cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anatomy of the male genital ducts in the fowl

The epididymis in the male bird consists of the rete testis, ductuli efferentia, and epididymal tubules. The rete testis is lined with cuboidal epithelium not resting on a basement membrane. When distended with sperm the epithelium appears squamous-like. The tubuli efferentia are lined for the most part with pseudostratied ciliated columnar epithelium resting on a basement membrane. The epithelium is thrown into permanent longitudinal ridges. The epididymal tubules are lined with ciliated columnar epithelium resting on a bastment membrane. The three types of genital ducts are intermingled to some extent, but maintain a definite sequence in their connection with one another. The rete testis drains into the tubuli efferentia, and the latter into the epididymal tubules. These drain into the vas deferens.
Rate-Dependent Temperature Increases in Shear Bands of a Bulk-Metallic Glass

Using an infrared (IR) camera, we observed in situ the dynamical shear-banding processes of the geometrically constrained specimens of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass in a quasi-static compression at various strain rates, measured the temperature evolutions within the specimens, and calculated the temperature increases in shear bands. Strain-rate-dependent serrated plastic flow is a result of shear-banding operations. The average temperature increases in the specimens are observed during the plastic deformation and their magnitudes are strain rate dependent. The temperature increases in shear bands are related to strain rates. The higher the strain rates, the larger the temperature increases in a shear band. The shear strain in a shear band may be responsible for the strain-rate-dependent temperature increase in a shear band.
Classification algorithms using multiple MRI features in mild traumatic brain injury

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop an algorithm incorporating MRI metrics to classify patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and controls. Methods: This was an institutional review board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant prospective study. We recruited patients with mTBI and healthy controls through the emergency department and general population. We acquired data on a 3.0T Siemens Trio magnet including conventional brain imaging, resting-state fMRI, diffusion-weighted imaging, and magnetic field correlation (MFC), and performed multifeature analysis using the following MRI metrics: mean kurtosis (MK) of thalamus, MFC of thalamus and frontal white matter, thalamocortical resting-state networks, and 5 regional gray matter and white matter volumes including the anterior cingulum and left frontal and temporal poles. Feature selection was performed using minimal-redundancy maximal-relevance. We used classifiers including support vector machine, naive Bayesian, Bayesian network, radial basis network, and multilayer perceptron to test maximal accuracy. Results: We studied 24 patients with mTBI and 26 controls. Best single-feature classification uses thalamic MK yielding 74% accuracy. Multifeature analysis yields 80% accuracy using the full feature set, and up to 86% accuracy using minimal-redundancy maximal-relevance feature selection (MK thalamus, right anterior cingulate volume, thalamic thickness, thalamocortical resting-state network, thalamic microscopic MFC, and sex). Conclusion: Multifeature analysis using diffusion-weighted imaging, MFC, fMRI, and volumetrics may aid in the classification of patients with mTBI compared with controls based on optimal feature selection and classification methods. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that classification algorithms using multiple MRI features accurately identifies patients with mTBI as defined by American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine criteria compared with healthy controls.
Analysis of the fluctuating patterns of microbial counts in frozen industrial food products

Sequences of industrial microbial counts of frozen apple concentrate, ground beef, carrots and ice cream (two flavors), which included standard plate count (SPC), yeast/molds, coliforms and in beef potential pathogens all had very irregular flactuating patterns. In almost all the cases the fluctuations were independent, i.e. they had no significant autocorrelation for any lag. All the counts were considered as having a lognormal distribution as a first order approximation and its parameters were used to estimate the frequencies of future events where the counts exceed predetermined levels. Comparison of the estimates with the actually observed frequencies in fresh data sets showed that they were in reasonable agreement. That the same general probabilistic model was applicable to very different microbial populations types in four very different kinds of frozen foods suggests that the irregular fluctuating pattern of the counts is a manifestation of the interplay of many factors, some partly or fully unknown, whose effect varies randomly. Usually they roughly balance one another and the fluctuations remain within a characteristic range. But there is a probability, which can be estimated, that many of these factors will act in unison creating an event of an unusually high (or low) count. Therefore, the irregular fluctuating pattern of the counts should not be considered as a noise to be smoothed or discarded, but as a useful source of information, and the basis for quantitative predictions.
Synthesis of Path-Generating Mechanisms by Numerical Methods

Algebraic methods in kinematic synthesis are extended to cases in which the development of iterative numerical procedures are required. Algorithms are developed for the numerical solution of nonlinear, simultaneous, algebraic equations. Convergence is obtained without the need for a “good” initial approximation. The theory is applied to the nine-point path synthesis of geared five-bar motion, in terms of which four-bar motion may be considered as a special case.
SU(15) grand unification.

