cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differing psychotropic profiles of the anticonvulsants in bipolar and other psychiatric disorders

Abstract Several compounds from the anticonvulsant category have played a major role in therapeutic approaches to bipolar illness, particularly carbamazepine, valproate, and lamotrigine. At the same time there is little evidence that covert seizures underlie the affective disorders, or that all anticonvulsants are effective acute antimanic or mood stabilizing agents. For example, recent FDA-approved anticonvulsants (gabapentin, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) re-uptake inhibitor tiagabine, and topiramate) that exert major effects on GABAergic systems and increase brain GABA in patients as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, do not appear to be effective acute antimanic agents based on controlled clinical trials or detailed open observations. This raises the question as to what mechanistic properties within the anticonvulsant class are associated with positive effects in bipolar illness; candidates include blockade of sodium channels and decreased release of glutamate, decreased calcium influx through the NMDA receptor, increases in potassium efflux, as well as a variety of aminergic effects and effects on gene expression. With the exception of lamotrigine, mood stabilizers (including lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine) appear to be better acute and prophylactic antimanics than antidepressants, and preliminary data suggest this for zonisamide as well. Some of the anticonvulsants appear useful in targeting a variety of other syndromes and ones that are often comorbid with bipolar illness, including anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, migraine, eating disorders, and obesity. Gabapentin is effective in panic anxiety and social phobia as well as chronic pain syndromes, whereas a large range of anticonvulsants may be useful in the treatment of sleep disorders and paroxysmal components of posttraumatic stress disorder. Recent data indicate that topiramate has the ability to reduce alcohol intake and craving in patients with primary alcoholism compared with placebo, and both topiramate and zonisamide share the positive side effect of inducing weight loss of a magnitude similar to that achieved with the FDA-approved weight-loss drug sibutramine. Thus, while there is an apparent absence of seizures in bipolar illness, and anticonvulsant efficacy is not sufficient for classifying the psychotropic properties of these agents, some of the mechanisms that are pertinent to inhibiting paroxysmal discharges in the epilepsies may also be pertinent to the wide range of primary or adjunctive uses of the anticonvulsants in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders.
The Drash syndrome revisited: diagnosis and follow-up

The Drash syndrome of Wilms tumor, glomerulonephritis and male pseudohermaph-roditism (XY gonadal dysgenesis), was first reported in 1967 (Drash et al, 1970; Denys et al, 1967). Since then reports have pointed to the delayed appearance of some manifestations of the syndrome with specific attention paid to the late development of renal failure, or Wilms tumor, in patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis. Therefore, early accurate diagnosis of this syndrome is important. We report on a phenotypically and genotypically normal girl with Wilms tumor and glomerulonephritis. This report and others, which indicate that the syndrome may be present in patients without ambiguous genitalia, lead us to suggest that all girls with Wilms tumor should be considered at risk for the Drash syndrome. If possible, a careful evaluation of the ovaries at surgery is advisable. Furthermore, vigilant follow-up of renal function in Wilms tumor patients is warranted.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from Atherosclerotic Human Arteries Exhibit Greater Adhesion, Migration, and Proliferation Than Venous Cells

Abstract Background. Phenotypic variation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) may result in altered biological behavior and responses. Within the vessel wall, arterial VSMC have a greater propensity to form atherosclerotic lesions as compared to venous VSMC. In this study the rates of proliferation, adhesion, and migration were compared between VSMC of atherosclerotic arterial and venous origin. Materials and methods. Human VSMC cultures were isolated from 18 infragenicular arteries at the time of below knee amputation and from 20 saphenous veins during lower extremity revascularization surgery. Cell cultures were isolated from the media of each specimen and maintained in distinct cell lines for all assays. Cells from passages 2 and 3 were assayed for their proliferative capacity using total DNA fluorescence photometry and for adhesion and migration using a modified Boyden chamber. Results. Patient age and the incidence of atherosclerotic risk factors did not vary significantly between the arterial and the venous patient groups. VSMC of atherosclerotic arterial origin demonstrated greater proliferation (arterial, 162 ± 59 absorption units, vs venous, 106 ± 56 aborption units, P Conclusion. Human atherosclerotic arterial VSMC exhibit significantly increased rates of proliferation, adhesion, and migration as compared to human venous VSMC. These observations of VSMC in culture are consistent with the clinical predilection for the hyperplasic responses that result in the development of atherosclerosis in the arterial wall. Possible intrinsic differences in VSMC phenotype should be considered in designing methods to limit atherosclerosis.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool.

