cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Power hand tool vibration effects on grip exertions

Operation of vibrating power hand tools can result in excessive grip force, which may increase the risk of cumulative trauma disorders in the upper extremities. An experiment was performed to study grip force exerted by 14 subjects operating a simulated hand tool vibrating at 9.8 m/s2 and 49 m/s2 acceleration magnitudes, at 40 Hz and 160 Hz frequencies, with vibration delivered in three orthogonal directions, and with 1.5kg and 3.0kg load weights. Average grip force increased from 25.3 N without vibration to 32.1 N (27%) for vibration at 40 Hz, and to 27.1N (7%) for vibration at 160 Hz. Average grip force also increased from 27.4 N at 9.8 m/s2 acceleration to 31.8 N (16%) at 49m/s2. Significant interactions between acceleration x frequency, and frequency x direction were also found. The largest average grip force increase was from 25.3N without vibration to 35.8N (42%) for 40 Hz and 49 m/s2 vibration. The magnitude of this increase was of the same order as for a two-fold increase in load weight, where ave...
The Dual World Polity: Fragmentation and Integration in the Network of Intergovernmental Organizations

A growing body of research demonstrates powerful effects of international organizations on national policy, and the literature on international conflict is increasingly adopting a network perspective on international organizations, but we still know little about the network structure of the world polity itself. This is surprising in light of the theoretical implications of world polity theory, world systems theory, and the world civilizations approach to the structure of the world polity. Using data on a set of prominent intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), along with a comparison to the complete population of IGOs, this study examines the world polity as a network structured by symbolic and material conflict. Network analysis reveals a contradictory duality in the structure of the world polity: while states are densely interconnected through international organizations, these international organizations are only sparsely interconnected. Contrary to world polity theory, world system position and world civilization predict position in the world polity. These results show that, in neglecting the network structure of the world polity, previous research has underestimated the extent of structural inequality in the world polity. Because embeddedness in the world polity has such powerful effects on state policies, international trade, and international conflict, the centralization and fragmentation of the world polity may have disintegrative implications for world politics.
Analysis of shroud options in support of the human exploration of Mars

In support of the Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA) 5.0, the NASA study team analyzed several shroud options for use on the Ares V launch vehicle.1,2 These shroud options included conventional “large encapsulation” shrouds with outer diameters ranging from 8.4 to 12.9 meters (m) and overall lengths of 22.0 to 54.3 meters, along with a “nosecone-only” shroud option used for Mars transfer vehicle component delivery. Also examined was a “multi-use” aerodynamic encapsulation shroud used for launch, Mars aerocapture, and entry, descent, and landing of the cargo and habitat landers. All conventional shroud options assessed for use on the Mars launch vehicles were the standard biconic design derived from the reference shroud utilized in the Constellation Program's lunar campaign. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the technical details of each of these shroud options including material properties, structural mass, etc., while also discussing both the volume and mass of the various space transportation and surface system payload elements required to support a “minimum launch” Mars mission strategy, as well as the synergy, potential differences and upgrade paths that may be required between the Lunar and Mars mission shrouds.
What is the role of intensive cholesterol lowering in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes

Abstract Cholesterol lowering with statins reduces coronary events in a primary-prevention setting and in patients with stable coronary disease. However, where the risk of a coronary event is highest, in the early months after an episode of unstable angina or non–Q-wave infarction, the effect of statin therapy has not been evaluated until recently. The lack of an early benefit in the 3 main statin trials in stable coronary disease may have discouraged this type of investigation. Yet, evidence suggests that intensive cholesterol lowering can rapidly influence several mechanisms intimately related to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes; specifically, improvement in endothelial function, decreased propensity for platelet thrombus formation, and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, 3 nonrandomized, observational studies have recently reported an improved outcome in statin-treated compared with untreated patients after acute coronary syndromes.
Self-Reflective Journaling: A Tool for Assessment

ABSTRACT This article outlines suggestions for the use of self-reflective journaling as an assessment method in dance technique classes. The use of self-reflection makes assessment a part of the learning process, not an imposed evaluation of a student's final product, particularly when it is related to personal goal setting. The article provides practical examples of teacher reflection prompts and reviews the quality of self-reflection activities that lead to maximum success. These qualities include that the self-reflection is guided, repeated regularly, sincere and nonjudgmental, and conversational in nature between teacher and student.
Marital closeness, autonomy, mastery, and depressive symptoms in a U.S. Internet sample

This Internet survey tests a theory that meeting needs through marital closeness (naming spouse confidant and emotional support; perceiving oneself to be named both by the spouse; and sexual satisfaction), autonomy, and mastery protects against depressive symptoms. The U.S. sample includes 1,163 relatively wealthy and educated married respondents aged 19–84 years. The regression model, controlling for sociodemographic factors, social integration, self-rated health, and gender interactions, explained more than half the variability in respondents’ depressive symptoms. Regardless of age, wives who were closer to their husbands were less depressed than those who were less close. Older husbands were less depressed than younger ones. Marital closeness was protective for husbands at all ages with its absence particularly problematic at younger ages.
Fermi-liquid effects in the gapless state of marginally thin superconducting films

