cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of the mu-opioid receptor in opioid modulation of immune function

Endogenous opioids are synthesized in vivo to modulate pain mechanisms and inflammatory pathways. Endogenous and exogenous opioids mediate analgesia in response to painful stimuli by binding to opioid receptors on neuronal cells. However, wide distribution of opioid receptors on tissues and organ systems outside the CNS, such as the cells of the immune system, indicate that opioids are capable of exerting additional effects in the periphery, such as immunomodulation. The increased prevalence of infections in opioid abuser-based epidemiological studies further highlights the immunosuppressive effects of opioids. In spite of their many debilitating side effects, prescription opioids remain a gold standard for treatment of chronic pain. Therefore, given the prevalence of opioid use and abuse, opioid-mediated immune suppression presents a serious concern in our society today. It is imperative to understand the mechanisms by which exogenous opioids modulate immune processes. In this review, we will discuss the role of opioid receptors and their ligands in mediating immune-suppressive functions. We will summarize recent studies on direct and indirect opioid modulation of the cells of the immune system, as well as the role of opioids in exacerbation of certain disease states.
The role of radiation therapy in the management of childhood craniopharyngioma

Between 1965 and 1986, 31 children were treated for craniopharyngioma at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Total removal was attempted in all patients. Some patients received radiation therapy following subtotal removal. Of the patients whose first resection was subtotal, five received radiation and seven did not. Four of the 5 patients who were radiated (80%) are stable (median 89 months, range 42-155 months) and one recurred at 42 months, failed salvage with total removal, and subsequently died of disease. Of the seven who were not irradiated, all had recurrences (median 12 months, range 3-192 months) and one died of disease. Nineteen patients initially had total removal and none received adjuvant radiation. One patient died postoperatively. Of the 18 remaining patients, 6 had recurrences (median 24 months, range 7-100 months) and 12 (66%) are stable (median 42 months, range 9-133 months). One of these stable patients died of endocrine complications 24 months after initial surgery. Fourteen of the 31 patients recurred. Two died with recurrence and one required no further treatment. Eleven had second resections following initial surgical removal. Seven of these 11 went on to receive radiation and four did not. All seven who were radiated are stable (median 33 months, range 1-228 months); whereas 1 of the 4 who were not radiated recurred again at 18 months. This patient had a third resection followed by radiation therapy and is now stable at 20 months. After initial surgery (and before radiation, when given) 26 of 31 patients had panhypopituitarism, 4 had partial deficits, and 1 was normal. Severe diencephalic syndrome, loss of visual acuity, and intellectual deficits were no more frequent in patients treated with total removal, subtotal removal, and in patients who received radiation. We conclude that radiation has an important role following subtotal removal and for salvage treatment after initial surgery. Aggressive attempt at total removal does result in prolonged progression-free survival in some patients. Extensive resections may result in significant mortality and endocrine morbidity. This review suggests that subtotal removal and radiation results in outcomes at least as favorable as treatment with total removal alone.
A 5 th order 0.8/2.4 GHz programmable active band pass filter for power DAC applications

A programmable active band pass filter (BPF) has been designed in a chip-scale heterogeneous integration technology, which intimately integrates InP HBTs on a deep scaled CMOS technology. Therefore, the active BPF can leverage both high performance of InP HBT and high density and programmability of CMOS. The BPF prototype consists of a programmable gain amplifier (PGA), a 5th order BPF core, and a buffer. The BPF center frequency is programmable from 0.8 GHz to 2.4 GHz with 150 MHz pass band and delivers >55 dB out-of-band rejection. Four gain steps: 0, 6, 12, and 16 dB, are enabled by the front PGA to trade off noise and linearity performances. Due to the > 300 GHz fT of InP HBTs, the BPF core can leverage active-RC architecture for high linearity owing to the close-loop implementation. The prototype occupies 1.5×1.02 mm 2 area together with pads and draws 106/121 mA from a 3.3 V power supply for 0.8/2.4 GHz bands respectively. In addition, the prototype demonstrates out-of-band OIP3s of 23.52/23.51 dBm for 0.8/2.4 GHz bands at the high gain mode.
Real-time wireless vibration monitoring for operational modal analysis of an integral abutment highway bridge

Remote structural health monitoring systems employing a sensor-based quantitative assessment of in-service demands and structural condition are perceived as the future in long-term bridge management programs. However, the data analysis techniques and, in particular, the technology conceived years ago that are necessary for accurately and efficiently extracting condition assessment measures from highway infrastructure have just recently begun maturation. In this study, a large-scale wireless sensor network is deployed for ambient vibration testing of a single-span integral abutment bridge to derive in-service modal parameters. Dynamic behavior of the structure from ambient and traffic loads was measured with accelerometers for experimental determination of the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes of the bridge. Real-time data collection from a 40-channel single network operating with a sampling rate of 128 Hz per sensor was achieved with essentially lossless data transmission. Successful acquisition of high-rate, lossless data on the highway bridge validates the proprietary wireless network protocol within an actual service environment. Operational modal analysis is performed to demonstrate the capabilities of the acquisition hardware with additional correlation of the derived modal parameters to a Finite Element Analysis of a model developed using as-built drawings to check plausibility of the mode shapes. Results from this testing demonstrate that wireless sensor technology has matured to the degree that modal analysis of large civil structures with a distributed network is a currently feasible and a comparable alternative to cable-based measurement approaches.
Partisan patterns in presidential campaign speeches, 1948–2000

