cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship of the factor V Leiden mutation or the deletion-deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme to postoperative thromboembolic events following total joint arthroplasty

Background Although all patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty are subjected to similar risk factors that predispose to thromboembolism, only a subset of patients develop this complication. The objective of this study was to determine whether a specific genetic profile is associated with a higher risk of developing a postoperative thromboembolic complication. Specifically, we examined if the Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation or the deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene increased a patient's risk for postoperative thromboembolic events. The FVL mutation has been associated with an increased risk of idiopathic thromboembolism and the deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene has been associated with increased vascular tone, attenuated fibrinolysis and increased platelet aggregation.
Commentary on clinical review: the surgical treatment of idiopathic pseudotumour cerebri, by Paul Brazis.

Dr Brazis has written a review of the literature on the clinical manifestations of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, possible associated venous hypertension and intracranial dural venous sinus abnormalities, and a brief discussion of medical and surgical therapies. The preferred terminology for this condition is idiopathic intracranial hypertension, but pseudotumour cerebri is so engrained in the literature that it stubbornly remains (1). The manuscript covers the literature well, and the information reviewed serves as an excellent reference source for interested readers. Unfortunately, Dr Brazis has noted the conflicting expert opinions regarding success, failure and complications for each of the surgical procedures, and, as a result, his summary discussion is barren of any algorithm of management, or even recommendations in approaching these difficult patients.
Postoperative Pathophysiology and Choice of Incision

In the few days following major surgical procedures, there are three main physiologic processes which are amenable to surgical management: restoration of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, management of pain, and attention to gastrointestinal function. New information regarding optimizing the management of these processes is presented, which may accelerate recovery and give improved comfort following abdominal surgery. The type of incision used seems not to be a major factor in such recovery.
La transformación política de México y los grémios cañeros del PRI

This article examines the dissolution of the post-revolutionary political pact, its implications for the new role assigned to the sugar-cane plantation workers' unions and the obstacles facing this transformation. Political confrontations and alliances constitute key factors in determining the final direction of the structural transformation, with data that suggest that the new regime is adept at using old political practices to institutionalize the new economic paradigm.
Post-secondary photonics lab: simplified portrait holography

Teaching photonics is greatly enlivened by demonstrations of practical holography. One of the more impressive varieties of display holography is the portrait hologram. However, the large number of complicated, time-consuming steps required to produce traditional portrait holograms makes it an unlikely process for demonstration and practice in a classroom laboratory environment. This paper presents a process for producing simple portrait holograms using the Denisyuk single-beam (Deep Hologram) method and a single stereoptic pair of images, which can be performed, start-to-finish, in a standard 3-hour lab period. Possibilities for expansion of the technique to larger numbers of images, potentially approaching the quality of multiple-image, master hologram-transfer hologram traditional portrait holography, as well as strategies for multiple and single beam illumination are discussed.
Levels in 72Ge populated by 72Ga

Abstract The radioactive decay of 72Ga has been investigated by means of Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors. The energies and intensities of 71 γ-rays have been determined from the γ-ray singles spectrum. Extensive γγ coincidence experiments were performed with two Ge(Li) detectors coupled to a two-parameter analyser. Internal conversion electron measurements were performed with a Si(Li) detector system. The electron-γ delayed coincidence experiments were carried out with an anthracene crystal and a 35 cm3 Ge(Li) detector. These extensive coincidence relationships were used to identify the levels of 72Ge populated by 72Ga with excited states at 691.2, 834.02, 1463.88, 1728.24, 2064.80, 2402.0, 2463.74, 2514.65, 2583.5, 2754.1, 2943.45, 3035.41, 3094.7, 3324.92, 3341.68, 3439.3, 3455.2, 3566.0, 3678.1, 3707.1, 3758.6 and 3815.4 keV. The β− feedings and the log ƒt values were calculated from the relative γ-ray intensities.
Acyl chain conformation and packing in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers from MD simulation and IR spectroscopy

The lipid chain conformation predicted by a recent molecular dynamics simulation (MD) of the fluid and gel phases of a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) phospholipid bilayer is described in detail and, where possible,is compared to the results of IR measurements. Conformational statistics for the MD simulated fluid-phase chains are compared with those for an unconstrained liquidlike n-C 1 6 H 3 4 system estimated using a rotational isomeric state model. The constraints imposed on the bilayer chains are found to reduce the concentration of gauche bonds, suppress sterically unfavorable conformational sequences, and increase trans/ gauche bond segregation. The concentrations of short (1-3 bond) conformational sequences for the MD-simulated bilayer are found to be nearly the same as those for the unconstrained RISM n-C 1 6 system with the same gauche bond concentration as the constrained chains. For long sequences, however, especially long all-trans sequences, there are large differences between the systems. The bilayer-normal distribution of CC bonds across the gel phase bilayer is found to be largely determined by longitudinal chain displacement, whereas for the fluid phase, the distribution is determined by conformational disorder. Order-disorder heterogeneity is observed in the MD-simulated fluid-phase bilayer in the form of a low concentration of more or less well-defined, highly transient microdomains consisting of the order of 20 all-trans or nearly all-trans chains. The packing of these chains is similar to that found for the simulated gel phase. Both chain-tilt and chain order/disorder correlations between opposing monolayers were found. The two most reliable IR methods for determining chain conformation are critically reviewed. Previously reported IR measurements on the gel- and fluid-phase DPPC bilayer using these methods are reinterpreted. The distribution of gauche bonds in the gel is found to be determined primarily by longitudinal displacements of the chain. By combination of the measured concentrations of bond-pair conformations tt, gt, and gg in the fluid phase, the overall concentration of gauche bonds is estimated to be 0.14 ′ 0.04. This value is significantly lower than most previously reported values and much lower than the 0.28 derived from the MD simulation.
Tolerance to liver-specific antigens.

