cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antireflection coatings with Chebyshev or Butterworth response: design.

Approximations are developed for the refractive indices of nonabsorbing layers with equal optical thickness producing an antireflection coating for a dielectric substrate that has a Chebyshev spectral response.
The bacteriostatic properties of ear tubes made of absorbable polylactic acid.

Summary Objective Tympanostomy tube placement remains the most common reason children are brought to the operating room. Of the known complications, transient, recurrent, and chronic otorrhea represent the most common and challenging sequelae of tube insertion. This study was performed to determine if the acidic nature of the polymer of lactic acid (PLA), a possible material for the construction of ear tubes, would have bacteriostatic properties. Material and methods Experimental PLA tubes and control fluoroplastic tubes were inoculated with a broth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus and incubated. Fluid recovered from the tubes was plated and incubated again. Colony counts were recorded at 24 and 48 h. Two separate trials were conducted for each organism. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were used to assess the effects of the type of tube, the experimental run, and the tube by run interaction on colony counts. Results In the Pseudomonas experiments, the mean colony count of the PLA tube group (Run 1: 1.0; Run 2: 26.6) was significantly lower than the mean colony count in the fluoroplastic tube group (Run 1: 132.6; Run 2: 122.2; p = 0.0150). Similarly, in the S. aureus experiments, the mean colony count of the PLA tube group (Run 1: 88.2; Run 2: 92.6) was significantly lower than the mean colony count in the fluoroplastic tube group (Run 1: 335.0; Run 2: 325.8; p Conclusion PLA has many properties including an apparent bacteriostatic quality, which may make it an attractive material for the construction of tympanostomy tubes.
Assessing the role of case mix in cesarean delivery rates.

Abstract Objective: Implicit in comparisons of unadjusted cesarean rates for hospitals and providers is the assumption that differences result from management practices rather than differences in case mix. This study proposes a method for comparison of cesarean rates that takes the effect of case mix into account. Methods: All women delivered of infants at our institution from December 1, 1994, through July 31, 1995, were classified according to whether they received care from community-based practitioners ( N = 3913) or from the hospital-based practice that serves a higher-risk population ( N = 1556). Women were categorized according to both obstetric history (nulliparas, multiparas without a previous cesarean, multiparas with a previous cesarean) and the presence of obstetric conditions influencing the risk of cesarean delivery (multiple birth, breech presentation or transverse lie, preterm, no trial of labor for a medical indication). We determined the percent of women in each parity–obstetric condition subgroup and calculated a standardized cesarean rate for the hospital-based practice using the case mix of the community-based practitioners as the standard. Results: The crude cesarean rate was higher for the hospital-based practice (24.4%) than for the community-based practitioners (21.5%), a rate difference of 2.9% (95% confidence interval = 0.4%, 5.4%; P = .02). However, the proportion of women falling into categories conferring a high risk of cesarean delivery (multiple pregnancy, breech presentation or transverse lie, preterm, no trial of labor permitted) was twice as high for the hospital-based practice (24.4% hospital, 12.1% community). The standardization indicates that if the hospital-based practitioners had the same case mix as community-based practitioners, their overall cesarean rate would be 20.1%, similar to the 21.5% rate of community providers (rate difference = −1.4%, 95% confidence interval = −3.1%, 0.3%; P = .11). Conclusion: Standardization for case mix provides a mechanism for distinguishing differences in cesarean rates resulting from case mix from those relating to differences in practice. The methodology is not complex and could be applied to facilitate fairer comparisons of rates among providers and across institutions.
Individual, Housing, and Neighborhood Correlates of Asthma among Young Urban Children

Using data from a large cohort of urban children, this study identified multilevel correlates of asthma to determine whether neighborhood attributes remain associated with asthma after adjustment for individual level and immediate housing characteristics. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study and its substudy, the In-Home Longitudinal Study of Pre-Schooled Age Children (n = 1,784). The primary outcome was asthma diagnosis by age 5. Sociodemographic measures were assessed via telephone survey, housing and block conditions recorded via direct observation, and neighborhood characteristics came from geocoded census tract data. After multivariable adjustment, non-Hispanic Black, Puerto Rican, or other Hispanic race, child’s lack of insurance coverage, male gender, presence of allergies, the exterior condition of a child’s home, mother’s educational attainment, and the percent of the neighborhood population with a bachelor’s degree remained significantly associated with having received an asthma diagnosis by age 5. The authors identified sociodemographic and economic factors at the individual, household, and neighborhood level which are correlates of childhood asthma in urban areas. After adjustment for more proximal characteristics, the effects of all neighborhood markers were minimal, with the exception of neighborhood education.
Electrophoretic study of the soluble proteins of the developing chick neural retina and brain