A grand unified model based on SU(15) is described. Baryon-numbe-violating processes such as proton decay are absent in both the gauge and Higgs sectors. A number of new gauge bosons are predicted at Superconducting Super Collider energy, including doubly charged gauge bosons coupling only to leptons.
A Computer-Based System for Automated Quantitation of Neurologic Function

After developing, evaluating, and utilizing several generations of instrumented and coded neurologic function tests, we have designed a prototype minicomputer-based system that integrates a broad battery of tests into a clinically attractive console. The tests can be administered by a trained technician. Scoring, data analysis, storage, and retrieval are automated, providing the clinician with results expeditiously. In addition to a detailed description of the computer-automated system, we critically review corresponding alternate methods and devices developed in other laboratories. We also describe system design concepts, instrumentation techniques, test specifications, and software implementation/application features in detail.
Formation of DNA adducts in HL-60 cells treated with the toluene metabolite p-cresol: A potential biomarker for toluene exposure

Abstract We have examined DNA adduct formation in myeloperoxidase containing HL-60 cells treated with the toluene metabolite p- cresol. Treatment of HL-60 cells with the combination of p- cresol and H 2 O 2 produced four DNA adducts 1 : (75.0%), 2 : (9.1%), 3 : (7.0%) and 4 : (8.8%) and adduct levels ranging from 0.3 to 33.6×10 −7 . The levels of DNA adducts formed by p- cresol were dependent on concentrations of p- cresol, H 2 O 2 and treatment time. In vitro incubation of p- cresol with myeloperoxidase and H 2 O 2 produced three DNA adducts 1 : (40.5%), 2 : (28.4%) and 3 : (29.7%) with a relative adduct level of 0.7×10 −7 . The quinone methide derivative of p- cresol (PCQM) was prepared by Ag(I)O oxidation. Reaction of calf thymus DNA with PCQM produced four adducts 1 : (18.5%), 2 : (36.4%), 3 : (29.0%) and 5 : (16.0%) with a relative adduct level 1.6×10 −7 . Rechromatography analyses indicates that DNA adducts 1–3 formed in HL-60 cells treated with p- cresol and after myeloperoxidase activation of p- cresol were similar to those formed by reaction of DNA with PCQM. This observation suggests that p- cresol is activated to a quinone methide intermediate in each of these activation systems. Taken together, these results suggest PCQM is the reactive intermediate leading to the formation of DNA adducts in HL-60 cells treated with p- cresol. Furthermore, the DNA adducts formed by PCQM may provide a biomarker to assess occupational exposure to toluene.
Relationships among physiological and self-report responses produced by cocaine-related cues☆

In response to cocaine cues, 150 subjects with a history of cocaine abuse showed decreases in skin temperature and skin resistance and increases in heart rate and reported craving, high, and withdrawal responses. These responses were consistent across four years of data collection. Craving reports were not consistently associated with either high or withdrawal responses, and many subjects endorsed increases in both high and withdrawal states. Correlations revealed no pattern of association among physiological variables and responding did not differ between subjects who did and those who did not report increases in each of the drug states. Finally, physiological variables did not predict reported drug states in discriminant analyses. Cocaine cue reactivity cannot be easily related to a unitary state of high, withdrawal, or craving. It is suggested that future studies focus more on the prediction and measurement of treatment outcome than on the form of cue responses.
Measuring groundwater–surface water interaction and its effect on wetland stream benthic productivity, Trout Lake watershed, northern Wisconsin, USA

Measurements of groundwater–surface water exchange at three wetland stream sites were related to patterns in benthic productivity as part of the US Geological Survey’s Northern Temperate Lakes–Water, Energy and Biogeochemical Budgets (NTL–WEBB) project. The three sites included one high groundwater discharge (HGD) site, one weak groundwater discharge (WGD) site, and one groundwater recharge (GR) site. Large upward vertical gradients at the HGD site were associated with smallest variation in head below the stream and fewest gradient reversals between the stream and the groundwater beneath the stream, and the stream and the adjacent streambank. The WGD site had the highest number of gradient reversals reflecting the average condition being closest to zero vertical gradient. The duration of groundwater discharge events was related to the amount of discharge, where the HGD site had the longest strong-gradient durations for both horizontal and vertical groundwater flow. Strong groundwater discharge also controlled transient temperature and chemical hyporheic conditions by limiting the infiltration of surface water. Groundwater–surface water interactions were related to highly significant patterns in benthic invertebrate abundance, taxonomic richness, and periphyton respiration. The HGD site abundance was 35% greater than in the WGD site and 53% greater than the GR site; richness and periphyton respiration were also significantly greater (p%0.001, 31 and 44%, respectively) in the HGD site than in the GR site. The WGD site had greater abundance (27%), richness (19%) and periphyton respiration (39%) than the GR site. This work suggests groundwater–surface water interactions can strongly influence benthic productivity, thus emphasizing the importance of quantitative hydrology for management of wetland-stream ecosystems in the northern temperate regions. q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cement-based biocide coatings for controlling algal growth in water distribution canals

