cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered hippocampal short-term plasticity and associative memory in synaptotagmin IV (- / -) mice

Synaptotagmin IV (Syt IV) is an activity-inducible, secretory vesicle protein that is thought to function as an inhibitor of neurotransmitter release (Littleton et al. Nature 400:757-760, 1999). To test this hypothesis in neurons of the mammalian CNS, we measured field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in hippocampal slice preparations from Syt IV (-/-) mice. At Schaffer collateral synapses, the basal properties of neurotransmission are largely normal. However, two forms of short-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), are significantly enhanced in area CA1 of Syt IV (-/-) slices. Similarly, the early stages of long-term potentiation (LTP) are also enhanced at these synapses. Consistent with the low levels of Syt IV observed in dentate granule cells, the mossy fiber synapses in Syt IV (-/-) slices display largely normal PPF and LTP. In addition, we find that Syt IV (-/-) mice have deficits in the associative passive avoidance memory paradigm, but are normal in the novel object recognition paradigm. The synaptic architecture and connectivity of Syt IV (-/-) brains is indistinguishable from wild-type mice as indicated by immunohistochemical analysis. These results suggest Syt IV is a presynaptic negative regulator of short-term plasticity in area CA1 of the hippocampus and is required for some, but not all, forms of hippocampus-dependent memory.
General criteria for nonclassical photon statistics in multimode radiations

Using Muirhead’s inequality based on the concept of majorization, general criteria for nonclassical photon statistics of arbitrary orders and involving any number of modes of radiations are derived. For the case of second-order correlations, it implies that both intramode antibunching and intermode bunching can contribute toward making multimode radiations nonclassical.
Adaptive multi-hop timings synchronization for wireless sensor networks

Time synchronization for wireless sensor networks has been studied in recent years as a fundamental and critical design problem. This paper proposes an adaptive multi-hop timing synchronization (AMTS) which aims at minimizing overall network-wide energy consumption in timing synchronization. According to the current network status, AMTS determines the synchronization mode either the always on or sensor initiated mode, then adjusts the re-synchronization period to minimize energy consumption. Besides, it adapts a joint clock offset and skew estimation mechanism to achieve long term reliability of synchronization. AMTS has significant benefits in terms of energy-efficiency, and can be applied to various types of wireless sensor networks having different regulations.
Application of Sr isotopes in secondary silicate minerals to paleogroundwater hydrology: An example from K-metasomatized rocks in the western U.S.

Abstract Strontium isotope analyses of secondary silicate minerals represent a largely unexploited method of investigating paleogroundwater hydrology. Guided by cathodoluminescent imaging, we obtained Sr isotopic data from physical microsamples of primary and secondary silicate minerals in a K-metasomatized, mid-Tertiary ash flow tuff at Socorro, New Mexico. The intent was to test the utility of silicate Sr isotopic data in paleohydrologic studies and to assess models for the basin-scale paleogroundwater flow responsible for the K-metasomatism in the Socorro area. Secondary adularia in the upper Lemitar tuff from a location at the southwestern extent of K-metasomatized rocks contain Sr with significantly higher 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios (∼ 0.720) than igneous feldspars (∼ 0.709) at the approximate time of the Late Cenozoic metasomatism ( 6 Ma). Estimates of saline brine 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios obtained from Late Cenozoic evaporites in the region are much lower (0.712) than the adularia values and suggest that such brines were not responsible for the K-metasomatism in this area. Groundwaters that had passed through high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr Precambrian rocks prior to entering the tuffs are more likely K-metasomatizing fluids, but isotopic data from altered upper Lemitar Tuff from throughout the Socorro area are required to fully test this possibility.
Metabolism of Biogenic Amines in Drosophila Nervous Tissue

Abstract 1. 1. The conditions for the measurement of N-acetyltransferase activity in Drosophila tissue were determined. 2. 2. N-acetyltransferase activities, using three different substrates, were measured in Drosophila nervous tissue and in whole fly extracts. 3. 3. N-acetyltransferase activities were found to be least fiftyfold greater than catechol-O-methyl transferase and monoamine oxidase activities. 4. 4. Acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activities in Drosophila nervous tissues and whole fly extracts were measured. 5. 5. Tentative explanations are offered for the relatively greater activities of the acetylcholine metabolizing enzymes compared with the catecholamine metabolizing enzymes in Drosophila nervous tissues.
Regulatory role of CD40 in obesity-induced insulin resistance

