cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Olefin metathesis-based chemically recyclable polymers enabled by fused-ring monomers.

A promising solution to address the challenges in plastics sustainability is to replace current polymers with chemically recyclable ones that can depolymerize into their constituent monomers to enable the circular use of materials. Despite some progress, few depolymerizable polymers exhibit the desirable thermal stability and strong mechanical properties of traditional polymers. Here we report a series of chemically recyclable polymers that show excellent thermal stability (decomposition temperature >370 °C) and tunable mechanical properties. The polymers are formed through ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene with a trans-cyclobutane installed at the 5 and 6 positions. The additional ring converts the non-depolymerizable polycyclooctene into a depolymerizable polymer by reducing the ring strain energy in the monomer (from 8.2 kcal mol-1 in unsubstituted cyclooctene to 4.9 kcal mol-1 in the fused ring). The fused-ring monomer enables a broad scope of functionalities to be incorporated, providing access to chemically recyclable elastomers and plastics that show promise as next-generation sustainable materials.
CBF oscillations induced by trigeminal nerve stimulation protect the pericontusional penumbra in traumatic brain injury complicated by hemorrhagic shock.

Traumatic peri-contusional penumbra represents crucial targets for therapeutic interventions after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Current resuscitative approaches may not adequately alleviate impaired cerebral microcirculation and, hence, compromise oxygen delivery to peri-contusional areas. Low-frequency oscillations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) may improve cerebral oxygenation in the setting of oxygen deprivation. However, no method has been reported to induce controllable oscillations in CBF and it hasn’t been applied as a therapeutic strategy. Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve (TNS) plays a pivotal role in modulating cerebrovascular tone and cerebral perfusion. We hypothesized that TNS can modulate CBF at the targeted frequency band via the trigemino-cerebrovascular network, and TNS-induced CBF oscillations would improve cerebral oxygenation in peri-contusional areas. In a rat model of TBI complicated by hemorrhagic shock, TNS-induced CBF oscillations conferred significant preservation of peri-contusional tissues leading to reduced lesion volume, attenuated hypoxic injury and neuroinflammation, increased eNOS expression, improved neurological recovery and better 10-day survival rate, despite not significantly increasing CBF as compared with those in immediate and delayed resuscitation animals. Our findings indicate that low-frequency CBF oscillations enhance cerebral oxygenation in peri-contusional areas, and play a more significant protective role than improvements in non-oscillatory cerebral perfusion or volume expansion alone.
Implementation of core elements of antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes-National Healthcare Safety Network, 2016-2018.

Objective To assess the national uptake of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) core elements of antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes from 2016 to 2018 and the effect of infection prevention and control (IPC) hours on the implementation of the core elements. Design Retrospective, repeated cross-sectional analysis. Setting US nursing homes. Methods We used the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Long-Term Care Facility Component annual surveys from 2016 to 2018 to assess nursing home characteristics and percent implementation of the core elements. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate the association between weekly IPC hours and the implementation of all 7 core elements while controlling for confounding by facility characteristics. Results We included 7,506 surveys from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, 71% of nursing homes reported implementation of all 7 core elements, a 28% increase from 2016. The greatest increases in implementation from 2016 to 2018 were in education (19%), reporting (18%), and drug expertise (15%). In 2018, 71% of nursing homes reported pharmacist involvement in improving antibiotic use, an increase of 27% since 2016. Nursing homes that reported at least 20 hours of IPC activity per week were 14% (95% confidence interval, 7%-20%) more likely to implement all 7 core elements when controlling for facility ownership and affiliation. Conclusions Nursing homes reported substantial progress in antibiotic stewardship implementation from 2016 to 2018. Improvements in access to drug expertise, education, and reporting antibiotic use may reflect increased stewardship awareness and resource use among nursing home providers under new regulatory requirements. Nursing home stewardship programs may benefit from increased IPC staff hours.
Allocating Loss in Securities Fraud: Time to Adopt a Uniform Rule for the Special Case of Ponzi Schemes

The Global Financial Crisis precipitated a condensing of capital and a fall in global equities markets that resulted not solely in the necessity of government bailouts of the financial industry but also exposed a number of Ponzi schemes that collectively will cost investors tens of billions of dollars. With a new wave of litigation by innocent investors against Ponzi scheme operators just beginning, and likely to take years, it becomes important to clearly identify the methodologies used to value the loss and allocate existing assets among remaining creditors. To that end I offer this article to argue that courts ought to use a comparatively new approach – the loss to the losing victim methodology originally pioneered in criminal law – to determine how equally innocent victims share the losses these schemes precipitated. By standardizing the calculation of loss to investors in both criminal and civil law, the courts will not only make the determination of loss considerably easier, but also more equitable.
Extending Normalized Gaussian Adaptive Hyperspherical Integration for Fast Computation of Accurate Unsatisfactory Performance Probability for Hydraulic Retaining Structures

AbstractThe probability of unsatisfactory performance (PUP) is taken into consideration during the design of the US Army Corps of Engineers hydraulic structures retaining earth. These structures po...
The Atmosphere Explorer power subsystem

