cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chigger Mite Infestation

This article reports on a 45-year-old woman who presented with pruritus and was diagnosed as having chigger mite infestation, a rare condition. The chigger mite larvae were encountered while the patient was traveling in South America. A small erythematous area with a well-circumscribed papule in the sulcus of the second digit of the right foot was incised and drained. Follow-up examination showed relief of all symptoms, including pain and pruritus. This unusual case presentation underscores the need for all podiatric physicians to obtain a comprehensive history, including history of travel, along with performing a thorough physical examination.
Assessment of stereoselectivity of trimethylphenylalanine analogues of δ-opioid [D-pen2,D-pen5]-enkephalin

[D-Pen(2),D-Pen(5)]-Enkephalin (DPDPE) is an enzymatically stable delta-opioid receptor-selective peptide, which was modified by the trimethylation of the Phe(4) residue to give beta-methyl-2', 6'-dimethylphenylalanine (TMP), resulting in four conformations : (2R,3S)-beta-Phe-DPDPE, (2R,3R)-beta-Phe-DPDPE, (2R, 3S)-beta-Phe-DPDPE, and (2S,3R)-beta-Phe-DPDPE. Synthesis was by solid-phase techniques using enantiomerically pure amino acids to give the four optically pure diastereoisomer peptides. The potency and selectivity (delta- versus mu-opioid receptor) were evaluated by radioreceptor binding in rat brain, with a mu/delta ratio decrease for all TMP conformations, compared with the parent compound (DPDPE). Octanol/buffer distribution analysis showed enhanced lipophilicity of all TMP forms, with a sixfold enhancement associated with (2S,3S)-TMP. In situ vascular perfusion in anesthetized rats showed a 1.6-fold (p < 0.01) increase in the ratio of brain uptake for (2S,3S)-TMP and a 1.5-fold (p < 0.01) decrease in uptake for (2R,3R)-TMP. Saturability of (2S,3S)-TMP was shown (p < 0.01) against 100 microM unlabeled DPDPE, showing a shared nondiffusionary transport system. P-glycoprotein affinity was shown in situ for the parent and (2S,3S)-TMP (p < 0.01). Protein binding capacity of the TMP compounds in rat plasma and in situ mammalian bovine serum albumin-Ringer showed (2R,3S)-TMP and (2S,3R)-TMP with the lowest degree of protein binding (p < 0.01), and (2S,3S)-TMP and (2R,3R)-TMP with comparable affinities to DPDPE. Analgesia, via intravenous administration, showed significantly reduced (p < 0.01) end effect and time course for (2R,3R)-TMP, (2R,3S)-TMP, and (2S, 3R)-TMP as compared with DPDPE. These results demonstrate that topographical modification in a conformationally restricted peptide can significantly modulate potency and receptor selectivity, binding capacity, enzymatic stability, lipophilicity, P-glycoprotein affinity, and blood-brain barrier permeability, resulting in a change of bioavailability, and thereby provides insight for future peptide drug design.
An octanuclear complex containing the [Fe3O]7+ metal core: structural, magnetic, Mössbauer, and electron paramagnetic resonance studies.

A new asymmetrically coordinated bis-trinuclear iron(III) cluster containing a {Fe3O}7+ core has been synthesized and structurally, magnetically, and spectroscopically characterized. [Fe6Na2O2(O2CPh)10(pic)4(EtOH)4(H2O)2](ClO4)2·2EtOH (1·2EtOH) crystallizes in the P1 space group and consists of two symmetry-related {Fe3O}7+ subunits linked by two Na+ cations. Inside each {Fe3O}7+ subunit, the iron(III) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled, and their magnetic exchange is best described by an isosceles triangle model with two equal (J) and one different (J ‘) coupling constants. On the basis of the H = −2ΣJijSiSj spin Hamiltonian formalism, the two best fits to the data yield solutions J = −27.4 cm-1, J ‘ = −20.9 cm-1 and J = −22.7 cm-1, J ‘ = −31.6 cm-1. The ground state of the cluster is S = 1/2. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at liquid-helium temperature reveals a signal comprising a sharp peak at g ∼ 2 and a broad tail at higher magnetic fields consistent with the S = 1/2 c...
Primary Signet-Ring Carcinoma (SRC) of the Lung: A Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of 262 Cases with Comparison to Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

