cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib for thoracic insufficiency syndrome: a new method to treat an old problem.

Abstract Purpose The vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) thoracoplasty is a new technique devised for the treatment children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome. This study describes our initial experience with this device. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of all children undergoing VEPTR placement between October 2001 and December 2005. Results Twenty-two patients had 36 VEPTR devices placed. Two patients had Jeune syndrome, 19 had scoliosis, and 1 had a chest wall resection for tumor. Most had associated carbon dioxide retention, pulmonary restrictive disease, or respiratory failure. Eleven patients had multiple fused ribs requiring opening thoracostomy. All but the most recent patients have undergone sequential VEPTR expansion. All children had intraoperative spinal cord monitoring (somatosensory evoked potential). Four experienced intraoperative somatosensory evoked potential changes that resolved with decreased VEPTR expansion. Seven VEPTR devices required revision for erosion through the bone or dislodgment and 3 were removed. Five were outgrown and removed or replaced. One eroded soft tissue causing superficial infection that resolved with operative revision. Postoperative ventilation/perfusion scans improved most in younger children. Two of three children with carbon dioxide retention pre-VEPTR had carbon dioxide reduction post-VEPTR. Conclusions Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) is a new and safe method to treat children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome. The VEPTR may decrease carbon dioxide retention in some patients and may be most beneficial in younger children.
The scintillation properties of CexLa1−xF3

Abstract The light output of CexLa1−xF3 crystals under γ excitation has been investigated as a function of cerium concentrationx. By examining the various possible mechanisms that can result in the excitation of the Ce3+ ion, and hence in the emission of scintillation photons, we find that efficient transfer from lattice excitations occurs only at small values ofx. At higherx a direct excitation of Ce3+ ions by fast secondary electrons becomes the dominant mechanism. The reduced transfer efficiency at higherx is ascribed to the presence of Ce2+ electron traps.
Hepatic enhancement analysis in children using smart prep monitoring for 2 : 1 pitch helical scanning.

Purpose. To analyze hepatic enhancement by using Smart Prep protocols appropriate for children of different weight groups and 2:1 pitch helical CT imaging as the investigative tools. Patients and methods. A group of 55 children ranging in weight between 20 and 180 lbs underwent 67 contrast-enhanced abdominal helical CT examinations using Smart Prep (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisc.). Of these studies, 21 (31 %) were excluded because of failure to follow the prescribed Smart Prep protocols. Smart Prep protocols were established for nine different weight groups. Scan delay, aorta and liver time to peak, and liver enhancement over baseline were recorded. Results. Optimal abdominal CT studies with adequate contrast enhancement of hepatic and portal veins were obtained in 46 patients. There was no significant difference in the time between peak aortic and the liver enhancement among different weight groups (mean time 12.0 ± 7.1 s for all children). However, the mean hepatic enhancement over baseline in children weighing 50 HU. Conclusion. Two-thirds of the Smart Prep protocols were successfully implemented, and all of these resulted in good contrast enhancement of hepatic and portal veins. Optimal mean liver enhancement (> 50 HU) was seen in children ≥ 30 lbs. Children < 30 lbs had mean liver enhancement of 33 HU ± 7.2 above the baseline likely caused by contrast dose.
Isolation and axenic cultivation of Giardia trophozoites from the rabbit, chinchilla, and cat☆

Abstract Monoxenic cultures of Giardia trophozoites from the rabbit, chinchilla and cat have been established with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in medium containing yeast extract. Giardia then were separated from S. cerevisiae by inoculating the mixed culture in one arm of a U-tube; the protozoa migrated across the base of the tube and were removed from the other arm. Newly isolated trophozoites failed to grow axenically; axenic cultures were established, however, after the Giardia had been cultured for a month across a dialysis membrane from viable yeast. These cultures have now been maintained for more than a year; numerous subcultures have been made.
Introduction of a fast and sensitive fluorescent in situ hybridization method for single-copy detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) genome.

At present, in situ hybridization (ISH) is the only method for detection of specific genes in morphologically intact cells or tissue. We have developed a highly sensitive and quantitative fluorescence-based in situ hybridization (FISH) technique that can detect as few as one to five copies of the integrated human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 genome in cervical cell lines, using digoxygenin tail-labeled oligonucleotides (Method 1). The entire procedure can be carried out in 4.5 hr through the elimination of some of the steps routinely used in other ISH protocols. We also compared the sensitivity of this new FISH method (Method 1) to four other FISH techniques: digoxigenin-labeled DNA probe (Method 2); fluorescein-15-d-ATP-labeled oligonucleotides (Method 3); fluorescein 15-d-ATP labeled DNA probe (Method 4); and biotin-DNA-labeled probe (Method 5), for their ability to detect HPV DNA in the HPV-positive human cervical cell lines CaSki (500 copies) and SiHa (1-5 copies), but not in C33-A and HT-3, which do ...
Photocarrier drift and recombination in a-Si:H: the vital importance of defect relaxation