We present low-temperature tunneling density-of-states measurements in Al films in high parallel magnetic fields. The thickness range of the films, $t=6--9\text{ }\text{nm}$, was chosen so that the orbital and Zeeman contributions to their parallel critical fields were comparable. In this quasispin paramagnetically limited configuration, the field produces a significant suppression of the gap, and at high fields the gapless state is reached. By comparing measured and calculated tunneling spectra we are able to extract the value of the antisymmetric Fermi-liquid parameter ${G}^{0}$ and thereby deduce the quasiparticle density dependence of the effective parameter ${G}_{\text{eff}}^{0}$ across the gapless state.
Low-level HIV replication in mixed glial cultures is associated with alterations in the processing of p55Gag

We report a novel long-lived infection model in human mixed glial cultures (microglia) whereby cells harbor replication-competent HIV-1 for up to 2.5 months after infection; a model that potentially mimics latency within the central nervous system (CNS). Infection of mixed glial cultures in the presence of serum, cytokines, and growth factors (activating conditions) resulted in a robust productive infection of microglial cells as previously described for purified microglia. In contrast, similar mixed glial cells cultured in serum-free medium without cytokines or growth factors (mirroring a nonactivated CNS) supported HIV-1 entry, reverse transcription, integration, and transcription, yet released little or no infectious virus. We found instead that nonactivated mixed glial cells expressed almost 10-fold less Gag protein, but more importantly, analysis of the intracellular Gag products in quiescent cells showed an aberrant p55/p24 Gag processing phenotype that appeared to be due to the premature activity of the viral protease. These results suggest that the cellular environment in nonactivated microglia cells in these mixed glial cultures is not conducive to proper Gag processing and virus release. This long-lived infection model will be useful in identifying factors that are key for viral maturation in cells of the macrophage lineage.
Alexander Hollaender’s Postwar Vision for Biology: Oak Ridge and Beyond

Experimental radiobiology represented a long-standing priority for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), but organizational issues initially impeded the laboratory progress of this government-funded work: who would direct such interdisciplinary investigations and how? And should the AEC support basic research or only mission-oriented projects? Alexander Hollaender’s vision for biology in the post-war world guided AEC initiatives at Oak Ridge, where he created and presided over the Division of Biology for nearly two decades (1947–1966). Hollaender’s scheme, at once entrepreneurial and system-oriented, made good use of the unique resources provided by the AEC and by Oak Ridge’s national laboratory setting, while at the same time it restructured wartime research practices to better reflect biologists’ own priorities. Because Hollaender offered many academic experimental biologists a way of envisioning military-related patronage as integral – rather than antithetical – to their professional identities, his work provides an important lens through which to examine the early post-war intellectual and institutional development of radiobiology.
Interferometric signal processing schemes for the measurement of strain

In this paper we demonstrate the measurement of fiber strain for use in embedded sensor applications. Both of these methods utilize source frequency interrogation to monitor fiber strain. The first system described provides absolute strain information from a single-mode interferometric sensor used to measure absolute surface strain induced by deflection of a cantilever beam. The second system presented demonstrates remote interrogation of a lead insensitive two-mode elliptical core fiber sensor to measure relative changes in fiber strain.
Differential reward learning for self and others predicts self-reported altruism

In social environments, decisions not only determine rewards for oneself but also for others. However, individual differences in pro-social behaviors have been typically studied through self-report. We developed a decision-making paradigm in which participants chose from card decks with differing rewards for themselves and charity; some decks gave similar rewards to both, while others gave higher rewards for one or the other. We used a reinforcement-learning model that estimated each participant's relative weighting of self versus charity reward. As shown both in choices and model parameters, individuals who showed relatively better learning of rewards for charity--compared to themselves--were more likely to engage in pro-social behavior outside of a laboratory setting indicated by self-report. Overall rates of reward learning, however, did not predict individual differences in pro-social tendencies. These results support the idea that biases toward learning about social rewards are associated with one's altruistic tendencies.
BACE1 deficiency rescues memory deficits and cholinergic dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is the beta-secretase enzyme required for generating pathogenic beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides in Alzheimer's disease (AD). BACE1 knockout mice lack Abeta and are phenotypically normal, suggesting that therapeutic inhibition of BACE1 may be free of mechanism-based side effects. However, direct evidence that BACE1 inhibition would improve cognition is lacking. Here we show that BACE1 null mice engineered to overexpress human APP (BACE1(-/-).Tg2576(+)) are rescued from Abeta-dependent hippocampal memory deficits. Moreover, impaired hippocampal cholinergic regulation of neuronal excitability found in the Tg2576 AD model is ameliorated in BACE1(-/-).Tg2576(+) bigenic mice. The behavioral and electrophysiological rescue of deficits in BACE1(-/-).Tg2576(+) mice is correlated with a dramatic reduction of cerebral Abeta40 and Abeta42 levels and occurs before amyloid deposition in Tg2576 mice. Our gene-based approach demonstrates that lower Abeta levels are beneficial for AD-associated memory impairments, validating BACE1 as a therapeutic target for AD.
Production of fuel from the catalytic cracking of pyrolyzed poultry DAF skimmings