This article investigates partisan language and its role in American political campaigns by addressing two fundamental questions: Can the differences between Democratic and Republican presidential candidates be reliably identified by a careful inspection of their speeches? and Have their speeches changed over time? In answering these questions, over 2,000 speech segments delivered by Democratic and Republican candidates over the past 14 elections (1948–2000) are examined. The data show that (1) Democratic candidates are more likely than Republicans to discuss campaign actors and to use nouns to rhetorically bring their coalitions together, (2) Republican candidates are more likely than Democrats to focus on ideals and employ a more unified, direct approach, and (3) these partisan patterns have decreased somewhat over the years in presidential campaign speeches. While this analysis provides some support for the contention that presidential campaign discourse is becoming increasingly candidate‐centered, it ...
Structure of a c-Cbl–UbcH7 Complex: RING Domain Function in Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s) regulate diverse cellular processes by mediating protein ubiquitination. The c-Cbl proto-oncogene is a RING family E3 that recognizes activated receptor tyrosine kinases, promotes their ubiquitination by a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) and terminates signaling. The crystal structure of c-Cbl bound to a cognate E2 and a kinase peptide shows how the RING domain recruits the E2. A comparison with a HECT family E3-E2 complex indicates that a common E2 motif is recognized by the two E3 families. The structure reveals a rigid coupling between the peptide binding and the E2 binding domains and a conserved surface channel leading from the peptide to the E2 active site, suggesting that RING E3s may function as scaffolds that position the substrate and the E2 optimally for ubiquitin transfer.
300mm time constrained queue loop management

In semiconductor processing there are some portions of the processing line where the time between a wafer leaving an operation and being processed at some subsequent operation must be managed or else process defects may occur that can negatively impact the resulting wafer. These time constrained process loops are commonly referred to as "Queue Loops" because wafers are held in queue until there is high confidence the wafers can be processed through the loop within the predetermined process timeframe. The problem in building this confidence resides in being able to synchronize production capacity within each loop while being careful to balance between factory favorable cycle-time and cost effective toolset capacity. A simulation modeling methodology was developed to identify the trade-offs between time through a loop measured in cycle-time and synchronized toolset capacity.
Preclinical evaluation of lestaurtinib (CEP-701) in combination with retinoids for neuroblastoma

Purpose Lestaurtinib (CEP-701), a multi-kinase inhibitor with potent activity against the Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases, has undergone early phase clinical evaluation in children with relapsed neuroblastoma. We studied the interaction of CEP-701 with isotretinoin (13cRA) and fenretinide (4HPR), two retinoids that have been studied in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
SAMAR: Subjectivity and sentiment analysis for Arabic social media

SAMAR is a system for subjectivity and sentiment analysis (SSA) for Arabic social media genres. Arabic is a morphologically rich language, which presents significant complexities for standard approaches to building SSA systems designed for the English language. Apart from the difficulties presented by the social media genres processing, the Arabic language inherently has a high number of variable word forms leading to data sparsity. In this context, we address the following 4 pertinent issues: how to best represent lexical information; whether standard features used for English are useful for Arabic; how to handle Arabic dialects; and, whether genre specific features have a measurable impact on performance. Our results show that using either lemma or lexeme information is helpful, as well as using the two part of speech tagsets (RTS and ERTS). However, the results show that we need individualized solutions for each genre and task, but that lemmatization and the ERTS POS tagset are present in a majority of the settings.
Serine requirement in leukemic and normal blood cells.

In a serine-deficient medium, cells from humangt chronic granulocytic leukemia and normal human bone marrow exhibited a marked inhibition of incorporation of-radioactive precursors of DNA, RNA, and protein into an acid insoluble cell fraction. Normal diploid human fibroblasts did not exhibit inhibition without serine. Chronic granulocytic leukemia and normal marrow cells were essentially unable to synthesize C 14 -serine from C 14 -glucose, while human diploid fibroblasts were highly capable of this synthesis.
Periodontics in general practice: perspectives on periodontal diagnosis.