We have described a TG model for peripheral tolerance of alloreactive CTL. Expression of Q10/L on hepatocytes renders mice functionally tolerant, although in vitro we observe that TG animals have normal numbers of CTL.Pf directed against this antigen. The basis for the tolerance presumably resides in the fact that the TG mice are lacking a subpopulation, either through deletion or anergy, that is responsible for recognition of the antigen on hepatocytes in vivo. The data are consistent with a tolerance model where cells with high affinity receptors are silenced. The presumed low affinity antigen-specific cells remaining in TG mice cannot be primed in vivo when immunized with antigen on spleen cells. Further, these CTL generate poor lytic activity in vitro. This failure to prime TG CTL in vivo could be attributed to primed cells traveling to the liver where they become tolerized when exposed to antigen on hepatocytes. However, we show that TG cells, after transfer to non-TG recipients, cannot be primed in vivo, indicating that the presumed low-affinity cells remaining in TG mice are not readily activable in this milieu. These data also indicate that this tolerance is not readily reversible during a 10- to 17-d time interval.
Home documented monitoring of cardiorespiratory pattern and oxygen saturation in healthy infants.

Home Documented Monitoring of Cardiorespiratory Pattern and Oxygen Saturation in Healthy Infants 1
The effect of ambient temperature on cold saline during simulated infusion to induce therapeutic hypothermia

Abstract Background This study was done to determine the effect of ambient temperature on cold saline during simulated infusion to induce therapeutic hypothermia. The study hypothesis was that cold saline would warm rapidly during simulated infusion and that an insulating SIGG neoprene pouch would slow the process. Methods Paired 1-l bags of normal saline [with or without an insulating SIGG neoprene pouch (NEO+ and NEO− respectively)] were refrigerated together for at least 24 h. With an ambient room temperature (RT) between 32 and 34 °C, the fluid was allowed to flow unrestricted through standard tubing connected to a 20-guage angiocath while the line reservoir temperature was monitored every 30 s. The order of the bags was pre-determined and alternated for each session. During 5 sessions, ten 1-l bags were included (5 NEO+ and 5 NEO−). The data were analyzed descriptively using Stata SE v8.1 for Macintosh. Results The average ambient RT during the experimental sessions was 32.6 °C (StDev: 0.8 °C). The relative humidity was a constant 16%. The average low saline temperature at the beginning of infusion was 6.2 °C (StDev: 2.7 °C). The average rate of infusion was 48.2 cm 3 /min (StDev: 3.7 cm 3 /min). The average rise in saline temperature during the first 15 min of the infusion was 2.9 °C (StDev: 1.2 °C). The average high saline temperature reached near the end of the infusion was 13.4 °C (StDev: 4.1 °C). The average temperature change during infusion was 7.2 °C (StDev: 3.5 °C). The baseline data for the NEO+ and NEO− samples were not statistically different. The average temperature change over the first 15 min for the NEO+ group was 2.0 °C (95% CI: 1.4 °C and 2.5 °C) and for the NEO− group it was 3.9 °C (95% CI: 2.6 °C and 5.1 °C). The average change over the entire infusion for the NEO+ group was 4.3 °C (95% CI: 3.1 °C and 5.5 °C) and for the NEO− group it was 10.2 °C (95% CI: 7.4 °C and 12.9 °C). Conclusions During simulated infusion to induce therapeutic hypothermia, cold saline begins to warm toward ambient temperature but the rate is not rapid. An insulating SIGG neoprene pouch slows the rate of warming.
Erratum to: Corporate social responsibility reporting platforms: enabling transparency for accountability

