cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Magnetospheric Electric Field

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the study of the electric field of the magnetosphere. This electric field is quite difficult to measure because of its weakness (millivolts per meter or less) and high variability in time and space. Direct measurements from satellites have begun only in recent years (Heppner, 1972a); indirect techniques based on the study of energetic particle motion (McDiarmid et al., 1969; Roederer and Hones, Jr., 1970; DeForest and McIlwain, 1971) and drifts of natural (Carpenter et al., 1972) for artificial (Haerendel, 1972) plasmas have been historically the first to provide information on the electric field. Balloon-borne measurements (Mozer, 1971) of the horizontal component of the stratospheric electric field — assumed to be roughly proportional to the horizontal electric field in the overlying ionosphere — are becoming an increasingly popular and relatively cheap technique, particularly useful if carried out simultaneously over periods of many hours at different geographic locations.
Femtosecond laser photo-response of Ge23Sb7S70 films.

Ternary chalcogenide glass films from identical parent bulk glasses were prepared by thermal evaporation (TE) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and subjected to 810-nm femtosecond laser exposure at both kHz and MHz repetition rates. The exposure-induced modification on the glass film’s surface profile, refractive index, and structural properties were shown to be a function of laser irradiance, the number of laser pulses per focal spot, and repetition rate. Film response was shown to be related to deposition technique-related density and the number of glass bonds within the irradiated focal volume. The induced changes resulted from a reduction in glass network connectivity among GeS4/2, GeS4, S-S and S3Ge-S-GeS3 units.
The Problem: Low Achieving Districts and Low Performing Boards

Effective school districts maintain superintendent and school board collegiality which can foster success and connectedness among members. Delagardelle and Alsbury (2008) found that superintendents and board members are not consistent in their perceptions about the work the board does, and Glass (2007) found that states do not require boards to undergo evaluation for effectiveness. In the current study, 115 board meetings were observed using the School Board Video Project (SBVP) survey, which was created in 2012 by researchers to uncover school board meetings’ effectiveness. MANOVA, Univariate ANOVA, and Pearson Chi-Square test results revealed significant differences between low-, medium-, and high-performing districts’ school board meetings. Evidence indicated that low-performing districts’ board meetings were: less orderly; had less time spent on student achievement; lacked respectful and attentive engagement across speakers; had board meeting members who seemed to advance their own agenda; had less effective working relationships among the governance team; had fewer board members who relied on the superintendent for advice and input; had one member, other than the board president, stand out for taking excessive time during meetings; and did not focus on policy items as much as high- and medium-performing school districts. The research concluded that more school board members from low-performing districts needed training to improve their effectiveness. Furthermore, highly refined and target-enhanced school board training programs might lead to lasting governance success and more effective teaming that could improve district, and ultimately, student achievement.
A randomised, open-label, phase II study of neo/adjuvant doxorubicin and ifosfamide versus gemcitabine and docetaxel in patients with localised, high-risk, soft tissue sarcoma.

Abstract Background Doxorubicin and ifosfamide (AI) is standard therapy for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but often causes severe toxicities resulting in hospitalisation. Gemcitabine and docetaxel (GD) has efficacy in metastatic STS and may be better tolerated. We conducted a study to compare toxicities and efficacies of these regimens. Methods This open-label, phase II, single institution trial randomised 80 patients with localised, resectable, high grade STS ⩾5 cm to either neo/adjuvant AI or GD. AI was doxorubicin (75 mg/m2) and ifosfamide (2.5 g/m2/d) on days 1–3 with mesna 500 mg/m2/dose. GD was gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and docetaxel 100 mg/m2 day 8. Both arms included filgrastim. The primary end-point was hospitalisation rate. Secondary end-points included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Between November 2004 and August 2012, 80 evaluable patients were randomised, 37 to AI and 43 to GT. In the AI arm, 13/37 (35%) patients were hospitalised versus 11/43 (26%) in the GD arm (p = 0.25). Hospitalisation rates were not significantly different after adjusting for age, gender, location, chemotherapy and number of cycles (p = 0.17). The 2-year and median DFS in the AI arm were 57% and 37 months, respectively, and 74% and not yet reached, respectively, in the GD arm. The most common serious adverse events with AI were haematologic. Metabolic derangements and constitutional symptoms were most common with GD. Conclusions Hospitalisation rate was less with GD but not statistically significant. There was a trend towards longer DFS with GD, and the regimen was tolerable, suggesting GD merits further study. Funding Eli Lilly and Sanofi-Aventis.
Solution and Parameter Estimation in Linear Time-Invariant Delayed Systems Using Laguerre Polynomial Expansion

Le developpement polynomial de Laguerre de dimension finie peut etre applique a l'approximation de la solution de systemes lineaires invariants dans le temps. On etend cette methode a des systemes avec un petit temps de retard
Studies on Muscle and Nerve in Biotin-Deficient Rats.∗:

SummaryAt no stage of biotin deficiency was the capacity of the motor nerve to elicit tensin in its muscle found to be impaired. Only in the case of animals which were allowed to approach terminal states was there a reduction in then strength of the skeletal muscle. The rates of neuromuscular regeneration following denervation by nerve crush were not significantly different from those found for control animals on adequate diets.
A sign of the times: A composite input device for human-computer interactions

Advances in gesture recognition create avenues for new ways of interacting with computers, machines, and virtual environments. In 1994, Fukumoto and Suenaga looked at the possibility of using hand gestures as input for computer devices, especially mobile devices. Their system used a chordal input method where the finger movements were similar to those involved in playing a piano. Most recently, in 2002, Jose Hernandez-Rebollar developed a system that functioned as a standalone American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation system that had a potential 1,000-word vocabulary. Hernandez-Rebollar's device design made the implementation costs lower than that of the available gesture recognition systems at the time, by employing pulse-width-modulation-output accelerometers and microcontrollers. The aim of the project discussed in this article is to develop a similar system that will not only be as cost effective, but will expand the possible applications of such gesture recognitions systems, especially for the general computer consumer population.
A time-series analysis of gasoline prices and public transportation in US metropolitan areas

Abstract This research examines the temporal aspects of the relationship between public transportation and gasoline prices in US cities from January 2002 through March of 2009. Data are collected at monthly intervals for transit ridership, service, gasoline price, and price variability for 33 metropolitan areas. These data are analyzed using time-series regression to estimate the presence of lagged effects of price and service on transit patronage. The results indicate a small but consistently significant amount of transit ridership fluctuation is due to gasoline prices. Repeated lags of gasoline prices of up to 13 months are influential on ridership. Every 10% increase in gasoline prices can lead to ridership increases of up to 4% per significant lag for bus and 8% for rail. There is considerable variability across cities in the magnitude of the effect on transit ridership, the impact by mode, and temporal variability. The results are discussed in light of their implications for transit operations, using cost to influence travel behavior, and transportation sustainability.
Hemisected molars for additional overdenture support

Abstract A preventive prosthodontic technique has been described which utilizes hemisected teeth for overdenture support. This multidiscipline procedure provides firm denture support and preserves posterior residual alveolar ridges. By retaining posterior roots, proprioceptive mechanisms are maintained, and psychologically, the patient does not seem edentulous. As Brewer and Fenton 17 stated, "The application of this method of treatment is limited only by the imagination of the dentist."
Simulations of photo-carrier decay on heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) solar cells with n-type wafers

This work presents simulations of photo-excited minority carriers decay in HIT cells. The photo-carrier decay is analyzed as a function of light pulse duration, c-Si material quality and external parameters such as voltage bias and temperature. The simulation results can help interpret capacitance transient as well as photovoltage decay measurements.
Conduction of the Cardiac Impulse III. Characteristics of very slow conduction

The excitability of short segments (5–7 mm) of bundles of canine Purkinje fibers was depressed by exposure to 15–18 mM K+, to 15–18 mM K+ plus 5 x 10-6 epinephrine or norepinephrine, to low K+, and to low Na+. The depressed segment was in the center chamber of a three-chamber bath; the ends of the bundle were exposed to normal Tyrode solution. Each method of depression resulted in slow and probably decremental conduction with an effective conduction velocity in the middle chamber of about 0.05 m/sec, or one-way block, or two-way block with summation of the graded responses in the depressed region. The action potential in the depressed segment (the slow response) differs from the normal action potential in its response to applied stimuli. A second active depolarization can be evoked by cathodal stimulation during much of the slow response. The response in the depressed segment is graded. The response of depressed fibers may depend on excitatory events similar to those responsible for the slow component of the cardiac action potential. It is suggested that the slow response can propagate, at least decrementally, in fibers in which the rapid, Na+-dependent upstroke is absent, and can cause reentrant excitation by so doing.
Taurocholate transport by hepatic and intestinal bile acid transporters is independent of FIC1 overexpression in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells

Background: Mutations in the human familial intrahepatic cholestasis gene, FIC1, result in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 in children and benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis. The present study was performed to determine whether FIC1 transports bile acids and/or influences the activity of apical bile acid transporters. Methods: The apical secretion assay utilized transfected Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, which stably express the bile acid uptake protein, Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). These cells were then transiently transfected with FIC1 and/or the bile salt export pump (BSEP) and were grown on Transwell filters to form a polarized monolayer. [3H]Taurocholate was added to the basal medium and the taurocholate secretion was measured in the apical medium. A second assay, apical uptake assays, utilized polarized MDCK-II cells, which were transiently transfected with FIC1, FIC1 mutants and/or the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). [3H]Taurocholate was added to the apical media and intracellular uptake of taurocholate was measured. Results: Apical secretion assays: FIC1 expression in MDCK/NTCP cells had no effect on taurocholate secretion compared to controls. In contrast, apical secretion of taurocholate in BSEP-transfected cells was approximately twofold higher than in non-transfected MDCK/NTCP cells (P < 0.01). The BSEP-mediated secretion was unaffected by co-transfection with FIC1. Apical uptake assays: taurocholate uptake in ASBT expressing cells was 6.5-fold higher than in controls and was unaffected by co-transfection of cells with FIC1 or FIC1 mutants. Conclusions: These results indicate that FIC1 does not transport taurocholate and, when overexpressed in MDCK cells, had no effect on the function of BSEP or ABST.
Distribution of the Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile) in Northern California

