cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS IN THE RABBIT : VI. AFFECTIONS OF BONE, CARTILAGE, TENDONS, AND SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES. PART 1. LESIONS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM.

From a study of a series of rabbits inoculated with two old strains of Treponema pallidum, it was found that localized infection of bones and tendons was of frequent occurrence and led to the formation of a variety of lesions. The bones usually involved were those of the face and the feet and legs. Most often the lesions arose from the periosteum but developed also within the bone or marrow cavities and at lines of epiphyseal union. Grossly, the periosteal lesions were of two types-one being a circumscribed, indurated, and nodular mass and the other a process of a more diffuse character. Histologically, the lesions presented the typical appearance of syphilitic granulomata composed of more or less distinct layers which corresponded roughly with structural divisions of the periosteum. The composition of lesions of membrane and of cartilage bones differed somewhat in this respect, especially in the development of an osteoclastic layer. Invasion of the bone with absorption and necrosis were constant features of periosteal affections and were most marked in the case of the facial bones and the small bones of the feet. Lesions in the bone and marrow cavities were detected chiefly by radiographs or by the occurrence of bone destruction in the absence of periosteal involvement. They were characterized by a loss of structural detail in the bone, rarefication, increased fragility, necrosis, pathological fracture, and epiphyseal separation associated with more or less granulomatous reaction. Histologically, the bone lesions presented essentially the same picture as those of the periosteum, while the lesions which arose from the marrow cavities were composed chiefly of polyblastic infiltrations. In this group of affections, the most important were those which developed at the epiphyses. The destructive effects produced by all classes of lesions varied from a slight surface erosion or rarefication to extensive necrosis resulting in the formation of bony defects or in disintegration or fracture of the bone. These conditions differed very decidedly with the particular bones involved. Of especial importance in this connection was the occurrence of a peculiar form of mass necrosis which at times resulted in the destruction of considerable areas of bone even in parts where the granulomatous type of lesion was comparatively slight. The most characteristic injuries were the saddle-nose deformities and the epiphyseal separation in the small bones of the tarsus and hind feet. The marks of permanent injury were, on the whole, comparatively slight, but they also differed both with the degree of the original injury and with the bone affected. Granulomatous lesions of tendons or tendon sheaths were occasionally seen, and in a few instances, lesions of synovial cavities were demonstrated microscopically.
Study of CHF Condition for Flow Boiling of R134a in Circular Microchannels

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the CHF condition for flow boiling of R134a in single circular micro-tubes with inner diameters of 0.50 mm and 0.96 mm. The effects of mass flux, saturation pressure, inlet subcooling, tube diameter, and vapor quality on CHF were studied. The flow parameters investigated were as follows: exit pressures of 670, 890, and 1160 kPa; mass fluxes of 300–1500 kg/m2 s; and inlet subcooling of 5, 20, and 40 °C. CHF occurred under saturated conditions. CHF was found to increase with an increase in mass flux, tube diameter, and inlet subcooling. CHF decreased with increasing saturation pressures and increasing vapor qualities. The experimental data were compared to three CHF correlations — the Bowring correlation, the Katto-Ohno correlation, and the Thome correlation. The correlations predicted the correct experimental trend.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Woody plant communities along urban, suburban, and rural streams in Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Anthropogenic changes in land use and cover (LULC) in stream catchments can alter the composition of riparian plant communities, which can affect ecosystem functions of riparian areas and streams from local to landscape scales. We conducted a study to determine if woody plant species composition and abundance along headwater streams were correlated with categorical and continuous LULC and environmental variables along an urban-to-rural gradient. These variables were calculated at different spatial scales (subcatchment level and within 0.5 and 1 km radii of plots) and used % impervious surface cover (ISC) and finer scale LULC classification levels to determine their ability to explain species composition, diversity, abundance, non-native provenance and wetland indicator status of four plant strata—canopy tree, tree sapling, tree seedling and shrub. At all scales, we found distinct riparian woody communities within land-use categories, with significant differences among shrub species. Fine-scale land-cover variables correlated with species composition of shrub, tree sapling and tree seedling strata, but not the canopy tree stratum. Celtis occidentalis and Acer negundo were ubiquitous but dominated riparian areas surrounded by development, while Asimina triloba was associated with forested rural riparian banks. Non-native shrubs, Lonicera maackii and Euonymus alatus, were indicative of areas surrounded by development, while the native shrub, Lindera benzoin, was associated with deciduous forest. Negative factor-ceiling relationships between canopy tree, sapling and tree seedling densities and % ISC were found, with abrupt declines above approximately 30 % ISC. Facultative wetland shrubs were not found above 30 % ISC. Streambank height, which was strongly negatively correlated with depth to the water table and positively correlated with cumulative catchment area, was negatively correlated with facultative wetland tree and shrub species. In addition, riparian tree sapling and seedling densities declined as the abundance of Lonicera maackii increased.
The meditation chamber: a debriefing

