cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons mediate stress-induced blunted reward-seeking in mice.

Decreased pleasure-seeking (anhedonia) forms a core symptom of depression. Stressful experiences precipitate depression and disrupt reward-seeking, but it remains unclear how stress causes anhedonia. We recorded simultaneous neural activity across limbic brain areas as mice underwent stress and discovered a stress-induced 4 Hz oscillation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) that predicts the degree of subsequent blunted reward-seeking. Surprisingly, while previous studies on blunted reward-seeking focused on dopamine (DA) transmission from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the NAc, we found that VTA GABA, but not DA, neurons mediate stress-induced blunted reward-seeking. Inhibiting VTA GABA neurons disrupts stress-induced NAc oscillations and rescues reward-seeking. By contrast, mimicking this signature of stress by stimulating NAc-projecting VTA GABA neurons at 4 Hz reproduces both oscillations and blunted reward-seeking. Finally, we find that stress disrupts VTA GABA, but not DA, neural encoding of reward anticipation. Thus, stress elicits VTA-NAc GABAergic activity that induces VTA GABA mediated blunted reward-seeking. Acute stress transiently disrupts reward-seeking behaviour and repeated stress exposure produces lasting anhedonia-like behaviour in rodents. Here, the authors show that stress triggers GABAergic activity in the ventral tegmental area which blunts reward-seeking behaviour in mice.
Analysis of thermal stresses in FGM-matrix media induced by a constant heat generation

The three-dimensional thermal stress field is derived for an elastic medium that contains a spherical inclusion made of an functionally graded material (FGM) embedded in a matrix phase. The materia...
Flexibility: The Capacity for Flexibility

Mature flexibility means being open to meaning possibilities in one’s lifeworld. Integrative flexibility involves having an open-ended behavioral repertoire. The flexible self is both fluid and grounded. The fluid self is able to navigate a balancing act between being responsibly responsive to change and being able to consolidate and cohere in one’s identity; between being able to selectively hold on to and let go of value-laden meanings, such as one’s identifications; and between being open to those who are different from oneself while affirming one’s similarity to others.
No Soup For You!: Responsible and Irresponsible Holocaust Humor on American Sitcoms

Demsky examines American sitcom skits broadcasting Nazi/Holocaust humor. Spanning episodes from the 1990s into current times, he categorizes two contrasting examples. Some shows produce what he terms “responsible” humor—comedy that spurs, rather that spurns, faithful Holocaust memorializing. Others, however, harvest what he terms “irresponsible” humor—shows recovering the history simply to depreciate it. Demsky does not consider whether this humor is amusing, or appropriate. Instead, counterposed against each other, he argues that two varieties can sharpen our understanding of how Americans recall and remember this past. Fundamental to his argument is the question of whether the lampooning damages the history and its victims, or skewers the dominant memorializing tradition, and those figures judged to have stewarded the legacy in sometimes-questionable directions.
Clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of postoperative radiographs after total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Postoperative radiographs are commonly ordered after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however, there is limited data on how often these films change management over the entire postoperative time course, and what should prompt imaging to maximize clinical utility. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients ≥ 18 years old who underwent a primary TKA at two level one trauma centers. Postoperative data were collected to determine the frequency of postoperative radiograph series, radiograph findings that did not suggest normal healing or alignment to radiologist and orthopedists, and changes in postoperative management. The total cost and radiation exposure values were calculated for all patient radiographs using estimates from previous literature. Results From the 1258 patients included, 3831 postoperative radiographs were taken (mean ± 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.05 ± 0.11 radiographs per patient). Of these 3831 radiographs, 44 (1.1%) contained a positive radiographic finding. Only 13 (0.3% of radiographs) of these positive radiographic findings were positive orthopaedic findings, 11 of which led to changes in management. For all but 1 of these patients (10/11, 91%), these radiographs were taken during a non-routine postoperative visit. Routine postoperative radiographs that did not change management cost $1,008,480 and administered 22.92 mSV of radiation to patients within this study. Conclusion Postoperative radiography obtained after primary TKA were of low clinical utility yet resulted in considerable healthcare costs and unnecessary radiation burden. Radiographs ordered during a non-routine visit, however, were a reliable indicator of when this imaging provided clinical utility.
Label-free quantification of soft tissue alignment by polarized Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract The organization of proteins is an important determinant of functionality in soft tissues. However, such organization is difficult to monitor over time in soft tissue with complex compositions. Here, we establish a method to determine the alignment of proteins in soft tissues of varying composition by polarized Raman spectroscopy (PRS). Unlike most conventional microscopy methods, PRS leverages non-destructive, label-free sample preparation. PRS data from highly aligned muscle layers were utilized to derive a weighting function for aligned proteins via principal component analysis (PCA). This trained weighting function was used as a master loading function to calculate a principal component score (PC1 Score) as a function of polarized angle for tendon, dermis, hypodermis, and fabricated collagen gels. Since the PC1 Score calculated at arbitrary angles was insufficient to determine level of alignment, we developed an Amplitude Alignment Metric by fitting a sine function to PC1 Score with respect to polarized angle. We found that our PRS-based Amplitude Alignment Metric can be used as an indicator of level of protein alignment in soft tissues in a non-destructive manner with label-free preparation and has similar discriminatory capacity among isotropic and anisotropic samples compared to microscopy-based image processing method. This PRS method does not require a priori knowledge of sample orientation nor composition and appears insensitive to changes in protein composition among different tissues. The Amplitude Alignment Metric introduced here could enable convenient and adaptable evaluation of protein alignment in soft tissues of varying protein and cell composition. Statement of significance Polarized Raman spectroscopy (PRS) has been used to characterize the of organization of soft tissues. However, most of the reported applications of PRS have been on collagen-rich tissues and reliant on intensities of collagen-related vibrations. This work describes a PRS method via a multivariate analysis to characterize alignment in soft tissues composed of varying proteins. Of note, the highly aligned muscle layer of mouse skin was used to train a master function then applied to other soft tissue samples, and the degree of anisotropy in the PRS response was evaluated to obtain the level of alignment in tissues. We have demonstrated that this method supports convenient and adaptable evaluation of protein alignment in soft tissues of varying protein and cell composition.
Cluster Policy in Russian Investment Sphere