The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile Mayr, recently removed from the genus Iridomyrmex; Shattuck 1992) is a notorious tramp species. Argentine ants have been introduced throughout the world via human commerce and are most successful in Mediterranean and subtropical climates (Holldobler & Wilson 1990). Argentine ant invasions are ecologically devastating; they displace native ants (Erickson 1972) and other arthropods (Cole et al. 1992) and perturb ant-plant (Bond & Slingsby 1984) and ant-aphid (Way 1963) mutualisms. Although Argentine ants have been in California for at least 85 years (Woodworth 1908) and occur there widely (Knight & Rust 1990), relatively little is known about their invasion. Tremper (1976) and Ward (1987) conducted detailed surveys of ants in different portions of northern California and found L. humile common in urban, agricultural, and disturbed riparian woodland habitats. In addition, both of these studies and Erickson (1972) documented little, if any, coexistence between L. humile and epigeic (above-ground foraging) native ants. I repeated the surveys of Ward (1987) and Tremper (1976) to determine the degree to which Argentine ants are established and spreading in California. A large-scale, longitudinal survey such as this is important to clarify the temporal and spatial patterns of Argentine ant invasions in California and can be compared to such patterns elsewhere in the world.
PENTADENTATE LIGANDS VIII. COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF SCHIFF BASE LIGANDS

Abstract Copper(II) complexes of a related series of potentially pentadentate ligands derived from substituted salicylaldehydes and 2,2′-(aminoethyl)-sulfide, 3,3′-bis(aminopropyl)sulfide, 3,3′-bis(aminopropyl)ether and diethylenetriamine have been prepared. Elemental analysis, mass, infrared and visible spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been employed in order to characterize these new compounds. The materials appear to be monomeric in the solid state exhibiting no abnormal magnetic properties at room temperature. In comparison with the visible spectra of a series of known copper(II) complexes of tetradentate ligands, the structure of these complexes is postulated to be essentially square planar. However, the possibility of weak coordination by the middle donor in some of the pentadentate ligands can not be ruled out.
Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Arylhalogenation of Alkenes: Synthetic Scope and Mechanistic Insights

This article describes the development of a Pd-catalyzed reaction for the arylhalogenation (halogen = Cl or Br) of diverse α-olefins by oxidatively intercepting Mizoroki−Heck intermediates. These transformations afford synthetically useful 1,2- and 1,1-arylhalogenated products in good yields with good to excellent selectivities that can be modulated by changing the nature of the halogenating reagent and/or the reaction conditions. The selectivity of these reactions can be rationally tuned by (i) controlling the relative rates of oxidative functionalization versus β-hydride elimination from equilibrating PdII-alkyl species and (ii) stabilization of organometallic PdII intermediates through the formation of π-benzyl adducts. These arylhalogenations exhibit modest to excellent levels of stereoselectivity, and the key carbon−halogen bond-forming step proceeds with predominant retention of stereochemistry at carbon.
Structural attribution of observed volatility clustering

Abstract Virtually all nonlinear economic models with independent, identically distributed stochastic shocks and time-invariant structural parameters will generate persistent, partially predictable heteroskedasticity (“volatility clustering”) in their key dependent variables. This paper offers some examples of this phenomenon, derives i.i.d. shock, time-invariant structural forms which generate various types of observed volatility clustering, and examines the modeling and forecasting implications of such “structural attribution.”
A derivation of a measure of relative balance for social structures and a characterization of extensive ratio systems

Abstract As an extension of the Heider and Cartwright-Harary theory of balance in social structures (signed digraphs), a measure of relative balance which is derived from some plausible axioms is needed. Such a measure should reflect the balance ordering, i.e., the relation ‘one social structure is more balanced than another’. Axioms for such a balance ordering are stated below in terms of the signed digraph representing the social structure as in the Cartwright-Harary theory. The axioms give rise to a measure which determines the balance ordering uniquely, subject to choice of a parameter f ( m ) which represents the relative importance of a semicycle of length m in the signed digraph. Special values of the parameter f ( m ) give rise to measures previously suggested as plausible in the literature. Techniques for estimating the values f ( m ) are described. A second axiomatization for the balance ordering is obtained by translating the requirements on balance into a typical problem of measurement theory in the Suppes-Zinnes sense. The resulting axioms define a so-called extensive ratio system.
Effect of Insecticides on the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Infesting Burley Tobacco