Abstract The germicidal effectiveness of various additives when blended within a microstructure of a cement based system was studied. The relationship between the chemical and physical characteristics of concrete surfaces and their ability to have an enhanced resistance to algal growth was documented through a novel set of laboratory and field testing. The main potential areas of application for these new cement composite systems involve the lining of canal surfaces where fixed-surface biocides are desirable to control biofouling. Different biocide formulations containing class F fly ash, silica fume, Zn oxide, copper slag, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, and cetyl-methyl-ammonium bromide were evaluated for the mitigation of algal growth on concrete surfaces. Mortar coupons treated with these formulations were tested under laboratory and field conditions. These new cement composite systems were compared with proprietary products that are commercially available and applied using a latex paint. Laboratory scale screening experiments showed that various concentrations of zinc oxide significantly inhibited algal growth even after nine months. It was observed that 20% zinc oxide in concrete produced optimal algal inhibition compared to other additives. Copper slag, ammonium chloride, sodium bromide, and fly ash, when added singly, also showed algal inhibition capabilities. Addition of zinc oxide and ammonium chloride (10% each) in mortar mix was as effective as expensive proprietary chemicals in reducing algal growth on concrete surfaces under laboratory and field conditions.
Power and delay optimal transmission scheduling small delay asymptotics

In this paper, we consider a model for transmission scheduling over a fading channel. In this model, data randomly arrives at a transmission buffer where it is held until it is encoded and transmitted over the fading channel. The transmitter can vary the transmission power and rate based on both the channel state and the buffer occupancy. we also focus on the behavior of the power/delay trade-off in the asymptotic regime of small delays.
Cardiac stem cell therapy for cardiac repair.

The discovery of adult cardiac stem cells (CSCs) and their potential to restore functional cardiac tissue has fueled unprecedented interest in recent years. Indeed, stem-cell–based therapies have the potential to transform the treatment and prognosis of heart failure, for they have the potential to eliminate the underlying cause of the disease by reconstituting the damaged heart with functional cardiac cells. Over the last decade, several independent laboratories have demonstrated the utility of c-kit+/Lin- resident CSCs in alleviating left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in animal models of acute and chronic myocardial infarction. Recently, the first clinical trial of autologous CSCs for treatment of heart failure resulting from ischemic heart disease (Stem Cell Infusion in Patients with Ischemic cardiOmyopathy [SCIPIO]) has been conducted, and the interim results are quite promising. In this phase I trial, no adverse effects attributable to the CSC treatment have been noted, and CSC-treated patients showed a significant improvement in ejection fraction at 1 year (+13.7 absolute units versus baseline), accompanied by a 30.2 % reduction in infarct size. Moreover, the CSC-induced enhancement in cardiac structure and function was associated with a significant improvement in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and in the quality of life, as measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart failure Questionnaire. These results are exciting and warrant larger, phase II studies. However, CSC therapy for cardiac repair is still in its infancy, and many hurdles need to be overcome to further enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CSCs.
Nicotine induces chromatin remodelling through decreases in the methyltransferases GLP, G9a, Setdb1 and levels of H3K9me2

Studies examining the epigenetic effects of nicotine are limited, but indicate that nicotine can promote a transcriptionally permissive chromatin environment by increasing acetylation of histone H3 and H4. To further explore nicotine-induced histone modifications, we measured histone methyltransferase (HMT) mRNA expression as well as total and promoter-specific H3K9me2 levels. Following administration of nicotine, HMT mRNA and H3K9me2 levels were examined in mouse primary cortical neuronal culture and cortex extracted from mice injected intraperitoneally, as well as in human lymphocyte culture. Furthermore, Bdnf/BDNF mRNA levels were examined as an epigenetically regulated read-out of gene expression. There was a significant decrease of the HMT GLP, G9a and Setdb1 mRNA expression in the nicotine-treated tissue examined, with significant decreases seen in both total and promoter-specific H3K9me2 levels. Increasing doses of nicotine resulted in significant decreases in Bdnf/BDNF promoter specific H3K9me2 binding, leading to enhanced Bdnf/BDNF transcription. Taken together, our data suggest that nicotine reduces markers of a restrictive epigenomic state, thereby leading to a more permissive epigenomic environment.
Cancer Surveillance of Veterans in Massachusetts, USA, 1982–1988

