cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Pain Management in the Neurosurgical Patient

The perioperative management of pain in neurosurgical patients is a controversial topic with management decisions based mainly on reports of anecdotal experiences. There is no consensus regarding the standardization of pain control in this patient population. In the last decade, improved awareness and advances in the practice of pain management have resulted in the implementation of diverse techniques to achieve adequate analgesia in this undertreated group of patients. This article provides information about the various techniques and approaches, based on the latest research and clinical trials conducted in this patient population. Specifically, the physiology of pain in patients undergoing brain or spine surgery, the different modalities for pain control, and the diverse choice of drugs, with their associated risks and benefits, are reviewed.
Can 12-step group participation strengthen and extend the benefits of adolescent addiction treatment? A prospective analysis

Background Despite advances in the development of treatments for adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD), relapse remains common following an index treatment episode. Community continuing care resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), have been shown to be helpful and cost-effective recovery resources among adults. However, little is known about the clinical utility and effectiveness of AA/NA for adolescents, despite widespread treatment referrals.
Static and Dynamic Properties of Layered Electron Systems

We analyze the static and dynamic properties of strongly correlated multi-layer structures. The two extreme configurations, the double-layer and the infinite superlattice, are studied within a classical model. Static and dynamic instabilities are identified at high enough Γ values and at low enough layer spacings. Interlayer correlations cause the acoustic mode to develop a k = 0 energy gap.
The TFTR Charge Exchange Diagnostic Software Systems

This paper describes the applications software systems for computer control and monitoring of diagnostic hardware, and for data acquisition and analysis of the TFTR (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor) Charge Exchange diagnostics. The TFTR Charge Exchange diagnostics are comprised of two autonomous systems, each consisting of up to six independent analyzer modules viewing the plasma at different angles and toroidal locations. Each system will have the capability of acquiring up to 2.5 megabytes of raw data for each shot. Users will have the capability of controlling all analyzers, and analyzing hydrogen mass species for up to ten analysis pulse time regions for multiple plasma shots. These features make the Charge Exchange systems among the largest diagnostic applications software systems on TFTR.
Evolutionary ecology: Novelty makes the heart grow fonder

Research on guppies provides the most definitive evidence yet for the rare-male effect — a long-standing hypothesis to explain the perplexing maintenance of variation in traits that are subject to strong mate choice. See Letter p.108 Given that natural selection is both ubiquitous and remorseless, how is it that variation is maintained in populations? This pressing question in evolutionary biology is answered by Kimberly Hughes and colleagues in a study of guppies (Poecilia reticulata), a particularly useful model system because guppy male colouration is one of the most genetically variable organismal traits known. It was shown previously that in a population of brightly coloured guppies, males with rare colour patterns tend to thrive, against expectation. Hughes et al. show, using carefully controlled wild populations, not only that female guppies prefer to mate with these rare males, but that the males produce more offspring than those of more common stripe. This phenomenon, known as negative frequency-dependent selection, shows that there is a price on exclusivity and provides a mechanism for maintaining variation in a population.
A High Relative Biological Efficiency of 650-keV Neutrons and 250-kVp X-rays in Somatic Mutation Induction

THE mean linear energy transfers of 650-keV neutrons and of 250-kVp X-rays are so markedly different that it is not usually possible to establish a unique value for their relative biological efficiency. For example, it is well known that the densely ionizing neutrons induce linear dose-response relationships for chromosome aberrations, whereas the dose-response curves for X-rays are often non-linear. Moreover, the former radiation but not the latter is almost independent of environmental factors such as oxygen tension during irradiation. Under certain conditions, and with certain biological test systems, however, some of these difficulties are minimized. For example, Neary et al.1 compared the relative biological efficiency, in terms of chromosome aberration induction, of 0.7- and 3.0-MeV neutrons with cobalt-60 γ-rays administered at low dose rates. There the dose-response relationships were almost linear, and relative biological efficiency values of 35 were obtained; they also derived ultimate maximum relative biological efficiency values from a comparison of the one-hit components of the neutron and γ-dose-response curves and found that these could be as high as 100. Similarly, Smith et al.2, using a test system (somatic mutation induction in dry seed) in which the dose-response relationship for X-rays was linear, obtained an average relative biological efficiency value of about 75 for mono-energetic neutrons of 0.43–1.80 MeV.
An African American Welfare State

Histories of the American welfare state have been white histories, in part because scholars have presumed that welfare state institutions are benevolent and exist to assist those in need. But if we take seriously work that instead focuses upon the degree to which welfare state regimes affect citizens' freedom to survive apart from dependence on the labor market or upon a male breadwinner, along with scholarship that highlights the malign functions of relief, then explicitly repressive institutions become legitimately within the purview of welfare state analysis. This article makes the formative case that slavery, Jim Crow, and the prison might be considered welfare state institutions, given their impact upon the material well-being of so many Americans. Because these institutions have most affected blacks, we might have reason to distinguish between a white welfare state and an African American welfare state, and reject the notion that we can coherently speak of the welfare state.
A diamond-like carbon film as a self-alignment layer for LCDs