Background The presence of signet-ring cell component has been described as a prominent feature of EML4-ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer. We investigated the clinicopathologic features and survival outcome of primary signet-ring carcinoma (SRC) of the lung with comparison to adenocarcinoma of the lung. Methods Retrospective population-based analysis of histologically diagnosed primary SRC of the lung in the California Cancer Registry between 1989 and 2006 with comparison with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Results Two hundred sixty-two histologically diagnosed primary SRC of the lung were compared to 50,089 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Patients with primary SRC of the lung were significantly younger than patients with adenocarcinoma, with a significantly higher proportion of poorly differentiated tumor and stage IV disease. There was no difference in the distribution of gender and ethnicity among patients with SRC when compared to patients with adenocarcinoma. Subset analysis of patients with available smoking status revealed never smokers comprised a significantly higher proportion of patients with SRC (30.8%) when compared to patients with adenocarcinoma (11.0%; p = 0.0013). Never smokers with SRC tended to be younger with a trend to improved survival (median age=55 years, median overall survival [OS] = 8 months) than ever smokers with SRC (median age=59 years, median OS=4.5 months). Patients with SRC had decreased OS (versus adenocarcinoma; unadjusted hazard ratio=1.507; 95% confidence interval: 1.326-1.714; p p = 0.0030). Conclusions Primary SRC of the lung is a rare subtype of adenocarcinoma, carries a worse prognosis when compared to adenocarcinoma and shares many of the recently identified clinicopathologic characteristics ascribed to EML4-ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer.
731 EFFECT OF BETHANECHOL (B) ON ESOPHAGEAL PERISTALSIS OF INFANTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER)

731 EFFECT OF BETHANECHOL (B) ON ESOPHAGEAL PERISTALSIS OF INFANTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX (GER)
Compression of Rubber Layers Bonded Between Two Parallel Rigid Cylinders or Between Two Rigid Spheres.

Abstract : The stiffness of bonded rubber blocks under small compressive deformations has been studied extensively. A recent review deals with the problem in connection with the use of elastomeric laminaes as bridge bearings. However, previous studies have been mainly concerned with a flat rubber block bonded between two flat rigid plates. An approximate treatment is given here for the stiffness of a rubber layer bonded between two opposed curved rigid surfaces, cylindrical or spherical in shape. The predictions of the theoretical treatment are then compared with measured values of compressive stiffness for various initial separations (and hence rubber layer thicknesses) of the two rigid surfaces, relative to their diameter. Keywords: Bonded layers; Compression; Cylinders; Deformation; Elastic; Pressure; Rubber; Spheres; Stiffness; and Stress Analysis.
Combined effect of hysteresis and temperature on soil-water movement

Abstract In soil-water movement studies the effects of temperature and hysteresis are often ignored. To investigate the validity of this approach, soil water movement in the vertical direction was simulated for different temperature regimes and boundary conditions while incorporating hysteresis. Corrections of the soil hydraulic properties due to temperature changes and hysteresis were based on existing theories. The effects of both temperature and hysteresis were found to depend on the type of boundary condition applied. Water content profiles were affected more by varying temperatures and/or hysteresis for a pressure head boundary condition than for a flux boundary condition at the soil surface. However, hysteresis tended to dominate temperature effects during the simulation of water movement.
Taut distance-regular graphs of even diameter

Let Γ denote a bipartite distance-regular graph with diameter D≥4, valency k≥3, and Bose-Mesner algebra M. Let θ0 > θ1 > ... >θD denote the distinct eigenvalues for Γ, and for 0 ≤ i ≤ D, let Ei denote the primitive idempotent of M associated with θi. We refer to E0 and ED as the trivial idempotents of M. Let E and F denote primitive idempotents of M. We say the pair E, F is taut whenever (i) E, F are nontrivial, and (ii) the entry-wise product E, F is a linear combination of two distinct primitive idempotents of M. If Γ is 2-homogeneous in the sense of Nomura and Curtin, then Γ has at least one taut pair of primitive idempotents. We define Γ to be taut whenever Γ has at least one taut pair of primitive idempotents but Γ is not 2-homogeneous. Let θ denote an eigenvalue of Γ other than θ0, θD, and let σ0, σ1,...,σD denote the cosine sequence associated with θ. By a result of Curtin, the following are equivalent: (i) Γ is 2-homogeneous and θ ∈ {θ1, θD - 1}: (ii) there exists a complex scalar λ such that σi - 1 - λσi + σi+1 = 0 for 1 ≤ i ≤ D - 1. Expanding on this, we show that for D even, the following are equivalent: (i) Γ is taut or 2-homogeneous and θ ∈ {θ1, θD - 1}; (ii) there exists a complex scalar λ such that σi - 1 - λσi + σi + 1 = 0 for i odd, 1 ≤ i ≤ D - 1. Using this result, we show that for D even, Γ is taut or 2-homogeneous if and only if the intersection numbers of Γ are given by certain rational expressions involving D/2 independent variables. We discuss the known examples of taut distance-regular graphs with even diameter.
Massive edifice failure at Aleutian arc volcanoes