Abstract Key role of cluster policy in investment development is proved. The influence of spatial polarization on investment sphere is analyzed. Methodical approach to grouping regions according to the level and character of investment development is tested, that allows to suggest effective way to eliminate reproduction disproportions.
California Ground Water: Legal Problems

The California law of ground water rights is primarily judicial. For more than a half-century, the courts in many decisions have created and developed the current rules that govern the water rights in the vast developments of ground waters in this state and, with marked consistency, the legislature has followed a hands-off policy. It is true that some statutes relate to ground water, but they bear no resemblance to a ground water code. In California, the historic legal distinction between percolating waters and definite underground streams is observed by both the legislature and the courts.' Subterranean waters are percolating if they are not concentrated in channels with definite beds and banks and are not moving in definite streams. And waters broadly diffused through loose water-bearing materials in well-defined subterranean basins, whether or not under artesian pressure, are percolating waters, not those of definite streams.2 However, rights to the use of percolating waters are currently governed by rules of law that are very similar to those relating to definite streams. That is, the riparian and appropriation doctrines apply to both surface and underground watercourses, and the correlative and appropriation doctrines apply to percolating ground waters--correlative ground water rights being analogous in many respects to riparian stream water rights. The law presumes that ground waters are percolating.3 Hence, a person who asserts the existence of a definite subterranean stream has the burden
Mental Health Parity for Children and Adolescents: How Private Insurance Discrimination and ERISA Have Kept American Youth From Getting the Treatment They Need

Introduction 188 I. Mental Healthcare for Children and Adolescents Should Be a National Priority Because the Current System Has Failed to Serve America’s Youth 191 II. Current Mental Healthcare Funding Mechanisms ........193 III. The Cost of Nationwide Parity 197 IV. Federal Law Has Undermined States’ Efforts to Provide Mental Healthcare to Children and Teens .......198 V. Remedies Available to Aggrieved Families 204 VI. ADA as an Alternative Basis for Relief 206 VII. Federal Legislation, Such as the Wellstone Act, Can Close the Regulatory Gap Left by ERISA 208 A. Amending ERISA’s Preemption Clause 209 B. A Federal Parity Act 211 C. Creating Vesting Provisions for Welfare Plans 213 VIII. How States Can Aspire to Parity 215 Conclusion 217
Giving Back: Nature Conservation in Madagascar

In this thematic section, the authors take a critical stance to the notion of giving back. They emphasize that giving back should be a model of solidarity and movement building, not charity. They push us to consider the ways in which the framework of giving back may actually reinforce hierarchical relationships between the researcher and the researched. In doing so, they offer new ways of thinking about the relationship between researchers and their communities of subjects. The strategies employed by these authors resonate with work from feminist activists and scholars whose approaches bring us alternative theories and methods through which to address the potentially dangerous effects of speaking for others through research. Examined alongside the giving back pieces in this section, these feminist contributions illuminate ways that we can give back by advancing the anti-oppression agendas of marginalized subjects through our research.
Types for Cryptographic Protocols

One of the many different approaches to proving properties of a cryptographic security protocol is to encode it within a process calculus [6],[7],[11],[12],[14],[20], and then to apply standard techniques from concurrency theory such as modelchecking [19] or equational reasoning [4],[5],[8],[9],[13],[15]. A promising recent development is to verify properties such as secrecy and authenticity via behavioural type systems [1],[2],[3],[10],[16],[17],[18]. This tutorial reviews the known type systems and results in this area, and suggests areas for further research.
Electronic structure and interatomic bonding of crystalline β- BaB 2 O 4 with comparison to LiB 3 O 5