Abstract A two-step thermochemical process, pyrolysis followed by catalytic cracking, was used to produce liquid fuels from poultry dissolved air flotation (DAF) skimmings, a waste material generated during poultry processing. Raw DAF-derived solids were dried and subjected to pyrolysis at 400, 500, 600 or 700 °C to thermally crack the material into three physical phases; a gas, solid, and liquid. The liquid phase, DAF bio-oil, was further processed in an attempt to produce a liquid fuel capable of powering a diesel engine. After catalytic processing and collection, the DAF bio-oil exhibited a higher heating value (HHV) of 36 MJ kg −1 , which is less than the reported HHV of diesel (45.7 MJ kg −1 ), similar to biodiesel (36–40 MJ kg −1 ), but much higher than the HHV of bio-oil produced from the bioconversion of woody biomass (20 MJ kg −1 ). DAF bio-oil analysis generated measurements of HHV (MJ kg −1 ), cloud point (°C), viscosity (mm 2 s −1 at 40 °C), and water content (%) revealed values of 36, 61.7, 37.8, and 4.72, respectively. After catalytic cracking, HHV increased to 40.2 MJ kg −1 , cloud point decreased to −2.7 °C, viscosity decreased to 1.6 mm 2 s −1 , and water content decreased to 1.9% making it comparable to conventional fuels. The upgraded DAF bio-oil could be utilized as a fuel for direct combustion in industrial boilers for steam generating, blended with petroleum fuels as an additive, or used directly as diesel transportation fuel.
MPDs: It's all in the family

Dameshek was wrong.[1][1] In this issue of Blood , in a landmark epidemiologic study, Landgren and colleagues demonstrate that first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and offspring) of Swedish myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) patients have a 5- to 7-fold increased risk of developing an MPD.
Three Unpublished Whitman Letters to Harry Stafford and a Specimen Days Prose Fragment

Transcribes three newly discovered Whitman letters to Harry Stafford in 1882, 1883, and 1884, along with a newly discovered prose fragment, "By the Pond," that appeared in a different form in Specimen Days.
Probing the Surface of Human Carbonic Anhydrase for Clues towards the Design of Isoform Specific Inhibitors

The alpha carbonic anhydrases (α-CAs) are a group of structurally related zinc metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of CO2 to HCO3(-). Humans have 15 different α-CAs with numerous physiological roles and expression patterns. Of these, 12 are catalytically active, and abnormal expression and activities are linked with various diseases, including glaucoma and cancer. Hence there is a need for CA isoform specific inhibitors to avoid off-target CA inhibition, but due to the high amino acid conservation of the active site and surrounding regions between each enzyme, this has proven difficult. However, residues towards the exit of the active site are variable and can be exploited to design isoform selective inhibitors. Here we discuss and characterize this region of "selective drug targetability" and how these observations can be utilized to develop isoform selective CA inhibitors.
Oral Anti-Cancer Agents in the Community Setting: A Survey of Pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Background:Over the past decade, there has been a sharp rise in the approval of orally administered anti-cancer agents for disease control. The increase in the use of oral anti-cancer agents (OAAs) raises concerns that community pharmacists may not have the training to safely dispense these agents and provide effective patient care. In order to identify the needs of community pharmacists with respect to oral anti-cancer therapy, a survey was conducted in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Methods:A structured electronic mailing strategy was used. Standardized data collection forms with a cover letter were electronically mailed to 560 practising pharmacists. Survey items included questions related to demographic information, practice setting, current knowledge related to cancer therapy, education needs, access to resources, patient education, patient and pharmacist safety and required elements of an OAA prescription.Results:The response rate was 39%. Only 9.6% of respondents felt that they had recei...
Stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake in growth-inhibited BALB/c 3T3 and revertant SV40-transformed 3T3 cells☆