Abstract A model for steady-state and transient photoconductivity incorporating slow atomic relaxation effects for an electron trap is presented. Relaxation effects of this type were recently proposed to account for transient capacitance measurements in a-Si:H. The model accounts for the typical power-law dependence of the steady-state photocurrent upon illumination rate observed in a-Si:H, and is consistent with most features of transient photocurrent measurements measured under optical bias.
A cognitive/behavioral group intervention for weight loss in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics

Obesity and diabetes have caused problems for individuals with schizophrenia long before atypical antipsychotic agents. The prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and the Metabolic Syndrome has increased in people with schizophrenia as compared to the general population. Risk reduction studies for persons with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease indicate that cognitive/behavioral interventions that promote motivation and provide strategies to overcome the barriers in adherence to diet and activity modification are effective interventions for weight management and risk reduction. In the landmark multi-center randomized-controlled trial study, the Diabetes Prevention Project (DPP), a cognitive/behavioral intervention, was more successful in producing weight loss and preventing diabetes than the drugs metformin, troglitazone or placebo. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of a cognitive/behavioral group intervention, modified after the DPP program, in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder taking atypical antipsychotics in a large urban public mental health system. Outcome measures included body weight, body mass index, waist-hip ratios, and fasting glucose levels. Both groups demonstrated elevated fasting glucose levels and were obese with a mean BMI of 33. The group that received the cognitive/behavioral group intervention lost more weight than the treatment as usual group. The CB group participants lost an average of 5.4 lb or 2.9% of body weight, and those in the control group lost 1.3 lb or 0.6% body weight. The range of weight loss for the treatment group was from 1 to 20 lb. This pilot study has demonstrated that weight loss is possible with cognitive/behavioral interventions in a population with a psychotic disorder.
Hard to swallow dry: kinetics and mechanism of the anhydrous thermal decomposition of acetylsalicylic acid.

The methods of thermal analysis and mass spectrometry have been used to study the kinetics and mechanism of the anhydrous thermal decomposition of acetylsalicylic acid. Both thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) show that decomposition occurs in two steps. Mass-spectrometric analysis of the residue left after the first decomposition step (approximately equal to 60% mass loss) suggests that in the condensed phase, acetylsalicylic acid decomposes by first forming linear oligomers that are further converted into cyclic oligomers. Model-free isoconversional kinetic analysis of TGA traces has been used to determine global activation energies as a function of the extent of reaction. This method of analysis has also been used to make kinetic predictions of shelf life at ambient temperatures (20-40 degrees C) under anhydrous conditions for acetylsalicylic acid. Our estimate of a shelf life of 876 days (approximately equal to 2.4 years) for 5% decomposition at 30 degrees C is in good agreement with shelf lives of 2-3 years that are stamped on over-the-counter aspirin bottles. Hence, this approach can be used to systematically study the factors that determine the decomposition kinetics of aspirin and may be used for express screening of pharmaceuticals in order to identify those with desirable thermal stabilities.
Time, memory and the heritability of major depression.

Objective Although family, twin and adoption studies have suggested that lifetime major depression (MD) is a heritable condition, nearly all these studies have relied for the diagnosis on long-term human memory, which is fallible and potentially biased. Could the estimates of heritability of MD be biased by the well-demonstrated genetic influences on memory? Methods Both members of 858 female-female twin pairs from a population-based registry were personally interviewed at least three times over 9 years. The interview assessed a history of depressive onsets and recoveries in the last year to the nearest month. We examine heritability of MD using four recall intervals: last year, last 6 months, last 3 months and current month. Results Examining the occurrence of one or more depressive episodes across all three interviews, heritabilities of MD (95% CI) for the four time periods were: 0.41 (0.27-0.54), 0.41 (0.26-0.55), 0.35 (0.16-0.52) and 0.34 (0.11-0.55). These heritability estimates did not differ significantly from one another. A similar pattern was found if heritability was assessed for the number of interviews in which criteria for MD were met. Conclusion Modelling results suggest that the heritability of MD was not influenced by the duration of the required recall. Genetic influences on human recall do not appear to contribute substantially to estimated heritability of MD.
Acceleration of luteinizing hormone pulse frequency in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea by dopaminergic blockade

A constellation of neuroendocrine secretory aberrations, including reduced LH pulse frequency and PRL concentrations, has been documented in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). As pituitary function was preserved, these aberrations were attributed to an alteration in hypothalamic neuromodulation. To investigate the participation of the dopaminergic system in the genesis of the reduced LH pulse frequency and suppressed PRL levels in FHA, we studied six women with FHA and six cyclic women in the early follicular phase by obtaining blood samples at 15-min intervals for 48 h during sequential 24-h infusions of saline and a dopamine receptor blocker, metoclopramide (MCP). A hypothalamic vs. pituitary site of action was inferred from the pulsatility characteristics. MCP consistently elicited an increase in the LH pulse frequency in the women with FHA [7.3 ± 1.2 (±se) to 10.5 ± 1.3 pulses/24 h; P < 0.005]. In contrast, the eumenorrheic women did not show a significant change in LH pulse frequenc...
Obstetric outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: a racial/ethnic comparison.