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films without H deposited with a DC magnetron in-line sputtering system have shown sufficient self-alignment properties towards liquid crystals (LC). The DLC film was successfully used as an alignment layer for LC without any alignment processes such as rubbing or atomic beam bombardment or UV irradiation. From the observations of the test cells, the LC director was aligning parallel to the substrate movement direction of the in-line sputtering system. The alignment property of the DLC films has been demonstrated by a contrast ratio value of close to 200. It appears that DLC film may have anisotropic structure that is interacting with LC to align.
Low-energy limits and renormalization in meson theory

A technique is developed for deriving rigorous expressions for zero-energy mesonic processes. Making use of the ambiguity of mesonic charge renormalization, the coupling constant is defined by zero-energy pion-nucleon scattering. The threshold photomeson production amplitude is also calculated. The experimental value of the coupling constant defined by scattering is at least an order of magnitude less than that of the coupling constant deduced from the photoproduction data. It is shown that pair suppression effects are absent in both cases. The possibility that the results obtained imply disagreement of pseudoscalar theory with experiment is discussed.
A novel HPGe detector for gamma-ray tracking and imaging

Abstract A novel, large-volume High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector that will provide gamma-ray detection with both sub-mm position resolution and high efficiency is under development. This design is based on a coaxial HPGe geometry and employs a point contact along with segmentation of the outer electrode. Calculations indicate that this device will be capable of achieving values of position sensitivity which are approximately a factor of four or five greater than conventional gamma-ray tracking detectors.
Preschool Prediction of Early School Performance: Relationship of McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities Prior to School Entry to Achievement in Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades.

Two studies assessing the predictive validity of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) are reported. In Study 1, the MSCA was administered prior to school entry to a stratified sample of 129 children chosen from a countywide cohort, with oversampling of those at risk for developmental delay. California Achievement Tests (CATs), retention, and special education outcomes were assessed in kindergarten, first, and second grades. Preschool MSCA scale scores showed significant positive correlation with achievement outcomes (r=.35–.70). Children who scored low (<68 or between 68 and 84) on the MSCA General Cognitive Index (GCI) had significantly lower CAT scores in all grades than did children scoring within the normal range (≥84) on the GCI. By second grade 94% of children scoring less than 68 on the preschool GCI and 74% of those scoring between 68 and 84 on the GCI had failed a grade, had been placed in special education classes, or were scoring in the bottom 20% of their cohort on the CATs in that year. In Study 2, these results were replicated through first grade for a second cohort.
Caspase 8 and maspin are downregulated in breast cancer cells due to CpG site promoter methylation.

Background: Epigenetic changes associated with promoter DNA methylation results in silencing of several tumor suppressor genes that lead to increased risk for tumor formation and for progression of the cancer. Methods: Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing were used for determination of proapoptotic gene Caspase 8 (CASP8) and the tumor suppressor gene maspin promoter methylation in four breast cancer and two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Involvement of histone H3 methylation in those cell lines were examined by CHIP assay. Results: The CpG sites in the promoter region of CASP8 and maspin were methylated in all four breast cancer cell lines but not in two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Demethylation agent 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc) selectively inhibits DNA methyltransferases, DNMT3a and DNMT3b, and restored CASP8 and maspin gene expression in breast cancer cells. 5-aza-dc also reduced histone H3k9me2 occupancy on CASP8 promoter in SKBR3cells, but not in MCF-7 cells. Combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-dc significant decrease in nuclear expression of Di-methyl histone H3-Lys27 and slight increase in acetyl histone H3Lys9 in MCF-7 cells. CASP8 mRNA and protein level in MCF-7 cells were increased by the 5-aza-dc in combination with TSA. Data from our study also demonstrated that treatment with 5-FU caused a significant increase in unmethylated CASP8 and in CASP8 mRNA in all 3 cancer lines. Conclusions: CASP8 and maspin expression were reduced in breast cancer cells due to promoter methylation. Selective application of demethylating agents could offer novel therapeutic opportunities in breast cancer.
Crystal data for high-pressure phases of silicon

X-ray-diffraction data have been obtained on Si in a diamond anvil cell to pressures of \ensuremath{\sim}50 GPa. Crystallographic data are presented in phase I (cubic, diamond), II (tetragonal, \ensuremath{\beta}-Sn), V (simple hexagonal), VII (hexagonal close-packed), and the metastable phase III [body-centered-cubic (BC8)] and on the coexistence of the phases. Comparison is made between these data and the predictions of ab initio calculations for these structures and their equations of state.
Heuristic optimization as a V&V tool for software process simulation models

This work illustrates the use of heuristic algorithms to improve the verification and validation of software process simulation models. To use this approach, an optimization problem is formulated to guide a heuristic search algorithm that will attempt to locate particular combinations of parameter values that yield surprising results. These surprising results often help the modeler to identify flaws in the model logic that would otherwise remain undetected. The general concepts are discussed and a simple example is provided. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypoxic injury to developing glial cells: protective effect of high glucose.