The citation numbers for references from 44 to 84 should be corrected by adding one to the number of each of the citations from 44 to 84. The citation number will then correspond to the correct reference in the Reference section. That is, citation number 44 in the text refers to reference number 45, citation number 45 in the text refers to reference number 46, and so on, for all citations 44 and above. For example, the fourth sentence in the last paragraph of section 1.1 should read as follows: Two meta-analyses have found consistent positive relationships between CSR and financial performance [45, 57], whereas others have had neutral results, finding that firms engaging in CSR will earn the same rate of profit as those that do not [50]. Thus, the first citation in the above sentence is a reference to Margolis JD, Elfenbein HA, Walsh JP (2007) Does it pay to be good? A meta-analysis and redirection of research on the relationship between corporate social and financial performance. In: Proceed Acad of Manage, Philadelphia, PA. Pace University, New York, NY. The one exception to this is the other two citations to number [44], which are also in the last paragraph of section 1.1. These two [44]s refer to reference listed as [44], which is the following: Margolis JD, Walsh JP (2003) Misery loves company: rethinking social initiatives by business. Admin Sci Quart 48:268–305.
Imaging of the Male Reproductive Tract

Radiologic imaging may often play a critical role in the evaluation and management of patients with male factor infertility. Historically, the role of radiologic imaging was confined to vasography in the diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia. Today, radiologic imaging modalities have three indications in subfertile men. The first is the evaluation and management of obstruction of the excurrent ductal system in patients with azoospermia. Vasography, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), or seminal vesiculography is performed in this situation. The second indication is the evaluation and management of varicoceles, for which either venography or scrotal ultrasonography is routinely performed. Finally, radiologic imaging studies of the upper urinary tract are indicated for patients with congenital anomalies of the Wolffian duct system. Ultrasonography is the modality of choice for screening the upper tracts of men with vasal agenesis. Patients with bilateral vasal agenesis have a much lower frequency (< 20%) of upper tract abnormalities than patients with unilateral vasal agenesis (up to 70%). This chapter specifically discusses imaging modalities used in the management of obstruction and varicoceles.
Energetics-based Protein Profiling on a Proteomic Scale: Identification of Proteins Resistant to Proteolysis

Native states of proteins are flexible, populating more than just the unique native conformation. The energetics and dynamics resulting from this conformational ensemble are inherently linked to protein function and regulation. Proteolytic susceptibility is one feature determined by this conformational energy landscape. As an attempt to investigate energetics of proteins on a proteomic scale, we challenged the Escherichia coli proteome with extensive proteolysis and determined which proteins, if any, have optimized their energy landscape for resistance to proteolysis. To our surprise, multiple soluble proteins survived the challenge. Maltose binding protein, a survivor from thermolysin digestion, was characterized by in vitro biophysical studies to identify the physical origin of proteolytic resistance. This experimental characterization shows that kinetic stability is responsible for the unusual resistance in maltose binding protein. The biochemical functions of the identified survivors suggest that many of these proteins may have evolved extreme proteolytic resistance because of their critical roles under stressed conditions. Our results suggest that under functional selection proteins can evolve extreme proteolysis resistance by modulating their conformational energy landscapes without the need to invent new folds, and that proteins can be profiled on a proteomic scale according to their energetic properties by using proteolysis as a structural probe.
Radar constraints on asteroid regolith properties using 433 Eros as ground truth

Abstract— Radar data enable us to estimate an asteroid's near-surface bulk density, thus providing a joint constraint on near-surface porosity and solid density. We investigate two different approaches to simplifying this joint constraint: estimating solid densities by assuming uniform porosities for all asteroids; and estimating porosities by assuming uniform mineralogy within each taxonomic class. Methods used to estimate asteroids' near-surface solid densities from radar data have not previously been calibrated via independent estimates. Recent spacecraft results on the chondritic nature of 433 Eros now permit such a check, and also support porosity estimation for S-class objects. We use radar albedos and polarization ratios estimated for 36 main-belt asteroids and nine near-Earth asteroids to estimate near-surface solid densities using two methods, one of which is similar to the uncalibrated algorithms used in previous studies, the other of which treats Eros as a calibrator. We also derive porosities for the same sample by assigning solid densities for each taxonomic class in advance. Density-estimation results obtained for Eros itself are consistent with the uncalibrated method being valid in the mean; those derived for the full sample imply that uncalibrated solid densities are, at most, a few tens of percent too large on average. However, some derived densities are extremely low, whereas most porosity estimates are physically plausible. We discuss the relative merits of these two approaches.
Using LabVIEW to facilitate calibration and verification for respiratory impedance plethysmography

A system for calibrating the Respitrace impedance plethysmograph was developed with the capacity to quantitatively verify the accuracy of calibration. LabVIEW software was used on a Macintosh II computer to create a user-friendly environment, with the added benefit of reducing development time. The system developed enabled a research assistant to calibrate the Respitrace within 15 min while achieving an accuracy within the normally accepted 10% deviation when the Respitrace output is compared to a water spirometer standard. The system and methods described were successfully used in a study of 10 subjects smoking cigarettes containing marijuana or cocaine under four conditions, calibrating all subjects to 10% accuracy within 15 min.
Crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide) with acetaminophen – A study on solubility, spherulitic growth, and morphology