From 1958 through 1964, 24 compounds were tested in the field for control of the green peach aphid attacking burley tobacco in Kentucky. Because major aphid infestations on tobacco in Kentucky occur late in the growing season, it is often difficult to cover the plants thoroughly with insecticides when aphid control is needed. Single applications of the nonsystemic materials now recommended do not always give effective control. The systemic phosphate insecticides, dimethoate, phosphamidon, methyl demeton, and Bidrin® (3-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl- cis -croton-amide dimethyl phosphate), give excellent control of the green peach aphid and appear particularly promising where good coverage is unobtainable. The use of carbaryl, especially in repeated applications, can result in a noticeable increase in the numbers of aphids compared with the numbers found on untreated plants. Whether this increase is caused by the killing of aphid parasites and predators or by some physiological effect of carbaryl on the plant is not known.
Application of polarization modulation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the in situ study of spontaneously adsorbed monolayers

Abstract Polarization modulation Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-FTIRRAS) has been applied to study the structure of gold surfaces modified with organic monolayers by spontaneous adsorption. It is found that the infrared spectrum of a hydrophobic octadecanethiol monolayer changes little from the ex situ spectrum when placed in the presence of deuterium oxide solution. The changes that are observed in the infrared spectrum are characteristic of rotations about the terminal methyl group, consistent with organic monolayers in contact with aqueous solutions. In the presence of acetonitrile solutions, the in situ spectrum contains few changes beyond those observed in the aqueous solutions, but nothing that indicates a dramatic alteration of the monolayer structure. A slight peak shift to higher wavenumber and additional peak asymmetry for the asymmetric methylene stretch in the presence of acetonitrile may indicate some amount of hydration of the outer portions of the monolayer not observed in the aqueous solutions. This infrared data is consistent with previous spectroscopic observations but deviates from electrochemical measurements made with these monolayer surfaces.
TAKEOVERS, MANAGEMENT REPLACEMENT, AND POST-ACQUISITION OPERATING PERFORMANCE: SOME EVIDENCE FROM THE 1980s

In their study of 197 U.S. takeovers from the 1980s, the authors find that the most important determinant of superior post-merger operating performance is whether the target company's management is replaced or retained. When the target CEO is replaced, the post-merger firm's annual cash flow returns outpace industry standards by 2 to 3%. In contrast, when target top management remains after the merger, operating returns do not exceed industry averages. The effect of management replacement is even more pronounced in those cases where the industry is consolidating. But, for those takeovers that are followed by significant investment (and thus presumably in growth industries), management replacement does not make a significant difference in post-acquisition performance.
Traumatic pancreatitis in a patient with pancreas divisum: Clinical and radiographic features

A previously healthy patient with chronic hyperamylasemia and epigastric pain following blunt abdominal trauma complicated by retroperitoneal hematoma is reported. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic and computerized tomographic examinations revealed pancreatographic characteristics of pancreas divisum with traumatic disruption of the duct of Santorini and adjacent pseudocyst formation. Distal pancreatectomy with cystjejunostomy resulted in total recovery. This represents the first documented case of traumatic pancreatitis in a patient with pancreas divisum.
Prospects for Association-Based Fine Mapping of a Susceptibility Gene for a Complex Disease

The potential of association studies for fine-mapping loci with common disease susceptibility alleles for complex genetic diseases in outbred populations is unclear. For a battery of tightly linked anonymous genetic markers spanning a candidate region centered around a disease locus, simulation methods based on a coalescent process with mutation, recombination, and genetic drift were used to study the spatial distribution of markers with large noncentrality parameters in a case-control study design. Simulations with a disease allele at intermediate frequency, presumably representing an old mutation, tend to exhibit the largest noncentrality parameter values at markers near the disease locus. In contrast, simulations with a disease allele at low frequency, presumably representing a young mutation, often exhibit the largest noncentrality parameter values at markers scattered over the candidate region. In the former case, sample sizes or marker densities sufficient to detect association are likely to lead to useful localization, whereas, in the latter case, localization of the disease locus within the candidate region is much less likely, regardless of the sample size or density of the map. The simulations suggest that for a single marker analysis, the simple strategy of choosing the marker with smallest associated P value to begin a laboratory search for the disease locus performs adequately for a common disease allele.
Correlation and causation: a comment

Some purely methodological comments are made on the pitfalls and difficulties in making causal inferences from observational data, including in studies of disparity in medicine. The ideas of spurious correlation and measurement error are discussed with an eye towards their impact upon inferences about causality, and cautions are offered about over-reliance upon testing hypotheses.
Massive training artificial neural network (MTANN) for reduction of false positives in computerized detection of lung nodules in low-dose computed tomography.