Hypoxic injury to differentiating glial cells is a critical event in the development of periventricular leukomalacia, the major hypoxic-ischemic lesion of the premature infant. This study has addressed the effects of hypoxia on differentiating glial cells, primarily astrocytes. Primary cultures of dissociated newborn rat brain, which are composed predominantly of differentiating astroglia, were used. Efflux of lactate dehydrogenase, an enzyme enriched in astroglia, was used to quantitate cellular injury. Three major findings are reported. First, differentiating astrocytes were resistant to hypoxic injury for many hours, although by 24 h of hypoxia severe cellular injury (lactate dehydrogenase efflux of 86% of total and morphologic changes) was obvious. Second, increase of glucose in the culture medium from the approximately physiological concentration of 5.6 to 15 mM had a marked protective effect versus hypoxia, i.e. lactate dehydrogenase efflux was totally prevented during 24 h of hypoxia in 15 mM glucose. Third, the protective effect of high glucose appeared to be related to increased utilization by glycolysis, because there was a direct correlation between the resistance to hypoxic cellular injury and the amount of lactate generated and of glucose consumed by the cells. Thus, the cells with the lowest lactate dehydrogenase efflux (and highest glucose supplementations) had medium lactate concentrations as high as 32-36 mM. These concentrations of lactate are approximately double the reported threshold concentration of lactate considered to produce cellular necrosis in in vivo models of hypoxic injury, primarily in mature animals. The data raise the possibility that hypoxic injury to differentiating glia can be prevented or ameliorated by increase in glucose availability.
Using ISS to develop telescope technology

Future space telescope missions concepts have introduced new technologies such as precision formation flight, optical metrology, and segmented mirrors. These new technologies require demonstration and validation prior to deployment in final missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, Terrestrial Planet Finder, and Darwin. Ground based demonstrations do not provide the precision necessary to obtain a high level of confidence in the technology; precursor free flyer space missions suffer from the same problems as the final missions. Therefore, this paper proposes the use of the International Space Station as an intermediate research environment where these technologies can be developed, demonstrated, and validated. The ISS provides special resources, such as human presence, communications, power, and a benign atmosphere which directly reduce the major challenges of space technology maturation: risk, complexity, cost, remote operations, and visibility. Successful design of experiments for use aboard the space station, by enabling iterative research and supporting multiple scientists, can further reduce the effects of these challenges of space technology maturation. This paper presents results of five previous MIT Space Systems Laboratory experiments aboard the Space Shuttle, MIR, and the ISS to illustrate successful technology maturation aboard these facilities.
Properties of ultraproducts

A direct proof is given of the completeness of ultraproduct spaces when the factor spaces are Banach spaces. The method of proof also shows the completeness of the ultraproduct even when the factor spaces are not complete for many (possibly all) ultrafilters. It is also shown that ultraproduct spaces are separable only when they are finite dimensional.
Multiple imputation for left-censored biomarker data based on Gibbs sampling method

Biomarkers, increasingly used in biomedical studies for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute and chronic diseases, provide insight into the effectiveness of treatments and potential pathways that can be used to guide future treatment targets. The measurement of these markers is often limited by the sensitivity of the given assay, resulting in data that are censored either at the lower or at the upper limit of detection. For the Genetic and Inflammatory Markers of Sepsis (GenIMS) study, many different biomarkers were measured to examine the effect of different pathways on the development of sepsis. In this study, the left-censoring of several important inflammatory markers has led to the need for statistical methods that can incorporate this censoring into any analysis of the biomarker data. This paper focuses on the development of multiple imputation methods for the inclusion of multiple left-censored biomarkers in a logistic regression analysis. We assume a multivariate normal distribution to account for the correlations between biomarkers and use the Gibbs sampler for the estimation of the distributional parameters and the imputation of the censored markers. We evaluate and compare the proposed methods with some simple imputation methods through simulation. We use a data set of inflammatory and coagulation markers from the GenIMS study for illustration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leadership Style and the Discussion of Shared and Unshared Information in Decision-Making Groups

This study found that during group decision-making discussions, shared information (i.e., information held by all group members) was brought into discussion earlier, and was more likely to be mentioned overall, than was unshared information (i.e., unique information held by just one member or another). These results are consistent with a dynamic information sampling model of group discussion. It also was found that groups with a participative leader discussed more information (both shared and unshared) than groups with a directive leader, but that directive leaders were more likely to repeat information (especially unshared) than participative leaders. Finally, it was found that leadership style and the information held by the leader prior to discussion interacted to influence group decision quality. The relevance of these findings for existing contingency theories of leadership is discussed.
Modeling the evaporation and dispersion of airborne sputum droplets expelled from a human cough