Abstract A simple, sensitive, efficient, and novel method analyzing the number of spherulitic nuclei was proposed to estimate the solubility of a model drug acetaminophen (APAP) in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). At high crystallization temperature (323 K), 10% APAP–PEO had the same low number of spherulitic nuclei as pure PEO, indicating that APAP and PEO were fully miscible. At low crystallization temperature (303 K), the number of nuclei for 10% APAP–PEO was significantly higher, suggesting that APAP was oversaturated and therefore recrystallized and acted as a nucleating agent. Based on the results obtained, the solubility of APAP in PEO is possibly between the concentration of 0.1% and 1% at 303 K. The spherulitic growth rate G of PEO was found to decrease with increasing APAP concentration, suggesting that APAP is most likely functioning as a chemical defect and is either rejected from or included in the PEO crystals during chain folding. APAP could possibly locate in the inter-spherulitic, inter-fibrillar, inter-lamellar, or intra-lamellar regions of PEO. At 323 K, the morphology of 10% APAP–PEO is more dendritic than spherulitic with large unfilled space in between dendrites and spherulites, which is a sign of one or the combination of the four modes of segregation. An extensive spherulitic nucleation and growth kinetics study using the classical theoretical relationships, for example, the Hoffman–Lauritzen (HL) and Avrami theories, was conducted. Both microscopic and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis yielded similar values for the nucleation constant Kg as well as the fold surface free energy σe and work of chain folding q. The values of σe and q increased with APAP concentration, indicating that the chain folding of PEO was hindered by APAP.
Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor Suppresses the Inflammation and Joint Damage of Bacterial Cell Wall–Induced Arthritis

Disruption of the balance between proteases and protease inhibitors is often associated with pathologic tissue destruction. To explore the therapeutic potential of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in erosive joint diseases, we cloned, sequenced, and expressed active rat SLPI, which shares the protease-reactive site found in human SLPI. In a rat streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced model of inflammatory erosive polyarthritis, endogenous SLPI was unexpectedly upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels in inflamed joint tissues. Systemic delivery of purified recombinant rat SLPI inhibited joint inflammation and cartilage and bone destruction. Inflammatory pathways as reflected by circulating tumor necrosis factor α and nuclear factor κB activation and cartilage resorption detected by circulating levels of type II collagen collagenase-generated cleavage products were all diminished by SLPI treatment in acute and chronic arthritis, indicating that the action of SLPI may extend beyond inhibition of serine proteases.
Optimizing Remote Sensing and GIS Tools for Mapping and Managing the Distribution of an Invasive Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on South Molokai, Hawaii

In 1902, the Florida red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., was introduced to the island of Molokai, Hawaii, and has since colonized nearly 25% of the south coast shoreline. By classifying three kinds of remote sensing imagery, we compared abilities to detect invasive mangrove distributions and to discriminate mangroves from surrounding terrestrial vegetation. Using three analytical techniques, we compared mangrove mapping accuracy for various sensor-technique combinations. ANOVA of accuracy assessments demonstrated significant differences among techniques, but no significant differences among the three sensors. We summarize advantages and disadvantages of each sensor and technique for mapping mangrove distributions in tropical coastal environments.
Finger ridge-count variability in Sub-Saharan Africa

SummaryMean finger ridge-count data were obtained, primarily from literature sources, for 31 male and 24 female sub-Saharan African samples. The 10 finger ridge-counts and total ridge-count were used as independent variables in a multiple regression analysis, latitude and longitude serving in turn as the dependent variables. The results show that it is not the magnitude of the ridge-counts themselves that is important, but rather contrasts between groups of digits. The most important geographically patterned variation in ridge-counts consists of contrasts between digits 4 and 5 and digits 2 and 3. South and south-east African populations are characterized by low contrasts, west Africans by high contrasts and, south-west Africans are intermediate. The geographical patterning of the contrast agrees well with known patterns of gene flow into and within the continent as determined by serological genes.Principal components analysis was also carried out to determine whether within-group components corresponding...
A Mechanistic Investigation of the Carbon−Carbon Bond Cleavage of Aryl and Alkyl Cyanides Using a Cationic Rh(III) Silyl Complex

Cationic Rh(III) complex [Cp*(PMe3)Rh(SiPh3)(CH2Cl2)]BAr4‘ (1) activates the carbon−carbon bond of aryl and alkyl cyanides (R−CN, where R = Ph, (4-(CF3)C6H4), (4-(OMe)C6H4), Me, iPr, tBu) to produce complexes of the general formula [Cp*(PMe3)Rh(R)(CNSiPh3)]BAr4‘. With the exception of the tBuCN case, every reaction proceeds at room temperature (t1/2 < 1 h for aryl cyanides, t1/2 < 14 h for alkyl cyanides). A general mechanism is presented on the basis of (1) an X-ray crystal structure determination of an intermediate isolated from the reaction involving 4-methoxybenzonitrile and (2) kinetic studies performed on the C−C bond cleavage of para-substituted aryl cyanides. Initial formation of an η1-nitrile species is observed, followed by conversion to an η2-iminoacyl intermediate, which was observed to undergo migration of R (aryl or alkyl) to rhodium to form the product [Cp*(PMe3)Rh(R)(CNSiPh3)]BAr4‘.
Overcoming Europe's Divide