En examinant par electrophorese en gel de polyacrylamide les proteines solubles de la retine neurale et du cerveau du poulet au cours de sa croissance, nous avons compare 15 bandes nettement visibles dans la serie de ces deux tissus; 8 furent tres semblables et 7 notablement differentes.
The emergence of e-government services in East Africa: tracking adoption patterns and associated factors

A study was conducted to determine the pattern of e-government adoption from 1998 to 2003 using the three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and 98 websites of their government agencies as case studies. The study also identified the factors that have influenced the observed patterns of adoption. The adoption patterns were determined using the number of websites (which corresponds to the number of government agencies, since each agency had only one official website) created each year and cumulative numbers over a five-year period. The adoption patterns were found to exhibit various degrees of "S" and normal distribution (bell) shapes as described in diffusion of innovation theory. There were a few early adopters in each country, including the embassies representing those countries abroad, and across the region as a whole, and the numbers of adopters increased over the years. However, the patterns of adoption were more gradual for Tanzania and Uganda than those of Kenya, whose rate of adoption was slow, with a sharp increase occurring in 2003, and associated with the establishment of a new government. Although early adopters were mostly embassies, their subsequent adoption patterns showed very low rates (only 3 compared to 16 for government ministry websites per year) in five years. Possible reasons for this trend include resource constraints, lack of pressure from governments, and lack of demand from potential users. This study is important in that it can help both researchers and policy makers to predict the extent and pattern of adoption so that they can assess points that require policy interventions to enhance effective adoption and implementation of e-government services.
Analysis of plasmid DNA from a pharmaceutical perspective

The advent of gene therapy and polynucleotide-based vaccines has resulted in the use of plasmid DNA as a drug substance. Although biologically (cell or animal) based assays must currently be employed to establish the identity and potency of such drugs, we argue that in the future, a combination of microchip-based mutation detection devices combined with an array of chromatographic, electrophoretic, hydrodynamic, and spectroscopic methods can be employed to rigorously establish these properties. We review a variety of such methods in this context and also consider the issue of the chemical stability of plasmids. Extensive comparison is made to protein-based pharmaceuticals with the unique importance of polynucleotide sequence emphasized in comparison to protein tertiary structure.
Sustained hemodynamic response to flosequinan in patients with heart failure receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Objectives. We evaluated the short- and long-term effects of flosequinan in 47 patients with severe heart failure despite ongoing captopril treatment. Background. There have been no previous evaluations of the long-term hemodynamic effects of any direct-acting vasodilator in patients with heart failure receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Flosequinan is an arterial and venous vasodilator with actions similar to those of the hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate combination. Methods. After baseline hemodynamic measurements using balloon-tipped pulmonary artery and radial arterial catheters, patients were randomized to receive 50, 100 or 150 mg of flosequinan daily. Hemodynamic variables were measured immediately before and after short-term flosequinan administration and after 8 weeks of therapy. Results. With short-term flosequinan administration, mean arterial, right atrial and left ventricular filling pressures decreased by 6.4 ± 1.1, 3.8 ± 0.5 and 7.3 ± 0.7 mm Hg, respectively (all p < 0.001). Cardiac index increased by 0.5 ± 0.1 liters/min per m2, systemic vascular resistance decreased by 616 ± 105 dynes · s · cm−5and heart rate increased by 4 ± l beats/min (all p < 0.001). After 8 weeks of long-term flosequinan administration, the vasodilator effect of a dose of flosequinan persisted. Compared with pretreatment baseline values, mean arterial, right atrial and left ventricular filling pressures at the peak effect of flosequinan were decreased by 3.5 ± 1.3, 2.8 ± 0.7 and 5.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, respectively (all p < 0.01). Systemic vascular resistance had decreased by 585 ± 95 dynes · s · cm−5, cardiac index had increased by 0.5 ± 0.1 liters/mn per m2and heart rate had increased by 10 ± 2 beats/min (all p < 0.001). Conclusions. The arterial and venous vasodilator flosequinan exerts both short- and long-term sustained hemodynamic effects in patients with heart failure receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Insecticidal Activity of the Enantiomorphs of O-Ethyl S-2-(Ethylthio)- ethyl Ethylphosphonothiolate

The dextro , levo and racemic forms of 0 -ethyl S -2-(ethylthio) ethyl ethylphosphonothiolate were prepared and examined for insecticidal properties. The lero isomer was about 10 times more toxic to certain insects than the dextro isomer. Also, the levo isomers inactivated fly-brain cholinesterase 11 times faster than the dextro isomer.
Periductal hypoechoic sign: an endosonographic finding associated with pancreatic malignancy

