cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Movement of the Sporozoites of Plasmodium berghei (Vincke et Lips, 1948)

AT several points in their complex life-cycle malaria parasites are bound to leave their intracellular or ‘intramural’ existence to assume a temporary vagrant and free life. The movements of these developmental stages of the plasmodia may be studied in vitro in a few instances such as the exflagellation of the microgametocyte and the movements of the male gamete, or the motions of the cryptozoites of avian malaria and their engulfment by phagocytic cells as recorded by the slow-motion cine-camera1. Other active movements, like the penetration of the merozoites into erythrocytes, have only rarely been glimpsed at by a lucky or persevering observer2. The actual mode of locomotion of the ookinetes (known also as the travelling vermicule) and the active movements of sporozoites of mammalian plasmodia have never been recorded since Schaudin's publication in 1902 (ref. 3) and the numerous unsuccessful attempts to repeat his observations4.
THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ZIRCONIUM AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

Six thermophysical properties of both solid and liquid zirconium measured using the high-temperature electrostatic levitator at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are presented. These properties are density, thermal expansion coefficient, constant pressure heat capacity, hemispherical total emissivity, surface tension, and viscosity. For the first time, we report the densities and the thermal expansion coefficients of both the solid as well as liquid Zr over wide ranges of temperatures. Over the 1700–2300 K temperature span, the liquid density can be expressed as ρ_1(T) = 6.24 × 10^3 – 0.29(T – T_m) kg/m^3 with T_m = 2128 K, and the corresponding volume expansion coefficient as α_1 = 4.6 × 10^(−5)/K. Similarly, over the 1250–2100 K range, the measured density of the solid can be expressed as ρ_s(T) = 6.34 × 10^3 – 0.15(T – T_m), giving a volume expansion coefficient α_s = 2.35 × 10^(−5)/K. The constant pressure heat capacity of the liquid phase could be estimated as C_(pl)(T) = 39.72 – 7.42 × 10^(−3)(T – T_m) J/(mol/K) if the hemispherical total emissivity of the liquid phase e_(T1) remains constant at 0.3 over the 1825–2200 K range. Over the 1400–2100 K temperature span, the hemispherical total emissivity of the solid phase could be rendered as e_(Ts)(T) = 0.29 – 9.91 × 10^3 (T – T_m). The measured surface tension and the viscosity of the molten zirconium over the 1850–2200 K range can be expressed as ς(T) = 1.459 × 10^3 – 0.244 (T – T_m) mN/m and as η(T) = 4.83 – 5.31 × 10^(−3)(T – T_m) mPa s, respectively.
Multi-sensor integration on the NCUBE hypercube computer

This paper presents the quantitative performance results obtained from converting a large sequential Multi-Sensor Integration (MSI) program into a concurrent form, and executing the program on an NCUBE hypercube computer for several test case scenarios. Each sensor track was assigned to a different node of the hypercube where computationally intensive calculations were performed, A 4-node hypercube was found to be the optimal size for the test case scenario discussed here, where speed-up factors of 1.5 to 1.7 were obtained. A completely concurrent MSI algorithm is also presented.
Lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines stimulate interleukin-6 expression in C2C12 myoblasts: role of the Jun NH2-terminal kinase

IL-6 is a major inflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in coordinating the acute-phase response to trauma, injury, and infection in vivo. Although IL-6 is synthesized predominantly by macr...
The morphology of European and Southwest Asian Neandertal pubic bones

Descriptions of Southwest Asian Neandertal os coxae have stressed the supero-inferior flattening and acetabulo-symphyseal elongation of the superior pubic rami. Further analysis of Neandertal pubes, including two European specimens. La Ferrassie I and Krapina 208, indicates that Neandertal pubes are distinguished primarily by a relative elongation of the superior rami. The supero-inferior flattening of the pubic rami with the formation of a distinct ventral border, present among the Southwest Asian Neandertals, is less pronounced among the European Neandertals. Neither sexual dimorphism nor biomechanical hypertrophy appears adequate to explain this morphological pattern of Neandertal pubic bones.
Relationship between sex hormones and cognitive performance in men with substance use