The present work describes the design and in-flight performance of the power subsystem for the first three Atmosphere Explorer (AE) spacecraft. The subsystem provides all electrical power to the spacecraft loads and consists of a solar array, three batteries, and a power supply electronics unit. Power from the solar array is supplied to the spacecraft loads through an unregulated power bus, which varies between -26 and -38 V. Loads which are normally on only during data collection phases of an orbit are fed from a tightly regulated -24.5 V bus. Power subsystem performance during the first three months in orbit has been nominal, except for an anomally in the shunt limiter protection circuitry. A malfunctioning shunt control amplifier was reconnected via ground command.
Electronic Environmental Permitting: Panacea or Pandora's Box?

This study evaluates the efficacy of state environmental regulatory agencies moving to wholly electronic environmental pollution permitting schemes - identifying pro's and con's and legal/policy implications for the regulated community, government regulators and the public at large.
Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality

Prior to the emergence of psychoanalysis as a promising science, the zeitgeist was dominated by materialist biology and the natural sciences. Toward the middle of the 19th century, the scientific circles were challenging the basic assumptions of the naturalistic and speculative philosophy that dominated the intellectual community. The 19th-century concept of energy, the new discoveries in neurology, and the Darwinian theory of evolution were highly influential in the development of psychoanalysis as a new science. Holtzman (1995) states, The Darwinian influence can be seen in Freud’s ideas of the development of infantile forms of sexuality into mature adult sexuality or of their failure to develop, as exemplified by disordered or “perverse” behavior. The epigenetics of sexuality, the idea that sexuality in its mature genital for does not appear suddenly de novo but emerges from an orderly developmental sequence beginning in infancy, was perhaps as revolutionary as Darwin’s idea of the phylogenetic descent of man and the origin of species. Indeed, this revolutionary view of sexuality was directly derived from Darwinian thought. (p. 16)
P197: Futility of perioperative urinary analysis before elective total joint arthroplasty

The search for asymptomatic bacterial urinary tract colonization (UTC) and its eradication before elective hip and knee arthroplasty surgery is controversial, but reflects widespread practice. The influence of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis on the dynamics of UTC is unknown.
Congenital heart disease in successive generations

Abstract 1. 1. The occurrence of a patent interatrial septal defect in a 63-year-old mother and in her 34-year-old son is reported. 2. 2. A central agency should be created to catalogue individuals with congenital heart disease. Such patients could be followed throughout the years and a study of their progeny made, so as to determine to what extent congenital heart disease is an inherited defect.
Rebuttal from J. E. Orr, B. A. Edwards and A. Malhotra

Younes and others have pioneered our understanding of loop gain (LG) in obstructive sleep apnoea (Younes et al. 2001). On his side of the argument, Younes eloquently differentiates between the ‘chemical’ LG of the respiratory control system and the ‘net LG’, which is an upper airway modulated chemical LG. We agree with this differentiation, as well as most of the arguments provided by our colleague. In fact, the only thing we disagree with is how the (limited) data addressing chemical LG as a cause is interpreted. At sleep onset, upper airway resistance increases due to upper airway collapse yielding CO2 increases as determined by plant gain. Hypercapnia will increase ventilatory drive as determined by controller gain. Increasing drive will eventually trigger arousal, and the cycle repeats. Thus, chemical LG (defined here as the product of controller and plant gain) must be a critical factor responsible for causing an individual's obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We currently treat OSA by preventing the initial increase in upper airway resistance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Alternatively, we could attenuate CO2 increases during respiratory events (i.e. acetazolamide) or increases in respiratory drive (i.e. oxygen). Both would be predicted to reduce an individual's propensity towards developing OSA. For a patient to develop OSA in the first place, they must have some degree of anatomical susceptibility; therefore, we view OSA as caused by ‘vulnerable’ upper airway anatomy/collapsibility, with the non-anatomical traits being thought of as ‘effect modifiers’ that dictate whether or not an individual develops OSA (Fig. ​(Fig.1).1). Considering LG as an effect modifier helps explain why treatments to reduce LG (i.e. oxygen or acetazolamide) often improve OSA in some but not all patients. The fact that OSA is not completely resolved with such therapies suggests that an elevated LG is not the only factor causing OSA. Recent data suggest that 23% of OSA patients have a highly collapsible upper airway, such that a high or low LG may be irrelevant (Eckert et al. 2013). However, the majority of patients have an airway in the intermediate range, where factors such as LG will affect the development of OSA. Therefore an elevated chemical LG is important in OSA pathogenesis in some patients. We hope that the current debate has produced a large enough disturbance in the research community to stimulate the appropriate response, i.e. future research in this area. Figure 1 Role of the non-anatomical traits in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea
Hyperbole as Harmful as Cocaine