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can be a debilitating and dose-limiting adverse effect of chemotherapy. Comprehensive self-report tools for CIPN are needed for research and clinical practice. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this psychometric study was to describe the development and evaluate the reliability and validity of a new self-report tool designed to measure CIPN, the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT). METHODS One hundred sixty-seven patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy with paclitaxel, docetaxel, cisplatin, or oxaliplatin completed the CIPNAT. Content validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency reliability were assessed. RESULTS Content validity index was very acceptable at 0.95. Convergent validity data were provided by correlation with a measure of the same concept (r = 0.83, P < .001), and differences between contrasting groups (t = 7.66, P < .001) provided evidence of discriminant validity. High test-retest correlations (r = 0.92, P < .001), Cronbach α (α = .95), and significant item-to-total correlations ranging from 0.38 to 0.70 provided evidence of reliability. CONCLUSIONS Results provide evidence of the validity and reliability of the CIPNAT, which can be used for comprehensive assessment of CIPN. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Use of the CIPNAT in research may lead to a better understanding of CIPN and guide nurses in developing and testing of interventions to relieve suffering and enhance quality of life for patients with CIPN.
Kinetics and dynamics of calcium entry antagonists in systemic hypertension

The calcium-entry antagonists verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine (and their analogs) are all eliminated by hepatic metabolism and the rate of disposition is dependent on the rate of liver blood flow. During long-term administration, the profound hemodynamic effects of these agents result in changes in hepatic blood flow in association with decreases in arterial pressure, and either increases or decreases in measured cardiac output. This alters the drug's rate of delivery to the site of elimination, with concomitant changes in systemic clearance and a prolongation in elimination half-life. The pharmacokinetic data determined after initial single doses, therefore, only suggest the kinetic characteristics during long-term administration, because this profile depends on the drugs' sustained effects on liver blood flow. The elimination half-life of all 3 prototypical calcium antagonists is probably significantly prolonged during long-term dosing with clinically effective regimens. Patients with hepatic disorders in which liver blood flow is altered, such as cirrhosis, have profound changes in pharmacokinetics with both short- and long-term administration of verapamil and are likely to have similar changes with other calcium antagonists. During short-term administration, the plasma concentrations of verapamil and other calcium antagonists relate closely to the observed hemodynamic (and electrophysiologic) effects. With long-term administration, however, these correlations are much less impressive. When given in tablet form, nifedipine lowers blood pressure roughly in proportion to plasma levels between 20 and 200 ng/ml; verapamil plasma levels between 80 and 800 ng/ml are associated with antihypertensive efficacy. Plasma level measurements, therefore, are not of clinical importance as guides to antihypertensive therapy, except to identify noncompliance or abnormal patterns of drug handling.
What is the functional significance of the unique location of glutaredoxin 1 (GRx1) in the intermembrane space of mitochondria

Glutaredoxins (GRx) catalyze reversible protein glutathionylation. They are implicated in sulfhydryl homeostasis and regulation of redox signal transduction, controlling various cellular processes like DNA synthesis, defense against oxidative stress, apoptosis signaling, and DNA-binding of transcription factors. Two isoforms of GRx are well characterized in mammals: GRx1, the “cytosolic” form, and GRx2, the “mitochondrial” form. Here we report documentation of GRx1 in mitochondria, localized exclusively in the intermembrane space and segregated from GRx2, localized exclusively in the mitochondrial matrix. We hypothesize that GRx1 and GRx2 in their unique locations regulate different functions of the mitochondria via reversible S-glutathionylation.
Did Margin Rules and Financial Development Affect Returns and Volatility During the Market Crash of 2007–2008?

This article aims to determine if the type of margin rules on an exchange or financial development contributed to or dampened the stock market returns or volatility of returns during the worldwide market sell-off from October 16, 2007 to October 22, 2008. The author finds that rigid margin rules significantly reduced the weekly index return volatility during the crash period and also reduced the change in weekly index return volatility compared to the past 5 years. There is no evidence that margin rules had any impact on returns during the crash period, refuting the pyramiding hypothesis. Return volatility was positively related to financial development during the crash period but negatively related to volatility before the crash period, suggesting that the cause of the crash centered in the financially developed world. Regulators from around the world would be interested in how margin rules on different exchanges can increase or dampen returns or volatility during extreme market movements and how financial development interacts with return volatility during extreme market conditions.
An electrical resistivity‐apparatus for testing well‐waters

A precise but easily operated apparatus for testing resistivity of well-waters has been developed in the Stanford University Hydrologic Laboratory. With it, field-investigations were made on 20 wells in an area contiguous to the southern part of San Francisco Bay where salt-water encroachment into the upper gravels has locally contaminated ground-water supplies. The apparatus consists of a measuring unit operating on 120- or 240-volt, 60-cycle alternating-current, or from a 6-volt storage-battery, and a cable-unit with attached electrode-cell. The electrode-cell was lowered into wells and resistivity-measurements were made continuously or at desired depths. Both static and pumping tests were made on wells where possible.
Eicosanoid synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity in mammary tumors of rats fed varying levels and types of N-3 and/or N-6 fatty acids.