BACKGROUND: Hypogonadism is common with opiate-like drug use and may contribute to cognitive abnormalities. With the increasing epidemic of HIV and substance use (SU) worldwide, it is important to understand the impact of these conditions on cognition, which may affect quality of life and possibly decrease adherence to treatment. We hypothesized that men with SU, by virtue of hypogonadism secondary to HIV and/or SU, may demonstrate impaired cognition. METHODS: We recruited men aged 18-50 from a population of low income, inner-city individuals. Details of HIV and SU status, serum blood levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were assessed. All subjects were administered ten neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 68 men (mean age: 43.2 years (SD 5.8), African Americans: 86.6%). The recruited population was primarily from low socioeconomic status and unemployed. The mean level of TT was 553.9ng/dL (SD 262.0), the mean level of FT was 69.5pg/mL (SD 34.8), mean E2 was 3.2pg/mL (SD 4.4). We found that 30.9% were hypogonadal and it was associated with higher SU. We observed some relationships between sex hormones and cognitive domains, however, after adjustment for age, drug use category, education, depression, HIV, there was no statistically significant correlation between cognitive performance and sex hormone levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study of men with a high prevalence of SU and hypogonadism, endogenous levels of TT, FT or E2 were not related to cognitive performance. Other factors need to be identified which may contribute to poor cognitive function in the setting of SU. Language: en
Antidysrhythmic drug therapy for the termination of stable, monomorphic ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review

Objective We performed a systematic review of the literature to compare the efficacy of different drug therapies for the termination of stable, monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Methods We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane for trials from 1965 through July 2013 using a search strategy derived from the following clinical question in PICO format: P atients: Adults (≥18 years) with stable monomorphic VT; I ntervention: Intravenous antidysrhythmic drug; C omparator: Intravenous lidocaine or amiodarone; O utcome: Termination of VT. For all drug comparisons, we calculated relative risks (RR; 95% CI) and number needed to treat (NNT, 95% CI) between drugs. We also evaluated the methodological quality of the studies. Results Our search yielded 219 articles by PubMed and 390 articles by EMBASE. 3 prospective studies (n=93 patients) and 2 retrospective studies (n=173 patients) met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. From the prospective studies, RR of VT termination of procainamide versus lidocaine was 3.7 (1.3–10.5); ajmaline versus lidocaine, RR=5.3 (1.4–20.5); and sotalol versus lidocaine, RR=3.9 (1.3–11.5). From the retrospective studies: procainamide versus lidocaine, RR=2.2 (1.2–4.0); and procainamide versus amiodarone RR=4.3 (0.8–23.6). All 5 reviewed studies had quality issues, including potential bias for randomisation and concealment. Conclusions Based on limited available evidence from small heterogeneous human studies, for the treatment of stable, monomorphic VT, procainamide, ajmaline and sotalol were all superior to lidocaine; amiodarone was not more effective than procainamide.
Activation of the Src-family tyrosine kinase Hck by SH3 domain displacement

The protein Hck is a member of the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases which is preferentially expressed in haematopoietic cells of the myeloid and B-lymphoid lineages. Src kinases are inhibited by tyrosine-phosphorylation at a carboxy-terminal site. The SH2 domains of these enzymes play an essential role in this regulation by binding to the tyrosine-phosphorylated tail. The crystal structure of the downregulated form of Hck has been determined and reveals that the SH2 domain regulates enzymatic activity indirectly; intramolecular interactions between the SH3 and catalytic domains appear to stabilize an inactive form of the kinase. Here we compare the roles of the SH2 and SH3 domains in modulating the activity of Hck in an investigation of the C-terminally phosphorylated form of the enzyme. We show that addition of the HIV-1 Nef protein, which is a high-affinity ligand for the Hck SH3 domain, to either the downregulated or activated form of Hck causes a large increase in Hck catalytic activity. The intact SH3-binding motif in Nef is crucial for Hck activation. Our results indicate that binding of the Hck SH3 domain by Nef causes a more marked activation of the enzyme than does binding of the SH2 domain, suggesting a new mechanism for regulation of the activity of tyrosine kinases.
External loading and maximum dynamic output in vertical jumping: The role of training history