In this study, we investigated a pattern-recognition technique based on an artificial neural network (ANN), which is called a massive training artificial neural network (MTANN), for reduction of false positives in computerized detection of lung nodules in low-dose computed tomography(CT)images. The MTANN consists of a modified multilayer ANN, which is capable of operating on image data directly. The MTANN is trained by use of a large number of subregions extracted from input images together with the teacher images containing the distribution for the “likelihood of being a nodule.” The output image is obtained by scanning an input image with the MTANN. The distinction between a nodule and a non-nodule is made by use of a score which is defined from the output image of the trained MTANN. In order to eliminate various types of non-nodules, we extended the capability of a single MTANN, and developed a multiple MTANN (Multi-MTANN). The Multi-MTANN consists of plural MTANNs that are arranged in parallel. Each MTANN is trained by using the same nodules, but with a different type of non-nodule. Each MTANN acts as an expert for a specific type of non-nodule, e.g., five different MTANNs were trained to distinguish nodules from various-sized vessels; four other MTANNs were applied to eliminate some other opacities. The outputs of the MTANNs were combined by using the logical AND operation such that each of the trained MTANNs eliminated none of the nodules, but removed the specific type of non-nodule with which the MTANN was trained, and thus removed various types of non-nodules. The Multi-MTANN consisting of nine MTANNs was trained with 10 typical nodules and 10 non-nodules representing each of nine different non-nodule types (90 training non-nodules overall) in a training set. The trained Multi-MTANN was applied to the reduction of false positives reported by our current computerized scheme for lung nodule detection based on a database of 63 low-dose CT scans (1765 sections), which contained 71 confirmed nodules including 66 biopsy-confirmed primary cancers, from a lungcancer screening program. The Multi-MTANN was applied to 58 true positives (nodules from 54 patients) and 1726 false positives (non-nodules) reported by our current scheme in a validation test; these were different from the training set. The results indicated that 83% (1424/1726) of non-nodules were removed with a reduction of one true positive (nodule), i.e., a classification sensitivity of 98.3% (57 of 58 nodules). By using the Multi-MTANN, the false-positive rate of our current scheme was improved from 0.98 to 0.18 false positives per section (from 27.4 to 4.8 per patient) at an overall sensitivity of 80.3% (57/71).
The CB1 antagonist rimonabant is adjunctively therapeutic as well as monotherapeutic in an animal model of Parkinson's disease

Abstract Acute injections of 8 mg/kg of 3,4-dihydroxy- l -phenylalanine ( l -DOPA) or 0.05 mg/kg rimonabant equally improved contralateral forepaw stepping in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions, and their combination improved stepping more than either drug alone. However, 0.05 mg/kg rimonabant did not alter the changes in stepping produced by acute injections of a dyskinesic dose of 35 mg/kg l -DOPA. Thus, not only is a cannabinoid antagonist monotherapeutic in this animal model of Parkinson's disease, but it also enhances the therapeutic effect of a moderate, but not a high, dose of l -DOPA.
DNA content and marker expression in human glioma explants

Immunohistochemical studies of astrocytoma tissue have predominately shown fibronectin (FN) positivity restricted to vessels and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positivity in the parenchyma. Cultured glioma cell lines, however, express both FN and GFAP. We measured the DNA content of explants of gliomas to determine if the ploidy of the FN-positive and GFAP-positive cells differed. Thirty-three explants from four high grade gliomas were cultured on slides. FN and GFAP markers were determined by double immunofluorescence. The slides were stained by the Feulgen method, the explants relocated and the DNA content measured by microdensitometry using the CAS-100 instrument. Human leukocytes applied to the slides were used as a diploid standard. Eleven GFAP-positive explants were hyperdiploid and one hypodiploid. Five FN-positive explants were diploid, three hypodiploid and ten hyperdiploid. One FN-positive explant was biclonal with aneuploid subpopulations. Two hyperdiploid explants, each of which had monoclonal histogram patterns, expressed both FN and GFAP. We conclude that most FN-positive cells, in addition to GFAP-positive cells, from cultured gliomas represent neoplastic cells. These may be present in the tumor in low numbers or may result from marker switching in culture.
Neuroanatomic specificity and time course of alterations in rat brain serotonergic pathways induced by MDMA (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine): Assessment using quantitative autoradiography

The widely abused "designer" drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has been shown to cause marked and long-lasting changes in brain serotonergic systems. The present study uses quantitative in vitro autoradiography of 3H-paroxetine labeled 5-HT uptake sites to assess the time-dependent effects of MDMA on 5-HT neurons in specific neuroanatomic loci. Following treatment with MDMA (20 mg/kg, b.i.d. for 4 days), marked decreases in 5-HT uptake sites were observed in a number of brain regions known to receive projections of 5-HT neurons. These regions included cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, superior and inferior colliculi, geniculate nuclei, and most thalamic nuclei. In contrast, other areas such as the septal nuclei and some thalamic nuclei which also receive 5-HT projections were not substantially affected by this drug. In most regions, decreases in 5-HT uptake sites occurred within 24 hours of the last dose of MDMA and persisted at the 2 week time point. Some regions such as dorsal striatum exhibited a time-dependent reduction with greater reductions occurring at 2 weeks rather than immediately following the MDMA treatment regimen. The density of 5-HT uptake sites in other regions such as endopiriform nucleus and substantia nigra at the 2 week versus 18 hour time point indicated some degree of region-specific recovery. Regions which demonstrated no significant reduction in 5-HT uptake sites included the dorsal and median raphe nuclei, ventral tegmental area, central grey, interpeduncular nucleus, locus coerulus, pontine reticular formation and cerebellum. Likewise, regions containing 5-HT axons of passage (e.g., indusium griseum and lateral hypothalamus) appeared to be insensitive to the neurotoxic effects of MDMA on 5-HT neurons. Furthermore, the neurotoxic effects of MDMA showed specificity in that the catecholamine neurons labeled by 3H-mazindol were unaffected by the treatment regimen. These data indicate that the preferential degeneration of serotonergic neurons by MDMA is mediated primarily at 5-HT terminal regions, whereas regions containing 5-HT perikarya and axons of passage remain relatively unaffected. In addition, the observed time-dependent reductions and recovery of 5-HT uptake sites which were detected within 2 weeks of the treatment regimen in certain brain regions suggest region-specific differences in recovery of 5-HT systems from MDMA-induced lesion.
Screening for hereditary spherocytosis by use of automated erythrocyte indexes