AbstractObjective: To examine obstetric outcomes for adolescents among the major US racial/ethnic groups.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton births to nulliparous women aged 12 to 19 years from 1988 to 2008. The prevalence of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight and low Apgar score were compared across African-American, Asian, Latina and White adolescents.Results: 1865 adolescents were included in the analysis. Differences between racial/ethnic groups for rates of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and gestational diabetes were statistically significant at p < 0.05. African Americans had lower odds of preterm delivery (OR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.38–0.90]) and gestational diabetes (OR = 0.17, 95% CI [0.05–0.55]) than White adolescents. White adolescents had increased odds of cesarean delivery compared to African-American (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.48–0.98]), Latina (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41–0.94]) and Asian adolescents (OR = 0.41, 95% CI [0.2...
PLANT POPULATION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION

This paper reviews recent developments in plant population genetics and evolution. Topics discussed include: 1) levels of genetic variation within and among populations; 2) gene flow; 3) mating systems; 4) selection and adaptation; and 5) the genetic structure of natural populations. The current status of each topic is briefly reviewed and suggestions are made of areas where additional research is needed. RESEARCH CONCERNED with the genetics and evolution of plant populations has increased dramatically in recent years. While the reasons for this activity are somewhat obscure, two
Speed choice and driving performance in simulated foggy conditions

Driving in fog is a potentially dangerous activity that has been investigated in a number of different ways; however, most have focused on identifying the underlying perceptual changes that result in an inability to perceive speed of vehicle motion. Although the previous research has identified the perceptual changes associated with driving in fog and shows that people are highly likely to perceive their speed to be higher than it actually is, these research studies have not investigated driving behavior when drivers are allowed to maintain speed as they feel appropriate and make use of the vehicle's speedometer. In addition, much of the existing research focuses on speed perception and presents a limited view of other driving performance metrics in terms of lane keeping and event detection. The current study addresses these issues utilizing a driving simulator-based method where fog is simulated as a distance dependent contrast reduction while having participants drive at speeds they feel are appropriate. A number of different instructions and speed feedback mechanisms were tested in order to determine how drivers react when driving in varying levels of fog. Results also include lane keeping measures in order to assess whether drivers are willing to drive at speeds where their lane keeping performance is degraded due to the reduced visibility. Results indicate that, in general, drivers do not tend to slow down significantly until visibility distance is drastically reduced by fog; however, lane keeping ability is maintained throughout most of the range of visibility distances. Lane keeping ability was reduced only when fog results in visibility distances <30 m. Overall, the current study shows that drivers are willing and able to maintain vehicular control at high speed when driving in fog; however, it is important to note that drivers chose to drive at speeds where they would be incapable of stopping to avoid obstacles in the roadway even if they were to identify and react to the obstacle immediately at the border of visibility distance. This research suggests that safety benefits may be gained by convincing drivers to slow down more than they would on their own when driving in fog or enhancing a vehicle's ability to identify and react to hazards that are not visible to the driver. In order to further understand the effects of driving in fog, future naturalistic driving research should focus on identifying and mitigating risky behaviors associated with driving in foggy conditions.
Computer aided process and design optimization for injection moulding

AbstractSophisticated computer aided engineering (CAE) simulation tools for injection moulding have been available and are now widely used in industrial practices. As a result, the design and manuf...
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based mapping of volcanic flows: Manam Island, Papua New Guinea

We present new radar-based techniques for efficient identification of surface changes generated by lava and pyroclastic flows, and apply these to the 1996 eruption of Manam Volcano, Papua New Guinea. Polarimetric L- and P-band airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, along with a C-band DEM, were acquired over the volcano on 17 November 1996 during a major eruption sequence. The L-band data are analyzed for dominant scattering mechanisms on a per pixel basis using radar target decomposition techniques. A classification method is presented, and when applied to the L-band polarimetry, it readily distinguishes bare surfaces from forest cover over Manam volcano. In particular, the classification scheme identifies a post-1992 lava flow in NE Valley of Manam Island as a mainly bare surface and the underlying 1992 flow units as mainly vegetated surfaces. The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Network reports allow us to speculate whether the bare surface is a flow dating from October or November in the early part of the late-1996 eruption sequence. This work shows that fully polarimetric SAR is sensitive to scattering mechanism changes caused by volcanic resurfacing processes such as lava and pyroclastic flows. By extension, this technique should also prove useful in mapping debris flows, ash deposits and volcanic landslides associated with major eruptions.
Individual Contributions to a Collective Effort An Incentive Analysis

