cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eliminating Health Disparities: What Have We Done and What Do We Do Next?

The United States, one of the richest countries in the world, spends more than any other on health care, but does not provide the best nor does it provide healthcare equally. Much of this inequity stems from vast socioeconomic inequalities.1 Conversely, improving the overall health of our citizens depends in large part on eliminating health disparities.2 Although we face a battered economy, there is new attention to this problem and to diversifying the workforce; there is new hope that these disparities can be addressed. As detailed in our Journal, asthma, a treatable condition and the most common chronic disease of childhood, is one in which disparities in care and outcome are prominent.3–5 This issue of the Journal is devoted to describing health disparities, particularly as they apply to the management of asthma, along with a discussion of proposals for enhancing the care that we can deliver as a community. Three commentaries emphasize the multiple factors and levels of complexity that converge to form the disparity in health care that we have witnessed.6–8 Bryant-Stephens points out that although the prevalence of asthma is greater for Blacks than non-Latino Whites, the disparity in morbidity is far greater. Most disturbing is her reference to the Six City Study that found that even after controlling for factors anticipated to explain disparities such as environmental exposures, parental history, and demographic factors; Black children still had 1.6 times the odds of asthma diagnosis when compared to non-Latino White children.9 What are these other factors? Arguably, some are combinations of those multi-level factors presented by Canino et al.7 They could include other neighborhood exposures or effects of poverty not characterized in the study, problems with access to medications and health care, or health practice factors to name only a few of the possibilities. Both Bryant-Stephens and Valet et al comment on the burden of asthma for rural minority populations. Valet et al conducted an interesting analysis showing that differences in outcomes for rural versus urban dwellers is not well-established; however, in both rural and urban areas of the United States, poverty is associated with poorer health outcomes. Impoverished rural African Americans may have increased risk for poor asthma outcomes, but this requires further study. Together these three articles emphasize that health disparities operate through direct and indirect effects of unrelenting poverty on health. What has our subspecialty done to address these disparities? The AAAAI has made a number of efforts and Hugh Sampson MD set a goal for his presidency to address this immense and critical task. Below are some of the AAAAI initiatives.
Cardiovascular manifestations of iatrogenic hyperthyroidism in two dogs

Two dogs were diagnosed with iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis (1 definitive, 1 presumptive). Both showed physical examination findings of agitation, tachypnea, and tachycardia. Sinus tachycardia with supraventricular ectopy was diagnosed in one case, and syncope and atrial flutter was present in the other. Both dogs had concurrent cardiac disease that might have contributed to the severity of their clinical signs. Excessive thyroid hormone supplementation in humans causes supraventricular arrhythmias including sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. Clinical signs and rhythm abnormalities resolved in both dogs with resolution of the thyrotoxicosis.
Left ventricular function in mitral valve prolapse: Assessment with radionuclide cineangiography

Abnormalities of left ventricular contraction in patients with mitral valve prolapse have suggested a myocardial factor in this disease. To determine systolic left ventricular function in mitral valve prolapse, technetium-99m gated equilibrium radionuclide cineangiography was performed in 47 patients with this diagnosis. In 39 patients without mitral regurgitation the average ejection fraction was normal at rest (average [+/- standard error of the mean] 57 +/- 3 percent, normal 57 +/- 1 percent, difference not significant) and exceeded the lower limits of normal in all but 1 patient, whose ejection fraction was 41 percent. However, ejection fraction during maximal exercise was lower for the group of patients with mitral prolapse without mitral regurgitation than for normal subjects (average 64 +/- 2 percent, normal 71 +/- 2 percent, p < 0.005). In eight patients with mitral prolapse and mitral regurgitation, the average ejection fraction was normal at rest but was diminished with exercise in comparison with both normal subjects and patients with mitral valve prolapse without mitral regurgitation. Chest pain, arrhythmia and the pattern or extent of mitral valve prolapse on echocardiography were not independently associated with impaired left ventricular functional reserve. We conclude that, although many patients with mitral valve prolapse have normal left ventricular function, there is a subgroup without mitral regurgitation in whom diminished left ventricular functional reserve is suggestive of a cardiomyopathic process.
On coherence in spontaneous emission

Abstract The case of a single excited two-level atom emitting spontaneously in the presence of N unexcited atoms is solved exactly for emission into a single electromagnetic mode. The two-level atoms are in inequivalent mode positions.
Pelvicalyceal cysts in children

Abstract Eight cases of calyceal cyst in children are described, only three of them producing signs and symptoms. Operation is indicated only in those cases in which there is recurrent infection, recurrent pain, or possibly stone formation. A simple unroofing of the cyst appears to be the operation of choice, since it reduces to the minimum damage to normal renal parenchyma.
Health-related quality of life in HIV disease: achieving a balance.