Background Despite advances in imaging, differentiating benign from malignant causes of pancreatic duct dilation is difficult. Objective The aim of our study was to assess the accuracy of the periductal hypoechoic sign (PHS), defined as patchy hypoechoic areas adjacent to a dilated pancreatic duct, for the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy. Design Single-center, retrospective analysis. Setting Tertiary care university hospital. Patients All patients who underwent EUS from 2006 to 2008 for evaluation of pancreatic pathology were identified. Those with pancreatic duct dilation of 4 mm or more in the head of the pancreas or 3 mm or more in the body or tail were included. Digitally recorded EUS images were analyzed for PHS by 1 endoscopist blinded to final results. The final diagnosis was based on pathology results or clinical follow-up. Results During the study period, 84 of 427 patients who underwent EUS for pancreas pathology had dilated pancreatic ducts. Of these, 42 patients had benign disease and 42 had pancreatic malignancy. The PHS was noted in 31 (73.8%) of 42 patients with malignancy compared with 6 (14.3%) of 42 patients with benign disease (P Limitation A retrospective design. Conclusions The PHS was an accurate and independent predictor of pancreatic malignancy in patients with a dilated pancreatic duct.
The involvement of the cytoskeleton in regulating IP3 receptor-mediated internal Ca2+ release in human blood platelets

In this study we have used saponin to permeabilize platelet membranes in order to test directly the involvement of IP3 in regulating internal Ca2+ release, and to measure IP3 binding to its receptor. Our results indicate that platelet vesicles release Ca2+ as early as 3 seconds after IP3 addition. Using [3H]IP3, we have found that platelets contain a single class of high affinity IP3 binding sites with a Kd of approximately 0.20 (+/- 0.01) nM. Immuno-blotting shows that platelets contain a 260 kDa polypeptide which shares immunological cross reactivity with brain IP3 receptor. Immunofluorescence staining data indicate that the IP3 receptor is preferentially located at the periphery of the platelet plasma membrane. Most importantly, both IP3 binding and IP3-induced Ca2+ release activities are significantly inhibited by cytochalasin D (a microfilament inhibitor) and colchicine (a microtubule inhibitor). These findings suggest that the cytoskeleton is involved in the regulation of IP3 binding and IP3 receptor-mediated Ca2+ release during platelet activation.
Subgroups of patients with atypical circadian patterns of symptom onset in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Circadian variation of onset of acute myocardial infarction has been noted in many studies and may carry important implications. However, only a few previous studies have attempted subgroup analysis. In 4,796 patients with documented acute myocardial infarction, the time of symptom onset was recorded. As in other studies, a peak occurred in the morning hours from 6 A.M. to noon with 28% of the population (1.16 times the average percent for the other time periods) experiencing symptom onset in that period (p Whether the presence of subgroups with specific clinical characteristics would exhibit different patterns and thereby contribute to these peaks in the overall population was then determined. In patients with a history of congestive heart failure (n = 606) or with non-Q-wave infarction (n = 832), a pronounced peak (29%) occurred only in the evening hours. In patients >70 years of age (n = 1,422), smokers (n = 2,057), diabetics (n = 767), women (n = 1,213) and patients taking β blocking drugs (n = 847), 2 nearly equal peaks were observed. Finally, in patients with previous myocardial infarction (n = 1,104), no peaks were observed. In a subgroup of patients (n = 1,084) free from the most important modifying factors, there was a single very pronounced late morning peak (32%), 1.39 times the average percent for the other time periods (p
Water demand management in times of drought: What matters for water conservation

Southern California is subject to long droughts and short wet spells. Its water agencies have put in place voluntary, mandatory, and market-based conservation strategies since the 1980s. By analyzing water agencies' data between 2006 and 2010, this research studies whether rebates for water efficient fixtures, water rates, or water ordinances have been effective, and tests whether structural characteristics of water agencies have affected the policy outcome. It finds that mandates to curb outdoor water uses are correlated with reductions in residential per capita water usage, while water rates and subsidies for water saving devices are not. It also confirms that size is a significant policy implementation factor. In a policy perspective, the transition from a water supply to a water demand management-oriented strategy appears guided by mandates and by contextual factors such as the economic cycle and the weather that occur outside the water governance system. Three factors could improve the conservation effort: using prices as a conservation tool, not only as a cost recovering instrument; investing in water efficient tools only when they provide significant water savings; supporting smaller agencies in order to give them opportunities to implement conservation strategies more effectively or to help them consolidate.
Calculation of SANS intensity for polyethylene: effect of varying fold planes and fold plane roughening