Subjects were asked to generate uses for an object either alone or in a group. Half were offered a modest incentive for a good (individual or group)performance, and half were not. As predicted, evidence of social loafing was found when subjects worked as part of a group, but only when the incentive was not provided.
Potential carcinolytic agents. VI. New deactivated biological alkylating agents.

Les auteurs ont effectue de nouvelles preparations chimiques anticancereuses en utilisant une forme des agents alkylants deactives du type moutarde nitrogenee quaternaire. Un mode d'action est propose par lequel ces preparations peuvent etre activees in vivo.
3D Voronoi Skeletons and Their Usage for the Characterization and Recognition of 3D Organ Shape

The paper describes a procedure for the generation of the Blum skeleton (medial axis) of large, complex, digitized 3D objects. The proposed algorithm is a 3D generalization of the Voronoi skeleton concept, which is already in routine use for 2D shapes. A specific algorithm for the generation of 3D Voronoi diagrams of very large point sets (containing several 100,000 generating points) is described. The pitfalls and drawbacks of pruning procedures are discussed, and a topologically correct regularization algorithm is given for the necessary regularization of the resulting Voronoi diagram. The performance of the developed procedures is illustrated on synthetic objects as well as on large, complex anatomical data, e.g., the segmented white matter of a human brain extracted from MR data.
Strong sextupole focusing in planar undulators

Abstract The range of parameters used in both working and proposed free electron lasers (FELs) has greatly expanded in recent years. Future machines are envisioned as fourth generation light sources providing researchers with high brightness, short wavelength, coherent radiation [see Ref. [1]: Report on the Workshop on Fourth Generation Light Source SLAC, Stanford CA, USA (February, 1992)]. Short wavelength operation, along with the long undulator required to produce high brightness photon beams in these devices, places tight requirements on the electron beam quality. In particular, the need to maintain a well focused beam is critical to successful operation of such an FEL. This paper examines the use of alternating gradient (AG) sextupole focusing in planar undulators. The equations of motion for an electron in an undulator field with a strong sextupole component are examined. Analytic as well as smooth approximation solutions are provided for AG sextupole focusing. It is shown that the mean electron longitudinal velocity can be kept constant through each focusing and defocusing section, but that the velocity differs between these sections. The effects of this stepwise velocity modulation as well as the beam size variation are explored computationally and compared to theory. Examples using the proposed SLAC 4 nm FEL, the UCLA 10.6 μm FEL as well as a Paladin based device are also given.
Conflict resolution in the Odonata: implications for understanding female mating patterns and female choice

Predictions of mating patterns in animals have focused on males and how they compete for fertilizations by controlling females. With reference to the Odonata, a taxon in which mating requires cooperation of the female, the active role that females play in mating decisions is often ignored, leading to the premature conclusion that male coercion of females is common. A critical review of the outcome of sexual conflict among odonates leads me to alternative explanations of female mating patterns that need to be refuted before concluding that males coerce matings. Because Anisoptera males have greater control over tandem formation, they have a greater potential for coercion than Zygoptera males. However, Anisoptera females may simply be willing to remate more often if they receive insufficient sperm to fertilize an entire egg clutch. Contrary to prior assumptions, in both suborders, male defence of oviposition sites does not preclude females from choosing among sites or among males. I find that the evolution of non-aggressive sexual signals by males is a reliable indication that sexual conflict has been resolved in favour of female interests. Although I predict that the benefits to females of choice of male phenotype should rarely exceed the cost of such discrimination in Odonata, female choice is most likely to evolve in territorial species whose males must endure high physiological stress in order to mate, and when site quality is not a reliable predictor of the genetic quality of a potential mate.
Steerable Guidewire With Eyes for Image-Guided Intervention in the Upper Urinary Tract

Active steering at the distal tip can reduce stress on the flexible ureteroscope (FU) shaft by eliminating the internal angulation wires while also minimizing tissue trauma. A multi-segmented SMA wire actuator has been designed to produce smooth graded motion of the ultrathin scanning fiber endoscope (SFE). A steerable SFE distal tip (1-axis) is demonstrated using a three-step graded bending motion with a multi-tapped shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, power transistor switches, and binary parallel communication. The experimental bending radius and angle of the fabricated active tip (2-mm OD) is measured as 45-mm and 50°, respectively. Using nominal 4% strain of a 125-μm SMA wire, the experimental values are compared to the model predictions using a multi-link planar manipulator. A guidewire with eyes and active tip bending mechanism constitutes the new SFE, which is expected to reduce the procedural time and complications, eliminate X-ray guidance, and provide more space for adjunctive instrumentation, along with having better performance and possibly lower cost than FU.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Transverse beam combiner for ILSE