Using grounded theory methods, open-ended interviews were conducted with persons diagnosed with HIV disease to explore and describe how they adjust to living with their disease in relation to their health-related quality of life over the illness trajectory. A substantive theory was generated that describes the process of learning to live with the upredictability of the disease to maintain life quality. "Achieving a Balance," the core process identified, describes the psychosocial adjustment process of persons with HIV disease from the time of diagnosis to their current circumstances. The process involves balancing the requirements of living with the progression of the disease with the desire to maintain control over one's life, to the extent possible, to maintain life quality. Achieving a Balance is described within the illness trajectory with four major stages—Disintegrating, Renormalizing, Coming to Terms, and Creating Meaning. Characteristics within these stages, which enhance or diminish life quality are described, and a definition of health-related quality, of life is proposed. Interventions are recommended for nurses who care for persons living with HIV disease.
Web Site Localization Practices: Some Insights into the Localization Industry

The e-commerce industry has experienced spectacular growth, change and development. This situation has initiated an enormous business revolution that has affected the process of globalization tremendously. The goal of this study was to analyze the Web sites of localization companies that provide localization and translation services to other companies and see if they themselves are practicing what they are preaching. The results suggest that localization companies are indeed not practicing what they are preaching. Analysis shows that localization company Web sites are less localized than the Web sites of their clients, the multinational companies. The findings provide some implications to domestic and international marketers who currently operate in or are planning to enter into the global markets in the near future.
Thermal Phase Behavior and Electrochemical/Physicochemical Properties of Carbonate and Ester Electrolytes with LiBF4, LiDFOB and LiBOB

Lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB) and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) have emerged as superior additives for the formation of favorable passivation layers on active electrodes. In this study, we systematically investigate the thermal phase behavior and electrochemical/physicochemical properties of LiBF4, LiDFOB and LiBOB mixtures with the cyclic carbonate ethylene carbonate (EC) and ester γ-butyrolactone (GBL). Raman spectroscopy was used to determine the degree of solvation that is present in the liquid electrolytes, which may then be directly correlated to the bulk conductivity of the mixtures.
Ultrasonically tissue‐mimicking liver including the frequency dependence of backscatter

Tissue‐mimicking (TM) liver, previously reported by our laboratory, mimics the speed of sound, density, and attenuation coefficient (including frequency dependence) of liver; however, scatter properties are only qualitively simulated. Two new versions of TM liver are reported here which not only mimic liver with respect to speed of sound, density, and attenuation coefficient, but also with respect to backscatter coefficients, including the frequency dependence of the latter. Compositions, methods of production, and comparisons of ultrasonic properties with those found in the literature for human liver are presented.
Gait Rehabilitation With an Active Leg Orthosis

In this paper, we discuss the design and control strategies for an active gait rehabilitation device for the lower extrmity. This device uses gravity balancing to reduce the net torque required by the actuators during motion. Two controllers are proposed in this paper. The first uses a robust controller and the second uses a torque assisting control law. Simulations of these controllers are presented in this paper. Experiments are currently being conducted with this orthosis on healthy and stroke subjects.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Cocaine acts on accumbens monoamines and locomotor behavior via a 5-HT2A/2C receptor mechanism as shown by ketanserin: 24-h follow-up studies.

It is well known that cocaine's psychomotor stimulant properties derive from enhanced monoamines via synaptic transporter/reuptake inhibition and release mechanisms. However, to further understand mechanisms of action for cocaine, which may be receptor-related, ketanserin, a selective 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonist was used to ascertain a possible mediation for 5-HT(2A//2C) receptors in the monoamine and behavioral responses to cocaine. The studies were performed in the freely moving and behaving animal with In Vivo Microvoltammetry. Miniature carbon sensors, BRODERICK PROBE microelectrodes detected dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc) of male, Sprague-Dawley laboratory rats in separate signals and within seconds while at the same time, locomotor behavior was monitored with infrared photobeams. Synaptic release of each monoamine was detected because separate studies showed that the depolarization blocker, gamma-butyrolactone (gamma BL), decreased steady-state values [Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 40 (1991) 969]. Acute studies (Day 1) were performed; the animals received single injection of drug(s) in the faradaic behavioral chamber after a stable baseline during habituation behavior was achieved. After completion of the study, the animals were returned to their home cages. Subacute studies (Day 2) were also performed; these took place 24 h later in the faradaic behavioral chamber; same animal control was used and no further drug was administered. Day 2 data were compared to baseline (habituation data) on Day 1. Results showed that (1) Acute administration of Cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) (N=5) increased DA and 5-HT release above baseline (p 0.05). In summary, Acute studies showed that cocaine produced its psychostimulant responses on monoamines and behavior and ketanserin antagonized these responses, likely via a 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor mediation. Presynaptic and postsynaptic responses were not distinguished, suggesting, in addition, a role for 5-HT-ergic modulation of DA, likely DA(2) postsynaptic modulation Subacute cocaine studies showed that on Day 2, deficiencies in monoamines occurred, reflecting cocaine withdrawal mechanisms neurochemically, while locomotor behavior did not show such dramatic deficiencies. Indeed, behavior increased above baseline. Moreover, ketanserin reversed 5-HT-related and not DA-related cocaine monoamine responses, while locomotion continued to be insignificantly increased above baseline as was seen in the Subacute cocaine group. The data suggest that presynaptic 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor mechanisms may be important during withdrawal from single injection of cocaine.
Nutrient Transport in Beaches Subjected to Freshwater Input and Tides

