cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abrupt Discontinuation From Long-Term Opioid Therapy in Massachusetts, 2015-2018.

INTRODUCTION In response to the opioid overdose crisis, providers were urged to taper and discontinue patients from long-term opioid therapy; however, abrupt discontinuation may lead to poor health outcomes. This study aims to determine abrupt and tapered discontinuation rates and identify the patient and provider characteristics associated with abrupt discontinuation. METHODS Data were from the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program, 2015-2018. Patients discontinued from long-term opioid therapy were included in the analysis. Differences between abrupt and tapered discontinuations were identified with bivariate correlations, and variables independently associated with abrupt discontinuation were identified using multivariable Poisson regression analyses. Data were analyzed during 2019-2021. RESULTS In total, 277,485 patients experienced 359,320 discontinuations, of which 33.7% (n=120,964) were abrupt. Of all discontinuations, 55.7% were among female patients, and 57.9% were among patients aged >55 years. The ratio of abrupt to tapered discontinuations increased from 1:2.11 in 2015 to 1:1.75 in 2018. In bivariate analysis, prescribers with more patients receiving monthly opioid prescriptions were less likely to abruptly discontinue patients (29.0, IQR=13.9, 55.3 vs 18.8, IQR=5.84, 43.9, p<0.001), as were prescribers who wrote more monthly opioid prescriptions (36.0, IQR=16.8, 70.8 vs 25.4, IQR=7.40, 58.3, p<0.001). Multivariable results indicated that abrupt discontinuation was independently associated with male sex (RR=1.31, 95% CI=1.29, 1.1.32), younger age (RR=0.872, 95% CI=0.869, 0.874), greater distance between patient and prescriber (RR=1.0075, 95% CI=1.0072, 1.0078), and longer long-term opioid therapy duration (RR=1.021, 95% CI=1.021, 1.0122 for every month increase). CONCLUSIONS Among all long-term opioid therapy discontinuations, abrupt discontinuation is increasing. Evidence-based approaches to managing and tapering long-term opioid therapy are urgently needed.
Spikes and Sharp Waves in the Neonatal EEG: Physiologic and Clinical Significance

ABSTRACT.The clinical significance of spikes and sharp waves on neonatal recordings remains controversial. Artifacts, as well as maturational patterns, may appear sharply contoured and require careful review before assigning electrographic importance. Sharp wave phenomena of either negative or positive polarity are unique in this young age group and require clinical correlation. Periodic discharges also can occur, usually in the context of electrographic seizures and have the same significance as PLEDS in older patients. Longitudinal studies are still needed to correlate these epileptiform features with clinical examination, brain imaging, and neuro-developmental assessment at older ages.
Reassessing the Assumptions Behind the Evolution of Popular Presidential Communication

Most scholars agree that the presidency underwent an important evolution in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. However, the causes of these changes continue to be subject to rigorous debate. Using a multimethod approach, I find that the political opportunities and incentives that presented themselves in the nineteenth and early twentieth century shaped presidential rhetorical behavior rather than the president's personal or partisan ideology.
Leading them to water: A study of the efficacy of a mandatory placement project in first-year academic courses at a community college

Student retention is a topic at the forefront for all post secondary education institutions. Supporting students in their studies, providing the resources to empower them to complete their education is a critical component in the quality and success of colleges. It is also a fiscal concern for colleges. While first year programs abound, community colleges are faced with the challenges of a largely commuter population with very diverse backgrounds. Community colleges are also by mission, open access institutions. This quantitative research study looked at a mandatory placement project piloted at a central Iowa community college in 2006 and 2007. It focused on an analysis of the first year program options provided at the college and the effectiveness of intensive, directed advisement of students to participate in one or more of the options in relation to enhanced persistence from fall to spring. Six different academic course environments were studied: a traditional first year seminar course focused on acclimating students to college; a course focused on skills necessary for successful postsecondary studies; learning communities, educational constructs of collaborative courses sharing a single community of learners; and developmental courses in reading, writing and math, designed to prepare students for the rigors of college level instruction. The study looked at the makeup of the students who participated in each of the environments and the appeal to different demographic groups of students in reference to age categories, gender, race, first generation students and low income students. The study then focused on the outcomes of term GPA and credits retained in effectiveness of the project on student persistence from fall to spring.
Modeling 3‐D artificial ionospheric ducts

[1] The injection of powerful HF waves into the ionosphere leads to strong electron heating followed by a pressure perturbation, which can drive electrons along the field line to the conjugate side, creating what is known as an artificial duct. The electron temperature along the duct is above the ambient temperature; the electron density is depleted on the heating side and increased on the conjugate side. Duct formation due to HF heating has previously been studied using a modified version of SAMI2 (Sami2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere). We use a similarly modified version of SAMI3 to examine the effects of zonal E × B drifts on interhemispheric ducts created by heating over Arecibo. We found that the longitudinal E × B drifts, particularly those caused by the zonal neutral winds, significantly suppress the effects of HF heating on the conjugate side, reducing the temperature and density increases by about 90% and 75%, respectively.
A comparison of correlates of suicidal ideation prior to initial hospitalization for first‐episode psychosis with prior research on correlates of suicide attempts prior to initial treatment seeking

