cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound‐guided placement of pigtail cystostomy tubes in dogs with urethral obstruction

Background Circumstances such as the inability to pass a retrograde urinary catheter or a lack of surgeon availability may prevent immediate relief of urethral obstruction in dogs. In such situations, a cystostomy tube may be placed with ultrasound guidance to allow urinary diversion until further treatment is possible. Key findings A case of a 5-year-old male neutered Swiss Mountain dog with an obstructive urolith at the level of the os penis is used to describe the technique. Multiple attempts to pass a urinary catheter under sedation were unsuccessful. A pigtail cystostomy tube was placed with ultrasound guidance to allow urinary diversion. The dog was discharged from the hospital within 2 days after scrotal urethrostomy and the dog made a full recovery. Ultrasound-guided placement of a pigtail cystostomy tube was straightforward and without complications. Significance Ultrasound-guided placement of a pigtail cystostomy tube may be beneficial as it is not technically challenging, can be performed rapidly, and may avoid the need for general anesthesia. Additionally, ultrasound is readily available and an inexperienced ultrasonographer can easily locate the urinary bladder. This report serves to provide a detailed technique of ultrasound-guided placement of a pigtail cystostomy tube in dogs for emergency urinary diversion.
Acute Ethanol Produces Ataxia and Induces Fmr1 Expression via Histone Modifications in the Rat Cerebellum.

Background The cerebellum is fundamental for motor coordination and therefore crucial in ethanol (EtOH)-induced ataxia. EtOH contributes to cerebellar pathophysiology. Fragile-X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is a complex regulator of RNA and synaptic plasticity implicated in fragile-X tremor and ataxia syndrome, a phenotype featuring increased Fmr1 mRNA expression. Recent studies have implicated glutamatergic targets of FMRP in hereditary cerebellar ataxias including the main cerebellar excitatory amino acid (Eaa1) transporter and a subtype of metabotropic glutamate receptor (Grm5). However, EtOH-induced changes in cerebellar Fmr1 expression and its epigenetic regulation have not been investigated. Here, we examined the effects of acute EtOH exposure on ataxic behavior, gene expression, and epigenetic regulation of the Fmr1 gene and its glutamatergic targets in the rat cerebellum. Methods Male adult Sprague Dawley rats received acute EtOH (2 g/kg) intraperitoneally 1 hour prior to ataxic behavioral testing on the accelerating rotarod and were sacrificed immediately thereafter. Cerebellar tissues were analyzed for gene expression and epigenetic regulation of the Fmr1 gene and its glutamatergic targets in the rat cerebellum using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results Acute EtOH exposure caused marked ataxia on the accelerating rotarod test compared with saline-treated controls. This ataxic response was associated with increases in mRNA levels of Fmr1, postsynaptic density 95 (Psd95), Eaa1, and Grm5 in the cerebellum. In addition, we found increased H3K27 acetylation both at the promoter region of Fmr1 and at a proposed cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response-element binding (CREB) site downstream of the Fmr1 transcription start site. Furthermore, acute EtOH exposure significantly increased Creb1 and the histone acetyltransferases (HAT) CREB binding protein (Cbp), and p300 mRNA transcripts. Conclusions Overall, EtOH regulates cerebellar Fmr1 expression most likely via HAT-mediated increase in histone acetylation. We propose that FMRP regulation of glutamatergic transcripts plays an important role in disrupting the excitatory-inhibitory balance in the cerebellum underlying EtOH-induced ataxia.
Vaginal mass presenting to a paediatric emergency department

A 15-month-old female infant presented to the paediatric ED with a lump in the vagina. The lump was first noted 2 days prior by the parent and would sometimes protrude or recede into the vagina during diaper changes. The infant was otherwise doing well, with no fevers, change in appetite, fatigue or weight loss. The site had no bleeding, drainage, pruritus or pain, and there was no preceding trauma. On examination of the alert, interactive infant, there was a 2.5 cm pink …
How Does National Culture Help Pilots in Navigating in Different Environment