ABSTRACT Bioremediation of oil spills on beaches commonly involves the addition of nutrients to stimulate the growth of indigenous oil-degrading bacteria. The selection of the best application strategy of nutrients requires an understanding of the physical factors affecting beach hydraulics and hydrodynamics. The authors investigated these factors here using a laboratory beach and a numerical model that is able to simulate density-dependent flows in two-dimensional variably-saturated media. The authors found that beach geometry plays a major role in beach hydraulics and hydrodynamics because the flow lines are perpendicular to the beach surface. Under tidal action, the authors found that seawater enters the beach from the top and causes the entrapment of less saline water in the beach. Guidelines for the selection of the best application strategy of nutrients are provided.
A POSTINSEMINATION BARRIER TO FERTILIZATION ISOLATES TWO CLOSELY RELATED GROUND CRICKETS

Postinsemination barriers to fertilization generally have been ignored by biologists interested in the origin and nature of reproductive isolation among closely related terrestrial animals. Yet evidence presented in this paper indicates that such a barrier bears primary responsibility for the reproductive isolation between the ground crickets Allonemobius fasciatus and Allonemobius socius. Postinsemination barriers to fertilization may isolate many other terrestrial animals as well, but the design of most laboratory hybridization experiments precludes the detection of these barriers.
Short-term exposure to a synthetic estrogen disrupts mating dynamics in a pipefish.

Sexual selection is responsible for the evolution of some of the most elaborate traits occurring in nature, many of which play a vital role in competition over access to mates and individual reproductive fitness. Because expression of these traits is typically regulated by sex-steroids there is a significant potential for their expression to be affected by the presence of certain pollutants, such as endocrine disrupting compounds. Endocrine disruptors have been shown to alter primary sexual traits and impact reproduction, but few studies have investigated how these compounds affect secondary sexual trait expression and how that may, in turn, impact mating dynamics. In this study we examine how short-term exposure to a synthetic estrogen impacts secondary sexual trait expression and mating dynamics in the Gulf pipefish, a species displaying sex-role reversal. Our results show that only 10 days of exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol results in adult male pipefish developing female-like secondary sexual traits. While these males are capable of reproduction, females discriminate against exposed males in mate choice trials. In natural populations, this type of discrimination would reduce male mating opportunities, thus potentially reducing their long-term reproductive success. Importantly, the effects of these compounds on mating dynamics and mating opportunity would not be observed using the current standard methods of assessing environmental contamination. However, disrupting these processes could have profound effects on the viability of exposed populations.
Glass transition temperatures of poly(alkyl α‐cyanoacrylates)

Abstract : The glass transition temperatures of a series of poly alkyl alpha cyanoacrylates were determined by the technique of dilatometry, using mercury as confining liquid to note the volume changes. (Author)
Infection versus immunity : What's the balance?

This issue of the Journal is devoted to the theme of infection and immunity and to attempts to describe the balance of host forces that protect against those infectious forces that would invade. For most of our lives we remain unaware of the moment-by-moment interplay of host resistance factors and infectious agents. Yet as described in the articles herein, a natural sequence of clonal expansion of microbes develops in human beings born with faulty immunity or in those whose immunity is temporarily overwhelmed by infection. There are 3 intersecting concepts drawn out for us in this month’s Journal— immunodeficiency, infection, and cancer—that meet in a common point in certain individuals, like the zero point of 3-dimensional axes. Most infections of humankind are attributed to being the result of chance, exposure, and dose of infectious agent. Compelling arguments are now being made, however, that at least in the case of the more severe forms of these infections, invading organisms have taken advantage of a hidden chink in the armament of presumed normal immunity. With special patients who need immunosuppressive treatments, there is often a manifestation of chronic infection and even the appearance of cancer. This issue of the Journal clarifies some of those mysterious mechanisms of immunity that enable the preservation of life.
A Class of Improved Parametrically Guided Nonparametric Regression Estimators