This surveillance study is a follow-up to previous findings of elevated soft tissue sarcoma mortality in Massachusetts Vietnam veterans compared to other veterans. The roster of veterans was compiled from Massachusetts residents who received a state bonus for military service in the period 1958-1973. This computerized list was linked to the central files of the Massachusetts Cancer Registry and cases diagnosed between 1982 and 1988 were identified. Odds ratios (ORs) for several cancer sites were computed; only that for soft tissue sarcoma incidence was significantly elevated in Vietnam veterans compared to other veterans (OR = 3.08; 95% confidence interval: (CI) 1.07-8.73). Kaposi's sarcoma cases who were also AIDS patients were excluded from the analysis. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was also investigated but was not significantly elevated in these surveillance data. Sources of bias are discussed and recommendations for continued surveillance and follow-up studies are made.
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. 2011.

This report not only provides a veritable treasure trove of national and international data concerning breastfeeding rates, benefits, and barriers, it also carefully and deliberately enlists the aid of all sectors of U.S. society in realizing more effective national breastfeeding policies and implementation steps. Of particular importance to nutrition researchers are the action items that emphasize the need for improved and expanded breastfeeding-related research and surveillance. Indeed, as stated in the document: “Increasing the number of scientists properly trained to study breastfeeding could allow both current and new researchers to design and carry out scientifically sound and rigorous studies on breastfeeding topics.” These federally-sanctioned statements, goals, and strategies may prove invaluable to advancing evidence-based research in the discipline and should be of great interest to all researchers and clinicians in the fields of human milk, lactation, and maternal/infant health.
Complete Revascularization in Contemporary Practice

In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the pathophysiological process is not limited to a single coronary lesion but involves the entire coronary tree, with 30% to 60% patients presenting with multiple significant coronary lesions, with significant increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.1,2 In the Predictors of Events in the Coronary Tree trial, patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), major adverse cardiovascular events occurring during follow-up were equally attributable to recurrence at the site of culprit lesions and to nonculprit lesions, which were frequently angiographically mild.3 In contrast, in the COURAGE trial in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) on optimal medical therapy, the only angiographic predictor of future ACS was the number of lesions originally ≥50% that had not been revascularized.4 The above studies attest to the importance of both angiographically significant lesions as well as angiographically mild lesions on future events. These studies highlight the importance of a multipronged approach with the use of evidence-based aggressive medical management (to prevent progression of angiographically mild and also significant CAD), as well as judicious use of optimal revascularization strategies. Several surgical studies have shown that incomplete revascularization in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery has worse prognosis with higher mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and more angina.5–7 As a result, complete anatomic revascularization has become the standard of treatment for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The concept has been adapted by interventionalist to patients undergoing PCI with several studies (nonrandomized), including an analysis from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes trial8 showing substantial increase in cardiovascular events with incomplete revascularization. Similarly, in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy trial of patients with nonST-segment elevation ACS, incomplete revascularization …
Deciphering the Neural and Molecular Mechanisms of C. elegans Behavior

Because of its small and well-characterized nervous system and amenability to genetic manipulation, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers the promise of understanding the mechanisms underlying a whole animal's behavior at the molecular and cellular levels. In fact, this goal was a primary motivation behind the development of C. elegans as an experimental organism 40 years ago. Yet it has proven surprisingly difficult to obtain a mechanistic understanding of how the C. elegans nervous system generates behavior, despite the existence of a 'wiring diagram' that contains a degree of information about neural connectivity unparalleled in any organism. This review describes three types of information--molecular data on cellular neurochemistry, temporal information about neural activity patterns, and behavioral data on the consequences of neural ablation and manipulation--that, along with genetic analysis, may ultimately lead to a complete functional map of the C. elegans nervous system.
On nonlinear controllability of homogeneous systems linear in control

This paper considers small-time local controllability (STLC) of single- and multiple-input systems, x/spl dot/=f/sub 0/(x)+/spl Sigma//sub i=1//sup m/f/sub i/u/sub i/ where f/sub 0/(x) contains homogeneous polynomials and f/sub 1/,...,f/sub m/ are constant vector fields. For single-input systems, it is shown that even-degree homogeneity precludes STLC if the state dimension is larger than one. This, along with the obvious result that for odd-degree homogeneous systems STLC is equivalent to accessibility, provides a complete characterization of STLC for this class of systems. In the multiple-input case, transformations on the input space are applied to homogeneous systems of degree two, an example of this type of system being motion of a rigid-body in a plane. Such input transformations are related via consideration of a tensor on the tangent space to congruence transformation of a matrix to one with zeros on the diagonal. Conditions are given for successful neutralization of bad type (1,2) brackets via congruence transformations.
An Integrated Tool for Rapid Prototyping of Electronic Circuits Using a Laser Direct Write Technique