Abstract Virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats (50 days of age) were administered a single intragastric 10 mg dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA). Three weeks later they were placed on diets containing either 20% corn oil (CO), 20% primrose oil (PO), 20% black currant seed oil (BCO), 20% borage oil (BO), 15% menhaden oil plus 5% corn oil (15% MO + 5% CO), 10% menhaden oil plus 10% corn oil (10% MO + 10% CO), 5% menhaden oil plus 15% corn oil (5% MO + 15% CO) or 10% menhaden oil plus 10% borage oil (10% MO + 10% BO). Incidences of mammary tumors at 16 weeks post-DMBA were 80% in rats fed the CO diet, 84% in rats fed PO diet, 67% in rats fed BCO diet, 88% in rats fed BO diet, 60% in rats fed 15% MO + 5% CO diet, 67% in rats fed 10% MO + 10% CO diet, 83% in rats fed 5% MO + 15% CO diet, and 92% in rats fed 10% MO + 10% BO diet. Tumor multiplicity was lowest in PO-fed rats and highest in BO-fed rats. The tumor burden per tumor-bearing rat was lowest in rats fed the 15% MO + 5% CO, and 10% MO + 10% CO, diets and highest in those fed 20% BCO diet. Although body weight at 16 weeks post DMBA was not significantly different among the dietary groups, food intake was significantly greater in rats fed a diet containing 20% BO, or 5% MO + 15% CO. Prostaglandin (PGE) and leukotrienes (LTB 4 and LTC 4 ) syntheses, ODC activity and mammary tumorigenesis were significantly inhibited by the diet containing 15% MO + 5% CO. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3 n-6)-containing diets (PO, BO and BCO) significantly increased PGE 1 synthesis but did not inhibit mammary tumorigenesis except for the 20% BCO diet that contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA 18:3, n-3). This suggests that simultaneous inhibition of eicosanoid synthesis and ODC activity are necessary to inhibit mammary tumorigenic response (as seen in the 15% MO + 5% CO group) in DMBA-induced mammary tumor model in rats.
Activation energies for spin-reversed excitations in the fractional quantum Hall effect

The activation energy measured in transport experiments in the fractional Hall regime corresponds to the energy required to create a far separated particle hole pair. We calculate, for several fractional quantum Hall states, the energy gaps for the excitation in which the excited composite fermion reverses its spin-quantum number. Our results indicate that such spin-reversed excitations may be relevant in experimentally accessible regimes.
Human Performance as a Function of Future Demands.

The influence of increasing the requirements of a later RT task upon the performance of an earlier RT task was investigated in two experiments. The first experiment controlled the probability of the occurrence of the second reaction signal and the second experiment manipulated the complexity of the second task by introducing alternative distractor events to the reaction signal. The results of both experiments were interpreted as supporting a shared processing capacity theory of human performance in which the allocation of ‘preparation’ or ‘concentration’ is distributed in accordance with the demands of the component tasks.
Issues in Interviewing Inmates Navigating the Methodological Landmines of Prison Research

Based on research the author conducted in 2006 at a men's medium-security correctional facility and on the author's experiences during that research, this article provides some insight into the issues associated with interviewing inmates. Included are discussions of gaining access to prison, negotiating Institutional Review Boards, the construction of study concepts and instruments, inmate identity, and institutional influence. Emphasizing narrative and interactionist approaches, the author's goal is to help researchers understand their role in the interview process and the author introduces an organizational interview tool called “identity moments,” wherein researchers can facilitate the retrospective and interpretative practice of building meaning through narrative. The purpose of the author's work is to provide some critical insights into conducting prison research so that future researchers might have a head start.
Recycling of nonmetallics

The first factor determining recyclability is the composition of the material itself. Metals, for example, can be reused with little or no loss in quality. Paper and rubber, by this criterion, are less recyclable. Each time paper is recycled, some cellulose fibers are broken. Shorter fibers can mean weaker paper of perceived lower quality and value. Vulcanizing is an irreversible chemical process that precludes recycling rubber in its original form. Both materials may be reused in other applications often of lower value than the original one. To be recyclable, the discarded material must have a collection infrastructure at the source of waste generation, at a central collection site, or at curbside. The recovered material must also have a market. If it is priced noncompetitively or no market exists, if it does not meet specifications, or if it requires special technology investments which cannot be recovered through future sales, the recovered material may be stockpiled or discarded rather than recycled.
Cerebral blood flow thresholds for mRNA synthesis after focal ischemia and the effect of MK-801