During the Emerging Technologies exhibition at Siggraph 2001, over 400 attendees experienced The Meditation Chamber. This immersive, bio-interactive environment was designed to use visual, audio, and tactile cues to create, guide, and maintain a user's guided relaxation and meditation experience. During this sketch, the project's producers will discuss the design and implementation of this unique installation. We will also show footage from the experience and discuss the subjective relaxation measures and the GSR, heart rate and respiration data generated by 411 Siggraph attendees.
Cognition and Kinesiology: A Dual-Strategy Approach to Remembering Choreography

Dancers often have difficulty remembering choreography they see in a class or workshop. This project investigated strategies dancers can use to effectively learn choreography so that they will be more likely to perform it correctly in the future. Using the Nintendo Wii’s Just Dance video game, we developed and tested two new strategies designed to improve dancers’ abilities to cluster movements and organize choreography in ways that made it easier for dancers to remember (Hanna, 2008; Stinson, 1985). The results largely supported the hypothesis that providing dancers with organizational strategies can improve how well dancers remember choreography, a finding that may generalize to other forms of physical learning (e.g. yoga, martial arts, etc.) We conclude by suggesting that the incorporation of organizational strategies in dance-related games may improve usability, increase customer gratification, and maximize the potential health benefits of physical games related to increased physical activity and exer...
Solid Earth geophysics and satellites

Part of the frustrations in geophysics arise from the inability to adequately control the conditions for measurements and experiments. The earth is just too big to put into a conventional laboratory. Satellites provide a method of quickly-making geophysical measurements globally. Early measurements of the earth and its gravity field were obtained from tracking satellite orbits. This led to experiments such as the geodetic satellites Geos-1 and -2, which carried laser reflectors for improved tracking accuracy, and Geos-3, which included a radar altimeter to measure directly ocean surface height. Radar altimeter technology has been improved and was tested on Skylab and used on the Seasat mission. These altimeter data make it possible to define the position of the geoid with respect to the spheroid more accurately over the oceans than over much of the continental masses. Uncertainties of the geoid's position over the oceans are 1 m to 5 m averaged over 5° by 5° areas. These uncertainties arise from our inability to account for all the variables, such as currents and tides, and from the lack of adequate data in some localities. The NASA Gravsat mission could provide a geoid accurate to 10 cm. This accuracy would make it possible to use future radar altimeter missions to measure ocean surface changes that deviate from the geoid. An additional product of radar altimetry would be a gravity map of the world that would include both oceans and continents. The map would be accurate to 1 to 5 mgal averaged over 1° by 1° areas.
Magnetic resonance imaging in combination with helical computed tomography provides a safe and efficient method of cervical spine clearance in the obtunded trauma patient.

Background:Assessment of the cervical spine (c-spine) in the obtunded blunt trauma patient remains a diagnostic dilemma. In 2002, our institution implemented a new c-spine clearance guideline utilizing c-spine computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study evaluates the sa
Socrates and ontology: The evidence of the Hippias major

Aristotle notes with approval that Socrates did not separate the forms.2 By this he means, at least, that Socrates did not subscribe to the existence of forms separate from their particular instances, and implies that Socrates either did not admit forms into his ontology at all, or ceded them only the shadowy status of Aristotelian forms. Aristotle's testimony in this regard fits neatly with the evidence of Plato's earlier dialogues, which of all Plato's work seem most accurately to represent the historical Socrates.3 The Socrates we have from the early dialogues does not develop a theory of forms, though he talks frequently about forms, and evidently uses an unstated theory of forms in his dialectic.4 Unlike the Socrates of the middle dialogues, our Socrates does not argue explicitly for the separation of the forms,5 and does not obviously presuppose their separate existence in the process of his dialectic.6 The consensus of recent scholars writing in English on the matter is that the early dialogues treat forms as immanent in particular things.7 R. E. Allen has challenged this orthodoxy:
Properties and Opioid Inhibition of Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons Vary according to Target Location

The mesolimbic dopamine system, which mediates the rewarding properties of nearly all drugs of abuse, originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and sends major projections to both the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). To address whether differences occur between neurons that project to these separate areas, retrograde microspheres were injected to either the BLA or the NAc of DBA/2J mice. Whole-cell recordings were made from labeled VTA dopamine neurons. We found that identified neurons that projected to the BLA and NAc originated within different quadrants of the VTA with neither group exhibiting large-amplitude h-currents. Neurons that projected to the NAc exhibited a greater outward current in response to the kappa-opioid agonist (5alpha,7alpha,8alpha)-(+)-N-methyl-N-[7-(pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro [4,5]dec-8-yl]-benzeneacetamide (U69593; 200 nM), whereas neurons that projected to the BLA exhibited greater inhibition to the mu/delta opioid agonist [Met5] enkephalin (ME; 3 microM). In addition, we found that the presynaptic inhibition of GABAergic transmission at both GABAA and GABAB receptors was differentially regulated by U69593 between the two groups. When dopamine IPSCs were examined, U69593 caused a greater inhibition in NAc- than BLA-projecting neurons. ME had no effect on either. Finally, the regulation of extracellular dopamine by dopamine uptake transporters was equal across the VTA. These results suggest that opioids differentially inhibit mesolimbic neurons depending on their target projections. Identifying the properties of projecting mesolimbic VTA dopamine neurons is crucial to understanding the action of drugs of abuse.
Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the α and β conformers of trans-1,4-polyisoprene