In this article we define a class of estimators for a nonparametric regression model with the aim of reducing bias. The estimators in the class are obtained via a simple two-stage procedure. In the first stage, a potentially misspecified parametric model is estimated and in the second stage the parametric estimate is used to guide the derivation of a final semiparametric estimator. Mathematically, the proposed estimators can be thought as the minimization of a suitably defined Cressie–Read discrepancy that can be shown to produce conventional nonparametric estimators, such as the local polynomial estimator, as well as existing two-stage multiplicative estimators, such as that proposed by Glad (1998). We show that under fairly mild conditions the estimators in the proposed class are asymptotically normal and explore their finite sample (simulation) behavior.
Estimating high-dimensional demand systems in the presence of many binding non-negativity constraints

Abstract Two econometric issues arise in the structural estimation of consumer or producer demand systems in the presence of many binding non-negativity constraints. Firstly, most existing methods entail the evaluation of multivariate probability integrals. Secondly, the issue of statistical coherency must be addressed. We circumvent both of these issues using Gibbs’ Sampling, along with data augmentation and rejection sampling. We illustrate our method using several simulated data sets.
Regulation of gap junctions by tyrosine protein kinases

Most of the gap junction proteins are regulated in part by post-translational phosphorylation. Phosphorylation has been shown to be important in gap junction assembly and turnover, and for channel function in the resting state. Connexin phosphorylation may be altered by the activation of intracellular signaling pathways in response to growth factors, tumor promoters, activated oncogenes, hormones and inflammatory mediators. In some instances altered phosphorylation has been associated with changes in connexin function and in other cases appears to be associated with changes in the levels of the connexin protein and/or mRNA. This review focuses on the role of tyrosine protein kinases in the regulation of gap junctions. The literature is most extensive for connexin43 and those studies are reviewed here. A great deal has been learned in recent years about how connexin43 is regulated by tyrosine kinase-dependent signaling pathways. These pathways are often complex and to some extent are cell type- and stimulus-dependent. Although considerable progress has been made in unraveling the cellular pathways that regulate connexin function, significant challenges remain to be addressed in identifying additional phosphorylation sites and determining the stoichiometries of the phosphorylation events that regulate connexin function and it's interaction with other cellular proteins.
First-principles calculations of small silicon clusters adsorbed on a graphite surface

The structural and electronic properties of small Si-clusters adsorbed on the graphite (0001) surface are studied by density functional theory (DFT) within periodic boundary conditions. A 5-layer graphite slab is used to represent the graphite substrate. Maximum stability is encountered for particle site adsorption of the Si-clusters on the surface. This finding is attributed to the formation of covalent carbon-silicon bonds. As a consequence of the interaction between the substrate and the adsorbate, a distinct narrowing of the Si cluster energy gap is observed, in accordance with experimental results. Density of states (DOS) distributions are used for detailed band structure analysis of the system combined of ${\mathrm{Si}}_{n}$ clusters and a graphite substrate. Comparison is made with the analogous situation of the ${\mathrm{Na}}_{n}$ cluster adsorption on graphite.
Evidence for a magnesium-dependent dissociation of bacterial cytoplasmic membrane particles

Abstract 1. 1. A preparation of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane was obtained by osmotic disruption of protoplasts prepared from Sarcina lutea . 2. 2. Sonification of the membrane preparation in the presence of Mg 2+ resulted in its conversion to particles which sedimented on ultracentrifugation as two boundaries having sedimentation coefficients of 5 S and 70 S. Dialysis of the sonified preparation against buffer solutions containing no Mg 2+ resulted in conversion of the 70-S particles to 5-S particles. A partial re-association into larger aggregate particles was obtained by dialyzing 5-S particles in the presence of Mg 2+ . 3. 3. Although quite different in chemical composition, membrane particles exhibit strong similarities in sedimentation behavior to cytoplasmic ribosomal nucleoproteins.
Full-Length Genome Sequence of a Plaque-Cloned Virulent Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Isolate (USA/Iowa/18984/2013) from a Midwestern U.S. Swine Herd.

ABSTRACT Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) was recognized in U.S. swine for the first time in early 2013. A plaque-purified PED virus (PEDV) isolate (USA/Iowa/18984/2013) was obtained from a diarrheic piglet. The isolate is genetically close to other previously reported U.S. PEDVs and recent Chinese PEDVs and was virulent when inoculated into neonatal pigs.
Learning a dictionary of deformable patches using GPUs

We propose a simple method for learning a dictionary of deformable patches for simultaneous shape recognition and reconstruction. Our approach relies on two key innovations - introducing a pre-defined set of transformations on patches to enrich the search space, and designing a parallel framework on Graphical Processors (GPUs) for matching a large number of deformable templates to a large set of images efficiently. We illustrate our method on two handwritten digit databases - MNIST and USPS, and report state-of-art recognition performance without using any domain-specific knowledge on digits. We briefly show that our dictionary has many desirable properties: it includes intuitive low- and mid-level structures, it is sufficient to synthesize digits, it gives sparse representations of digits, and contains elements which are useful for discrimination. In addition, we are the first dictionary learning method to report good results when transferring the learned dictionary between different datasets.
Ketamine inhibits serotonin uptake in vivo.