Excessive nutrient intake in obesity triggers the accumulation of various types of immune cells in adipose tissue, particularly visceral adipose tissue (VAT). This can result in chronic inflammation which disrupts insulin effects on adipocytes and muscle cells and culminates in development of insulin resistance. The interplay between immune cells and adipose tissue is a key event for the development of insulin resistance that precedes type 2 diabetes. CD40, a well-documented costimulatory receptor, is required for efficient systemic adaptive immune responses. However, we and other groups recently showed that CD40 unexpectedly ameliorates inflammation in VAT and accordingly attenuates obesity-induced insulin resistance. Specifically, although CD40 is typically considered to play its principal immune roles on B lymphocytes and myeloid cells, we found that CD40(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes were major contributors to the protective effect. This unexpected inhibitory role of CD40 on CD8(+) T cell activation in VAT may reflect unique features of this microenvironment. Additional knowledge gaps include whether CD40 also plays roles in mucosal immunity that control the homeostasis of gut microbiota, and human metabolic diseases. Potential therapeutic approaches, including stimulating CD40 signaling and/or manipulating specific CD40 signaling pathways in the VAT microenvironment, may open new avenues for treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance, and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Learning Bounds for Kernel Regression Using Effective Data Dimensionality

Kernel methods can embed finite-dimensional data into infinite-dimensional feature spaces. In spite of the large underlying feature dimensionality, kernel methods can achieve good generalization ability. This observation is often wrongly interpreted, and it has been used to argue that kernel learning can magically avoid the "curse-of-dimensionality" phenomenon encountered in statistical estimation problems. This letter shows that although using kernel representation, one can embed data into an infinite-dimensional feature space; the effective dimensionality of this embedding, which determines the learning complexity of the underlying kernel machine, is usually small. In particular, we introduce an algebraic definition of a scale-sensitive effective dimension associated with a kernel representation. Based on this quantity, we derive upper bounds on the generalization performance of some kernel regression methods. Moreover, we show that the resulting convergent rates are optimal under various circumstances.
Extended study of aneurysm formation in umbilical vein grafts

Abstract The rate of aneurysm formation in umbilical vein grafts has been reported to lie between 1% and 8%. However, in these reported series the number of grafts with aneurysms was related to the number of grafts inserted. When the denominator is changed to patent grafts at a given time period, the incidence changes drastically. In this study, duplex scanning was used to detect aneurysms in patent grafts. Four types of aneurysms—localized fusiform, localized eccentric, diffuse, and anastomotic—were recognized. Excluding anastomotic aneurysms, 33% of the grafts patent at 3 years were aneurysmal; in those patent at 4 years, 45% were aneurysmal; and in those patent at 5 or more years, 65% were aneurysmal. On grounds of theoretical considerations, it is believed that duplex scanning is more reliable than either clinical examination or arteriographic study for detecting these aneurysms. There is now evidence that the supporting Dacron mesh is too weak and must be strengthened. Despite aneurysm formation, the patency rate in our series has remained second only to saphenous vein grafts, as previously reported. (J VASC SURG 1986;4:486-92.)
Chromatographic Investigation of CO2−Polymer Interactions at Near-Critical Conditions

A chromatographic method, namely, mass spectrometric tracer pulse chromatography, MSTPC, was used to measure the solubility of carbon dioxide in PMMA, poly(methyl methacrylate), over a wide range of temperatures (−10 to 180 °C) and pressures (<90 atm). In this range of experimental conditions, CO2 was present as a gas or supercritical fluid and the polymer was either in a glassy or rubbery state (Tg = 100-110 °C). Three lattice theories were evaluated for correlation with the experimental solubility data. The Sanchez−Lacombe, Panayiotou−Vera, and Martire−Boehm models were used to calculate the densities of the pure gas and binary liquid phases from an equation of state and the chemical potential of CO2 in both the pure gas and polymer mixtures. The solubility of CO2 in PMMA as a function of temperature and pressure was calculated from these three lattice theory models and compared with the experimental data. Only one temperature-dependent adjustable parameter was used in these calculations to fit the theo...
On the inversion of mutual occultation light curves

Abstract The extent to which mutual occultation light curves, of the type that occur among the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, can be inverted to produce albedo maps of the surfaces has been investigated. Model calculations have been done utilizing the Earth's own moon as the object of study. It is found that the inversion process can be successfully accomplished even in the presence of amounts of random noise typical of routine high-quality photometry of the Galilean satellites. The inversion process is also reasonably tolerant of systematic errors in the light curves, such as those due to photometric nonlinearity. Unless the limb-darkening distribution is pathological or the geometric elements adopted are seriously in error it should be possible to produce fairly high resolution maps of at least some of the Galilean satellites.
Kinetics of facilitated diffusion of oxygen in tissue slices.

