cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A hospital system's response to a hurricane offers lessons, including the need for mandatory interfacility drills.

This case study explores the lessons learned when the North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System, a large, integrated health network in New York, evacuated three hospitals at high risk of flooding from Hurricane Irene in August 2011. The episode resulted in the evacuation, transport, and placement of 947 patients without any resulting deaths or serious injuries. This case demonstrates the utility of having in place a functional evacuation plan, such as the one North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System developed through its own full-scale exercises in the years following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In those drills, the health system discovered that it needed to abandon its 1:1 matching of patients to available beds in the region in favor of the group transport of patients with similar needs to facilities that could accommodate them. Despite its overall success, the system identified the need for internal improvements, including automated patient tracking through the use of bar-coded wristbands and iden...
Asymmetrically loaded portal frames

Abstract The nonlinear analysis of a symmetric portal frame, loaded asymmetrically by eccentric concentrated loads, is presented. The study primarily emphasizes certain important parametric studies. These include the effect of bar slenderness ratio and of load eccentricity (asymmetric) on the frame response characteristics. Moreover, the effect of support rotational restraint stiffness on the sway buckling load is also assessed. One of the important conclusions is that the effect of bar slenderness ratio on the nondimensionalized response is extremely small.
Paranormal beliefs, schizotypy, and thinking styles among teachers and future teachers

This study examines the psychological correlates of paranormal beliefs among teachers and teachers in training. Teachers are a population of special interest because they may transmit paranormal beliefs to their students. Teacher paranormal beliefs were found to be correlated with cognitive perceptual and disorganized schizotypal thinking and intuitive thinking styles. The overall pattern of the correlations suggests that intuitive thinking style and schizotypal thinking contribute independently to paranormal belief. This study confirms the findings of Wolfradt, Oubaid, Straube, Bischoff, and Mischo (1999) of a statistically significant difference in paranormal belief between thinking style groups, although the effect size was small.
Autoimmune thyroid disease, left-handedness, and developmental dyslexia

Autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) (Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) has been one of a number of autoimmune diseases possibly associated with left-handedness, mixed dominance, and learning disability. In the present study, 74 men with ATD were compared to 24 control men with non-ATD. An increased frequency of mixed dominance and traits suggestive of dyslexia were observed in the patients with ATD. These data are consistent with a link between the development of ATD and cerebral dominance.
Analysis of bacterial Chemotaxis in flowing water

Abstract Chemotactic behavior by bacterial populations is studied using a mathematical model to analyze the response of swimming bacteria to a pulse of chemotactic attractant injected into flowing water. Experiments by Walsh and Mitchell are discussed using this model, and it is shown the experimental results can be understood in terms of the predictions of the model. The observations are consistent with biased random swimming by the bacteria. The model also makes predictions of the results of new experiments which are suggested for future research.
A possible relationship between catecholamines and acute toxicity of desipramine.

Acute toxicity of desipramine in mice was shown to be influenced by other drugs. Pretreatment with reserpine but not with chlorpromazine, disulfiram, or p-chlorophenylalanine protected mice against desipramine toxicity. Reserpine protection was reversed by dopa or dopa and disulfiram but not by methyldopa or 5-hydroxytryptophan. These results suggested a relationship between catecholamines and desipramine toxicity.
Valuing socio‐diversity

The loss of bio‐diversity has received increasing attention as one of the most serious environmental threats we face. Yet not only biodiversity is being lost at staggering rates, socio‐diversity is being lost as well. Sociodiversity is defined as the various social and economic arrangements by which people organize their societies, particularly the underlying assumptions, goals, values and social behaviours guiding these arrangements. Just as the loss of bio‐diversity has focused attention on the interface between human socio‐economic and ecological systems, so too can the interaction between these systems give us insights into the reasons for the loss of diversity in socio‐economic systems. Examines the assumptions and valuation concepts underlying economic theory and the ways in which mainline economic theory contributes to the loss of socio‐economic diversity. The analysis draws on ecologically relevant concepts and proposes that the base for economic theory and valuation be expanded to include five ca...
Frequency interactions in high-temperature fatigue crack growth in superalloys

The influence of high frequency loading on the subsequent low frequency crack growth behavior in nickel-based alloy 718 in laboratory air environment at 923 K has been investigated through the use of a sequential high/low frequency load waveform. The parameters that have been examined include the crack growth rate, fracture surface morphology, and slip line density at and below the fracture surface. Results of this study indicate that prior application of high frequency loading results in reduction of the subsequent low frequency crack growth rate. An attempt is made to interpret this type of modification as being a result of the crack tip condi- tioning through the increase in the slip line density during the high frequency part of the loading cycle. Furthermore, by linking the type of selective oxide formed at the crack tip to the degree of deformation in the crack tip zone, a correlation has been made between the increase in the slip line density in the crack tip zone during the preceding high frequency loading and the increase of the crack resistance to environment degradation effects during the subsequent low frequency loading.
Ozone hole smaller than last year