Aim Individuals with first-episode psychosis, like those with chronic psychotic disorders, are at elevated risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, relatively little is known about suicidality among first-episode patients prior to their initial presentation for treatment. This analysis was designed as a U.S.A.-based examination of recent findings on prior suicide attempts from Dublin, Ireland, here focusing on prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation two weeks prior to initial treatment-seeking.
Dynamics-Driven Allostery in Protein Kinases

Protein kinases have very dynamic structures and their functionality strongly depends on their dynamic state. Active kinases reveal a dynamic pattern with residues clustering into semirigid communities that move in μs-ms timescale. Previously detected hydrophobic spines serve as connectors between communities. Communities do not follow the traditional subdomain structure of the kinase core or its secondary structure elements. Instead they are organized around main functional units. Integration of the communities depends on the assembly of the hydrophobic spine and phosphorylation of the activation loop. Single mutations can significantly disrupt the dynamic infrastructure and thereby interfere with long-distance allosteric signaling that propagates throughout the whole molecule. Dynamics is proposed to be the underlying mechanism for allosteric regulation in protein kinases.
Beta-order minimum mean-square error multichannel spectral amplitude estimation for speech enhancement

Summary In this paper, the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) β-order estimator for multichannel speech enhancement is proposed. The estimator is an extension of the single-channel MMSE β-order and multichannel MMSE short-time spectral amplitude estimators using Rayleigh and Gaussian distributions for the statistical models under the assumption of a diffuse noise field where the noise is estimated independently across each of the microphones. Experiments are performed to evaluate the new estimator against the baseline single-channel and multichannel estimators using various values of the β parameter and number of microphones along with different levels of noises as a function of the input signal-to-noise ratio. By the utilization of additional microphones, the multichannel MMSE β-order estimator achieves performance gains in noise reduction, speech distortion, and speech quality as measured by the segmental signal-to-noise ratio, log-likelihood ratio, and perceptual evaluation of speech quality objective metrics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tender Research: Field Notes from the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, New Denver, BC

The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre (NIMC), located in new Denver, BC, is a small-scale community-initiated preservation project that mate- rialized from the efforts of 20 previously interned Japanese Canadian residents. The site preserves architectural remnants from several original internment shacks established in this area during World War II. This paper examines the presence of gardens, common at heritage sites such as this one, and raises the question of how gardens, as living things, embody memory. In so doing it reflects on the research approach appropriate to such a vexed site of collective trauma, through the notion of tender research. This article features online (http:// www.cjc-online.ca) photographs of the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre. Resume : Le Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre (NIMC), situe au Nouveau Denver en Colombie Britannique, est un projet communautaire de conservation a petite echelle qui est le fruit de gestes poses par vingt canadiens de souche japo- naise qui ont la distinction d'avoir ete internes. Le site en question conserve des details architecturaux tires de plusieurs cabanes d'internement situees dans cette region durant la Deuxieme Guerre mondiale. Cette etude fait le point sur l'exis- tence commune de jardins se retrouvant sur de tels sites patrimoniaux, et pose la question a savoir de quelle facon ceux-ci, en tant qu'entites vivantes, incarnent la memoire. Le but de cet exercice est de remettre en question, au moyen du concept de recherche douce, la perspective de recherche appropriee d'une enquete sur un tel site de traumatisme collectif. Cet article inclut des photos du Nikkei Intern- ment Memorial Centre disponibles sur le site web de la revue : http://www.cjc- online.ca.
Analysis techniques for real-time, fault-tolerant, VLSI processing arrays

Several techniques are described for the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of various reconfiguration strategies for real-time, VLSI processing arrays. The first technique illustrates the advantages of small, easily managed semi-Markov models for comparing important events in the fault/error process of a system. Since these events have the greatest impact on architecture selection in a real-time system, a methodology that quantifies system differences is necessary to properly design a real-time processing array. The second technique developed for this research expands the previous concept to include the events within a single time interval in a real-time system. The single interval model provides unique information on critical real-time design issues. It quantitatively describes the effects of time-outs on the failure probability of potential reconfiguration strategies. The interaction of sampling rate and failures due to time-outs is clarified with this model. The ability to recover from faults at different points within an interval is also estimated.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing Efficacy of Vaccine Strain CVI988 Against Marek’s Disease in Meat-Type Chickens