Abstract The intensity of the small angle neutron scattering (SANS) for polyethylene crystallized in the lamellar habit from the melt at large supercoolings is calculated for μ = 0.01 to μ = 0.14 [ μ = ( 4π λ ) sin ( θ 2 ) ]. Computations are made on models which allow various amounts and types of chain folding and varying degrees of ‘tight’ or ‘regular’ folds. The models that fit the SANS data best have folding along lattice planes in which the stem separation is larger than 0.5 nm (5 A) or which allow for fold plane roughening on a variety of fold planes. the ‘leapfrog’ type folds mentioned by Sadler were also considered, and a possible cause for their existence suggested. As an example, the variable cluster model gives a good account of the SANS data with the surface roughening suggested by nucleation theory with fold planes [110], [200], and [310], or a mixture. Even though the conditions of crystallization used in preparing the SANS specimens (large supercoolings) were conducive to the maximum surface disorder, the probability of ‘tight’ or ‘regular’ folding, ptf, was found to be ∼0.7 for the best models. This corresponds closely to the theoretical lower bound p tf = 2 3 which is rigorous for the case of non-tiled stems. The probability of strictly adjacent re-entry in a single specified fold plane, par, was ∼0.4 to ∼0.7 depending on the particular model chosen. The best models fit not only the SANS data, but also the liquid and crystal density, degree of crystallinity, and characteristic ratio (or radius of gyration). None of the models show the density anomaly inherent in the switchboard or random re-entry models of Yoon and Flory.
Inhibition of the expression of the human RNase P protein subunits Rpp21, Rpp25, Rpp29 by external guide sequences (EGSs) and siRNA.

Abstract External guide sequences (EGSs) and siRNAs were targeted individually to the mRNA of three of the protein subunits of human RNase P, Rpp21, Rpp25 and Rpp29.The production of each of the three targets was inhibited in every specific case. In addition, some of the remaining protein subunits were also inhibited by these specific EGSs and the siRNAs. These data, in general, confirm previous results on the inhibition of a sub-group of all the protein subunits with an EGS against Rpp38.The effect of EGSs is apparent in 24 hours after transfection but the effect of siRNAs, which is comparable to the EGS data in amounts of inhibition, takes at least 48 to 96 hours to become evident. No general understanding of the mechanism of action of the siRNAs, in terms of which portion of a target mRNA they bind to for function, was apparent from the design of those used here.
Business Strategies of Independent Retailers: Effects of Environmental Hostility

Abstract Our research purpose was threefold: 1) to investigate whether it is the presence of discount retailers or customer patronage that influenced independent retailers’ perceptions of the hostility of their business environment, 2) to examine whether it is the presence of discount retailers, the independent retailers’ perceptions regarding customer patronage of local stores, or independent retailers’ perceptions of the hostility of their business environment that influenced independent retailers’ emphasis on specific business strategies, and 3) to identify relationships between independent retailers’ emphasis on specific business strategies and their performance.Independent retailers’ views concerning the hostility of their business environment were related to customers'patronage of local stores rather than the presence of large discount stores. Independent retailers who shared their market with large discount retailers placed emphasis on a merchandise strategy. However, it was the retailers who focus...
Acetoacetate utilization by human placental mitochondria

Summary It has been shown that mitochondria from human placenta incubated in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate or its precursors utilize acetoacetate at the rate about 1 nmol/min/mg protein. Utilization of acetoacetate is completely inhibited by arsenite. Mitochondria from human placental tissue show activity of 3-oxoacid-CoA transferase and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase. It is proposed that acetoacetate utilization by placental mitochondria proceeds via the conversion to acetoacetyl-CoA catalysed by 3-oxoacid-CoA transferase, and then to acetyl-CoA, catalysed by acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase.
Sohlh2 Knockout Mice Are Male-Sterile Because of Degeneration of Differentiating Type A Spermatogonia

The spermatogenesis and oogenesis-specific transcription factor Sohlh2 is normally expressed only in premeiotic germ cells. In this study, Sohlh2 and several other germ cell transcripts were found to be induced in mouse embryonic stem cells when cultured on a feeder cell line that overexpresses bone morphogenetic protein 4. To study the function of Sohlh2 in germ cells, we generated mice harboring null alleles of Sohlh2. Male Sohlh2-deficient mice were infertile because of a block in spermatogenesis. Although normal prior to birth, Sohlh2-null mice had reduced numbers of intermediate and type B spermatogonia by postnatal day 7. By day 10, development to the preleptotene spermatocyte stage was severely disrupted, rendering seminiferous tubules with only Sertoli cells, undifferentiated spermatogonia, and degenerating colonies of differentiating spermatogonia. Degenerating cells resembled type A2 spermatogonia and accumulated in M-phase prior to death. A similar phenotype was observed in Sohlh2-null mice on postnatal days 14, 21, 35, 49, 68, and 151. In adult Sohlh2-mutant mice, the ratio of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia (DAZL+/PLZF+) to differentiating type A spermatogonia (DAZL+/PLZF-) was twice normal levels. In culture, undifferentiated type A spermatogonia isolated from Sohlh2-null mice proliferated normally but linked the mutant phenotype to aberrant cell surface expression of the receptor-tyrosine kinase cKit. Thus, Sohlh2 is required for progression of differentiating type A spermatogonia into type B spermatogonia. One conclusion originating from these studies would be that testicular factors normally regulate the viability of differentiating spermatogonia by signaling through Sohlh2. This regulation would provide a crucial checkpoint to optimize the numbers of spermatocytes entering meiosis during each cycle of spermatogenesis. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Relationships among nitrogen accumulation, nitrogen assimilation and plant growth in chrysanthemums