1999. In The EU, NATO and the Integration of Europe, Frank Schimmelfennig poses some stark questions regarding the expansion of these two institutions. Most important, given that the economic benefits to the European Union as a whole and the security benefits to NATO as an alliance have been at best ambiguous and perhaps even negative, why did the members of these two institutions pursue policies of postCold War expansion? Schimmelfennig's answer is quite clever and of particular value to academic theorists. In essence, Schimmelfennig finds that, even though identity explanations are superior to rationalist arguments in helping us understand the decisions to expand these institutions, the specific positions taken by individual states during the processes of enlargement are much better understood by relying on rationalist approaches. Thus, Schimmelfennig is able to make excellent use of two major alternative perspectives in international relations theory. Moreover, due to his careful tracing of the political processes involved, Schimmelfennig's argument is persuasive. And his decision to explore both NATO and EU enlargement is quite ambitious, given that most other authors have chosen to focus on only one or the other institution (see, for example, Goldgeier 1999; Poole 2003). Although the casual observer might be tempted to see the inclusion of much of the former Soviet bloc into the European Union and NATO as inevitable, it did not seem so in the early 1990s. Schimmelfennig correctly highlights the very rational reluctance to pursue the enlargements felt by leaders in many Western capitals. Even though it was obvious why the Central and Eastern Europeans wanted to join, EU members understood the economic costs that would be involved in helping their poorer neighbors. Similarly, NATO countries feared that a larger alliance would be less effective and might even spur a renewed Russian threat, so recently diminished by the collapse of the Soviet Union. So why did they do it? Schimmelfennig argues that because these institutions (and their member states) represented a community of liberal democracies, shutting the door to countries aspiring to leave behind a communist-imposed past and rejoin Europe was not consistent with their identity. In short, their liberal identity necessitated an open door policy. How could old Europe say "no," especially if the countries of new Europe adopted the norms of democracy, a market economy, respect for human rights, and the peaceful resolution of border disputes that were being demanded of them? Indeed, joining the European Union required that countries fulfill the body
A study on the computerized fractal analysis of architectural distortion in screening mammograms.

Architectural distortion (AD) is a sign of malignancy often missed during mammographic interpretation. The purpose of this study was to explore the application of fractal analysis to the investigation of AD in screening mammograms. The study was performed using mammograms from the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). The fractal dimension (FD) of mammographic regions of interest (ROIs) was calculated using the circular average power spectrum technique. Initially, the variability of the FD estimates depending on ROI location, mammographic view and breast side was studied on normal mammograms. Then, the estimated FD was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis to determine if it can discriminate ROIs depicting AD from those depicting normal breast parenchyma. The effect of several factors such as ROI size, image subsampling and breast density was studied in detail. Overall, the average FD of the normal ROIs was statistically significantly higher than that of the ROIs with AD. This result was consistent across all factors studied. For the studied set of implementation parameters, the best ROC performance achieved was 0.89 ± 0.02. The generalizability of these conclusions across different digitizers was also demonstrated.
The bacterial flora of the intestinal contents oftwenty-seven stillborn infants

Summary The presence of B. welchii microscopically and culturally in the duodenum, the ileum, the ascending colon and the descending colon of a stillborn infant is considered as reliable evidence that bacteria may invade the intestinal tract of the infant before or during birth. Additional evidence of slightly less value was obtained by finding numerous colonies along the streaks on plates inoculated from the intestinal contents of four stillborn infants. The results obtained by enrichment were regarded as of doubtful significance because of the possibility of accidental contamination, except in the one case where B. welchii was isolated after being observed microscopically.
DARPP‐32 and Phosphatase Inhibitor‐1, Two Structurally Related Inhibitors of Protein Phosphatase‐1, Are Both Present in Striatonigral Neurons

DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of Mr = 32,000) and phosphatase inhibitor-1, two previously characterized inhibitors of protein phosphatase-1, were identified in both the neostriatum and the substantia nigra. Phosphatase inhibitor-1 was partially purified from bovine caudate nucleus and found to be distinct from DARPP-32 in some of its biochemical properties. The neuronal localization of DARPP-32 and phosphatase inhibitor-1 within the rat neostriatum and substantia nigra was investigated by studying the effects of kainic acid. Injection into the neostriatum of kainic acid, which destroys striatonigral neurons and striatonigral fibers, decreased the amounts of DARPP-32 and phosphatase inhibitor-1 to the same extent, both in the lesioned neostriatum and in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. The specific activity of protein phosphatase-1 in the neostriatum was unaffected by kainic acid. The results indicate that, in rat brain, DARPP-32 and phosphatase inhibitor-1 are both present in striatal neurons and in striatonigral fibers, and that they probably coexist in at least a subpopulation of striatonigral neurons. In contrast, protein phosphatase-1 does not appear to be enriched in any specific neuronal subpopulation in the neostriatum.
Consumption of alcohol by sows in a choice test