Abstract Sugar transport in the contact-inhibited BALB/c 3T3 and revenant SV40-transformed (contact-inhibited variants of transformed cells described previously) 3T3 cells was markedly diminished when these cells became growth-inhibited [22]. Several agents have been tested for their ability to stimulate transport of 2-deoxyglucose in growth-inhibited cells and their mechanism of action has been examined in some detail. Insulin rapidly stimulated transport in both normal 3T3 and revertant cells, when they were contact-inhibited, by increasing the Michaelis-Menton kinetic parameter Vmax—possibly a rapid increase in the number of transport sites on the surface of these cells. Insulin had no effect on sugar transport in SV40-transformed (SVT2) cells, growing 3T3 cells, or growing revertant cells. Increasing concentrations of fresh fetal calf serum caused a stimulation of transport in contact-inhibited 3T3 and revertant cells to levels identical with growing cells (there was no effect on growing cells or on SVT2 cells); this correlated with its ability to ‘turn-on’ DNA synthesis in the vast majority of these cells. This stimulation was maximal at serum concentrations of 35–80%. The mechanisms of stimulation for the two cell types were quite different—stimulation of transport in 3T3 cells was initially rapid with an increase in Vmax followed 1 h later by a second increase resulting from a diminished Km (an increased binding affinity). Stimulation in revertant cells proceeded slowly and linearly and was a result of an increased Vmax with no apparent change in the Km constant. Although revertant cells exhibited sugar transport properties which in general resembled those same properties in normal 3T3 cells and not of their parental SVT2 cells, the mechanisms of transport changes were quite different. The nature of the interaction of fresh fetal calf serum with BALB/c 3T3 cells in terms of stimulation of transport was examined in some detail. The serum was shown to be partially multipotential, while the cells were shown not to be. Serum was modified in that it lost its ability to cause the second, long-term stimulation of transport mentioned above (Km decrease); this correlated with the loss of its ability to induce DNA synthesis in these cells. These experiments suggest a unique approach to the study of the interaction between cells and serum and the importance of this interaction in growth control of normal cells and its loss by virally-transformed cells.
The hidden members of planetary systems.

Over the past nine years, astronomers have discovered at least 111 planets around sunlike stars by looking for the slight back-and-forth motion that these bodies impart to their parent suns. Yet this technique detects only the most massive and tightly orbiting objects. Once released, the debris dust spreads through much of the inner solar system, out to the orbit of Jupiter. One of the great advances of astronomy over the past decade has been the discovery of planets outside our solar system-the first tangible clue that we may not be alone in the universe. INSETS: WHAT THE DUST REVEALS;SCULPTED BY PLANETS;BETA PICTORIS.
ISENTROPIC MODELS FOR FINAL STAGES OF STELLAR EVOLUTION

Using isentropic and homogeneous stellar models the final stages of stellar evolution are discussed. These primitive models are a natural generalization of polytropic models to cases of complex equations of state. The equations of state used in the present work include the effects of radiation, quantum degeneracy, relativistic electrons and pairs, and of a Fe-He transition. A limiting mass-entropy relation is discussed. This relation is a direct generalization of Chandrasekhar's limiting mass for white dwarfs, and is useful for obtaining a general picture of the evolutionary tracks at late stages. Tracks of central conditions on thep, T plane are calculated for isentropic models and the occurrence of various instabilities is discussed.
Auditory brain stem response for objective measures of hearing

ABSTRACTThe auditory brain stem response (ABR) is felt to be an objective technique for predicting hearing thresholds because a voluntary response is not required from the subject. However, determination of ABR threshold can be a subjective process. This article discusses a technique, termed Fsp, wh
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP/MS) has been successfully deployed by researchers at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory for the analysis of Hanford nuclear waste. This effort required research to determine the relative importance of the numerous parameters involved in LA-ICP/MS. These factors include laser parameters and sample matrix variables. The precision in relative concentrations was determined as a function of laser wavelength. Ablation at 355 or 266 nm gave precision of 5–10%, while the value for 532 nm was 25% and for 1064 nm was 40%. Analysis of the data for relative fractionation between elements showed large differences in the IR for volatile vs. refractory elements. The UV ablation gave results that were much less dependent on matrix effects and showed minimal or no fractionation. Measurements of the particle distribution produced by laser ablation prior to transfer to the ICP/MS were made as a function of laser wavelength and pulse energy. These results show that the laser wavelength and pulse energies that provide the best precision and accuracy for analysis of glass or tank waste simulant materials produce particle size distributions with the majority of ablated material present as particles from 0.1–1.0 μm in diameter. This size range is important for quantitative transport to the ICP/MS and for complete digestion of the particles in the plasma. The particle counts were used to normalize the mass spectra of glasses having widely different opacities and laser ablation efficiencies resulting in quantitative analysis of these samples.
Late Paleoindian (Allen/Frederick Complex) Subsistence Activities at the Clary Ranch Site, Ash Hollow, Garden County, Nebraska