A laser-based tool has been developed for the fabrication of electronic circuits. The tool integrates three separate functions on a single platform. These functions are deposition, laser processing, and laser micromachining. Deposition is accomplished by dispersing a target material in a thin layer over a transparent backing layer, holding the target material in close proximity to a receiving substrate, and irradiating the target material from behind with a short pulse UV laser. The UV pulse vaporizes a small amount of the material at the material/backing interface, thereby propelling the remainder of the target material toward the receiving substrate. Patterning is achieved either by translating the receiving substrate, scanning the laser beam, or a combination of the two. After transfer, most materials require some thermal processing: either oven baking or laser sintering. Fabricated circuits have included conductors (Ag, AgPd, AgPt, Cu), resistors (cermet and polymer thick film), and dielectrics (ceramic and polymer thick film). These materials have been patterned with feature sizes as small as 10 m and linear write speeds as high as 1 meter per second. The tool includes an integrated, near IR laser which can be operated both CW and pulsed for thermal processing. Laser sintering of metals, cermet resistors, and ceramic dielectrics has been demonstrated on low temperature, polymer substrates. The localized heating achievable with the laser allows the sintering or annealing of high temperature materials without damaging the underlying substrate. The tool includes a complete, state-of-the-art laser micromachining system, capable of milling recesses, drilling vias, trimming components, and excising circuits. No masks or phototools are required. No photoresists or wet chemistries are needed. The tool does not require a clean room environment. The combined functionality and speed result in a flexible and powerful tool for the rapid prototyping of circuits, and potentially, small scale production.
Lower bounds for random 3-SAT via differential equations

It is widely believed that the probability of satisfiability for random k-SAT formulae exhibits a sharp threshold as a function of their clauses-to-variables ratio. For the most studied case, k= 3, there have been a number of results during the last decade providing upper and lower bounds for the threshold's potential location. All lower bounds in this vein have been algorithmic, i.e., in each case a particular algorithm was shown to satisfy random instances of 3-SAT with probability 1- o(1) if the clauses-to-variables ratio is below a certain value. We show how differential equations can serve as a generic tool for analyzing such algorithms by rederiving most of the known lower bounds for random 3-SAT in a simple, uniform manner.
Orientation of Colorado potato beetle to natural and synthetic blends of volatiles emitted by potato plants.

Summary 1 Behavioural responses of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), to volatiles emitted from solanaceous host plants (potato and tomato), a non-host legume (soybean), and 13 synthetic blends or three individual chemicals emitted by potato plants were investigated in laboratory bioassays. 2 Both male and female CPB were attracted to volatiles emitted by mechanically damaged potato foliage, but not to mechanically damaged tomato foliage; CPB offered a choice between the two damaged solanaceous plants did not show a preference. 3 Among 16 odourous blends or individual chemical components of potato plant emissions tested, six blends were attractive, two were repellent, and eight elicited no preference in laboratory bioassays. Volatile blends containing relatively high amounts of the green leaf volatiles (E)-2-hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, or the sesquiterpene β- caryophyllene, were unattractive or repellent. Minimal blends attractive to CPB were comprised of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (±)-linalool and methyl salicylate: the combination of all three chemicals elicited sexually dimorphic attraction of males; two component blends comprised of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and either (±)-linalool and methyl salicylate attracted both sexes. Individual compounds were inactive. No significant difference was noted between two attractive blends, or an attractive synthetic blend vs. mechanically damaged potato foliage. 4 These results show that CPB are attracted to blends of specific chemicals emitted by their host plants and provide a basis for the use of plant attractants as a component of integrated management of pestiferous populations.
Self-Definition in Thought Action, and Life Path Choices

Self-definition, a personality style associated with internally developed identity and behavior is differentiated from social definition, the tendency to adopt social category definitions of self. These personality patterns, sampled in imaginative thought, were related to plans, actions, rationales, and life outcomes both cross-sectionally and longitudinally over 14 years in a sample of 118 women first studied as college seniors. Self-defining women showed more autonomy in relation to personal relationships and the traditional female role, took more instrumental initiatives, sought excellence in multiple roles with less role conflict, and took more social system initiatives (starting and leading organizations and goal-oriented family-formation activities). Socially defined women chose more traditionally female careers initially, reported more career goal indecision and compromises, changed to more role-innovative careers, reported more role conflict, and gave more social rationales for actions.
The influence of ionizing radiations on the penetration of sodium into the central nervous system.