Abstract Along the 450-km-long stretch of the Aleutian volcanic arc from Great Sitkin to Kiska Islands, edifice failure and submarine debris-avalanche deposition have occurred at seven of ten Quaternary volcanic centers. Reconnaissance geologic studies have identified subaerial evidence for large-scale prehistoric collapse events at five of the centers (Great Sitkin, Kanaga, Tanaga, Gareloi, and Segula). Side-scan sonar data collected in the 1980s by GLORIA surveys reveal a hummocky seafloor fabric north of several islands, notably Great Sitkin, Kanaga, Bobrof, Gareloi, Segula, and Kiska, suggestive of landslide debris. Simrad EM300 multibeam sonar data, acquired in 2005, show that these areas consist of discrete large blocks strewn across the seafloor, supporting the landslide interpretation from the GLORIA data. A debris-avalanche deposit north of Kiska Island (177.6° E, 52.1° N) was fully mapped by EM300 multibeam revealing a hummocky surface that extends 40 km from the north flank of the volcano and covers an area of ∼ 380 km 2 . A 24-channel seismic reflection profile across the longitudinal axis of the deposit reveals a several hundred-meter-thick chaotic unit that appears to have incised into well-bedded sediment, with only a few tens of meters of surface relief. Edifice failures include thin-skinned, narrow, Stromboli-style collapse as well as Bezymianny-style collapse accompanied by an explosive eruption, but many of the events appear to have been deep-seated, removing much of an edifice and depositing huge amounts of debris on the sea floor. Based on the absence of large pyroclastic sheets on the islands, this latter type of collapse was not accompanied by large eruptions, and may have been driven by gravity failure instead of magmatic injection. Young volcanoes in the central and western portions of the arc (177° E to 175° W) are located atop the northern edge of the ∼ 4000-m-high Aleutian ridge. The position of the Quaternary stratocones relative to the edge of the Aleutian ridge appears to strongly control their likelihood for, and direction of, past collapse. The ridge's steep drop to the north greatly increases potential runout length for slides that originate at the island chain.
Enhancement of catalytic activity by gene truncation: activation of L-aspartase from Escherichia coli.

Aspartase from Escherichia coli is activated by proteolysis at the carboxy-terminal. A systematic study has been undertaken with the goal of identifying the amino acids in this region that influence the catalytic activity of aspartase. Stop codons have been introduced at various positions to prematurely truncate the aspA gene that encodes for aspartase by sequentially eliminating each of the polar and charged amino acids in this region. The affinity of the enzyme for its substrate aspartic acid decreases systematically as each functionally significant amino acid is eliminated. However, enhanced catalytic activity (up to 2.5 times the kcat for native aspartase) is observed for those truncation mutants that end in a positively charged carboxy-terminal amino acid. The precise position of the proteolytic activation of aspartase has been defined, and this covalent activation has been shown to be independent of the allosteric activation of aspartase that is also observed.
Introduction of a Triazole Amino Acid into a Peptoid Oligomer Induces Turn Formation in Aqueous Solution

Peptoids are a non-natural class of oligomers that are composed of repeating N-substituted glycine units and are capable of folding into helices that mimic peptide structure and function. In this letter, we report the concise synthesis of a 1,5-substituted triazole amino acid (Tzl) and its subsequent incorporation into a short peptoid. The Tzl amino acid was shown to induce turn formation in aqueous solution, thus expanding the structural repertoire available to peptoid chemists.
Spin reorientations in R2Fe14-xCoxB systems (R = Pr, Nd and Er)

Abstract The effect of cobalt substitution on spin reorientation phenomena in R 2 Fe 14- x Co x B systems (R = Pr, Nd, Er) was studied by means of bulk magnetometry in the temperature range 4.2–1100 K. It was established that in the Nd-based system the introduction of cobalt resulted not only in a shift of the low temperature spin reorientation (cone to axis) but also triggered, for x ⩾ 10, an appearance of a second spin reorientation (axis to plane) at high temperature. In the Pr-based system, for x ⩾ 9.5, a high temperature spin reorientation (axis to plane) was also observed. Its dependence on Co content was determined. For the Er-based system, an increase of the spin reorientation temperature (plane to axis) was observed as more cobalt was introduced into that system. It was also established that the tetragonal single-phase materials in this system exist only up to x = 5. Temperature-composition diagrams are presented, indicating types of spin arrangements observed in the investigated systems.
Applicability of the normative model of outsourcing in the public sector: The case of a state transportation agency

This study examines organizational adaptations at a state transportation agency during a period of rapid scale-up in the outsourcing of core professional services. The case study draws on multiple qualitative and quantitative sources of data. Substantial divergences are shown to exist between the prescriptions of the normative outsourcing model and the adaptation processes observed in the agency. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Gene therapy and CVD: how near are we?

