cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
(220) Involvement of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System in the Development of Morphine Tolerance

The management of chronic pain with opioids can cause opioid-induced analgesic tolerance (OIT) and hyperalgesia (OIH), which complicates clinical pain-management treatments. Although G-protein coupled receptors have been studied for years, the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by the activation of µ-opioid receptors are not well known. We sought to determine whether OIT is linked to a decreased activity in the PI3K/AKT intracellular signaling pathway. To assess this pathway, 25 C57BL/6 WT male mice (21 ± 4g) were divided into control (n=10, 1 μL saline) and experimental (n=10, 15 mg/kg of morphine; n=5, spinal nerve ligation (SNL) at the L4 vertebrae with 15 mg/kg of morphine) groups. Injections were given subcutaneously twice a day for a total of five days. Thermal paw withdrawal latency for each group was measured before and 0, 30, and 60 minutes post injection. Mice given morphine developed OIH and OIT after 3 days. The brainstem, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, and sciatic nerves were removed and processed for qPCR using primers for AKT1, AKT2, AKT3, PIK3cg v1, PIK3cg v2, PIK3cg v3, PTEN, and nNOS1. Significant increases and decreases in gene expression levels (p≤0.05) were seen in the brainstem of morphine tolerant mice without SNL. There was a decreased expression for AKT1 (p
Obstructive sleep apnoea, positive airway pressure treatment and postoperative delirium: protocol for a retrospective observational study

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common among older surgical patients, and delirium is a frequent and serious postoperative complication. Emerging evidence suggests that OSA increases the risk for postoperative delirium. We hypothesise that OSA is an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium, and that in patients with OSA, perioperative adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy decreases the incidence of postoperative delirium and its sequelae. The proposed retrospective cohort analysis study will use existing datasets to: (i) describe and compare the incidence of postoperative delirium in surgical patients based on OSA diagnosis and treatment with PAP; (ii) assess whether preoperatively untreated OSA is independently associated with postoperative delirium; and (iii) explore whether preoperatively untreated OSA is independently associated with worse postoperative quality of life (QoL). The findings of this study will inform on the potential utility and approach of an interventional trial aimed at preventing postoperative delirium in patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed OSA. Methods and analysis Observational data from existing electronic databases will be used, including over 100 000 surgical patients and ~10 000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. We will obtain the incidence of postoperative delirium in adults admitted postoperatively to the ICU who underwent structured preoperative assessment, including OSA diagnosis and screening. We will use doubly robust propensity score methods to assess whether untreated OSA independently predicts postoperative delirium. Using similar methodology, we will assess if untreated OSA independently predicts worse postoperative QoL. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Human Research Protection Office at Washington University School of Medicine. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed venue. Because the data are secondary and high risk for reidentification, we will not publicly share the data. Data will be destroyed after 1 year of completion of active Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved projects.
The relationship between pocket hematoma and risk of wound infection among patients with a cardiovascular implantable electronic device: An integrative review.

Abstract Background Pocket hematoma is a common adverse event following the insertion of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), but the risk of wound infections associated with a pocket hematoma is unclear. Objectives This integrative review aims to examine the relationship between pocket hematoma and risk of wound infection in a CIED population. Methods A comprehensive literature search for articles assessing the relationship between pocket hematoma and infection in four electronic databases was conducted in October 2018. Results After screening and full text review, 7 studies met inclusion criteria (combined sample = 8,177 patients). Most studies (6/7) reported a significant relationship between pocket hematoma and all types of infection (OR = 6.9–24.98; p Conclusions Pocket hematoma is a significant risk factor for all types of infection, with the most frequent type of infection being wound infection.
Most Intended Home Births in the United States Are Not Low Risk: 2016-2018.

Abstract Objective Pregnant patients with high risk factors are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality.1,2 It has been claimed that intended home births in the US are largely restricted to low risk patients.3 The objective of this study was to assess whether this was indeed the case. Study Design We used the United States Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Vital Statistics, Natality public-use data 2016-2018, on CDC WONDER Online Database, September 2019. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/natality-expanded-current.html on Oct 22, 2019 4:10:41 PM to calculate risks known to increase maternal and/or neonatal morbidity and mortality for intended home births listed in the database under birthplace. Results Table 1 shows pregnancy risk factors among intended home births. There were 4.2% births with prior cesarean deliveries, 23.4% were births to mothers who were ≥35 years old, 4.7% were 40 years and older, 21.5% were ≥41 weeks gestational age, 3.6% were ≥42 weeks gestational age, 17.4% were nulliparous, 7.5% were grand multiparas, and 12.6% were obese. Conclusion Adverse outcomes are known to occur more commonly with certain risk factors.1,2,3,4 Our study shows that well over 60% of all intended home births in the US are not low risk and have at least a single or several combined obstetric risk factors.
Semigroups, Attractors, and Products of Random Matrices