SUMMARY Marek’s disease (MD) strain CVI988 is the most-protective commercially available vaccine against very virulent plus (vv+) Marek’s disease virus (MDV). However, its use in meat-type chickens has been controversial. While several countries have been using CVI988 for more than 40 yr, others do not authorize its use or it is restricted mainly to layers. The use of CVI988 in meat-type chickens will be necessary in the future in areas where other vaccine protocols fail. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors (vaccine dose, vaccine origin, chicken genetics, age and route of vaccination, and combination with other MD vaccines) influencing the efficacy of CVI988 against MD in meat-type chickens. Three animal experiments were conducted in which various vaccine protocols using CVI988 were tested for their protection against challenge with vv+ strain 648A by contact at day of age. Experiments 1 and 2 were to compare the efficacy of CVI988 vaccines from three different origins (CVI988-A, CVI988-B,...
Metabolic reserves of larvae and pupae of the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella

Abstract The Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella , was reared in a refined medium moulded into pellets, and its larval and pupal metabolic reserves were examined. Results showed that lipids and proteins (65–86 per cent larval and pupal dry weights) formed the major reserves of both sexes and that glycogen was only a minor component. Mature female larvae weighed about 44 per cent more than males and therefore contained more reserves, especially in the form of lipids. Although the accumulation of storage materials was found to be essentially complete by the mature larval stage, their in vivo distribution changed during the pharate pupal stage. In mature larvae the haemolymph contained a high protein content and the fat body a high lipid content. Following the larval-pupal ecdysis, however, the fat body became the principal storage centre for protein, lipid, and glycogen. A thin-layer chromatographic study of the neutral lipid classes of whole larvae and pupae of both sexes revealed that both had similar compositions and that triglycerides (70–80 per cent) were the major component. Further investigation of the distribution of the neutral lipids showed that while triglycerides (85 per cent) were the principal neutral lipid class in the fat body, the haemolymph lipids were more evenly divided between triglycerides (38 per cent), diglycerides (15 per cent), free fatty acids (9 per cent), sterols (11 per cent), sterol esters (7 per cent), and hydrocarbons (20 per cent). The results are discussed in relation to the known contents and in vivo distribution of lipid, protein, and glycogen in other insects during metamorphosis.
Strategies in sentence—picture verification: The effect of an unexpected picture

Subjects in a self-paced sentence—picture verification task typically produce one of two response patterns relating verification time to the number of comparisons between sentence and picture: a linear function, thought to reflect the use of a linguistic-propositional representation ( P.A. Carpenter & M.A. Just, Psychological Review , 1975 , 82 , 45–83), or an inverted-U-shaped function, thought to reflect the use of an imagistic representation ( C.M. MacLeod, E. B. Hunt, & N. N. Mathews, Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior , 1978 , 17 , 493–507). The present study first replicated the finding of these two response patterns, and then tested the hypothesis that the use of an imagery strategy could be prevented by the presentation of a set of unexpected pictures mixed with a set of standard pictures. The results showed that subjects who had been producing an inverted-U-shaped function switched to a linear function after presentation of the unexpected pictures, suggesting that representational format may be changed according to task demands.
Targeted therapies in oncology: in the crosshairs or at the crossroads?

Normal cellular behavior depends on functional integration of extracellular stimuli with intracellular signal transduction pathways. Coupling cell surface message reception to nuclear gene expression is no longer a linear model constructed with molecular components acting merely as conduits to relay signals that cascade toward the nucleus. What has emerged instead is a highly integrated circuit comprised of numerous molecular components harmoniously programmed to communicate a multitude of internal signals that controls cellular response. Despite increasing understanding of cell signaling, mutinous elements embedded in these pathways have defied complete resolution. Research indicates that propagation of signals emanating from the extracellular environment to the cell nucleus follows a complex internal circuit equipped with sophisticated molecular components that provide rigid control over a variety of cellular responses. Although increasing understanding of genetic aberrations and signaling pathway trans...
Mechanism of C-H bond activation of alkyl-substituted benzenes by cationic platinum(II) complexes

While all methyl- and ethyl-substituted benzenes react with diimine Pt(II) methyl cations to give η3-benzyl products, they do not all get there by the same pathway. For toluene and p-xylene, isotopic labeling shows that initial activation occurs at aryl positions with subsequent intermolecular conversion to the benzyl product. For ethylbenzene and 1,4-diethylbenzene, initial activation takes place exclusively at aryl C−H bonds, and conversion to the η3-benzyl product takes place via intramolecular isomerization. Only in the most extreme case of steric crowdingthe reaction of a bulky diimine platinum methyl cation (Ar = Mes) with triethylbenzenedoes direct activation of the ethyl group become preferred to aryl activation.
Preservation and Freedom

“Preservation and Freedom” discusses the importance of farmland preservation and certain individual efforts to preserve farmland in southern Ashland County, Ohio. The article concludes with a discussion of the relationship of preservation and freedom, stating that we in America need a new definition of economy that includes the long-term ramifications of what we do and asserts that our national goals should include more than addiction to progress, efficiency, and increasing materialism; it should include preserving our relationship to the land that made us who and what we are.
Band structure, magnetic fluctuations, and quasiparticle nature of the two-dimensional three-band Hubbard model.