Abstract Critical for success of any gene therapy approach is the efficient packaging, effective cell specific delivery and nuclear translocation of the nucleic acid with minimal toxicity. Delivery systems utilizing a wide variety of viral vectors have traditionally been used to modify genomic DNA. However, drawbacks to the viral vectors include difficulties in large-scale production, potential contamination by wild-type viral particles and immunogenicity. Thus, efficient non-viral delivery of both plasmids for transgene expression and short oligonucleotides for modulating cellular functions has been developed. Gene therapy is now a consideration in the treatment of certain inherited and acquired genetic disorders associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, many other cardiovascular conditions are potential targets for gene therapy, and advances in knowledge will increase the ability to link specific genes to a disease, resulting in the identification of further targets. With improvements in delivery and targeting, gene therapy is likely to substantially augment established and emerging therapies in reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
Tenuous Airway in Children With Trisomy 21

Multiple congenital anomalies are closely linked to Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Cardiac malformations are found in 40% of patients, a large number of whom will require a major surgical procedure. The importance of postextubation stridor in these children is frequently underestimated. A retrospective review of 99 trisomy 21 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery revealed postextubation stridor in 24 (24.2%). Significant factors for the development of stridor included younger age (P=0.04), lower growth percentile for weight (P=0.03), and increased frequency of reintubation (P=0.04). Subglottic stenosis was found in 6 (6.1%). In 4 of these patients, an endotracheal tube of larger diameter than predicted for age was used. All 6 patients were less than the 10th percentile for weight. We conclude that Down syndrome patients deserve special considerations and modifications of standard intubation techniques for successful airway management.
Percutaneous closure of an aortic pseudoaneurysm due to saphenous vein graft dehiscence with an Amplatzer vascular plug.

An 80-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for coronary artery bypass surgery (7 months prior) complicated by cardiac arrest 3 days post-surgery was found to have saphenous vein graft dehiscence from the aortic anastomosis, mediastinal bleeding, and a large hemothorax. She was
Refinement of enquiries in retrieval systems based on the universal relation model

Abstract Relational Database Management Systems are currently suggested to be used as a base for document retrieval systems. This is because commercially available relational DBMSs provide effective tools for managing databases and, especially, the underlying relational model supports ad hoc queries which are characteristic of document retrieval systems. When SQL is directly used for ad hoc queries navigation through the underlying database scheme has to be provided by the enquirer, which could be very difficult. This article presents the achievable simplifications when document retrieval systems will be based on the universal relation model. When the search condition of a query is too fuzzy, the cardinality of the answer set may become very large. Some retrieval systems thus provide the capability of “refining” answer sets; this allows referring to an existing answer set when issuing an additional query to reduce the number of qualifying tuples. There are two different methods to refine a given answer set: one method produces a new query based on the predicates of both queries, the other method creates an intermediate answer set based on the new query and provides the refined answer set via suitable set manipulations. The results are in general different. Focusing on queries on universal relation systems, we describe the above problem in more detail and provide criteria under which the above methods produce the same result.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Thermomechanical Constitutive Model for Shape Memory Polymers With Application to Morphing Wing Skin

This paper presents three-dimensional numerical simulation of thermomechanical constitutive model for shape memory polymers. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a class of smart materials with high potential for application to automotive, aerostructures, and medical devices, which can benefit from its intrinsic shape changing properties. In particular, looking at its application to aerospace substructure such as morphing wings, thermomechanical behavior of the SMPs needs to be well established and predicted.In order to predict the thermomechanical behavior of SMPs structures, a one-dimensional rheological thermomechanical constitutive model was adopted and a numerical simulation of this model was developed using a commercial finite element analysis package ABAQUS. The particular one-dimensional model was selected due to its potential to represent the key material behaviors of SMP with a relatively low number of required material constants, which is practical for engineering industrial applications. The model was expanded to a three-dimensional isotropic model and then incorporated into the finite element method by means of an ABAQUS user-defined subroutine (UMAT). The methods of three-dimensional expansion and numerical implementation are presented in this work. A time evolution of the analysis was conducted by making use of the backward difference method, which was applied to all quantities within the model including the material properties. A comparison of the numerical simulation results was carried out with the available experimental data.Numerical simulation results clearly exhibit the thermomechanical properties of the material, which include shape fixity, shape recovery, and recovery stress. Finally, a preliminary set of predictions for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) morphing wing skin are also presented.© 2013 ASME
Two systems for automatic reduction of time-dependent photomechanics data

Servo systems for analog automatic reduction of time dependent photomechanical model materials fringe data in stress analysis
Probing the early stages of salt nucleation—Experimental and theoretical investigations of sodium/potassium thiocyanate cluster anions

Due to the fast solvent evaporation in electrospray ionization (ESI), the concentration of initially dilute electrolyte solutions rapidly increases to afford the formation of supersaturated droplets and generation of various pristine anhydrous salt clusters in the gas phase. The size, composition, and charge distributions of these clusters, in principle, witness the nucleation evolution in solutions. Herein, we report a microscopic study on the initial stage of nucleation and crystallization of sodium/potassium thiocyanate salt solutions simulated in the ESI process. Singly charged Mx(SCN)x+1−, doubly charged My(SCN)y+22− (M = Na, K), and triply charged Kz(SCN)z+33− anion clusters (x, y, and z stand for the number of alkali atoms in the singly, doubly, and triply charged clusters, respectively) were produced via electrospray of the corresponding salt solutions and were characterized by negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES). The vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of these sodium/potassium thiocy...
The relationship between heat abbreviation and neural progestin receptors in female rats