The study surveyed 919 Chinese student pilots with 20 national culture questions. The researcher uses 5 questions to measure one national culture variables including Power Distance, Individualism, Masculinity, and Uncertainty Avoidance. The study performance a principle factor analysis (PCA) to the questionnaires and found that environment setting was essential to abstracted factors from national culture survey. The Kaiser-Meyer-Oklin measure of sampling adequacy (KMO) of this study was 0.85. A Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (Bartlett’s test) was χ2(n = 919) = 4975.077 and P value 0.001. The study founding echoed with Harari and Perkins who suggested that a culture system is different within different environments [1]. The result of PCA showed the survey could extract 4 latent factors, and the cumulative variance of the PCA indicated that the survey questions only explained 50% of the variances. The abstracted factors were reflecting large group environment, cockpit environment, general society expectation, and self-esteem.
Veterans Health Administration nurses' training and beliefs related to care of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background Veteran patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their family members regularly receive care from nurses. Understanding nurses’ training and beliefs can provide direction for intervention work aimed at ensuring the best possible care is delivered to this population. Aims We examined Veterans Health Administration (VHA) nurses’ training and beliefs related to care of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. Design and methods We conducted an exploratory, cross-sectional survey with 211 VHA nurses and analyzed data using descriptive statistics. Results The average years of nursing experience was 18 years, and 90% reported ever caring for a patient with TBI. Most nurses (70%) reported only seeing patients with TBI ≤1–2 times per year in their current role; 20% reported seeing these patients 1–2 times per month. Even with infrequent care, almost 50% reported previously receiving TBI-related training. Beliefs items with the highest accuracy indicated nurses agreed that they need specialized training to care for patients with TBI and that TBI recovery may continue for several years (96.39% accuracy respectively). The beliefs item with the lowest accuracy indicated focus on whether nurses agreed that TBI severity was important in developing care plans (27.84% accuracy). Nurses reported the need for clarity of the nursing role in caring for patients with TBI (77.32% agreement). Conclusion VHA nurses do have accurate beliefs about caring for Veteran patients with moderate-to-severe TBI; however, there is the need for further role clarification regarding nursing care of patients with TBI. Impact These findings have implications for development of education and training interventions for nurses who care for Veteran patients with TBI.
Incubation Behavior Differences in Urban and Rural House Wrens, Troglodytes aedon

As global land surfaces are being converted to urban areas at an alarming rate, understanding how individuals respond to urbanization is a key focus for behavioral ecology. As a critical component of avian parental care, incubating adults face a tradeoff between maintaining an optimal thermal environment for the developing embryos while meeting their own energetic demands. Urban habitats are biotically and abiotically different from their rural counterparts, i.e., in food availability, predator compositions, and the thermal environment. Therefore, urban birds may face different incubation challenges than their natural counterparts. We measured incubation behavior of rural and urban house wrens, Troglodytes aedon, with temperature loggers throughout the 12-day period. We found that urban females had more incubation bouts of shorter duration and spent less total time incubating per day than rural females. Results could provide evidence of behavioral shifts of wrens in cities, which have implications for the evolution of parental care. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the behavioral traits needed for city life and possible environmental pressures driving urban adaptations.
Retrospective feasibility study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis modified lipoprotein as a potential biomarker for TB detection in children

Abstract Background Current TB diagnostic methods available have been developed for adults and development efforts have neglected the differences in disease and sampling that occur between adults and children. Diagnostic challenges are even greater in HIV co-infected children and infants. Methods and results We established a sandwich ELISA assay to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis modified lipoprotein (TLP) ex vivo in plasma. The study population contains plasma samples from 21 patients with active TB and 24 control samples with no TB, collected in the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trails (IMPAACT) P1041 study. Retrospective analysis was performed and the result demonstrate that TLP level is associated with TB disease. Conclusions Plasma levels of TLP associate with active TB disease in HIV positive subjects and can be used as an indicator for TB detection in children.
Closing Thoughts and Additional Resources

In this chapter, we conclude with a summary of LMX and its value, critiques of the theory, and offer additional resources such as practical skills-based takeaways and suggested readings for leaders and members. One area that will be of particular interest to researchers and scholars will be measuring and studying LMX. A brief section of this chapter will offer readers suggestions on methodological and statistical techniques, in addition to pointing interested parties to useful resources.
The cold receptor TRPM8 activation leads to attenuation of endothelium-dependent cerebral vascular functions during head cooling.

Using the cranial window technique, we investigated acute effects of head cooling on cerebral vascular functions in newborn pigs. Head cooling lowered the rectal and extradural brain temperatures t...
Enrollment disparities in cancer clinical trials leading to FDA approvals between 2008 and 2020.

e18501Background: Cancer clinical trials based in the United States (US) have lacked adequate representation of racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and women. Pivotal clinical trials leading...
Disinformation after Trump

Disinformation research surged in the wake of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election of Donald J. Trump. This essay reviews three book-length contributions published in 2020 and 2021. In doing so, I t...
Overcoming the Manley-Rowe Limit for CW Terahertz Generation in Q-Engineered Multimodal Cavity

We present a method to overcome the Manley-Rowe limit in a Q-factor engineered multimodal nonlinear cavity. Cascading nonlinear processes enable continuous-wave terahertz generation with a theoretical conversion efficiency of 98.8%.
TU‐G‐207‐01: CT Imaging Using Energy‐Sensitive Photon‐Counting Detectors