Relationships among growth, N accumulation and assimilation were investigated in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat cv. Fiesta in experiments testing the effects of varying levels of NO–33supply and of increasing NH+4 added to a constant level of NO–33 Flowing solution culture systems were used to provide NO−3at concentrations of 0.03 to 5.0 mol m–3 and NH+4 levels from 0.05 to 0.3 mmol m–3 added to 0.1 mol m–3NO−3. Rates of growth, N absorption, accumulation, distribution and utilization were estimated by regression analysis of data obtained from sequential plant harvests, and rates of NO−3 and NH−4 net uptake were estimated from solution depletion. A sustained ambient NO−3 concentration of 0.03 mol m–3 was evidently adequate to support growth, since relative growth rates were not affected by increasing NO−3 supply from 0.03 to 1.0 mol m–3, nor from 0.25 to 5.0 mol m–3, in separate experiments. Shoot growth rates were stimulated by NH4 added to NO−3 one experiment, but not when the experiment was repeated under ambient conditions less favorable to growth. Relative accumulation rates for total N increased with increasing NO−3 and with NH+4added to NO−3 A constant proportion of NO−3 taken up was reduced when NO−3 alone was supplied. Both the proportion of total N taken up as NO−3 and the proportion of NO−3 reduced decreased with increasing NH+3 added to NO−3 NH+4 uptake apparently must exceed a threshold of about 30% of the total uptake to inhibit NO−3 uptake. Utilization of N in chrysanthemum was apparently limited by redistribution since relative accumulation rates for total N were equal to or greater than relative growth rates, in contrast to results reported for several other species. Results of this study and other information support the postulate that NH+4 added to NO−3might stimulate growth by increasing transport of reduced N from roots to shoots, thus increasing the supply of reduced N available to support growth of shoot meristems.
A unique coral reef formation discovered on the Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji

A spectacular mound-like reef formation (126 m in circumference, 10 m high) dominated by highly arched and record-size colonies of the unattached mushroom coral Halomitra pileus, along with 17 other species of the family Fungiidae, occurs in 31 m of water on the sedimentary lagoon floor of the Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji. Core samples show radiocarbon dates which indicate that the formation hypothetically began building ∼4500 y ago, with a calculated mean accretion rate of 2.2 mm ⋅ y-1. The majority of fossil and living material is contributed by H. pileus colonies between 40–70 cm mean diameter, with some individuals up to 1.5 m in diameter. The size, fungiid diversity, and geological history of the bioherm is unprecedented and represents the first example of a coral reef constructed almost entirely by Fungiidae.
Anogenital ratio: measure of fetal virilization in premature and full-term newborn infants.

To provide normative data, we measured anogenital distances in 115 infants of 25 to 42 weeks gestational age and 10 pregnant women, including anus to fourchette (AF), anus to base of the clitoris (AC), and fourchette to base of the clitoris (FC). All infant measurements showed positive and significant correlations with body surface area, weight, length, and gestational age (P 0.50 falls outside the 95% confidence limits, suggests labioscrotal fusion, and indicates a need for further evaluation. Because it is independent of body size and gestational age, the anogenital ratio should be useful in diagnosing androgen-induced labioscrotal fusion in both premature and full-term female infants.
Peer-to-Peer Carsharing: Market Analysis and Potential Growth

Many studies show that carsharing reduces transportation costs for a large segment of the population. Carsharing also reduces the number of private vehicles on the road because carshare members do not purchase their own cars. However, the traditional carsharing business model is difficult to scale geographically to neighborhoods with lower population densities because the operator must bear the upfront fixed cost of purchasing or leasing the vehicles in the fleet. In contrast to traditional car-sharing, peer-to-peer (P2P) carsharing allows car owners to convert their personal vehicles into shared cars that can be rented to other drivers on a short-term basis. This model helps to improve the situation in which most privately owned vehicles sit idle more than 90% of the day. P2P car-sharing alleviates upfront costs and thus is more economically consistent with lower-density neighborhoods than is traditional carsharing. As a result, P2P carsharing provides greater potential for car accessibility than traditi...
Gait variables of patients after lower extremity burn injuries.