We examined the effect of training history on the load-power relationship in vertical jumping (VJ) by employing external loads ranging from −30% to +30% body weight (BW). Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that (1) the maximum dynamic output (power production and momentum generation) would be within the tested loading interval, and (2) the load-power and load-momentum relations would depend on the subject’s training history. Thirty-one healthy male subjects of different training history (i.e., 9 strength-trained athletes, 12 speed-trained athletes, and 10 sedentary individuals), performed maximum countermovement jumps on a force plate while a pulley system was used to either reduce or increase the subject’s BW. An increase in external loading during VJ resulted in a systematic decrease (p < .001) in power production and momentum generation in all 3 studied groups. We also observed significant Group × Load interactions (p < .01) for the load-power and the load-momentum relationships, probably due to the group differences in slopes of the trend lines that describe the loading-associated changes in power and momentum. The results suggest that, from the evolutionary standpoint, the human muscular system of the lower limbs could be designed to produce the maximum power output against the loads that are well below the mass and inertia of the human body.
CARDIAC SURGERY OUTCOMES IN HETEROTAXY SYNDROME: 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE FROM A MULTICENTER CONSORTIUM

Heterotaxy syndromes of asplenia and polysplenia encompass a wide spectrum of complex cardiovascular abnormalities associated with left-right asymmetry. The combination of structural and electrical cardiac abnormalities along with extracardiac co-morbidity makes cardiac surgery in heterotaxy
Positivism and Inwardness: Schopenhauer's Legacy in Robert Musil's The Man Without Qualities

Robert Musil's unfinished novel The Man Without Qualities is testimony that Arthur Schopenhauer's legacy in early-twentieth-century European culture cuts across the familiar opposition between neo-romantic irrationalism and scientific positivism. I adduce evidence in Musil's unfinished novel and contemporaneous essays and journal entries that his utopian vision of an integration of ethical inwardness and scientific objectivity, an integration productive of an existence without qualities, is symptomatic of a Schopenhauerian outlook that prevailed in Europe entre deux guerres and yielded a crisis of narratives and consequent moral ambivalence. Musil's literary style achieves a vivid rendering of the causes and conditions of the ethical paralysis afflicting the modern self committed to the exploration of inwardness.
Prospective direct formate fuel cell

Abstract A direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) operated with a fuel of alkaline potassium formate has been studied using Pd anode and Ag cathode electrocatalysts in an intermediate temperature range of 80 to 120 °C by means of cyclic voltammetry and single cell measurements. Voltammetric studies clearly show that the kinetics of the formate electrooxidation on Pd in alkaline media is substantially increased with increasing temperature, leading to a high apparent activation energy of around 74.3 ± 6.2 kJ mol− 1. Preliminary single cell measurements show that increasing operating temperature and the formate concentration obviously increase the performance. A DFFC operated with 6 mol dm− 3 HCOOK and at 120 °C demonstrates a peak power density of around 160 mW cm− 2 over a current density range of 250 to 550 mA cm− 2 without Ohmic resistance correction. The DFFC is therefore a promising high performance, environmentally benign and low cost fuel cell technology.
A PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF CHILDREN WITH IN UTERO COCAINE EXPOSURE(COC) AND CONTROLS (CON) ON THE BATTELLE DEVELOPMENTAL INVENTORY † 69

COC children are at risk for adverse developmental outcome. We previously reported a difference between COC and CON on BDI outcome at age 3Y; we now report on outcome at both 3 and 5Y. STUDY DESIGN: 99 Children, 51 COC and 48 CON of low SES, followed at 6-month intervals since birth, were administered the BDI at both 3 and 5Y by examiners masked to child group status. Child participation as well as parental report constitute basis for scoring. RESULTS: The COC and CON groups were similar in age and gender at testing. Further, they did not differ in Bayley scores at 30 mos, language age at 30 mos, or Full Scale IQ (WPPSI-R) at age 4Y (all p≥0.5). Median developmental quotients (DQ) for 5 domains and the BDI Total, analyzed by Mann-Whitney U because of skew, are shown below. CON DQ were statistically greater than COC in 2 of 5 domains and on BDI Total at 3Y; however, these differences were not seen at age 5Y. CONCLUSION: COC and CON did not differ in BDI outcome at age 5Y. Loss of CON advantage seen at 3Y seems to stem primarily from changes in coping and socialization skills. These changes may be related to differences in COC and CON parental report or to environmental influences that, over time, obscure differences detectible at an earlier age. Table
Studies of the reentrant insulating phase around the 1/5 FQH liquid : I-V curves, noise, RF bias