Abstract It has been reported by Longmuir and co-workers that respiration of certain tissue slices obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics. To explain this and related results, Longmuir has postulated a carrier to transport oxygen through the tissue. In the present report the behavior of a mobile carrier and of a fixed site carrier are considered. Expressions for V max and K m are developed. In relation to these parameters, the following points are discussed: (a) dependence on tissue thickness; (b) dependence on carrier concentration; (c) dependence on non-uniformities in carrier concentration; (d) distinguishing between mobile and fixed-site carrier mechanisms.
Progressive deformation of feldspar recording low-barometry impact processes, Tenoumer impact structure, Mauritania

The Tenoumer impact structure is a small, well-preserved crater within Archean to Paleoproterozoic amphibolite, gneiss, and granite of the Reguibat Shield, north-central Mauritania. The structure is surrounded by a thin ejecta blanket of crystalline blocks (granitic gneiss, granite, and amphibolite) and impact-melt rocks. Evidence of shock metamorphism of quartz, most notably planar deformation features (PDFs), occurs exclusively in granitic clasts entrained within small bodies of polymict, glass-rich breccia. Impact-related deformation features in oligoclase and microcline grains, on the other hand, occur both within clasts in melt-breccia deposits, where they co-occur with quartz PDFs, and also within melt-free crystalline ejecta, in the absence of co-occurring quartz PDFs. Feldspar deformation features include multiple orientations of PDFs, enhanced optical relief of grain components, selective disordering of alternate twins, inclined lamellae within alternate twins, and combinations of these individual textures. The distribution of shock features in quartz and feldspar suggests that deformation textures within feldspar can record a wide range of average pressures, starting below that required for shock deformation of quartz. We suggest that experimental analysis of feldspar behavior, combined with detailed mapping of shock metamorphism of feldspar in natural systems, may provide critical data to constrain energy dissipation within impact regimes that experienced low average shock pressures.
The Effects of Debeaking, Floor Space, and Diet Energy Levels on Broiler Growth

Abstract BIELY and March (1954) and Donaldson et al. (1956) presented evidence indicating that increasing the energy in 24 and 28 percent rations had no effect on growth but did improve feed efficiency. Sunde (1956) observed no effect on growth when the energy level was increased in a 20 percent protein ration. Turk et al. (1961) reported that a protein level of 20 to 21 percent with a productive energy level of about 900 Calories per pound gave optimum growth and feed efficiency. Matterson et al. (1955) found that growth rate increased as the productive energy increased at any given protein level from 20 to 28 percent. When the floor space was reduced from one square foot to one-half square foot per bird, (Tomhave and Seegar, 1945; Mehrhof and O’Steen, 1948; Moreng et al., 1961; and Hansen and Becker, 1959) growth was reduced. Siegel and Coles (1958) compared 0.5, 0.75, 1.0,…
Effects of neonatal and adult striate lesions on visual discrimination in the rabbit.

Abstract Learning of brightness and pattern discriminations was compared in normal rabbits and in rabbits with striate lesions performed in infancy or adulthood. Those with lesions did not differ from normal rabbits in learning a brightness discrimination. Both groups with lesions took significantly longer than normal to learn patterns consisting of striations differeing by 90° and 45°. No animal with lesions learned to discriminate striations differing by 22°. There were no significant differences between animals with lesions performed in adulthood and infancy in learning brightness or pattern discriminations. Species differences in neonatal plasticity and functional recovery are discussed.
Business practices and performance in US manufacturing companies: an empirical investigation

During the last decade, US manufacturing firms have gone through major changes in organisational restructuring, workplace culture and manufacturing practices. There are doubts about the inherent strengths of US manufacturing; various agencies, decision-makers and researchers are not sure whether the manufacturing sector is in a position to meet tough global competition. This paper, based on a national survey of manufacturing companies, presents an overview of the present state of US manufacturing practices and firms' performances. Statistical techniques are employed to analyse and ascertain if there are significant relationships between process management practices, product quality, organisational culture, financial performance, technology and innovation.
Gravitational Stresses in Long Symmetric Ridges and Valleys in Anisotropic Rock

Abstract The effect of topography and rock mass anisotropy on gravitational stresses in long isolated symmetric ridges and valleys is modeled using an analytical method proposed earlier by the first two authors. The rock mass deforms under a condition of plane strain. A parametric study is presented on the effect of (1) topography, (2) orientation of anisotropy and (3) degree of anisotropy on the magnitude and distribution of gravitational stresses in transversely isotropic rock masses with planes of anisotropy striking parallel to the ridge or valley axis. It is found that compressive stresses develop near ridge crests and that tensile stresses develop in valley bottoms and valley walls. The magnitude of the gravitational stresses is of the order of the characteristics stress ϱgβbβ where ϱ is the rock density, g is the gravitational acceleration and βbβ is the height of the ridge or depth of the valley.
The City, The Mesolect, and Innovation