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in the levels of neural progestin receptors are associated with mating-induced heat abbreviation in the rat. Mating caused a decrease, 8–10 hr after stimulation, in the duration of sexual receptivity. No difference in the concentration of cytosol progestin receptors was found between mated and nonmated animals 8–10 hr after treatment. Mating caused a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of nuclear progestin receptors at that time. However, this difference was probably not related to heat abbreviation, because no difference in nuclear progestin receptor levels was found between animals mated with vaginal masks and animals mated without masks, while mated-masked animals were found to exhibit significantly higher levels of sexual receptivity than mated-nonmasked animals after treatment. In addition, mating either with or without masks caused a statistically significant increase in serum progesterone levels relative to that measured in nonmated animals. Therefore, it is suggested that mating, even in the absence of cervical-vaginal stimulation, may cause the release of adrenal progestins which, in turn, may influence the rate at which neural progestin receptors accumulate and are processed within cell nuclei. The results of the present study suggest that mating-induced heat abbreviation in the rat is not associated with decreased levels of neural cytosol or nuclear progestin receptors.
Palliative Stenting for Late Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGO) is a late complication of pancreatobiliary and gastric cancers. Although surgical gastrojejunostomy provides good palliation, many of these patients may be nonoperative candidates or underwent previous extensive resection such as a Whipple procedure. Recently, endoscopically placed self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have been used to palliate MGO. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SEMS for palliation of late MGO. Medical records of patients with endoscopic placement of SEMS for palliation of MGO were reviewed. Results showed that 30 patients with MGO had SEMS placed for late gastroduodenal (n = 20) or jejunal (n = 10) obstruction. Twenty-one patients (70%) had previous surgery. Return to oral feeding was observed in 90% of patients who presented with recurrent obstruction after prior bypass surgery and in 88% of nonoperative patients in whom SEMS were placed as the primary therapy for obstruction. No major complications were observed, and median survival after SEMS was 4.1 months (0.1 to 10.5 months). SEMS also did not interfere with biliary drainage. In conclusion, endoscopically placed SEMS are safe and provide good palliation for late malignant gastroduodenal and jejunal strictures and are an excellent complement to recurrent obstruction after surgical gastrojejunostomy.
Use of fibrin sealant in recalcitrant hemorrhagic cystitis.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a known complication of pelvic irradiation that occurs in up to 9% of patients who have received full dose radiation therapy.1 Hemorrhage from radiation induced cystitis can range from mild hematuria that can be treated with bladder irrigation, intravesical instillation and/or aminocaproic acid to severe bladder hemorrhage that necessitates multiple blood transfusions and requires more invasive therapy such as formalin instillation, vascular embolization or cystectomy and/or urinary diversion. MullerMattheis et al reported the use of fibrin sealant in the treatment of cyclophosphamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis.2 However, to our knowledge there are no reported cases of the use of fibrin sealant in the treatment of radiation induced hemorrhagic cystitis.
Fatal infantile muscle phosphorylase deficiency.

A premature female infant born of a consanguineous union exhibited joint contractures and signs and symptoms of perinatal asphyxia. A muscle biopsy examined by light microscopic, histochemical, and...
Classic hybrid evolving approach to distal arch aneurysms: Toward the zone zero solution

Background A combined open surgical and endovascular approach to managing aneurysms of the distal aortic arch (hybrid arch repair) is evolving as a viable treatment option. Our aim is to describe a treatment strategy in high-risk patients and report the technical and clinical success of the hybrid approach to aneurysms involving the distal aortic arch. Methods From July 2005 until December 2009, 27 consecutive patients with aneurysms of the distal aortic arch were treated via a hybrid arch repair. Of this group, 23 patients underwent aortic arch debranching and revascularization before endovascular stent deployment in the ascending aorta (type I). Four patients required ascending aortic and transverse arch replacement before stent graft deployment (type II). Results A stent graft was successfully deployed in 100% of patients after aortic arch vessel debranching via median sternotomy. The mean age of the patients was 71 ± 7.5 years. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 199 ± 84 minutes with an average crossclamp time of 57 ± 53 minutes. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was required in 4 patients (all type II). The average length of stay was 17.2 ± 14 days. The complications included stroke in 3 (11%) patients, permanent paralysis in 2 (7%), and perioperative death in 3 (11%) patients. Conclusions Early results of type I and II hybrid arch repair, in this cohort of patients with mutiple comorbid risk factors, are acceptable and even encouraging. This evolving approach to aneurysms involving the aortic arch may extend the indications for use of endovascular prostheses in the treatment of patients with complex aortic arch disease.
The health effects of green space: then and now

Health has been connected to parks since the earliest days of park design. In an 1870 presentation, Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of New York’s Central Park, Boston’s Emerald Necklace, the Capitol grounds in Washington DC and Piedmont Park in Atlanta, laid out his arguments for the importance of green space.
Fatigue fracture of embedded copper conductors in multifunctional composite structures