Abstract Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) was used to study the two different conformers of trans natural rubber (NR). The α and β conformers of trans NR were observed to give different 13C chemical shifts. The relative magnitude and direction of the chemical shift for the methyl carbon on the β conformer are predicted by a steric perturbation model. The α conformer gave longer relaxation times than the β conformer. For this highly mobile semicrystalline polymer, spin diffusion was not a major contributer to the relaxation process.
Infrared reflectance of high altitude clouds

IR reflectance of cirrostratus and cirrus clouds and jet contrail measured by spectrometer on high altitude aircraft
Invasion of Bromus tectorum (L.) into California and the American Southwest: rapid, multi-directional and genetically diverse

The arrival and subsequent spread of the invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum into California and much of the American Southwest was documented by assembling the grass’s early regional collection history in conjunction with analysis of its genetic variation at 25 allozyme loci within 60 widely separated populations. Herbarium records collected ca. 1900, coupled with the distribution of multilocus genotypes, substantiate the view that the invasion of B. tectorum into our study area was rapid, multi-directional, and genetically diverse. The invasion in California and the American Southwest appears to have followed three distinct pathways: (1) direct introduction from native range populations (e.g., the Pgi-2b multilocus genotype), (2) range expansion as descendants of populations in Eastern North America migrated westward (e.g., Pgm-1a and Pgm-2a), and (3) separate introduction(s) into Northern California and Southern Arizona from the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Got-4c). Populations in California and the American Southwest have, on average, lower genetic diversity (A = 1.03, %P = 3.27 and Hexp = 0.007) compared with populations from other regions in North America. Most of this genetic diversity however is partitioned within populations rather than among populations (GST = 0.277). For an introduced species with a broad invasive range, such as B. tectorum in North America, our results indicate that multiple pathways likely contributed to its current (and potentially expanding) geographic distribution.
Wall Flows in a Cyclone Separator: A Description of Internal Phenomena

Liquid-like dense layers of particles are formed on the walls of cyclone separators and on the bottom of pneumatic conveying channels. Such layers exhibit complex wave forms, and in the case of a cyclone arrange themselves in spiral dunes. Since particles centrifuged to the wall must leave a cyclone via wall layer flow, the nature of this flow affects performance, especially under conditions of high loading and maximum separation efficiency. Studies of this fluidized state and conditions for its existence indicate that density is governed by random particle velocities and by prevailing pressure. First-order expressions, describing the mechanics of fluidized layers maintained by a strong shear stress when there is a transverse force on the particles, are developed. A description of associated internal phenomena and a detailed analysis of performance parameters are also presented. * For presentation at the First International Aerosol Conference, Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 17–21, 1984.
The GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor: implications for the molecular basis of anxiety.

ANXIETY IS a behavioral state common to everyday life. Anxiety can be conceived as the cognitive manifestation of an ‘alarming’ or ‘alerting’ system serving to prepare the organism for ensuing danger, the so-called ‘fight or flight’ reaction. In this way anxiety is akin to arousal and may provide an adaptive function for many species (DARWIN, 1965). However, when anxiety becomes severe or prolonged it is considered pathological. Anxiety disorders (e.g., panic, generalized, phobic, obsessive-compulsive) are the most common of all psychiatric disorders in the United States today. As a group, anxiety disorders have a lifetime prevalence rate of between 10% and 25% (ROBINS et al., 1984) and a sixmonth prevalence rate of between 6% and 15% (MYERS et al., 1984). In addition, anxiety disorders result in significant levels of morbidity. This point was recently highlighted in a report by WEISSMAN and colleagues (1989), who reported that 20% of patients with panic disorder attempted suicide, a rate of suicide that significantly exceeds that found among other psychiatric disorders. Moreover, anxiety is a prominent component of nearly all psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, affective illness, alcoholism, and Parkinson’s disease, suggesting that the neurobiologic mechanisms responsible for anxiety may also be involved in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders. Given the high population prevalences and significant levels of morbidity associated with anxiety, it is not surprising that anti-anxiety drugs are among the most widely used of all medications. Anti-anxiety agents are the fourth most frequently prescribed class of medications, with over 55 million prescriptions written for benzodiazepines in the United States alone in 1989. Despite the pervasiveness of anxiety disorders and the extensive use of anti-anxiety drugs, until recently little was known about the neurobiology of anxiety or the mechanisms of action of anti-anxiety agents. Our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of anti-anxiety agents now exceeds our understanding of the mechanisms of action of most other psychotropic medications, and these findings have also provided valuable clues as to potential neurobiologic substrates of anxiety itself.
Double-pulse laser ablation coupled to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Abstract Laser ablation coupled to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LA-LIBS) is an analytical method, which minimizes sample matrix effects typically found in quantitative LIBS-based direct solid analyses. This paper reports the application of double-pulse laser ablation (DP-LA) to improve the analyte response and the achievable precisions of LA-LIBS. Two coaxial laser beams were applied at the ablation site and the analytical signals were then collected from a second free-standing LIBS plasma downstream of the ablation site. Signal improvements of up to one order of magnitude were observed compared to single-pulse LA-LIBS. The effect of the interpulse delay on the observed signal-to-noise ratios was studied and the quantification capabilities of the optimized DP-LA-LIBS setup were investigated for manganese and iron in a broad range of different alloy types. A linear response was observed for manganese across the different matrices, allowing for nonmatrix-matched calibrations. Matrix effects were observed when analyzing aluminum samples, which, however, could be compensated for by applying iron as internal standard. Size distributions of the ablated material and electron density measurements provide additional insight into the double-pulse process, with additional future work suggested.
Degradation of the Alzheimer's Amyloid β Peptide by Endothelin-converting Enzyme

Deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain is an early and invariant feature of all forms of Alzheimer's disease. As with any secreted protein, the extracellular concentration of Aβ is determined not only by its production but also by its catabolism. A major focus of Alzheimer's research has been the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the generation of Aβ. Much less, however, is known about the mechanisms responsible for Aβ removal in the brain. In this report, we describe the identification of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) as a novel Aβ-degrading enzyme. We show that treatment of endogenous ECE-expressing cell lines with the metalloprotease inhibitor phosphoramidon causes a 2–3-fold elevation in extracellular Aβ concentration that appears to be due to inhibition of intracellular Aβ degradation. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of ECE-1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells, which lack endogenous ECE activity, reduces extracellular Aβ concentration by up to 90% and that this effect is completely reversed by treatment of the cells with phosphoramidon. Finally, we show that recombinant soluble ECE-1 is capable of hydrolyzing synthetic Aβ40 and Aβ42 in vitro at multiple sites.
Density and extra-pair fertilizations in birds: a comparative analysis

Moller and Birkhead (1992, 1993) reported that extra-pair copulations (EPCs) occur more frequently in colonial than dispersed nesting birds. We comprehensively reviewed published data to investigate how breeding density affects extra-pair fertilizations (EPFs). Within species EPFs appeared to increase with density: two of three studies on colonial breeders and six of eight on dispersed nesters showed increases in EPFs with increasing density. However, comparisons among species (n = 72) revealed no evidence that EPF frequencies correlated with (1) nesting dispersion, (2) local breeding density, or (3) breeding synchrony, even when each of these variables in turn was held constant and phylogenetic relationships were taken into account via contrast analyses. Methodological and biological reasons for the disparity between observational studies of EPCs and molecular genetic analyses of EPFs are discussed.
Matrix compliance and RhoA direct the differentiation of mammary progenitor cells

The regenerative capacity of the mammary gland following post-lactational involution depends on the presence of multipotent stem or progenitor cells. Mammary progenitor cells exist as a quiescent and self-renewing population capable of differentiating into luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells and generating ductal and alveolar structures. The fate choices of these cells are regulated by several soluble signals as well as their surrounding extracellular matrix. Whereas matrix stiffness has been implicated in organ-specific differentiation of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells, the effects of substratum compliance on the more limited fate switches typical of tissue-specific progenitor cells are unknown. Here, we examined how the mechanical properties of the microenvironment affect the differentiation of mammary progenitor cells. Immortalized human mammary progenitor cells were cultured on synthetic hydrogels of varying stiffness, and their self-renewal and fate decisions were quantified. We found that cells cultured on soft substrata differentiated preferentially into luminal epithelial cells, whereas those cultured on stiff substrata differentiated preferentially into myoepithelial cells. Furthermore, pharmacological manipulations of cytoskeletal tension in conjunction with analysis of gene expression revealed that mechanical properties of the microenvironment signal through the small GTPase RhoA and cytoskeletal contractility to modulate the differentiation of mammary progenitor cells. These data suggest that subtle variations in the mechanical compliance of a tissue can direct the fate decisions of its resident progenitor cells.
Once-Weekly Exenatide: An Extended-Duration Glucagon-Like Peptide Agonist for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes affects over 25 million people in the United States. There are many treatment options for patients with type 2 diabetes, but current treatments must be administered on a daily basis. Once-weekly exenatide, an extended-duration glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, provides an option for patients to take a drug weekly, with pharmacotherapeutic effects that are superior to twice-daily exenatide and sitagliptin and comparable to insulin glargine. The DURATION trials provide evidence that once-weekly exenatide reduces hemoglobin A1c , and may result in weight loss. Once-weekly exenatide is marketed as a 2-mg injection administered subcutaneously once every 7 days. Adverse effects of once-weekly exenatide include gastrointestinal effects, hypoglycemia, injection-site reactions, pancreatitis, and antibody development. Patients with a self history or family history of thyroid tumors should avoid using once-weekly exenatide. Delayed gastric absorption with orally administered drugs is possible, and monitoring should occur to avoid loss in therapeutic effect. Once-weekly exenatide is a new extended-duration agent with efficacy and tolerability profiles comparative to older therapies. Appropriate patients for once-weekly exenatide would be those who are concerned about weight gain, hypoglycemia, or those who do not wish to administer injections daily.
Phylogenetic analysis of Melon chlorotic leaf curl virus from Guatemala: Another emergent species in the Squash leaf curl virus clade