Abstract The domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) has been proposed as an animal model for human alcoholism because pigs have been observed to consume alcohol voluntarily to a state of intoxication and to exhibit tolerance and physical dependence. However, it has not been established whether pigs can develop psychological dependence on alcohol. We hypothesised that feed-restricted, stall-housed pregnant sows fed alcohol non-voluntarily for 5 weeks would develop a preference for alcohol and retain this preference after removal of alcohol from the diet. We fed crossbred commercial sows (n = 10) 280 ml of 95% ethanol mixed with 0.91 kg of feed and 720 ml of water twice daily for 5 weeks during the first trimester of pregnancy. Control sows (n = 7) received dextrose in their feed as a caloric control, and water was added to give the feed a consistency similar to that of the alcohol-treated feed. Immediately before and after 5 weeks of alcohol or dextrose treatment and 3 weeks later, after termination of alcohol or dextrose treatment, we evaluated sow diet preference by comparing the amount of alcohol-supplemented, dextrose-supplemented and plain feed consumed during a 5-min choice test. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no treatment effect on sow diet preference. Both alcohol-treated and control sows ate less of the alcohol diet than the other two diets in all choice tests. They did not discriminate between the plain and dextrose diets. We conclude that 5 weeks of non-voluntary consumption of alcohol in feed did not produce a preference for alcohol in pregnant sows, either during treatment or after withdrawal, thus providing no evidence for the development of psychological dependence on alcohol under these conditions.
Prevalence of intron gain over intron loss in the evolution of paralogous gene families

The mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of intron insertion and loss in eukaryotic genes remain poorly understood. Reconstruction of parsimonious scenarios of gene structure evolution in paralogous gene families in animals and plants revealed numerous gains and losses of introns. In all analyzed lineages, the number of acquired new introns was substantially greater than the number of lost ancestral introns. This trend held even for lineages in which vertical evolution of genes involved more intron losses than gains, suggesting that gene duplication boosts intron insertion. However, dating gene duplications and the associated intron gains and losses based on the molecular clock assumption showed that very few, if any, introns were gained during the last approximately 100 million years of animal and plant evolution, in agreement with previous conclusions reached through analysis of orthologous gene sets. These results are generally compatible with the emerging notion of intensive insertion and loss of introns during transitional epochs in contrast to the relative quiet of the intervening evolutionary spans.
“What are you, gay?” Positioning in monologues written and performed by members of a gay-straight alliance

Abstract We use Positioning Theory to examine monologues written and performed by LGBTQ youth and allies. The paper considers how youth positioned themselves in relation to grand narratives concerning gender and sexuality. Through analysis of representational, interactional ( Wortham, 2001 ), and other forms of positioning, we show how youth powerfully spoke back to these grand narratives while creating meaning relevant to identity construction. We analyze two types of stories—stories of activism and of silencing/rejection—and demonstrate how youth resisted the first-order positioning of them as straight; re-defined the nature of “activism”; and enacted the carnivalesque as described by Bakhtin. We consider implications of the findings for educators working to support LGBTQ youth.
Signal compression via coordinate logic transforms

While bandwidth and storage capabilities are increasing with advances in technology, so are the demands of users as quantities of data to transmit and store grow simultaneously. The need for effective signal compression is always present, as reduction in data size is required while maintaining minimal signal destruction. This paper presents a new signal compression scheme that uses coordinate logic transforms in combination with Boolean minimized representations. The processing of the coordinate logic transforms on signal data helps reduce unnecessary signal complexity allowing more effective data reduction during the Boolean minimized form encoding. The coordinate logic transforms are an alternate method for calculating coordinate logic filters which simplify the computational complexity through algorithmic parallelism. In this work, the combination of coordinate logic transforms with a Boolean minimized form encoding scheme allows for a new compression technique that is applicable to both binary and grayscale input images.
Endoluminal Pulmonary Artery Banding: Technique, Applications and Results