Change in a creole or pidgin continuum is like linguistic change elsewhere: innovations that are identified with speakers who bear prestige are likely to spread, while innovations identified with speakers who do not bear prestige are not. In the case of the continuum that spans Liberian English (from pidgin to standard), the greatest prestige is assigned to acrolectal speakers, and decreolizing changes are the most frequent type. However, the urban mesolect has emerged as a secondary locus of prestige. Nonde-creolizing innovations that have arisen among speakers of this variety thus have the potential to spread, first to the rural mesolect, then to the two (rural) Liberian basilects. Four innovations, each at a different stage of diffusion, are examined, two involving feni (<finish) and two involving besne (<business).
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Ni+(benzene)n Complexes in the Gas Phase

Ni+(benzene)n (n = 1−6) and Ni+(benzene)nAr1,2 (n = 1,2) are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle cluster source. The clusters are mass selected and studied by infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The excitation laser is an OPO/OPA system that produces tunable IR in the C−H stretching region of benzene. Photodissociation of Ni+(benzene)n complexes occurs by the elimination of intact neutral benzene molecules, while Ni+(benzene)nAr1,2 complexes lose Ar. This process is enhanced on resonances, and the vibrational spectrum is obtained by monitoring the fragment yield versus the infrared wavelength. Vibrational bands in the 2700−3300 cm-1 region are characteristic of the benzene molecular moiety with systematic shifts caused by the metal bonding. A dramatic change in the IR spectrum is seen at n = 3 and is attributed to the presence of external benzene molecules acting as solvent molecules in the cluster. The results of previous theoretic...
Three systems for cryptographic protocol analysis

Three experimental methods have been developed to help apply formal methods to the security verification of cryptographic protocols of the sort used for key distribution and authentication. Two of these methods are based on Prolog programs, and one is based on a general-purpose specification and verification system. All three combine algebraic with state-transition approaches. For purposes of comparison, they were used to analyze the same example protocol with a known flaw.
Analysis ofJCoupling-Induced Fat Suppression in DIET Imaging

Abstract The DIET (or d ual i nterval e cho t rain) sequence, a modification of the f ast s pin e cho (FSE) sequence that selectively reduces signal from fat in MR images, has been investigated. The DIET sequence uses an initial echo spacing longer than that of a conventional FSE sequence, thus allowing J coupling-induced dephasing to take effect. The sequence is evaluated theoretically, and its effectiveness on a hydrocarbon (1-pentene) is demonstrated numerically using density matrix calculations. The sequence is also evaluated experimentally using in vitro solutions and in vivo imaging. The efficacy of the sequence is compared for different lipid chemical structures, field strengths, and pulse sequence parameters.
Combustion problems in automotive air pollution

The role of combustion in forming air pollutants is discussed. Emphasis is given to automotive sources of NO 2 , CO, and hydrocarbons, and the methods for reducing their emission from automobile engines.
Huntington's disease: the challenge for cell biologists

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of eight inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by expansions of (CAG)(n) tracts that encode polyglutamine segments in expressed proteins. Studies of pathogenic mechanisms for all these late-onset diseases suffer from a common drawback: experimental studies require massive acceleration of a process that, in affected humans, usually takes decades. But is the rapid-onset disease of transgenic mouse models and in cells the same as the slow-onset disease in humans? We review recent work on HD, noting several issues whose significance is likely to be crucial - but which are as yet unresolved. We discuss these in light of the distinction between disease-specific pathogenic mechanisms and artifacts of polyglutamine overexpression. We suggest that the initial stages of HD result from dysfunction rather than death, and we consider the potential discovery of compounds that might interfere with early pathogenic events.
Subunit Topology of Two 20S Proteasomes from Haloferax volcanii

Haloferax volcanii , a halophilic archaeon, synthesizes three different proteins (α1, α2, and β) which are classified in the 20S proteasome superfamily. The α1 and β proteins alone form active 20S proteasomes; the role of α2, however, is not clear. To address this, α2 was synthesized with an epitope tag and purified by affinity chromatography from recombinant H. volcanii . The α2 protein copurified with α1 and β in a complex with an overall structure and peptide-hydrolyzing activity comparable to those of the previously described α1-β proteasome. Supplementing buffers with 10 mM CaCl 2 stabilized the halophilic proteasomes in the absence of salt and enabled them to be separated by native gel electrophoresis. This facilitated the discovery that wild-type H. volcanii synthesizes more than one type of 20S proteasome. Two 20S proteasomes, the α1-β and α1-α2-β proteasomes, were identified during stationary phase. Cross-linking of these enzymes, coupled with available structural information, suggested that the α1-β proteasome was a symmetrical cylinder with α1 rings on each end. In contrast, the α1-α2-β proteasome appeared to be asymmetrical with homo-oligomeric α1 and α2 rings positioned on separate ends. Inter-α-subunit contacts were only detected when the ratio of α1 to α2 was perturbed in the cell using recombinant technology. These results support a model that the ratio of α proteins may modulate the composition and subunit topology of 20S proteasomes in the cell.
Spectroscopic investigations of metalloporphyrin-oligopeptide systems: evidence for peptide aggregation.