Comprehensive analysis of the previously unreported bison remains from the Clary Ranch site in western Nebraska, combined with information from recent field investigations, provides a robust source of new insight on Late Paleoindian (Allen/Frederick Complex) diet and subsistence practices on the central Great Plains. The assemblage provides a rare opportunity to examine the settlement/subsistence system from the perspective of a secondary processing area, where complete bison limbs and articulated sublimb segments, initially removed from carcasses at a nearby mass kill site, were transported to Clary Ranch for defleshing and marrow extraction. These kill/butchery activities suggest an increased reliance on subsistence strategies intended to alleviate impending winter food shortages.
Reply to ‘‘Comment on ‘ t/U expansion for the Hubbard model’’’

It is shown that the unitary transformation used as the basis of a t/U expansion for the Hubbard model in an earlier Brief Report is not equivalent to the canonical perturbation expansion (CPE) discussed in the preceding Comment. The CPE is valid only to leading order in t/U. More evidence is offered in support of our suggestion that higher-order terms in the t/U expansion tend to favor spin-liquid states over antiferromagnetically ordered states.
Microbubble oscillation in tubes with diameters of 12, 25, and 195 microns

Ultrasound contrast agents are often used to measure flow rate in the microvasculature; however, the oscillation of these agents in capillary-sized tubes has not been directly observed. Here, oscillations of microbubbles are examined in microvessel phantoms with diameters similar to those of capillaries. High-speed camera images demonstrate the effects of ultrasonic pressure and tube diameter and length on microbubble expansion and fragmentation occurrence. Microbubble displacement due to radiation force is also demonstrated in a phantom microvessel.
Femtosecond mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator based on CsTiOAsO 4

A high-repetition-rate Ti:sapphire laser is used to synchronously pump a type-II angle-tuned CsTiOAsO4 (CTA) optical parametric oscillator. When pumped at 809 nm, the optical parametric oscillator is tunable from 1.007 to 1.180 μm in the signal branch and from 2.590 to 4.120 μm in the idler branch. Powers as high as 235 mW are obtained in the signal branch. Pulse widths as short as 56 fs are generated at 1.115 μm. CTA is shown to have a unique combination of low walk-off and low dispersion that contributes to its high gain and conversion efficiency.
A role for the apoptosis inhibitory factor AIM/Spα/Api6 in atherosclerosis development

Macrophages play a central role in the development of atherosclerosis through the accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL). AIM (Spalpha/Api6) has previously been shown to promote macrophage survival; however, its function in atherogenesis is unknown. Here we identify AIM as a critical factor that protects macrophages from the apoptotic effects of oxidized lipids. AIM protein is induced in response to oxLDL loading and is highly expressed in foam cells within atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, both expression of AIM in lesions and its induction by oxidized lipids require the action of LXR/RXR heterodimers. AIM-/- macrophages are highly susceptible to oxLDL-induced apoptosis in vitro and undergo accelerated apoptosis in atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. Moreover, early atherosclerotic lesions in AIM-/-LDLR-/- double knockout mice are dramatically reduced when compared to AIM+/+LDLR-/- controls. We conclude that AIM production facilitates macrophage survival within atherosclerotic lesions and that loss of AIM decreases early lesion development by increasing macrophage apoptosis.
A Testosterone-Producing Adrenal Cortical Adenoma in an Elderly Woman

Abstract A 76-year-old woman with virilization had menopausal levels of circulating LH and FSH, and a markedly elevated concentration of plasma testosterone (9130 pg/ml) into the range for adult men. Plasma cortisol and androstenedione levels and urinary 17-ketosteroid secretion were normal. Ethinyl estradiol suppressed plasma testosterone, LH, and FSH levels into the normal range for premenopausal women, but the testosterone concentration was unaffected by the administration of dexamethasone or ACTH. Retrograde venous sampling and angiography localized a right adrenal adenoma preoperatively. Following adrenalectomy, there was a prompt fall in testosterone, but there was no change in the LH concentration. Thus, this patient had an adrenal adenoma which secreted only testosterone and appeared to be gonadotropinresponsive. Testosterone levels in the adult male range failed to suppress gonadotropins. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Differential effects of caffeine, picrotoxin, and pentylenetetrazol on hippocampal afterdischarge activity and wet dog shakes.

We identified changes in hippocampal afterdischarge activity that follow administration of subcon vulsant doses (one-half the convulsant dose) of analeptic agents with known pharmacological action. Long-Evans rats (N = 104) with chronic bipolar electrodes implanted in the dorsal hippocampus, were injected i.p. with saline, caffeine (75 mg/kg), picrotoxin (2 mg/kg), or pentylenetatrazol (20 mg/kg) in 1 ml/kg volume 15 min before testing. Body temperature was measured at the beginning of the session to determine if significant change was associated with any of the treatments. Beginning at 10 microA, current (2-s train of 50-Hz biphasic pulses) was applied to hippocampal electrodes and intensity was increased in 10-microA steps until the afterdischarge sequence was elicited. Afterdischarge threshold, wet dog shake frequency, and the duration of the primary afterdischarge, the postprimary depression, and the rebound afterdischarge were measured. Caffeine administration produced a dramatic prolongation of the rebound afterdischarge, without affecting the duration of the primary afterdischarge. All other afterdischarge variables were unchanged by the caffeine treatment. Because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors at physiologic concentrations, adenosine action is implicated in the termination of the second, but not the first, spike train. Picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol had no influence on the EEG, despite evidence of slight (1 degrees C) hypothermia. A decrease in wet dog shake frequency, however, was associated with picrotoxin administration. As picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol are known gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonists, the results suggest that GABA is involved minimally, if at all, in the hippocampal afterdischarge sequence.
Carbonyl diazide, OC(N3)2: Calculated thermodynamic properties