Last few years has witnessed the development of novel of X-ray imaging modalities, such as spectral CT, phase contrast CT, and X-ray acoustic/fluorescence/luminescence imaging. This symposium will present the recent advances of these emerging X-ray imaging modalities and update the attendees with knowledge in various related topics, including X-ray photon-counting detectors, X-ray physics underlying the emerging applications beyond the traditional X-ray imaging, image reconstruction for the novel modalities, characterization and evaluation of the systems, and their practical implications. In addition, the concept and practical aspects of X-ray activatable targeted nanoparticles for molecular X-ray imaging will be discussed in the context of X-ray fluorescence and luminescence CT. Learning Objectives: 1. Present background knowledge of various emerging X-ray imaging techniques, such as spectral CT, phase contrast CT and X-ray fluorescence/luminescence CT. 2. Discuss the practical need, technical aspects and current status of the emerging X-ray imaging modalities. 3. Describe utility and future impact of the new generation of X-ray imaging applications.
Challenging the status quo

Ms. Gabriel reflects on a recent article discussing the failure of the law librarian profession to affirmatively address the lack of diversity within its ranks. Despite overall efforts to diversify legal education and the practice of law, the continuing systemic inaction of the law librarian profession to address the lack of diversity among law librarians may pose a risk to the future relevancy of the profession within the larger changing world of the practice of law.
Knowledge, Behavioral, and Sociocultural Factors Related to Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Inner-City Women in Panama

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in developing countries regardless of biomedical advances in prevention modalities. Specifically, Panama experiences one of the highest rates of cervical cancer worldwide. The objective of this study was to explore knowledge, behavioral, and sociocultural factors related to cervical cancer prevention among Panamanian women. A theory-guided, population-based quantitative survey following participatory processes was administered to a randomized sample of females (18–44 years) residing in a high-risk Panamanian community. Participants (n = 324) reported low knowledge regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and the purpose of the Pap test. Furthermore, low perceived susceptibility, high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., low contraception and condom use) and adverse attitudes toward the Pap test (e.g., shame, fear) were identified. Television, newspapers/magazines, and relatives/friends/neighbors were common sources to receive health information. Significant gaps in knowledge and behavioral factors were identified, which may interfere with cervical cancer prevention efforts. Future strategies should reflect the sociocultural context, such as interpersonal relations, when developing and implementing cervical cancer programs, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the persistent burden among Latin American women.
FAST observations of upward accelerated electron beams and the downward field-aligned current region

Auroral processes result from the exchange of energy and momentum between the magnetosphere and ionosphere, and the current systems arising from this exchange. Field-aligned potential drops in the upward field-aligned current (FAC) region of the auroral zone maintain a required current density in the face of opposing mirror forces. But field-aligned potential drops occur in downward current regions as well, and result in upgoing accelerated electron beams. We investigate the occurrence of upward accelerated electrons with altitude, magnetic local time and season using FAST. By choosing orbits having perigee over the equator, northern-southern hemisphere differences in altitude coverage are largely removed. For an interval near solstice, no electron beams were observed over the summer auroral zone at FAST altitudes, while over the winter hemisphere, 71% of the crossings had upgoing beams, a clear seasonal effect. During the equinox interval the distribution between hemispheres was much more balanced, but the overall occurrence was less (∼46%) than during winter solstice. There is a clear tendency for upgoing accelerated electron beam occurrence at FAST altitudes to maximize when dipole tilt places the field line footpoint deep in the nightside ionosphere, where background ionospheric density is lowest. In other words, as ionospheric density decreases, the potential structure tends to move to lower altitudes.
Nonlinear equalization for data storage channels

Nonadditive and non-Gaussian noises and nonlinear signal distortions are significant sources of error in high density digital magnetic recording. Transition noise, transition broadening and partial erasure are a few such impediments. We propose a multilayer perceptron (MLP) based nonlinear equalizer to counter such distortions. It is shown that for realistic channel models the performance of such a nonlinear equalizer is superior to that of the conventional linear partial response equalizer, when used with a Viterbi detector. >
Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α binding to HDAC2 and MIF promoter regions is associated with changes in gene expression levels in chronic ozone exposed mice

Ozone is an oxidizing environmental pollutant that significantly contributes to respiratory health risk. Exposure to increased ambient levels of ozone has been associated to worsening of symptoms of patients with lung diseases like asthma and COPD. In this study we investigate the chronic effects of ozone exposure on Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-1α binding to Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) 2 and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter regions in vivo . C57BL/6J mice were exposed to ozone (2.5 ppm) for 3 hours a day, 2 times a week for a period of 6 weeks. After the last exposure mice were sacrificed for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue collections. BAL total cell counts were elevated (predominately macrophages and neutrophils) and was associated with increased levels of cytokines (KC and TNFα) levels in ozone exposed mice indicating the presence of an inflammatory environment in the lung. Lung HIF-1α protein levels were increased in cytoplasm and nuclear fractions of ozone exposed mice compared to normal air exposed mice. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were demonstrate that HIF-1α binds to the promoter regions of both HDAC2 and MIF genes in vivo . This was associated with a reduction in HDAC2 mRNA, protein and activity and an increase in MIF protein and mRNA levels. Ozone-induced HIF-1α protein is able to bind to HDAC2 and MIF promoter regions in vivo identifying these as two novel HIF-1α target genes. Funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Functionalization of Reactive End Groups in Surface-Initiated Kumada Catalyst-Transfer Polycondensation