Anesthetic (120 and 160 mg/kg. i.p.) and subanesthetic (80 mg/kg) doses of ketamine HCl were found to prevent completely the depletion of whole brain serotonin (5-HT) by p-chloramphetamine (PCA). Furthermore, ketamine HCl (160 mg/kg) completely blocked the depletion of 5-HT by PCA in every individual brain region studied (Midbrain-thalamus, hypothalamus, striatum, hippocampus and cortex). Administration of ketamine alone had no effect on brain 5-HT levels. Nialamide (a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor) and fluoxetine (a selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor) also prevented the depletion of 5-HT by PCA. However, of these three agents, only nialamide prevented the depletion of 5-HT by reserpine. These results suggest that ketamine blocks PCA-induced 5-HT depletion by inhibiting 5-HT uptake and not by inhibiting MAO. Ketamine only weakly affected either [3H]5-HT or [3H]spiroperidol binding to 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors respectively even at concentrations as high as 1 mM. These data support the contention that the primary direct effect of ketamine on serotonergic systems is the blockade of 5-HT uptake and that blockade of 5-HT uptake may mediate some of the behavioral effects of ketamine, such as analgesia.
Turgor regulation in Valonia macrophysa following acute osmotic shock

The marine algaValonia macrophysa an inhabitant of shallow subtropical waters, is subjected to sudden dilutions of external seawater during rain showers. This study describes the mechanisms involved in turgor pressure regulation following acute hyposmotic shock. Turgor regulation is 88% effective and complete within 4 hr following hyposmotic shocks of up to −10 bar. Loss of vacuolar K+, Na+ and Cl− accounts for the decrease in vacuolar osmotic pressure associated with turgor regulation. A novel mechanism of turgor regulation is exhibited byValonia macrophysa given hyposmotic shocks greater than about −4 bar. Such an osmotic shock causes cell wall tension to increase above a critical value of about 6×105 dyne/cm, whereupon the protoplasm ruptures and the cell wall stretches irreversibly at a localized site. The protoplasm rupture is suggested by (1) a large abrupt increase in K+ efflux (as measured by86Rb+), (2) a rapid decrease in turgor pressure as measured with a pressure probe, and (3) sudden depolarization of the vacuole potential. Evidence for an increase in cell wall permeability includes efflux from the vacuole of dextran (mol wt 70,000), which normally has a very low cell wall permeability, and scanning electron micrographs which show a trabeculated scar area in the cell wall. This mechanism of turgor regulation is physiologically important because 98% of the cells regained normal growth rate and turgor following acute osmotic shock.
Conceptual and Statistical Interactions: An Illustration with the AB5C and CWBs

The purpose of this study was to compare the criterion validity of conceptual interactions between the Big Five traits of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability to the statistical interactions between these traits. For illustration purposes we focus on linking these interactions to counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). Data for Study 1 was obtained from 196 employed students and focuses on the interaction between agreeableness and conscientiousness. Data for Study 2 was obtained from 220 employees and expanded the interaction space examined to include emotional stability. All of the circumplex traits representing conceptual interactions were related to CWBs but only the traits most closely associated with conscientiousness showed incremental validity beyond their associated Big Five traits. Dominance analysis highlights increased concurrent validity of the circumplex traits compared to the Big Five statistical interactions in relation to CWBs. Understanding the unique circumplex blends of the Big Five traits offers opportunities to enhance the criterion validity of Big Five measures. Results question the similarity between the AB5C circumplex traits and Big Five interactions, with their contributions appearing to be unique but their justification drastically different. The validity of the AB5C circumplex traits are relatively unknown. The current results expand this knowledge and directly compare the circumplex traits to interaction terms between agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability.
A Client-Centered Model of Instructional Design for Psychoeducation Interventions in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists often use psychoeducational interventions in mental health settings. Recent systematic reviews have validated the efficacy of this approach, but the occupational therapy literature on the instructional design process is scarce. In this article the author reviews factors relevant to the instructional design of psychoeducation and then proposes a client-centered instructional design model that considers the client's capacity for engagement, the instructional context/environment, and the learning content demands in the selection of appropriate instructional approaches. The design process is illustrated in four vignettes using behavioral, acquisitional, cognitive, and constructivist approaches.
A contextual profile of club drug use among adults in Chicago.