Functional ambulation is an expected outcome of physical therapy after burn injuries on the lower extremities. The purpose of this study was to document temporal and spatial gait parameters of adult patients with the use of the GAITRite system (CIR Systems Inc, Clifton, NJ) after the patients were burned on their lower extremities and to compare these results with previous data reported for normal subjects. Twenty-five adults with lower extremity burns (19 men and 6 women; mean age, 35.6+/-8.3 years) were evaluated within 5 days of discharge from an acute care facility. The GAITRite system, which consists of an electronic walkway that contains 6 sensor pads encapsulated in a rolled-up carpet, was used to collect temporal and spatial variables. The patients walked at their preferred rate of ambulation and completed 2 passes; the 2 passes were then averaged by the software to determine the patients' gait parameters. A 2-tailed t test was used for comparison of the mean values for the patients and the previously published data. The results indicated that for both men and women, cycle time and base of support were significantly higher (P .05). For women, stance time as a percentage of the gait cycle and cadence, velocity, step length, and stride length, were all significantly lower (P .05) between the 2 groups. These results indicate that immediately after an acute care hospitalization, patients with lower extremity burns have significantly different gait patterns than gender-and age-matched normal subjects. Future studies are necessary to determine whether these impairments in gait limit the functional abilities of a patient.
Cholecystokinin activates C-fos expression in hypothalamic oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons.

Abstract The effect of systemically-administered Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) on hypothalamic oxytocin, vasopressin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons was studied by analysis of c-fos antigen expression in immunocytochemically-characterized neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. CCK (100mug/kg intraperitoneally) caused a marked increase in nuclear c-fos immunocytochemical staining, which peaked at 60 to 90 min after injection. C-fos expression was found in most magnocellular oxytocin neurons in the supraoptic nucleus and in all magnocellular subdivisions of the paraventricular nucleus, but in no vasopressin neurons in either area. C-fos expression was also found in several parvocellular subdivisions of the paraventricular nucleus: in oxytocin neurons within the medial and lateral, but not the dorsal, parvocellular subdivisions, and in corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the medial parvocellular subdivision. Injection of lower doses of CCK showed that c-fos expression closely paralleled the pattern of pituitary oxytocin secretion in response to CCK, with a threshold for activation at 1 mug/kg, near maximal responses by 10 mug/kg, and maximal responses by 100 mug/kg. These studies demonstrate that the pattern of c-fos expression in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons following systemic CCK administration mirrors the neurosecretory response of these neurons, both with regard to specificity for the peptides secreted as well as intensity of secretion. They also demonstrate that systemic CCK administration activates c-fos expression in parvocellular oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons, and therefore likely causes secretion of oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone within the brain at the terminal fields of these neurons.
Coordinate induction of electrophoretic variants of juvenile hormone esterase.

Abstract Major and minor electrophoretic variants of juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) were found in the hemolymph of last instar larvae of Trichoplusia ni , both before and after metamorphic commitment. The average ratios of activity of the two major forms were similar during both last stadium peaks in activity. Immunological analysis showed that the hemolymph concentration of JHE during this stadium paralleled the level of enzymatic activity, and no putative higher molecular weight, inactive forms were detected. Immunological analysis provided the first evidence of relatedness of major and minor forms. After hormonal stimulation, the concentration of the two major forms increased concomitantly and by a similar proportion, suggesting that charge variation, at least for these two major forms, is not a point of hormonal or developmental regulation of JHE.
Enhanced Tyrosine Nitration of Prostacyclin Synthase Is Associated with Increased Inflammation in Atherosclerotic Carotid Arteries from Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) is tyrosine nitrated in diseased animals. Whether PGIS nitration occurs in human diabetic atherosclerotic arteries has not been reported. The present study was designed to determine PGIS nitration and its association with the inflammatory response in atherosclerotic carotid arteries from patients with or without type 2 diabetes, and carotid plaques were obtained from patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy. PGIS nitration, nitric oxide synthases, adhesion molecules, myeloperoxidase, osteopontin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) were measured by using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In low stenosis areas, diabetes enhanced reactive nitrogen species production, as evidenced by increases in 3-nitrotyrosine and PGIS nitration. In parallel, diabetes dramatically increased inflammatory markers including intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular adhesion molecule-1, and osteopontin. In both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein levels were significantly increased in the arteries with high stenosis as compared with those with low stenosis. Moreover, diabetes enhanced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the plaques from low stenosis areas and up-regulated myeloperoxidase expression in the plaques from both high and low stenosis areas. These data demonstrate that diabetes preferentially increases PGIS nitration that is associated with excessive vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic carotid arteries from patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a possible role of tyrosine nitration of PGIS in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.
A study of the ultrastructure of visual cell outer segment membranes