In this paper we define attractors in a natural manner and then use semigroup ideas to find a convenient formula for their determination. Recurrent random walks in matrices will appear in our discussions and be part of the total picture. We will use our formula to determine completely two interesting attractors. one a well-known Sierpinsky gasket and the other an unbounded version of the gasket.
CHAPTER 2 – Energy Requirement Methodology

Knowledge of energy requirements throughout the life cycle and during various physiological conditions and disease states is essential to the promotion of optimal human health. The heavy reliance on such subjective forms of measurement, however, prompted research for more valid techniques to estimate energy needs. The aim of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with contemporary techniques to measure energy expenditure. These include the highly sophisticated technique of doubly labeled water which allows nutrition scientists to accurately establish energy requirements based on the measurement of energy expenditure in free-living subjects. The state of energy balance requires that, to maintain a specific weight, body energy stores must remain constant, that is, energy intake must match total energy expenditure. Thus, in significant weight gain or loss, when body composition is changing, metabolizable energy intake is not an accurate predictor of energy expenditure. Therefore, changes in body composition must be monitored for the accurate determination of energy expenditure. Hence, it becomes increasingly imperative that emphasis be placed on increased energy expended in physical activity for the maintenance of optimal health.
Are we missing the mark? Relationships of psychosocial issues to outcomes after injury: A review of OTA annual meeting presentations.

Objectives To observe the availability of information about social, emotional, and psychological factors in abstracts presented at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) annual meeting. Data source OTA website (https://ota.org/education/meetings-and-courses/meeting-archive/). Study Selection All abstracts selected for paper or poster presentation at the 2016 through 2018 OTA annual meetings, as published in the final program. Studies were included if they sought to measure mental illness, substance use or abuse, pain, or other psychosocial issues. If studies utilized 1 or more patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), they were also included. Data extraction For each abstract meeting inclusion criterion, studies were assessed for interventions intended to improve outcomes in any of the listed psychosocial domains. Data synthesis/Results Nine hundred forty-two abstracts were evaluated over a 3-year period. Of these, 294 (31.2%) met inclusion criteria. Twenty-five abstracts (8.5% of 294) reported mental illness, with depression (n = 14), anxiety (n = 9), and posttraumatic stress disorder (n = 5) being the most common. Eighty-eight abstracts (29.9% of 294) reported substance-use of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, and/or recreational drugs. Tobacco-use was most prevalent (n = 59), followed by opioid-use (n = 31). Ten abstracts reported substance abuse. Pain was measured in 95 abstracts, and 203 abstracts utilized PROMs. Thirty-five abstracts found that these psychosocial elements significantly impacted outcomes or complications. Many abstracts did not assess the influence of these factors on clinical outcomes (n = 99). Sixteen studies described an intervention aimed at mitigating these features. Conclusions This study illustrates limited attention to the impact of psychological, social, and environmental factors on outcomes after orthopaedic trauma. Substance-abuse problems and mental health concerns are not only predictors of poor clinical and PROMs of pain and quality of life after injury, but have also been implicated in subsequent recidivism. Only 3% of 942 abstracts observed mental health and 1% reported substance-abuse. Moving forward, greater understanding of psychosocial issues may enhance interventions to impact long-term outcomes.
Substitutional and interstitial doping in LaCo5 system for the development of hard magnetic properties: A first principles study

Abstract We investigate here the changes in the electronic structure at the transition metal sites of the RE-TM5 structure (RE = Rare Earth, TM = Transition Metal) while doping the interstitial sites with nitrogen. LaCo5 compound is taken as the baseline compound owing to its critically needed intrinsic magnetic properties such as magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) of ≈5 meV/fu [1] due to the contributions from the cobalt network. In addition, because of the lack of 4f electrons in lanthanum, complications originating from the treatment of the 4f localized electrons are absent in this compound; making it an ideal reference material to all the isostructural RE-TM5 compounds. Addition of nitrogen is shown to reduce the local spin moments of the nearest TM due to the hybridization present between N-2p states and the TM-3d states. More importantly, we showed here how a planar anisotropy becomes a strong uniaxial anisotropy after the addition of nitrogen into LaCo2Fe3 and LaCo2Mn3, and linked this transformation to the band structure changes after nitrogenation. Effect of nitrogen in Sm2Fe17 and NdFe12 is already known, in that, it increases the Curie temperature, and induces a strong magnetic anisotropy for both compounds. In this study we show that similar trends can be observed in RM-TM5 type compounds providing a challenge for experimentalists to realize these compositions through appropriate synthesis. Future studies will be conducted to understand whether the additions of nitrogen may induce a structural transformation from 1–5 into 2-12 or 2-17 type intermetallics.
Bayesian‐optimized unsupervised learning approach for structural damage detection