Abstract This study contributes a new model to simulate the evaporation and dispersion of sputum droplets from human coughs or sneezes. It is the first time different chemical components have been included in order to estimate the transport of sputum or similar biological droplets. This modified model demonstrates the ability to describe real-world phenomena that the widely used single droplet model lacks. Evaporation and dispersion of airborne sputum droplets originating from a human cough are simulated using this model combined with an initially buoyant turbulent jet. Constituents of sputum droplets such as NaCl, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids are included. Effects of these chemical components on evaporation rate, velocity, and temperature of droplets are investigated in detail. The results obtained for sputum droplets will provide a perspective of what conditions the viruses within a droplet might face upon being ejected from the mouth during a cough. Finally, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and probability density function (PDF) techniques were used to complement the new model with a simulation of a cough jet and the dynamics of droplet nuclei in confined spaces. Numerical results indicate that a 10 microns sputum droplet will evaporate to become a droplet nucleus (3.5 microns) in 0.55 s at 0.8 or 80% RH, in 0.3 s at 0.5 or 50% RH, and in 0.25 s at 0.2 or 20% RH. The droplet temperature decreases rapidly from human body temperature to room temperature, which may affect the viability of any carried virus.
Thermal Stability of Flame-Synthesized Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles

The thermal stability of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles, produced by flame synthesis, is investigated in the current study. Phase-pure anatase particles of ∼4 nm in size can be reproducibly synthesized by using a tubular burner and rotating sampler. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD), and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) were utilized to characterize the particles before and after annealing to various temperatures. TEM investigations reveal a primary particle size of ∼4 nm with standard deviations around 1 nm. XRD and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) indicate that TiO2 nanoparticles are phase-pure anatase. Our results indicate that the particles remain kinetically trapped upon annealing up to 773 K in air for 2 h. At 973 K, increases in average size, rutile content, and particle shape are observed, consistent with recent reports in the literature. NEXAFS measurements indicate that the O K-edge features of the nanoparticles show similar...
Influence of chronic alcohol consumption on inward rectifier potassium channels in cerebral arterioles

Inward rectifier potassium (K(IR)) channels appear to play an important role in the regulation of cerebral blood flow. Our goal was to examine the influence of chronic alcohol exposure on K(IR) channels in cerebral arterioles. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed liquid diets with or without alcohol for 8-12 weeks. Using intravital microscope, we measured diameter of pial arterioles in response to an inhibitor, BaCl(2), and an activator, KCl, of K(IR) channels in the absence and presence of a scavenger of reactive oxygen species, tempol, or an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase, apocynin. Application of BaCl(2) (30 and 100 microM) produced dose-related vasoconstriction in non-alcohol-fed, but not in alcohol-fed rats. In addition, application of KCl (3, 10, and 30 mM) produced dose-related dilation in non-alcohol-fed and alcohol-fed rats, but the magnitude of vasodilatation was less in alcohol-fed rats. In contrast, nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation was similar in non-alcohol-fed and alcohol-fed rats. Superfusion of cranial window with tempol (0.1 mM) or apocynin (1 mM) did not alter baseline diameter and nitroglycerin-induced dilation of pial arterioles in non-alcohol-fed and alcohol-fed rats but significantly improved impaired KCl-induced dilation in alcohol-fed rats. Our findings suggest that chronic alcohol consumption impairs the role of K(IR) channels in basal tone and KCl-induced dilation of cerebral arterioles. In addition, impaired KCl-induced dilation of cerebral arterioles during alcohol consumption may be related to enhanced release of oxygen-derived free radicals via NAD(P)H oxidase.
Normal and insufficient tonsils. A microscopic anatomical stud.

A microscopic anatomical study was made of the normal tonsillar function, with special reference to the formation of reaction centres and the liberation and drainage of anti-substances. Mention is made of the significance of the normal, loose tonsillar tissue for rapid and easy internal drainage of lymphocytes to the efferent lymph pathways. In the case of infection of imperfectly structured tonsillar parts, containing excessive connective tissue, dense infiltrates of lymphocytes are formed around the crypts. Focal infection may result from this. Repeated serious infection in young children, with still insufficient immunity, may give rise to insufficiency of the tonsils. The cavities consequently formed, with necrotic contents, are the cause of subsequent recurrent tonsillitis.
A phylogenetic comparison of mutation spectra.

Spectra of induced mutations resulting in obligate organoauxotrophy are compared at different phylogenetic levels from bacteria to higher plants. It appears that the spectra of mutants concerned with basic cell metabolism are more or less the same in bacteria and fungi. In higher, green plants (an alga and an angiosperm) the spectra are qualitatively different. Mutation frequency in certain pathways is common, while in others no mutants have been found. This lack of recovery of many classes of mutants indicates a reduction, by several orders of magnitude, in either mutability or detectability of the mutants in the majority of the biosynthetic systems.
REVITALIZING MINORITY COMMERCIAL AREAS THROUGH COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATION: A Case Study of Atlanta, Georgia

Historic preservation is one way cities can stimulate the economies of lagging or distressed areas. Owners of commercial properties in historic districts enjoy federal and local tax incentives, gra...
Using scantron versus an audience response system for survey research: Does methodology matter when measuring computer-mediated communication competence?