Background Occasionally pulmonary artery banding is necessary to reduce pulmonary arterial blood flow and pressure in patients who cannot be repaired in a single stage. Traditional extraluminal PAB can be associated with significant morbidity. We describe our technique, applications, and results of endoluminal pulmonary artery banding (EPAB) with and without creation of an aortopulmonary window (APW) for complex cardiac anomalies. Methods Thirty-two patients underwent EPAB; 20 patients had simultaneous creation of an APW. Median patient age was 40 days (range, 2 to 3,210); median weight was 3.5 kg (range, 2.4 to 23 kg). Endoluminal pulmonary artery banding fenestrations of 2 to 8 mm were centrally placed in a Dacron patch that was attached circumferentially and intraluminally in the main pulmonary artery. Fenestrations were sized by presence of APW and patient weight. Thirty-one of 32 patients underwent associated cardiac procedures. The mean follow-up period was 2.6 years (range, 0 to 15.5). Results Overall early mortality was 31% (10 of 32); 8% in EPAB alone (1 of 12) and 45% for EPAB+APW (9 of 20). Of the early deaths, 7 of 10 had severe, preoperative ventricular dysfunction. There was 1 early EPAB-related complication requiring band revision for relief of partial obstruction of the APW. At hospital dismissal, the mean pressure gradient after EPAB was 55.1 ± 8.4 mm Hg as assessed by echocardiography. No patient experienced distal pulmonary hypertension, distortion, or band occlusion. There were 6 late deaths. At late follow-up, 5 patients underwent band revision, and complete repair was accomplished in 10 patients. Conclusions Endoluminal pulmonary artery banding provided a consistently effective and durable reduction in pulmonary arterial blood flow with no pulmonary artery distortion. Early mortality was low for EPAB alone. Endoluminal pulmonary artery banding alone is preferred when controlled pulmonary blood flow and cardiopulmonary bypass are required to address intracardiac abnormalities. The role of EPAB with APW needs to be defined.
Influence of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid on structure, mechanical properties, and glioma invasion of collagen I gels

To mimic the extracellular matrix surrounding high grade gliomas, composite matrices composed of either acid-solubilized (AS) or pepsin-treated (PT) collagen and the glycosaminoglycans chondroitin sulfate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are prepared and characterized. The structure and mechanical properties of collagen/CS and collagen/HA gels are studied via confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM) and rheology. CRM reveals that CS induces fibril bundling and increased mesh size in AS collagen but not PT collagen networks. The presence of CS also induces more substantial changes in the storage and loss moduli of AS gels than of PT gels, in accordance with expectation based on network structural parameters. The presence of HA significantly reduces mesh size in AS collagen but has a smaller effect on PT collagen networks. However, both AS and PT collagen network viscoelasticity is strongly affected by the presence of HA. The effects of CS and HA on glioma invasion is then studied in collagen/GAG matrices with network structure both similar to (PT collagen-based gels) and disparate from (AS collagen-based gels) those of the corresponding pure collagen matrices. It is shown that CS inhibits and HA has no significant effect on glioma invasion in 1.0 mg/ml collagen matrices over 3 days. The inhibitory effect of CS on glioma invasion is more apparent in AS than in PT collagen gels, suggesting invasive behavior in these environments is affected by both biochemical and network morphological changes induced by GAGs. This study is among the few efforts to differentiate structural, mechanical and biochemical effects of changes to matrix composition on cell motility in 3D.
Islander: a database of integrative islands in prokaryotic genomes, the associated integrases and their DNA site specificities

Prokaryotic chromosomes often contain islands, such as temperate phages or pathogenicity islands, delivered by site-specific integrases. Integration usually occurs within a tRNA or tmRNA gene, splitting the gene, yet sequences within the island restore the disrupted gene. The regenerated RNA gene and the displaced fragment of that gene thus mark the endpoints of the island. We applied this principle to search for islands in genomic DNA sequences. Our algorithm generates a list of tRNA and tmRNA genes, uses each as the query for a BLAST search of the starting DNA and removes unlikely hits through a series of filters. A search for islands in 106 whole bacterial genomes produced 143 candidates, with the search itself providing an estimate of three false candidates among these. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the associated integrases reduced this set to 89 cases of independently evolved site specificity, which showed strong bias for the tmRNA gene. The website Islander (http://www.indiana.edu/ approximately islander) presents the candidate islands in GenBank-style files and correlates integrase phylogeny with site specificity.
Limiting Essential Amino Acids in Soybean Meal for Growing Chickens and the Effects of Heat Upon Availability of the Essential Amino Acids

Abstract THE seriously limiting essential amino acids in a feedstuff can generally be identified by comparing the feedstuff's chemically determined amino acid content with the amino acid pattern needed to produce rapid growth. It is sometimes difficult to identify marginally deficient amino acids by this method, however. The availability of individual amino acids is affected to different degrees by the processes used in producing a feedstuff; this also makes it more difficult to identify the limiting amino acids. For these reasons chick tests are being conducted at this station to determine which amino acids are most limiting in the protein of several commonly used poultry feedstuffs. Two previous papers have reported results of experiments conducted with peanut and cottonseed meals (Anderson and Warnick, 1965, 1966). In the experiments with peanut and cottonseed meals, the rations contained 18 percent protein from the feedstuff studied and a mixture of the amino acids thought . . .
Some Bulk Properties of Cumulus Ensembles Simulated by a Cloud-Resolving Model. Part II: Entrainment Profiles