The genome of a new bipartite begomovirus Melon chlorotic leaf curl virus from Guatemala (MCLCuV-GT) was cloned and the genome sequence was determined. The virus causes distinct symptoms on melons that were not previously observed in melon crops in Guatemala or elsewhere. Phylogenetic analysis of MCLCuV-GT and begomoviruses infecting cucurbits and other host plant species indicated that its closest relative was MCLCuV from Costa Rica (MCLCuV-CR). The DNA-A components of two isolates shared 88.8% nucleotide identity, making them strains of the same species. Further, both MCLCuV-GT and MCLCuV-CR grouped with other Western Hemisphere cucurbit-infecting species in the SLCV-clade making them the most southerly cucurbit-infecting members of the clade to date. Although the common region of the cognate components of MCLCuV-GT and MCLCuV-CR, shared ∼96.3% nucleotide identity. While DNA-A and DNA-B components of MCLCuV-GT were less than 86% nucleotide identity with the respective DNA-A and DNA-B common regions of MCLCuV-CR. The late viral genes of the two strains shared the least nt identity ( 90%). The collective evidence suggests that these two strains of MCLCuV are evolutionarily divergent owing in part to recombination, but also due to the accumulation of a substantial number of mutations. In addition they are differentially host-adapted, as has been documented for other cucurbit-infecting, bean-adapted, species in the SLCV clade.
WR-2,721: Enhanced chemoprotection by increasing cyclophosphamide activation with phenobarbitol☆

Abstract In the animal model, WR-2721 protects the bone marrow against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide (CYC) and nitrogen mustard (NH 2 ) by factors of 1.5–2.4 and 3.2–4.6, respectively. NH 2 is rapidly metabolized within minutes, while CYC is activated slowly over hours by the hepatic mixed function oxidases. The prolonged half-life of CYC may account for the reduced chemoprotection as compared to NH 2 . Phenobarbitol (PB) pretreatment significantly shortens the half-life of CYC in man and in the rat model. Thus, pretreatment with PB, by inducing hepatic microsomal enzymes, may enhance chemoprotection with WR-2721. Experiments were performed to determine: (1) The effect of PB pretreatment on the clearance of WR-2721; (2) Whether WR-2721 protects against CYC myelotoxicity measured by daily leukocyte counts; (3) Whether PB increases chemoprotection with WR-2721 and CYC. Female Fisher rats were pretreated with daily PB 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip) for four days prior to the administration of 100 mg/kg CYC ip with and without WR-2721 200 mg/kg ip. Controls received saline ip in place of PB on the same schedule. CYC levels and alkylating activity were measured at 15, 30, 60, and 180 minutes after CYC. Serum and tissue levels of WR-2721 were assayed by radiolabel technique. Following CYC, daily WBC were obtained for 10 days at which point all counts had returned to baseline. The mean WBC during the period of leukopenia was 1091 /mm 3 with CYC alone; 2587/ mm 3 with WR-2721 + CYC; 1436/mm 3 with PB + CYC; and 3493/ mm 3 with PB + WR-2721 + CYC. PB may increase the acute toxicity of WR-2721 as judged by hypothermic response. PB had minimal effects on serum and tissue levels of WR-2721. PB appears to enhance WR-2721's chemoprotection against myelosuppression from CYC by hastening marrow recovery and decreasing the extent of leukopenia.
Boreholes in Devonian blastoids and their implications for boring by platyceratids

Complete, circular holes found on the thecae of 51 specimens of Devonian nucleocrinid blastoids are interpreted as biogenic in origin. Their morphology, their stereotyped position on the theca, and the lack of multiple borings, suggest that they represent predation or parasitism. Platyceratid gastropods are presumed to be the borers because (1) they occur in the same localities as the bored blastoids, (2) they have been found on thecae of other blastoids, and (3) their boring abilities have been previously demonstrated. □Paleozoic boreholes, platyceratids, blastoids, gastropod drilling.
Association of Mobility Limitations With Health Care Satisfaction and Use of Preventive Care: A Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract Hoffman JM, Shumway-Cook A, Yorkston KM, Ciol MA, Dudgeon BJ, Chan L. Association of mobility limitations with health care satisfaction and use of preventive care: a survey of Medicare beneficiaries. Objective To examine the association between satisfaction with health care, the use of preventive health care, and mobility limitation. Design Cross-sectional analysis of survey data. Setting Community. Participants A total of 12,769 people, age greater than 65, who participated in the 2001 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Self-report of mobility limitation, satisfaction, and use of preventive health care (immunizations, cancer screening). Sampling weights were used in all analyses, including logistic regression for survey data, to calculate estimates for a Medicare population of 31 million. Results After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, Medicare beneficiaries with mobility limitations were significantly more dissatisfied with their health care compared with beneficiaries without mobility limitations. Receipt of preventive care did not differ for those with and without mobility limitation on some preventive services. Conclusions Mobility limitation is highly associated with dissatisfaction with health care among older adult beneficiaries. Although Medicare beneficiaries may receive similar rates of preventive care, those with mobility limitation may have more difficulty accessing services and be more dissatisfied with their health care in general.
U4 small nuclear RNA pseudogenes from rat genome have common truncated 3'-ends.