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate whether results of the computer-mediated communication (CMC) competency scale differ depending on the survey instrument used. Data were collected from 173 undergraduate students (53% female; average age 20). Of these, 96 subjects completed the questionnaire using scantron sheets, while 77 subjects used an audience response system called Classroom Performance System (CPS). All subjects completed a second questionnaire using paper-and-pencil to evaluate their experience with either the scantron sheets or the CPS. t -Test results show that using the CPS is more fun for participants ( p p =.806); and does not make a difference with regard to experienced time pressure ( p =.425). Subjects have higher doubts about the validity of their recorded answers ( p =.007) when using the CPS. Regression analysis shows that in two out of 12 constructs of the CMC competency scale, scoring was influenced by using a technological data collection method. The two constructs were “message factors” ( p =.002) and “medium factors” ( p =.002). Overall, results support the use of the CPS as an alternative to scantron sheets for measuring CMC competence.
Chromatographic studies of metal complexes. Part IV. Thin layer chromatographic separation of cis from trans isomers of cobalt(III) mixed ligand complexes

Abstract With acidic mixed solvents (40:60:0.2 formamide:methanol:acetic acid or 40:60:0.25 N,N-dimethylformamide:methanol:perchloric acid) cationic cis and trans isomers of cobalt(III) mixed chelates were successfully separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using silica gel H adsorbent. The mechanism of separation is based on an ion-exchange process. RF values of cis complexes were found to be greater than those of the trans complexes. In addition to other factors, solubilities of the complexes have a profound effect on the RF values of these cationic complexes.
Kinetics of reaction of the sulfhydryl groups of rhodopsin.

Abstract The kinetics of reaction of the sulfhydryl groups of rhodopsin have been investigated using the sulfhydryl reagent 4-4′-dithiodipyridine. The spectral changes associated with the sulfhydryl group reaction and the photo-initiated thermal intermediates were monitored simultaneously. In the unbleached digitonin-extracted rhodopsin two separate sulfhydryl group reaction rates which varied somewhat as a function of pH were observed from pH 5.0–8.0. Approximately two sulfhydryl groups reacted with reagent with first-order half-lives of 24 min and 144 min at pH 7.5, 3 °C. Upon illumination two additional sulfhydryl groups were exposed with a single first-order half-life of 66 min at pH 7.5, 3 °C. The single rate varied little as a function of pH from pH 5.5–7.5. The following data indicated a correspondence between the thermal decay of metarhodopsin II 380 and the light-induced sulfhydryl group exposure: comparison of the kinetics of the sulfhydryl exposure and the thermal decay of rhodopsin photoproducts; the constancy of reaction rate as a function of pH; the correspondence of Q 10 values; and the kinetics of the sulfhydryl reagent reaction when the reagent was added after illumination at particular stages of the intermediate sequence. The results suggest that the two sulfhydryl groups titratable in the dark are probably located in different environments in the protein structure and show that the two sulfhydryl groups observed after illumination are exposed simultaneously in the thermal decay of metarhodopsin II 380 .
Improving pollutant source characterization by better estimating wind direction with a genetic algorithm

Abstract In homeland security applications, it is often necessary to characterize the source location and strength of a potentially harmful contaminant. Correct source characterization requires accurate meteorological data such as wind direction. Unfortunately, available meteorological data is often inaccurate or unrepresentative, having insufficient spatial and temporal resolution for precise modeling of pollutant dispersion. To address this issue, a method is presented that simultaneously determines the surface wind direction and the pollutant source characteristics. This method compares monitored receptor data to pollutant dispersion model output and uses a genetic algorithm (GA) to find the combination of source location, source strength, and surface wind direction that best matches the dispersion model output to the receptor data. A GA optimizes variables using principles from genetics and evolution. The approach is validated with an identical twin experiment using synthetic receptor data and a Gaussian plume equation as the dispersion model. Given sufficient receptor data, the GA is able to reproduce the wind direction, source location, and source strength. Additional runs incorporating white noise into the receptor data to simulate real-world variability demonstrate that the GA is still capable of computing the correct solution, as long as the magnitude of the noise does not exceed that of the receptor data.
Febrile-range hyperthermia augments pulmonary neutrophil recruitment and amplifies pulmonary oxygen toxicity.