We report on systematic studies of I–V and noise in the insulating phase around the 15 FQH liquid at B = 11.9 T. The noise and I–V data are correlated, and together they are consistent with a weakly pinned Wigner crystal for B below and immediately above the 15 FQH liquid. For B ⩾ 12.7 T, the system is in a more insulating regime, in which the noise vanishes, and which could be described as a Wigner glass. Preliminary results of a search for resonances or Shapiro steps in a 2DES are also presented.
Influence of the Common Agricultural Policy on the farmer’s intended decision on water use

This work is the result of the research under CAP-IRE (Common Agricultural Policies on Rural Economies) project where the effects of post 2013 CAP scenarios are investigated. The broad objective is the understanding of farmer’s reactions under CAP scenarios taking into account a long-term perspective by 2020. The analysis is based on 1,328 observations of household farmers across 11 case study regions in nine EU countries. The stated responses are analyzed in order to stress the influence of the next CAP reform on the farmer’s decision process of using more or less water resources on-farm. For this purpose the farmer’s responses to the CAP reforms are analyzed by a logistic model regression. According to the results, farmer’s behaviour would be slightly influenced by the CAP reform. However, significant regional differences are found according to the model regressions. Indeed, in the case of new member states, farmers would have a greater intention to decrease water use if the current CAP support was abolished. Yet factors such as the amount of CAP supports, farmland size, crop specialization, farmer’s age and altitude, are significant determinants of reaction to the CAP reforms. Taking into account the depicted influence on water use opportunities for re-addressing next policy design emerge.
The Professional Medical Ethics Model of Decision Making Under Conditions of Clinical Uncertainty

The professional medical ethics model of decision making may be applied to decisions clinicians and patients make under the conditions of clinical uncertainty that exist when evidence is low or very low. This model uses the ethical concepts of medicine as a profession, the professional virtues of integrity and candor and the patient's virtue of prudence, the moral management of medical uncertainty, and trial of intervention. These features combine to justifiably constrain clinicians' and patients' autonomy with the goal of preventing nondeliberative decisions of patients and clinicians. To prevent biased recommendations by the clinician that promote such nondeliberative decisions, medically reasonable alternatives supported by low or very low evidence should be offered but not recommended. The professional medical ethics model of decision making aims to improve the quality of decisions by reducing the unacceptable variation that can result from nondeliberative decision making by patients and clinicians when evidence is low or very low.
The thermal aspects of oxidational wear

Abstract In this paper the early research on the thermal aspects of wear, where most of the attention had been on deducing the “hot spot” temperatures which occur between sliding surfaces, is briefly reviewed. More recent work in which the effect of oxide films on hot spot temperatures is deduced is then described. The division of frictional heat is also discussed. A surface model is used in which N individual contact areas (of radius a) occur at any given time, each with an oxide film of thickness ξ formed at the contact temperature Tc which occurs during the time of contact. By using an iteration process involving N, a, ξ and Tc and experimental measurements of heat flow down the pin of a pin-on-disc wear test rig, it is shown that the resulting ξ values are consistent with the measurements of oxide film thickness. Recent experiments with photography and IR video recording are then described, which give some measure of validity to the calculated values of N, a and Tc.
A tutorial on enteral access in adult patients in the hospitalized setting

Enteral access is a cornerstone in the provision of nutrition support. Early and adequate enteral support has consistently demonstrated improved patient outcomes throughout a wide range of illness. In patients unable to tolerate oral intake, multiple options of delivery are available to the clinician. Access requires a multidisciplinary effort that involves nurses, dietitians, and physicians to be successful. These techniques and procedures are not without morbidity and even mortality. A comprehensive understanding of the appropriate management of these tubes and their inherent complications should be garnered by all those involved with nutrition support teams. This tutorial reviews available options for enteral access in addition to commonly encountered complications and their management.
Cardiovascular Efficiency Test for Girls and Women

Abstract In order to find a test of cardiovascular fitness for girls and women which can be quickly and easily administered, the Harvard Step Test for boys and men was modified in various ways and then subjected to analysis for reliability and validity. It was found that a three-minute test, using an 18-inch bench and a stepping rate of 24 steps per minute, is both reliable and valid and that it clearly differentiates among females who are in a highly trained state, those who are moderately active, and those who are sedentary.
Measurement of the local 1H spin-diffusion coefficient in polymers.