Abstract Four U4 RNA pseudogenes were isolated and characterized from a rat genomic bank. The four pseudogenes contained sequences completely homologous to U4 RNA from nucleotides 1 to 67 and had common truncated 3′-ends. Three of the four pseudogenes were flanked by 14 to 18 nucleotide-long direct repeats. The structural features of these four U4 RNA pseudogenes are consistent with the hypothesis that these pseudogenes arose by RNA self-primed complementary DNA synthesis and integration into the genome (Van Arsdell et al. , Cell 26 : 11–17, 1981) .
Demagnetising field and magnetoelastic-wave delay in an axially magnetised y.i.g. rod

The determination of the demagnetising field of an axially magnetised yttrium-iron-garnet rod by a magnetoelastic-resonance method is described. It is shown that the measurements also enable the delay of a magnetoelastic wave to be calculated and that agreement with the observed delay is obtained.
Full-Matrix Analysis of the Error Propagation in Two-Dimensional Chemical-Exchange and Cross-Relaxation Spectroscopy

Abstract Propagation of errors in a multispin system, from the experimental peak volumes into magnetization-exchange (cross relaxation or chemical exchange) rates, was calculated analytically. An explicit expression was derived for the error propagator. The error for each magnetization-exchange rate constant has a minimum, with the position dependent on the structure of the exchange network. Error analysis allows optimization of the mixing time for arbitrarily complex exchange systems. In cross-relaxation spectroscopy, the error analysis provides the upper and the lower boundaries of calculated interproton distances for all spin pairs. These limits differ throughout the molecule for the same distance. The differences are a consequence of the spin diffusion, which the present analysis fully takes into account.
A Model Selection Approach to Real-Time Macroeconomic Forecasting Using Linear Models and Artificial Neural Networks

We take a model selection approach to the question of whether a class of adaptive prediction models (artificial neural networks) is useful for predicting future values of nine macroeconomic variables. We use a variety of out-of-sample forecast-based model selection criteria, including forecast error measures and forecast direction accuracy. Ex ante or real-time forecasting results based on rolling window prediction methods indicate that multivariate adaptive linear vector autoregression models often outperform a variety of (1) adaptive and nonadaptive univariate models, (2) nonadaptive multivariate models, (3) adaptive nonlinear models, and (4) professionally available survey predictions. Further, model selection based on the in-sample Schwarz information criterion apparently fails to offer a convenient shortcut to true out-of-sample performance measures.
The DataIndex: a structure for smaller, faster data warehouses

In this paper we present DataIndexes, a family of design strategies for data warehouses to support OnLine Analytical Processing (OLAP). As the name implies, DataIndexes are both a storage structure for the warehoused relational data and an indexing scheme to provide fast access to that data. We present two simple DataIndexes: the Basic DataIndex (BDI), which can be used for any attribute and the Join DataIndex (JDI), which is used for foreign-key attributes. Either structure can be shown to significantly improve query response times in most cases. And, since they serve as indexes as well as the store of base data, DataIndexes actually define a physical design strategy for a data warehouse where the indexing, for all intents and purposes, comes for "free."
Retinoic Acid and Environmental Enrichment Alter Subventricular Zone and Striatal Neurogenesis after Stroke

Neurogenesis increases in the adult rodent forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) after experimental stroke. Newborn neurons migrate to the injured striatum, but few survive long-term and little evidence exists to suggest that they integrate or contribute to functional recovery. One potential strategy to improve stroke recovery is to stimulate neurogenesis and integration of adult-born neurons by using treatments that enhance neurogenesis. We examined the influence of retinoic acid (RA), which stimulates neonatal SVZ and adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and environmental enrichment (EE), which enhances survival of adult-born hippocampal neurons. We hypothesized that the combination of RA and EE would promote survival of adult-generated SVZ-derived neurons and improve functional recovery after stroke. Adult rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, received BrdU on days 5-11 after stroke and were treated with RA/EE, RA alone, EE/vehicle or vehicle alone and were killed 61 days after stroke. Rats underwent repeated MRI and behavioral testing. We found that RA/EE treatment preserved striatal and hemisphere tissue and increased SVZ neurogenesis as demonstrated by Ki67 and doublecortin (DCx) immunolabeling. All treatments influenced the location of BrdU- and DCx-positive cells in the post-stroke striatum. RA/EE increased the number of BrdU/NeuN-positive cells in the injured striatum but did not lead to improvements in behavioral function. These results demonstrate that combined pharmacotherapy and behavioral manipulation enhances post-stroke striatal neurogenesis and decreases infarct volume without promoting detectable functional recovery. Further study of the integration of adult-born neurons in the ischemic striatum is necessary to determine their restorative potential.
Advanced MEG Source Analysis for Epileptogenic Focus Localization in Patients with Non-Lesional MRI