The fatigue failure mechanisms of copper strips embedded into glass/epoxy were investigated. This combination of materials composes a multifunctional electrical-composite load bearing structure that is essential for systems such as large antennas integrated into aircraft skins. In smart structures applications, bulky and heavy wiring harnesses associated with densely deployed sensors, actuators, and devices can be avoided by using embedded electrical interconnects in a manner analogous to printed circuit boards. Since metals generally exhibit lower fatigue life relative to composites, understanding the failure mechanisms associated with embedded metal conductors is necessary for improving operational life. Specimens having 0.127 mm thick embedded copper strips were used to measure fatigue life as a function of copper strain amplitude. Fracture of the conductor was observed for loading below 75% of the composite ultimate strength, without failure of the composite. The fracture surface morphology was composed of a combination of fatigue crack growth and ductile fracture, with a higher percentage of the latter existing for greater load amplitude. Crack growth in the copper was found to be strongly coupled with debonding between the copper and composite. Prevention of debonding directly influences the fatigue life of the embedded copper strip, much in the same way as composite patches retard crack growth in repaired metal structures.
A thermochemical study of boron triiodide

Abstract The properties of baron triiodide are discussed from the viewpoint of their importance in heterogeneous nucleation studies by vapor deposition. Known properties are reviewed and others calculated or determined experimentally. From the literature thermodynamic data the solid vapor pressure of boron triiodide was calculated to follow log P = −3610 T −2.52 log T+17.9. The surface tension of Bl3 under its own vapor was determined to be σ1−v = −0.0926T+66.5 by capillary rise in vacuo. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry showed that no dimers or polymers of Bl3 exist in the vapor phase. The contact angle of Bl3 on tungsten was found to approach zero by the sessile-drop technique in vacuo. Evidence for thermal nonacommodation of Bl3 on Pyrex is presented, however, the thermal accomodation coefficient of Bl3 on tungsten was calculated to be essentially unity from critical supersaturation temperature dependence data.
An assessment of binary mixture interactions for nine sweeteners

Les interactions synergiques entre neuf edulcorants (acesulfame K, aspartame, sodium cyclamate, fructose, glucose, sterioside, sodium saccharine, sucrose et xylitol) sont determinees en evaluant la frequence de synergie ou de suppression chez l'homme ou d'apres un modele mathematique
Competitive Interactions between Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Vallisneria (Vallisneria americana) as Influenced by Insect Herbivory

Abstract Two experiments (winter and summer) were conducted in outdoor tanks using addition-series methods to evaluate the impact of specialized feeding by two biological control agents,Hydrellia pakistanaeDeonier andBagous hydrillaeO'Brien, on competitive interactions between hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata(L.f.) Royle] and vallisneria (Vallisneria americanaMichx). Competitive abilities of each plant species were determined using the reciprocal-yield model of mean plant weight. In the absence of the biocontrol agents, intraspecific competition from hydrilla on itself was 8.3 times stronger than interspecific competition from vallisneria.Hydrellia pakistanaeinterfered with hydrilla canopy formation by removing as much as 80% of the plant biomass in the top 30 cm of the water column. Damage byH. pakistanaealso caused a 43% reduction in hydrilla tuber production during the winter experiment. Similarly,B. hydrillaecaused up to a 48% reduction in hydrilla plant weight in the summer experiment. Neither insect species damaged vallisneria. As a result, there were significant shifts in the competitive balance between hydrilla and vallisneria due to selective insect feedings. In the presence ofH. pakistanae, hydrilla intraspecific competition was nearly equal to interspecific competition from vallisneria, indicating that hydrilla had lost its competitive edge over vallisneria.Bagous hydrillaealso produced similar, but smaller, shifts in the relative competitive abilities of hydrilla and vallisneria. These results indicate that biological control agents can disrupt the competitive balance between plant species in favor of native species, thus adding another element to the weed biological control strategies.
Characteristics of Tetanic Force Produced by the Sternomastoid Muscle of the Rat

The sternomastoid (SM) muscle plays an important role in supporting breathing. It also has unique anatomical advantages that allow its wide use in head and neck tissue reconstruction and muscle reinnervation. However, little is known about its contractile properties. The experiments were run on rats and designed to determine in vivo the relationship between muscle force (active muscle contraction to electrical stimulation) with passive tension (passive force changing muscle length) and two parameters (intensity and frequency) of electrical stimulation. The threshold current for initiating noticeable muscle contraction was 0.03 mA. Maximal muscle force (0.94 N) was produced by using moderate muscle length/tension (28 mm/0.08 N), 0.2 mA stimulation current, and 150 Hz stimulation frequency. These data are important not only to better understand the contractile properties of the rat SM muscle, but also to provide normative values which are critical to reliably assess the extent of functional recovery following muscle reinnervation.
Influence of Cation Ordering and Lattice Distortion on the Charge-Discharge Behavior of LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 Spinel between 5.0 and 2.0 V

Four LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel cathodes with different degrees of transition-metal ion ordering have been synthesized by controlling the heat treatment condition. The effect of transition-metal ion ord...
A gene product of the mouse t complex with chemical properties of a cell surface-associated component of the extracellular matrix.