A single hole doped into the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ plane of a high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductor is studied via exact calculations of the three-band Hubbard model (large-U limit) on a 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4 periodic cluster. The quasiparticle band has its bottom at k=(\ensuremath{\pi}/2,\ensuremath{\pi}/2) and disperses strongly towards \ensuremath{\Gamma} and X with a dispersion 1.7${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{d}\mathit{d}}$=0.22 eV. The quasiparticle has a nearly isotropic effective mass (\ensuremath{\sim}4${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{e}}$) and the dressing effects are well localized (\ensuremath{\sim}8 \AA{}) with characteristic features of both the three-spin polaron and the Zhang-Rice singlet (although solutions of the t-J model are substantially different).
Simple alkyl esters as skin permeation enhancers

Abstract The use of simple alkyl esters, in particular ethyl acetate, as skin permeation enhancers for drugs is presented. Ethyl acetate was found to increase the transdermal flux of levonorgestrel, estradiol, hydrocortisone, 5-fluorouracil, and nifedipine through rat skin in vitro relative to that when ethanol or water were used as reference solvents. Relative to water, the flux of levonorgestrel was increased 80 fold using pure ethyl acetate. Relative to pure ethanol as a reference permeation enhancer, the flux of levonorgestrel was increased 12 to 15 fold using either pure ethyl acetate or volume fractions of ethyl acetate in ethanol down to 0.18 as permeation enhancers. Butyl acetate was also tested with levonorgestrel and was found to increase the flux about 7 fold relative to pure ethanol. The fluxes of estradiol, hydrocortisone, 5-fluorouracil, and nifedipine were increased from 75 to 650 fold, depending on the drug, when ethyl acetate was used as a permeation enhancer relative to that when water was used as an enhancer, and from 9 to 34 fold relative to that when ethanol was used as an enhancer. Also discussed are the possible mechanisms of action by which ethyl acetate increases the percutaneous absorption of drugs and use of ethyl acetate in transdermal drug delivery systems.
A Summary of Airborne Concentrations of Sulfur- and Nitrogen-Containing Pollutants in the Northeastern United States.

Airborne concentrations of SO2, SO42-, HNO3, NO3-, NH4+, and O3 were monitored over the six-year period from September 1, 1989, through August 31, 1995, at 10 largely rural Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) sites in the northeastern United States. Each of the sulfur- and nitrogen-containing air pollutants monitored by CASTNet displays regular, seasonal cyclical behavior and also exhibits a relatively strong high-to-low spatial concentration gradient from southwest to northeast. On average, more than 70% of the measured airborne sulfur is present as SO2, except during the summer, when the figure drops to about 50%. During the summer, the SO2 concentration is the lowest, SO42- is the highest, and the fraction of airborne sulfur present as SO42- varies considerably with location, ranging from an average of 42% at five sites in Pennsylvania to 70% at two sites in New England. Studywide, more than 70% of the measured, oxidized, airborne nitrogen (N) is present as HNO3, except during the winter, when the figure drops to about 60%. The concentrations of gaseous SO2 and HNO3 are usually comparable but not always larger than the corresponding concentrations of measured sulfur and nitrogen aerosols. Nevertheless, the relatively faster deposition velocities for gases are sufficient to ensure that SO2 and HNO3 are usually the dominant contributors to dry sulfur and nitrogen deposition. Observed changes of 1990-1995 annual average airborne sulfur and N concentrations at 10 CASTNet sites in the Northeast are generally consistent with changes in emissions estimated to have occurred in the Northeast over the same period.
Morphology Development in Model Polyethylene via Two-Dimensional Correlation Analysis

Two-dimensional (2D) correlation analysis is applied to synchrotron X-ray scattering data to characterize morphological regimes during nonisothermal crystallization of a model ethylene copolymer (hydrogenated polybutadiene, HPBD). The 2D correlation patterns highlight relationships among multiple characteristics of structure evolution, particularly the extent to which separate features change simultaneously versus sequentially. By visualizing these relationships during cooling, evidence is obtained for two separate physical processes occurring in what is known as “irreversible crystallization” in random ethylene copolymers. Initial growth of primarily lamellae into unconstrained melt (“primary-irreversible crystallization”) is distinguished from subsequent secondary lamellae formation in the constrained, noncrystalline regions between the primary lamellae (“secondary-irreversible crystallization”). At successively lower temperatures (“reversible crystallization”), growth of the crystalline reflections is found to occur simultaneously with the change in shape of the amorphous halo, which is inconsistent with the formation of an additional phase. Rather, the synchronous character supports the view that growth of frustrated crystals distorts the adjacent noncrystalline material. Furthermore, heterocorrelation analysis of small-angle and wideangle X-ray scattering data from the reversible crystallization regime reveals that the size of new crystals is consistent with fringedmicellar structures (~9 nm). Thus, 2D correlation analysis provides new insights into morphology development in polymeric systems.
A comparison of fluoroalkyl-derivatized imidazolium:TFSI and alkyl-derivatized imidazolium:TFSI ionic liquids: a molecular dynamics simulation study