Background and Purpose—MK-801 is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype glutamate receptors with protective efficacy in experimental stroke. This study examined the impact of MK-801 on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its relationship to gene expression changes during focal ischemia. Methods—Spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to surgical occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and ipsilateral common carotid artery after 30 minutes pretreatment with 5 mg/kg MK-801 or saline vehicle. After 2.5 hours of ischemia, regional CBF was evaluated by [ 14 C]iodoantipyrine autoradiography and compared with distributions of gene expression changes evaluated by in situ hybridization detection of mRNAs encoding several immediate–early genes and the stress protein, hsp72. Results—MK-801 increased CBF in contralateral cortex from 9315 to 18737 mL/100 g per minute and produced a significant 25% reduction in the volume of ischemic cortex ipsilateral to occlusion. The extent of cortex failing to express inducible mRNAs correspondingly decreased, but the CBF threshold for mRNA synthesis remained unchanged (25 to 30 mL/100 g per minute). Widespread immediate–early gene expression in the neocortex became restricted to periinfarct regions after MK-801 treatment, and hybridization patterns in the striatum and hippocampus reflected the altered topography of cortical activation after drug treatment. Conclusions—MK-801 alters ischemia-induced gene expression by 2 distinct mechanisms. Generalized increases in CBF reduce the volume of cortex falling below ischemic injury thresholds, protecting tissue and facilitating transcription of inducible genes proximal to the ischemic focus. In addition, MK-801 attenuates the signals that induce expression of immediate–early genes in cortical and subcortical regions remote from the middle cerebral artery territory. (Stroke. 2005;36:2463-2467.)
Interference between cognition, double-limb support, and swing during gait in community-dwelling individuals poststroke.

Background. Dual tasking can interfere with activity after stroke. Objective. The authors examined the interactions between 3 different cognitive tasks and the swing and double-limb support (DLS) components of the gait cycle in community-dwelling individuals poststroke. Methods. Acquisition of cognitive and gait data were synchronized to study the cognitive—motor interference effects during the different phases of the gait cycle. Participants performed 3 different cognitive tasks in isolation and in combination with walking as well as a single walking task. Tasks were performed continuously for 3 minutes, generating 131 ± 39 gait cycles per person for analysis for each walking trial. Data were analyzed for 8 participants 7.6 ± 4.2 months poststroke. Results. A significant increase was found in the proportion of the gait cycle spent in DLS in dual-task walking because of an increased duration of the DLS phase associated with paretic weight acceptance. There was a significant dual-task effect on nonparetic ...
Hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis: molecular genetic clues and cancer control.

Oncologists who are aware of the progress in hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis, and, in particular, of how this effort may be effectively facilitated through a comprehensive family history in concert with molecular genetic studies, are in the envious position of designing highly targeted screening and management programs for the membership of these cancer-prone families. The Lynch syndrome is discussed as a clinical model wherein the presence of mismatch repair mutations provides a high level of diagnostic certainty for the initiation of targeted cancer screening and management. The familial atypical multiple mole melanoma–pancreatic cancer (FAMMM–PC) syndrome, on the other hand, provides another model with cancer-control potential. Given its phenotypic features of multiple atypical nevi, high total body mole count and cutaneous malignant melanoma, coupled with the integral association of PC in a subset of FAMMM kindreds with the CDKN2Agermline mutation, this may result in a perhaps lower level of diag...
The validity of the motion palpation test for determining patellofemoral joint articular cartilage damage

Abstract Objectives This study investigated the validity of the motion palpation test (MPT) for pre-operatively grading patellofemoral joint articular cartilage damage. Design Retrospective review of cases. Participants Consecutive patients ( N =188) with suspected patellofemoral joint articular cartilage damage. Procedure The medical records of patients who underwent clinical examination using the MPT and proceeded to undergo knee arthroscopy were reviewed. Results Based on arthroscopic findings the MPT revealed excellent overall sensitivity (87%), positive test predictive value (97%), and accuracy (85%), but specificity (33%) and negative test predictive values (10%) were poor. However, overall likelihood ratios for a positive (1.3) or negative (0.39) test indicated only a minimal increase in the likelihood of having articular cartilage damage with a positive test, and only a small decrease in ruling-out the condition with a negative test. With a severe MPT crepitation grade subclassification, sensitivity was 65%, specificity was 96%, positive test predictive value was 99%, negative test predictive value was 38%, and accuracy was 99%. For a moderate MPT crepitation grade sensitivity was 77%, specificity was 44%, positive predictive value was 81%, negative predictive value was 38%, and accuracy was 81%. For a mild MPT crepitation grade sensitivity was 66%, specificity was 51%, positive test predictive value was 77%, negative test predictive value was 38%, and accuracy was 62%. Positive likelihood ratios for MPT crepitation grade subclassifications revealed a large and likely conclusive increase in the likelihood of having articular cartilage damage for the severe condition (16.25, 95% CI 9.9, 22.6), but only a minimal likelihood for ruling-in the disease for mild (1.35, 95% CI −5, 7.7) or moderate (1.38, 95% CI −5, 7.7) conditions. Having a negative test was suggestive of only a small or minimal decrease in ruling-out the disease for all conditions (0.67–0.36). Conclusions MPT is only useful as a physical examination tool for identifying patellofemoral joint articular cartilage damage when the crepitation grade subclassification is severe.
Mapping The Temporal Evolution of Scientific Community Structures