Anionic pentapeptides consisting of a string of four glutamic acid residues terminated by either tyrosine (Glu4Tyr) or tryptophan (Glu4Trp) were synthesized, and their aggregation properties in buffered (pH = 7.0) aqueous solutions were investigated using two different approaches. In the first approach, the effects of the concentration of peptide used as its own probe (intrinsic probe) on its fluorescence emission, circular dichroism, surface tension, and solution pH yielded similar critical peptide concentrations of around 175 μM. This particular concentration was taken as evidence for peptide aggregation. In the second approach, peptide aggregation was investigated using cationic metalloporphyrins, tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (PdIITMPyP4+ and ZnIITMPyP4+), as extrinsic probes. The effect of peptide concentration on porphyrin ground-state absorption confirmed peptide aggregation, but at a lower critical peptide concentration near 125 μM. This difference was attributed to the possible distortion...
Quantitative measurement of "natural" and immunization-induced Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide antibodies.

Extract: Haemophilus influenzae type b antibodies were measured quantitatively in normal and immunized humans and in commercially available pooled immunoglobulin. A “protective” serum level was estimated to be 0.06 to 0.1 $mUg antibody/ml based upon the anti-type b concentration in normal adult sera and pooled immunoglobulin. An age-related difference characterized the adult and infant serum antibody response to injection of the purified type b capsular polysaccharide. The adults responded with higher and sustained antibody levels than the infants and children. An immunized infant reacted with type b antibody formation after nasopharyngeal carriage of H. influenzae type b and two infants reacted with type b antibodies after enteric carriage of Escherichia coli with a cross-reacting antigen. Speculation: Qualitative and quantitative differences characterize the adult versus the infant re-response to the capsular polysaccharide of H. influenzae type b. This age-related difference in the serum anti-type b antibody response may be due to the development of differentiated cells induced by whole bacteria, either as H. influenzae type b or by other organisms with cross-reacting antigens. The “protective” level of serum anti-type b antibodies, estimated by two methods, was achieved by immunization of infants, which suggests that this procedure may confer protective immunity.
Policing Soviet Society: The Evolution of State Control

Since its creation immediately after the Russian revolution,the militia has had a broad range of social,political and economic functions necessary to direct and control a highly centralized socialist state.However,as the communst party lost its legitimacy the militia was increasingly thrust into the front line of political conflict.A task it was unsuited to perform.Despite the efforts of perestroika to reform it,the collapse of the Soviet state also led to the collapse of morale within the militia. Louise Shelley provides a comprehensive view of the history,development,functions,personnel and operations of the militia from its inception until after the demise of the Soviet state.The militia combined elements of continental,socialist and colonial policing.Its functions and operations changed with the development of the state,yet it always intervened significantly in citizen's lives and citizens were very much involved in their own control.Over time the militia became more removed from politics and more concerned with crime control,but it always remained a tool of the party. This is the first book to analyze the militia,which was one of the most vital elements of control within the Soviet State.It will be a crucial aid to understanding the authoritarianism of the communist system and its legacy for Russia and the successor states. Louise I.Shelley is Professor at the Department of Justice,Law and Society and the School of International Service at the American University,Washington D.C.
Urey Prize Lecture - Planetary evolution and the origin of life

The origin of life appears to be closely tied to the formation and early evolution of the solar system. Key questions deal with the source of abiotic organic material on the early Earth, the nature of interstellar organic material and its relationship to the observed organic compounds in the outer solar system, and the possible origin of life on Mars early in its history. From the perspective of planetary environments, liquid water is the essential requirement for life and serves as a surrogate indicator for life. New models and analyses in conjunction with data returned from upcoming missions promise to significantly advance our knowledge of how life originated in our solar system.
Genetic Parentage Analysis of Red Drum in South Carolina and the Use of Genotypic Data from Archived Otoliths

Abstract The red drum Sciaenops ocellatus is an estuarine-dependent fish that is the focus of a large recreational fishery along the U.S. Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. In response to dramatic declines in juvenile abundance, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has been experimentally stocking local estuaries since the late 1980s. Here we report on the genetic parentage approach that has been employed to identify fish of hatchery origin through DNA isolated from fin clips collected from wild-caught fish. In some cases tissue samples were not available, making it necessary to find an alternative source of DNA. Thus, we also examined the use of archived otoliths as a source of genetic material for parentage analysis. Amplification resulted from 96% of the extractions obtained from the extracellular tissue remaining on otoliths. In comparison with extractions obtained from fin clips, otoliths appear to be a reliable DNA source. These results not only present a method for nonlethally ...
A Multidimensional Investigation of Children's /r/ Productions: Perceptual, Ultrasound, and Acoustic Measures