Standardized terminology does not exist to differentiate the conditions that constitute ‘‘response diagnosis” and “disease diagnosis” described in this review. Therefore, appropriate descriptive terminology is proposed for these two periodontic diagnoses. Diagnostic terms are needed to discern stages of disease. Periodontitis is a chronic disease prone to episodic recurrence that needs a “dynamic diagnosis” that can change with each reevaluation. In addition, the legal ramifications of failing to recognize or adequately describe disease recurrence are discussed.
A backbone lever-arm effect enhances polymer mechanochemistry

Polymer mechanochemistry can trigger a wide range of often unanticipated reactivity, but the focus of these systems typically falls on the structure of the mechanophore rather than the intervening polymer backbone. Now, it has been shown that a poly(norbornene) backbone has a substantial impact on a mechanochemical ring-opening reaction, despite having only a minor effect on the force-free reaction.
Resonance tunneling of field emitted electrons through adsorbates on metal surfaces

Abstract Tunneling resonance of field emitted electrons through the energy levels of single Zr atoms and χ-nitrogen adsorbed on a tungsten surface has been observed. The enhanced tunneling probability through the Zr atoms is related to the ‘atomic band’ of Zr which is shifted by ΔE ∼ 1.0–1.5 eV with a width Γ ∼ 1 eV. The resonance in χ-nitrogen demonstrates that this nitrogen complex is probable negatively ionized.
The micromorphologies of seed coats and petal trichomes of the taxa of Viola subsect. Boreali-Americanae (Violaceae) and their utility in discerning orthospecies from hybrids

Viola subsect.Boreali-Americanae, confined to North America including northern Mexico, has long been considered one of the most taxonomically difficult temperate groups of the angiosperms. Hybridization, followed in some localities by introgression, has made it difficult for systematists to discern the “core” species by using only standard macromorphological characters. Analyses that employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of seed coats and petal trichomes generated new characters. SEM of the surface of seeds of each of the orthospecies revealed a suite of primary and secondary sculpture characters unique to each species that are correlated with a suite of macromorphological characters. In a number of species, SEM of petal trichomes provided additional unique characters. SEM of the surface of seed coats enabled, also, the identification of instances of hybridization by revealing blends of structures of the primary and secondary sculpture typical of different orthospecies and instances of putative introgression by revealing deviations in surface structures from those typical of orthospecies. A procedure based on iterative examinations of macromorphology and micromorphology, which was developed in this research, enable the discernment of hybrids and putative introgressants. Combining the micromorphological and macromorphological data with ecological and phytogeographical data enabled the delimitation of sixteen orthospecies.
Candidate Attributes and Pac Contributions

INTENSE political controversy has accompanied the growth of Political Action Committees (PACs) and their contributions during the last decade. In December 1986, 4,157 PACs were registered with the FEC. PACs contributed $87.2 million to House candidates running in 1986, an increase of about 15 percent from 1984.' This study focuses on which candidates PACs decide to support, and on what they hope to accomplish with their contributions. Others generally seek to explain how PACs allocate their money with three sets of legislator attributes: the position of the member of Congress on policy, measured by a vote on a specific piece of legislation or a series of votes summarized in PAC or interest group ratings; the vulnerability of the incumbent and the challenger's prospects for success, as measured by the electoral margin of the current or previous election or by an interactive term that reflects whether the vulnerable incumbent is a friend or a foe; and the power of the incumbent, as measured by seniority, rank on certain committees, and leadership position within the party. While researchers agree that issue positions and electoral competitiveness are important to most PACs, they disagree about the importance of incumbent power in the House. Senority is found generally to be unrelated to PAC contributions (Evans 1983, 1986; Poole, Romer, and Rosenthal 1987; Grier and Munger 1986; Nelson 1982). Wright (1985) reports that neither leadership within the party nor committee positions are consistently or strongly related to the allocation decisions of five association PACs. Herndon (1982) argues that labor is more concerned with voting records than with access to the powerful. Gopoian (1984) concludes that committee assignments are generally unimportant to labor, oil and auto PACs, but they are important to PACs affiliated with defense contractors. Grier and Munger (1986)
Urban policy, economic policy, and the growth of large cities in China

Abstract The Chinese Government has formulated a national urban policy aimed at controlling the growth of large cities. However, this paper reveals that Chinese large cities still grow rapidly and that the control policy has not been well implemented. Economic reforms and rapid growth have been the major forces driving large city expansion. It suggests that the Government should recognize the limitations of government policies and should put more efforts into harmonizing the relationship between urban policy and economic policy, to improving urban facilities, and planning and management of large cities.
Ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate (EHDP) effects on growth and modeling of the rat tibia

One hundred gram male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups which were injected daily for 10 or 30 days with vehicle (control group), 0.2, 0.4, 2.0, or 10.0 mg ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP)/kg/day. The proximal tibial metaphysis and epiphysis were assayed for changes in percentage of hard tissue and bone formation factors. Knowing these, information about hard tissue resorption was deduced.
Effect of Serum from Normal and Cystic Fibrosis Subjects on Mucin Secretion from Dispersed Rat Submandibular Cells