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) or other erythrocyte indexes, as determined by automated cell counters, remains a useful screening test for identifying patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Methods: Erythrocyte indexes from 112 children with HS who had not undergone splenectomy were compared with those measured in an equal number of healthy, age-matched children. All indexes were derived from measurements obtained by aperture impedance. Results: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in the HS group was 35.9 gm/dl, significantly higher than in normal control subjects (34.3 gm/dl; p p 14 has 85% sensitivity and 97% specificity and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. An MCHC >35 gm/dl has a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 86%. Combining the MCHC and erythrocyte distribution width increases the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to 0.97. Specificity is 100% and likelihood ratio is infinite when both the MCHC and erythrocyte distribution width are elevated. Conclusions: The automated MCHC is an effective screening test to identify children with HS. An elevated erythrocyte distribution width adds additional specificity and is itself a powerful screening tool. The combination of the two tests is an excellent predictor for the diagnosis of HS. (J Pediatr;130:957-60)
Representation and Recognition of Temporal Patterns

How can a nervous system represent for itself the temporal relations of patterns that it knows? In order to label auditory patterns, the nervous system must store early portions in order to identify the whole. Both linguists and engineer-scientists have a similar need to record spoken words. This paper reviews three basic models for handling the information-collection problem that supports pattern recognition, whether by scientists or others. Many of these techniques have been implemented in connectionist networks. In linguistic models for words, there are only ordered symbols, i.e. either phonemic segments or words. In engineering and speech science, time windows are built that store the entire signal and allow parametric description of time. But such windows are not plausible for nervous systems. A third alternative is a memory in the form of a dynamic system. These models are driven through a trajectory in state space by the input signals. Thus, the recognition process for familiar patterns produces a distinct trajectory through state space for each learned pattern. Among the advantages of such a system are that (1) it tends to recognize patterns despite changes in the rate of presentation, and (2) the system can be run continuously yet will respond as quickly as possible at appropriate times. Evidence is reviewed about human auditory memory for complex tone sequences. The data suggest that human auditory memory exhibits many similarities to the dynamic model.
Assessment of the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy for primary cutaneous desmoplastic melanoma.

BACKGROUND The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the treatment of desmoplastic melanoma (DM) remains undefined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of SLNB for DM. METHODS In all, 1850 patients with cutaneous melanoma underwent wide local excision and SLNB. Patients with DM were identified and stratified as ‘pure’ DM or ‘mixed’ DM (i.e., DM associated with at least one other common histologic subtype). RESULTS Of the 1850 patients, 65 (3.5%) had DM. Of these, 46 (70.8%) had pure DM and 19 (29.2%) had mixed DM. Patients with pure DM had a median tumor thickness of 3.5 mm and 6.5% were ulcerated. Compared with patients with pure DM, patients with either mixed DM or non-DM (n = 1785) had thinner primary tumors (median, 1.7 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively, each P < 0.001 vs. pure DM) that were more likely to be ulcerated (27.7% and 21.3%, respectively, each P < 0.05 vs. pure DM). Although the incidence of a positive SLN was similar in patients with mixed DM (15.8%) and non-DM (17.5%), patients with pure DM were less likely to have a positive SLN (2.2%) (each P < 0.01 vs. non-DM and mixed DM). At a median follow-up of 2.9 years, no patient with pure DM had recurred. CONCLUSIONS Despite having thicker primary tumors, patients with pure DM have a lower incidence of positive SLNs compared with patients with non-DM. Whereas the treatment approach for patients with mixed DM should be similar to that of other melanoma patients, patients with pure DM are unlikely to have metastatic disease in regional lymph nodes and SLNB may not be warranted. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Local reactions during allergen immunotherapy do not require dose adjustment