The electronic structure and the linear-optical properties of the nonlinear-optical crystal \ensuremath{\beta}-${\mathrm{BaB}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ (BBO) have been calculated using a first-principles band-structure method with the local-density approximation. The results are compared with those of another nonlinear-optical crystal ${\mathrm{LiB}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ (LBO). An indirect band gap of 5.52 eV and a direct gap of 5.61 eV at \ensuremath{\Gamma} for BBO are obtained, which are to be compared with the measured optical gap of 6.43 eV. It is shown that the electronic structure of the BBO is dominated by the characteristic ionic (${\mathrm{B}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{6}$${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ group in which the two different O sites show markedly different bonding structures. Comparison of charge-density distributions in BBO and LBO shows that the ionic groups are linked together in forming a networklike structure. The Ba atom in the BBO crystal is found to be bonded to the O ions in the adjacent layers in a partly covalent, partly ionic manner due to the presence of large semi-core-like 5p orbitals. The calculated optical properties for both BBO and LBO crystals are in good agreement with the measured vacuum ultraviolet spectrum especially in the region of absorption threshold. The agreements between theory and experiment near the absorption edges are much closer than that reflected by the gap values alone.
Patients and Physicians Can Discuss Costs of Cancer Treatment in the Clinic

As one solution to reducing costs and medical bank- ruptcies, experts have suggested that patients and physicians should discuss the cost of care up front. Whether these discus- sions are possible in an oncology setting and what their effects on the doctor-patient relationship are is not known. Methods: We used the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines and the eviti Advisor platform to show patients with metastatic breast, lung, or colorectal cancer the costs associated with their chemotherapy and/ or targeted therapy options during an oncology consulta- tion. We measured provider attitudes and assessed patient satisfaction when consultations included discussion of costs. Results: We approached 107 patients; 96 (90%) enrolled onto the study, three (3%) asked if they could be interviewed at a later date, and eight (7%) did not want to participate. Onlyfive of 18 oncologists (28%) felt comfortable discussing costs, and only one of 18 (6%) regularly askedpatientsaboutfinancialdifficulties.Themajorityofpatients(80%) wanted cost information, and 84% reported that these conversations wouldbeevenmoreimportantiftheirco-paysweretoincrease.Intotal, 72% of patients responded that no health care professional has ever discussed costs with them. The majority of patients (80%) had no negative feelings about hearing cost information. Conclusion: In an era of rising co-pays, patients with cancer want cost-of-treatment discussions, and these conversations do not lead to negative feelings in the majority of patients. Additional training to pre- pare clinicians for how to discuss costs with their patients is needed.
A high capacity, reusable oligodeoxythymidine affinity column

A high capacity, reusable oligodeoxythymidine (oligo(dT)) affinity column suitable for purification of polyadenylated mRNA is described. Oligo(dT) molecules, 30 nucleotides in length, were chemically synthesized on an Applied Biosystems DNA synthesizer. Deprotection of the oligo(dT) molecules was achieved by thiophenol/dioxane/triethylamine treatment. Since no hot ammonia treatment was required, the oligo(dT) molecules remained covalently attached to the support matrix. The resulting column has very high oligo(dT) density and can be used directly for purifying polyadenylated mRNA. Column-purified mRNAs were shown to be intact and functional in Northern blot analysis, in vitro translation, and reverse transcription assays.
Golgi and electron microscopic evidence for growth cones in the caudate nucleus of the neonatal dog.

Abstract This study documents the presence of axonal and dendritic growth cones and filopodia in the neonatal caudate nuclei of 3- to 5-day-old puppies using Golgi and electron microscopic techniques. Golgi-impregnated neurons showed several characteristics of immaturity, including irregularly spaced dendritic varicosities suggestive of growth cones. Electron microscopic examination of additional caudate nuclei revealed growth cone profiles containing large pleomorphic electron-lucent vesicles and vacuoles in both axonal and dendritic processes. Many immature boutons containing few synaptic vesicles also contained large growth cone vesicles and vacuoles. Filopodia were noted arising from dendritic processes and varicosities in both the Golgi and electron microscopic material. Although synaptogenesis has been emphasized in most studies of functional development, the present results suggest that the immaturity of dendritic processes should also be taken into account when defining the structural basis for functional maturation in the neonatal caudate nucleus.
Hamilton paths in Cayley digraphs of metacyclic groups

Abstract We obtain a characterization of all Hamilton paths in the Cayley diagraph of a metacyclic group G with generating set { x , y } where 〈 yx −1 〉 ◁ G . The abundance of these Hamilton paths allows us to show that Hamilton paths occur in groups of at least two.
IR-Spectroscopy in Transient Megagauss Fields

In IR-magneto optics transient megagauss fields having pulse length in the order of microseconds interact with the sample material not only by the high field value but also by the extremely high dB/dt =108 V/m2. These effects are studied in detail in experiment and theory.
Extent of Microinvasion in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Is Not Associated with Sentinel Lymph Node Metastases

Ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM) is a rare diagnosis with a good prognosis. Although nodal metastases are uncommon, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) remains standard care. Volume of disease in invasive breast cancer is associated with SLNB positivity, and, thus we hypothesized that in a large cohort of patients with DCISM, multiple foci of microinvasion might be associated with a higher risk of positive SLNB. Records from a prospective institutional database were reviewed to identify patients with DCISM who underwent SLNB between June 1997 and December 2010. Pathology reports were reviewed for number of microinvasive foci and categorized as 1 focus or ≥2 foci. Demographic, pathologic, treatment, and outcome data were obtained and analyzed. Of 414 patients, 235 (57 %) had 1 focus of microinvasion and 179 (43 %) had ≥2 foci. SLNB macrometastases were found in 1.4 %, and micrometastases were found in 6.3 %; neither were significantly different between patients with 1 focus versus ≥2 foci (p = 1.0). Patients with positive SLNB or ≥2 foci of microinvasion were more likely to receive chemotherapy. At median 4.9 years (range 0–16.2 years) follow-up, 18 patients, all in the SLNB negative group, had recurred for an overall 5-year recurrence-free proportion of 95.9 %. Even with large numbers, there was no higher risk of nodal involvement with ≥2 foci of microinvasion compared with 1 focus. Number of microinvasive foci and results of SLNB appear to be used in decision making for systemic therapy. Prognosis is excellent.
Electrical conductivities of nano ionic composite based on yttrium-doped barium zirconate and palladium metal

Abstract Here we report on the structure and electrical properties of a protonic composite ceramic fabricated from yttrium-doped barium zirconate, BaZr 0.85 Y 0.15 O 3 − δ (BZY15) as the major matrix phase with 2 wt.% palladium (Pd) as the minor dispersed phase. To synthesize the composite, BZY15 powder was first prepared by polymeric gelation followed by Pd incorporation via liquid impregnation from nitrate salt, producing green pellets by hydraulic dry pressing which were then sintered at 1600 °C. As sintered, most if not all of the Pd remained dispersed/dissolved within the BZY15 structure, yielding only a negligible effect on total conductivity (although the grain-bulk conductivity was enhanced in the Pd-loaded sample). In order to exsolve the Pd from the BZY15 structure and create a protonic/Pd-metal composite, several samples were reduced at 1000 °C for 24 h in dry 5% H 2 (“highly reducing conditions”) or reduced at 650 °C for 24 h in wet 5% H 2 (“modestly reducing conditions”). For the highly reduced samples, both large Pd particles ~ 1 μm (mixed with BZY15 grains) and small Pd particles ~ 20 nm (in some grain boundary regimes) were found and the conductivity was increased by a factor of ~ 1.5 times compared to the pure control. On the other hand, the modestly reduced samples, which only resulted in Pd nanoparticles ~ 5–10 nm in size, showed a conductivity increase factor of 2.7 compared to the same pure control.
Li4P2O7 modified high performance Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode material

Li3V2(PO4)3 was prepared from a stoichiometric and a non-stoichiometric set of precursors. The non-stoichiometric preparation led to particles coated with a thin layer (<5 nm) of Li4P2O7 and Li3PO4 (G-LVPO), as verified through high resolution transmission electron microscopy and slow scan X-ray diffraction. The stoichiometric material was bare (B-LVPO), i.e. no film was present, as confirmed by the same techniques. Amorphous and crystalline Li3V2(PO4)3 will co-exist when the synthesis temperature ranges from 700 °C to below 900 °C. The Li3V2(PO4)3 phase will completely crystallize and particles grow bigger than 300 nm when the synthesis temperature reaches to or higher than 900 °C. Cyclic voltammetry plots of B-LVPO and G-LVPO show that they undergo the same phase transitions between 3.0 V and 4.3 V and preserve a good structural stability over cycled in the range from 3.0 V to 4.8 V. G-LVPO has a smaller ohmic/charge transfer resistance compared with B-LVPO, which enables a better rate capability and cycling ability of G-LVPO than B-LVPO. In this report we were able to determine that the non-stoichiometric chemistry leads to a coating of Li4P2O7 and Li3PO4 on the Li3V2(PO4)3 and that the coating appears to improve the rate capability and the cycling ability of the material.
Identification of STAT5A and STAT5B Target Genes in Human T Cells