The action of serum from cystic fibrosis patients, obligatory heterozygotes, siblings, and normal patients on mucin secretion from dispersed rat submandibular cells was investigated in an attempt to demonstrate the existence of cystic fibrosis specific factors affecting mucin secretion. No effects specific to cystic fibrosis serum were demonstrated using the following parameters for evaluation: (1) maximal stimulation of mucin release by a beta-adrenergic agonist, (-)-isoproterenol; (2) basal release (unstimulated secretion) of mucin material; and (3) the dose-response relationship for mucin release after beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. No differences were observed in mucin secretion using media concentrations of serum of up to 10%. From these data, we conclude that serum from individuals with cystic fibrosis does not contain bioactive factors at concentrations that specifically alter mucin secretion in rat submandibular acinar cells.
Prostaglandin E2: At the crossroads between stem cell development, Inflammation and cancer

Stem cells have tremendous therapeutic potential for a series of pathologies ranging from cancer to genetic diseases. The obstacles to exploiting their potential reside mainly in their limited numbers or potency. Prostaglandins are known to be involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Among these, their importance in stem cell development is just starting to emerge. The recent findings by North and colleagues (Nature, 2007; 447:1007-1011) uncover a crucial role for PGE2 in hematopoietic stem cell growth and development not only in embryonic, but also in adult stem cell homeostasis in both simple and complex vertebrate systems. This new information adds to recent advances in the study of PGE2's role in many diseases and in the reaction to various cellular stress conditions. This is the perfect time to improve our knowledge of stem cell regulation, which hopefully will lead to improved stem cell-based therapeutic options and also to better understand and manage current anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressive drugs in the therapy of cancer and other diseases.
The emerging phenotype of long-term survivors with infantile Pompe disease

Enzyme replacement therapy with alglucosidase alfa for infantile Pompe disease has improved survival creating new management challenges. We describe an emerging phenotype in a retrospective review of long-term survivors. Inclusion criteria included ventilator-free status and age ≤6 months at treatment initiation, and survival to age ≥5 years. Clinical outcome measures included invasive ventilator-free survival and parameters for cardiac, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, gross motor, and ambulatory status; growth; speech, hearing, and swallowing; and gastrointestinal and nutritional status. Eleven of 17 patients met study criteria. All were cross-reactive immunologic material-positive, alive, and invasive ventilator-free at most recent assessment, with a median age of 8.0 years (range: 5.4–12.0 years). All had marked improvements in cardiac parameters. Commonly present were gross motor weakness, motor speech deficits, sensorineural and/or conductive hearing loss, osteopenia, gastroesophageal reflux, and dysphagia with aspiration risk. Seven of 11 patients were independently ambulatory and four required the use of assistive ambulatory devices. All long-term survivors had low or undetectable anti-alglucosidase alfa antibody titers. Long-term survivors exhibited sustained improvements in cardiac parameters and gross motor function. Residual muscle weakness, hearing loss, risk for arrhythmias, hypernasal speech, dysphagia with risk for aspiration, and osteopenia were commonly observed findings. Genet Med 2012:14(9):800–810.
Hymenolepis diminuta: Chloride fluxes and membrane potentials associated with sodium-coupled glucose transport

Abstract Glucose transport by Hymenolepis diminuta was inhibited when Cl− in the bathing medium was replaced with acetate (C2H3O2Post−), but was unaffected when Cl− was replaced with SCN−. The relative effectiveness of the anions to inhibit influx of 7.4 mM Cl− in the presence of 1 mM glucose was SCN− > Cl− > C2H3O2Post−. Glucose stimulated the influxes of 120 mM Cl− and SCN−, but had little effect on 120 mM C2H3O2Post− influx. While the diffusion rates of the anions were C2H3O2Post− > SCN− = Cl−, the preference of the glucose transport system for the anions was SCN− > Cl− > C2H3O2Post−. Efflux of Cl− was not affected by the rate of glucose influx. Finally, microelectrode recordings of worms anesthetized with 2 mM arecoline revealed a transmembrane potential (TMP) of −45 ± 3.6 mV (inside negative). Three to four minutes after addition of glucose (5 mM) there was a progressive hyperpolarization of the TMP to −58 mV. A revised model of the glucose transport system that is consistent with previous observations on this organism is proposed.
Anxious history: The High Flux Beam Reactor and Brookhaven National Laboratory

THE HIGH FLUX Beam Reactor ( HFBR) was one of the key instruments in the history of Brookhaven National Laboratory and of neutron physics. Its story intersects with many others— not only with changing scientific directions, the history of the lab, and the history of its funding agency, the Department of Energy ( DOE), but also with local and national politics, local and national anti-nuclear groups, public perceptions of science, and more. These different intersecting stories make it hard for participants and historians to say where one story ends and the others begin. The result might be called “ anxious history.” 1. A CAREFREE DECADE
Horns honestly advertise parasite infection in male and female African buffalo