We read with interest the case report by Soster and col-leagues (2015) that attempts to draw a connectionbetween hydranencephaly in a newborn with FLVCR2genetic mutation and prenatal cocaine exposure. Themanuscript speculated that synergistic effects betweenFLVCR2 genetic mutation and prenatal cocaine exposurecreated a “susceptible brain.” Clearly, this is a timely andimportant issue, and given the potentially far-reachingimplications of the conclusions drawn, we believed at leasttwo issues warranted further discussion.The manuscript suggests a connection between prena-tal cocaine use and fetal abnormalities, but there is nocompelling evidence presented to support this conjecture.It is true, cocaine was found in the meconium indicatingprenatal cocaine exposure. But, this information alonedoes not inform about how much cocaine was consumed;nor does it convey any information about the time frameduring the pregnancy that the drug was used. An under-standing of these factors is critical for determining theteratogenic effects of any drugs, including cocaine or evennicotine and caffeine. Cocaine, like nicotine and caffeine, isa vasoconstrictor that at excessively large doses during theearly stages of pregnancy can enhance the risk of sponta-neous abortions and/or a torn placenta. Providing morecontext about the cocaine exposure would help the readerunderstand that the described deleterious effects on fetaldevelopment is not inevitable but are likely only undernarrow conditions. This point is further magnified whenone considers findings showing that prenatal tobaccoexposure produces markedly more detrimental effects onwhite matter integrity in adolescents, compared with pre-natal cocaine exposure (Liu et al., 2011). Importantly, thecurrent case report did not control for nicotine or caffeine.We recognize that cocaine use during pregnancyshould be discouraged. Our concern is that the conclusionsdrawn by Soster et al. (2015) appear somewhat hyper-bolic, which in itself can cause harm to pregnant womenand their children by enhancing unwarranted stigma asso-ciated with cocaine use. In some cases, intense stigma hasresulted in the removal of children from their mothers,and even in the incarceration of mothers. Either of theseoutcomes has been shown to produce harmful effects onchildren (e.g., Doyle, 2008).
Monumental Melodrama: Mikhail Kalatozov’s Retrospective Return to 1920s Agitprop Cinema in I Am Cuba

Abstract This article explores the revival of silent film tropes, particularly silent-era melodrama, in the later films of Mikhail Kalatozov.Kalatozov, a Soviet filmmaker who began his career at the tail end of the silent era, created several masterful works in the post-Stalin era that conspicuously hark en back to Soviet cinema of the 1920s, most significantly The Cranes are Flying and I Am Cuba .This article probes the melodramatic essence of I Am Cuba , a film celebrating the Cuban revolution of the 1950s, as the author discusses the ways in which melodrama, homage to silent Soviet cinema, and groundbreaking cinematography overshadow the ideological orientation of this film, which ultimately led to the shelving of the film in the Soviet Union.
Comparison of strains of BCG. I. Antigenic analysis and tuberculin reactivity.

Abstract At least 10 of 11 demonstrable antigens in unheated culture filtrates of 12 vaccine strains of BCG were shared as determined in a reference antigen-antibody immunoelectrophoresis system. Filtrates from each of the BCG strains gave equivalent skin test reactions in homologously and heterologously sensitized guinea pigs. By these immunological parameters, the 12 BCG strains were remarkably similar.
Lateral parabrachial serotonergic mechanisms: angiotensin-induced pressor and drinking responses

This study investigated the effects of bilateral injections of serotonergic receptor ligands into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) on the pressor and dipsogenic responses induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of angiotensin II (ANG II). Rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the LPBN and into the left lateral ventricle were used to study i.c.v. ANG II-induced water intake and pressor responses. Pretreatment with the serotonergic 5-HT1/5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide (1-8 micrograms/200 nl) bilaterally injected into the LPBN increased the water intake induced by i.c.v. ANG II (50 ng/microliters) administered via the lateral ventricle, but pretreatment with methysergide (4 micrograms/200 nl) did not change the pressor response produced by i.c.v. ANG II. After bilateral injection of either serotonin (5-HT, 5 micrograms/200 nl) or the serotonergic 5-HT2a/5-HT2c receptor agonist (+/-)-2,5-dimetoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI; 0.5-10 micrograms/200 nl) into the LPBN, the water intake induced by ANG II was significantly reduced. These results are consistent with Other observations indicating that the LPBN is associated with inhibitory mechanisms controlling water intake induced by ANG II treatment and suggest that serotonergic pathways may be involved in this effect.
A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents' Attitudes About Assistance in the Development of Moral Values

A questionnaire-based study of 2,863 adolescents (ages 12 to 22 years), with data collected over 15 years, measured the extent to which informants believed that elementary, secondary, and college-age young people should receive guidance on moral issues from the family, school, clergy, peers, and/or the individual himself or herself. Averaging the ratings of all respondents over the first three categories yielded an overall authority score of 1.85, where a score of 2.00 represented a belief in moderate influence. Results showed a minimal difference in the ratings between genders, among different age groups, and across the different calendar years of questionnaire administration. Much more substantial differences existed among the actual influences investigated and across the ages of those to whom the influence was to be directed.
Correlated topographic and spectroscopic imaging by combined atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy

Near-field scanning microscopy is a powerful approach to obtain topographic and spectroscopic characterization simultaneously for imaging biological and nanoscale systems. To achieve optical imaging at high spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit, aperture-less metallic scanning tips have been utilized to enhance the laser illumination local electromagnetic field at the apex of the scanning tips. In this paper, we discuss and review our work on combined fluorescence imaging with AFM-metallic tip enhancement, finite element method simulation of the tip enhancement, and their applications on AFM-tip enhanced fluorescence lifetime imaging (AFM-FLIM) and correlated AFM and FLIM imaging of the living cells.
Radiation field measurements in the TAMU irradiation cell

Abstract Recent interest in reactor safety and fusion related experiments has prompted measurements of the radiation field (neutron and gamma) in the irradiation cell at Texas A&M University's TRIGA reactor. Neutron activation techniques were used to measure fluxes at various positions in the irradiation cell.
Estimation of a Tobit model with unknown censoring threshold

Conventional wisdom suggests that only the estimated intercept is affected by imposition of a zero censoring threshold on a Tobit model. This is true for Heckman-Lee estimation. For maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, however, it is only true if the censoring threshold is known and is subtracted from the dependent variable. Failure to properly transform the dependent variable prior to ML estimation of a zero threshold Tobit model will generally bias the coefficient estimates. A long neglected topic is ML estimation of a Tobit model with common, but unknown, censoring threshold. This paper shows that the ML estimator of the censoring threshold is the minimum order statistic from the observed subsample, and that existing software for estimation of a zero-threshold Tobit model is easily adapted to include estimation of the censoring threshold.
Dynamics of a discrete brusselator model : Escape to infinity and julia set

We consider a discrete version of the Brusselator Model of the famous Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction in chemistry. The original model is a reaction-diffusion equation and its discrete version is a coupled map lattice. We study the dynamics of the local map, which is a smooth map of the plane. We discuss the set of trajectories that escape to infinity as well as analyze the set of bounded trajectories – the Julia set of the system.
``Single-sided'' focusing of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation

The problem of focusing is considered for the one-dimensional time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation with a local potential. Focusing is also considered for the closely related plasma wave equation. It is supposed that an experimenter can send in an incident wave from one side of the potential. Then to what degree can the wave be focused? It will be shown that an incident wave can be found so that the real part of the wave collapses to a delta function $\ensuremath{\delta}(x\ensuremath{-}{x}_{o})$ when $t=0.$ The equation that governs this previously unsolved ``single-sided'' focusing problem is derived and shown to be Marchenko's equation---the canonical equation of one-dimensional inverse-scattering theory.
The adsorption of fluoride ions by hydroxyapatite from aqueous solution

Abstract The adsorption of fluoride ions by hydroxyapatite from aqueous solutions has been studied as a function of such variables as fluoride ion concentration, solution pH, and the Ca/P ratio and specific surface area of the adsorbent. An ion-selective electrode technique was used for fluoride ion analysis in the adsorption experiments, and electrokinetic measurements were utilized to delineate specific adsorption effects. At low fluoride ion concentrations, fluorapatite appears to form at the surface of hydroxyapatite through adsorption, followed by an F − /OH − exchange process. At higher fluoride ion concentrations, calcium fluoride appears to form on hydroxyapatite by a surface precipitation process. The conclusions drawn from electrokinetic and adsorption measurements have been substantiated by study of surface layers of hydroxyapatite both before and after equilibration with fluoride ions, using the technique or electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA).
Atlantic salmon smolts are more responsive to an acute handling and confinement stress than parr.

Abstract Atlantic salmon parr and smolts reared under a natural temperature and photoperiod regime were subjected to an acute handling and confinement stress in early May. Smolts had a mean plasma cortisol concentration of 10 ng/ml before stress and 242 ng/ml 3 h after initiation of stress which returned to pre-stress levels within 8 h. Parr had a plasma cortisol concentration of 4 ng/ml prior to stress which increased to 11 ng/ml 3 h after initiation of stress and returned to pre-stress levels within 8 h. Plasma glucose was significantly higher in parr and smolts 3 h after initiation of stress; in parr, plasma glucose returned to pre-stress levels within 8 h, but not until 48 h in smolts. Plasma chloride concentration in smolts decreased from 139 to 124 mM 3 h after initiation of stress but returned to pre-stress levels within 24 h; plasma chloride in parr was not altered by stress. Plasma thyroxine of parr and smolts peaked at 3 h after initiation of stress and returned to pre-stress levels within 8 h, but smolts had 72% higher levels at 3 h. Pre-smolts (February) and smolts (May) reared under constant temperature (8–10°C) were also subjected to a handling and confinement stress. Although peak levels of plasma cortisol 3 h after initiation of stress were twice as high in smolts, other physiological and endocrine responses were not substantially different between pre-smolts and smolts. The results demonstrate that Atlantic salmon smolts are more responsive to stress than parr and that developmental differences are more important than seasonal changes.
Additional study of the Youth-Depression Adjective Check List.