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) comprises a family of universal transcription factors that help cells sense and respond to environmental signals. STAT5 refers to two highly related proteins, STAT5A and STAT5B, with critical function: their complete deficiency is lethal in mice; in humans, STAT5B deficiency alone leads to endocrine and immunological problems, while STAT5A deficiency has not been reported. STAT5A and STAT5B show peptide sequence similarities greater than 90%, but subtle structural differences suggest possible non-redundant roles in gene regulation. However, these roles remain unclear in humans. We applied chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by DNA sequencing using human CD4+ T cells to detect candidate genes regulated by STAT5A and/or STAT5B, and quantitative-PCR in STAT5A or STAT5B knock-down (KD) human CD4+ T cells to validate the findings. Our data show STAT5A and STAT5B play redundant roles in cell proliferation and apoptosis via SGK1 interaction. Interestingly, we found a novel, unique role for STAT5A in binding to genes involved in neural development and function (NDRG1, DNAJC6, and SSH2), while STAT5B appears to play a distinct role in T cell development and function via DOCK8, SNX9, FOXP3 and IL2RA binding. Our results also suggest that one or more co-activators for STAT5A and/or STAT5B may play important roles in establishing different binding abilities and gene regulation behaviors. The new identification of these genes regulated by STAT5A and/or STAT5B has major implications for understanding the pathophysiology of cancer progression, neural disorders, and immune abnormalities.
Band structure of infinite linear metallic chains

The electronic structures of infinite linear metallic chains have been examined by tight-binding band calculations. We have analyzed the band structures of these linear metallic chains, density of states, and Mulliken overlap populations. The band structure of the linear Rh and Ru chain possesses diffuse d bands that traverse the Fermi level, similar to that of the linear Cr and Co chain. On the other hand, the linear Cu chain possesses some narrow 4s bands in energy levels near the Fermi level. Changing the metal atoms of the central metallic chain can provide various electronic states.
Cytological studies in Scrophularia: Presence of B-chromosomes.

Cytological studies have been made in two West-Himalayan species of Scrophularia for the first time. A new base number x=12 is suggested for the genus and hence S. himalensis (n=24) and S. polyantha (n=12) are tetraploid and diploid species. The presence of B-chromosomes has been observed in both species and their significance in the origin of new base number is described.
Left atrial ball thrombus: Review of clinical and echocardiographic manifestations with suggestions for management

Left atrial ball thrombus is an infrequent clinical syndrome, which can have a catastrophic outcome but can be readily treated when recognized. It is usually a complication of long-standing rheumatic mitral stenosis. Symptomatic presentation is variable: fragmentation of the thrombus followed by peripheral embolization will produce ischemia or infarction of myocardium, brain, viscera, or extremities; random, intermittent, partial, or total occlusion of the mitral valve orifice may cause syncope, pulmonary congestion, and occasionally sudden death in other patients. Embolic and obstructive phenomena may also occur together. Cardiac physical findings usually suggest mitral stenosis; variability in the intensity of the diastolic rumble is common. Two-dimensional echocardiography is the gold standard for identifying ball thrombus. Cardiac catheterization provides assessment of coronary artery status when needed. The outcome of untreated ball thrombus is unlikely to be favorable. The results of anticoagulation and thrombolysis are unpredictable and potentially as harmful as no treatment at all. Current evidence although scant suggests that prompt surgical removal of the free thrombus, often in conjunction with mitral valve repair or replacement, is the appropriate therapeutic course in most patients.
Flow interaction and noise from a counter rotating propeller

The aerodynamic interaction between the forward and rear rotors in a counter rotating propeller (CRP) system, has been examined using a conditional sampling technique applied to three-dimensional thermal anemometer data. The technique effectively freezes the rotors in any desired relative position and provides the inter-rotor flow field. Axial, radial and circumferential mean flow between rotors is shown relative to the 'fixed' forward rotor for various 'fixed' aft rotor positions. Acoustic far field noise data have also been collected for the same operating conditions. The acoustic results are presented with emphasis on the blade passing frequencies and interaction tone of the CRP.
Dual-wavelength linear regression phase unwrapping in three-dimensional microscopic images of cancer cells

We present a study of the three-dimensional structure of cancer cells using dual-wavelength phase-imaging digital holographic microscopy. Phase imaging of objects with optical height variation greater than the wavelength of light is ambiguous and causes phase wrapping. By comparing two phase images recorded at different wavelengths, the images can be accurately unwrapped. The unwrapping method is computationally fast and straightforward, and it can process complex topologies. Additionally, the limitations on the total optical height are significantly relaxed. This new methodology is widely applicable to other phase-imaging techniques as well as in applications beyond optical microscopy.
Correlation of thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography and survival after treatment failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

After initial radiotherapy for an intracranial malignant glioma, the majority of patients return at a later date with a recurrent, enhancing mass on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. This mass represents either recurrent tumor, radionecrosis, or a combination of the two. The relative proportion of live versus dead tumor cells is difficult to determine from surgical specimens of another biopsy, although this has been the preferred method of assessing such "failed" patients. Recently, attention has turned to tomographic images of metabolic markers, i.e., positron emission tomography and thallium-201 (Tl-201) single photon emission computed tomography, as noninvasive methods of assessing relative tumor viability. To assess whether Tl-201 uptake in vivo can be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, we measured the ratio of Tl-201 uptake in tumor to Tl-201 uptake in myocardium (T/C ratio) in 16 patients at the point of treatment "failure" and followed all the patients until they died. All patients died of neurological causes, and 11 of the 16 patients had documented viable tumor recurrence. There was a significant negative correlation between the T/C ratio at failure and the time interval between failure and death (r = -0.602, P = 0.014). Patients with T/C ratios of less than 0.3 lived an average of 13 months, whereas patients with T/C ratios of more than 0.3 lived an average of only 4 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cellular proliferation on the vitreous surface after photocoagulation.