Febrile-range hyperthermia (FRH) improves survival in experimental infections by accelerating pathogen clearance, but may also increase collateral tissue injury. We hypothesized that FRH would worsen the outcome of inflammation stimulated by a non-replicating agonist and tested this hypothesis in a murine model of pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Using a conscious, temperature-controlled mouse model, we showed that maintaining a core temperature at FRH (39°C to 40°C) rather than at euthermic levels (36.5°C to 37°C) during hyperoxia exposure accelerated lethal pulmonary vascular endothelial injury, reduced the inspired oxygen threshold for lethality, induced expression of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and expanded the circulating neutrophil pool. In these same mice, FRH augmented pulmonary expression of the ELR + CXC chemokines, KC and LPS-induced CXC chemokine, enhanced recruitment of neutrophils, and changed the histological pattern of lung injury to a neutrophilic interstitial pneumonitis. Immunoblockade of CXC receptor-2 abrogated neutrophil recruitment, reduced pulmonary vascular injury, and delayed death. These combined data demonstrate that FRH may enlist distinct mediators and effector cells to profoundly shift the host response to a defined injurious stimulus, in part by augmenting delivery of neutrophils to sites of inflammation, such as may occur in infections. In certain conditions, such as in the hyperoxic lung, this process may be deleterious.
Insemination and sperm storage in the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (gyllenhal) (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

Abstract Observations on the microanatomy of the aedeagus, bursa copulatrix, spermatheca, spermathecal duct, and spermathecal gland and on the activity of the sperm within the female alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), were used as a basis for interpreting the mode of insemination and sperm storage. The aedeagus is inserted deeply into the bursa copulatrix during copulation. The endophallus protrudes from the aedeagus and attaches to the bursa copulatrix by sclerotized spines. Semen is deposited from the phallotreme into the bursa copulatrix near the entrance of the spermathecal duct. Muscle contractions by the bursa copulatrix and the spermathecal duct facilitate sperm in reaching the spermatheca. A nutritive secretion from the spermathecal gland permits sperm to maintain constant activity within the spermatheca. Stored sperm or a factor associated with sperm stimulates alfalfa weevil oviposition and causes other biological changes in the female.
ANALYSIS METHOD OF RELIABILITY SENSITIVITY BASED ON RESPONSE SURFACE METHODS

A process of applying the response surface method to get the ultimate state function(Which takes the characteris- tics of response surface function)is briefly depicted.A new method to analyze the reliability sensitivity through the ultimate state function is presented and the correlative formulas are de- duced.The advantages of this method are as follows:①It is available even the ultimate state function is unknown.②The ultimate state function,a simple quadric polynomial,is con- venient for calculating the variance,partial derivative and reli- ability sensitivity.③The function includes the information of linear,quadratic and crossing quadratic terms,which makes the accuracy of reliability sensitivity greatly improved.④Owning to its regularity,programming is achievable.Finally,the reli- ability of heat-emission of the accessory gearbox of aero-engine and reliability sensitivity of various influencing factors are cal- culated,which provides theoretical warranties for the designing of heat-emission system of accessory gearbox.The example shows these theories and formulas are rational and efficient.
Pursuing the simplifications in smelser’s vision

In looking forward to the character of sociological theory, Neil Smelser first looks backward and finds cycles of consensus and conflict. He gazes over the cycles and trends in sociology and offers the comforting opinion that the future of sociology will witness increasing synthesis and integration of theory. His vision clearly is optimistic. Talcott Parsons seemed equally pleased and optimistic more than forty years ago (1954 [1945], p. 212), and Merton similarly predicted a "progressively com prehensive sociological theory" two decades later (1967, p. 51) which would be integrated at the level of the middle range. More recently, Coleman (1986) and Collins (1986) have found additional grounds to be optimistic about the future of our field despite its problems. In fact, ever since Albion Small's lead article in the first issue ofthe American Journal of Sociology nearly a century ago, sociologists have been finding reasons to express the view that things will get better and outlining what must be done. From this apparently ongoing condition I draw the obvious conclusion that sociology has continuously struggled with its future. In that struggle, analyzed so well by others (Shils 1970; Wiley 1979), sociologists have debated fundamental issues of ontology and epistemology, the political and ideological character of sociology, and the nature and legitimacy of its agendas, and throughout those dialogues has been the expression of optimism. I suggest, therefore, that Smelser's vision should be regarded in the context of this ongoing struggle and that his voice in fact joins others rather than being a lone and marginal one as he suggests. Despite all this optimism, I find sufficient reason to wonder what it is all about. To take just a couple of cases in point, Wagner and Berger (1985) argue system atically and optimistically that there has been more growth in sociological theory
Discovery of Hydroxyl Radio Emission from Infrared Stars

Radio spectral line emission from hydroxyl radicals has been detected from four infrared stars. The emission from the infrared star NML Cygni at 1612 megahertz is the strongest radio emission line yet detected. Sixteen other stars with infrared excesses showed no detectable hydroxyl radio emission.
Excitation Temperatures and Electron Number Densities Experienced by Analyte Species in Inductively Coupled Plasmas with and without the Presence of an Easily Ionized Element

