations exceeded 75 000 particles/cm3, more than the average freeway PN concentration in Los Angeles. During infrequent northerly winds, the impact area remained large but shifted to south of the airport. The freeway length that would cause an impact equiv...
Optical coherence tomography as a tool for monitoring pediatric pseudotumor cerebri.

Purpose To evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness in children with pseudotumor cerebri. Methods Prospective observational series of children with pseudotumor cerebri compared against controls matched for age and gender. We included 11 pediatric subjects with clinical pseudotumor cerebri and 37 normal controls. Subjects underwent a complete eye examination including stereo disk photographs and OCT. Peripapillary RNFL and macular thickness were evaluated using the Stratus OCT 3000. The peripapillary RNFL was evaluated with two protocols: Fast RNFL Map protocol with values divided in eight sections, made up of four quadrants, each with an inner and outer ring, and Fast RNFL Thickness (3.4) protocol, using values presented for four quadrants. A Fast Macular Thickness Map was also obtained, and results reported similarly included eight sections, made up of four quadrants, each with an inner and outer ring. Results The Fast RNFL Map protocol showed an increased RNFL thickness (pseudotumor cerebri vs controls) in the temporal and superior quadrants. The Fast RNFL Thickness (3.4) protocol showed a thicker average RNFL for pseudotumor cerebri eyes compared with controls (125.7 vs 106.5 μm, p 3 , respectively ( p = 0.005). Conclusions OCT shows increased RNFL and macular thickness in pseudotumor cerebri and may be a useful clinical tool in these children.
Redundant Vasodilator Pathways Underlying Radial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation Are Preserved in Healthy Aging

Background. Blocking nitric oxide (NO) and vasodilator prostanoids (PN) does not consistently reduce flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in young adults. The impact of aging on the contribution of NO and PG to FMD is unknown. Methods. FMD was measured in older adults (, y) after arterial infusion of saline, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and ketorolac
Investigation of breakdown conditions in drift chambers

Abstract The electrostatic conditions for which breakdown occurs in multiwire chambers are investigated as a function of wire thickness and the total gain in the system.
Labor and consumption across the lifecycle

Abstract We propose new measures to summarize and compare age profiles of consumption and labor income. One measure is the lifetime support ratio or the ratio of effective lifetime labor to effective lifetime consumption. Two other measures measure the timing of work and consumption over the lifecycle. Using a highly stylized model we show how changes in these features of the lifecycle influence the standard of living that can be achieved. To illustrate the value of these measures we consider two practical applications. In the first we analyze the effect of increasing life expectancy on lifetime effective labor and consumption. We show that in longer life is leading to greater lifetime consumption but little response in lifetime labor supply. The exception to this generalization is in low income, high mortality countries where the gains in life expectancy are occurring at the working ages as well as the non-working ages. In the second application we consider whether the lifetime support ratio and the timing of consumption relative to labor income are influenced most by variation in life cycle patterns of work or lifecycle patterns of consumption. The answer depends on the level of development. In upper-middle income countries and high-income countries both are important. In these countries, then, effective policy should address both sides of the lifecycle – producing and consuming. In lower-income countries, however, only the age patterns of labor income appear to matter. Policies related to labor markets and labor force behavior appear to be critical under these circumstances.
Aging-dependent modification of lipid composition and lipid structural order parameter of hepatic mitochondria☆