The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk 30 percent as compared with last year's record size, according to measurements made by the European Space Agency's Envisat satellite. This year's ozone loss peaked at 27.7 million tons, compared with the 2006 record ozone loss of 40 million tons, ESA indicated on 3 October.
A case study of turbulence in the stable nocturnal boundary layer

Velocity and signal intensity data during stable conditions in the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) were obtained with a minisodar on two consecutive nights with similar mean conditions. There was little turbulence activity during the first night, but during the second night, continuous background Kelvin-Helmholtz waves and instabilities having a 2-min period grew and penetrated above the mean NBL height at approximately 60-min intervals. Enhanced ozone concentrations at the surface occurred during the active periods even though most mean meteorological parameters were unchanged. Vertical profiles of vertical velocity standard deviation, dissipation rate, and temperature variance destruction rate in the NBL were measured and analyzed separately according to levels of turbulence activity. Well-defined differences between inactive and active periods of a factor of two to four were found for each parameter. The temperature structure parameter flux was large and in opposite directions in the upper and lower part of the NBL during active periods of turbulence, but small during other periods.
An Improved Coefficient Calculator for the California Energy Commission 6 Parameter Photovoltaic Module Model

This paper describes an improved algorithm for calculating the six parameters required by the California Energy Commission (CEC) photovoltaic (PV) Calculator module model. Rebate applications in California require results from the CEC PV model, and thus depend on an up-to-date database of module characteristics. Currently, adding new modules to the database requires calculating operational coefficients using a general purpose equation solver - a cumbersome process for the 300+ modules added on average every month. The combination of empirical regressions and heuristic methods presented herein achieve automated convergence for 99.87% of the 5487 modules in the CEC database and greatly enhance the accuracy and efficiency by which new modules can be characterized and approved for use. The added robustness also permits general purpose use of the CEC/6 parameter module model by modelers and system analysts when standard module specifications are known, even if the module does not exist in a preprocessed database.
Real-time crosscorrelation with linear f.m. surface-acoustic-wave filters

A real-time crosscorrelator using large time-bandwidth-product acoustic-surface-wave linear f.m. reflective array filters is demonstrated. Crosscorrelation is achieved by a hardware implementation of the Fourier correlation theorem. Input analogue data are processed at an 8 MHz rate in 40 μs samples. Hundreds of megahertz of bandwidth are possible with currently developed surface-wave components.
Biochemical Profiles following Aspirin Administration in Reye's Syndrome Patients and Controls

Is aspirin an important factor in the pathogenesis of Reye's syndrome (RS)? We have challenged 11 control individuals (C), 5 first degree relatives of RS patients (FR) and two patients who have recovered from RS (RS-1 & RS-2) with standard doses of aspirin for 12 hrs. (600 mg. q 4 hrs.) while fasting. There were no differences in the preaspirin and postaspirin concentrations of ammonia, glucose, AST, or LDH in the RS patients compared to the controls. However, both RS patients showed increased lactate, decreased pyruvate, and decreased β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations following the aspirin challenge while controls showed an opposite trend as illustrated below: These biochemical differences in the RS patients compared to controls suggest an altered cytosolic redox state which is also an indirect index of mitochondrial function. One interpretation of these preliminary observations is that individuals who develop RS may be susceptible to mitochondrial injury when exposed to aspirin during fasting.
Purification and properties of an α-amylase from facultative thermophilic bacteria

Abstract Conditions for the production and purification of α-amylase from a strain of Bacillus coagulans and a strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus , following growth at 35 and 55 °C. have been determined. The procedure followed for the purification of the enzyme preparations resulted in a 450–600-fold increase in enzyme activity. A comparison of various properties of the amylase preparations showed that the only significant difference in the preparations produced at 35 °C. and those produced at 55 °C. was in the thermal stability at 90 °C. The 55 °C. preparations showed only a 6–10% reduction in activity after 1 hr., whereas the 35 °C. preparations showed a 90–92 % reduction in 1 hr.
A randomized trial of a family-based smoking prevention intervention in managed care.