Spatially resolved radial excitation temperatures and radial electron density distributions experienced by analyte species in the observation zone of 15 to 25 mm above the load coil of a toroidally shaped, inductively coupled argon plasma are presented and related to the analytical performance of these plasmas. A comparison of radial temperatures measured with support gas (Ar I) lines and with a typical analyte thermometric species (Fe I) at 15 mm above the load coil is given. Radial (Fe I) excitation temperatures obtained at three observation heights are compared for aerosol carrier flows of 1.0 and 1.3 liters/min. The addition of a large amount of an easily ionized element (6900 μg of Na per ml) did not significantly change Fe I excitation temperature distributions at the respective aerosol carrier flows and observation heights. A comparison of radial electron density distributions measured with Saha-Eggert ionization and with Stark broadening methods is given for an observation height of 15 mm above the load coil. The differences between electron density values obtained by these methods is discussed. The effect of addition of 6900 μg of Na per ml on Saha-Eggert electron density distributions at three observation heights is also discussed.
From Subsistence Systems to Commercial Agriculture: The Need for a New Development Paradigm: Discussion

Unlike many invited paper sessions where, despite a common theme, the papers seem to be a random draw, the papers in this session have a degree of coherence and all relate to the announced theme. The topic is important-the transformation of subsistence agricultural systems to commercial agriculture-because increasingly convincing evidence suggests that without agricultural growth, poor developing countries are unlikely to succeed in reducing poverty and generating widespread income growth. There are several critical questions on which there is not yet a consensus. How does the process occur? Over what time frame? Are there alternative paths to commercialization and can they be influenced by policy? Is the inevitable outcome a large-scale, capital, and purchased-input-intensive agriculture a'la North America or Western Europe? The three papers all attempt to throw light on some or all of these questions. The first by Timmer is the broadest and is a pragmatic attempt to link a conceptual economic framework with the political economy of policy making. The paper by Pingali discusses actual experience in a region, Asia, during the transition, seeking to identify common themes. The third paper by Rozelle, Park, Huang, and Jin is more narrowly focused and addresses a specific case-China-in terms of the transformation
Flagellin-Induced Corneal Antimicrobial Peptide Production and Wound Repair Involve a Novel NF-κB–Independent and EGFR-Dependent Pathway

Background The bacterial protein flagellin plays a major role in stimulating mucosal surface innate immune response to bacterial infection and uniquely induces profound cytoprotection against pathogens, chemicals, and radiation. This study sought to determine signaling pathways responsible for the flagellin-induced inflammatory and cytoprotective effects on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).
Heroin abuse during pregnancy: Effects on perinatal outcome and early childhood growth

Heroin abuse during pregnancy is associated with 1) fetal growth retardation and neonatal withdrawal syndrome in infants and 2) an increased frequency of abruptio placentae, sexually transmitted diseases, and other complications in mothers. Based on the findings of several small cohort studies, postnatal growth and development of infants whose mothers were addicted to heroin during pregnancy appears to fall within normal variation. In the present study, information about use of heroin and other substances during pregnancy in relation to neonatal outcome was analyzed in 47 heroin-abusing mothers and 80 control women and their respective infants. In addition medical record information was available for postnatal growth follow-up of 28 (58%) of heroin-exposed children and 22 (27.5%) of control infants. Infants born to heroin addicts in this study were significantly (P<.01) smaller at birth but exhibited no increase in the frequency of congenital anomalies compared with controls. Similar to findings of previous investigators, postnatal development of infants born to addicts was not delayed.
The limit of the product of the parameterized exponentials of two operators

Abstract Given two self-adjoint, positive, compact operators A , B on a separable Hilbert space, we show that there exists a self-adjoint, positive, compact operator C commuting with B such that lim t→∞ ||(e Bt 2 e At e Bt 2 ) 1 t −e C ||=0 .
Separability and Fourier representations of density matrices

Using the finite Fourier transform, we introduce a generalization of Pauli-spin matrices for d-dimensional spaces, and the resulting set of unitary matrices $S(d)$ is a basis for $d\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}d$ matrices. If ${N=d}_{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{d}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\ensuremath{\cdot}\ensuremath{\cdot}\ensuremath{\cdot}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{d}_{b}$ and ${H}^{[N]}=\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{H}^{[{d}_{k}]},$ we give a sufficient condition for separability of a density matrix $\ensuremath{\rho}$ relative to the ${H}^{[{d}_{k}]}$ in terms of the ${L}_{1}$ norm of the spin coefficients of $\ensuremath{\rho}.$ Since the spin representation depends on the form of the tensor product, the theory applies to both full and partial separability on a given space ${H}^{[N]}.$ It follows from this result that for a prescribed form of separability, there is always a neighborhood of the normalized identity in which every density matrix is separable. We also show that for every prime p and $ng1,$ the generalized Werner density matrix ${W}^{[{p}^{n}]}(s)$ is fully separable if and only if $sl~{(1+p}^{n\ensuremath{-}1}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}.$
Cooperative interactions between calcium-binding sites on glycerinated muscle fibers the influence of cross-bridge attachment