Previous heavy-ion fusion driver system studies suggest that transverse beam combining significantly reduces driver cost. In a combiner, several beams are brought together to a common transport channel which accommodates the increased line charge density. Combining intense beams increases the transverse emittance mainly due to the heating of the beam by space charge forces as the non-uniform original beam configuration becomes more uniform. The combiner itself introduces additional aberrations, which are small for the present design. Those aberrations are due to the reduced available space for the focusing electrodes and reduced clearance from the beamlets to the surrounding electrodes, thereby generating field aberrations and larger image forces. These aberrations can also lead to particle loss. We have studied a particular design of the proposed induction linac system experiment (ILSE) combiner which is a first-order achromat that tolerates a rather large fractional head-to-tail momentum tilt of ± 10%. Using a 2D particle-in-cell code we have found that ≈7% of particles are lost in the combiner. The emittance growth after the combiner is large enough so that the emittance growth due to combiner aberrations is unimportant. The scaled projection to a driver shows the growth is small enough to be tolerated. At present, methods of improving combiner design to reduce particle loss and to minimize emittance growth are being studied.
A Visual Short-Term Memory Advantage for Objects of Expertise

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) is limited, especially for complex objects. Its capacity, however, is greater for faces than for other objects, an advantage that may stem from the holistic nature of face processing. If the holistic processing explains this advantage, then object expertise—which also relies on holistic processing—should endow experts with a VSTM advantage. We compared VSTM for cars among car experts to that among car novices. Car experts, but not car novices, demonstrated a VSTM advantage similar to that for faces; this advantage was orientation-specific and was correlated with an individual's level of car expertise. Control experiments ruled out accounts based solely on verbal- or long-term memory representations. These findings suggest that the processing advantages afforded by visual expertise result in domain-specific increases in VSTM capacity, perhaps by allowing experts to maximize the use of an inherently limited VSTM system.
Individual differences and choice of information source: Sensation seeking in drug abuse prevention

This study examined the relationship between sensation seeking and the information source an individual may select to (1) find exciting alternatives to drugs and (2) resist peer pressure to use drugs. Both high and low sensation seekers chose friends as the most preferred source of information. However, high sensation seekers, compared to low sensation seekers, were less likely to: talk with friends, parents or co‐workers; visit a drug counseling center; call an 800 hotline: contact a club, social group, or church group for prevention information. Low sensation seekers who used drugs, compared to high sensation seekers who used drugs, indicated a much higher preference for talking with parents. Implications for prevention efforts are discussed.
A study of the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonistic properties of anticholinergic drugs ☆

Drugs that act at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex have the ability to terminate nerve agent-induced seizures and modulate the neuropathologic consequences of agent exposure. Drugs with mixed anticholinergic and anti-NMDA properties potentially provide an ideal class of compounds for development as anticonvulsant treatments for nerve agent casualties. The present experiment evaluated the potential NMDA antagonist activity of 11 anticholinergic drugs by determining whether pretreatment with the compound was capable of protecting mice from the lethal effects of NMDA. The following anticholinergic drugs antagonized NMDA lethality and are ranked according to their potency: mecamylamine > procyclidine = benactyzine > biperiden > trihexyphenidyl. The anticholinergics atropine, aprophen, azaprophen, benztropine, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), and scopolamine failed to show NMDA antagonist properties. In addition, and unexpectedly, diazepam, ethanol, and pentobarbital were also shown to be capable of antagonizing NMDA lethality over a certain range of doses. The advantages and limitations of using antagonism of NMDA lethality in mice as a bioassay for determining the NMDA antagonist properties of drugs are also discussed.
Hartree approximation in relativistic field theory

The large-$N$ limit of $\ensuremath{\lambda}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ theory with $\mathrm{O}(N)$ symmetry is derived by functional methods. Since the method does not require the cumbersome, detailed analysis of Feynman graphs, it should make possible the study of more complicated theories in the many-field limit.
MicroMARC:amc Revised

In the June 1987 issue of OCLC Micro I wrote about the MicroMARC:amc software developed at Michigan State University for use with the USMARC Archival and Manuscript Control Format (AMC). Since then the number of users has doubled and the next version of the system has been developed. Version 2.0 incorporates improvements users indicated they would like to see in the system. Here's a brief description of the changes and what they mean to users. For a complete description of the system, please see OCLC Micro, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 14–16.
Quantifying the Role of Viewing the Denali “Big 5” in Visitor Satisfaction and Awareness: Conservation Implications for Flagship Recognition and Resource Management

Wildlife viewing is a primary attraction at Denali National Park (DNP), with most visitors wishing to observe the “Big 5”: grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), wolf (Canis lupus), caribou (Rangifer tarandu...
Restructuring education and its impact on medical education.