Abstract High doses of irradiation are required to produce definite morphological changes in the central nervous system. The present experiment was conducted to see if functional derangements occur after comparatively small amount of ionizing radiations. Tracer studies with intravenously injected radioactive sodium were performed on rabbits to determine the rate and degree of sodium penetration into the cerebro-spinal fluid and brain. Other groups of rabbits were given large doses of Na24 or 100 to 1500 r of total body X-irradiation (followed by tracer doses of Na24 at varying intervals) to study the possible effects of such irradiation. The data obtained showed an accelerated penetration of sodium into the CNS under these conditions, as well as an apparent increase in radio-sodium content in the CNS when compared with the control group. Histological changes were minimal at the highest dosage levels employed. The significance and possible applications of these findings are discussed.
Power: Harnessing the wind: New schemes may provide solutions to the age-old problem of building efficient wind machines

Discusses new schemes which provide solutions to the age-old problem of building efficient wind machines for electrical power generation.
Harm reduction — a historical view from the trenches

Friedman et al., (2001) provide us with an overview of harm reduction from a left wing political perspective. While their paper will likely be of considerable interest to those of similar political persuasion, I was struck by the fact that it did not ring a very deep or resonant cord in relation to my own experience or way of looking at the field. This despite the fact that harm reduction has been a central theme in much of my thirtyodd year career immersed in drug use scenes and in researching drug use and abuse. The authors’ depiction of harm reduction as a vehicle to ‘‘promulgate policies’’ rather than primarily as a way to save lives or at least to improve the health of those receiving intervention services seems to me a misplaced emphasis on means rather than ends. Further, though they acknowledge that ‘‘working with workers and other ‘forces of general social unrest’ still are marginal within the harm reduction movement,’’ they go on to encourage this but fail to persuade me that this is a particularly important or desirable direction to move. The extent to which this will be the case for other readers is, of course, unknown. But, the fact that there are divergent opinions and ideologies in the field may be indicative of its growth and maturation over the years. Independent roots do converge to nourish the same tree. In this spirit, I will explore below an alternative frame of reference derivative of my own experience in the hope that it encourages others to do the same and that, in so doing, enrich the field as a whole. My personal introduction into the world of drugs coincided with the onset of the youth counter-cultural rebellion in the 1960s. This era had its own, drug-influenced, origins in the literature of Jack Kerouac, Allan Ginsberg and William S. Burrows; the stinging comedy of Lenny Bruce, and the often-dissonant notes of improvisational jazz music. Yet these merely set the stage for what was to be a mass social movement with profound implications for the future. In rejecting much of the status quo and embracing the use of illicit intoxicants to achieve altered states of consciousness, a subset of 1960s youth drove a wedge between themselves and older generations which rapidly spread throughout much of the western world. E-mail address: drugs@uic.edu (W. Wiebel).
16S rRNA is bound to era of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Era is an essential membrane-associated GTPase that is present in bacteria and mycoplasmas. Era appears to play an important role in the regulation of the bacterial cell cycle. In this study, we expressed the native and glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae Era in Escherichia coli and purified both proteins to homogeneity. We showed that RNA was copurified with the GST-Era protein of S. pneumoniae during affinity purification and remained associated with the protein after removal of the GST tag by thrombin cleavage. The thrombin-treated and untreated GST-Era proteins could bind and hydrolyze GTP and exhibited similar kinetic properties (dissociation constant [kD], Km, and Vmax). However, the native Era protein purified by using different chromatographic columns had a much lower GTPase activity than did GST-Era, although it had a similar kD. In addition, RNA was not associated with the protein. Purified GST-Era protein was shown to be present as high (600-kDa)- and low (120-kDa)-molecular-mass forms. The high-molecular-mass form of GST-Era was associated with RNA and exhibited a very high GTPase activity. Approximately 40% of purified GST-Era protein was associated with RNA, and removal of the RNA resulted in a significant reduction in GTPase activity. The RNA associated with GST-Era was shown to be predominantly 16S rRNA. The native Era protein isolated directly from S. pneumoniae was also present as a high-molecular-mass species (600 kDa) complexed with RNA. Together, our results suggest that 16S rRNA is associated with Era and might stimulate its GTPase activity.
Neuropeptide FF in the VTA blocks the analgesic effects of both intra-VTA morphine and exposure to stress.