Molecular dynamics simulations of fluoroalkyl-derivatized imidazolium:bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSI) room temperature ionic liquids (FADI-RTILs) with cations of the structure 1-F(CF2)n(CH2)2-3-methyl imidazolium have been performed and compared with simulations of alkyl-derivatized 1-H(CH2)n+2-3-methyl imidazolium analogs (ADI-RTILs). Simulations yield RTIL densities, viscosities and ionic conductivities for the FADI-RTILs and ADI-RTILs in reasonably good agreement with experimental data. Partial fluorination results in a larger increase in density than would be anticipated based upon the density difference between perfluoralkane and alkane melts. Similarly, the slowing down in dynamics upon partial fluorination is greater than would be expected based upon the increase in cation volume. Examination of cation–cation, anion–anion and cation–anion centers-of-mass radial distribution functions reveal remarkably little influence of partial fluorination on the spherically averaged intermolecular structure of the RTILs. Similarly, simulations reveal little change in tail conformations and the extent of tail–tail aggregation upon partial fluorination. The interaction of the TFSI anion with the positively charged imidazolium ring hydrogen and nitrogen atoms is also little influenced by partial fluorination. However, the partially fluorinated alkyl tail exhibits increased interaction with the TFSI anion due to the electron withdrawing character of the fluorinated groups. We believe this strong tail–anion electrostatic interaction largely accounts for the higher than expected density and slower than expected dynamics in the FADI-RTILs.
Revisional surgery after esophagectomy: an analysis of 43 patients.

Background Reflux and postprandial fullness are common after esophagectomy. On occasion, these symptoms have an anatomic basis that requires operative correction. Two such conditions are the following: (1) a diaphragmatic hernia in which bowel herniates into the chest; and (2) a redundant conduit that impairs gastric emptying. The recognition of these conditions and the results of operative correction are the subject of this analysis. Methods A retrospective review from 1995 to 2007 identified patients who developed either a diaphragmatic hernia or a redundant gastric conduit after esophagectomy. The presenting symptoms, operative approach, and outcomes after surgery were recorded. Results Forty-three patients (representing 4% of the esophagectomy volume in this time period) were identified with a diaphragmatic hernia (n = 21), redundant gastric conduit (n = 19), or both (n = 3). Mean time from esophagectomy to diagnosis was 32 months for diaphragmatic hernia and 18 months for redundant conduit. The majority of hernias occurred to the left of the gastric conduit. A mechanical obstruction to gastric emptying was noted in 54% of patients with a redundant conduit. Forty patients underwent revisional surgery (minimally invasive: 35; open: 5). The recurrence rate after repair of a diaphragmatic hernia was 29%. Symptoms improved in 85% of patients after revision of a redundant conduit. Conclusions A diaphragmatic hernia or redundant conduit may occur years after esophagectomy. Hernias almost always occur adjacent to the greater curve of the stomach. The development of a redundant conduit may be associated with a functional outflow obstruction. Surgical correction of these conditions can alleviate symptoms in the majority of patients.
The Power Relationships of Brand Managers

This study tests the strategic contingencies theory of power among consumer and industrial brand managers, along with an extension to the theory that hypothesizes interactions between the control of contingencies and environmental factors. Data were collected through a national mail survey of brand managers. Strategic contingencies theory is supported, with clear results that the centrality of a department, its amount of financial control, communication with the brand manager, and its total control of contingencies are positively associated with departmental power. We find modest support for the hypothesis that environment moderates the effects of strategic contingencies on power.
Both cyclin B levels and DNA-replication checkpoint control the early embryonic mitoses in Drosophila.

The earliest embryonic mitoses in Drosophila , as in other animals except mammals, are viewed as synchronous and of equal duration. However, we observed that total cell-cycle length steadily increases after cycle 7, solely owing to the extension of interphase. Between cycle 7 and cycle 10, this extension is DNA-replication checkpoint independent, but correlates with the onset of Cyclin B oscillation. In addition, nuclei in the middle of embryos have longer metaphase and shorter anaphase than nuclei at the two polar regions. Interestingly, sister chromatids move faster in anaphase in the middle than the posterior region. These regional differences correlate with local differences in Cyclin B concentration. After cycle 10, interphase and total cycle duration of nuclei in the middle of the embryo are longer than at the poles. Because interphase also extends in checkpoint mutant ( grapes ) embryo after cycle 10, although less dramatic than wild-type embryos, interphase extension after cycle 10 is probably controlled by both Cyclin B limitation and the DNA-replication checkpoint.
Spectral responses to plant available soil moisture in a Californian grassland