AbstractThe United States has an education deficit that in the long term may be more harmful to the country than the serious budget and trade deficits. U.S. students are far less prepared in mathematics, chemistry, and physics than are their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan. The dropout rate
Why we need apocalyptic

The thesis of this article is that an appropriate apocalyptic is remarkably pertinent, perhaps essential, in addressing certain theological challenges of our time. What an appropriate understanding of apocalyptic might be will, I trust, emerge with discussion; clarifying the contemporary challenges will be the first concern. Once that is done, the argument will proceed through two steps or concepts: first, the issue of concreteness and second, a concept I will call ‘contextualisation’. These steps establish the connection between the challenges and apocalyptic. I conclude by sketching some implications. Throughout, the article is guided by an ongoing conversation with Karl Barth, especially II/1 of the Church Dogmatics .
Aeolian sediment transport on a human-altered foredune

Changes in wind speed and sediment transport are evaluated at a gap and adjacent crest of a 2 to 3 m high, 40 m wide foredune built by sand fences and vegetation plantings on a wide, nourished fine sand beach at Ocean City, New Jersey. Anemometer masts, cylindrical sand traps and erosion pins were placed on the beach and dune during two obliquely onshore wind events in February and March 2003. Results reveal that: (1) changes in the alongshore continuity of the beach and dune system can act as boundaries to aeolian transport when winds blow at an angle to the shoreline; (2) oblique winds blowing across poorly vegetated patches in the dune increase the potential for creating an irregular crest elevation; (3) transport rates and deflation rates can be greater within the foredune than on the beach, if the dune surface is poorly vegetated and the beach has not had time to dry following tidal inundation; (4) frozen ground does not prevent surface deflation; and (5) remnant sand fences and fresh storm wrack have great local but temporary effect on transport rates. Temporal and spatial differences due to sand fences and wrack, changes in sediment availability due to time-dependent differences in surface moisture and frozen ground, combined with complex topography and patchy vegetation make it difficult to specify cause–effect relationships. Effects of individual roughness elements on the beach and dune on wind flow and sediment transport can be quantified at specific locations at the event scale, but extrapolation of each event to longer temporal and spatial scales remains qualitative. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tiazofurin-induced selective depression of NAD content in hepatoma 3924A.

Abstract The NAD content in hepatoma 3924A was approximately 40% of that in the liver of ACI N rats bearing this hepatoma. Treatment of tumor-bearing rats with tiazofurin decreased NAD pools in the hepatoma, but no change was apparent in the liver. In a dose-response study, injection of varying amounts of the drug decreased NAD pools in the hepatoma in a dose-dependent fashion. In time-sequence studies, a single drug dose (200 mg/kg) depressed NAD pools in the hepatoma from 2 to 24 h after injection to approximately 50% of control at the lowest point before returning to control range at 48 h. The tiazofurin-induced depletion of NAD pools in the hepatoma to approximately 20% of that of normal liver might play a role in the anti-cancer action and toxicity of this drug.
The Use of Antisera and Monoclonal Antibodies to Identify the Antigen-specific T Cell Receptor from Pigeon Cytochrome c-Specific T Cell Hybrids

Pigeon cytochrome c-specific, Ek beta:Ek alpha Ia molecule-restricted T cell hybrids were used as immunogens in order to obtain antisera and monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen receptor. Antisera against 2 different T cell hybrids specifically altered the IL 2 release only from the immunizing clone. Monoclonal antibodies against one of these hybrids were also obtained. They specifically bound to and inhibited the IL 2 release only from the immunizing cell. Lectin-induced IL 2 release was not blocked by these monoclonals. Immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis of detergent lysates from surface-labelled hybrid cells demonstrated a heterodimeric structure composed of chains of 45-50 and 40-44 kd apparent molecular weight. These chains were linked by disulfide bonds and each appeared to contain intramolecular disulfide bonds as well. The molecule that has been isolated is likely to be the receptor for antigen on the immunizing clone.
Intracellular transport dynamics of endosomes containing DNA polyplexes along the microtubule network.