Abstract Proton spin diffusion is widely used to determine domain sizes in heterogeneous organic solids. For an accurate analysis, spin diffusion coefficients are required. However, in most cases they are not directly measured, but instead derived from model systems. The effects of magic-angle spinning (MAS), mobility, or spin-lock fields on spin-diffusion coefficients have also been difficult to quantify. In this work, direct measurement of local 1 H spin-diffusion coefficients in any rigid polymer is achieved in experiments with heteronuclear dephasing of the 1 H magnetization, a mixing time for 1 H spin diffusion, and 13 C detection after cross-polarization. In the presence of 1 H homonuclear decoupling and 13 C 180°-pulse recoupling, each 13 C spin dephases a significant number (3–20) of protons, depending on the dephasing time. For 13 C and other sufficiently dilute heteronuclei, the dephasing of the protons is described by simple spin-pair REDOR curves. As a result, every 13 C nucleus will “burn” a spherical hole of known diameter and profile into the proton magnetization distribution. 1 H spin diffusion into the hole during the mixing time can be monitored and simulated accurately for every resolved 13 C site, with the spin-diffusion coefficient as the only significant unknown parameter. By varying the dephasing time, holes with diameters of 0.4–0.8 nm can be burned into the proton magnetization profile and thus the dependence of the local spin-diffusion coefficients on the proton density or partial mobility can be explored. The effects of transverse or magic-angle spin-lock fields on spin diffusion can be quantified conveniently by this method. Analytical and numerical fits yield short-range spin-diffusion coefficients of 0.2–0.5 nm 2 /ms on the 0.5-nm scale, which is smaller than the value of 0.8 nm 2 /ms for organic solids previously measured on the 10-nm scale.
Induced swarming of a nematode as a means of isolation.

SINCE nematodes extracted from soil usually comprise a mixture of species, the isolation of a pure species population for experimental purposes is frequently a laborious procedure involving the picking of individual specimens from a suspension. The tendency of Tylenchorhynchus martini Fielding 1956 (Nematoda, Phasmidia) in aqueous suspensions to swarm (congregate in masses) has been used to obtain large numbers of this nematode relatively free of other species. In a series of tests, mixed populations of T. martini and other nematodes were extracted from soil around rice plants and incubated overnight in aqueous suspensions in Petri plates. The resultant masses of T. martini were observed under a dissecting microscope, carefully removed with a suction pipette and transferred to a small quantity of water in an Ehrlenmeyer flask. The nematodes were dispersed by shaking and then transferred to water in Petri plates for re-incubation. This procedure has been repeated several times with no apparent loss in swarming intensity, although about 5 per cent of the population of T. martini in each test does not swarm and is lost in subsequent transfers. Suspensions of 50–100 thousand nematodes of 70–80 per cent T. martini have been purified in two serial swarmings to more than 99 per cent T. martini, with a virtual elimination of organic and mineral debris. Factors which stimulate swarming include a high proportion of active T. martini in the mixed population and a suspension density such that the individual nematodes of this species are in contact in a shallow aqueous layer. A range of room temperatures and of water reactions varying from pH 3.5 to 7.5 have not influenced swarming intensity.
Depression, suicidal preoccupation and scores on the Rokeach Value Survey: a correction

Depression scores and current suicidal ideation were not strongly associated with responses to the Rokeach Value Survey in a sample of 108 college students
A tilt and roll device for automated correction of rotational setup errors

A tilt and roll device has been developed to add two additional degrees of freedom to an existing treatment table. This device allows computer-controlled rotational motion about the inferior–superior and left–right patient axes. The tilt and roll device comprises three supports between the tabletop and base. An automotive type universal joint welded to the end of a steel pipe supports the center of the table. Two computer-controlled linear electric actuators utilizing high accuracy stepping motors support the foot of table and control the tilt and roll of the tabletop. The current system meets or exceeds all pre-design specifications for precision, weight capacity, rigidity, and range of motion.
The processing of fundamental frequency in a dichotic matching task

Abstract The temporal characteristics of auditory memory were investigated using a reaction time paradigm. The study attempted to determine whether or not there are functionally distinct left and right hemisphere components of auditory memory with different capacities for the retention of nonlinguistic information, such as fundamental frequency, over the course of several seconds. The results indicated that fundamental frequency information in auditory memory remains substantially unchanged over the course of 2 sec. No evidence was found for the existence of separate left and right hemisphere components of auditory memory with different temporal characteristics. The implications of this finding for the organization of auditory memory in the brain are discussed.
Collisional excitation of an asymmetric rotor, silicon dicarbide