Abstract This study established relationships among plant available soil moisture and reflectance and vegetation indices (VIs) derived from AVIRIS and MODIS data in grassland ecosystem in California. Strong correlations were observed between soil moisture and different forms of reflectance in the red-edge, near infrared and shortwave infrared bands. Both greenness-based and canopy-water-based indices were linearly related with soil moisture during the growing season, the wet and the dry season. The relationship was stronger with antecedent soil moisture, particularly in the dry season. Using plant available soil moisture, which is the difference between measured soil moisture and the wilting point, improved the relationship by reducing the soil property effect. Furthermore, results suggested that the difference in sensors had little impact on the relationships in grassland, but the parameters of relationships were influenced by the spatial resolution of sensors.
Activation of Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase Protects against Secretagogue Stimulated Zymogen Activation in Rat Pancreaic Acinar Cells

An early feature of acute pancreatitis is activation of zymogens, such as trypsinogen, within the pancreatic acinar cell. Supraphysiologic concentrations of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK; 100 nM), or its orthologue cerulein (CER), induce zymogen activation and elevate levels of cAMP in pancreatic acinar cells. The two classes of adenylyl cyclase, trans-membrane (tmAC) and soluble (sAC), are activated by distinct mechanisms, localize to specific subcellular domains, and can produce locally high concentrations of cAMP. We hypothesized that sAC activity might selectively modulate acinar cell zymogen activation. sAC was identified in acinar cells by PCR and immunoblot. It localized to the apical region of the cell under resting conditions and redistributed intracellularly after treatment with supraphysiologic concentrations of cerulein. In cerulein-treated cells, pre-incubation with a trans-membrane adenylyl cyclase inhibitor did not affect zymogen activation or amylase secretion. However, treatment with a sAC inhibitor (KH7), or inhibition of a downstream target of cAMP, protein kinase A (PKA), significantly enhanced secretagogue-stimulated zymogen activation and amylase secretion. Activation of sAC with bicarbonate significantly inhibited secretagogue-stimulated zymogen activation; this response was decreased by inhibition of sAC or PKA. Bicarbonate also enhanced secretagogue-stimulated cAMP accumulation; this effect was inhibited by KH7. Bicarbonate treatment reduced secretagogue-stimulated acinar cell vacuolization, an early marker of pancreatitis. These data suggest that activation of sAC in the pancreatic acinar cell has a protective effect and reduces the pathologic activation of proteases during pancreatitis.
Social-Emotional Learning Program to Reduce Bullying, Fighting, and Victimization Among Middle School Students With Disabilities:

Results of a 3-year randomized clinical trial of Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention (SS-SSTP) Middle School Program on reducing bullying, physical aggression, and peer victimization among students with disabilities are presented. Teachers implemented 41 lessons of a sixth- to eighth-grade curriculum that focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) skills, including empathy, bully prevention, communication skills, and emotion regulation. Two school districts in a larger clinical trial provided disability information. All sixth-grade students (N = 123) with a disability were included in these analyses, including intervention (n = 47) and control (n = 76) conditions. Linear growth models indicated a significant intervention effect for bully perpetration; compared with students in the control condition, intervention students’ bullying perpetration scale scores significantly decreased across the 3-year study (δ = −.20, 95% confidence interval = [−.38, −.03]). SEL offers promise in reducing bully pe...
Inhibition of needlestick-induced simulated viremia by local measures.

Abstract Background . The possibility of confinement of simulated retrovirus to the inoculation site after needlestick injuries to enhance chances of local intervention and function of lymphaticovenous communications was investigated. Methods . Using the canine model, technetium-99 m sulfur colloid particles were injected subcutaneously and into the vein and lymphatics. Blood and lymph were collected at a higher level from the femoral vein and the major lymphatic. Flow rates, particle arrival times, concentrations, and other variables were evaluated for 45 minutes by γ counting. A tourniquet was used to slow dissemination after subcutaneous injection. Results . After subcutaneous inoculation, particles arrived in the blood at 2.81 ± 0.54 minutes and in the lymph at 6.0 ± 1.47 minutes. Application of a tourniquet delayed appearance in the blood to 7.11 ± 1.5 minutes and in the lymph to 40.0 ± 5.1 minutes. Concentration of particles in lymph was 1,000 times higher than in the blood. Flux values were comparable in both pathways, but accumulation patterns were different. After intravenous injection, particles arrived in lymph at 25.4 ± 6.44 minutes. After intralymphatic injection particles arrived in the blood within 4 seconds. Conclusions . There are functional lymphaticovenous communications at the peripheral level. The period between virus inoculation and blood and lymph invasion may be extended by application of a tourniquet; therefore, time could be gained for local intervention.
Melatonin Action on Pineal Varies with Photoperiod