Abstract Structural health monitoring (SHM) is developing rapidly to fulfill the world's need for resilient and sustainable communities. Due to the current advancements in machine learning and data...
Gender diverse college students exhibit higher psychological distress than male and female peers during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

The ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may be the greatest global biopsychosocial stressor in living memory, and there is widespread anticipation of a "mental health pandemic " Hardly mentioned, if ever, during the current COVID-19 pandemic is the effect on gender diverse (GD) populations Using a novel approach, we address this gap in the current literature by comparing resilience, psychological distress, and perceived risk in a sample of college students at a public, R1, 4-year university The survey included demographic questions, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and self-reported risk of contracting COVID-19 GD individuals (n = 83) were matched with male (n = 83) and female (n = 83) peers on survey cohort (1, 2, or 3), White versus Non-White, age category, and student status (undergraduate vs graduate) GD individuals reported lower psychological resilience (M = 2 88, SD = 0 93) than both male (M = 3 57, SD = 0 81) and female (M = 3 37, SD = 0 83) students, higher psychological distress (M = 12 33, SD = 6 04) than both males (M = 6 7, SD = 5 76) and females (M = 8 70, SD = 6 57), and similar perceived risk (p = 54) Nearly half (48 2%) of GD individuals were above the cutoff for severe psychological distress During the unprecedented events of the novel coronavirus pandemic, students in higher education settings are facing tremendous biopsychosocial stress GD students had very high levels of psychological distress relative to their male and female peers during the pandemic and may need additional support and expanded access to treatment (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Findings of a university community survey conducted during the novel coronavirus pandemic indicated that gender diverse (GD) students had very high levels of psychological distress As the pandemic unfolded, GD students' distress was higher than that of their male and female peers, which was partly due to lower psychological resilience As students begin returning to campuses for the Fall 2020 semester, GD students may be at increased risk of mental disorders and may need additional mental health support (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
A functional genomics pipeline identifies pleiotropy and cross-tissue effects within obesity-associated GWAS loci

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many disease-associated variants, yet mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. To understand obesity-associated variants, we generate gene regulatory annotations in adipocytes and hypothalamic neurons across cellular differentiation stages. We then test variants in 97 obesity-associated loci using a massively parallel reporter assay and identify putatively causal variants that display cell type specific or cross-tissue enhancer-modulating properties. Integrating these variants with gene regulatory information suggests genes that underlie obesity GWAS associations. We also investigate a complex genomic interval on 16p11.2 where two independent loci exhibit megabase-range, cross-locus chromatin interactions. We demonstrate that variants within these two loci regulate a shared gene set. Together, our data support a model where GWAS loci contain variants that alter enhancer activity across tissues, potentially with temporally restricted effects, to impact the expression of multiple genes. This complex model has broad implications for ongoing efforts to understand GWAS.
Simultaneous equation estimation

This chapter provides an overview on simultaneous equation estimation. It is an underlying structure to the coefficient matrix in the linear expected value model, a structure which has proved quite useful to econometric modelers, and review methods of estimating the structural parameters. The chapter describes two-stage and three-stage least squares estimates, k -class estimates, and principal components estimates. Simultaneous and iterative least squares estimates are considered. The variables, which appear as elements of Y , are called endogenous variables and those which appear as elements of X , are called exogenous variables. A large degree of difficulty in reading the econometric literature on simultaneous equation estimation stems from both (a) the existence of two standard sets of notation, one invented by the Cowles Commission for Research in Economics and one invented by the Econometric Institute of the Netherlands School of Economics, and (b) the different ways of expressing the underlying model, each convenient for a particular derivation or application of a standard estimation procedure.
Data Presentation and Multiobjecitve Optimization

Earlier chapters presented a number of methods for conducting multiobjective optimization. These methods frequently require the active participation of the decision maker. This means that the information provided to and elicited from the decision maker must be in a form that the decision maker can understand and use. Studies have shown that data representation can affect decision maker responses. Thus, the form in which data is presented to the decision maker is important.
Chondroitin sulfate effects on neural stem cell differentiation