Summary Surface-initiated Kumada-catalyst transfer polycondensation (SI-KCTP) has become the preferred method for fabricating surface-bound conjugated polymer thin films. Here, the chain-growth character of SI-KCTP is exploited to allow for re-initiation of surface-bound films. Additionally, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is shown to be a powerful tool in the analysis of surface-bound intermediates.
Does maternal diabetes delay fetal pulmonary maturity

Does maternal diabetes delay fetal pulmonary maturity? To the Editors: In their recent analysis of fetal maturity studies in diabetic and nondiabetic mothers, Piper and Langer (Piper JM, Langer O. Does maternal diabetes delay fetal pulmonary maturity? AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1993; 168:783-6) conclude that well-controlled maternal diabetes does not delay fetal pulmonary maturity but that poorly controlled diabetes does. This conclusion is surprising because their Fig. 1 clearly shows, at every gestational age, higher rates of pulmonary immaturity with well-controlled diabetes than without diabetes. The basis for their conclusion was that contingency analysis within each gestational age stratum showed a nonsignificant difference between the two groups. However, the non significance was likely caused by the relatively small sample size within each stratum, that is, a type II statistical error. The trend across gestational ages seems too consistent to ignore. We performed a Mantel-Haenszel stratified X2 analysis l • 2 on their data. This analysis adjusts for the effect of gestational age on pulmonary maturity, allowing summary analysis across strata. The results showed that women with well-controlled diabetes had a significantly higher gestational age-adjusted risk of pulmonary immaturity than did those without diabetes (summary odds ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 1.57 to 4.81, Mantel-Haenszel X2 12.01, P 2. This difference in definitions alone may explain the results. It would be informative to see an analysis in which the definition of maturity is the same for all groups. C. Andrew Combs, MD, PhD, and Ronald K. Jaekle, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0526
Clinical Predictors and Outcome Implications of 30-Day Hospital Readmission in Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors and outcome implications for 30-day hospital readmission in lung transplant recipients. Methods and Materials We conducted a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant cases at a single, high-volume lung transplant program from 01/2000 to 03/2012. 30-day readmission was determined through analysis of inpatient-encounter start and end dates. Demographic and health data were reviewed for all patients. Risk factors for 30-day readmission were modeled using logistic regression, with selection of parameters by backward elimination. Results After excluding scheduled readmissions and in-hospital deaths, 795 patients were left in the sample. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 45.4% (n = 361). Readmission rates were similar across different diagnosis categories and procedure types. By univariate analysis, post-operative complications that predispose to 30-day readmission include pneumonia, any infection and atrial fibrillation (All p Conclusions The occurrence of at least one post-transplant complication increases risk for 30-day readmission in lung transplant recipients. 30-day readmission does not predispose to adverse long-term survival in this patient population.
Mapping hydraulic fractures using a borehole-to-surface electrical resistivity method

Abstract A series of shallow-depth hydraulic fracturing experiments was carried out in the summer of 1988 at the Elda landfill near Cincinatti, Ohio and mise-a-la-masse (MLM) borehole-to-surface resistivity measurements were obtained in an attempt to detect the fracturing. The well casing of an injection borehole was energized and potentials were measured at various points on the surface near the borehole before and after hydraulic fracturing was performed with a conductive fluid. Forward and inverse modeling algorithms based on the DC alpha center method were developed and tested with synthetic data to create a tool for interpretation of the experimental data. The alpha center forward algorithm incorporates a vertical line source of current to model an energized steel well casing. The advantages of the alpha center method are its speed and simplicity, and its ability to handle 3D geometry and indicate positions of conductive inhomogeneities. The forward solution is incorporated into an iterative least-squares inversion algorithm, with constraints applied to the alpha center parameters to facilitate modeling of fractures.
An epidemiological study of salt miners in diesel and nondiesel mines

A cross-sectional study of 5 NaCl mines and 259 miners addressed the following questions: 1) Is there an association of increased respiratory symptoms, radiographic findings, and reduced pulmonary function with exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and/or respirable particulate (RP) among these miners. 2) Is there increased morbidity of these miners compared to other working populations. Personal samples of NO2 and respirable particulate for jobs in each mine were used to estimate cumulative exposure. NO2 is used as a surrogate measure of diesel exposure. Cough was associated with age and smoking, dyspnea with age; neither symptom was associated with exposure (years worked, estimated cumulative NO2 or RP exposure). Phlegm was associated with age, smoking, and exposure. Reduced pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, peak, flow, FEF50, FEF75) showed no association with exposure. There was one case of small rounded and one case of small irregular opacities; pneumoconiosis was not analyzed further. Compared to underground coal miners, above ground coal miners, potash miners, and nonmining workers, the study population after adjustment for age and smoking generally showed no increased prevalence of cough, phlegm, dyspnea, or obstruction (FEV1/FVC less than 0.7). Obstruction in younger salt miners and phlegm in older salt miners was elevated comparedmore » to nonmining workers. Mean predicted pulmonary function was reduced 2-4% for FEV1 and FVC, 7-13% for FEF50, and 18-22% for FEF75 below all comparison populations.« less
''Money worlds'' and well-being: An integration of money dispositions, materialism and price-related behavior