Administration of melatonin can prevent the diurnal rhythm of serotonin concentration characteristic of the pineal organ. Whether or not such a change is induced depends upon the point in the photoperiod when the hormone is injected. This observation indicates that the action of melatonin is affected by the photic environment of the recipient.
Sulfoglucuronosyl glycolipids as putative antigens for autoimmune inner ear disease

Abstract Autoimmune inner ear disease is diagnosed based on clinical history of fluctuating but progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) with or without vestibular symptoms occurring over weeks to months. An initial response to steroids or immunosuppressive drugs usually reverses the hearing loss. In search of specific diagnostic and therapeutic markers for autoimmune inner ear diseases, we investigated serum anti-glycolipid antibody activities in these patients by two different methods, HPTLC-immunoblotting and ELISA. We found that 37 out of 74 patients of clinically diagnosed autoimmune inner ear disease (30 of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) (group I), 14 of vestibular symptoms only (group II), 30 of Menieres symptoms (with both hearing loss and vestibular symptoms) (group III)) showed positive anti-sulfoglucuronosyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG) antibody titers (p
Coherence of resonant tunneling in heterostructures.

A simple argument is put forward to substantiate the rule that either coherent resonant tunneling or sequential tunneling will occur according to whether the natural energy width for the former (in frequency units) is large compared to or small compared to the scattering frequency for an electron in the quantum-well two-dimensional subband based on the resonant quasilevel.
Metallic interfaces and property modification

Les proprietes electroniques de Pd, Cr et V sont modifiees quand ils sont prepares par epitaxie entre deux couches d'or ou d'argent. Les contraintes et les distorsions de ces couches minces de Pd, Cr et V provoquent une susceptibilite magnetique augmentee du systeme Au-Pd-Au et une supraconductivite a temperature critique elevee pour les systemes Au-Cr (cubique a faces centrees)-Au et a temperature critique basse pour les systemes Au-V (cubique a faces centrees)-Au
Clifford theory and endoisomorphisms

This paper describes the relation between Clifford theory of finite groups over any field, and the Brauer–Clifford group. Let G and G¯ be finite groups, let π:G→G¯ be a surjective group homomorphism with kernel H, and let F be any field. Let K be any extension field of F and let S be an irreducible KH-module. We show that to S is associated in a natural way a specific element [[S,π,F]] of a Brauer–Clifford group defined over π and F. As a tool to prove the existence of this association, and to study its properties, we use endoisomorphisms. These are simply certain isomorphisms of related endomorphism algebras as G¯-algebras over F. We show that two modules for two different finite groups have the same (in an appropriate sense) element of the Brauer–Clifford group if and only if there exists an appropriate endoisomorphism.
On global and local properties of clar Pi-Electron sextets

The individual rings in benzenoid systems are studied via a new structural index, called Clar's ring character. The new index, which is based onselected Kekule valence structures, differs significantly in a number of cases from similar ring characterizations based onall Kekule valence structures. It is related to previously introduced quantities based on MO functions, but it can be obtained simply (i.e. without the need of a computer). We have illustrated the new ring index for several families of compounds, and report a number of regularities for a homologous series of molecules.
Gonadectomy reduces the concentrations of putative receptors for arginine vasotocin in the brain of an amphibian.

Abstract Putative receptors for arginine vasotocin (AVT) in the brain of the newt (Taricha granulosa) were measured using quantitative autoradiography with tritium-labelled vasopressin. Specific binding sites were observed in the olfactory bulb, medial (hippocampal) pallium, dorsal pallium, amygdala pars lateralis and tegmental region of the medulla oblongata. In both male and female newts, concentrations of binding sites in the amygdala, but not in the other four areas, were significantly lower in gonadectomized animals than in sham-operated controls. The equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd s ) were not altered by gonadectomy. Since long-term castration abolishes the effect of AVT injection on sexual behaviors, these results support the hypothesis that gonadal steroids maintain sexual behaviors in this amphibian by maintaining AVT receptors in the amygdala.
EVALUATIONS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SOURCES OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS FOR ALGAE1

SUMMARY Techniques are compared for the evaluation of nutrient sources in which the potential nutrients are in contact with algae over their entire culture period versus relatively short-term exposure tests. Different nitrogen and phosphorus compounds were shown to be utilized in darkness as well as in light and were equally available at pH 7 and 9. The availability of relatively insoluble nutrients–iron-phosphorus compounds and teeth for phosphorus, hair for nitrogen iron pyrites for iron, and marble for carbon–indicates that in many cases the equilibrium between soluble and insoluble forms allows algae to compete successfully with insoluble forms for nutrients. Apparently, factors other than mere insolubility prevent algae from obtaining available nitrogen or phosphorus from phosphate rock or lake muds. Live algae or aquatic weeds with adequate or surplus nitrogen or phosphorus were shown to not share their nutrients with nitrogen- or phosphorus-limited algae, whereas the nutrients of killed algae or aquatic weeds were readily used by nutrient-limited algae. The facts–(1) that live algae and aquatic weeds do not share their adequate or surplus nutrients with nutrient-limited algae and (2) that lake muds do not provide readily available nitrogen or phosphorus–indicate that once lake waters are stripped of available nutrients by plant production, further plant production will depend upon nutrients from continuous sources of nutrients, such as wastewater effluents.
A high-throughput method to measure photosynthesis-irradiance curves of phytoplankton