A method of vitreous surface whole mount preparation in rabbits is presented. Best results have been achieved with alcohol-ether fixation and PAS staining. The distribution of cells (“hyalocytes”) in the normal vitreous demonstrates large deviations with a maximal cell content in the lower half of the globe in the zonular region, a minimal cell content in the region of the equatorial retina in the upper half of the globe and an intermediate content in the posterior region. Following photocoagulation the number of cells on the vitreous surface increases considerably after the first postoperative day and decreases slowly after the 15th day to a level slightly above normal after one month. The cell rise takes place around the area of photocoagulation and in the corresponding zonular area. Morphologically 75% to 90% of the new cells as well around the area of photocoagulation as in the zonular region cannot be differentiated from normal “hyalocytes”. This and along with the finding of mitotic activity in these cells is presumptive evidence that a real proliferation of hyalocytes may take place. This is of interest in regard to the pathogenesis of postcoagulative epiretinal fibroplasia as observed in man.
Analytic expressions for optimal inertial-confinement-fusion hohlraum wall density and wall loss.

Solutions to the radiation diffusion equation predict the absorbed energy (``wall loss'') within an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) hohlraum. Comparing supersonic versus subsonic solutions suggests that a high $Z$ metallic foam as hohlraum wall material will reduce hydrodynamic losses, and hence, net absorbed energy by $\ensuremath{\sim}20%$. We derive an analytic expression for the optimal density (for any given drive temperature and pulse-length) that will achieve this reduction factor and which agrees well with numerical simulations. This approach can increase the coupling efficiency of indirectly driven ICF capsules.
Hematogenous Septic Ankle Arthritis

Ankle infection is a serious problem with limited published information on microbiology and associated morbidities. We describe the laboratory findings, microbiology, and occurrence of adjacent osteomyelitis in patients with hematogenous septic ankle arthritis. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with hematogenous septic arthritis of the ankle admitted over a 10-year period. Twenty-two patients were male and eight female. The mean age was 46 years (range, 23–67 years). C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in all patients, but the peripheral white blood cell count was elevated in only 47% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was the most common pathogen, isolated in 13 (54%) of the 24 patients with positive cultures; four of these isolates (four of 24; 17% of positive cultures) were oxacillin-resistant. Four (17%) of the 24 patients with positive cultures had a mycobacterial infection. We identified adjacent osteomyelitis in 30% of patients, which was considerably associated with the presence of patient comorbidities. S. aureus is the most common pathogen in septic ankle arthritis and empiric antibiotic therapy is recommended. Adjacent osteomyelitis may be present and a high index of suspicion is necessary in patients with comorbidities.
Social movements and tourism-related local action

Social movements often emerge as a response to oppression generated from uncertain economic conditions. This study focuses on the role of HandMade in America, a regional economic development organization, in cultivating the change-agent components of social movements (consciousness-raising, networking, and self-efficacy) in seven tourism-reliant communities. Results from interviews, focus groups, and a review of archived publications indicate that HandMade’s distinctive approach cultivates social movement components via its Visioning and Charrettes, Clean, Green and Screen Projects, Project and Grants Cycles, Annual Cluster Meetings, and Ongoing Contact with HandMade. These important findings force a theoretical debate as to what constitutes a social movement organization and a practical debate for tourism developers to view their efforts in a different light.
The contribution of skin blood flow in warming the skin after the application of local heat; the duality of the Pennes heat equation

As predicted by the Pennes equation, skin blood flow is a major contributor to the removal of heat from an external heat source. This protects the skin from erythema and burns. But, for a person in a thermally neutral room, the skin is normally much cooler than arterial blood. Therefore, if skin blood flow (BF) increases, it should initially warm the skin paradoxically. To examine this phenomenon, 10 young male and female subjects participated in a series of experiments to examine the contribution of skin blood flow in the initial warming the skin after the application of local heat. Heat flow was measured by the use of a thermode above the brachioradialis muscle. The thermode was warmed by constant temperature water at 44°C entering the thermode at a water flow rate of 100 cm(3)/min. Skin temperature was measured by a thermistor and blood flow in the underlying skin was measured by a laser Doppler imager in single point mode. The results of the experiments showed that, when skin temperature is cool (31-32°C), the number of calories being transferred to the skin from the thermode cannot account for the rise in skin temperature alone. A significant portion of the rise in skin temperature is due to the warm arterialized blood traversing the skin from the core areas of the body. However, as skin temperature approaches central core temperature, it becomes less of a heat source and more of a heat sync such that when skin temperature is at or above core temperature, the blood flow to the skin, as predicted by Pennes, becomes a heat sync pulling heat from the thermode.
Effects of phalloidin on K+-dependent, Ca2+-independent neurotransmitter efflux and K+-facilitated, Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release