We present results from tracking the temporal evolution of community structures within a research specialty. This extends our previous work in which we generated static community maps that combine co-author networks and direct citation networks derived from 20-years of publications in the research specialty. Here, we explore how the temporal evolution of these maps can be used to provide insights into the historical evolution of a field as well as extract more accurate snapshots of the community structures at a given point in time. Such time resolved mappings are an important component in our mixed method approach that integrates network analysis with ethnographic field studies to investigate field-specific communication and collaboration behaviors in scientific communities (Velden & Lagoze 2013). Evaluating these maps in qualitative interviews with field experts will be the next step in our research.
Scientific pluralism and the plurality of the sciences: Comments on David Hull's Science as a Process

Science as a Process is a complex work. David Hull provides us with a brief history of biology from Aristotle to the present, a detailed insider's history of modern systematics, a general theory of the metaphysics of selection processes, an account of how science provides an example of such a process, and an extended defence of this view against the standard objections to evolutionary epistemology. The historical parts, especially the systematics, provides the major source of evidence for the last two. Each of these topics could well have received book length treatment, and most of them do. Thus it is no easy task to decide on which part of this complex to focus. In this paper I shall have most to say about the later, more strictly philosophical parts, and especially Hull's theory of the evolution of science. Let me begin, then, with Hull's main philosophical proposals, leading up to his account of the metaphysics of selection and his assimilation of science to an example of a selection process. An essential preliminary to this, and incidentally one of Hull's most original and important philosophical contributions, is an understanding of his views on general terms. An assumption that has hardly been challenged in the history of philosophy is that whatever the references of general terms may be, they are in some sense general. For many years Hull has championed the view that terms referring to species, and perhaps also larger groups, of organisms domestic pigs, African elephants, flammulated owls, etc. refer not to kinds of thing at all, but to individuals. Specifically, they refer to lineages, to particular chunks of the total genealogy of life on Earth. Thus to refer to something as a pig, say, is not to say what kind of a thing it is, but rather to say what larger more enduring thing it is a part of, in this case the species Sus domesticus. Species, according to Hull are not kinds, but individuals.1 Thus however piglike the creatures we might imagine discovering on Alpha Centauri, even though
Alcohol and the burden of disease

World Health Organization (WHO) lists alcohol consumption as a leading risk to health, contributing 4% to the global burden of disease. This serves as justification for far-reaching preventive interventions. The purpose of this article is to recapitulate in narrative some of the assumptions upon which WHO conclusions rest and to interpret their validity accordingly. First, it may be misleading to include ‘alcohol use’ as a risk to health. As alcohol use has beneficial, protective as well as harmful properties, burden assessment should be based on harmful aspects only, e.g., ‘hazardous patterns of alcohol use’. Second, assessments of interventions aimed at reducing risks from alcohol use to disease burden should also consider such interventions’ impact on dimensions other than health or disease–in particular, psychosocial benefits of alcohol consumption. Third, the uncertainties associated with both the database and methodology for estimating the disease burden attributable to alcohol are high and need to ...
The global long-range order of quasi-periodic patterns in Islamic architecture

Three decades after their discovery, the unique long-range structure of quasicrystals still poses a perplexing puzzle. The fact that some ancient Islamic patterns share similar quasi-periodic symmetries has prompted several scientists to investigate their underlying geometry and construction methods. However, available structural models depend heavily on local rules and hence they were unable to explain the global long-range order of Islamic quasi-periodic patterns. This paper shows that ancient designers, using simple consecutive geometry, have resolved the complicated long-range principles of quasi-periodic formations. Derived from these principles, a global multi-level structural model is presented that is able to describe the global long-range translational and orientational order of quasi-periodic formations. The proposed model suggests that the position of building units, locally and globally, is defined by one framework, and not tiled based on local rules (matching, overlapping or subdividing). In this way, quasi-periodic formations can grow rapidly ad infinitum without the need for any defects or mismatches. The proposed model, which presents a novel approach to the study of quasi-periodic symmetries, will hopefully provide a deeper understanding of the structure of quasicrystals at an atomic scale, allowing scientists to achieve improved control over their composition and structure.
SURFACES OF ADVANCED CERAMIC COMPOSITES FORMED BY ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING

ABSTRACT Ceramic composites shaped by electrical discharge machining were examined by several analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, XPS, elemental distribution maps, and hardness testing, to determine changes due to EDM and to compare these surfaces to those obtained by other machining methods. Preferential oxidation was observed for some composites, while others showed no chemical changes. Correlations for material removal rate, surface roughness, and diameter to depth ratio for the crater were developed.
The normal atrial electrocardiogram: Morphologic and quantitative variability in bipolar extremity leads

Abstract Leads I, II, and III atrial electrocardiograms of 47 normal subjects were prepared by modern signal processing methods at a tenfold expansion of the conventional amplitude and time-base factors. After processing, the waveforms were reproduced in both graphic and digital punchout forms. The procedure provided a reliable reference level by stabilizing the base line and reduced over-all random-noise content to approximately 1.0 root-mean-square microvolt, referred to system input. Qualitative appraisal of the records showed the P waves to be richly notched and slurred. The number of distinct notches per wave varied from one to four. Notching suggestive of separation into right and left atrial depolarization phases was present in relatively few subjects. Quantitative studies included determination of P-wave and P-R-segment duration, the magnitude and orientation of mean P and T P vectors in the frontal electrocardiographic plane, and P-T P angles. Scattergrams of the mean vector termini reveal a distribution which roughly parallels that of mean QRS and T vectors in extent. Similarly, the angle between the two vectors is the most nearly invariant parameter of this kind. In contrast to ventricular behavior, however, the atrial activation and recovery vectors are oppositely directed. The terminal portion of the atrial recovery phase is obscured to a variable extent by ventricular activity. Extrapolation of the P-R segment was attempted by arbitrarily fitting second-degree curves to the recognizable portion of T P . The results suggest that atrial recovery forces do not encroach upon the S-T segment in normal individuals.
Swelling properties of microbially reduced ferruginous smectite

Structural Fe in ferruginous smectite (sample SWa-1, Source Clays Repository of the Clay Minerals Society) was reduced by a mixture of five Pseudomonas species of bacteria in a defined Fe-free medium to determine the effect of microbial reduction on clay swelling. Iron(II), total Fe, and gravimetric water content (mw/mc) were determined in clay gels equilibrated at applied pressures of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 MPa. The water content of microbially reduced SWa-1 decreased at all three applied pressures as the Fe(II) content approached about 0.8 mmol Fe(II)/g-clay. As Fe(II) increased from 0.8 mmol/g-clay, however, further change in mw/mc was negligible. Concurrent with microbial reduction of structural Fe was a significant decrease in the swelling pressure (PI) of SWa-1: for example, when mw/mc = 1.2 (g/g), PI changed from 0.47 MPa at Fe(II) = 0.2, to 0.19 MPa at Fe(II) = 0.9 mmol/g-clay. Both biologically and chemically reduced smectites displayed lower values of mw/mc and a concurrent decrease in II as Fe(II) content increased, but the effect of Fe(II) on mw/mc was greater for the microbially reduced smectites at all applied pressures.
Testosterone, Endurance, and Darwinian Fitness: Natural and Sexual Selection on the Physiological Bases of Alternative Male Behaviors in Side-Blotched Lizards

The mechanistic bases of natural and sexual selection on physiological and behavioral traits were examined in male morphs of three colors of the side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana. Orange-throated males are aggressive and defend large territories with many females. Blue-throated males defend smaller territories with fewer females; however, blue-throated males assiduously mate guard females on their territory. Yellow-throated males do not defend a territory, but patrol a large home range. They obtain secretive copulations from females on the territories of dominant males. Males with bright orange throats had higher levels of plasma testosterone (T), endurance, activity, and home range size and concomitantly gained greater control over female home ranges than blue- or yellow-throated males. Experimentally elevating plasma T in yellow- and blue-throated males increased their endurance, activity, home range size, and control over female territories to levels that were seen in unmanipulated orange-throated males that had naturally high plasma T. However, the enhanced performance of orange-throated males is not without costs. Orange-throated males had low survival compared to the other morphs. Finally, some yellow-throated males transformed to a partial blue morphology late in the season and the endurance of these transforming yellow-throated males increased from early to late in the season. In addition, yellow-throated males that transformed to blue also had significantly higher plasma T late in the season compared to the plasma T earlier in the season. T appears to play an important role in the physiological changes that all three color morphs undergo during the process of maturation. In some yellow males, T plays an additional role in plastic changes in behavior and physiology late in the reproductive season. We discuss natural and sexual selection on physiological and behavioral traits that leads to the evolution of steroid regulation in the context of alternative male strategies.
Spiritual Relationships A Concept Analysis

Spiritual relationships are connections to self or soul, to others, to a higher power, or to nature. All relationships have the potential to be spiritual. The depth or intimacy of the relationship ...
Enhancing Marital Enrichment Through Spirituality: Efficacy Data for Prayer Focused Relationship Enhancement