Abstract Background Each day more than 2000 youth under age 18 become daily smokers and the age of tobacco initiation has been going down. Health care settings can partner with families to encourage parent–child interactions that prevent youth tobacco use. This study evaluates a smoking prevention intervention package for parents and children (aged 10–12) provided through their managed care organization. Methods A two-arm (usual care vs intervention) randomized trial was employed. The intervention included a mailed parental smoking prevention kit, outreach follow-up telephone calls to the parent by a health educator, child materials, medical record cues for physicians to deliver prevention messages, and parent newsletter. Outcome measures were susceptibility to smoking, experimentation with smoking, and smoking in the past 30 days as assessed by 20-month follow-up surveys of children. Results A total of 4,026 families enrolled in the study. The response rate to the 20-month follow-up was 88%. There were no significant effects of the intervention on any of the primary outcomes. The intervention was associated with modest but statistically significant increases in parent–child discussions of smoking related topics. Conclusions A minimal-intensity family-based prevention program did not significantly reduce rates of susceptibility or tobacco use among youth aged 10–12 at baseline and 11 to 14 at follow-up. Development and evaluation of innovative approaches to tobacco use prevention must continue, despite our disappointing results. Parents and health care systems are too important to abandon as channels for prevention messages.
The basic concepts of Polya's theory of enumeration, with application to the structural classification of mechanisms

Abstract The purpose of these notes is essentially tutorial: to present to engineers the basic concepts of Polya's theory in a self-contained manner. Following a review of preliminary concepts (permutations, groups and graphs), Polya's “Hauptsatz” is stated without proof and its use illustrated with reference to the structural classification of mechanisms.
An Automatic Standing-Wave Indicator

Standing wave patterns in an x-band wave guide are reproduced on a cathode ray tube in a new automatic standing wave indicator developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. The essential units of the instrument are a novel motor-driven “reciprocating probe,” conventional high-gain audio amplifier, and a special cathode ray indicator. The reciprocating probe, shown in Figure 1, is basically similar to a conventional slotted line probe, although a motor has been added to make probe travel automatic. As the probe travels automatically back and forth, an associated potentiometer arrangement generates a horizontal sweep voltage for the indicator. The combination of this horizontal sweep and the amplified detector output allows reproduction of the wave guide standing wave pattern on the cathode ray tube. Measurements of standing wave ratio are made directly from the cathode ray picture through a calibrated screen, and indications of relative phase of the pattern are read from a calibrated dial. This type of presentation allows unusually rapid adjustment of radio-frequency components since effects of adjustments are instantly apparent. A number of novel techniques are made possible with the instrument.
A structural study of sodium dithionite and its ephemeral dihydrate: A new conformation for the dithionite ion

Raman spectroscopy on solid anhydrous sodium dithionite reveals that it exists in at least two forms in the solid state. MAS23Na NMR spectra and X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the solids indicate that sodium ions are in different environments in each form of the material. The results suggest that the dithionite anion is conformationally different in each lattice. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the recrystallized form of anhydrous sodium dithionite reveals an anion with C2 geometry and a 16° O-S-S-O torsional angle; nearly eclipsed. (Crystal Data for recrystallized Na2S2O4 area=6.539(1) A,b=6.552(1) A,c=6.578(1) A,V=240.0(1) A3,β=121.61(1)°, space group=P2/c,Z=2). Raman spectra of sodium dithionite dihydrate reveal that the dithionite ion is in a different conformation than in either of the anhydrous materials. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study of Na2S2O4·2H2O reveals a dithionite anion with a substantially shorter S-S bond length than in the anhydrous structure and an O-S-S-O torsional angle of 56°; approximately gauche. (Crystal Data for Na2S2O4·2H2O area=8.134(1) A,b=5.756(2) A,c=14.528(5) A,V=653.3(3) A3,β=106.20(2)°, space group=P21/n,Z=4). The structure of the dithionite anion is found to depend critically upon the nature of its external environment.
Adoptively transferred allergen-specific T cells cause maternal transmission of asthma risk.

In addition to genetics and environment, maternal asthma is an identified risk factor for developing the disease during childhood. The mechanisms of this maternal effect remain poorly understood. We tested the role of allergen-specific T cells in the maternal transmission of asthma risk by modifying a model where offspring of asthmatic mothers are more prone to develop asthma after an intentionally suboptimal asthma induction. Normal BALB/c females were injected with allergen-specific T cells from ovalbumin-specific T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic DO11.10 donors before mating. Using the protocol of suboptimal asthma induction, offspring of normal and recipient mothers were tested for their susceptibility to develop asthma. Only pups of recipient mothers showed increased airway responsiveness (Penh), allergic airway inflammation with eosinophilia, and local Th2-skewed cytokine production. Although recipient mothers did not develop asthma, serum levels of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-13 were significantly increased during pregnancy. Consistent with this finding, a subset of DO11.10 T cells persisted in the spleen and placenta of expectant recipient mothers. We conclude that allergen-specific T cells are sufficient to orchestrate the maternal transmission of asthma risk. Because overt maternal asthma was not required, our results suggest that similar maternal-fetal interactions may occur in other allergic disorders.
A Tactile Vision-Substitution System for the Blind: Computer-Controlled Partial Image Sequencing