Purpose This study explored relationships among perceptual, ultrasound, and acoustic measurements of children's correct and misarticulated /r/ sounds. Longitudinal data documenting changes across these parameters were collected from 2 children who acquired /r/ over a period of intervention and were compared with data from children with typical speech. Method Participants were 3 children with typical speech, recorded once, and 2 children with /r/ misarticulation, recorded over 7–8 months. The following data from /r/ produced in nonwords were collected: perceptually rated accuracy, ultrasound measures of tongue shape, and F3 – F2 distance. Results Regression models revealed significant associations among perceptual, ultrasound, and acoustic measures of /r/ accuracy. The inclusion of quantitative tongue-shape measurements improved the match between the ultrasound and perceptual/acoustic data. Perceptually incorrect /r/ productions were found to feature posteriorly located peaked tongue shapes. Of the childre...
Voltammetric Characterization of Dissolved Cadmium Sulfide Species

The reaction between Cd(II) and sulfide was monitored by voltammetry. To slow the precipitation of bulk CdS, experiments were conducted in the presence of ligands, of which cysteine was the most effective. A voltammetric signal obtained for the CdSaq product was largest when [S(-II)]=1/2[Cd(II)] and was enhanced through adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The mechanism of CdSaq adsorption on the working electrode surface and subsequent Cd(II) reduction was determined. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the CdSaq complex giving the voltammetric signal was from a species intermediate in size between nanoparticles (>3 nm diameter) and cysteine, indicating the voltammetric response is size dependent.
The utility of maternal depression screening in the third trimester

Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of maternal depressive risk in patients during the third trimester and to determine whether unique at-risk women are identified when the data are compared with postpartum screening. Study Design As part of a comprehensive program for universal perinatal depression screening and behavioral health referral of at-risk women, patients completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale both during pregnancy (24-28 weeks of gestation) and again at 6 weeks after delivery. Based on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores of ≥12, the prevalence of antepartum depressive risk and the rates of concordant/discordant risk status with the corresponding postpartum results were calculated. Discordant-risk cases were further analyzed to determine whether obstetric, psychosocial, or demographic variables were associated with changing risk status over time. Results We screened 1584 women in the third trimester and again after delivery: 7.7% and 6.8% of the women scored in the at-risk range in the antepartum and postpartum time frames, respectively; 88.9% of patients had the same risk status, and 11.1% were discordant before and after delivery. Statistically significant associations were found between premature birth, newborn infant admission to the intensive care nursery, and acquisition of postpartum depressive risk. Conclusion Screening for depression in the third trimester resulted in a comparable prevalence rate of depressive risk identification when compared with the postpartum time frame. Unique women were identified before and after delivery who may have been missed if screening had not been performed twice.
Turbulence Dissipation in a Free-Surface Jet of Water and Its Effect on Local Impingement Heat Transfer From a Heated Surface: Part 1—Flow Structure

This study investigates the relationship between jet turbulence and local impingement heat transfer for a free-surface, planar jet of water. Employing a thermal anemometer system, measurements of the mean velocity and turbulence intensity are reported at different streamwise and spanwise locations throughout the jet. The flow conditions at the nozzle discharge were controlled by using different nozzle designs (parallel-plate and converging) and flow manipulators (wire grid and screens). Measurements of the velocity gradient along the impingement surface, known to influence heat transfer from analytical considerations of a laminar impinging jet, were also made for the same sets of nozzle conditions. The test matrix also included variations in the Reynolds number (23,000 and 46,000) and distance from the nozzle discharge to the surface (0 to 30 nozzle widths). The local heat transfer results corresponding to the flow structure measurements are reported in Part 2 of this paper.
Chemokines and Alzheimer’s disease

In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on chemokines as inflammatory mediators in the CNS. The limited number of studies that have investigated chemokine and chemokine receptor expression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain and in cell culture models seem to support a role for inflammation in AD pathogenesis. Here we provide a review of these studies, but in addition, point out the possible role of chemokines as communication molecules between neurons and microglia. Understanding neuron-microglia interactions is essential for understanding AD pathogenesis, and disturbances in chemokine-mediated intercellular communication may contribute toward a generalized impairment of microglial cell function.
Activation of Dinitrogen-Derived Hafnium Nitrides for Nucleophilic NC Bond Formation with a Terminal Isocyanate†