Abstract Psychological aspects of money—attitudes, material values, and spending—are brought together in an integrated model of consumption patterns. Tightness with money combined with high materialism predicts value-seeking bargain hunting; looseness with money combined with high materialism predicts price-seeking conspicuous spending; tightness with money combined with low materialism predicts price aversion and reluctance to spend; and looseness with money combined with low materialism predicts spending on experiences rather than things. Being overly tight with money, overly loose, materialistic, or overly concerned with financial success are all associated with lowered well-being.
PASS (Penn Assessment of Surgical Skills) -validation of a new tool to assess technical and nontechnical skills of surgical residents

Introduction To maintain high surgical performance, attention needs to be paid both to residents' technical and non-technical skills. An integrated tool may be useful to assess overall performance in OR. Aim: To validate a new residents' evaluation tool, Penn Assessment of Surgical Skills (PASS). Methods A prospective study was conducted with eight (n=8) PGY4 residents. Using case scenario and images, an attending assessed their pre-operative planning, OR dynamics, team work and technical skills for surgical management of a simulated abdominal aortic aneurysm in the operating room. Each resident performed at least one proximal or distal anastomosis using a bifurcated portex graft. The performance was scored using the PASS tool by the surgeon and an independent observer. To validate the tool, Kappa of 0.8 to1 was considered significant. Results The tool has 7 domains of assessment, 3 for non technical and 4 for technical skills [ table ]. Scores given were positive +2, negative −2 and neutral +1 for each sub area. Scores were lower for domains, 5, 6 and 7. They were graded into four levels based on score percentage: Level I) ≥80% - Excellent, II) 60-79% - Good; III) 40-59% - Average; IV) ≤40% - Poor. Kappa correlation was significant. Performances were Level I/II and III/IV for nontechnical and technical skills. Domains Rater I: Mean Score (%) Rater II: Mean Score (%) 1. Understanding the information and situation: Max score-6 5.3 (88%) 5 (83%) 2. Communication skills: Max score-4 3.33 (83%) 4 (100%) 3. Leadership qualities: Max score-8 6 (75%) 5.3 (66%) 4.Tissue handling: Max score-6 3.33 (55%) 3.33 (55%) 5. Dynamics of instruments, needle handling and application: Max score-6 −2 (—) 0.75 (—) 6. Suturing, knot tying and anastomotic techniques: Max score-4 2 (50%) 2.33 (58.3%) 7.Flow and application/ knowledge of techniques/steps: Max score-4 2.37 (59%) 2.37 (59%) Conclusions PASS is an integrated evaluation tool to assess residents' technical and non technical skills. It also gave an understanding of the weak areas of a resident. In order to validate it further, this tool needs to be applied in a live OR.
L-subshell ionization cross sections for uranium by proton and alpha-particle bombardment

X rays resulting from $L$-shell vacancies in uranium atoms, produced by bombarding thin targets with protons (2.0-18.0 MeV) and alphas (3.0-16.0 MeV) were measured using a Si(Li) x-ray detector. $L$-subshell ionization cross sections for uranium were extracted from the $L{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1,2}$, $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}$, and $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{4,{4}^{\ensuremath{'}}}$, x-ray transitions. The observed projectile energy dependences are reasonably well reproduced by plane-wave Born, semiclassical, and binary-encounter approximation calculations at the higher energies, but show significant discrepancies below 2 MeV/amu. The ratios of $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{1}}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{2}}}$ and $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{3}}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{{L}_{2}}}$ also show departures from theoretical predictions at low energies.
Reconfigurable Assemblies of Shape-Changing Nanorods

Reconfigurable nanostructures represent an exciting new direction for materials. Applications of reversible transformations between nanostructures induced by molecular conformations under external fields can be found in a broad range of advanced technologies including smart materials, electromagnetic sensors, and drug delivery. With recent breakthroughs in synthesis and fabrication techniques, shape-changing nanoparticles are now possible. Such novel building blocks provide a conceptually new and exciting approach to self-assembly and phase transformations by providing tunable parameters fundamentally different from the usual thermodynamic parameters. Here we investigate via molecular simulation a transformation between two thermodynamically stable structures self-assembled by laterally tethered nanorods whose rod length is switched between two values. Building blocks with longer rods assemble into a square grid structure, while those with short rods form bilayer sheets with internal smectic A ordering at the same thermodynamic conditions. By shortening or lengthening the rods over a short time scale relative to the system equilibration time, we observe a transformation from the square grid structure into bilayer sheets, and vice versa. We also observe honeycomb grid and pentagonal grid structures for intermediate rod lengths. The reconfiguration between morphologically distinct nanostructures induced by dynamically switching the building block shape serves to motivate the fabrication of shape-changing nanoscale building blocks as a new approach to the self-assembly of reconfigurable materials.
Phototropism in fishes, and its relation to the results obtained by eye-dislocation