The evolution and maintenance of elaborate secondary sexual characters in males have been the subject of intense interest since Darwin's time. Parasite-mediated sexual selection (PMSS) suggests that elaborate ornaments serve as honest indicators of male health and parasite resistance. Studies testing this key prediction of PMSS have largely focused on ornaments, with the role parasites might play in the maintenance of elaborate weapons being relatively understudied. Here, we tested whether weapon (horn) size was an indicator of health status in male and female African buffalo, Syncerus caffer. We examined whether individuals with larger horns were less likely to be infected with parasites, and had lower parasite loads and stronger immune systems. In males, horn size was significantly negatively correlated with the number of different parasites infecting an individual (parasite richness), the likelihood of infection with strongyle nematodes and coccidia, and strongyle intensity. In females, horn size was significantly negatively correlated with parasite richness, occurrence of coccidia infection, coccidia intensity and white blood cell count. These findings were robust when the effects of body condition, age and season were controlled for, consistent with the idea that horns function as honest indicators of health in both sexes. Our study provides new insight into the evolution and maintenance of elaborate weapons in mammals, suggesting a role for PMSS in both males and females.
Comparison of a carbohydrate-free diet vs. fasting on plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon in type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Objective Hyperglycemia improves when patients with type 2 diabetes are placed on a weight-loss diet. Improvement typically occurs soon after diet implementation. This rapid response could result from low fuel supply (calories), lower carbohydrate content of the weight-loss diet, and/or weight loss per se. To differentiate these effects, glucose, insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were determined during the last 24 h of a 3-day period without food (severe calorie restriction) and a calorie-sufficient, carbohydrate-free diet. Research design Seven subjects with untreated type 2 diabetes were studied. A randomized-crossover design with a 4-week washout period between arms was used. Methods Results from both the calorie-sufficient, carbohydrate-free diet and the 3-day fast were compared with the initial standard diet consisting of 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein and 30% fat. Results The overnight fasting glucose concentration decreased from 196 (standard diet) to 160 (carbohydrate-free diet) to 127 mg/dl (fasting). The 24 h glucose and insulin area responses decreased by 35% and 48% on day 3 of the carbohydrate-free diet, and by 49% and 69% after fasting. Overnight basal insulin and glucagon remained unchanged. Conclusions Short-term fasting dramatically lowered overnight fasting and 24 h integrated glucose concentrations. Carbohydrate restriction per se could account for 71% of the reduction. Insulin could not entirely explain the glucose responses. In the absence of carbohydrate, the net insulin response was 28% of the standard diet. Glucagon did not contribute to the metabolic adaptations observed.
ACTH-induced increases in rabbit adrenal immunoreactive P-45017α and P-45021

Abstract Rabbit adrenal 17α-hydroxylase activity has previously been shown to increase dramatically following ACTH stimulation. The present study was designed to determine whether the increase in enzyme activity could be correlated with an increase in P-45017α protein measured by immunoblotting using an anti-porcine P-45017α antibody. It was found that the total and specific contents of rabbit adrenal immunoreactive P-45017α were increased 6- to 8-fold and 4-fold, respectively, after ACTH stimulation. The results were similar whether the detection system was 125I-labeled protein A or an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated second antibody. Corresponding increases in 17α-hydroxylase activity were also observed but were slightly less than the increases in immunoreactive P-45017α, suggesting that not all of the protein was enzymatically active. Comparatively, immunoreactive P-45021 was increased only 1.3-fold. Antibodies to porcine P-45017α and bovine P-45021 reacted monospecifically with the homologous rabbit and guinea pig proteins as judged by the detection of single bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Inhibition studies showed that in an assay using 125 μg per ml of microsomal protein ACTH-stimulated rabbit adrenal 17α-hydroxylase activity was inhibited 72% at a 100 mg per ml concentration of the anti-porcine P-45017α; however, 47% inhibition was observed at the same concentration of anti-bovine P-45021. Pre-immune IgG had no effect. Molecular weight, Mr, determinations by SDS-PAGE showed both rabbit and guinea pig P-45017α to be 52 kDa; rabbit P-45021, 54 kDa; and guinea pig P-45021, 49 kDa. We conclude that the increase in rabbit adrenal 17α-hydroxylase activity subsequent to ACTH stimulation is due to an increase in the amount of P-45017α protein. In addition, rabbit and guinea pig P-45017α are of the same size, while the guinea pig P-45021 is smaller than that of the rabbit.
Continuous Synchronous Culture of Photosynthetic Micro-organisms

Continuous synchronous culture of photosynthetic microorganism Chlorella cultivated in illuminated and dark stirred tanks
An Accurate Low Dimension Model for the Waves on Thin Layer Fluid Flowing Down an Inclined Plane

This technical brief deals with the surface instability mode of a liquid film flowing down an inclined plane. A four-equation model that describes the development of the film depth, the flow rate, the free-surface velocity, and the wall shear stress is proposed. The obtained results were found to be in very good agreement with experimental and theoretical results of Liu et al. (1993, "Measurements of the Primary Instability of Film Flow, " J. Fluid Mech., 250, pp. 69―101) and Brevdo et al. (1999, "Linear Pulse Structure and Signalling in Film Flow on an Inclined Plane, " J. Fluid Mech., 396, pp. 37―71).
Population Synthesis Studies of Close Binary Systems Using a Variable Common Envelope Efficiency Parameter. I. Dependence on Secondary Mass