We have investigated the role chondroitin sulfate has on cell interactions during neural plate formation in the early chick embryo. Using tissue culture isolates from the prospective neural plate, we have measured neural gene expression profiles associated with neural stem cell differentiation. Removal of chondroitin sulfate from stage 4 neural plate tissue leads to altered associations of N-cadherin-positive neural progenitors and causes changes in the normal sequence of neural marker gene expression. Absence of chondroitin sulfate in the neural plate leads to reduced Sox2 expression and is accompanied by an increase in the expression of anterior markers of neural regionalization. Results obtained in this study suggest that the presence of chondroitin sulfate in the anterior chick embryo is instrumental in maintaining cells in the neural precursor state.
Reliable Collaborative Decision Making in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile units, such as vehicles in a traffic flow or robots in a factory, may use sensors to interact with their environment and a radio to communicate with other autonomous units in the local area. Collaborative decision making can be carried out through information sharing amongst these units and result in cooperative problem solving. Examples of solutions include coordinated vehicle control for collision avoidance and executing complementary path plans for robots on a factory floor. We propose an application-level protocol that enables units to contribute their local knowledge and actions to a shared global view of the problem space. The protocol uses a time-driven token ring architecture to permit any unit to reliably broadcast a message to the entire group. The protocol ensures that all units commit the same set of received messages in the same order by a deadline, and it upholds these guarantees in the presence of channel failures, hidden units, and a changing set of collaborators. Units in the network are made aware of when others fail to maintain the global view. Failing units may be required to operate autonomously, pending information recovery.
CHRONIC EFFECTS OF XANTHINES ON LEVELS OF CENTRAL RECEPTORS IN MICE

1.Chronic ingestion of caffeine causes a significant increase in levels of A1-adenosine, nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, serotonergic receptors, GABAA receptors and L-type calcium channels in cerebral cortical membranes from mice NIH Swiss strain mice.
Validation of ground-and-formed beef jerky processes using commercial lactic acid bacteria starter cultures as pathogen surrogates.

Beef jerky has been linked to multiple outbreaks of salmonellosis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection over the past 40 years. With increasing government scrutiny of jerky-making process lethality, a simple method by which processors can easily validate the lethality of their ground-and-formed beef jerky process against Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 is greatly needed. Previous research with whole-muscle beef jerky indicated that commercial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may be more heat resistant than Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, suggesting the potential use of LAB as pathogen surrogates. Of six commercial LAB-containing cultures evaluated for heat resistance in ground-and-formed beef jerky, Saga 200 (Pediococcus spp.) and Biosource (Pediococcus acidilactici) were identified as consistently more heat resistant than Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7. Six representative ground-and-formed beef jerky commercial processes, differing widely in lethality, were used to identify an appropriate level of LAB reductio...
Measurement Methodology for Perceptual-Motor Performance under Highly Transient Extreme Heat Stress

The existing state of the art for handling human performance under transient heat stress has been reviewed. It was concluded that it is necessary to develop a new methodology based on “micro-performance” measurements to assess severe localized transient heat stresses relevant to contemporary flight problems.The test procedure proposed is based on the rationale that a primary task, with difficulty that can be varied according to subject error in order to maintain a relatively constant subject performance level, can be used as a measure of the moment-to-moment perceptual load. In addition to the primary task, secondary tasks are suggested to help simulate problems in decision-making and verbal communication.
NITROGEN PRODUCTIVITY OF ALASKAN TREE SPECIES AT AN INDIVIDUAL TREE AND LANDSCAPE LEVEL

The nitrogen-productivity (N-productivity) concept represents one approach for development of algorithms for expansion from the individual tree to stand or landscape levels of estimation of primary production across the Earth's surface. A simple equation based on the N-productivity concept can be used to estimate plant production from the individual tree to stand level geographic units. Maximum N-productivity equations were developed for balsam poplar, white birch, and white spruce on an individual tree basis for the taiga of interior Alaska. Maximum N-productivity equations were also developed for aspen, balsam poplar, and white spruce on a unit area basis (square meters). A single equation for all species sampled and individual stands was developed on a unit area basis. The calculated productivity for test stands was in close agreement to the measured pro- ductivity from the landscape perspective. The set of equations presented can be used for calculation of taiga forest productivity in a geographic model developed within a GIS (Geographic Information System) software package in which the landscape unit is an in- tegral part of the model structure.
Influence of some psychotropic and adrenergic blocking agents upon amphetamine stereotyped behaviour in white rats.

dl-α-amphetamine sulphate in a dose of 10 mg/kg caused abnormal stereotyped behaviour in white rats. Major tranquillizers diminished or abolished this phenomenon; thymeretics increased its duration; minor tranquillizers did not influence it. Adrenergic blocking agents acted in various ways on the ASB phenomenon. The possible mechanism of amphetamine stereotyped behaviour is briefly discussed.
Lesch-Nyhan Disease and Related Disorders of Purine Metabolism

Lesch-Nyhan disease is the most severe or complete phenotype of deficiency in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT). Other variant enzymes are found in patients without abnormality in behavior or mental development; and there are intermediate phenotypes in which enzyme activity is intermediate. A considerable number and variety of mutations in the HPRT gene have been discovered.
Fusion of the Leucine Zipper Gene HLF to the E2A Gene in Human Acute B-Lineage Leukemia