It has been shown previously that i.c.v. administration of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) attenuates the analgesic effects of exogeneous and endogeneous opioids. Here, we report that intra-ventral tegmental area (VTA) NPFF pre-treatment blocks the analgesia induced by either intra-VTA morphine or exposure to footshock stress in the formalin test for tonic pain. These findings suggest that NPFF in the VTA may play an adaptive role in regulating the response to stress.
Performance tradeoffs in multithreaded processors

An analytical performance model for multithreaded processors that includes cache interference, network contention, context-switching overhead, and data-sharing effects is presented. The model is validated through the author's simulations and by comparison with previously published simulation results. The results indicate that processors can substantially benefit from multithreading, even in systems with small caches, provided sufficient network bandwidth exists. Caches that are much larger than the working-set sizes of individual processes yield close to full processor utilization with as few as two to four contexts. Smaller caches require more contexts to keep the processor busy, while caches that are comparable in size to the working-sets of individual processes cannot achieve a high utilization regardless of the number of contexts. Increased network contention due to multithreading has a major effect on performance. The available network bandwidth and the context-switching overhead limits the best possible utilization. >
A case study of oppressed group behavior in nurses.

This article draws on data collected in West Germany on the relationship of the social, political and economic context and the conceptualization, implementation and subsequent discontinuation of an experimental nursing program at the Free University of Berlin (FUB) in the early 1980s. Paulo Freire's model of oppressed group behavior is used as a lens through which to make sense of the behavior of West German nurses. Examples of oppressed group behavior, oppressor behavior, myths used to subjugate the oppressed, and a “banking concept” of education are given. The characteristics of a nursing education that is “freeing,” that leads to the development of critical consciousness, are outlined.
Photoelectric K -Absorption Cross Section of Lithium

Abstract : The photoelectric absorption cross section of metallic lithium has been measured in the spectral region extending from 80 to 280 angstroms. The wavelength dependence deduced from the present experiment is in general agreement with that re ported by previous investigators. A more refined technique has made it possible to determine the absolute value of the cross section. Theoretical calculations of the atomic cross section have also been carried out and the results compare favorably with observations. All the measure ments were obtained with the use of a grazing incidence spectrometer which was provided with a specially designed auxiliary vacuum system in which the reactive samples were prepared and then transferred to the spectrometer chamber. Thus, the absorption measurements were carried out with a minimum of contamination risk. The surface densities of the thin absorbing films used were determined by observing the change in the resonant frequency of a quartz crystal as lithium vapor was condensed onto it. Spectrograms were obtained for different values of the surface density. The internal agreement of these results provided an indication of the consistency of the crystal monitor. The cross section reached a maximum of 2.60=0.3 mb at an incident photon wave length of 193 (the K edge of metallic lithium falls at 227.) (Author)
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast.

: Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast is the most favorable presentation of breast cancer; therefore appropriate local treatment is imperative. Intraductal carcinoma is being diagnosed more frequently with the increasing use of screening mammography. A number of pathologic features have been identified which are useful for classification and for prognostic information. In addition, the molecular pathology and its relationship to tumor behavior and prognosis is becoming more well understood. The role of axillary dissection has been examined in a number of series and is generally agreed to be unnecessary for this presentation of breast cancer, allowing many women to avoid the sequela of axillary surgery. This review discusses the use of breast conservation treatment and the evolving indications for excision alone in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ. The outcomes for breast conservation therapy from both randomized trials and institutional series have confirmed excellent survival rates. Salvage therapy for local recurrence is frequently successful, resulting in nearly equivalent survivals in women undergoing breast conservation therapy compared to mastectomy. In addition, intriguing but preliminary results from both breast cancer prevention studies and trials looking at the use of tamoxifen for intraductal cancer suggest a local control benefit in women using the drug.
Noninvasive optical imaging of staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection in living mice using a Bis-dipicolylamine-Zinc(II) affinity group conjugated to a near-infrared fluorophore.

Optical imaging of bacterial infection in living animals is usually conducted with genetic reporters such as light-emitting enzymes or fluorescent proteins. However, there are many circumstances where genetic reporters are not applicable, and there is a need for exogenous synthetic probes that can selectively target bacteria. The focus of this study is a fluorescent imaging probe that is composed of a bacterial affinity group conjugated to a near-infrared dye. The affinity group is a synthetic zinc (II) coordination complex that targets the anionic surfaces of bacterial cells. The probe allows detection of Staphylococcus aureus infection (5 × 107 cells) in a mouse leg infection model using whole animal near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Region of interest analysis showed that the signal ratio for infected leg to uninfected leg reaches 3.9 ± 0.5 at 21 h postinjection of the probe. Ex vivo imaging of the organs produced a signal ratio of 8 for infected to uninfected leg. Immunohistochemical analysis confir...
Tau binds to lipid membrane surfaces via short amphipathic helices located in its microtubule-binding repeats.