Aldehyde-fixed chick retina was embedded in a water-containing resin of glutaraldehyde and urea without dehydration. The loss of lipids and other soluble tissue components thereby was minimized and protein denaturation caused by osmium tetroxide postifixation was avoided. Ultrathin sections were stained with (a) uranyl acetate and lead citrate, (b) silicotungstic acid, or (c) osmium vapor prior to electron microscope examination of visual cell outer segment ultra-structure at magnifications up to 800 000 diameters. The two membranes forming an outer segment disc are closely apposed, yielding a total disc thickness of about 230 A. Interdiscal cytoplasm appears to be retained, and the staining reactions suggest that the membranes are preserved with less alteration in structure than is caused by conventional techniques. A thin layer containing mucopolysaccharide separates the two disc membranes. In cones, this layer is continuous with the intercellular mucopolysaccharide substance.
42.2: Four Photolithography Process Amorphous‐Silicon Thin‐Film Transistor Array

The amorphous silicon thin film transistors (TFTs) with four-photolithography process have been developed and studied. And a two-step-exposure (TSE) technology has been developed in application for process reduction. The result shows that a-Si TFT with four-photolithography process has great potential in mass production.
Device optimization for organic photovoltaics with CNT networks as transparent electrode

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in flexible and high efficiency solar cells due to cost advantages of roll to roll printing. Traditionally, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or ZnO (Zinc Oxide) electrodes have been used as top contacts for solar cells because of their reasonable transparency and moderately low sheet resistance. However, these electrodes are not flexible and would undergo breakdown on bending of flexible substrates. Hence, several groups are working on various types of flexible electrodes which have better optical transparency as well as have high electrical conductivity. Among the various options, CNT (Carbon Nanotube) random networks have emerged as a viable alternative to ITO and ZnO, satisfying these constraints and indeed, several types of solar cells (1–5) have been reported with CNT random networks as back contact. These experimental reports have so far not been complemented by meaningful modeling of CNT networks in solar cells for performance optimization of the solar cell device design. Here, for the first time we present comprehensive simulation results for organic excitonic solar cells with CNT networks as back contact that analyzes all elements of the solar-cell within an end-to-end theoretical framework. In our previous work, we have done extensive modeling of the CNT networks for usage as transistor channel material 6, 7 and here we use the previously established techniques to model CNT networks as electrodes. Our analysis shows that optimizing the CNT density is critical to achieve the best tradeoff of transparency vs. over all efficiency of the solar cell.
Liver Transplantation for Pediatric Hepatoblastoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Out of the Unknown.

Withadvances inchemotherapy, surgical treatment, andpostoperative care, the prognosis for children with hepatoblastoma (HBL) has improved significantly during the past 3 decades. The combined use of liver transplantation and chemotherapy isnowthepreferred treatment option for unresectableHBL.1 Inpediatric patientswithhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transplantationhasbeenassociatedwith improved disease-free survival compared with conventional treatment with chemotherapy and resection, particularly in children with advanced-stage tumors or chronic underlying liver disease.2 In this issue of JAMA Surgery, Pham et al3 report excellent long-term outcomes at their center after liver transplantation for childhood HBL and HCC, with 5-year disease-free survival rates of 82% and 78%, respectively. Similar to other published reports in the literature, this study is limited by its retrospective nature and the small numbers of patients. The authors proposed several risk factors associated with tumor recurrence after transplantation, but proper multivariable analysis was not performed. Furthermore, patient selection protocols can vary from one transplant center to another, which may lead to notable differences in observed outcomes. The Pediatric Liver Unresectable Tumor Observatory (PLUTO) registry was initiated in 2006 by the International Childhood Liver Tumors Strategy Group (SIOPEL) and now contains prospectively collected data on more than 200 pediatric patients who have undergone transplant for unresectable liver tumors in 79 centers around the world. The primary objectives of the registry are (1) to fully define the indications for liver transplantation in the treatment of pediatric liver tumors, (2) to identify the optimal timing for transplantation, (3) to define the role of pretransplant and posttransplant chemotherapy, and (4) to determine the best strategy for immunosuppression.4 An interim report of the registry5 has demonstrated an expected long-term survival rate of approximately 90% after liver transplantation for unresectable HBL. For children with HCC in the setting of underlying liver disease, liver transplantation produces excellent long-term survival and cure rates, even without the use of chemotherapy. In pediatric patients without chronic liver disease who develop unresectable HCC tumors, Related article page 1150 Research Original Investigation Survival in ChildrenWith Hepatoblastoma and Hepatocellular Cancer
Reducing compilation time overhead in compiled simulators

Compiled simulation is a well known technique for improving the performance of instruction set simulators at the cost of compilation time. However the compilation time overhead makes such usage of compiler optimizations impractical especially for large applications. We propose a hybrid compiled simulation approach that is simple, generates an optimized decoder and has almost no compilation overhead comparing to static compiled simulation. Using two contemporary processor models- ARM7 and Sparc- we demonstrated that our technique can reduce the compilation time by 99% on the average, from several thousands of seconds to only tens of seconds.
Consciousness, higher-order content, and the individuation of vehicles