Abstract The effect of aging on the lipid composition of hepatic mitochondria has been determined using a rigorously defined group of Fischer 344 rats with known survivorship data. The age groups studied included mature adults as controls (8.5-month, 100% survivorship); an intermediate aged group (17.5-month, 90% survivorship); and an aged group (29-month, 20% survivorship). Lipid extracts of mitochondria were prepared using chloroform-methanol (2:1, by volume) and total phospholipid- P i , cholesterol (free and esterfied), and phospholipid composition were determined. In the aged animals, total phospholipid- P i decreased significantly ( P = 0.019) whereas cholesterol increased ( P = 0.048) with a progressive aging-dependent increase in the molar ratio of cholesterol/phospholipid. The lower total phospholipid content of hepatic mitochondria from the aged 29-month animals was due primarily to decreases in the major phospholipids with the most notable decrease being in cardiolipin (approximately 39%). Steady-state fluorescence polarization using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as the probe was used to estimate the lipid structural order parameter of hepatic mitochondria. There was a highly significant ( P = 0.01) aging-dependent increase in the lipid structural order parameter which correlated well with the increased molar ratio of cholesterol/phospholipid in the hepatic mitochondria isolated from the aged animals. The data suggest alterations in mitochondrial membrane lipid-protein interactions in aging and are consistent with the hypothesis of impairment of membrane function in the aging process.
Instability of constant Yang-Mills fields generated by constant gauge potentials

A constant Yang-Mills field can be derived from either a linear Abelian gauge potential or a constant non-Abelian potential. Instabilities are known to occur for the Abelian case. In this comment, similar effects are shown to occur for the non-Abelian case.
Mobilization of energy and space technology

ORLD War II was a global conflict involving not only armies, navies, and air forces, but also crash developments of a wide variety of high-technolo gy systems ranging from electronic sensors, to computers, servomechanisms, fire control, subsonic aircraft, guided bombs, and, finally, nuclear weapons. Although the United States and its allies had achieved superiority in the technical areas mentioned, the Germans had advanced more rapidly in the field of rockets, bringing both the V-l buzz bomb and the V-2 supersonic rocket into operation prior to the war's end. Soon after World War II, the Peenemunde rocket team headed by Wernher von Braun was ensconced at White Sands, NM, using the V-2 technology and hardware to gather scientific information from the upper atmosphere and in the process to acquaint U.S. civilians and military engineers with the major technical advances made by the Germans in this new field. Laboratories were established on many campuses to conduct studies on pumps, injectors, and nozzles for rocket engines, on supersonic aerodynamics for missiles, and on plasma physics for vehicles re-entering the atmosphere. In the early 1950s, the potential progression from aircraft to missiles to Earth-orbital spacecraft was becoming more apparent and inevitable. The possibility of space travel was evaluated in graduate seminars on a number of campuses and university lecturers found that their speeches could be enlivened by talk of manned rockets and space stations. During this same period, the Soviet Union also benefited
The relative geographic immobility of new registered nurses calls for new strategies to augment that workforce.

Little is known about registered nurses’ geographic mobility after they earn their first professional degree and become licensed to practice. Through a cross-sectional mailed survey of newly licensed registered nurses in fifteen states, we found that 52.5 percent work within forty miles of where they attended high school. Our complementary analysis of Census Bureau data shows that next to teaching, nursing is one of the least mobile professions for women, for reasons that remain unclear. To ensure that underserved areas have an adequate workforce of registered nurses, policy makers should expand the number of educational programs in these areas; fund programs that provide incentives to young people from these areas to attend nursing programs; consider supporting extension programs from accredited nursing schools; and review admission policies for nursing programs and the financial aid they offer. If states find it difficult to retain out-of-state graduates, giving preference to in-state applicants may mak...
PO2–PCO2 stimulus interaction in [Ca2+]i and CSN activity in the adult rat carotid body