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that is genetically linked to dementia and linked to Alzheimer’s disease via its presence in intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangle deposits, where it takes the form of aggregated paired helical and straight filaments. Although the precise mechanisms by which tau contributes to neurodegeneration remain unclear, tau aggregation is commonly considered to be a critical component of tau-mediated pathogenicity. Nevertheless, the context in which tau aggregation begins in vivo is unknown. Tau is enriched in membrane-rich neuronal structures such as axons and growth cones, and can interact with membranes both via intermediary proteins and directly via its microtubule-binding domain (MBD). Membranes efficiently facilitate tau aggregation in vitro, and may therefore provide a physiologically relevant context for nucleating tau aggregation in vivo. Furthermore, tau-membrane interactions may potentially play a role in tau’s poorly understood normal physiological functions. Despite the potential importance of direct tau-membrane interactions for tau pathology and physiology, the structural mechanisms that underlie such interactions remain to be elucidated. Here, we employ electron spin resonance spectroscopy to investigate the secondary and long-range structural properties of the MBD of three-repeat tau isoforms when bound to lipid vesicles and membrane mimetics. We show that the membrane interactions of the tau MBD are mediated by short amphipathic helices formed within each of the MBD repeats in the membrane-bound state. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed elucidation of helical tau structure in the context of intact lipid bilayers. We further show, for the first time (to our knowledge), that these individual helical regions behave as independent membrane-binding sites linked by flexible connecting regions. These results represent the first (to our knowledge) detailed structural view of membrane-bound tau and provide insights into potential mechanisms for membrane-mediated tau aggregation. Furthermore, the results may have implications for the structural basis of tau-microtubule interactions and microtubule-mediated tau aggregation.
EVIDENCE FOR MAINTENANCE OF SEX BY PATHOGENS IN PLANTS

The predominance of outcrossing despite the substantial transmission advantage of self-fertilization remains a paradox. Theory suggests that selection can favor outcrossing if it enables the production of offspring that are less susceptible to pathogen attack than offspring produced via self-fertilization. Thus, if pathogen pressure is contributing to the maintenance of outcrossing in plants, there may be a positive correlation between the number of pathogen species attacking plant species and the outcrossing rate of the plant species. We tested this hypothesis by examining the association between outcrossing rate and the number of fungal pathogen species that attack a large, taxonomically diverse set of seed plants. We show that plant species attacked by more fungal pathogen species have higher outcrossing rates than plants with fewer enemies. This relationship persists after correcting for study bias among natural and agricultural species of plants. We also accounted for the nested hierarchy of relationships among plant lineages by conducting phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs) within genera and families that were adequately represented in our dataset. A meta-analysis of the correlation between pathogen and outcrossing PICs shows that there is a positive correlation between pathogen species number and outcrossing rates. This pattern is consistent with the hypothesis that pathogen-mediated selection may contribute to the maintenance of outcrossing in species of seed plants.
Stakeholder Conflicts and Cash Flow Shocks: Evidence from Changes in ERISA Pension Accounting Rules

Trade groups and pension plan sponsors argue that pension obligations constrict investment and lead to economic inefficiencies. In 2012, Congress passed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (“MAP-21”), which changed the ERISA pension accounting rules such that mandatory pension contributions decreased. I show that the existing ERISA pension accounting rules influence managerial behavior by showing that a large percentage of plans reside at pension funding statuses which avoid ERISA-related penalties, that firms are more likely to engage in actuarial changes to achieve these funding statuses, and that shareholders react favorably to MAP-21. Exploiting the rule change, my results suggest that recipients of pension funding relief increase shareholder payouts and hoard cash. These shareholder payouts are increasing in manager-shareholder alignment and decreasing in manager-labor alignment. While I do find evidence that immediate investment increases, it is concentrated in firms with deficient internal controls or governance systems that facilitate entrenchment.
Substance Abuse among Displaced and Indigenous Peoples

On nearly every landmass of the earth there are indigenous peoples who have been displaced from what were once their native lands. Some have been relocated to designated reservations, often in isolated and resource-poor areas. Others have been dispersed into remote wilderness. Sometimes attempts have been made to exterminate them, or to strip away their native culture and assimilate them. Some populations have been removed from their homeland altogether, deported to foreign soil as prisoners or slaves. These displaced peoples are as diverse as humanity can be: the Maori of New Zealand, the Eskimos and Athabascans of Alaska, the black and colored peoples of South Africa, the Aboriginal people of Australia, African-Americans, Native Hawaiians, the Indians north and south of America’s Rio Grande.