We have developed a computer-controlled tactile vision-substitution system as part of a study to maximize the use of the skin's ability to process spatial and temporal information. The system receives a 128-column × 64-row image from a commercially available digital camera. An IBM personal computer sections the image into a controllable number of 6 × 24 blocks. The computer then sequentially sends these blocks to the 6 × 24 vibratory fingertip stimulation matrix on an Optacon reading device for the blind. Custom hardware provides the interface between the IBM PC and the Optacon. The image manipulation software is written in Intel 8088 assembly code.
Expression of rabbit IgA heavy chain genes in E. coli and in murine myeloma cells

Rabbit IgA-heavy chain cDNA and germline genes were cloned into prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression vectors, respectively. The Fc alpha encoding portion of six C alpha cDNA clones were cloned into pUC8 and E. coli were transformed. Radioimmunoassay of the molecules synthesized by these clones showed that molecules with Fc alpha antigenic determinants were produced at the level of approximately 0.1 to 1.0 microgram per ml culture. Radiobinding analysis showed that each of the clones encoded heavy chains of the IgA-g subclass. Southern blot analysis of rabbit germline DNA revealed 10 germline C alpha genes. Five of these, isolated from recombinant cosmid libraries, were cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector containing a rearranged murine VDJ gene, the CH enhancer region and the Eco-gpt gene. Murine myeloma cells, J558L, were transfected with each of the heavy chain constructs and stable transfectants was selected with mycophenolic acid. The immunoglobulins produced by each transfectant were analyzed by radiobinding and by SDS-PAGE. Each transfectant were shown to synthesize IgA molecules and thus all five C alpha genes are expressible. The heavy chains from the transfectants ranged in size from 55,000 to 60,000 daltons. Radiobinding analyses indicated that four of the five genes encode molecules of the IgA-f subclass; the serological identity of the fifth gene is not yet established.
Other Malignancies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Purpose Other malignancies have been reported to occur with increased frequency in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, outcomes, and factors associated with other cancers in patients with CLL/SLL. Patients and Methods We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with previously untreated CLL/SLL seen at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1985 to 2005. The number of second cancers observed was compared with the number expected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Results Among 2,028 patients, 324 (16%) had a history of other cancers and 227 (11.2%) developed other malignancies during the follow-up period. Overall, 625 cancers were observed in 551 patients, including skin (30%), prostate (13%), breast (9%), melanoma (8%), lymphoma (8%), gastrointestinal (9%), lung (6%), and other cancers (17%). The risk of a second cancer was 2.2 times higher than the expected risk. The re...
Blazed high-efficiency x-ray diffraction via transmission through arrays of nanometer-scale mirrors

Diffraction gratings are ubiquitous wavelength dispersive elements for photons as well as for subatomic particles, atoms, and large molecules. They serve as enabling devices for spectroscopy, microscopy, and interferometry in numerous applications across the physical sciences. Transmission gratings are required in applications that demand high alignment and figure error tolerances, low weight and size, or a straight-through zero-order beam. However, photons or particles are often strongly absorbed upon transmission, e.g., in the increasingly important extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft x-ray band, leading to low diffraction efficiency. We demonstrate the performance of a critical-angle transmission (CAT) grating in the EUV and soft x-ray band that for the first time combines the advantages of transmission gratings with the superior broadband efficiency of blazed reflection gratings via reflection from nanofabricated periodic arrays of atomically smooth nanometer-thin silicon mirrors at angles below the critical angle for total external reflection. The efficiency of the CAT grating design is not limited to photons, but also opens the door to new, sensitive, and compact experiments and applications in atom and neutron optics, as well as for the efficient diffraction of electrons, ions, or molecules.
Milk as the proximal mechanism for behavioral change in the newborn.