Abstract As a continuation of the effort to develop an improved cloud model of cumulus parameterization, this study investigates entrainment profiles of the cumulus ensembles simulated by a cloud-resolving model (CRM). The simulated saturated updrafts are separated into different categories according to their maximum heights. Entrainment characteristics of each category are then inferred from cloud mass flux and moist static energy profiles. It is found that all categories of saturated updrafts tend to have the most significant entrainment at lower levels and near cloud top. Moreover, the details of the entrainment characteristics are not sensitive to vertical wind shear but are primarily determined by large-scale thermodynamic fields. The dependence of entrainment characteristics on large-scale thermodynamic fields can be interpreted as a manifestation of a relationship between cloud buoyancy and entrainment rate. With these findings, a formula is proposed to describe entrainment profiles of the cloud sp...
Experimental Thermal Characterization of Pin Fin Heat Sinks With Top and Side Bypass

Extensive tests were conducted to obtain thermal characteristics of pin fin heat sinks with pins of square cross-section under different top and side bypass conditions. A consistent set of aluminum heat sinks with constant planform area and variable pitch were utilized. The heat sinks were tested in an adjustable cross-section wind tunnel, which provides 0 to 1 top and 0 to 10 side clearance ratios. The base temperature of the heat sinks was measured under constant heat flux. The overall thermal resistance and average heat transfer coefficient of the heat sinks were calculated and the influence of top and side bypass was explored. The thermal experimental data were consistent with the previous hydraulic experimental data. With the increase of flow velocity, flow transition from laminar to turbulent flow was revealed by the thermal resistance data. It was found that the average heat transfer coefficient depends strongly on the flow velocity through the heat sinks. Heat sinks with side clearance only result in smaller overall thermal resistance compared to top clearance only at the same clearance ratio. In some cases, the heat sinks with a small side clearance had better thermal performance than the same heat sinks without clearance. The empirical equation for infinitely long tube bundles of circular cross-section was used to correlate the thermal experimental data.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Adolescent Life Satisfaction and Personality Characteristics: Investigating Relationships Using a Five Factor Model

The current study investigated the relationships among personality factors and life satisfaction in high school students (N = 624), who completed self-report measures of global life satisfaction and personality characteristics consistent with a Five Factor Model (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness). Analyses indicated that approximately 47 % of the variance in adolescents’ life satisfaction scores was accounted for by their levels of the Big Five personality factors. Neuroticism emerged as the strongest predictor. Openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion were also significant and unique predictors of life satisfaction. Regarding gender differences, a higher level of agreeableness was related to higher life satisfaction for girls, but not for boys. Findings support the importance of including all Big Five personality factors in exploratory models of life satisfaction, and contribute to an understanding of gender-specific models of predictors of life satisfaction.
New AGU journal editors appointed

New editors have been appointed for Geophysical Research Letters, Global Biogeochemical Cycles, JGR-Oceans, JGR-Planets, and JGR-Earth Surface. Geophysical Research Letters welcomes Benoit Lavraud (Centre d'Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements, Toulouse, France) and Peter Strutton (University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia). Lavraud's area of expertise is space sciences, and Strutton's is ocean sciences.
The quest for Bose-Einstein condensation in atomic hydrogen

In the past decade attempts to observe BEC in spin-polarized atomic hydrogen have been thwarted by either recombination and related heating or rapid relaxation. Currently several ideas are being developed which have great promise. For a 3-D gas, static magnetic traps have been used to isolate atoms from walls where they recombine, but BEC has not been achieved due to enhanced spin-relaxation and inadequate detection sensitivity. A microwave trap which can confine atoms in the ground state, to suppress spin-relaxation, has been demonstrated for Cs and is being developed for hydrogen. In 2-D, techniques have been developed to greatly reduce heating of the 2-D layer so that high coverages can be achieved at low temperature to observe both the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and BEC.
The Nature of Oxide Films on Tungsten in Acidic and Alkaline Solutions

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) data of W in acidic solution were characterized by modes associated with hydration (WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x}, 942 cm{sup {minus}1}) as well as modes characteristic of WO{sub 3} (816 cm{sup {minus}1}). At applied anodic potentials, the WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} content in the oxide was greater than the WO{sub 3} content, while at applied cathodic potentials the WO{sub 3} content was larger. These results are consistent with a bilayer film on W in acidic solution which consists of a compact inner layer of WO{sub 3} and an outer layer of WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x}. Rotating disk electrode experiments (RDE) demonstrated that the passive dissolution (i{sub pass}) of W in acidic solution increased with the angular velocity of the electrode. An increase in i{sub pass} and a corresponding decrease in the thickness of the surface layer with increasing angular velocity is consistent with a reversible dissolution mechanism where dissolution is limited by the mass transport of a loosely bound WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} layer from the surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements found that W dissolution in acidic solution was associated with an adsorption pseudocapacitance presumably due to the outer WO{sub 3}(H{sub 2}O){sub x} layer. The valuemore » of this pseudocapacitance increased with increasing angular velocity, indicating thinning of the layer consistent with RDE and SERS results. Results for W in alkaline solution are also presented.« less