A t(17;19) chromosomal translocation in early B-lineage acute leukemia was shown to result in chimeric transcripts that contain sequences from the E2A basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor gene on chromosome 19, fused to sequences from a previously unidentified gene (HLF) on chromosome 17 that encodes a hepatic leukemia factor. The chimeric protein consisted of the amino-terminal transactivation domain of E2A linked to the carboxyl-terminal basic region-leucine zipper domain of HLF. HLF was normally expressed in liver and kidney, but not in lymphoid cells, and was found to be closely related to the leucine zipper-containing transcription factors DBP (albumin D-box binding protein) and TEF (thyrotroph embryonic factor), which regulate developmental stage-specific gene expression.
Multiple radiolucent areas of the jaw

A case of neurofibromatosis, or von Recklinghausen's disease, was presented. The skin manifestations include the development of numerous, variable sized, smooth-surfaced nodules (benign neural tumors) and asymmetric areas of hyperpigmentation called cafe-au-lait spots. Oral manifestations are not always apparent but, when they do occur, include multiple, discrete, nonulcerated mucosal nodules (typically benign neural tumors). Intraosseous tumors (usually neurofibromas) occasionally develop in the mandible as was reported in this patient. Clinicians should be aware of the characteristics of this hereditary disease, especially the possibility of malignant transformation of the neural tumors.
S2 discovered in comet

The recent approach of comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d) to within 5 million km of earth on May 11, 1983, was an unprecedented opportunity to study processes occurring within the coma close to the nucleus of a comet (Eos, June 28, 1983, p. 429). It was also a formidable observational challenge since, at closest approach, the angular motion of the comet was 40° per day. The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) Observatory (Eos, June 3, 1980, p. 481) operated from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center, was able to meet the challenge and provided Paul D. Feldman of the Johns Hopkins University and Michael F. A'Hearn of the University of Maryland with an unexpected discovery—the presence of S2 in the comet.
Remanent fields and critical currents in Tl2 Ba2Ca2Cu3Ox ceramic

The temperature and magnetic-field dependences of the remanent magnetization have been determined from far-field measurements for thallium ceramic samples. The current flow that gives rise to the observed magnetization is intragranular. The results are consistent with flux-creep-controlled transport with a distance between pinning centers of ∼- 1/2/μm. Using near-field measurements, the superconducting properties are found to be heterogeneous on a scale of ≫ 1 mm. Magnetic domains have been induced by pplying spatial variation in the applied field.
Real-time onboard hyperspectral-image compression system for a parallel push broom sensor

For a dispersive hyperspectral imaging sensor, frames are continuously being generated with spatially continuous rows of differing spectral wavelengths. As the sensor advances in the direction of travel, a hyperspectral data cube can be constructed from adjacent frames. A hyperspectral sensor residing on a satellite would require either an extremely large bandwidth for the downlink or onboard data compression to transmit the majority of the data. This paper presents a compression algorithm and the implementation of the algorithm on a real-time computational architecture. The compression algorithm sues wavelet subband coding, and universal trellis code quantization. The full implementation algorithm might include differential pulse code modulation between spectral images. The computational implementation of the algorithm uses a real-time operating system and a single general-propose microprocessor upon a VME backplane. Tradeoffs between algorithm performance and computational burden are discussed. Performance of the algorithm is presented in terms root-mean-squared error and execution time. Quantitative results for the implementation of the algorithm are provided.
Design of a 40 Watt 1.55μm uplink transmitter for Lunar Laser Communications

A ground-based 40W 1.55μm uplink transmitter for lunar laser communications is described. The transmitter, which generates wavelength multiplexed communication and beacon signals, is implemented using four 10W spatial-diversity channels to reduce far-field atmospheric-turbulence-induced fading and facilitate high-power signal generation via parallel-spatial-combining of commercially-available EDFAs. Each transmitter channel can generate a 1 kHz modulated beacon for spatial acquisition, and a multi-rate 4-PPM communication signal at a 311 MHz slot rate with 16:1 and 32:1 duty cycles to support 38.9 Mbit/s and 19.4 Mbit/s channel rates, respectively. Details on the transmitter design, including the mitigation of optical nonlinear effects are discussed.
A novel microelectronic gas sensor utilizing carbon nanotubes for hydrogen gas detection

Abstract A novel microelectronic gas sensor utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a thin-layered Pd/CNTs/n+-Si structure for hydrogen detection has been achieved. The sensor is fabricated on an n-type silicon wafer, which is needed as an ohmic supporting substrate. Multiwalled CNTs were grown selectively on the substrate via catalytic activation with microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The I–V characteristics of the sensor exhibit Schottky diode behavior at room temperature with marked sensitivity or current changes in the presence of hydrogen. Increasing detection sensitivity in hydrogen sensing was observed with increasing operating temperature. The results demonstrate that CNTs configured as a gas sensor has high sensitivity to hydrogen over a wide temperature range. Behaviors of the sensor in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperature were discussed. The successful utilization of CNTs in gas sensors may open a new door for the development of novel nanostructure gas-sensing devices.
Assessment of optic nerve cup-to-disk ratio changes in patients receiving multiple intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents.