Aims To better understand the prevalence, correlates, risk factors and context of club drug use among US adults in the City of Chicago. Design An Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interview was administered to a household probability sample of adults, aged 18–40 years, from June 2001 to January 2002. Setting Subjects were drawn from randomly selected households using a multi-stage area probability design. Participants The data represent 627 randomly selected adult participants. Measurement Weighted prevalence estimates with design-effect adjusted confidence intervals of life-time, past 12 month and past 30 day use of any club drug and of specific club drugs; prevalence of rave attendance, other drug use, motivation for use among club drug users; χ2 tests of significance, logistic regression and adjusted odds ratios. Findings Overall club drug prevalence rates were nearly twice those obtained for MDMA alone. Club drug users were more likely to use multiple illicit substances and to report having been in treatment for substance use. A majority of life-time club drug users never attended a rave although rave attendees were more likely to report frequent use of MDMA. Use was associated with gender, race and sexual orientation. Conclusions Prevention research should be informed by further population-based research on club drug use. Research should not focus exclusively on rave attendees, as they are only a subset of club drug users. Research is needed on neurological and behavioral sequelae across different types of club drugs, gender differences in the impact of sexual orientation on club drug risk and on the effects of personality characteristics such as sensation seeking on club drug use behavior.
Charge transport and dipolar relaxations in an alkali metal oligoether carboxylate ionic liquid

Charge transport and dipolar relaxations in a sodium-based oligoether carboxylate ionic liquid are investigated in a wide frequency and temperature range by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). The dielectric spectra are described at lower temperatures in terms of dipolar relaxations whereas hopping conduction in a random spatially varying energy landscape is quantitatively shown to dominate the spectra at higher temperatures. Based on detailed analysis of the dielectric relaxation strength in its temperature dependence, the slower secondary relaxation process is attributed to molecular fluctuation of ion pairs (sodium and carboxylate ions) while the localized motion of the carboxylate anion gives rise to the faster process observed.
Resistance to Tear: An Instrumental Measure of the Cohesive Properties of Muscle Food Products

An instrument was developed to measure cohesive properties of restructured muscle foods. The device, an attachment for the Texture Test System, consists of a spiked split-platform designed to hold a meat slice in place as the two sections of the platform are pulled apart. The force [referred to as resistance to tear (RTT)] required to tear a sample is transmitted via a transducer located at the stationary end of the split-platform. Experiments in which fish, broiler or turkey meat patties were formulated to provide differences in cohesive properties, showed that RTT measurements were responsive to the effects of formulation manipulations and corresponded well with sensory evaluations.
Hemophilic Arthropathy Complicated by Polyarticular Septic Arthritis

A case of multiple pyarthroses due to Staphylococcus aureus occurring in a severe classical hemophiliac is presented. Successful management depended on drainage of the infected join
Emphysematous cystitis: A complication of urinary tract infection occurring predominantly in diabetic women

The case of a patient with emphysematous cystitis who presented with complaints of lower abdominal pain, dysuria, and pneumaturia is presented. The presenting symptoms, differential diagnosis, and radiographic and cystoscopic appearances of emphysematous cystitis, a rare complication of lower urinary tract infection occurring almost exclusively in diabetics, are reviewed. Treatment consists of urinary drainage, prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy, and strict glucose control. The prognosis usually is excellent.
Antihistaminic effects of N,N-dimethyl-N′-(3-thenyl)-N′-(2-pyridyl)-ethylenediamine (Thenfadil) applied topically

Abstract 1.1. Histamine dihydrochloride in one or two per cent solution (in terms of the base) in a mixture of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, octyl alcohol, water and ethyl alcohol applied to the intact skin of human beings is rapidly absorbed and produces a typical local reaction in most of the subjects tested. 2.2. Various antihistaminic drugs dissolved in this vehicle, in concentration of one to 5 per cent and applied together with or before histamine on the same skin areas, reduced the histamine response. 3.3. A new antihistaminic, Thenfadil (N,N-dimethyl-N′-(3-thenyl)-N′-(2-pyridyl)-ethylenediamine), appears to be the most active of those tried in relieving the histamine skin symptoms.
What Controls Stratocumulus Radiative Properties? Lagrangian Observations of Cloud Evolution

Marine stratocumulus clouds have a large impact on the earth’s radiation budget. Their optical properties vary on two distinct timescales, one associated with the diurnal cycle of solar insolation and another with the downstream transition to trade cumulus. Hypotheses regarding the control of cloud radiative properties fall broadly into two groups: those focused on the effects of precipitation, and those concerned with the environment in which the clouds evolve. Reconciling model results and observations in an effort to develop parameterizations of cloud optical properties is difficult because marine boundary layer clouds are not in equilibrium with their local environment. The authors describe a new technique for the observation of boundary layer cloud evolution in a moving or Lagrangian frame of reference. Blending satellite imagery and gridded environmental information, the method provides a time series of the environmental conditions to which the boundary layer is subject and the properties of clouds as they respond to external forcings. The technique is combined with in situ observations of precipitation off the coast of California and compared with the downstream evolution of cloud fraction in five cases that were observed to be precipitating with three cases that were not. In this small dataset cloud fraction remains almost uniformly high, and there is no relationship between the presence of precipitation and the evolution of cloud fraction on 1- and 2-day timescales. Analysis of a large number of examples shows that clouds in this region have a typical pattern of diurnal evolution such that clouds that are optically thicker than about 10 during the morning are unlikely to break up over the course of the day but will instead show a large diurnal cycle in optical depth. Morning cloud optical thickness and the resultant susceptibility to breakup have a much larger impact on diurnally averaged cloud radiative forcing than do diurnal variations in cloud properties. Cloud response is significantly correlated with lower tropospheric temperature stratification at all times, though the best correlation exists when cloud response lags stability by at least 16 h. Sea surface temperature is also correlated with cloud properties during the period in which cloud response is measured and the 12 h prior. The authors suggest that sea surface temperature plays two competing roles in determining boundary layer cloudiness, with rapid changes in SST promoting cloudiness on short timescales but tending to lead to a more rapid transition to the trade cumulus regime.
Ultracold Collisions in Atomic Strontium