In the case of viviparous perch and goldfish, unilateral blinding causes a tilting on the anterior-posterior axis towards the normal eye, the amount of tilting being dependent upon the intensity of light. With a sudden change to a greater intensity of light, the fish circle toward the blind eye, and upon sudden reduction of the intensity they often circle toward the normal eye. The similarity of this reaction to the effect of unilateral blinding of insects is offered as an explanation.
Universal behavior of exchange-correlation energy in electron-hole liquid

Exchange-correlation energy of electron-hole liquid (EHL) is shown to be independent of different band characteristics of semiconductors. A simple expression of ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\mathrm{xc}}$ for EHL in all semiconductors is given. In units of excitonic rydberg, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\mathrm{xc}}=\frac{(a+{\mathrm{br}}_{s})}{(c+{\mathrm{dr}}_{s}+{r}_{s}^{2})}$, where $a=\ensuremath{-}4.8316$, $b=\ensuremath{-}5.0879$, $c=0.0152$, and $d=3.0426$. Ground-state and thermodynamic properties calculated with this expression are in good agreement with earlier theoretical calculations and experimental results.
The Old Adam and the Last Man

Friedrich Nietzsche described the Last Man in Thus Spake Zarathustra, as a creature of “desire and reason” as opposed to the First Man who was bestial and consumed by the desire for recognition alone. The Last Man (der letzte Mensch) the man of modern liberal democratic society was a “victorious slave” enacting the secular version of the Christian Kingdom of God on Earth. This was a society that put self-preservation first and cultivated physical security and material plenty. Nietzsche’s Superman (Ubermensch) would rise above this and would shed the shackles of conventional morality. But in the meantime we had a society where the weak could control the strong, but one that could become jaded by the experience of history; it could become bored with its own success.
Tamoxifen eliminates estrogen's neuroprotective effect upon MPTP-induced neurotoxicity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system.

The capacity for 17-a and 17-B estradiol to modulate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and potential antagonism of this modulation by the anti-estrogen, tamoxifen, were evaluated. Treatment of retired breeder ovariect-omized C57/BI mice with17-B estradiol diminished the amount of striatal dopamine reduction resulting from MPTP treatment with striatal dopamine concentrations of these17-B estradiol treated mice failing to differ significantly from vehicle treated controls. A combined administration of17-B estradiol with tamoxifen abolished this neuroprotective effect of estrogen as striatal dopamine concentrations of this group were significantly lower than vehicle treated controls. Results to17-a estradiol were less effective since striatal dopamine concentrations of these mice following MPTP treatment were significantly decreased as compared with vehicle controls. In contrast to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, no statistically significant effects of these treatments were observed upon olfactory bulb dopamine concentrations. Taken together, these results show that17-B, but not an equivalent concentration of17-a, estradiol was effective in decreasing striatal dopamine neurotoxicity to MPTP. This effect of 17-Bestradiol was abolished by tamoxifen. These data have important implications regarding the mechanisms of estrogen-tamoxifen interactions within the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system as well as for clinical applications of tamoxifen within pre-menopausal women.
Intron enhancement of gene expression and the splicing efficiency of introns in maize cells.

The inclusion of the alcohol dehydrogenase 1-S (Adh1-S) intron 1 in the transcription unit of maize gene constructs has been shown to increase gene expression in cultured maize cells. We have extended these studies with Adh1-S intron 1 using the firefly luciferase, Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter genes adjoined to different plant promoters and find enhancement of transient gene expression in all cases but one. We also show that the enhancement phenomenon can be mediated by the third intron of the maize actin gene. In all cases tested, the inclusion of an intron results in increased levels of steady-state RNA. The degree of enhancement depends on the exon sequences flanking the intron; flanking exons also influence the efficiency of intron splicing. Unexpectedly, unspliced RNAs accumulate during the transient assay.
Oxidation and Corrosion of SiC(particulate)/Al/Al2O3 Composites in Sodium Silicate at Elevated Temperatures

Ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) fabricated by the directed metal oxidation process (Dimox{trademark}) may have applications in heat exchangers in high-temperature corrosive environments such as those in the glass industry. The oxidation and corrosion properties of such CMCs with and without preformed metal-free surface layers have been investigated in the temperature range of 1,000--1,300 C. The untreated CMCs experienced rapid oxidation in air leading to mass increases of 100 to 140 mg/cm{sup 2} in less than 1 h. This occurred by oxidation of residual metal in the composite to form Al/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} deposits on the surface. After the initial formation of the oxidation product, there is little further reaction during up to 300-h exposures to oxidizing atmospheres. Experimental composite coupons with metal-free surfaces were resistant to oxidation except for localized events associated with flaws. Small amounts of sodium silicate (2 to 40 mg/cm{sup 2}) painted on the surfaces produced no corrosive effects on any of the specimens. Dynamic corrosion experiments, in which a continuous mist of sodium silicate was sprayed onto the surfaces, produced corrosion at 1,300 C.
Cu isotopes and concentrations during weathering of black shale of the Marcellus Formation, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania (USA)

Abstract The complex weathering processes which govern the production of soil from bedrock have proven difficult to understand for many lithologies. Weathering of black shale is of particular interest because it releases organic carbon and heavy metals as solutes and therefore impacts the health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To understand black shale weathering, a geochemical survey was initiated for soils developed on shales of the Marcellus Formation at a zero-order catchment at a satellite site of the Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory located in Jackson Corner, Pennsylvania. This formation is an organic- and metal-rich, carbonaceous shale that underlies much of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. In this paper, we focus on the effects of weathering on variations of Cu isotopes in the shale. Cu concentration data for soil were normalized using Ti concentrations to document the mobility of Cu relative to bedrock. At both the ridgetop and valley floor, depletion profiles for Cu are documented in the soils. The Cu in the soils is depleted in 65 Cu (average δ 65 Cu = − 0.5‰ ± 0.2) compared to the parent material (average δ 65 Cu = 0.03‰ ± 0.15). Consistent with loss of Cu from soils, the pore waters contain 10 ppb Cu on average and are enriched in the heavy isotope (average value δ 65 Cu = 1.14‰ ± 0.44). Rayleigh fractionation models using the concentration and isotope data of the soils are consistent with pyrite weathering and loss of Cu from the ridgetop, but downslope transport and Cu re-precipitation at the valley floor.
Significance of positive cultures from donor left atrium and postpreservation fluid in heart transplantation.

Background The significance of positive perioperative cultures routinely obtained from the donor left atrium and postpreservation fluid during heart transplantation is unknown. Methods A retrospective chart review of 128 heart transplant recipients was done. Results A total of 106 of 128 patients had left atrial and/or postpreservation fluid cultures performed; 61 (57.5%) of them were positive. Forty-one positive left atrial or postpreservation cultures grew indolent organisms and 20 grew virulent organisms. Six donors had positive blood cultures, and five of the six did not have left atrial or postpreservation fluid cultures positive for the same organism. Seven recipients had positive blood cultures with organisms different from their corresponding left atrial or postpreservation fluid cultures. Three patients had sternal wound infections with organisms different from their donors' left atrial or postpreservation fluid cultures. Seven patients received additional antibiotics after heart transplantation specifically directed at a positive left atrial or postpreservation fluid culture for 5 to 7 days; none of them developed infection with these organisms. Conclusions We found no evidence that positive donor left atrium or postpreservation fluid cultures increase the recipients' risk of infection. Nevertheless, we cannot refute that the small group of patients who received additional antibiotics might have developed an infection if they had not been treated. We recommend that the left atrial and postpreservation fluid cultures growing indolent organisms be discounted. However, if they grow more virulent organisms, consideration could be given to a brief course of specific therapy while awaiting recipient cultures.
Assessment of the Relative Effects of Attention and Escape on Noncompliance.

The current study presents a method for assessing the relative effects of attention and escape on noncompliance in preschoolers. Attention and escape conditions were alternated in a multielement design, and a contingency reversal procedure, in which one test condition served as a control for the other, was used to demonstrate control. For all 3 participants, noncompliance was maintained, at least in part, by social attention. Functional analyses of noncompliance such as the one described here may be valuable for developing function-based treatments.
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in heart and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (3′:5′-cyclic-AMP 5′-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) activities were compared in soluble ( 105 000 × g supernatant ) and particulate ( 105 000 × g pellet of 700 × g supernatant ) fractions of heart and aorta of hypertensive and normotensive rats at 5 μM and 100 μM substrate concentrations. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was significantly higher ( P ) in particular fractions of hypertensive rat aorta at 100 μM, while no significant changes were observed in heart. Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was significantly increased ( P ) in particulate and soluble fractions of hypertensive rat heart compared to normotensive rat at both substrate concentrations, but there were no differences in aorta. When phosphodiesterase activities in the soluble fractions of aorta and heart were examined as a function of enzyme concentration, rectilinear rates were observed with micromolar, but not with millimolar concentrations of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. Double reciprocal plots for cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity were non-linear in heart and aorta supernatants. Similarly, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase yielded non-linear kinetics in heart supernatant, however, the plots were linear for aorta supernatant. Particulate fractions of heart showed linear kinetics for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase and the K m values were in the range of high K m for soluble enzymes. V in hypertensive rats was approximately doubled compared to normotensive rats for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. These data suggest that altered phosphodiesterase activity could result in a change in cyclic nucleotide index in the cardiovascular tissues of hypertensive rat.
Removal rates of fused silica with cerium oxide/pitch polishing