Since glomus cell intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) plays a key role in generating carotid sinus nerve (CSN) discharge, we hypothesized that glomus cell [Ca(2+)](i) would correspond to CSN discharge rates during P(O(2))-P(CO(2)) stimulus interaction in adult rat carotid body (CB). Accordingly, we measured steady state P(O(2))-P(CO(2)) interaction in CSN discharge rates during hypocapnia (P(CO(2))=8-10 Torr), normocapnia (P(CO(2))=33-35 Torr) and hypercapnia (P(CO(2))=68-70 Torr) in normoxia (P(O(2)) approximately 130 Torr) and hypoxia (P(O(2)) approximately 36 Torr). The results showed P(O(2))-P(CO(2)) stimulus interaction in CSN responses. [Ca(2+)](i) levels were measured in isolated type I cells (2-3 cells/field), using Ca(2+) sensitive fluoroprobe indo-1AM. The [Ca(2+)](i) responses increased with increasing P(CO(2)) in normoxia. In hypoxia, [Ca(2+)](i) did not increase during hypocapnia but increased during normocapnia, showing P(O(2))-P(CO(2)) interaction. However, CSN response during hypoxia was far greater than that for [Ca(2+)](i) response, particularly during hypocapnic hypoxia. Thus, the [Ca(2+)](i) interaction cannot account for the whole CSN interaction. The origin of this CSN P(O(2)-)P(CO(2)) interaction must have occurred in part beyond cellular [Ca(2+)](i) interaction. Interactions at both sites (glomus cell membrane and sinus nerve endings) are reminiscent of reversible O(2)-heme protein reaction with a Bohr effect.
Absence of XMRV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ARV-treatment naïve HIV-1 infected and HIV-1/HCV coinfected individuals and blood donors.

Background Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been found in the prostatic tissue of prostate cancer patients and in the blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. However, numerous studies have found little to no trace of XMRV in different human cohorts. Based on evidence suggesting common transmission routes between XMRV and HIV-1, HIV-1 infected individuals may represent a high-risk group for XMRV infection and spread. Methodology/Principal Findings DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 179 HIV-1 infected treatment naive patients, 86 of which were coinfected with HCV, and 54 healthy blood donors. DNA was screened for XMRV provirus with two sensitive, published PCR assays targeting XMRV gag and env and one sensitive, published nested PCR assay targeting env. Detection of XMRV was confirmed by DNA sequencing. One of the 179 HIV-1 infected patients tested positive for gag by non-nested PCR whereas the two other assays did not detect XMRV in any specimen. All healthy blood donors were negative for XMRV proviral sequences. Sera from 23 HIV-1 infected patients (15 HCV+) and 12 healthy donors were screened for the presence of XMRV-reactive antibodies by Western blot. Thirteen sera (57%) from HIV-1+ patients and 6 sera (50%) from healthy donors showed reactivity to XMRV-infected cell lysate. Conclusions/Significance The virtual absence of XMRV in PBMCs suggests that XMRV is not associated with HIV-1 infected or HIV-1/HCV coinfected patients, or blood donors. Although we noted isolated incidents of serum reactivity to XMRV, we are unable to verify the antibodies as XMRV specific.
Alzheimer's disease: Graph theory modeling for diagnosing presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease

Irreversible defects occur in the brain long before the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) appear. The only signs of impending AD are found in the cerebrospinal fluid, in which there is a decrease in two proteins, β-amyloid and tau. An invasive lumbar puncture is required to assess these markers. A gentler way of examining the brain would be better. One candidate is resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI ), which measures temporal correlations of blood oxygen level–dependent signals between brain regions. This method can reveal the degradation of brain networks as clinical symptoms of AD progress. Brier and coauthors have now analyzed functional connectivity MRI data with graph theory mathematical modeling to see whether they can predict future occurrence of AD. Graph theory assesses the properties of systems that can be modeled as sets of vertices (brain regions) and edges (functional connections) and then generates a summary of network properties with respect to segregation and integration. The authors combine graph theory modeling of rs-fcMRI, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and clinical examination to determine whether graph theory captures brain dynamics in AD and whether the same parameters are observed in preclinical disease. The authors demonstrate that graph theory analysis captures the deterioration in the brain not only in patients with symptomatic AD, but also in people before they show clinical symptoms. In addition, these changes in graph theory measures strongly correlate with advancing AD stage. These results raise hopes that mathematical algorithms could be used to diagnose AD without requiring a stressful lumbar puncture. M. R. Brier et al ., Functional connectivity and graph theory in preclinical Alzheimer's disease, Neurobiol. Aging , published online 18 October 2013 (10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.10.081). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458013005496