We examined 393 African American married couples assigned to (a) a culturally sensitive version of a widely disseminated relationship enhancement program (CSPREP); (b) a similar version of the same program that also included a focus on prayer (PFP condition); or (c) an information-only control condition in which couples received a self-help version of the same program. Husbands averaged 40.5 years of age and wives averaged 38.9 years. We found a significant interaction between intervention and time of assessment, reflecting group differences in linear trends for the three conditions, with the two intervention conditions performing better than the control condition, and PFP producing superior outcomes to CS-PREP only for wives at post and marginally better results at 12-month follow-up. Results support continued exploration of the adjunctive use of prayer in the context of relationship enhancement programs where appropriate to make them more culturally sensitive.
The Effects of LNAPL Biodegradation Products on Electrical Conductivity Measurements

Field geophysical studies have identified anomalously high conductivities in and below the free product zone at many sites with aged contamination by light, non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL). Labor...
Assessment of statistical power in contemporary strategy research

The concept of statistical power was reviewed, and the power of 44 recently published empirical studies in strategic management was analyzed. Using small, medium, and large estimates of effect size, standardized 0.05 α, and assuming nondirectional nulls, the mean power figures were 0.23, 0.59, and 0.83 for the three levels, respectively. These results were generally similar to findings in other social sciences and were considered particularly important for strategic management research, given the correlational nature of many strategic management investigations and the complexity and evolving stage of the field which make small effect size more likely. Ways to improve statistical power in strategic management research were discussed.
The affected sib method. I. Statistical features of the affected sib-pair method.

The distribution of the number of HLA haplotypes shared by sibs affected with the same HLA-linked disease can be used to obtain information on the genetics of the disease. Since the inception of the use of sib-pair methods for the analysis of the HLA-associated diseases, the question has been raised of how to include families with more than two affected sibs in the sib-pair analysis. This paper presents appropriate weighting schemes. A procedure for estimating the frequency of the disease allele in the general population, under the assumptions of single-allele recessive, additive, dominant and intermediate models, with negligible recombination (θ = 0) between the disease-predisposing gene and the HLA region, and no selective disadvantage of the trait, is also given. Cluster-sampling techniques are used in the analysis.
Chronic pain and major depressive disorder in the general population

This study aims (1) to assess the prevalence of Chronic Painful Physical Condition (CPPC) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in the general population; (2) to evaluate their interaction and co-morbidity with sleep and organic disorders; and (3) to investigate their daily functioning and socio-professional consequences. A random sample of 3243 subjects (18years), representative of California inhabitants, was interviewed by telephone. CPPC duration was at least 6months. Frequency, severity, duration and consequences on daily functioning, consultations, sick leave and treatment were investigated. MDD were assessed using DSM-IV criteria. The point prevalence of CPPC was 49% (95% confidence interval: 47.0-51.0%). Back area pain was the most frequent; 1-month prevalence of MDD was at 6.3% (95% CI: 5.5-7.2%); 66.3% of MDD subjects reported at least one CPPC. In 57.1% of cases, pain appeared before MDD. Pain severity was increased by poor sleep, stress and tiredness in MDD subjects. Being confined to bed, taking sick leave and interference of pain with daily functioning were twice as frequent among MDD subjects with CPPC than in non-MDD subjects with CPPC; obese individuals with CP were 2.6 times as likely to have MDD. Pain is highly linked with depressive disorder. It deteriorates physical, occupational and socio-professional activities. Pain and sleep disturbances are a prime motive of consultation rather than depressed mood, underlining the risk of missing a depression diagnosis.
On selection of candidate paths for proportional routing

QoS routing involves selection of paths for flows based on the knowledge at network nodes about the availability of resources along paths, and the QoS requirements of flows. Several QoS routing schemes have been proposed that differ in the way they gather information about the network state and select paths using this information. Most of these schemes can be categorized as best path routing where a source node selects the "best" path for each incoming flow based on its current view of the global network state. It has been shown that best path routing schemes require frequent exchange of network state, imposing both communication overhead on the network and processing overheads on the core routers. On the other hand, proportional routing schemes proportion incoming flows among a set of candidate paths. Two key questions that arise under proportional routing are how to select candidate paths and how to proportion flows among candidate paths. We propose a scheme that selects a few widest disjoint paths as candidates and equalizes the blocking probabilities of the candidate paths. We show that our proportional routing approach yields higher throughput with lower overhead than best path routing approach. Furthermore, we present a method for aggregating the state of an area and extend the proportional routing approach to provide hierarchical routing across multiple areas in a large network.
A methodology for the top-down synthesis of semiconductor process flows