Srrmmary.-Replicated and extended aspects of determinations of reliability and validity for the State version of the Youth-Depression Adjective Check List. Students from Grades 9 through 12 (64 girls and 41 boys) completed the State version and the Adolescent Activities Checklist on each of 12 consecutive days and completed the Trait version, the Reynoldb Adolescent Depression Scale, the Multiple Mect Adjective Check List-Revised Grade 6, and the Adolescent Activities Checklist at the beginning and the end of the study. Good reliability and validity of the State version were confirmed and extended, and preliminary information on characteristics of the Trait version of the Youth-Depression Adjective Check List also was presented. The State version seems suitable for use in research with adolescents and preadolescents. More srudy of the Trait version is recommended. A previous report (Carey, Lubin, & Brewer, 1992) presented the psychometric characteristics of the Youth-Depression Adjective Check List, a 22-adjective self-report checklist (14 depressive and eight nondepressive) for the measurement of depressive mood in pre-adolescents and adolescents. The chechst consists of adjectives written for a Grade 6 or lower reading level (Dale & O'Rourke, 1981) of the Depression Adjective Check Lists (Lubin, 1994). Findmgs indcated that the State version of the checfist had high internal consistency and split-half reliabhty in both normal and chical samples. As a State measure, the low test-retest reliability was expected and was taken as an indicarion that the measure was sensitive to change. Support for the concurrent, &scriminant, and factorial validity of the Youth-Depression Adjective Check List also was provided. In addition, the checklist was able to differentiate referred adolescent patients from nonreferred adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend the study of the psychometric characteristics of the State Youth-Depression Adjective Check List by investigating the use of the chechst as a measure of daily mood and by collecting addtional reliabhty and validity data. Also, prelimi
A study of streamwise vortex structure in a stratified shear layer

The existence of an organized streamwise vortical structure, which is superimposed on the well known coherent spanwise vorticity in nominally two-dimensional free shear layers, has been studied extensively. In the presence of stratification, however, buoyancy forces contribute to an additional mechanism for the generation of streamwise vorticity. As the spanwise vorticity layer rolls up and pulls high-density fluid above low-density fluid, a local instability results. The purpose of the current investigation is to force the three-dimensional instability in the stratified shear layer. In this manner, we experimentally observe the effect of buoyancy on the streamwise vortex tube evolution, the evolution of the buoyancy-induced instability, and the interaction between these two vortical structures. A simple numerical model is proposed which captures the relevant physics of the flow evolution. It is found that, depending on the location, streamwise vortices resulting from vortex stretching may be weakened or enhanced by the stratification. Buoyancy-induced vortex structures are shown to form where the unstable part of the interface is tilted by the streamwise vortex tubes. These vortices strengthen initially, then weaken downstream, the timescale for this process depending upon the degree of stratification. For initial Richardson numbers larger than about 0.03, the baroclinically weakened vortex tubes eventually disappear as the flow evolves downstream and the baroclinically generated vortices dominate the three-dimensional flow structure.
The specificity of the lactogenic hormone in the initiation of lactation.

Summary A study is reported with the “laetogenic hormone” and the “thyrotropic and other hormone” fraction of the anterior pituitary on lactogenesis in the pseudo-pregnant rabbit. When the “laetogenic hormone” fraction was injected at the rate of 1 mg. per 100 grams body weight (+) to (++) glands were obtained, the average rating being 1.67. When 1.5 mg. was given (+++) to (+++) glands were obtained the average rating being 3.17, which is considered in the range for a unit response. At this level approximately 52 mg. containing 260 McShan-Turner pigeon units were required. A group of rabbits injected with 2 mg. per 100 gm. body weight of the “thyrotropic and other hormone” fraction showed no evidence of lactation. At the 5 mg. and 10 mg. levels six animals in each group survived the test period. Only one rabbit in each group showed any evidence of lactation. In a group of five thyroidectomized rabbits injected with 5 mg. of the “thyrotropic and other hormone” fraction per 100 grams body weight (++) lactation was initiated in two animals but little or none in the other three. Another group of seven thyroidectomized rabbits injected at the 10 mg. level gave mostly (+) to (++) glands, the average rating being 1.43. All the animals survived the test period. The average gland rating was increased from 1.67 for 1 mg. of lactogenic hormone per 100 grams body weight, to 1.86 when supplemented by 1 mg. of the “thyrotropic and other hormone” fraction. When the level of injection of the latter was 2 mg. the average gland rating was increased to 2.60. These results are taken to indicate that the primary function of the lactogenic hormone, which also possesses the ability to proliferate the pigeon crop gland, is to initiate and maintain established lactation. Extracts rich in the thyrotropic and other hormones, but containing only traces of the lactogenic hormone, do not possess the ability to initiate lactation in doses as high as could be tolerated. This fraction, however, has a supplementing effect on established lactation.
Effects of weight loss, induced by gastric bypass surgery, on HDL remodeling in obese women