Abstract Background: The recent World Health Organization position paper on allergen immunotherapy states that local reactions to immunotherapy are not predictive of subsequent systemic reactions. Nevertheless, in clinical practice dose adjustment after local reactions continues to be recommended, presumably in an effort to prevent future systemic reactions. Objective: We sought to determine whether dose adjustment versus no adjustment for local reactions during allergen immunotherapy influences the occurrence of subsequent systemic reactions. Methods: In a single-site allergy clinic before October 1, 1997, local reactions after allergen vaccine injection resulted in adjustment of the subsequent dose. After October 1, 1997, no dose adjustments were made for immediate and late local reactions. For the same 9-month period before and after the change in local reaction dose-adjustment policy, systemic reaction rates were compared retrospectively. For individuals experiencing a systemic reaction, local reaction rates and local reactions immediately preceding a systemic reaction were also compared before and after the policy change. Results: Comparing the 9-month period (October 1996-June 1997) preceding the policy change and the 9 months (October 1997-June 1998) after the change in policy, the systemic reaction rates (0.80% and 1.01%, respectively) were not statistically different ( P = .24). Among those experiencing a systemic reaction, the rate of local reactions was unchanged (7.3% and 4.7%, respectively; P = .07), and the rate of local reactions immediately preceding a systemic reaction did not increase (18.8% and 10.5%, respectively; P = .37). The sensitivity of a local reaction predicting a systemic reaction at the next immunotherapy dose was 15%. Conclusions: A local reaction is a very insensitive predictor for a subsequent systemic reaction at the next allergen vaccine dose. Dose adjustment for most local reactions is unnecessary and may delay therapy, increase costs, and put the patient at increased risk of dose administration errors. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;106:840-3.)
Visualization of cutaneous hemoglobin oxygenation and skin hydration using near-infrared spectroscopic imaging.

Background/aims: The visualization of skin hemodynamics and tissue water content has important implications in a number of areas of dermatology, plastic surgery, and clinical skin evaluation. The aim of this study was to develop instrumentation and techniques for infrared spectroscopic imaging, and to evaluate whether they can be used to make objective assessments of skin health, perhaps even before clinical signs are evident. Methods: A liquid-crystal tunable filter was mounted on the front of the objective lens of an infrared-sensitive charge-coupled device digital camera. Sets of narrow-band images of skin were acquired in vivo at wavelength intervals of 10 nm from 650 to 1050 nm, under computer control. The data processing techniques used to extract interpretable clinical information from the raw image sets included normalization, ratios, and multivariate analysis. Results: To highlight the capabilities of these techniques, results are presented of two studies that generated spectroscopic images. One examined a volunteer’s forearm subjected to short interruptions of blood flow, and the other followed changes in a skin flap elevated on a rat model. The data sets were processed in different ways to determine several skin and blood parameters, in particular hemoglobin oxygen saturation, blood volume, and skin hydration. Variations in these parameters were followed non-invasively as a function of time and location to study the skin’s response to blood flow changes, and to predict the viability of the skin. Conclusion: Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic imaging is demonstrated to be a powerful augmentation to the standard clinical assessment of skin.
The molecular structure of the tris(2-mercapto-1-tolylimidazolyl)hydroborato zinc(2-mercapto-1-tolylimidazole) complex, {[Tmp-Tol]Zn(mimp-Tol)}[ClO4]: intermolecular N–H⋯OClO3versus intramolecular N–H⋯S hydrogen bonding interactions of the mercaptoimidazole ligand

The molecular structure of the tris(2-mercapto-1-tolylimidazolyl)hydroborato complex {[Tmp-Tol]Zn(mimp-Tol)}[ClO4]·3MeCN has been determined by X-ray diffraction, thereby demonstrating that the mimp-Tol ligand exhibits a N–H⋯O hydrogen bond with the [ClO4]− counterion, {[Tmp-Tol]Zn(mimp-Tol)⋯(OClO3)}, rather than hydrogen bond with a sulfur of the [Tmp-Tol] ligand. DFT calculations on a series of related complexes, namely {[TmMe]Zn(mimMe)}+, {[TmMe]Zn(mimMe)}⋯(OClO3)}, {[TmMe]Zn(mimMe)}⋯[O(H)Me]}+, and {[TmMe]Zn(mimMe)}⋯(NCMe)}+ demonstrate that an intramolecular N–H⋯S hydrogen bond within {[TmMe]Zn(mimMe)}+ is also less favored than the corresponding hydrogen bonding interactions with MeCN, MeOH, and [ClO4]−. The inability of the sulfur atoms of [TmR] ligand to act as an effective hydrogen bond acceptor is in marked contrast to the ability of sulfur atoms in thiolate ligands to participate in the formation of N–H⋯S hydrogen bonds, an observation that reflects the “thione” versus “thiolate” nature of the [TmR] ligand.
Rapid purification of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase from normal and clofibrate-treated animals by affinity chromatography