Accurate determination of the epileptogenic focus can be challenging, especially when electroencephalography (EEG) and/or imaging studies (e.g. MRI) are inconclusive. A significant number of patients who undergo presurgical MEG testing have neocortical epilepsy with normal (non-lesional) MRI. The methodology we developed first identifies potential current sources in the brain that could account for the spontaneous MEG signals that are recorded in the sensor space, and subsequently measures directional information flow in the space of the identified current dipole sources. Applying this methodology to the interictal MEG recordings from two patients with neocortical epilepsy and non-lesional MRIs, who were seizure-free at least 6 months after surgery and resection of their epileptogenic focus, we were able to correctly localize the focus irrespectively of the presence or absence of interictal epileptic spikes in the data. It is anticipated that the promise of the proposed methodology to noninvasively identify the location of obscure neocortical epileptogenic foci, a yet unfulfilled goal for many patients with focal epilepsy and normal MRIs, could lead to a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy by decreasing the need for prolonged hospitalization, improving selection of surgical candidates, and guiding the placement of intracranial electrodes when needed.
Yin-Yang regulation of prostaglandins and nitric oxide by PGD2 in human arthritis: Reversal by celecoxib ☆

The role of PGD2 has been recognized in allergy, innate immunity and inflammation. Western blot analysis identified 21 kDa lipocalin (L)-prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) synthase (S) in human osteoarthritis (OA)-affected cartilage, whose expression was increased by IL-1β and TNFα. Similarly, PGD2 was spontaneously released by human OA-affected cartilage (and upregulated by IL-β) in ex vivo conditions and could be inhibited by indomethacin. Addition of PGD2 to human OA-affected cartilage significantly increased accumulation of PGE2, PGF1α, PGF2α, TXB2, but inhibited LTB4 and nitric oxide (NO) accumulation. Similarly, PGD2 (but not 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGD2) augmented IL-1β induced PGE2 but inhibited IL-β induced nitric oxide (NO) in human chondrocytes. Celecoxib (10 μM) inhibits COX-1 mediated PGD2, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mediated NO in human OA-affected cartilage. Furthermore, celecoxib (1 μM) counter balances (IL-1β induced+PGD2 modulated) levels of NO and PGE2 in human OA-affected cartilage and chondrocytes to basal levels. These results show concentration-dependent, pro- and anti-inflammatory activity of PGD2 in human chondrocytes and cartilage, which can be neutralized by celecoxib. In view of the broad prostaglandin dependent and independent mechanism of action of celecoxib, these observations further reaffirm the broader role of celecoxib as a "Disease Modifying Drug" for human Osteoarthritis.
Coming to Terms, Depression, and Relationship Satisfaction for Native Americans in Intimate Relationships

This study examined the relationships between childhood family of origin (FOO) adversities, coming to terms with them, and adult intimate relationship satisfaction for Native American individuals. The sample consisted of 186 self-identified Native American individuals in committed relationships. The data for this study was collected from the RELATE assessment (see www.relate-institute.org). Results from structural equation modeling indicated that coming to terms buffered the negative effects of childhood family of origin adversities on depression and relationship quality. Results also suggest that coming to terms may help Native American individuals deal with FOO adversity and improve intimate relationship quality. Coming to terms with childhood FOO adversity should be considered in the treatment of Native American individuals in intimate relationships. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
The structure at 198 K of (1R,5R,15R,16R)-5-isopropenyl-2-methyl- 1-[N-(trans-2-phenylcyclohexyloxycarbonyl)amino]-2-cyclohexene.

trans-2-Phenylcyclohexyl N-(5-isopropenyl-2-methyl-2-cyclohexan-1-yl) carbamate, C23H31NO2, Mr = 353.50, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 8.813 (2), b = 9.043 (2), c = 25.643 (5) A, V = 2043.6 (8) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.15 g cm-3 (198 K), Mo K alpha radiation, lambda = 0.7107 A, mu = 0.6734 cm-1, F(000) = 768, T = 198 K, R = 0.0547 for 1772 reflections [Fo greater than or equal to 4 sigma(Fo)]. Molecules are H-bonded into infinite columns parallel to a. The H bond involves the NH group and the carbonyl O atom of the carbamate moiety with relevant parameters: N11-H11...O13 (related by 1/2 + x, 1/2 - y, - z); N...O 2.910 (5), H...O 2.11 (5) A, N-H...O 159 (4) degrees.
State Discretion in Ftderal Categorical Assistance Programs: the Case of Medicaid