Plasma lipoproteins and glucose homeostasis were evaluated after marked weight loss before and over 12 months following Roux-en-Y gastric-bypass (RYGBP) surgery in 19 morbidly obese women. Standard lipids, remnant-lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C); HDL-triglyceride (TG); apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, A-II, E, and A-I-containing HDL subpopulations; lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mass and activity; plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after GBP surgery. Baseline concentrations of TG, RLP-C, glucose, and insulin were significantly higher in obese than in normal-weight, age-matched women, whereas HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA-I, apoA-II, alpha-1 and alpha-2 levels were significantly lower. Over 1 year, significant decreases of body mass index, glucose, insulin, TG, RLP-C, HDL-TG, and prebeta-1 levels were observed with significant increases of HDL-C and alpha-1 levels (all P < 0.05). Changes of fat mass were correlated with those of LDL cholesterol (P = 0.018) and LCAT mass (P = 0.011), but not with CETP mass (P = 0.265). Changes of fasting plasma glucose concentrations were inversely correlated with those of CETP mass (P = 0.005) and alpha-1 level (P = 0.004). Changes of fasting plasma insulin concentrations were positively correlated with those of LCAT mass (P = 0.043) and inversely with changes of alpha-1 (P = 0.03) and alpha-2 (P = 0.05) concentrations. These results demonstrate beneficial changes in HDL remodeling following substantial weight loss induced by RYGBP surgery and that these changes are associated with improvement of glucose homeostasis in these patients.
Measures of Inland Waterway Network Resilience

Inland waterways represent a vital component in the larger multi-modal transportation network that maintains commodity flows across the US. These waterways are subject to disruptive events including whether malevolent attacks, natural disasters, manmade accidents, or common failures. As such, an ability to quantify the vulnerability and recoverability of inland waterways, as it pertains to the inclusive measure of network resilience, is addressed in this work. The paper deploys existing resilience measures to quantify the resilience of inland waterway networks, including: (i) a stochastic measure of time required for the network to achieve full resilience, and (ii) associated resilience-based component importance measures that highlight the critical waterway links that contribute to waterway network resilience. A data-driven case study illustrates these metrics to describe commodity flows along the various links of the US Mississippi River Navigation System.
Fucosyltransferase 3 polymorphism and atherothrombotic disease in the Framingham Offspring Study.

Background Previous studies have suggested a positive association between phenotypes of fucosyltransferase 3 ( FUT3 ) gene (also known as Lewis gene) and coronary heart disease. Methods We used data on 1735 unrelated subjects in the Framingham Offspring Study to assess whether 3 functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the FUT3 gene (T59G, T1067A, and T202C) were associated with prevalent atherothrombotic disease. Results Contrary to T1067A and T202C SNPs, there was evidence for an association between T59G SNP and atherothrombotic disease prevalence. In a multivariable model controlling for age, sex, alcohol intake, pack-years of smoking, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus, ORs (95% CI) for prevalent atherothrombotic disease were 1.0 (reference), 0.80 (0.46-1.41), and 6.70 (1.95-23.01) for TT, TG, and GG genotypes of the T59G SNP, respectively. Minor alleles of T202C and T1067A SNPs showed a modest and nonsignificant association with atherothrombotic disease. Overall, FUT3 polymorphism that influences the enzyme activity (GG genotype for T59G or ≥1 minor allele of T202C or T1067A) was associated with increased atherothrombotic disease prevalence (OR 1.57, 1.05-2.34), and this association was stronger among abstainers (2-fold increased odds) than among current drinkers ( P for interaction .11). Conclusions Our data suggest that functional mutations of the FUT3 gene may be associated with an increased atherothrombotic disease prevalence, especially among abstainers. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
A universal flow cytometry assay for screening carbohydrate-active enzymes using glycan microspheres

We describe a simple, multiplexed assay that integrates glycan synthesis, bioconjugation to microspheres, fluorescent chemical/biochemical detection and multiparameter flow cytometric analysis to screen activities of different families of carbohydrate-active enzymes.
Atrial and Ventricular Burst Pacing from a Coronary Sinus Catheter: Relation to Position of Radiofrequency Transmitter

A young woman with drug-refractory recurrent supraventricular tachycardia was managed by rapid atrial stimulation using a catheter positioned in the coronary sinus. During follow-up, radiofrequency activation of the pacemaker resulted in burst ventricular and/or atrial pacing, depending on the distance of the transmitter's antenna loop from the receiver. Current output was directly related to the distance of the transmitter's antenna loop from the receiver and ranged from 20 mA at a distance of 0 cm from the receiver to 1 mA at 5 cm. If possible, coronary sinus lead placement should be avoided for radiofrequency-activated atrial burst pacing given the large current output with direct contact of the transmitter's antenna loop to the implanted receiver and the risk for ventricular stimulation. Alteration of the spatial relationship between the transmitter and receiver can be used to decrease current output and prevent ventricular pacing if atrial burst pacing from the coronary sinus is desirable.
The bridge from nanoscale phenomena to macroscopic processes

Abstract Electrochemical phenomena exert themselves over wide ranges of time and length scales. The most difficult applied problems are those for which different scales are important simultaneously. Recent fundamental scientific advances have been made at many time and length scales including those associated with the molecular structure of the solid–liquid interface. This papers provides examples from electrodeposition, etching and localized corrosion where understanding of the liquid–solid interface is of central importance. These advances in scientific understanding are driving the need to develop improved engineering methods for linking knowledge gained at different levels of scale in order to speed design and optimization of technological systems.
Energy sources: a realistic outlook.