Early experience in the context of suckling at the nipple is a crucial determinant of neurobehavioral development in mammals. In particular, milk has been recognized by developmental psychobiologists as an ecologically relevant sensory stimulus and should be viewed by clinicians as more than a source of nutrition in early human development. Gaining access to and processing milk during suckling serves as a primary focus of activity in the newborn. Because the rat fetus lacks prior exposure to milk or other suckling stimuli, it provides an excellent model system for investigating the development of milk related responses. Fetal exposure to milk results in a cascade of behavioral, physiological and neurochemical consequences. Milk-induced activation of the endogenous opioid system plays an important role in reorganizing fetal motor activity, altering sensory responsiveness and supporting associative learning in the fetus. Subtle changes in contextual stimulation alter the ability of milk to engage different neurochemical systems. These findings suggest that the infant's first experiences with milk and other suckling stimuli may have lasting consequences for neurobehavioral development.
Temporal mRNA profiles of inflammatory mediators in the murine 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine model of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). With the exception of a few rare familial forms of the disease, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying PD are unknown. Inflammation is a common finding in the PD brain, but due to the limitation of postmortem analysis its relationship to disease progression cannot be established. However, studies using the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of PD have also identified inflammatory responses in the nigrostriatal pathway that precede neuronal degeneration in the SNpc. To assess the pathological relevance of these inflammatory responses and to identify candidate genes that might contribute to neuronal vulnerability, we used quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure mRNA levels of 11 cytokine and chemokine encoding genes in the striatum of MPTP-sensitive (C57BL/6J) and MPTP-insensitive (Swiss Webster, SWR) mice following administration of MPTP. The mRNA levels of all 11 genes changed following MPTP treatment, indicating the presence of inflammatory responses in both strains. Furthermore, of the 11 genes examined only 3, interleukin 6 (Il-6), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha/CC chemokine ligand 3 (Mip-1α/Ccl3) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta/CC chemokine ligand 4 (Mip-1β/Ccl4), were differentially regulated between C57BL/6J and SWR mice. In both mouse strains, the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1/CC chemokine ligand 2 (Mcp-1/Ccl2) mRNA was the first to increase following MPTP administration, and might represent a key initiating component of the inflammatory response. Using Mcp-1/Ccl2 knockout mice backcrossed onto a C57BL/6J background we found that MPTP-stimulated Mip-1α/Ccl3 and Mip-1β/Ccl4 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the knockout mice; suggesting that Mcp-1/Ccl2 contributes to MPTP-enhanced expression of Mip-1α/Ccl3 and Mip-1β/Ccl4. However, stereological analysis of SNpc neuronal loss in Mcp-1/Ccl2 knockout and wild-type mice showed no differences. These findings suggest that it is the ability of dopaminergic SNpc neurons to survive an inflammatory insult, rather than genetically determined differences in the inflammatory response itself, that underlie the molecular basis of MPTP resistance.
Wax esters and triacylglycerols in sinking particulate matter in the Peru upwelling area (15°S, 75°W)

The flux and composition of wax esters and triacylglycerols were measured in particulate matter collected by free-drifting sediment traps in the Peru upwelling area. The purpose was to assess diurnal variations in sources and vertical transport of these lipids. Traps were deployed for periods of 8–12 h during both day and night at the base of the euphotic zone (10–14m) and at about 50m. Although the flux of total particulate organic carbon varied 4×, the flux of wax esters varied by 84× and triacylglycerols by 30×. POC, wax esters, and triacylglycerols also showed different temporal patterns. The highest wax ester flux was measured in shallow traps at night and is attributed to increased inputs from zooplankton which feed near the surface at night. Triacylglycerol flux was high in both shallow and deep nocturnal traps, consistent with inputs of both phytoplankton and zooplankton lipids. The composition of these lipids was also quite variable and attests to the complex nature of the lipid sources.
Moving beyond benefit?cost analysis of climate change

The conventional benefit–cost approach to understanding the climate problem has serious limitations. Fortunately, an alternative way of thinking about the problem has arisen in recent decades, based on analyzing the cost effectiveness of achieving a normatively defined warming target. This approach yields important insights, showing that delaying action is costly, required emissions reductions are rapid, and most proved reserves of fossil fuels will need to stay in the ground if we're to stabilize the climate. I call this method 'working forward toward a goal', and it is one that will see wide application in the years ahead.
Compensation of thermal effect in high-Q toroidal microresonators by PDMS coating

We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that thermal effect in ultra-high-Q silica toroidal microresonators can be compensated by applying a layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The observed Q factor is 1.5×106 for coating thickness of 0.52 µm.
Dopaminergic Structures in the Ovine Hypothalamus Mediating Estradiol Negative Feedback in Anestrous Ewes

This study examined the role of two dopaminergic (DA) cell groups, the A-14 and A-15 DA groups, in the seasonal shift in the response of LH to estradiol negative feedback in ewes. Radiofrequency lesions were placed bilaterally, in the area of the A-15 or the ventromedial A-14 cell groups of ovariectomized ewes, while control animals underwent sham neurosurgery. The effect of estrogen was tested in anestrus by analyzing LH pulse patterns before and 3 and 10 days after the insertion of estradiol implants. To evaluate the effects of these lesions on DA inhibition of LH secretion, LH pulse patterns were compared before and after an iv injection of the DA antagonist pimozide on day 3 of estradiol treatment. LH pulses were also examined in these ewes during the breeding season before and 3 days after the insertion of estradiol implants. Also, the effect of the DA receptor agonist apomorphine was tested to determine any effect of lesions on DA receptors inhibitory to LH. Lesions in either the A-14 or A-15 area d...
Surface and sub-surface reactions during low temperature aluminium oxide atomic layer deposition on fiber-forming polymers