Purpose To assess whether the transient intraocular pressure rise, frequent intraocular pressure fluctuations, or antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) effects of repeated intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents can lead to changes in the optic nerve vertical cup-to-disk ratio (C/D). Methods Patients with a known history of glaucoma and those receiving triamcinolone acetonide were excluded from the study. Fundus photographs were cropped to optic disk images only, which were then randomized and independently graded by two glaucoma specialists. In patients who received treatments in only one eye, the fellow eye was used as a control. Results Twenty-three eyes of 21 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean change in C/D was -0.012 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.053 to 0.029) for the treated group and -0.006 (95% CI, -0.106 to 0.095) for the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.90). The mean change in C/D for eyes receiving 5 injections (n = 14), the mean change in C/D was -0.021 (95% CI, -0.095 to 0.052) in the treated group and -0.057 (95% CI, -0.231 to 0.116) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.70). Conclusion There was no statistically significant change in the vertical C/D of optic nerves in patients receiving multiple intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents, regardless of whether they received fewer or more than five total injections. This suggests that the short-term intraocular pressure rise and frequent intraocular pressure fluctuation, as well as the anti-VEGF properties of these drugs, do not adversely change the optic nerve C/D. Additional prospective studies are warranted to confirm these conclusions.
Flame structure of C2H2−O2—Argon and C2H2−NO2—argon laminar premixed flames

Measurements of the profiles of gas composition and temperature and temperature are made in C2H2−O2−Ar and C2H2−NO2−Ar laminar premixed flames at a pressure of 25 torr. The composition of stable species is measured by probe sampling and mass spectrometric gas analysis, the composition of unstable species is measured by linear laser-induced fluorescence, and the temperature is measured by thermocouples on the burner surface and OH rotational spectra at positions above the burner. Measured flame structure is compared with flame modeling in order to develop a reaction mechanism for the C2H2−NO2−Ar flame. The comparison of the measured and experimental profiles for the two flames is good. Results for the O2 flame support an existing mechanism for C2H2 oxidation. The results for the previously unstudied NO2 flame support a reaction mechanism based on C2H2−O2 flame modeling, H2−NO2 flame modeling and H−C−N species interactions.
Two-level additive Schwarz preconditioners for plate elements

We present a theory of two-level additive Schwarz preconditioners for plate elements. It is applicable to the cases where the finite element spaces on the two levels are (I) conforming and nested, (II) conforming and nonnested, and (III) nonconforming and nonnested. The condition number of the preconditioned system is independent of the mesh sizes and the number of subdomains in the case of generous overlap.
Much More Than a Game: Players, Owners, and American Baseball since 1921

Power struggles off the field To most Americans, baseball is just a sport; but to those who own baseball teams - and to those who play on them - our national pastime is much more than a game. In this book, Robert Burk traces the turbulent labor history of American baseball since 1921. His comprehensive, readable account details the many battles between owners and players that irrevocably altered the business of baseball. During what Burk calls the "paternalistic era," from 1921 to the early 1960s, baseball's management rigidly maintained racial segregation, established a network of southern-based farm teams to serve as a captive source of cheap replacement labor, and crushed attempts by players to create collective bargaining institutions. In the 1960s, however, the paternal order crumbled, eroded in part by the civil rights movement and the arrival of television. As a consequence, in the "inflationary era" that followed, both players and umpires established effective unions that successfully pressed for higher pay, pensions, and greater occupational mobility - and then fought increasingly bitter struggles to hold on to these hard-won gains.
Isotopic fractionation associated with biosynthesis of fatty acids by a marine bacterium under oxic and anoxic conditions