Projections to the middle of the next century indicate that unabated historical global energy trends would lead to an annual global energy demand about four times present levels, primarily due to population and economic growth. But extensive global conservation and energy-efficient systems might reduce this value by half. The cumulative effect of the coming half century9s use may strain the world9s low-cost resources, particularly oil. The future fuel mix is further complicated by the environmental thrust to reduce the global use of carbon-based fuels. The interaction of the principal factors influencing future energy resource and technology options are projected.
Manganese cycling in an acidic Adirondack lake

There is considerable interest in the chemistry of Mn in acidic waters because of its role in the generation of acid neutralizing capacity during reduction processes, as an adsorbent in element cycling, and as a potential toxicant to aquatic organisms. Temporal and spatial variations in the concentration of Mn were evident in acidic Dart's Lake (1.0–2.3 μmol l−1), located in the Adirondack Region of New York. Seasonal changes in pH and dissolved oxygen concentration had subtle effects on the chemistry and transport of Mn. Despite oversaturation with respect to the solubility of manganite during periods of stratification, vertical deposition of Mn was minimal. The conservative nature of Mn appears to be due to the acidic conditions in Dart's Lake.
Financial applications of a Tabu search variable selection model

We illustrate how a comparatively new technique, a Tabu search variable selection model [Drezner, Marcoulides and Salhi (1999)], can be applied efficiently within finance when the researcher must select a subset of variables from among the whole set of explanatory variables under consideration. Several types of problems in finance, including corporate and personal bankruptcy prediction, mortgage and credit scoring, and the selection of variables for the Arbitrage Pricing Model, require the researcher to select a subset of variables from a larger set. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the Tabu search variable selection model, we: (1) illustrate its efficiency in comparison to the main alternative search procedures, such as stepwise regression and the Maximum R2 procedure, and (2) show how a version of the Tabu search procedure may be implemented when attempting to predict corporate bankruptcy. We accomplish (2) by indicating that a Tabu Search procedure increases the predictability of corporate bankruptcy by up to 10 percentage points in comparison to Altman's (1968) Z-Score model.
Pointing the Yoruba way

This paper gives a description of Yoruba pointing behavior, especially pointing as it relates to people in interaction contexts. First, it is shown that pointing is regulated by socio-cultural factors. Secondly, it is shown that non-manual points such as lip points are complex points which use the gaze as the primary pointer; other head-area gestures ‘switch on’ the deictic function of the gaze to pinpoint the specific referent in the discourse space. This paper also describes a form of pointing, termed ‘eye-click’, in which the eyes have both the function of gazing and ‘switching on’ the deictic vector of gaze. Thirdly, some pointing practices in sub-Saharan Africa are examined and compared.
Anterograde transport through the Golgi complex: do Golgi tubules hold the key?

Abstract Biochemical studies have suggested that anterograde protein transport through the Golgi complex is mediated by coatomer-coated vesicles that bud from one compartment and then transfer to, and fuse with, the next. However, recent genetic studies have shown that coatomer mutations block retrograde, but not anterograde, transport in yeast, calling into question the role of coatomer vesicles in anterograde transport. Peggy Weidman proposes that these findings might be explained if anterograde transport occurs by transient fusion of Golgi tubules and if coatomers have related, but separable, functions in tubule and vesicle dynamics
A Multimodal Nanocomposite for Biomedical Imaging

A multimodal nanocomposite was designed, synthesized with super‐paramagnetic core (CoFe2O4), noble metal corona (Au), and semiconductor shell (TiO2). The sizes of core, core‐corona, and core‐corona‐shell particles were determined by TEM. This multimodal nanocrystal showed promise as a contrast agent for two of the most widely used biomedical imaging techniques: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and x‐ray computed tomography (CT). Finally, these nanocomposites were coated with a peptide SN‐50. This led to their ready uptake by the cultured cells and targeted the nanocomposites to the pores of nuclear membrane. Inside cells, this nanocomposite retained its integrity as shown by x‐ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM). Inside cells imaged by XFM we found the complex elemental signature of nanoconjugates (Ti‐Co‐Fe‐Au) always co‐registered in the 2D elemental map of the cell.
Synthesis and electrical characterization of “carbon particles reinforced epoxy-nanocomposite” in Ku-band