Fundamental reaction processes between vapor-phase chemical precursors and high molecular weight polymers are important for polymer coating, encapsulation and surface modification. Using trimethylaluminium and water in an atomic layer deposition (ALD) exposure sequence, reactions between vapor-phase trimethylaluminium and common polymers with different substituents are quantified using in situ infrared transmission analysis. Exposing polypropylene to trimethylaluminium results in reactant uptake with minimal precursor/polymer reaction, but the precursor/water ALD sequence leads to subsurface alumina nucleation. A similar treatment to polyvinyl alcohol and polyamide-6 results in rapid precursor diffusion and significant reaction observed by IR, and the extent of reaction is consistent with results from in situ quartz crystal microgravimetry and transmission electron microscopy. Reacting trimethylaluminium with polyamide-6 leads to methyl group insertion into the amide carbonyl group and interaction with the hydrogen-bonded amine units. Multiple ALD reaction cycles produce film coatings on all polymers studied, but the coating structure depends strongly on the starting polymer composition. For the weakly interacting polypropylene, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy demonstrates enhanced sub-surface growth at 90 °C as compared to that at 60 °C, while images of coated polyamide-6 fibers showed that growth is not strongly temperature dependent in that range. Micrograph images of polyamide-6 samples exposed to extended TMA doses revealed significant modification of the fiber surface region, demonstrating that the precursor could diffuse and react to depths in excess of 100 nm into the surface of the polymer at 90 °C. Improved understanding of specific precursor/polymer reaction pathways can be important to optimize the performance of conformal inorganic thin film coatings on polymers.
Did External Barriers Cause the Marginalization of Sub-Saharan Africa in World Trade?

OECD barriers did not play a significant role in sub-Saharan Africa's declining position in world trade over the last three decades. The detrimental effects of the African countries' own policies, such as those that influence international transport costs, were considerably more important. However, OECD countries have policy options available that could further improve the external environment for, and competitive position of, African exports. Given the dimensions of rural poverty throughout Africa, and the potential contribution increased agricultural exports could make toward its alleviation, initiatives relating to this sector should have the highest priority. The first chapter of the paper discusses trade and African development prospects. Chapter 2 reviews the destination and composition of African exports. Chapter 3 addresses the OECD tariff barriers facing Africa and chapter 4 the nontariff barriers. Finally, chapter 5 discusses some issues relating to transport costs.
Local versus systemic control of numbers of endometrial T cells during pregnancy in sheep.

SUMMARY Pregnancy in sheep is associated with changes in numbers of specific T-lymphocyte populations in the uterine endometrium. These changes probably contribute to evasion by the conceptus of maternal immunological rejection and indicate a possible role for T cells in placental growth, parturition and post-parturient uterine defence against infection. The purpose of the present experiment was to evaluate the relative importance of systemic signals (i.e. those present throughout the uterus or from the circulation, including conceptus hormones secreted into the maternal blood) versus locally acting conceptus signals for regulating changes in numbers of endometrial lymphocytes during pregnancy. The approach taken was to surgically confine pregnancy to one uterine horn and compare differences in lymphocyte numbers between the two uterine horns as well as between both horns of pregnant ewes with those of ovariectomized ewes. As compared with ovariectomized ewes, there was a decline in numbers of CD45R + lymphocytes within glandular epithelium and an increase in cd T-cell number within the luminal epithelium. These changes occurred in both the pregnant and non-pregnant uterine horns of unilaterally pregnant ewes. Moreover, there were no significant differences in lymphocyte numbers between the two uterine horns of unilaterally pregnant ewes. Expression of CD25 was absent in tissues from both uterine horns. In conclusion, changes in numbers of endometrial lymphocytes during pregnancy, rather than due to locally acting signals of conceptus origin, are the result of hormonal signals of maternal or conceptus origin that either act directly on endometrial lymphocytes or stimulate the uterine endometrium to induce synthesis of regulatory molecules that affect lymphocyte dynamics.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist and soluble IL-1 receptor inhibit IL-1-induced glycosaminoglycan production in cultured human orbital fibroblasts from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

An accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) is a feature characteristic of orbital connective tissues from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) that leads directly to the clinical expressions of the disease. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), produced by macrophages and fibroblasts within the diseased orbit, stimulates GAG synthesis by orbital fibroblasts. We designed the current study to determine whether particular agents might block this effect and thus be useful in the treatment of GO. Orbital fibroblast cultures were grown to confluence and incubated for 48 h with IL-1 (1-10 U/mL) alone or IL-1 (10 U/mL) in combination with IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra; 1-40 ng/mL) or soluble IL-1 receptor (sIL-1R; 0.25-10 micrograms/mL). Cells were labeled with [3H]glucosamine and processed for GAG quantitation. The addition of IL-1 alone stimulated GAG synthesis by 73-176% (mean, 104%; P < 0.05). Significant inhibition of IL-1-stimulated GAG synthesis was observed after treatment of normal fibroblasts with IL-1ra at a ...
The validation of soviet claims of vegetative hybridization in animals

Es wird vorgeschlagen, einen der Sowjetforscher, die uber erfolgreiche vegetative Bastardierung von Tieren berichtet haben, einzuladen, seine Methoden in einem westeuropaischen, amerikanischen oder andern Laboratorium zu demonstrieren.
Grain boundary sliding in surface mount solders during thermal cycling

The authors report the growth of fatigue cracks in near-eutectic surface mount solder joints during cyclic, thermal displacement-controlled loading. Ceramic leadless chip carriers (LLCCs) and small outline J-leaded (SOJ) packages undergo thermal displacement-induced fatigue with a frequency of 1/h. Two ranges of temperature were utilized: -36-125 degrees C and -20-75 degrees C. Surfaces and cross sections of the solder joints were inspected using scanning electron microscopy. Individual grains (colonies of lamellae or globulae) were found to slide relative to one another during thermal cycling. Cracks initiate at sites where the boundaries between colonies intersect the outer surface of the solder fillet. In the case of the LLCC solder joints, cracks also initiate beneath the chip carrier. These cracks rapidly reach the bulk portion of the fillet, where they are observed to prefer travel along interfaces between phases. >
Small basis sets for calculations of barrier heights, energies of reaction, electron affinities, geometries, and dipole moments

Beginning with the MIDI! basis set (also called MIDIX), we introduce the MIDIX+, MIDIY, and MIDIY+ basis sets. Using correlated ab initio and hybrid density functional theory, we compare their performance to that of several existing basis sets for electronic structure calculations. The new basis sets are tested with databases of 358 energies of reactions, 44 barrier heights, 31 electron affinities, 18 geometries, and 29 dipole moments. The MIDI!, MIDIX+, MIDIY, and MIDIY+ basis sets are shown to be cost-efficient methods for calculating relative energies, geometries, and dipole moments. The MIDIX+ basis is shown to be particularly efficient for calculating electron affinities of large molecules.
Highly reliable symmetric networks

We generalize directed loop networks to loop-symmetric networks in which there are N nodes and in which each node has in-degree and out-degree k, subject to the condition that 2/sup k/ does not exceed N. We show that by proper selection of links one can obtain generalized loop networks with optimal or close to optimal diameter and connectivity. The optimized diameter is less than k/spl lsqb/N/sup 1/k//spl rsqb/, where /spl lsqb/x/spl rsqb/ indicates the ceiling of x. We also show that these networks are rather compact in that the diameter is not more than twice the average distance. Roughly 1/2(k/spl minus/1)N/sup 1/k/ nodes can be removed such that the network of remaining nodes is still strongly connected, if all remaining nodes have at least one incoming and one outgoing link left. >
Endodontic retreatment with halothane versus chloroform solvent

Chloroform has been the most widely used solvent in endodontics, but due to concerns about its safety, alternatives have been sought. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of gutta-percha removal and time of retreatment between halothane and chloroform used as solvents. Thirty mandibular premolars were prepared, obturated, and stored in a humidor for 14 months, after which they were randomly divided into two groups for retreatment. The teeth were retreated using either halothane or chloroform as the solvent. The time of retreatment was measured to the nearest minute. Retreatment was deemed complete when there was no evidence of gutta-percha or sealer on the files or paper points. Teeth were split longitudinally and photographed. The resulting slides were projected, the canals traced, and the areas of the canal, gutta-percha, and sealer were measured using a sonic digitizer. The results were analyzed statistically by t test. The results showed no significant difference in gutta-percha removal between the two groups. The chloroform group took significantly less time to retreat than halothane (7.7 min. versus 10.8 min, respectively).
Novel, fluorescent, SSB protein chimeras with broad utility

The Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) is a central player in DNA metabolism where it organizes genome maintenance complexes and stabilizes single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates generated during DNA processing. Due to the importance of SSB and to facilitate real-time studies, we developed a dual plasmid expression system to produce novel, chimeric SSB proteins. These chimeras, which contain mixtures of histidine-tagged and fluorescent protein(FP)-fusion subunits, are easily purified in milligram quantities and used without further modification, a significant enhancement over previous methods to produce fluorescent SSB. Chimeras retain the functionality of wild type in all assays, demonstrating that SSB function is unaffected by the FPs. We demonstrate the power and utility of these chimeras in single molecule studies providing a great level of insight into the biochemical mechanism of RecBCD. We also utilized the chimeras to show for the first time that RecG and SSB interact in vivo. Consequently, we anticipate that the chimeras described herein will facilitate in vivo, in vitro and single DNA molecule studies using proteins that do not require further modification prior to use.
The neuropathology of probable Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background Mixed pathologies are common in older persons with dementia. Little is known about mixed pathologies in probable AD and about the spectrum of neuropathology in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Large meals and large arteries: is resistin the link?