Shewanella putrefaciens (Strain MR-4), a gram negative facultative marine bacterium, was grown to stationary phase under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions using lactate as the sole carbon source. Aerobically-produced cells were slightly enriched in 13C (+1.5‰) relative to the lactate carbon source, whereas those from anaerobic growth were depleted in 13C (−2.2‰). The distribution of fatty acids produced under aerobic conditions was similar to that resulting from anaerobic growth, being dominated by C16:1 ω7 and C16:0 fatty acids with a lesser amount of the C18:1 ω7 component. Low concentrations of saturated even numbered normal fatty acids in the C14 to C18 range, and iso-C15:0 were synthesized under both conditions. Fatty acids from anaerobic cultures (average δ13C=−37.8‰) were considerably depleted in 13C relative to their aerobically-synthesized counterparts (−28.8‰). The distinct differences in isotopic composition of both whole cells and individual fatty acid components result from differences in assimilation pathways. Under aerobic conditions, the primary route of assimilation involves the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex which produces acetyl-CoA, the precursor to lipid synthesis. In contrast, under anaerobic conditions formate, and not acetate, is the central intermediate in carbon assimilation with the precursors to fatty acid synthesis being produced via the serine pathway. Anaerobically-produced bacterial fatty acids were depleted by up to 12‰ relative to the carbon source. Therefore, detection of isotopically depleted fatty acids in sediments may be falsely attributed to a terrestrial origin, when in fact they are the result of bacterial resynthesis.
Changes in Scholarly Communication and the Potential Impact on Biocuration

Open access in particular and changes in on-line scholarship have the potential to impact biocuration which often involves translating information currently read in papers to knowledge that is found in a variety of biological resources. The implication of these changes in scholarly communication to the biocuration process will be discussed with references to our work and that of others.
PHB7 The Direct Medical Cost of Osteporotic Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To isolate the cost of bone fracture to a Medicaid/Medicare payor for an osteoporosis-prone population. SUBJECTS: Claims data for Georgia Medicaid eligibles from 1992 through 1994 were obtained. Recipients meeting the following inclusion criteria were retained for analysis: age ≥50 years, female, claim with an ICD9 code indicative of fracture in 1993, 12 months of contiguous eligibility immediately prior to and after first fracture claim. Recipients were stratified based upon site of fracture (femur/other fracture site). METHODS: Amounts paid by Medicaid and Medicare were proxies for direct medical costs. Per recipient per month costs were disaggregated by category of service (hospital, nursing home, physician, prescription, miscellaneous) for each of the 24 months of the study. Interrupted time series models were estimated to isolate the incremental change in cost due to fracture, with terms controlling for pre-existing trend, run-in costs, and any autoregressive errors. RESULTS: A total of 765 subjects met inclusion criteria, with 226 femur fracture patients. All times series models estimated are significant, with R-squares ranging from 0.90 to 0.98. Average total cost temporarily increased $1,120 and $1,091 for the month of femur and other fracture, respectively. Observed cost increases returned to baseline trend levels within three months after fracture. Likewise, costs disagregated by category of service temporarily increased with fracture, except nursing home costs, which permanently increased after fracture. CONCLUSION: Only nursing home costs increased persistently over a 12-month period ensuing fracture; all other costs increased but quickly returned to baseline trend. The incremental direct total cost of any type of fracture is less than $2,000. This is in contrast to the $13,396 in outlays by Medicaid and Medicare the year after fracture for the average fracture patient.
Effects of the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I) and superpotent N-benzyl derivatives on the head twitch response

N-benzyl substitution markedly enhances the affinity of phenethylamine hallucinogens at the 5-HT(2A) receptor. N-benzyl substituted derivatives of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I), such as N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (25I-NBOMe) and N-(2,3-methylenedioxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (25I-NBMD), have appeared recently as designer drugs, but have not been characterized behaviorally. The head twitch response (HTR) is induced by 5-HT(2A) receptor activation in rats and mice, and is widely used as a behavioral proxy for hallucinogen effects in humans. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether phenethylamine hallucinogens reliably provoke this behavior. Hence, we investigated whether 2C-I, 25I-NBOMe and 25I-NBMD induce head twitches in C57BL/6J mice. The HTR was assessed using a head-mounted magnet and a magnetometer coil. 2C-I (1-10 mg/kg SC), 25I-NBOMe (0.1-1 mg/kg SC), and 25I-NBMD (1-10 mg/kg SC) induced the HTR. 25I-NBOMe displayed 14-fold higher potency than 2C-I, and the selective 5-HT(2A) antagonist M100,907 completely blocked the HTR induced by all three compounds. These findings show that phenethylamine hallucinogens induce the HTR by activating 5-HT(2A) receptors. Our results demonstrate that 25I-NBOMe is a highly potent derivative of 2C-I, confirming previous in vitro findings that N-benzyl substitution increases 5-HT(2A) affinity. Given the high potency and ease of synthesis of N-benzylphenethylamines, it is likely that the recreational use of these hallucinogens will become more widespread in the future.
Lorentz-invariance of the distribution in phase space

Abstract A proof is given of the Lorentz-invariance of the distribution function f(r, p, t) in one-particle phase space. The proof is purely kinematical: no equations of motion are required. The result is used to show that particle density and particle current form a fourvector, and that the energy density and momentum density are elements of an energy-stress tensor. Furthermore, the transformation of the momentum distribution is derived for free particles and for an ideal gas in equilibrium. In the latter case the walls of the container play an essential role. Finally the invariance is proved of a multiple-time version of the N-particle distribution function.
Publicity and Educational Research: A Case Study.