We have explored the transport of DNA polyplexes enclosed in endosomes within the cellular environment by multiple particle tracking (MPT). The polyplex-loaded endosomes demonstrate enhanced diffusion at short timescales (t < 7 s) with their mean-square displacement (MSD) 〈Δx(t)^2〉 scaling as t^(1.25). For longer time intervals they exhibit subdiffusive transport and have an MSD scaling as t^(0.7). This crossover from an enhanced diffusion to a subdiffusive regime can be explained by considering the action of motor proteins that actively transport these endosomes along the cellular microtubule network and the thermal bending modes of the microtubule network itself.
Postoperative nausea and emesis.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has been variously described as the ‘‘big little problem,’’ the ‘‘final therapeutic challenge’’ for our specialty, and the ‘‘big, big problem’’ of ambulatory surgery [1,2]. The MEDLINE database contains more than 100 publications on PONV in the year 2000 alone. Yet, the optimal strategy for its prevention and management remains highly controversial [3–5]. There is a vigorous debate over the benefits of the preferential use of newer, more expensive anti-serotonin drugs for the prophylaxis of PONV compared to the older generic drugs (eg, droperidol) [3,5–10]. This chapter provides an updated review of the physiology of vomiting, factors associated with PONV, and therapeutic measures available for the prevention and management of established PONV. Definitions and physiology of vomiting The terms nausea, vomiting, and retching are not synonymous. Nausea is an unpleasant sensation in the throat and epigastrium associated with the urge to vomit. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of gastric contents, whereas retching is the rhythmic contraction of respiratory muscles including the diaphragm and abdominal muscles without the expulsion of gastric contents [11]. The act of vomiting is controlled by the emetic center located in the lateral reticular formation of the medulla. Efferent impulses from the emetic center go to the vagus, phrenic, and spinal nerves of the abdominal muscles. It receives afferents from the higher cortical centers, the optic, olfactory, vagal, glossopharyngeal, and trigeminal nerves, and somatic structures such as the gastrointestinal
Capillary Liquid Chromatographic and Automated MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Complex Carbohydrate Mixtures

Reproducible microbore reversed-phase HPLC methodology has been developed, suitable for the analysis of carbohydrates derivatized with 2-aminoacridone. The high extinction coefficient of this label at around 260 nm, combined with the use of a new diode array microflow cell, has allowed detection at femtomole levels. Analytes were also robotically collected onto MALDI targets, and mass spectrometric information was acquired for carbohydrate present at low picomole levels. This technology was successfully applied to mixtures of linear and branched oligosaccharides, including sialylated species.
Lensless spatial filtering using acousto-optic modulators

We review the role of acousto-optic (AO) modulators in programmable real-time image processing. Using one AO cell, 1D high pass filtering and edge enhancement has recently been demonstrated. Two AO cells in tandem can be used to remove asymmetries for using one AO cell. We also show notch filtering characteristics of an AO cell by developing a technique to determine the spatial transfer functions numerically for various cases of beam incidence on an AO modulator. Normal incidence and incidence at twice the Bragg angle are investigated as examples.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dissolution kinetics of steels exposed in lead-lithium and lithium environments

Abstract An analysis of weight loss kinetics was made for type 316 stainless steel and Fe12Cr1MoVW steel in thermally convective Fe17 at.% Li (500°C) and lithium (600°C). For both steels, the kinetics are similar in lithium and Pb17Li if the comparison is made at a temperature where solubility-driven mass transport dominates. At the temperatures of this study, a model based on paralinear reaction kinetics accurately described the weight loss curves for type 316 stainless steel in both liquid metals, while the ferritic steel rapidly achieved weight losses that were linear with time. The differences between the kinetic behavior of the two steels can thus be interpreted in terms of the preferential dissolution reactions and localized attack observed for the austenitic alloy.
Development of resistance to nephrotoxic insult: changes in urine composition and kidney morphology on repeated exposures to mercuric chloride or biphenyl.

Adult, male Fischer 344 rats were treated singly or repeatedly with one of several doses of HgCI 2 (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg, poj or biphenyl (250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg, po). Urinalyses were conducted at various times after a single treatment or during repeated treatments. Groups of animals treated in the same manner were killed and the kidneys examined for histopathologic alterations. HgCl 2 produced dose‐dependent polyuria, proteinuria, glucosuria, and enzymuria [increased alkaline phosphatase (AP), γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and N‐acetyl‐s‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAGA) excretions]. The effects were quantitatively greatest 1–3 d after the original treatment, but returned to normal or below‐normal ranges shortly thereafter whether HgCl 2 was administered once or continuously. Biphenyl administration also increased urine volume and urinary protein, glucose, and enzyme excretions in a dose‐dependent manner, but the effects were quantitatively l...
Dissipative dynamical systems part I: General theory