We perform population synthesis calculations of present-day post-CE binaries (PCEBs) and zero-age cataclysmic variables (ZACVs) using a common envelope (CE) efficiency parameter, αCE, that is a function of secondary mass, Ms. We investigate three basic possibilities: (1) a standard constant αCE prescription, with αCE ranging from 0.05 to 1.0, to provide a baseline for comparison; (2) a power-law dependence, αCE = (Ms)n, with n = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0; and (3) a dependence in which αCE approaches 1 for large Ms and αCE = 0 below some assumed cutoff mass, αCE = 1 - Mcut/Ms, where Mcut = 0.0375, 0.075, and 0.15 M☉. We find that if αCE 0.2 in our constant αCE sequence, the predicted present-day ZACV population is significantly modified compared with our standard model (αCE = 1.0). All prior population synthesis calculations of the formation of CVs only considered values of αCE ≥ 0.3 and found that their model populations were not strongly dependent upon the value of αCE. Our results indicate that a much wider range of values for αCE, including very low values, must be considered in order for a dependence to be seen. In our variable αCE sequences for ZACVs, we find that for models in which αCE decreases very rapidly for small Ms, the orbital period distribution below the period gap differs significantly from our standard model. In particular, the fraction of CVs forming with P < 2 hr is reduced significantly, the fraction forming in the gap is increased significantly, and both the short-period peak and the minimum period shift to considerably longer periods compared with our standard model. We suggest that the observed scarcity of CVs with P < 77 minutes may possibly provide evidence that progenitor binaries with Ms 0.10 M☉ are unable to avoid merger within the CE. We also suggest that if αCE decreases rapidly for small Ms, it is possible that the lower edge of the period gap could be, in part, an imprint of the ZACV population.
Manganese Accumulation in Rock Varnish on a Desert Piedmont, Mojave Desert, California, and Application to Evaluating Varnish Development

Rock varnish coatings tend to become thicker, darker, and more continuous over time, leading to the use of changes in overall varnish color and the percentage of clast surfaces covered by varnish as relative-age indicators. Manganese is the most characteristic element of subaerial rock varnishes, and the progressive development of varnish coats can be quantified by measuring the amount of Mn accumulated on a given area of rock surface. Manganese oxides were dissolved off varnished clasts collected from alluvial surfaces on the Soda Mountains piedmont in the Mojave Desert, California, and the amount of Mn was measured using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. On the distal piedmont, maximum varnish development increases from a mid- to late-Holocene surface, typically containing up to 0.15 mg/cm2 of accumulated Mn, to an early- to mid-Holocene surface with up to 0.21 mg/cm2. However, varnish is less developed on a nearby late Pleistocene surface, suggesting extensive abrasion of clasts on the Pleistocene desert pavements or disturbance of the clasts. Varnish is better developed on the proximal piedmont, typically containing up to 0.30 mg/cm2 of Mn, although varnish from a Pleistocene surface is again no better developed than from a nearby early- to mid-Holocene surface. These data demonstrate that rock varnish can show significant spatial variation in degree of development on geomorphic surfaces of similar age, and imply that collecting varnish as old as a geomorphic surface may be difficult on surfaces as young as late Pleistocene.
Effects of hydrocortisone on pulsatile pituitary glycoprotein secretion

During states of stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function can be suppressed. One putative mediator of this stress response may be glucocorticoids, which have widespread effects on thyroid and gonadal function. To characterize dynamic pituitary glycoprotein secretion during glucocorticoid administration, 24-h TSH, LH, FSH, and alpha-subunit pulses were measured in 10 healthy young subjects on 3 occasions: 1) at baseline, 2) during infusions of 100 mg hydrocortisone (HC) over 24 h, and 3) during infusions of 300 mg HC over 24 h. These HC infusions led to serum cortisol levels similar to the endogenous cortisol levels seen in moderate and severe stress. Both HC infusions had profound rapid effects on TSH levels, decreasing TSH pulse amplitude by 60% and abolishing the nocturnal TSH surge. However, TSH pulse frequency was unaltered. In contrast, HC infusions did not change mean or pulsatile LH, FSH, or alpha-subunit secretion. These results suggest that stress levels ...
Life, Death, and In‐Between on the U.S.‐Mexico Border: Asi es la vida

Life, Death, and In-Between on the U.S.-Mexico Border: Asi es la vida. Martha Oehmke Loustaunau and Mary S´nchez-Bane. eds. Westport, CT: Bergin and Garvey Press, 1999. ix. 236 pp., tables, index.
A parametric-experimental study of void growth in superplastic deformation