Photoassociative spectroscopy in an intercombination-line magneto-optical trap has determined the ground-state s-wave scattering lengths of88Sr and86Sr. Recent work with a crossed optical dipole trap allows us to study atoms in metastable states.
Benefits of Aggressive Perioperative Management in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy

With lung resection remaining the cornerstone of curative therapy in patients with lung cancer, aggressive perioperative management continues to play a critical role. This review summarizes the most important factors in successful perioperative management. These include patient selection, with an emphasis on which patient variables and hemodynamic assessments are most useful in determining operability. Postoperative management, in particular, patient-controlled analgesia, and pulmonary toilet, are essential to facilitate early patient mobility and to minimize complications, respectively. Aggressive perioperative management can result in reduced postoperative morbidity and mortality, reduced length of hospital stay and expenditures for complications, and it expands the population that can receive potentially curative therapy.
Effects of ultraviolet radiation on productivity and nitrogen fixation in the Cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. (Newton’s strain)

The biological effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR; 290–400 nm), especially the UV-B (320–400 nm) component of the spectrum, include both direct and indirect effects on many cellular processes. In cyanobacteria both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation can be affected directly by UVR, and indirectly by UVR through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). For the heterocystous cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. (Newton’s strain), exposure to UVR causes a significant decline in the quantum yields of photosystem II (PSII) fluorescence and maximum productivity despite an increase in UVR absorbing compounds, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), in those cells exposed to UVR. Concurrent with these observations are significant increases in the activities of superoxide dismutase indicative of an increase in the level of oxidative stress in cells exposed to UVR. Additionally, measurements of nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) show a significant decrease in cyanobacteria exposed to UVR, which manifests itself as a decrease in cellular nitrogen and an increase in C:N ratios. These results show that these nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are particularly sensitive to UVR, both its direct and indirect effects. The effects of UVR reported here add to the increasing evidence that UVR effects on this important group of prokaryotes could affect the input of new nitrogen, and the biogeochemical cycling of this essential macronutrient in terrestrial, marine, and freshwater habitats.
CHOLESTEROL SECRETION FROM HEPATOCYTES INDUCED BY TRIACYLGLYCEROL AND APOLIPOPROTEIN E

The mechanism for the increase in plasma cholesterol levels in cholesterol-fed rats following chylomicron transport was investigated in intact animals, in isolated perfused liver, and in hepatocytes in monolayer cultures. Intravenous administration of egg phosphatidylcholine in amounts greater than those required to cause a plasma cholesterol response when given as chylomicrons was without effect. This makes it unlikely that increased plasma cholesterol levels resulted from the recruitment of tissue cholesterol by the plasma chylomicron phospholipids that persisted in the plasma after triacylglycerol clearance. The hepatic origin of the increased plasma cholesterol levels was directly confirmed by two hepatic perfusion experiments. When cholesterol-fed rats received intravenous chylomicrons prior to isolated hepatic perfusion, more cholesterol was secreted by the liver than when the rats were injected intravenously with buffer. Perfusion of apolipoprotein E (apo E)-rich triacylglycerol emulsions through the livers also enhanced cholesterol secretion. The increase in hepatocyte cholesterol secretion seen with cholesterol-fed rats was also noted in monolayer cultures following incubation with apo E rich-triacylglycerol emulsions. The apolipoprotein or the emulsion alone, or apo E-rich phosphatidylcholine liposomes, had no effect. The data confirm previous indirect observations that the liver is the source of cholesterol that appears in plasma following transport of chylomicrons or following a lipid-rich meal in cholesterol-fed rats. The data also re-emphasize the importance of providing apo E with triacylglycerol emulsions to initiate secretion of lower density lipoproteins by the liver.
Impacts of different arm structures of reflector IRA: Wire, coplanar plate, and bi-conical arms