One of the distinctive properties of conscious states is the peculiar self- awareness implicit in them. Two rival accounts of this self-awareness are discussed. According to a Neo-Brentanian account, a mental state M is conscious iff M represents its very own occurrence. According to the Higher-Order Monitoring account, M is merely accompanied by a numerically distinct representation of its occurrence. According to both, then, M is conscious in virtue of figuring in a higher-order content. The disagreement is over the question whether the higher-order content is carried by M itself or by ad iffer- ent state. While the Neo-Brentanian theory is phenomenologically more attractive, it is often felt to be somewhat mysterious. It is argued (i) that the difference between the Neo- Brentanian and Higher-Order Monitoring theories is smaller and more empirical than may initially seem, and (ii) that the Neo-Brentanian theory can be readily demystified. These considerations make it prima facie preferable to the Higher-Order Monitoring theory.
Surgical Management of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment outcomes have improved as a result of early detection and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Treatment options continue to expand as understanding increases regarding the relationship between disease burden, biology, and outcome. In this article we present the current principles and challenges that face the clinician who is treating breast disease. Better understanding of the biology of high-risk lesions and the significance of minimal metastatic disease permits better treatment. Advances in reconstructive surgery, continued refinement of resection techniques, and the management of less common presentations of breast cancer are presented.
Teaching information warfare with lab experiments via the Internet

Iowa State University has offered a course in information warfare for the past 8 years to both on campus and off campus students via streaming media. The class looks at computer security from an attack/defend viewpoint. We study attacks and look at methods to stop the attacks. The course has several lab experiments where student try out attack tools and defense mechanisms. Both on-campus and off-campus students access the lab via the Internet which creates a unique set of challenges of trying to keep the attacks off the Internet. The largest lab experiment is where the students are given the Web site address to a company that was designed for the experiment. They are to break into the company and gather as much information as they can about the company and its employees. The students must submit a report where they document every step they took to break-in and then develop a plan to fix the problems.
CHINOOK SALMON USE OF SPAWNING PATCHES: RELATIVE ROLES OF HABITAT QUALITY, SIZE, AND CONNECTIVITY

Declines in many native fish populations have led to reassessments of management goals and shifted priorities from consumptive uses to species preservation. As management has shifted, relevant environmental characteristics have evolved from traditional metrics that described local habitat quality to characterizations of habitat size and connectivity. Despite the implications this shift has for how habitats may be prioritized for conservation, it has been rare to assess the relative importance of these habitat components. We used an information-theoretic approach to select the best models from sets of logistic regressions that linked habitat quality, size, and connectivity to the occurrence of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) nests. Spawning distributions were censused annually from 1995 to 2004, and data were complemented with field measurements that described habitat quality in 43 suitable spawning patches across a stream network that drained 1150 km 2 in central Idaho. Results indicated that the most plausible models were dominated by measures of habitat size and connectivity, whereas habitat quality was of minor importance. Connectivity was the strongest predictor of nest occurrence, but connectivity interacted with habitat size, which became relatively more important when populations were reduced. Comparison of observed nest distributions to null model predictions confirmed that the habitat size association was driven by a biological mechanism when populations were small, but this association may have been an area-related sampling artifact at higher abundances. The implications for habitat management are that the size and connectivity of existing habitat networks should be maintained whenever possible. In situations where habitat restoration is occurring, expansion of existing areas or creation of new habitats in key areas that increase connectivity may be beneficial. Information about habitat size and connectivity also could be used to strategically prioritize areas for improvement of local habitat quality, with areas not meeting minimum thresholds being deemed inappropriate for pursuit of restoration activities.
Latency and accuracy of discriminations of odor quality between binary mixtures and their components.

Subjects made timed, same-different discriminations of odor quality, with the following principal findings: (i) latency reflected accuracy, with difficult discriminations, i.e. those between 50-50 mixtures and their components, requiring more time than less difficult discriminations, i.e. those between unmixed chemicals. This finding demonstrated the face validity of latency as a measure of qualitative similarity. (ii) Latency provided better resolution among pairs of odors than did errors of discrimination. This finding demonstrated the utility of collecting response times. (iii) Latency-based similarities among odors tested previously predicted similarities among pairs not yet tested. This finding demonstrated internal/predictive validity. (iv) A signal detection model assuming a differencing strategy best described the pattern of errors. Subjects appeared to make relative judgements regarding quality. (v) Finally, latency-based similarities between mixtures and their components demonstrated additivity. This finding suggested that binary mixtures fall on straight lines connecting their components in 'odor-space'.
Genome-wide expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis of diurnally regulated genes in the mouse prefrontal cortex.

Background The prefrontal cortex is important in regulating sleep and mood. Diurnally regulated genes in the prefrontal cortex may be controlled by the circadian system, by sleep:wake states, or by cellular metabolism or environmental responses. Bioinformatics analysis of these genes will provide insights into a wide-range of pathways that are involved in the pathophysiology of sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders with sleep disturbances.