Photosynthesis-irradiance (P-E) curves are an important tool used to characterize the physiology of phytoplankton. In most marine environments, low biomass and photosynthetic rates make the carbon-14 tracer technique, used in conjunction with photosynthetrons to create the light gradient, the method of choice to measure P-E curves. However, conventional photosynthetrons are bulky and require large chilled-water recirculators to maintain temperature. In addition, setting the light levels is difficult. Here we describe a new type of photosynthetron, the microphotosynthetron, which avoids these problems. The microphotosynthetron is based on the standard 96-well plate format and allows precise light control using tunable light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Temperature is regulated using a Peltier device. Using monotypic cultures of several phytoplankton strains grown at different light levels and mixed field populations from different sampling sites and depths, we evaluated the utility of the microphotosynthetron by comparing the measured P-E curves to curves from standard photosynthetrons. The microphotosynthetron P-E curves were identical in initial slope (α) (P > 0.1) and light-saturated photosynthesis (Pmax) (P > 0.1) to P-E curves measured using conventional photosynthetrons. In addition, because the microphotosynthetron is based on a standard 96-well plate format, set-up and processing is greatly expedited in comparison to the conventional photosynthetron technique. Although the microphotosynthetron utilizes smaller sample volumes (200 µL) and therefore might not be suitable for highly heterogeneous samples, it has numerous advantages over the conventional protocol. We recommend the microphotosynthetron approach to measure P-E curves as a method for the rapid screening of photophysiological properties of phytoplankton, in particular, monotypic cultures.
Blends of EPDM and sulfonated ethylene‐propylene‐diene (EPDM) rubber with polypropylene: Structure, physical, and rheological properties

Blends of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) and of metal-neutralized, Sulfonated EPDM elastomers with polypropylene were prepared, and their structure-property relationships were investigated. Extensive rheological measurements, including linear viscoelastic dynamic mechanical studies, were conducted on the blends. As might have been expected, the properties were a strong function of the blend compositions. Both blend systems exhibited multiple transitions indicative of molecular incompatibility of the blend components. These observations are consistent with the morphologies that were observed by scanning electron microscopy using selective extraction techniques. Both blend systems revealed two continuous interwoven phases consisting of elastomer and polypropylene. However, on a relative basis, the moduli and flow of the two blend systems differed significantly; blends of sulfonated EPDM possess higher moduli and lower flow values. The physical and flow property differences between the two systems are directly attributed to the difference in the structure of the elastomer components.
Snakes on an inclined plane: Learning an adaptive sidewinding motion for changing slopes

Sidewinding is an efficient gait adopted by biological and robotic snakes for locomoting on various terrains. The mechanics of this motion on flat ground and steady state terrains have been thoroughly investigated, while its capability to adapt to changing environments is not as well studied. We demonstrate the capability of a snake robot to automatically adjust gait parameters to optimally move up and down slopes of varying angle. This capability is achieved by three components. First, an efficient offline learning algorithm finds a policy mapping the estimated slope angle to the optimal gait parameters. Next, a robust online state estimation technique infers the local terrain characteristics. Finally, the precomputed policy is consulted online to select the optimal gait parameters for this slope. The efficacy of this approach is verified by robot experiments.
Meeting the Challenges of Urban Aging: Narratives of Poor Elderly Women of Detroit, Michigan

Among the elderly, there is a larger percentage of poor women than men. Many aging minority women in poverty reside in the urban areas of America. This phenomenological study investigates poor urban women living in the inner city of Detroit, Michigan from a strengths perspective. In-depth interviews found that poor urban women exhibited both personal and environmental strengths. These strengths can be successfully utilized by social workers in their practice with this client population.
Picosecond Coherent Optical Manipulation of a Single Electron Spin in a Quantum Dot

Most schemes for quantum information processing require fast single-qubit operations. For spin-based qubits, this involves performing arbitrary coherent rotations of the spin state on time scales much faster than the spin coherence time. By applying off-resonant, picosecond-scale optical pulses, we demonstrated the coherent rotation of a single electron spin through arbitrary angles up to pi radians. We directly observed this spin manipulation using time-resolved Kerr rotation spectroscopy and found that the results are well described by a model that includes the electronnuclear spin interaction. Measurements of the spin rotation as a function of laser detuning and intensity confirmed that the optical Stark effect is the operative mechanism.