Categorical assistance programs to date have provided the most common method for transterring public funds from the federal government to states and localities. This study develops a model for a representative voter-taxpayer in which income redistribution is viewed as a public good. The model yields several unambiguous predictions about the effect of selected exogenous variables, including taxpayer income, the number of poor persons in the state, and the federal matching proportion for Medicaid (which varies by state) on the amount the Medicaid program pays doctors per procedure. An alternative view is that Medicaid payments are determined largely by interactions among government bureaucracies, private insurance carriers serving as fiscal agents for Medicaid, and physicians. Explanatory variables consistent with the bureaucratic view are included in some regressions. The most important result is that the federal matching proportion has a substantial impact on generosity of state Medicaid programs.
Personality, health, and aging: prolegomenon for the next generation

Abstract The effect of personality characteristics on physical health continues to be an important topic in personality psychology, behavioral medicine, and health psychology. A more definitive methodological approach to the topic has evolved in recent years, emphasizing prospective designs, well-validated measures of personality, and unambiguous health outcomes. Further, this research is increasingly based on more detailed, physiologically plausible models of the possible mechanisms linking personality and health. Yet, one valuable perspective, life span development, has been relatively absent. As a guide to the next generation of studies on personality and health, we review conceptual and methodological issues, emphasizing the potential role of the life span perspective. We also illustrate these issues by reviewing recent reach on three personality characteristics studied as risk factors for physical disease—hostility, neuroticism, and optimism. The strengths of current personality and health research, recent developments in personality psychology, and the concepts and methods of life span approaches can be combined to construct a more complete and useful account of personality's effects on health and disease.
Nondirectly perturbable systems

Abstract Under general conditions systems whose states are not directly accessible by external perturbations are considered. Those systems, although fully controllable in some situations, can become uncontrollable due to the perturbations induced by the control. An example of a system that displays such a behavior is given, as well as an application to biochemistry. This application to biochemistry is derived from the uncertainity induced by two consecutive measurements of an observable of a nondirectly perturbable system.
Regularities of structure formation in diamond−Fe–Cu–Ni–Sn–CrB2 systems

We study specific features of the formation of micro- and nanostructures in diamond−Fe–Cu–Ni–Sn–CrB2 composite materials obtained by sintering in the molds placed in a muffle furnace with subsequent hot post-pressing. We also clarify the mechanisms contributing to the improvement of the mechanical properties of these composites depending on the technological modes of their production.
A simple formulation of the delta-four-stream approximation for radiative transfer parameterizations

A systematic development of the delta-four-stream approximation for calculations of radiative fluxes in planetary atmosphere is presented. It is shown that an analytic solution for this approximation can be derived explicitly, with minimum computational effort for flux calculations. Relative accuracy checks for reflection, transmission, and absorption for numerous asymmetry factors, single-scattering albedos, optical depths, and solar zenith angles have been performed with respect to the 'exact' results computed from the adding method for radiative transfer. Overall, results from the delta-four-stream approximation yield relative accuracies within about 5 percent. This approximation is well suited to radiative transfer parameterizations involving flux and heating calculations in aerosol and cloudy atmospheres.
Lactosylated poly-l-lysine targets a potential lactose receptor in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells

Poly-L-lysine with 40% of the epsilon -amino groups substituted with lactosyl residues facilitated the internalization of lactosylated poly-L-lysine/cDNA complexes into cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF airway epithelial cells. It was previously shown that lactosylated poly-L-lysine enhanced the transfer of cDNA into the cell nucleus, resulting in transfection. The cell entry of lactosylated poly-L-lysine/cDNA complexes, however, has not been elucidated and we hypothesized that entry of the complex was by receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is shown here that binding of the vector/cDNA complexes to the cell membrane was inhibited by lactose but not N-acetyl glucosamine. Examination by electron microscopy revealed the complexes in clathrin-coated pits. Furthermore, the complexes colocalized with transferrin during cell entry and were shown in early endosomes. These results demonstrated that lactosylated poly-L-lysine/cDNA complexes enter airway epithelial cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis utilizing lactose-binding receptors, which employ the clathrin-coated pit for internalization. Taken together with the fact that nuclear translocation also is enhanced by lactose, these results demonstrate why lactosylated poly-L-lysine is an excellent vector for transfection of airway epithelial cells. Moreover, other carbohydrates covalently linked to poly-L-lysine for targeting other specific cell types, combined with lactosyl residues, can be designed for the development of other molecular conjugates for gene transfer.
New estimates for the Laplacian, the div-curl, and related Hodge systems

Abstract We establish new estimates for the Laplacian, the div–curl system, and more general Hodge systems in arbitrary dimension, with an application to minimizers of the Ginzburg–Landau energy. To cite this article: J. Bourgain, H. Brezis, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).
Endothelial cells: they only look all alike

In this issue, Morigi and colleagues (page [1828][1]) provide experimental evidence that delineates a pathogenetic mechanism for the postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome of children. Their findings suggest that the localization of platelet thrombi in the arteriolar circulation and capillaries, as