Better by Hf: Anion coordination to a bridging hafnocene nitride complex, prepared from CO-induced N2 cleavage, increases the nucleophilicity of the nitrogen atom, thus promoting additional NC bond formation with a typically inert terminal isocyanate ligand. This cascade sequence allows synthesis of otherwise challenging mono-substituted ureas using N2 , CO, and an appropriate electrophile.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance characterization of peri-infarct zone remodeling following myocardial infarction

Background Clinical studies implementing late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies suggest that the peri-infarct zone (PIZ) contains a mixture of viable and non-viable myocytes, and is associated with greater susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia induction and adverse cardiac outcomes. However, CMR data assessing the temporal formation and functional remodeling characteristics of this complex region are limited. We intended to characterize early temporal changes in scar morphology and regional function in the PIZ.
Intraoperative Consultation for Renal Masses: Challenges and Implications for Treatment

Intraoperative pathologic consultation provides critical information that determines immediate diagnostic decision making for optimal patient care. Frequent indications for intraoperative consultation during kidney surgery include assessment of renal masses, surgical margin status during partial or radical nephrectomy, and extrarenal masses/lymph nodes. Only gross examination of renal masses during radical nephrectomy may suffice unless the macroscopic findings are equivocal. Nonetheless, it is particularly important to distinguish between benign versus malignant conditions and renal cell carcinoma versus urothelial carcinoma. The intraoperative diagnosis may result in changes in the surgical procedure, for instance, partial nephrectomy for benign conditions, radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinomas, and nephroureterectomy for urothelial carcinoma. For the assessment of surgical margins of partial nephrectomy specimens, the pathologist should be aware that normal proximal renal tubules may mimic an oncocytoma with a tubular growth pattern and that distorted renal tubules at the periphery of the tumor can be mistaken as a low-grade renal cell carcinoma. Other common pitfalls in the frozen section diagnosis include various types of artifacts such as thermal injury, crush artifact, and freeze artifact. Recognizing these artifacts, reviewing clinical and imaging finding as well as previous biopsy material if available prior to the intraoperative consultation is always helpful for adequate interpretation of the specimens.
Reactivation of inactive systemic lupus erythematosus

To characterize the features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients who flare after a period of inactive disease, we conducted a retrospective chart review. We identified 24 records from SLE patients who had been tapered to 5 mg/day or less of prednisone for at least 3 months. No initial clinical disease manifestations correlated with subsequent flares. Patients receiving more aggressive therapy for their initial active disease flared less often than patients who received adequate but less aggressive therapy. Patients who were tapered off of steroids were 3.2 times more likely to flare than patients who were maintained on low doses of corticosteroid. Further prospective studies are indicated.
Dimensionality of the Attitudes toward Disabled Persons Scale Revisited

Data from the responses of 104 medical and rehabilitation students to the Attitudes toward Disabled Persons Scale-Form B (ATDP-B) were factor analyzed using a principal components solution, with particular attention to the problem of the number of factors to retain. Bartlett's test of the residuals was significant after the extraction of one factor, suggesting a multifactor solution. Conversely, examination of eigenvalues using the scree test, and a comparison of eigenvalues of the real data matrix with those extracted from a random numbers data matrix of the same dimensions support the unidimensionality of the ATDP-B.
Care-seeking behavior with breast cancer symptoms in Caucasian and African-American women.

Based on a theory of care seeking, the influences of psychosocial variables (anxiety, utility beliefs, norm, and habit) and facilitators (e.g., an identified practitioner) on care-seeking behavior with a breast cancer symptom were examined. Also, the influences of variables not identified by the theory (e.g., optimism and race) on care-seeking behavior were examined. Participants were Caucasian (n = 64) and African-American women (n = 71) with breast symptoms. Care seeking was measured by the days between symptom detection and contact with the health system. Habit was associated with promptness, utility beliefs were associated with delay, and anxiety interacted with having an identified practitioner to explain care seeking. Optimism and having a friend with a breast symptom also were associated with promptness. Race had neither direct nor interactive effects on care seeking.
Reaction of porous solids