Abstract p63/6.9 is a major testicular cell protein coded for by a gene, called Tcp-1, within the mouse t complex. All wild-type chromosomes carry the Tcp-1b allele which codes for a basic form of this protein, while all complete mutant t haplotypes carry the Tcp-1a allele which codes for an acidic form of this protein. Genetic studies have demonstrated a correlation between the Tcp-1 gene and certain t haplotype effects on sperm differentiation and maturation. In this report, an initial biochemical analysis of the p63/6.9 protein is presented. The data provide evidence that p63/6.9 is closely associated with the external surface of testicular cells but not as an integral membrane component. Some properties of the testicular form of this t complex gene product are similar to those reported for the matrix proteins fibronectin and laminin. The possibility is suggested that primary effects of t haplotypes on sperm differentiation could be exerted through the extracellular matrix. p63/6.9 is also present at a lower level within the cytoplasm and membranes of F9 teratocarcinoma cells. It appears that the level of p63/6.9 synthesis and the exact nature of p63/6.9 intra- and/or intermolecular interactions are under tissue-specific control.
Selective histories of poplar protease inhibitors: elevated polymorphism, purifying selection, and positive selection driving divergence of recent duplicates

Summary • To further our understanding of plant defense evolution and the consistency of selection at the nucleotide level we analysed polymorphism data from five protease inhibitor (PI) genes in Populus balsamifera.  We compared diversity at the five PI genes to diversity at nondefense loci in both range-wide samples as well as in two subpopulations, one from the northern edge of the species range and one from the southern edge of the range. We also compared our data with previously reported diversity in Populus tremula, a European species with similar ecology to North American P. balsamifera.  The PIs show diverse histories, including repeated bouts of positive selection and excess diversity. These genes also exhibit diverse histories in P. tremula but the signatures of selection acting at the specific loci differed between the species. One locus, KTI3, segregates several recent duplicates that show evidence of either positive selection or relaxed selective constraints.  The patterns of diversity at the PIs varied within P. balsamifera and between two closely related species. The lack of consistent patterns suggests that evolution of host defense genes, including adaptations to enemy-imposed selection, may often be lineage- and gene-specific.
Ontogenetic and Sex Differences Influence Alarm Call Responses in Mammals: a Meta-Analysis

Animals respond to alarm calls by increasing their antipredator behavior; however, responses may consistently differ by age or sex. Although several adaptive explanations have been proposed to account for agedependent antipredator behavior, similar explanations are rarely extended to sex-specific responses. Furthermore, no attempts have been made to quantitatively estimate the direction or magnitude of these differences across studies. Here, we use meta-analysis to discover overall trends in the literature, as well as differences owing to experimental or population parameters. Across our sample of available studies (unfortunately biased toward rodents and primates), males respond more than females, and young respond more than adults. Furthermore, young of quickly maturing species display more adult-like antipredator behavior than young of slowly maturing species, suggesting that young must develop antipredator behavior at a pace consistent with the length of their ontogenetic period (a.k.a. juvenile ⁄sub-adult period, defined as the time between birth and attainment of sexual maturity). We review previously proposed explanations for such age differences, namely, that longer ontogenetic periods may provide juveniles with time to develop behavior through learning and experience, or, maturation rates may influence age-specific selection pressures and the consequent evolution of age-specific behavioral strategies. We evaluate our results in light of these hypotheses, although our conclusions are limited by the number and taxonomic bias of available studies. We therefore suggest ways in which future studies may tease apart the relative importance of learning and experience vs. age-specific adaptive behavior, and draw attention to opportunities for research on age- and sex-specific alarm call responses. Ethology
Solving the Issue of Patient Arrival Time A Call for Vigilant Action

See related article, pages 2376-2378. Late arrival to the hospital after the onset of acute stroke symptoms is a plague of unheralded proportions that is not easily treated or cured. Contributors to this problem are many, including a lack of urgent response to symptoms on the part of patients and family, patient inability to activate emergency systems attributable to neurologic deficits, and even fear of embarrassment on the part of lay people that they may have made an inappropriate call to 911.1–9 Although clinicians and the lay community have come together to successfully tackle late response to symptoms of myocardial ischemia, no doubt the presence of chest pain and shortness of breath in and of themselves have contributed to a heightened sense of urgency in response to acute coronary symptoms. At more than 10 years from the approval of tissue plasminogen activator for intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke,10 it is discouraging at best to note that public awareness coupled with an urgent community response to stroke symptoms has yet to be realized for victims of this relatively “painless” yet devastating disease. The study by Jarrell and colleagues11 evaluated “healthline” phone service responses to a stroke victim …
Role of a cdk5-associated protein, p35, in herpes simplex virus type 1 replication in vivo.