Impulse radiating antennas (IRAs) are designed for radiating high voltage electromagnetic pulses. A four-arm parabolic reflector IRA is one of the most widly used IRAs for its strong boresight radiation field and high directivity. This paper investigates IRA models using software simulation developed based on the Method of Moment (MoM). The models are validated through comparisons with available theoretical and measurement results. Based on the IRA models, three types of radiation arm structures, wire, coplanar plate and bi-conical, are studied. This is to exam the impact of the radiation arm structures on the reflector IRAs. The results indicate that the coplanar plate arm IRA provides better antenna gain and radiation field performance in the frequency and time domain than the wire arm IRA, and the bi-conical arm IRA, similarly, performs better than the coplanar plate arm IRA.
Demography, disease, and development : an evolutionary approach

Emphasising the impact of diseases on history, the essay integrates demography, economics, evolutionary theory, and microbiology to explain the historical development of humanity and the economy, with specific application to American economic development prior to the twentieth century. The cultural development of prehistoric humanity is explained with simple demography in which the blooming of Paleolithic culture about 50,000 years ago also induced diseases of permanent settlements. A model of historical long-run growth incorporates transportation developments with cycles; one "virtuous" (expanding markets and specialisation), the other "vicious" (spread of diseases with increased trade). The New World conquest is viewed as almost entirely due to microbiology, evolutionary selection, and environmental conditions (climates and soils) as was the eventual peopling of different New World regions. American economic development prior to the twentieth century is considered the result of primarily demographic changes, transportation developments, and large-scale plantation slavery that combined to spread infectious diseases. This has implications for American economic development, Malthusian Doctrine, and issues of environmental degradation and sustainability.
Cosmic and Local Mass Density of Invisible Axions

If the Universe is axion dominated it may be possible to detect the axions which comprise the bulk of the mass density of the Universe. The feasibility of the proposed experiments depends crucially upon knowing the axion mass (or equivalently, the Peccei-Quinn symmetry-breaking scale) and the local mass density of axions. In an axion-dominated universe our galactic halo should be comprised primarily of axions. We calculate the local halo density to be at least 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}25}$ g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$, and at most a factor of 2 larger. Unfortunately, it is not possible to pin down the axion mass, even to within an order of magnitude. In an axion-dominated universe we place an upper limit to the axion mass of about ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ eV. We give precise formulas for the axion mass in an axion-dominated universe, and clearly point out all the uncertainties involved in determining the precise value of the mass.
Characterisations of balanced words via orderings

Three new characterisations of balanced words are presented. Each of these characterisations is based on the ordering of a shift orbit, either lexicographically or with respect to the norm |ċ|1 (which counts the number of occurrences of the symbol 1).
microRNA Control of Mouse and Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Behavior

In the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding both microRNA function and cellular pluripotency. Here we review the intersection of these two exciting fields. While microRNAs are not required for the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency in early development and cell culture, respectively, they are critically important in the regulation of the cell cycle structure of pluripotent stem cells as well as the silencing of the pluripotency program upon differentiation. Pluripotent cells, both in vivo and in vitro, dominantly express a single family of microRNAs, which can promote the reprogramming of a somatic cell back to a pluripotent state. Here, we review the known mechanisms by which these and other microRNAs regulate the different aspects of the pluripotent stem cell program in both mouse and human.
Thinned stepped frequency waveforms to furnish existing radars with imaging capability

Introducing imaging capability to an existing radar, even if it is a high RF bandwidth radar, may be difficult, due to limitations on the IF bandwidth, limitations on the pulse repetition frequency and electromagnetic compatibility problems. This paper discusses the use of thinned stepped frequency waveforms, which enable the radar to switch between RF frequencies to provide a synthesized wide RF bandwidth, while the thinning may alleviate some of the constraints imposed on the radar. Random and periodic thinning are discussed in the first part of this paper. However, thinning may cause degradation in image quality, thus an additional technique-Sequence CLEAN deconvolution-is suggested. Sequence CLEAN is an iterative deconvolution algorithm, adopted from the field of radioastronomy, which is capable of resolving close targets in a dense environment, where the system response is heavily affected by high sidelobes.
Antisocial personality disorder, alcohol, and aggression.

Epidemiologic studies and laboratory research consistently link alcohol use with aggression. Not all people, however, exhibit increased aggression under the influence of alcohol. Recent research suggests that people with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) may be more prone to alcohol-related aggression than people without ASPD. As a group, people with ASPD have higher rates of alcohol dependence and more alcohol-related problems than people without ASPD. Likewise, in laboratory studies, people with ASPD show greater increases in aggressive behavior after consuming alcohol than people without ASPD. The association between ASPD and alcohol-related aggression may result from biological factors, such as ASPD-related impairments in the functions of certain brain chemicals (e.g., serotonin) or in the activities of higher reasoning, or "executive," brain regions. Alternatively, the association between ASPD and alcohol-related aggression may stem from some as yet undetermined factor(s) that increase the risk for aggression in general.