The first part of this two-part paper presents a general theory of dissipative dynamical systems. The mathematical model used is a state space model and dissipativeness is defined in terms of an inequality involving the storage function and the supply function. It is shown that the storage function satisfies an a priori inequality: it is bounded from below by the available storage and from above by the required supply. The available storage is the amount of internal storage which may be recovered from the system and the required supply is the amount of supply which has to be delivered to the system in order to transfer it from the state of minimum storage to a given state. These functions are themselves possible storage functions, i.e., they satisfy the dissipation inequality. Moreover, since the class of possible storage functions forms a convex set, there is thus a continuum of possible storage functions ranging from its lower bound, the available storage, to its upper bound, the required supply. The paper then considers interconnected systems. It is shown that dissipative systems which are interconnected via a neutral interconnection constraint define a new dissipative dynamical system and that the sum of the storage functions of the individual subsystems is a storage function for the interconnected system. The stability of dissipative systems is then investigated and it is shown that a point in the state space where the storage function attains a local minimum defines a stable equilibrium and that the storage function is a Lyapunov function for this equilibrium. These results are then applied to several examples. These concepts and results will be applied to linear dynamical systems with quadratic supply rates in the second part of this paper.
Regime decay: conflict management and international organizations, 1945–1981

This article updates earlier work by Haas, Butterworth, and Nye on conflict management by international organizations. In addition, it seeks to answer the question of whether one can fruitfully interpret conflict management as a case of regime growth and regime decay. For this purpose I develop indicators of regime coherence and regime effectiveness, and illustrate them by subjecting the management of disputes to time-series analysis. The discussion identifies when and under what global conditions the regime began to decay. Finally, I explain that decay in terms of four mutually supportive hypotheses. In this article I thus offer a statistical history of the conflict management functions of the United Nations and the major regional organizations, and use it to probe the limits of the utility of the regime literature.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors contribute to the baseline noise of retinal ganglion cells.

Whole-cell recordings of tiger salamander ganglion cells were obtained using a superfused retinal slice preparation. Membrane current fluctuations were recorded under voltage-clamp conditions with cells usually held at −70 mV. Current fluctuations at rest (Mg 2+ = 1 mM) were reduced by adding d -2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate ( d -AP7). Resting fluctuations were increased by adding N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or by removing extracellular Mg 2+ . These increased fluctuations were blocked by d -AP7. Blocking NMDA receptors under control conditions also reduced a tonic inward current by −1 to −15 pA. Fluctuation analysis of current noise shows that the noise power spectrum measured in the presence of NMDA is similar to that measured under Mg 2+ -free conditions. We conclude that NMDA receptors are active in cells held at −70 mV even in the presence of 1 mM Mg 2+ . We believe this activation is due to the presence of endogenous glutamate in the retina. The observations of this study strongly suggest that NMDA receptors contribute to the resting noise and conductance properties of retinal ganglion cells. Our results suggest NMDA receptors are activated by an ambient level of extracellular glutamate whose source has yet to be determined.
Coronary endothelial dysfunction in patients with early coronary artery disease is associated with the increase in intravascular lipid core plaque.

Aims Endothelial dysfunction is considered to play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. However, only a limited number of human imaging studies have been available to demonstrate this hypothesis. The present study used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to investigate whether coronary endothelial dysfunction is associated with the lipid core plaque (LCP) in patients with early coronary artery disease. Methods and results A total of 32 patients with chest pain who had diameter stenosis 0.98, tan: 0.84 ≤ P ≤ 0.98, orange: 0.57 ≤ P ≤ 0.84, red: P < 0.57) were measured. The mean percentage of yellow, tan, and orange colour blocks in patients with epicardial endothelial dysfunction was significantly higher than in those with normal epicardial endothelial function (9.5 ± 11.4 vs. 3.1 ± 6.5%, P = 0.042). There was a significant correlation between LCBI ( r = −0.460, P = 0.008), LCBI/L ( r = −0.453, P = 0.009), and maxLCBI4 mm ( r = −0.431, P = 0.014) and the degree of epicardial endothelial function. However, there was no significant correlation between LCBI ( r = −0.101, P = 0.58), LCBI/L ( r = −0.099, P = 0.59), and maxLCBI4 mm ( r = −0.063, P = 0.73) and the degree of microvascular endothelial function. Conclusion Patients with early coronary artery disease and endothelial dysfunction had a higher lipid content in the vascular wall than patients with normal endothelial function. The result of the present study supports the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction is associated with pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis
Dynamic energy transfer and transient fringe dislocations in photorefractive lithium niobate

By combining the band-transport equations with the coupled wave equations, we obtain a self-consistent set of equations governing the recording of photorefractive holograms. Using the results of this model leads to accurate predictions for the observed intensity coupling and holographic diffraction efficiency. The model also predicts complicated dynamics for long recording times. The origin of this prediction is discussed and is found to be due to a new effect, which is called transient fringe dislocation.