Previous studies have shown that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication is inhibited by the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor roscovitine. One roscovitine-sensitive cdk that functions in neurons is cdk5, which is activated in part by its binding partner, p35. Because HSV establishes latent infections in sensory neurons, we sought to determine the role p35 plays in HSV-1 replication in vivo. For these studies, wild-type (wt) and p35−/− mice were infected with HSV-1 using the mouse ocular model of HSV latency and reactivation. The current results indicate that p35 is an important determinant of viral replication in vivo.
Tungsten-rhenium filament lifetime variability in low pressure oxygen environments

Accelerated life-testing of tungsten-rhenium filaments in oxygen rich environments has been performed to investigate the longevity of the devices as a function of electron emission intensity and power cycling methodology. The lifetimes of such filaments are found to be independent of the electron emission level over typical operating ranges, but the turn-on/off sequence is found to have important life-span consequences. A gradual turn-on cycle lasting several minutes results in substantially extended lifetimes, ostensibly by reducing the thermal shock associated with more abrupt power cycling.
Group Reputations, Stereotypes, and Cooperation in a Repeated Labor Market

Reputation effects and other-regarding preferences have both been used to predict cooperative outcomes in markets with inefficient equilibria. Existing reputation-building models require either infinite time horizons or publicly observed identities, but cooperative outcomes have been observed in several moral hazard experiments with finite horizons and anonymous interactions. This paper introduces a full reputation equilibrium (FRE) with stereotyping (perceived type correlation) in which cooperation is predicted in early periods of a finitely repeated market with anonymous interactions. New experiments generate results in line with the FRE prediction, including final-period reversions to stage-game equilibrium and non-cooperative play under unfavorable payoff parameters.
CLINICAL DECISION MAKING AND OPERATIVE APPROACHES TO THORACIC AORTIC ANEURYSMS

The morbidity and mortality associated with rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysms has driven physicians to seek improved methods of caring for aneurysm patients. Methods for patient screening, detailed physiologic monitoring devices, new surgical techniques, and endovascular options have all been developed since the initial descriptions of the 1950s. Although we have made great strides in just over 40 years, the treatment of this disease remains humbling. Persistently significant complications accompany interventions for, and observations of, patients with thoracic aneurysms. A fundamental understanding of the pathophysiologic, surgical, and endovascular options provides a framework for optimal decision making in the care of this complex disease.
Dynamics of Auditory–Vocal Interaction in Monkey Auditory Cortex

Single neurons in the primate auditory cortex exhibit vocalizationrelated modulations (excitatory or inhibitory) during self-initiated vocal production. Previous studies have shown that these modulations of cortical activity are variable in individual neurons’ responses to multiple instances of vocalization and diverse between different cortical neurons. The present study investigated dynamic patterns of vocalization-related modulations and demonstrated that much of the variability in cortical modulations was related to the acoustic structures of self-produced vocalization. We found that suppression of single unit activity during multi-phrased vocalizations was temporally specific in that it was maintained during each phrase, but was released between phrases. Furthermore, the degree of suppression or excitation was correlated to the mean energy and frequency of the produced vocalizations, accounting for much of the response variability between multiple instances of vocalization. Simultaneous recordings of pairs of neurons from a single electrode revealed that the modulations by self-produced vocalizations in nearby neurons were largely uncorrelated. Additionally, vocalizationinduced suppression was found to be preferentially distributed to upper cortical layers. Finally, we showed that the summation of all auditory cortical activity during vocalization, including both single and multi-unit responses, was weakly excitatory, consistent with observations from studies of the human brain during speech.
The end of Latin English grammar

(1966). The end of Latin English grammar. Journal of the Reading Specialist: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 8-12.
Coping styles, psychological functioning and quality of life in children with asthma

Background Previous research suggests that children dealing with the asthma are at a greater risk for experiencing psychological maladjustment than children without asthma. Research also suggests that coping is a factor in psychological adaptation to chronic stressors such as physical illnesses. The question as to how coping relates to psychological functioning and quality of life in the paediatric asthma population has not yet been answered. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationships among coping, psychological functioning and quality of life in children diagnosed with asthma and to investigate the relationship that mothers’ quality of life has with these variables. Methods Forty-seven youths (aged 8–15 years) diagnosed with asthma completed measures of coping with asthma and quality of life. Each youth’s mother completed measures of her child’s coping, psychological functioning and her own quality of life. Results Mothers and children with asthma both reported that children used significantly more approach coping than avoidant coping when dealing with asthma. Three regression analyses indicated that avoidant coping negatively predicted psychological functioning, child’s quality of life and mother’s quality of life. Bivariate analyses also indicated a positive relationship between child’s quality of life and mother’s quality of life. Conclusions Results indicate that, in children with asthma, coping style plays an important role in the child’s psychological functioning and quality of life and mother’s quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that type of coping be assessed when developing comprehensive treatment plans for children with asthma. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of focused coping interventions in improving quality of life and psychological functioning in children with asthma.