The polishing removal rates of fused silica under twenty test conditions have been characterized by the resulting Preston coefficients and an inspection of surface quality using a Nomarski microscope and an optical heterodyne profilometer. Preston coefficient values of >16{times}10{sup {minus}14} cm{sup 3}/dyne-cm have been established, approximately a factor of ten higher than cited previously. However, operational variables can reduce removal rates significantly. Process parameters are shown to have an effect on surface quality which has been related to surface deposits. The effects of chemical additives on removal rates were of special interest. Of importance here is not necessarily the introduction of such additives in practise. The results may improve our understanding of the chemistry of polishing. 15 refs.
Acceptance among alaryngeal speakers

Abstract Acceptance, as well as perceived acceptance of others toward his voice and physical state, may be a determining factor in rehabilitation of the laryngectomized person. There are varying levels of acceptance-nonacceptance in different situations that may affect acquisition of speech and the patient's total rehabilitation. Some aspects of nonacceptance may be dealt with by the clinician, while others must be handled by other professionals. Examples and recommendations for therapy are given.
A simple model for the optical properties of chiral amides

The intramolecular charge-transfer model for the electronic structure of amides has been extended to include the effects of torsion about the peptide bond (Δω = ω – 180) and pyramidalization at the peptide nitrogen (θN). The model is used to calculate the absorption and CD spectra of nonplanar amides as a function of the angles Δω and θN. For cis-amides, the rotational strengths of the nπ* and ππ* transitions are much more sensitive to θN for a given value of Δω than is the case for trans-amides. The results from the model are compared with available experimental and previous theoretical treatments of such systems. The contributions of nonplanarity in amides to the CD of various polypeptide conformations is discussed. The effects should be negligible for α-helixes but may be quite significant in β-sheets and β-turns. The CD spectrum of unordered peptides would be readily explained if there were a significant bias toward negative Δω values in polypeptides of L-amino acids. However, the evidence currently available does not indicate such a bias.
Maximum cardiac output during incremental exercise by first-pass radionuclide ventriculography.

Study objective To validate a noninvasive first-pass radionuclide ventriculographic (FPRV) measurement of maximum cardiac output (Qv) during exercise. Design Comparison of Qv to that measured by the Fick principle (Qf) at peak exercise. Setting Academic cardiopulmonary exercise laboratory. Patients Seventy-eight consecutive patients without a history of septal defect undergoing clinically indicated maximum incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing with pulmonary arterial catheterization and FPRV. Measurements and results Ventilation and gas exchange were measured breath-by-breath or by a mixing chamber/mass spectrometer system. Arterial and mixed venous O 2 content were measured each minute during exercise. When patients without left-to-right ventricular stroke count ratio evidence for left-sided regurgitation were isolated, peak Qv was linearly related to Qf (r=0.75, p=0.0001). To account for a small systematic overestimation (bias) of Qf by Qv, the linear equation for the Qv/Qf relation was derived for patients studied between 1990 and 1993 and applied to those studied subsequently. The resulting corrected peak Qv was tightly related to peak Qf (r=0.90, p Conclusion FPRV can reasonably estimate maximum cardiac output during incremental exercise in patients for whom the technique has ruled out left-sided cardiac regurgitant lesions.
Higher dimensional quantum Hall effect as A-class topological insulator

Abstract We perform a detail study of higher dimensional quantum Hall effects and A-class topological insulators with emphasis on their relations to non-commutative geometry. There are two different formulations of non-commutative geometry for higher dimensional fuzzy spheres: the ordinary commutator formulation and quantum Nambu bracket formulation. Corresponding to these formulations, we introduce two kinds of monopole gauge fields: non-abelian gauge field and antisymmetric tensor gauge field, which respectively realize the non-commutative geometry of fuzzy sphere in the lowest Landau level. We establish connection between the two types of monopole gauge fields through Chern–Simons term, and derive explicit form of tensor monopole gauge fields with higher string-like singularity. The connection between two types of monopole is applied to generalize the concept of flux attachment in quantum Hall effect to A-class topological insulator. We propose tensor type Chern–Simons theory as the effective field theory for membranes in A-class topological insulators. Membranes turn out to be fractionally charged objects and the phase entanglement mediated by tensor gauge field transforms the membrane statistics to be anyonic. The index theorem supports the dimensional hierarchy of A-class topological insulator. Analogies to D-brane physics of string theory are discussed too.