See article by Jung et al. [11] (pages 76–85) in this issue. “To lengthen thy Life, lessen thy Meals.” Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733 The burden of chronic diseases is on the rise on all continents, and the predictions for its detrimental effects on the individual and society resemble the warnings of a hurricane approaching land [1]. Most of the storm settles on complications of cardiovascular disease, the risk of which is increased by a factor of two to three even by the clustering of “prestages” of traditional cardiovascular factors, referred to as the “metabolic syndrome” and related to insulin resistance ever since Reaven's seminal work in 1987 [2]. Five different major sets of criteria are currently in place for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, with the entire concept being very critically appraised by representatives of American and European diabetes societies, yet again endorsed by the American Heart Association, and with a worldwide definition by the International Diabetes Federation appearing on the horizon [3,4]. The most apparent underlying risk factor for the metabolic syndrome is truncal or visceral obesity and hence waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio are better clinical parameters than body mass index [3]. Hence, as society is “supersizing” so is the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the call to the cardiovascular practice and research community. Once considered to serve no other purpose than to store energy, adipose tissue has been increasingly recognized as an active endocrine organ, capable of synthesizing and secreting so-called adipokines. One of the 21st century editions of these substances is resistin, a 12.5-kDa, 114-amino acid polypeptide, rich in cysteine residues, that can form dimers and hexamers in the new family of resistin-like molecules [5,6]. The name “resistin” is derived from its discovery in the search for a … *Tel.: +1 507 255 5890; fax: +1 507 255 1824. Email address: herrmann.joerg{at}mayo.edu
Effect of Deployment on the Occurrence of Child Maltreatment in Military and Nonmilitary Families

War has a profound emotional impact on military personnel and their families, but little is known about how deployment-related stress impacts the occurrence of child maltreatment in military families. This time-series analysis of Texas child maltreatment data from 2000 to 2003 examined changes in the occurrence of child maltreatment in military and nonmilitary families over time and the impact of recent deployment increases. The rate of occurrence of substantiated maltreatment in military families was twice as high in the period after October 2002 (the 1-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks) compared with the period prior to that date (rate ratio ¼ 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.85, 2.50). Among military personnel with at least one dependent, the rate of child maltreatment in military families increased by approximately 30% for each 1% increase in the percentage of active duty personnel departing to (rate ratio ¼ 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 1.37) or returning from (rate ratio ¼ 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 1.48) operation-related deployment. These findings indicate that both departures to and returns from operational deployment impose stresses on military families and likely increase the rate of child maltreatment. Intervention programs should be implemented to mitigate family dysfunction in times of potential stress. child abuse; military medicine; military personnel; social medicine; stress
Biotransformation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) during nitrification: The role of ammonia oxidizing bacteria versus heterotrophic bacteria

Preliminary experiments to investigate the fate of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) during nitrification were conducted. Sorption experiments were performed by incubating inactivated ammonia oxidizing bacteria and various heterotrophic cultures in the presence of 14 C-EE2 at 10 μg/L. Biotransformation experiments utilized LC-MS and LC-ITMS analysis of supernatant collected during batch cultivation of monoculture of Nitrosomonas europaea with EE2. Results confirmed that sorption of EE2 onto heterotrophic biomass is an important mechanism that must be considered when describing the fate of EE2. During batch incubation with N. europaea , 98% of EE2 was transformed, producing a unique metabolite corresponding to a mass/charge ratio of — 386 m/z. Short term inhibition study results also suggest that inhibition of respiration in N. europaea as measured through nitrite generation rates is not significant at concentrations at or below 1 mg EE2/L.
Bench-to-bedside review: The role of activated protein C in maintaining endothelial tight junction function and its relationship to organ injury

Activated protein C (APC) has emerged as a novel therapeutic agent for use in selected patients with severe sepsis, even though the mechanism of its benefit is not well established. APC has anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and profibrinolytic properties, but it is not clear through which of these mechanisms APC exerts its benefit in severe sepsis. Focus has recently turned to the role of APC in maintaining endothelial barrier function, and in vitro and in vivo studies have examined this relationship. This article critically reviews these studies, with a focus on potential mechanisms of action.