Abstract Substantial void growth in metals constitutes a problem in many industrial operations that utilize superplastic deformation. This is because of the likelihood of material failure due to such growth. Hence, there is a need to study void growth mechanisms in an effort to understand the parameters governing it. In this work, numerical and experimental studies of void growth, and the parameters that affect it, in a superplastically deforming (SPD) metal have been performed. In the numerical studies, using the finite-element method, a 1×2 sized thin plate (i.e. plane stress conditions) of a viscoplastic material with pre-existing holes has been subjected to a constant extension rate. The experimental studies were performed under similar conditions to the numerical ones and provided for qualitative comparison. The parameters affecting void growth in SPD are: m (the strain-rate sensitivity), void size (i.e. diameter) and the number (density) of existing voids. The results showed that increased m values produced strengthening and decreased the rate of void growth. In addition, larger initial void size (or, equivalently, a larger initial void fraction) had the effect of weakening the specimen through causing accelerated void growth. Finally, multiple holes had the effect of increasing the metal ductility by reducing the extent of necking and its onset. This was realized through diffusing the plastic deformation at the different hole sites and reducing the stress concentration. The numerical results were in good qualitative agreement with the experiment and suggested the need to refine existing phenomenological void growth models to include the dependence on the void fraction.
Precipitation Pattern Formation in the Copper(II) Oxalate System with Gravity Flow and Axial Symmetry

Chemical systems that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium may form complex temporal and spatiotemporal structures. In our paper, we present unusual precipitation patterns that have been observed in the system of Cu(II)-oxalate. Starting with a pellet of copper sulfate immersed in or by pumping copper sulfate solution into a horizontal layer of sodium oxalate solution, we have observed the formation of a precipitate ring and an array of radially oriented thin fingers. The development of these patterns is related to the internal structure of the different crystals, the gravity flow, and the circular symmetry of the experimental arrangement.
Guidelines for anxiety control and pain management in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Pain and anxiety control involve the application of various physical, chemical, and psychologic modalities aimed at preventing and treating preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient anxiety and pain.1 Thus far, the efficacy and safety of these techniques as implemented by trained surgeons and dentists have been outstanding. However, there is a continuing effort in the profession to maintain and improve the quality of patient care. This thrust, in conjunction with an expanding need for anxiety and pain control in ambulatory settings, has led a number of professional and other organizations to formulate and publish policies and guidelines for pain and anxiety control in adults and children. The professional organizations that have developed policies and guidelines for the use of sedatives and anesthetics in dental and hospital settings include the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Pain Society (APS). Agencies that have developed pain management guidelines include the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). A number of the guidelines as set forth by these organizations will be reviewed. For clarity, the guidelines will be presented in the following 2 separate categories: anxiety control and pain control. However, it should be noted that techniques focused on one type of control often affect the other. Anxiety Control
Occupational airways diseases from chronic low-level exposures to irritants

Short-term, high-level exposures to dusts, gases, mists, fumes, and smoke that are irritating to the respiratory tract are capable of inducing asthma, the so-called reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Such exposures, however, do not occur frequently; chronic or recurrent exposures to lower levels of irritants are much more common. This article reviews the evidence that supports the concept that low-level exposures to respiratory tract irritants can contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Expecting the unexpected: adaptation for predictive energy conservation

The use of access predictors to improve storage device performance has been investigated for both improving access times, as well as a means of reducing energy consumed by the disk. Such predictors also offer us an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of an adaptive approach to handling unexpected workloads, whether they are the result of natural variation or deliberate attempts to generate a problematic workload. Such workloads can pose a threat to system availability if they result in the excessive consumption of potentially limited resources such as energy. We propose that actively reshaping a disk access workload, using a dynamically self-adjusting access predictor, allows for consistently good performance in the face of varying workloads. Specifically, we describe how our Best Shifting prefetching policy, by adapting to the needs of the currently observed workload, can use 15% to 35% less energy than traditional disk spin-down strategies and 5% to 10% less energy than the use of a fixed prefetching policy.
ISOTYPE SUBGROUPS OF LOCAL WARFIELD GROUPS

Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for an isotype subgroup H of a p-local Warfield group G to be, itself, Warfield.
Thoracic cord herniation through a dural defect: description of a case and review of the literature.

Abstract Background Spinal cord herniation through a dural defect is a cause of myelopathy and BSS that may be underdiagnosed. It may occur spontaneously, after trauma, or after surgery. Case Description We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with low back pain, progressive myelopathy, right proximal LEW, several episodes of falling, sensory changes below the lower part of the chest wall, and pathologic reflexes. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed kinking of the spinal cord anteriorly at the level of T6-7. Posterior laminoplasty and intradural exploration revealed an anteriorly displaced spinal cord that was herniating through a ventral dural fold. The defect was repaired, and the spinal cord abnormality was reduced. Postoperatively, the patient's strength, gait, and sensation improved immediately. Conclusions We discuss the successful surgical treatment of a thoracic spinal cord tethering from herniation through a ventral dural defect and review the literature regarding the proposed pathogenesis, surgical repair options, and reported outcomes.
Agonist-receptor efficacy II: agonist trafficking of receptor signals