Abstract The objective of this research work is to study the electrical characteristics of the carbon particles reinforced polymer. Ranking of different matrices was done and Carbon Black-CB nanosized particles in different weight ratios are dispersed in epoxy resin. Subsequently, each mixture is coated onto the Aluminum base plates. The Scattering parameters (S11, S21), dielectric properties and the dissipation factor of energy are measured in the Ku-band (11–18 GHz) frequency range by using Vector Network Analyzer. Good results are observed for the Carbon Black 2% epoxy (CB2-Epoxy) combination in the Ku-band. Beyond this loading, the trend reverses and it is observed that for higher doping, the attenuation level is on the decline. The experimental results show that both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity of the composites are proportional to the filler concentrations. The increasing rates of the real and imaginary parts with respect to the filler concentrations vary with different frequencies. These different rates may have far reaching implications on designing the thickness in scheming of the single-layer microwave absorbers.
SIMPLIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF MODELS OF CALCIUM DYNAMICS BASED ON IP3-SENSITIVE CALCIUM CHANNEL KINETICS

We study the models for calcium (Ca) dynamics developed in earlier studies, in each of which the key component is the kinetics of intracellular inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca channels. After rapidly equilibrating steps are eliminated, the channel kinetics in these models are represented by a single differential equation that is linear in the state of the channel. In the reduced kinetic model, the graph of the steady-state fraction of conducting channels as a function of log10(Ca) is a bell-shaped curve. Dynamically, a step increase in inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate induces an incremental increase in the fraction of conducting channels, whereas a step increase in Ca can either potentiate or inhibit channel activation, depending on the Ca level before and after the increase. The relationships among these models are discussed, and experimental tests to distinguish between them are given. Under certain conditions the models for intracellular calcium dynamics are reduced to the singular perturbed form epsilon dx/d tau = f(x, y, p), dy/d tau = g(x, y, p). Phase-plane analysis is applied to a generic form of these simplified models to show how different types of Ca response, such as excitability, oscillations, and a sustained elevation of Ca, can arise. The generic model can also be used to study frequency encoding of hormonal stimuli, to determine the conditions for stable traveling Ca waves, and to understand the effect of channel properties on the wave speed.
Attractors and transients for a perturbed periodic KdV equation: A nonlinear spectral analysis

In this paper we rigorously show the existence and smoothness ine of traveling wave solutions to a periodic Korteweg-deVries equation with a Kuramoto-Sivashinsky-type perturbation for sufficiently small values of the perturbation parametere. The shape and the spectral transforms of these traveling waves are calculated perturbatively to first order. A linear stability theory using squared eigenfunction bases related to the spectral theory of the KdV equation is proposed and carried out numerically. Finally, the inverse spectral transform is used to study the transient and asymptotic stages of the dynamics of the solutions.
Chromosomal variation and heterochromatin polymorphisms inPeromyscus maniculatus

Evidence is presented that chromosomal variation inPeromyscus results from 1. addition of heterochromatic short arms to acrocentric chromosomes, and 2. pericentric inversions. Constitutive heterochromatin polymorphisms contribute to variation in the amount of heterochromatin inPeromyscus populations.
The effect of regular maternal exercise on erythropoietin in cord blood and amniotic fluid

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that continuing regular, high-intensity exercise until the onset of labor produces significant fetal hypoxemia, as evidenced by elevated erythropoietin levels in the fetal compartment. STUDY DESIGN: Erythropoietin levels were measured in samples of amniotic fluid and cord blood obtained from fetuses born to 31 exercising women and 29 matched controls. RESULTS: Erythropoietin levels (mean ± SEM) in amniotic fluid obtained at the time of membrane rupture (9 ± 2 vs 11 ± 2 mU/ml) and in cord blood (38 ± 6 vs 53 ± 16 mU/ml) and amniotic fluid at delivery (9 ± 1 vs 24 ± 12 mU/ml) were no different in women who exercised regularly until the onset of labor. In both groups the majority of elevated cord blood levels (>50 mU/ml) could be explained by labor events. Amniotic fluid erythropoietin levels correlated directly ( r = 0.52) with cord blood hematocrit and increased slowly during labor. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the initial hypothesis is incorrect and speculate that cord blood erythropoietin reflects fetal oxygenation during labor, whereas amniotic fluid erythropoietin primarily reflects the adequacy of oxygenation before the onset of labor.
The Use of Ultrasonograhy in the Evaluation and Management of Male Infertility

Although many causes of male infertility are not easily managed, in a significant number of cases a correctable factor is identified. This review article looks at the important role sonography plays in the evaluation and management of two such disorders—varicocele and obstruction of the ejaculatory ducts.
Effects of Surface Contamination Layers and Roughness on the Determination of Mechanical Properties of Thin Films Using Nanoindentation

Nanoindentation measurements on TiAlN, CrN, a-C:H:Me, and TiN, deposited on steel substrates have been performed. It was found that the resulting surface roughness/morphology after deposition significantly affects the measurements of nanomechanical properties, while measurements of these properties on the surface may be significantly different than the bulk portion of the coating, exhibiting a lower nanohardness due to the existence of a surface contamination layer. A simple method is proposed for accurately measuring the nanomechanical properties of coatings alleviating the need for excessive statistical analysis and the issues that arise from surface topography and the presence of surface and contamination layers on thin films.Copyright © 2011 by ASME