A double isotope technique and EGTA buffers were used to measure the binding of Ca2+ to rabbit psoas muscle fibers extracted with detergent and glycerol. These experiments were designed to test the effect of rigor complex formation, determined by the degree of filament overlap, on the properties of the Ca2+-binding sites in the intact filament lattice. In the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 (no ATP), reduction of filament overlap was associated with a reduced binding of Ca2+ over the entire range of free Ca2+ concentrations (5.10(-8)-2.10(-5) M). With maximum filament overlap (sarcomere length 2.1-2.2 micrometer) the maximum bound Ca2+ was equivalent to 4 mol Ca2+/mol troponin and there was significant positive interaction between binding sites, as shown by Scatchard and Hill plots. With no filament overlap (sarcomere length 3.8-4.4 micrometer) the maximum bound Ca2+ was equivalent to 3 mumole Ca2+/mol troponin and graphical analysis indicated a single class of non-interacting sites. The data provide evidence that when cross-bridge attachments between actin and myosin filaments are formed not only does an additional Ca2+ binding site appear, but cooperative properties are imposed upon the binding sites.
Effects of norplant on endometrial tissue factor expression and blood vessel structure.

Abnormal uterine bleeding after Norplant administration is primarily responsible for the high discontinuation rate of this safe and effective long-acting implantable progestin-only contraceptive agent. Although tissue factor (TF) is the primary initiator of hemostasis, previous studies indicated that Norplant-associated bleeding persists despite relatively high TF levels in the stromal compartment. Recently, we determined that progestin-enhanced TF expression during decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells involves both the epidermal growth factor receptor and progesterone receptor (PR}. The current study evaluated TF levels in endometrial bleeding (BL) and nonbleeding (NBL) sites obtained by camera-guided hysteroscopy during Norplant contraception. After 1 yr of therapy, immunohistochemical TF levels were unexpectedly higher at BL than at NBL sites. Use of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting indicated that both sites displayed elevated epidermal growth factor receptor levels and that the ...
Smile reconstruction using the serratus anterior muscle

In the rehabilitation of established facial palsy, cross-facial nerve grafting followed by free-muscle transfer is the preferred method to restore facial balance and smile. At our institution we have used the serratus anterior muscle almost exclusively in these procedures. Advantages of this muscle include its ease of harvest, favorable muscular anatomy, consistent and lengthy neurovascular pedicle, and minimal donor site morbidity.
Sodium reabsorption and distribution of Na+/K+-ATPase during postischemic injury to the renal allograft.

Sodium reabsorption and distribution of Na + /K + -ATPase during postischemic injury to the renal allograft. Background A loss of proximal tubule cell polarity is thought to activate tubuloglomerular feedback, thereby contributing to glomerular filtration rate depression in postischemic acute renal failure (ARF). Methods We used immunomicroscopy to evaluate the segmental distribution of Na + /K + -ATPase in tubules of recipients of cadaveric renal allografts. Fractional excretion (FE) of sodium and lithium was determined simultaneously. Observations were made on two occasions: one to three hours after graft reperfusion (day 0) and again on post-transplant day 7. An inulin clearance below or above 25 ml/min on day 7 was used to divide subjects into groups with sustained ( N = 15) or recovering ( N = 16) ARF, respectively. Results In sustained ARF, the fractional excretion of sodium (FE Na ) was 40 ± 6% and 11 ± 5%, and the fractional excretion of lithium (FE Li ) was 76 ± 5% and 70 ± 2% on days 0 and 7, respectively. Corresponding findings in recovering ARF were 28 ± 2% and 6 ± 2% for the FE Na and 77 ± 4% and 55 ± 3% ( P Li . Na + /K + -ATPase distribution in both groups was mainly basolateral in distal straight and convoluted tubule segments and collecting ducts. However, Na + /K + -ATPase was poorly retained in the basolateral membrane of proximal convoluted and straight tubule segments in sustained and recovering ARF on both days 0 and 7. Conclusions We conclude that loss of proximal tubule cell polarity for Na + /K + -ATPase distribution is associated with enhanced delivery of filtered Na + to the macula densa for seven days after allograft reperfusion. Whether an ensuing activation of tubuloglomerular feedback is an important cause of glomerular filtration rate depression in this form of ARF remains to be determined.
Researchers pool knowledge about Antarctic Dry Valleys

Most of us think of ice when we think of the Antarctic, and rightly so, considering that only 5%of it is ice-free [Drewry et al. , 1982]. Dry valleys—the ice-free areas—have sandy, rocky valley floors, ice-covered lakes, and streams that flow only two months of the year. The McMurdo Dry Valleys (78°S 163°E are the largest of these regions [Green and Friedmann, 1993].