There is evidence to suggest that receptors with seven transmembrane domains can exist in G protein-activating conformations. It is not known how many activated receptor forms exist for each receptor. Furthermore, if there are multiple forms, does the chemical structure of the agonist determine which form dominates, and therefore, which response pathway is activated? This latter scheme is referred to as agonist-receptor trafficking, and is discussed in this, the second of two articles by Terry Kenakin. One way to approach these questions is to study receptors that couple to more than one G protein and, in essence, to try to allow the G protein to indicate the receptor state.
Targeting inflammatory pathways in myocardial infarction

Acute cardiomyocyte necrosis in the infarcted heart generates damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), activating complement and Toll-Like Receptor (TLR)/Interleukin (IL)-1 signalling and triggering an intense inflammatory reaction. Infiltrating leucocytes clear the infarct from dead cells, while activating reparative pathways that lead to formation of a scar. As the infarct heals the ventricle remodels, the geometric, functional and molecular alterations associated with postinfarction remodelling are driven by the inflammatory cascade and are involved in the development of heart failure. Because unrestrained inflammation in the infarcted heart induces matrix degradation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, timely suppression of the postinfarction inflammatory reaction may be crucial to protect the myocardium from dilative remodelling and progressive dysfunction. Inhibition and resolution of postinfarction inflammation involve mobilization of inhibitory mononuclear cell subsets and require activation of endogenous STOP signals. Our manuscript discusses the basic cellular and molecular events involved in initiation, activation and resolution of the postinfarction inflammatory response, focusing on identification of therapeutic targets. The failure of anti-integrin approaches in patients with myocardial infarction and a growing body of experimental evidence suggest that inflammation may not increase ischaemic cardiomyocyte death, but accentuates matrix degradation causing dilative remodelling. Given the pathophysiologic complexity of postinfarction remodelling, personalized biomarker-based approaches are needed to target patient subpopulations with dysregulated inflammatory and reparative responses. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory signals (such as IL-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) may be effective in patients with defective resolution of postinfarction inflammation who exhibit progressive dilative remodelling. In contrast, patients with predominant hypertrophic/fibrotic responses may benefit from anti-TGF strategies.
Formation of multinucleated fibroblasts in the periodontal ligaments of old mice

Multinucleated cells were observed to account for more than 17% of all cells in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of 20-month-old mice. The number of nuclei contained in sections of these cells ranged from 2 to 17, with over 50% of the multinucleated cells containing four or more nuclei within the plane of section. The multinucleated cells contained several cytoplasmic features resembling those previously described by the authors as characteristic of PDL fibroblasts. The multinucleated cells did not resemble osteoclasts or foreign body giant cells. It is suggested that fibroblasts develop a tendency to fuse and form multinucleated cells in the aged PDL. Similar cells were not observed in the PDL of young (5-week-old) mice or in the tail tendon at any age.
Preloading with prefabricated vertical strip drains

Abstract In recent years, prefabricated vertical strip drains have almost entirely replaced conventional sand drains as the preferred method to speed up the consolidation of soft cohesive soils under preloaded embankment fills. The paper summarizes recommended procedures for the geotechnical site characterization and laboratory testing required to obtain design parameters for vertical drainage projects. Recent research on drain characteristics, particularly the geotextile filter sleeve and the core discharge (well) capacity as they influence design and performance, are described. Costs, installation, specifications, and problems associated with the installation of drains under geosynthetic reinforced embankments are also briefly mentioned.
Thermal conductivity of sulfur hexafluoride

This paper reports new measurements of the thermal conductivity of sulfur hexafluoride at the nominal temperature of 27.5°C as a function of density in the range up to 200 kg · m−3. The measurements were performed in a transient, hot-wire instrument. When combined with earlier measurements of the viscosity of the gas, they allow us to calculate the rather large contribution stemming from the internal degrees of freedom. The present measurements compare well with those in the literature. All of them suggest that the excess thermal conductivity is a unique function of density in the present range of states. An empirical correlation of our measurements can serve users in the ranges 0 < t< 100°C and 0 < ρ < 200 kg · m−3.
The binocular acuity of the pigeon measured in terms of the modulation transfer function

Abstract When comparing the performance of a bird's eye with that of a man the use of such measures of acuity as the minimum resolrable separation between two points or two straight lines does not provide enough information about the full capability of the eye. The conclusions arrived at by these measures are liable to be misleading, particularly when such factors as the difference in overall receptor distribution in the retina, as distinct from that in a localised region, and the degree of mobility and stability of the eyes are ignored. Behavioral methods have been used to measure the binocular acuity of the pigeon in terms of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). This technique utilises targets subtending several degrees and, by avoiding many of the difficulties associated with determining accurate fixation, has permitted a more comprehensive comparison of visual performance with the results of human observers.