A method is presented for the analysis of a reaction between a porous solid and a gaseous reactant where the kinetic expression is linear in the concentration and where appreciable concentration gradients are established in the pore system as a result of diffusive transport rate. Two cases are treated mathematically: a single cylindrical pore initially of uniform diameter and a porous solid initially containing uniform cylindrical pores with random intersections. The mathematical solutions to the latter case are used to interpret the experimental results reported in the literature on the gasification of graphite rods with carbon dioxide. Values of the computed effective diffusivity are an order of magnitude smaller than the bulk diffusivity at the same temperature and pressure.
AAEM case report #5: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A 40-year-old man presented with a gradual onset of gait unsteadiness and weakness in the arms. The stretch reflexes were normal in the upper extremities but hyperactive in the lower extremities with bilateral Babinski signs. A myelogram revealed a partial obstruction at C-5-6. Two prior electromyograms, 7 and 5 months prior to admission, reportedly showed positive waves only in two peroneal supplied muscles. Repeat electromyographic testing demonstrated normal nerve conduction velocities and needle electrode abnormalities in upper and lower extremities as well as thoracic paraspinal muscles allowing a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The importance of electromyographic testing in clinically nonaffected areas is stressed as well as its role in patients presenting with upper motor neuron signs. It is the task of the clinical electromyographer to consider other entities in the differential diagnosis, such as a multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction blocks and design the tests accordingly. The role of electromyography in the prediction of the course of ALS by assessing the degree of reinnervation is discussed. This will become increasingly important in the design of treatment trials.
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy offers a unique evaluation of the upper airway. After pharmacologic induction of sleep, it is possible to endoscopically evaluate the structures contributing to upper airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea. Ongoing research is considering the potential of using this technique to guide surgical treatment and/or predict surgical outcomes.
Sequential therapy with activated prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant factor VIIa in patients with severe haemophilia and inhibitors.

Summary. Patients with haemophilia and inhibitors have bleeding episodes that can be refractory to home therapy with either activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC) or recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). Sequential therapy with these products has not been widely used because of concern regarding the possibility of thrombosis. This report describes the results of a retrospective chart review of five hospitalized children with severe haemophilia and inhibitors who have been treated with sequential doses of APCC and rFVIIa for refractory bleeding. These patients all had failed home therapy with APCC and rFVIIa alone. A total of 20 admissions were documented covering 170 hospital days, including 91 days of combination therapy. While being closely monitored in the hospital, they received alternating doses of APCC and rFVIIa every 6 h. Anywhere from one to three doses of rFVIIa were given every 2 h between APCC doses. Doses of APCC ranged from 35 to 80 U kg−1 dose−1, and doses of rFVIIa ranged from 80 to 225 mcg kg−1 dose−1. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We found the combination of these factors to be safe and effective for patients with refractory bleeds. However, we recommend this aggressive therapy only in the inpatient setting with careful monitoring of the physical examination and frequent laboratory screening to assess for thrombosis and DIC, and without the concurrent use of antifibrinolytic medications.
Clinical prediction of periodic leg movements during sleep in children.

Objective: To assess the utility of several symptoms and a questionnaire-based scale in the identification of children with periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS). Background: PLMS may have important consequences in some children, but the extent to which a diagnosis can be established by clinical history is unknown. Methods: Subjects were patients aged 2–18 years who underwent polysomnography to assess for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Parents completed a Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire which contained items under consideration for inclusion in the desired scale. Results: Subjects (n=113) had a mean age of 9.8±4.0 (SD) and 73 (65%) were male; 59 (52%) had SDB and 29 (26%) had five or more PLMS per hour of sleep (PLMI≥5). Severity of SDB was not different among those with and without PLMI≥5. Yes/no responses to several question-items — about restless legs, growing pains, leaving the bed at night, waking more than twice per night, waking feeling unrefreshed, and morning headaches — showed some association with PLMI≥5 and were combined into a composite PLMS score artificially weighted toward the first two items. The PLMS score averaged 0.40±0.31 and ranged from 0.0 to 1.0; a 1 SD increase was associated with PLMI≥5 (odds ratio=1.87, 95% confidence interval (1.15, 3.13), P=0.014) after adjustment for age, sex, and SDB severity. Sensitivity of a PLMS score>0.33 for PLMI≥5 was 0.79, specificity was 0.56, positive predictive value was 0.38, and negative predictive value was 0.89. Internal consistency was reasonable (Cronbach's α=0.71), as was test–retest reliability (ρ=0.62, P=0.0026, n=21 separate subjects). Conclusions: Restless legs, growing pains, sleep-maintenance insomnia, unrefreshing sleep, and morning headaches show moderate associations with polysomnographically-defined PLMS, but several other symptoms do not. These results require confirmation but suggest that clinical assessment and the PLMS score may be helpful but far from definitive.
Power Politics: Advocacy to Activism in Social Justice Counseling

The authors seek to initiate a broader dialog within the social justice movements across disciplines to include a deeper understanding of how power politics plays out in the social/political domain of the public arena outlined in the American Counseling Association (ACA) Advocacy Competencies. In this domain, counselors act as legislative/policy change advocates. However, in recent years social justice advocates within the profession have called for a more activist stance focusing on changing social structures of unjust systems and institutions as an adjunct to legislative/policy advocacy. Activities engaged in by policy/legislative advocates and structural change activists are discussed. Delineation between the differences in perception of power by political operatives and counseling professionals is examined so counselors may have a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with being social change agents. Future implications for the field are discussed with focus on evidence-based research, training, and the potential use of technology and social media in the social justice advocacy movement.