Epoxide hydrolase from liver cytosol (cEH) of both normal and clofibrate-treated mice can be bioselectively adsorbed onto an affinity column prepared from epoxy-activated Sepharose and 7-methoxycitronellyl thiol. The free ligand is a modest inhibitor of cEH (I50, approximately equal to 3 X 10(-4) M) and lacks the epoxide function necessary for it to be turned over as a substrate. This study demonstrates that a methoxy group can be used to mimic an oxirane in a vertebrate system. Bioselective elution of cEH can be accomplished with several chalcone oxides, which are selective potent inhibitors (I50, 1-50 X 10(-7) M), and activity can be recovered by dialysis. This procedure thus enhances the purification by offering independent opportunities for selective binding and selective elution. Conservatively, a 40%-80% recovery of partially inhibited enzyme activity can be achieved in 4-48 hr with a 30- to 90-fold purification. The purified cEH from clofibrate-induced animals was essentially homogeneous by NaDodSO4/PAGE and had an apparent subunit molecular weight of 58,000. The cEHs from normal and clofibrate-induced animals appeared identical by NaDodSO4/PAGE. Since the cEH activity in normal and clofibrate-treated animals is due to the same enzyme, the increase in cEH activity caused by selected hypolipidemic agents appears to be true induction.
Conservative approaches to the management of localized prostatic cancer.

Background. The management of early stage prostatic cancer is controversial. Methods. Pertinent literature concerning the conservative management of early stage prostatic cancer by early endocrine therapy (EET) or by deferred treatment (DT) was reviewed. Results. EET has not been systematically studied. Available evidence suggests that early stage prostatic cancer often progresses slowly and that DT results in a cancer-specific mortality of approximately 80% at 10 years. Conclusions. EET warrants clinical investigation. DT is a management option, at least in patients with a life expectancy of 10 years or less
Flujo residual sobre un promontorio submarino en bahía Quellón

Measurements of velocity and density profiles were used to describe the tidal and residual flow structure in Quellon Bay, southern Chile (43 o 10'S), an eastward opened bay with ca. 6 km width (north-south) at its mouth and a low river discharge at its head, associated to a productive marsh- like branch. Current profiles were obtained in winter and spring with a 307.2 kHz Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) during two semidiurnal cycles along a repeated triangular circuit. The eastern side of the triangle consisted in an across- bay transect oriented in the north-south direction, and two along-bay (aprox. east-west oriented) transects formed the other sides identified as northern and southern transects. The triangle circumscribed a small bump of ca.10 depth, surrounded by bathymetry of the order of 20-30 m. Density profiles were obtained at the westernmost corner of the triangle. The longitudinal mean flow in the eastern transect at the mouth showed a lateral exchange structure that consisted in inflow (westward) over the northern side and outflow (southeastward) over the southern side. Lateral residual flow showed increases of the southward component that seems to be related to the presence of the bump. The longitudinal residual flow was mostly westward in the southern transect and eastward in the southern transect, suggesting that flow enters the bay through the northern side and exits through the southern side. Over the southern transect there were evidences of flow divergence over the bump which promotes upward velocities over this feature. Upward velocities over the bump and downward velocities over the eastern flank were estimated using the continuity equation. There were evidences that divergence is induced by flow separation yielded by a pair of counter-rotating vortex over this feature. Nonlinearities seem to dominate the tidal dynamic balance. The intra tidal variability of flow and density at the repeated station showed no significant differences between the low and high rainy seasons, suggesting that dynamics of the system is less affected by river discharge. Small increases of salinity were associated to the effect of tidal flood phase. There were no significant differences between samplings on July and November, nor in residual flow patterns or in density field.
A secoamorphane tri-ether from Cupressus macnabiana foliage

A novel sesquiterpenoid tri-ether with a 4,5-secoamorphane carbon skeleton was isolated from the foliage of Cupresss macnabiana and characterized by 1D and 2D NMR. It appears to be biosynthetically related to τ-cadinol.
A difference between intracellular and viral supercoiled PM2 DNA

Vegetative supercoiled DNA of bacteriophage PM2 has a lower superhelix density than does the viral supercoiled PM2 DNA for which it is a precursor.
Prédiction du bruit des pompes centrifuges

Cette note traite du bruit des pompes centrifuges, bruit genere par des sources hydrauliques, a l'exclusion des sources mecaniques (balourd, paliers, ...). Les differents aspects du bruit hydraulique au refoulement, bruit aerien tant en terme de pression acoustique que de puissance acoustique sont etudies et il est propose pour chacun de ces bruits une formule globale de prediction, valable pres du point de fonctionnement optimum et hors cavitation.
Inalienability in social relations: Language, possession, and exchange in Amazonia

This article describes inalienability in the Wauja (Arawak) language in the context of Brazilian Upper Xinguan culture. Wauja grammar encodes a distinction between alienable and inalienable possession that marks kin, body parts, and other terms and that largely but not perfectly overlaps with a local cultural category of emblematic possessions. I analyze how grammatical and cultural aspects of inalienable possession combine in discourse and exchange to contribute to the social identities of possessors. I present an ethnographic account of the role of inalienability in Wauja grammar and discourse in the disruption and repair of social relationships between groups in Upper Xinguan ritual. I argue for a mutually reinforcing relationship between grammatical categories and sociocultural meaning. I suggest that attention to language and possession, in addition to language and identity, is important for cross culturally comparative sociolinguistic analysis of such connections. (Inalienable possession, grammatical categories, discourse, exchange, Upper Xingu, Wauja (Arawak), ethnolinguistic identity)*