Finally there are implications with respect to academic processes and the relationship of the university of the state. The authors' objective is to provide a basis for educational reform, the rationalization of which is an accelerated scientific and technological development and, in turn, an increased rate of economic expansion. This conception smacks of dogma. Do the professors consciously advocate such a conception, having arrived at it by exercising a free, open, and zealous scholarship? Is the purpose of their work of their own design? Or are they merely functionaries, their technical skills marshaled to support the conventional wisdom as it relates to the "needs" of the state?
Annealing of damage in Se+-implanted indium phosphide

Abstract The production and annealing of damage in (100) InP implanted with Se + ions at 77 K, room temperature and 180°C have been studied by channeling and differential Hall measurements. For ion energies from 100 to 400 keV, fluences of 10 14 and 10 15 cm −2 produce amorphous layers which extend to the surface in samples implanted at 77 K or room temperature, while the samples implanted at 180°C remain crystalline. According to the channeling measurements, amorphous layers less than 2000 A thick produced by either 77 K or room-temperature implants are completely reordered by annealing at 750°C for 10 min, while the post-anneal residual disorder of thicker layers is linearly dependent on the initial amorphous layer thickness. After annealing, samples implanted at 180°C have higher sheet carrier concentrations and mobilities but considerably broader carrier concentrations than samples similarly implanted at either 77 K or room temperature, even when the amorphous layers in the latter samples are completely reordered. It is considered that for most applications heated implants should be used to avoid the formation of amorphous layers.
Diagana Space and The Gas Absorption Model

Poorkarimi and Wiener established the existence of almost periodic solutions to a class of nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations with delay. Al-Islam then generalized the results of Poorkarimi and Weiner to the pseudo-almost periodic setting. In this paper, the results of Al-Islam will be extended to the space of weighted pseudo almost periodic functions, also known as Diagana Space. The class of nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations of Poorkarimi and Wiener represents a mathematical model for the dynamics of gas absorption.
Remote electrochemical monitoring of trace silver

Abstract A novel electrochemical sensor for remote monitoring of trace silver is described. The probe relies on linear scan stripping voltammetry at a newly-designed carbon-fiber working electrode assembly, connected to a 50-ft. long shielded cable. High sensitivity and selectivity are achieved while the probe is fully submersed in unaltered river-, lake- or groundwater samples. The optimization of various parameters has resulted in low detection limits (e.g., 0.3 μg/1 with 10 min accumulation) and good precision (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) = 8% for n = 18 at 3 μg/1 silver). The new probe can operate over a broad pH and ionic-strength ranges relevant to natural water matrices.
Inclusion in the context of competing values in early childhood education

Abstract Inclusion of preschoolers with disabilities in programs for typically developing children has a strong legal, rational, moral, and empirical basis. Despite this compelling foundation, however, the desirability of inclusion continues to be debated and acceptable options for inclusive placements are often difficult to find. In this paper, we argue that professionals and parents are often placed in a position in which inclusion must be weighed against other compelling values in making decisions about placements for children. We describe three competing values—high-quality programs, specialized services, and family-centered practices—and demonstrate how in many communities these values and inclusion are difficult to achieve simultaneously. We argue that placement in inclusive settings should be a goal for all children with disabilities, but that placements should also be of high quality, sufficiently specialized, and consistent with family priorities. We conclude with a series of recommendations for changes needed if this goal is to be attained.
To what extent does internal control effectiveness increase the value of internal evidence

Purpose – This research seeks to examine whether two relevant characteristics, source objectivity and internal control effectiveness, influence how auditors evaluate evidence items supporting accounting estimates.Design/methodology/approach – A controlled experiment approach with a sample of 24 auditors from one large international firm.Findings – Results indicate that effective internal controls reduce the impact of relying on internal as opposed to external evidence items. Results also suggest that auditors place reliance on internal control effectiveness when they evaluate external evidence items.Practical implications – Recent professional trends, such as the demand for faster financial reporting, put pressure on auditors to rely on internal rather than more persuasive external evidence items. Relying on less persuasive evidence items reduces audit effectiveness. Auditors may respond by examining a second evidence characteristic; US audit standards suggest evaluating internal control effectiveness if ...
Electric Poling of 4-(Dimethylamino)-4‘-nitrostilbene in Poly(methyl methacrylate) Studied by Polarized Absorption Spectroscopy

The inversion symmetry of chromophores doped in thin organic polymer films can be eliminated by electric poling. Polarized absorption spectroscopy (PAS) is used to study the electric poling of a gu...