Abstract The minimum-energy structure, vibrational frequencies, and thermodynamic properties of carbonyl diazide, OC(N 3 ) 2 , have been determined using Gaussian-X compound methods. At ∼75% nitrogen by mass, carbonyl diazide can be considered a “green” high energy material because of the low amount of carbon-containing decomposition products it makes. Our calculations indicate that carbonyl diazide has a significantly high enthalpy of formation, but its specific enthalpy of decomposition is commensurate with current high energy materials.
The spinocerebellar ataxias.

The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration and subsequent loss of neurons accompanied by reactive gliosis, degeneration of fibers from the deteriorating neurons, and clinical symptoms reflecting the locations of the lost neurons. The degenerative changes affect specific neuronal groups while others remain preserved, and these diseases can therefore be viewed as system degenerations. The SCAs result from either genetically transmitted diseases with dominant inheritance or unknown causes with sporadic occurrence. Most of these disorders affect the cerebellum and its pathways, resulting in progressive deterioration of cerebellar function manifested by increasing unsteadiness of gait, incoordination of limb movements with impairment of skilled movements such as handwriting, and a distinctive dysarthria. Other neuronal systems arc affected in some of these disorders, notably the corticospinal pathway, basal ganglia, and autonomic nuclei of the brain stem and spinal cord.
BRDF reference standards for the infrared

Abstract A comparison between various recommended reference standards of diffuse reflectance in the IR is presented. It is shown that at a wavelength of 10.6 μm sulfur is the most Lambertian of the tested samples, although its powdery consistence makes it less suitable for use as a standard. Flame sprayed aluminum, with or without gold coating, also approaches a Lambertian surface and is suitable for use as a standard for BRDF measurements at 10.6 μm. Results for the BRDF of sulfur, gold-coated sandpaper, a commercial diffuse gold surface (by Labsphere) and flame sprayed aluminum are presented.
Iterative blind image deconvolution in space and frequency domains

In image acquisition, the captured image is often the result of the object being convolved with a blur functional. Deconvolution is necessary in order to undo the effects of the blue. However, in real life we may have very little knowledge of the blur, and therefore we have to perform blind deconvolution. One major challenge of existing iterative algorithms for blind deconvolution is the enforcement of the convolution constraint. In this paper we describe a method whereby this constraint can be much more easily implemented in the frequency domain. This is possible because of Parseval's theorem, which allows us to relate projection in the space and frequency domains. Our algorithm also incorporates regularization of the estimated image through the use of Wiener filters. The restored images are compared to the original and noisy blurred images, and we find that the restoration process indeed provides an enhancement in visual quality.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of defects on in-plane properties of periodic metal honeycombs

The effects of missing or fractured cell walls on in-plane effective elastic stiffness and initial yield strength of square and triangular cell metal honeycombs are investigated using finite element analysis. Due to the change of localized deformation mode, the in-plane properties of defected honeycombs can differ significantly from those of intact metal honeycombs, depending on cell type and stress state. First, the effect of the size of a statistical volume element of honeycomb cells with randomly removed cell walls is explored by using different numbers of cells with 5% of walls removed, subject to periodic boundary conditions. The size of a representative volume element (statistically homogeneous) is determined for each considered in-plane property. Next, the effective in-plane properties of square cell and triangular cell honeycombs are, respectively, calculated as a function of increasing number density of randomly removed cell walls. Finally, the sensitivities of axial compressive effective properties of these honeycombs to missing cell walls are compared with that of a previously analyzed hexagonal cell honeycomb. The results indicate that some in-plane properties sharply diminish with defect density, while others exhibit more gradual decay. In compression, the effective elastic stiffness and initial yield strength of triangular cell honeycombs are least sensitive to defects among those considered.
Magnetar spin-down, hyperenergetic supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts

The Kelvin-Helmholtz cooling epoch, lasting tens of seconds after the birth of a neutron star in a successful core-collapse supernova, is accompanied by a neutrino-driven wind. For magnetar-strength (~1015 G) large-scale surface magnetic fields, this outflow is magnetically dominated during the entire cooling epoch. Because the strong magnetic field forces the wind to corotate with the proto-neutron star, this outflow can significantly affect the neutron star's early angular momentum evolution, as in analogous models of stellar winds. If the rotational energy is large in comparison with the supernova energy and the spin-down timescale is short with respect to the time required for the supernova shock wave to traverse the stellar progenitor, the energy extracted may modify the supernova shock dynamics significantly. This effect is capable of producing hyperenergetic supernovae and, in some cases, provides conditions favorable for gamma-ray bursts. We estimate spin-down timescales for magnetized, rotating proto-neutron stars and construct steady state models of neutrino-magnetocentrifugally driven winds. We find that if magnetars are born rapidly rotating, with initial spin periods (P) of ~1 ms, then of order 1051-1052 ergs of rotational energy can be extracted in ~10 s. If magnetars are born slowly rotating (P 10 ms), they can spin down to periods of ~1 s on the Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale.
End-of-Life Care of the Geriatric Surgical Patient

Providing end-of-life care is a necessity for nearly all health care providers and especially those in surgical fields. Most surgical practices will involve caring for geriatric patients and those with life-threatening or terminal illnesses where discussions about end-of-life decision making and goals of care are essential. Understanding the differences between do not resuscitate (DNR), palliative care, hospice care, and symptom management in patients at the end of life is a critical skill set.
The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire in depression: State versus trait issues

The goal of our study was to examine the stability over time of the personality measures defined by Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) in patients with major depression. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 63 outpatients who had participated in one of three double-blind antidepressant trials. All subjects had completed the TPQ upon entry and upon termination of the 12-week trials. Statistically significant decrements in harm avoidance scores were observed in those subjects whose depression improved, regardless of gender or duration of presenting depressive episode. No significant changes were observed in the other two dimensions (novelty seeking and reward dependence). Nonresponders as a group had no statistically significant decreases in any TPQ dimension or subscales. While novelty seeking and reward dependence remain relatively independent of mood, harm avoidance appears to be a measure which is elevated during depressive states and which changes with improvement of depression. These findings are consistent with those of other investigators.
Representations of certain generalized Schur algebras

This paper studies semigroup algebras A over a domain R for a certain family of semigroups which includes the symmetric groups, the full-transformation semigroups, and the rook semigroups. For each algebra A an A-module M on which A acts is introduced and an algebra B is defined as the commuting algebra of A acting on M. It is shown that A is also the commuting algebra of B acting on M. When A is a symmetric group algebra R[Sr], B is the corresponding Schur algebra SR(r,r). The representation theory of the semigroup algebras A is well known. This paper analyzes the irreducible representations of the B algebras. In many cases, including the symmetric group, full-transformation semigroup, and rook semigroup cases, a complete set of inequivalent irreducible representations of the B algebra is obtained. In particular, this gives what appears to be a new description of a complete set of irreducible representations for the Schur algebra SR(r,r).
Informed Consent of Living Kidney Donors: Pitfalls and Best Practice

Informed consent is clearly considered the ethical bedrock fundamental to living organ donation, a procedure lacking medical benefits for its participants. Recent guidelines have focused on strengthening content components of living kidney donor informed consent, including Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policies that prescribe key components, and integration of the Independent Living Donor Advocate (ILDA), as mandated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the OPTN/UNOS. The European Union member states’ Working Group on Living Donation provided recommendations for care standardization in the “Toolbox Living Kidney Donation,” including integration of an independent clinician advocate. However, even with these changes, studies suggest inconsistency in informed consent elements across transplant programs, and retrospective studies show that although the vast majority of living donors (LDs) reflect back positively on the experience of donation, some describe lacking complete knowledge of risks (or process) before donation. Processes to assure achievement of informed consent remain in the purview of individual transplant centers to implement and measure. Herein, methods to assess prospective LD intentionality, voluntariness, and understanding of risks/benefits are described, with promising techniques highlighted and recommendations for best practice outlined. Specific clinical challenges are addressed, including ambivalence, risk of secondary gain, and difficulty integrating understanding of risks. Finally, additional content elements are proposed to improve validity of informed consent in specific clinical circumstances.
Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly: recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis, risk factors, comorbidities and risk–benefit of treatments

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases in incidence and prevalence with age, with a peak in the sixth decade of life. Elderly onset RA (EORA) may be genetically different from younger onset RA, and with immune dysfunction associated with aging, environmental factors may also influence EORA onset. Smoking, periodontitis and viral infections are examples of environmental factors that have been shown to be associated with development of EORA, and even hormonal changes with menopause may be a source of RA activation in older patients. EORA can be distinguished from polymyalgia rheumatica, inflammatory hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis by rheumatoid factor or anticitrullinated protein antibodies. Comorbidities influence treatment risk–benefit and require proactive management; these include arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, GI tract conditions, lung disease, renal disease or malignancies, as well as susceptibility to infection. As inclusion of older RA patients is lower in clinic...
Fold-specific substitution matrices for protein classification