Increasing expense of developing microelectronic manufacturing technology threatens to slow the growth of the electronics industry. This paper describes the progress we have made in developing methodologies and techniques to reduce the cost of designing microelectronic manufacturing flows. Our approach is to partition the task of process flow design into a number of abstraction levels and provide mechanisms to translate between these levels. This approach results in a top-down design methodology where requirements from higher levels of abstraction are successively reduced to lower abstraction levels, while meeting the constraints imposed by the lower levels. The paper enumerates the abstraction levels we have identified so far, and describes the translation mechanisms for a class of process design tasks: modification of an existing flow in response to change in performance requirements. Finally, we briefly describe a design environment that incorporates these ideas.
Brain basis of early parent-infant interactions: psychology, physiology, and in vivo functional neuroimaging studies

Parenting behavior critically shapes human infants' current and future behavior. The parent-infant relationship provides infants with their first social experiences, forming templates of what they can expect from others and how to best meet others' expectations. In this review, we focus on the neurobiology of parenting behavior, including our own functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain imaging experiments of parents. We begin with a discussion of background, perspectives and caveats for considering the neurobiology of parent-infant relationships. Then, we discuss aspects of the psychology of parenting that are significantly motivating some of the more basic neuroscience research. Following that, we discuss some of the neurohormones that are important for the regulation of social bonding, and the dysregulation of parenting with cocaine abuse. Then, we review the brain circuitry underlying parenting, proceeding from relevant rodent and nonhuman primate research to human work. Finally, we focus on a study-by-study review of functional neuroimaging studies in humans. Taken together, this research suggests that networks of highly conserved hypothalamic-midbrain-limbic-paralimbic-cortical circuits act in concert to support aspects of parent response to infants, including the emotion, attention, motivation, empathy, decision-making and other thinking that are required to navigate the complexities of parenting. Specifically, infant stimuli activate basal forebrain regions, which regulate brain circuits that handle specific nurturing and caregiving responses and activate the brain's more general circuitry for handling emotions, motivation, attention, and empathy--all of which are crucial for effective parenting. We argue that an integrated understanding of the brain basis of parenting has profound implications for mental health.
Systemic candidiasis with cataract formation in a premature infant.

Abstract Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is a well-recognized complication in low-birth-weight premature infants. 1 The incidence of systemic candidiasis in premature and low-birth-weight infants is approximately 3%. 1-5 As many as half of these infants will develop Candida endophthalmitis. 1 Eye involvement typically presents as one or more tiny white "fungal ball" chorioretinal lesions with overlying vitritis. 1,6,7 Lens involvement is extremely rare. 8 We report a case of cataract due to Candida albicans in a premature, low-birth-weight infant unresponsive to systemic and intracameral antifungal therapy and requiring lensectomy with vitrectomy. J AAPOS 2000;4:386-8.
The effect of the cut surface during electrical stimulation of a cardiac wedge preparation

Optical mapping from the cut surface of a "wedge preparation" allows observation inside the heart wall, below the epicardium or endocardium. We use numerical simulations based on the bidomain model to illustrate how the transmembrane potential is influenced by the cut surface. The distribution of transmembrane potential around a unipolar cathode depends on the fiber angle. For intermediate angles, hyperpolarization appears on only one side of the electrode, and is large and widespread.
A tool for computer aided generation of test sequences for VLSI peripherals

A Pattern Description Language facilitates specification of logic simulator and tester inputs in terms of the operation of the device under test rather than a detailed input description. Creating a device specific language can be an elegant solution to the problem of providing a simulation environment for peripherals.
A novel mutation (Cys145-->Stop) in Bruton's tyrosine kinase is associated with newly diagnosed X-linked agammaglobulinemia in a 51-year-old male.

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a severe, life-threatening disease characterized by failure of B cell differentiation and antibody production and is associated with mutations in Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk). The proband in this study is a 51-year-old male presenting with chronic nasal congestion, recurrent sinusitis, sporadic pneumonia, and pronounced B cell deficiency. A family history suggestive of an X-linked immunodeficiency disease was noted. cDNA was synthesized from mRNA prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Btk cDNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was subjected to both manual and automated DNA sequencing. A DNA sequence corresponding to exons 6 and 7 of Btk was amplified from genomic DNA. Western blot analysis employed both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to Btk and reaction patterns were obtained both by chemiluminescence and an in vitro kinase assay. A mutation (Cys145→stop) was identified in Btk cDNA and was confirmed in amplified exon 6 of genomic DNA from both the proband and an affected nephew. Neither Btk nor a truncated peptide was detected in Western blot analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates. The C145A mutation reported here is novel. This family study is extraordinary in that affected male members who did not undergo aggressive medical management either succumbed to complications in early life or survived into later life. The proband is the oldest de novo diagnosed patient with XLA reported to date.
The HIV wasting syndrome.

Wasting syndrome is a common complication of HIV disease. Wasting can be secondary to HIV infection itself, but is also commonly associated with