Abstract Phalloidin tightly binds to actin and converts soluble actin into depolymerization-resistant actin filaments. Phalloidin promotes the potassium-dependent, calcium-independent efflux of γ-amino butyric acid and nore-pinephrine from synaptosomes but inhibits the potassium-facilitated, calcium-dependent release of these neurotransmitters. This suggests that an actomyosin system is involved in synaptic transmission.
A SOA Based System Development Methodology for Cloud Computing Environment: Using uHealthcare as Practice

Service Oriented Architecture SOA uses a structural approach to create services which can be reused and shared. SOA provides agility and cost saving in software development, transforming vertical applications to various software components, which can be reused in applications. Cloud computing expands the software service accessibility and usage via Web services. To move successfully into cloud computing, an architecture supporting the cloud capabilities is needed. The cloud provides a good platform for deploying Web services based on SOA. Customer satisfaction, improved collaboration, enhanced end-to-end user security and end-user authentication, and business growth are some long term benefits supported by modern technologies in both of cloud computing and SOA. The objective of the paper is to study the effective process and effort required to design and implement a SOA based system development methodology and applying it to construct a u-Healthcare system to provide healthcare services including accessing medical records of patients on a universal end-to-end basis.
Relationship of serum paraoxonase 1 activity and paraoxonase 1 genotype to risk of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective Low serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity determined with paraoxon as substrate has been found to be associated with coronary artery disease. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship of PON1 activity and genotype to risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The impact of 7 PON1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was analyzed in relation to PON1 activity, SLE risk, lupus nephritis, antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity, and carotid vascular disease in 380 SLE patients (334 white, 46 black) and 497 controls (455 white, 42 black). Results Compared with findings in controls, PON1 activity with paraoxon substrate was reduced both in white lupus patients (mean ± SEM 618.9 ± 24.0 units/liter versus 719.6 ± 24.6 units/liter; P = 0.007) and in black lupus patients (991.1 ± 82.7 units/liter versus 1,164.3 ± 101.4 units/liter; P = 0.2711). Low PON1 activity in SLE was not associated with the occurrence of aPL, carotid vascular disease, or the use of immunosuppressive drugs. In multiple regression analyses, the Q192R SNP was found to be independently associated with PON1 activity and explained 28% and 41% of the variation in PON1 activity in white patients and black patients, respectively. Stratification of the lupus sample by presence (n = 81) or absence (n = 247) of renal disease revealed significant associations with 3 promoter SNPs, with odds ratios of 3.82 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.49–9.82, P = 0.005), 3.41 (95% CI 1.35–8.61, P = 0.009), and 2.17 (95% CI 1.01–4.68, P = 0.049). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the role of PON1 activity in SLE risk in a large biracial sample from the US. Our data indicate that low PON1 activity determined with paraoxon substrate is independently associated with SLE and that certain PON1 SNPs are associated with lupus nephritis.
Intelligent control of dynamic systems

Abstract A neural network controller is developed to learn the inverse dynamics of unknown dynamic systems and to serve as a feedforward controller. Artificial neural networks, which consist of a set of processing units with interconnections between them, are used to get the desired output. The interconnections, known as weights, can be on-line tuned. Hence the controller is adaptive in nature. Neural networks can be used to represent the inverse dynamics of unknown dynamic systems. The error back propagation technique is used in the learning process. The controller is intelligent enough to learn from its experience. The performance of the intelligent controller for learning and control of dynamic systems is very successful.
COVENANTS IN U.S. PUBLIC DEBT AGREEMENTS

: This study examines the covenants contained in a sample of 45 public debentures issued by U.S. corporations. A survey identified six covenants among the debt agreements. Interestingly, none of the sample debt issues included constraints on working capital, net worth or current ratios. Without exception, the covenants noted in the agreements were identical to those reported in Moody's Industrial Manual. Descriptive information on selected characteristics of the debt issues is also provided.
Talking mathematically: An analysis of discourse communities

Abstract Discourse has always been at the heart of teaching. In more recent years, the mathematics education community has also turned its attention towards understanding the role of discourse in mathematics teaching and learning. Using earlier classifications of discourse, in this paper, we looked at three types of classrooms: classrooms that engage in high discourse, low discourse and a hybrid of the two. We aimed to understand how the elements of each discourse affected classroom learning, relationships between teachers and students, and participatory structures for students. Overall, our findings highlight the important relationship between cognitively demanding tasks and mathematical talk, and the power of discourse as a “thinking device” as opposed to mere conduit of knowledge. Our work also points to the under-theorized nature of hybrid discourse in mathematics classrooms, thereby providing some directions for pedagogy and further research.
Topographic segregation of corticostriatal projections from posterior parietal subdivisions in the macaque monkey.