Motivation: Methods that focus on secondary structures, such as Position Specific Scoring Matrices and Hidden Markov Models, have proved useful for assigning proteins to families. However, for assigning proteins to an attribute class within a family these methods may introduce more free parameters than are needed. There are fewer members and there is less variability among sequences within a family. We describe a method for organizing proteins in a family that exhibits up to an order of magnitude reduction in the number of parameters. The basis is the log odds ratio commonly used to measure similarity. We adapt this to characterize the sequence dissimilarities that give rise to attribute differentiation. This leads to the definition of Class Attribute Substitution Matrices (CLASSUM), a dual of the BLOSUM. Results: The method was applied to classify sequences hierarchically in the lambda and kappa subgroups of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Positions conferring class were identified based on the degree of amino acid variability at a position. The CLASSUM computed for these positions classified better than 90% of test data correctly compared with 35--50% for BLOSUM-62. The expected value for a random matrix is 14%. The results suggest that family-specific data-derived substitution matrices can improve the resolution of automated methods that use generic substitution matrices for searching for and classifying proteins.
Lipidoid Nanoparticles for siRNA Delivery to the Intestinal Epithelium: In Vitro Investigations in a Caco-2 Model

Short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) therapeutics show promise for the treatment of intestinal diseases by specifically suppressing the expression of disease relevant proteins. Recently, a class of lipid-like materials termed “lipidoids” have been shown to potently deliver siRNA to the liver and immune cells. Here, we seek to establish the utility of lipidoid nanoparticles (LNPs) in the context of siRNA delivery to the intestinal epithelium. Initial studies demonstrated that the siRNA-loaded LNPs mediated potent, dose dependent, and durable gene silencing in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, with a single 10 nM dose depressing GAPDH mRNA expression for one week. Transfection with siRNA-loaded LNPs did not induce significant cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells or alter intestinal barrier function. Protein silencing was confirmed by Western blotting, with the lowest levels of GAPDH protein expression observed five days post-transfection. Together, these data underscore the potential of LNPs for the treatment of intestinal disorders.
Agenda‐setting in the European community

Abstract All political systems must have a means of deciding which issues to consider and which should be left alone. Further, governments must decide what particular conception of the policy they will consider, given that there are often several alternatives. The European Community is no different but has a number of characteristics that influence the manner in which agenda‐setting occurs. The fundamental argument of this paper is that these characteristics permit the EC to consider a wider range of policies and policy alternatives than might an individual nation state. The principal factors discussed are the fragmentation of the policy‐making system, the presence of a number of influential policy advocates, and the availability of a range of alternatives from member nations. This apparent ability to search for superior alternatives is in contrast to negative characterizations of the implementation in the EC.
The Postclassic Occupation at Otumba: A chronological assessment

The Aztec city-state of Otumba is the focus of a long-term project of archaeological investigation. Analysis of surface and excavated ceramics and obsidian-hydration dates for the capital—Otumba—indicate a dispersed Mazapan occupation, a scattered early Aztec (Aztec II) occupation, and an intense Late Aztec (Aztec III) and Early Colonial (Aztec III/IV) occupation. In the paper we incorporate recent radiocarbon dates to refine the local late Postclassic chronology. A cluster of hydration dates suggests the early (Mazapan) occupation starts ca. a.d. 900. Aztec II ceramics, which are widely distributed in surface artifact collections, may begin as early as a.d. 1200 and continue until a.d. 1400, overlapping Aztec III ceramics, which we have dated from a.d. 1350 ± 50 to 1521 and later. Otumba continued to have a substantial occupation until ca. a.d. 1600/1620 in the early seventeenth century, when most of the Aztec town was abandoned.
Motivational influences on response inhibition measures

Psychological research has placed great emphasis on inhibitory control due to its integral role in normal cognition and clinical disorders. The stop-signal task and associated measure--stop-signal reaction time (SSRT)--provides a well-established paradigm for measuring response inhibition. However, motivational influences on stop-signal performance and SSRT have not been examined. We conceptualize the stop-signal paradigm as a decision-making task involving the trade-off between fast responding and accurate inhibition. In 4 experiments, we demonstrate that performance trade-offs are influenced by inherent motivational biases and explicit strategic control. As a result, SSRT was lower when participants favored correct stopping over fast responding than when the same participants favored fast responding over correct stopping. We present a novel variant of the stop-signal task that uses monetary incentives to manipulate motivated speed-accuracy trade-offs. By sampling performance at multiple-trade-off settings, we obtain a measure of inhibitory ability that is independent of trade-off bias, and thus, more easily interpretable when comparing across participants. We present a working theoretical model to explain the effects of motivational context on response inhibition.