Abstract The distribution of corticostriatal projections from areas 7m, 7a, 7b and 7ip of the posterior parietal cortex was studied in rhesus monkeys using horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat-germ agglutinin as an anterograde tracer. All parietal subdivisions project bilaterally over a broad anteroposterior expanse of the caudate nucleus and putamen; however, the zones of densest terminal labeling varied for each parietal subdivision. Thus, area 7m projects preferentially to dorsal and dorsolateral portions of the head and anterior part of the body of the caudate nucleus. The main striatal target of area 7a is also in the head and anterior portion of the body of the caudate nucleus, but at dorsal and dorsomedial zones. The preferential target region of area 7ip in the striatum is in the posterior two-thirds of the body of the caudate nucleus, where the labeled terminals spare only the medial border. In contrast to the other parietal subdivisions, 7b projects preferentially to the putamen. In this nucleus, the location of labeling after 7b injections appears to correspond to the zones containing the representations of the distal forelimb and head. Each parietal subdivision projects to a rather extended anteroposterior domain in the contralateral neostriatum, the projection zones being always less extensive than in the ipsilateral side, but with a similar topographic distribution. Because we have shown previously that each parietal subdivision is part of a distinct distributed corticocortical network, the neostriatal territories innervated by each subdivision can be correlated with the corresponding network, thus providing insight into the functional specializations of the striatum.
The Berthollet-Proust Controversy and the Law of Definite Proportions

IN his able address at the annual meeting of the Chemical Society, the President spoke of chemical text-books somewhat scornfully. While I confess that I am not prepared to regard these books as “soul-destroying,” one and all, I have long felt at least that the dogmatic exposition of the elementary laws of chemistry to which they have accustomed us is most unsatisfactory, and that a critical re-statement of first principles is much needed. To deal with the subject fully, would carry me far beyond the limits of a letter to NATURE; but it is proposed in the following communication to draw attention to certain serious misconceptions which have crept into modern text-books with regard to the Berthollet-Proust controversy and the Law of Definite Proportions, and to attempt to redefine somewhat more accurately the points which were at issue.
Sigma receptor regulation of norepinephrine release from rat hippocampal slices

Abstract Multiple sigma receptor subtypes have been identified in the hippocampus, yet their physiological role remains largely undefined. In the current study, we examined the role of sigma receptors in the regulation of N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) release from rat hippocampal slices. Both sigma agonists (+)pentazocine and BD737 inhibited stimulated norepinephrine release in a concentration-dependent manner. The sigma1 antagonist DuP 734 completely antagonized the inhibition of release by all concentrations of BD737 tested. However, DuP 734 only partially reversed inhibition of release by (+)pentazocine concentrations above 100 nM. 1,3 Di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG), but not haloperidol, antagonized BD737-mediated inhibition of release. DTG also completely antagonized inhibition of release by 100 nM (+)pentazocine yet haloperidol produced only a partial reversal. A combination of DuP 734 and haloperidol produced complete reversal of (+)pentazocine-mediated inhibition, suggesting potential involvement of multiple sigma receptor subtypes in the regulation of norepinephrine release. Both (+)pentazocine and BD737 failed to inhibit stimulated release in the presence of tetrodotoxin, suggesting that sigma receptors regulating NE release are not located on noradrenergic nerve terminals. These results suggest that sigma receptors may be a therapeutic target for disorders resulting from noradrenergic imbalance in hippocampus.
Ecomorphology and habitat utilization of Cottus species

We investigated relationships between morphological attributes and mesohabitat use in populations of Cottus carolinae. Field studies revealed significant differences between Ozark and prairie stream mesohabitats where populations of C. carolinae occurred. Features of the mesohabitat that were characteristic of each stream type correlated with intra- and inter-specific differences in morphological attributes of Cottus. The morphology of Cottus occurring in the deeper, slower, and siltier prairie stream exhibited larger head width and depth, body width and depth, and caudal peduncle width while those occurring in a shallower, faster flowing Ozark stream had longer pelvic fins, larger eyes, and deeper caudal peduncles. Each population had a morphology tailored to optimize its performance in a specific habitat. Results of laboratory based performance studies using a variable flow chamber revealed that critical current velocities (CCV) of live and preserved specimens were weakly associated with distinct combinations of morphological traits. Specimens with higher CCV measurements typically had longer pelvic fins, larger eyes, and deeper caudal fins (Ozark morphology). Those with lower CCVs had larger head width and depth, body width and depth, and caudal peduncle width (prairie morphology) in studies using cobble as the substrate. Differences in flow regimes between prairie and Ozark streams may generate specific niches for specific morphotypes, and current velocity may exert selective pressure on morphology.