Rotational excitation rates have been computed for the asymmetric top molecule SiC2 in collisions with low-energy He atoms. The intermolecular forces were obtained from an electron gas model, and collision dynamics were treated within the infinite-order sudden approximation. Total excitation rates, i.e., summed over final levels, are expected to be accurate to about 50 percent, and the larger state-to-state rates are likely to be within a factor of about 2 of the correct values, although some of the smaller (and less important) rates may be less accurate. These rates are also thought to reflect, within this level of accuracy, rates for excitation by collisions with H2 molecules.
Superbursts: A New Probe of the rp-Process

Long term monitoring of X-ray burst sources has discovered a new class of thermonuclear X-ray bursts from accreting neutron stars in low mass X-ray binaries. These “superbursts” have durations and energies 1000 times larger than usual Type I X-ray bursts. They are believed to be due to thermally unstable carbon burning in the neutron star ocean, providing a new opportunity to study the ashes of rp-process hydrogen/helium burning. I summarize the current theory of superbursts, giving analytic formulae where possible, and compare with observations. I review recent work on carbon production by the rp-process, the detection of superbursts from the rapid accretor GX 17+2, and models of superburst lightcurves.
Is Europe Converging on Constitutional Patriotism? (And If So: Is It Justified?)

In public justifications, but even more in state practice, it is argued that European countries are converging on a notion of membership and political attachment that is best theorized in terms of ...
Pretreatment management of the patient receiving anticoagulant drugs

This literature review suggests that certain low-risk dental treatment procedures can be performed in patients without altering their anticoagulant medications. Intermediate-risk dental procedures in these patients may be accomplished outside the hospital if the patient's prothrombin time value is within a specified range and if certain techniques are followed. In some cases, temporarily altering the dose of anticoagulant may be necessary. Patients receiving anticoagulant medications should continue to receive high-risk dental treatment in hospitals.
DISSOCIATIVE ADSORPTION OF O2 ON CU(110) AND CU(100) : THREE-DIMENSIONAL QUANTUM DYNAMICS STUDIES

The dynamics of dissociative chemisorption of oxygen on Cu(110) and Cu(100) has been studied using a time-dependent quantum wave-packet approach. Dissociation probabilities for O2 on both (110) and (100) surfaces of copper are calculated for ground state as well as rovibrationally excited oxygen molecules. The present calculation simulates O2 dissociation on nascent copper surfaces with no consideration for surface reconstruction. The dynamics calculation is based on a flat-surface model in which three molecular degrees of freedom are explicitly included while the lateral coordinates of the molecule are neglected. The interaction potential energy surface (PES) for the dynamics calculation is constructed using the LEPS (London−Erying−Polyni−Sato) PES form with potential parameters fitted to some available experimental and theoretical data. The barrier of the LEPS PES for oxygen dissociation on copper is 0.11 eV for Cu(110) and 0.08 eV for Cu(100). Relatively speaking, the saddle point of the O2/Cu(110) PES...
Numerical fluorescence correlation spectroscopy for the analysis of molecular dynamics under nonstandard conditions.

The suitability of mathematical models used to extract kinetic information from correlated data constitutes a significant issue in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Standard FCS equations are derived from a simple Gaussian approximation of the optical detection volume, but some investigations have suggested this traditional practice can lead to inaccurate and misleading conclusions under many experimental circumstances, particularly those encountered in one-photon confocal measurements. Furthermore, analytical models cannot be derived for all measurement scenarios. We describe a novel numerical approach to FCS that circumvents conventional analytical models, enabling meaningful analyses even under extraordinarily unusual measurement conditions. Numerical fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (NFCS) involves quantitatively matching experimental correlation curves with synthetic curves generated via diffusion simulation or direct calculation based on an experimentally determined 3D map of the det...
Utilization of a GaGe CompuScope 1012 computer-based oscilloscope for pulse shape discrimination and radiation spectroscopy

Abstract Systems for digitally processing pulse waveforms from radiation detectors are currently under development and are designed to replace conventional pulse height, analog-to-digital converters. These systems are capable of capturing a complete radiation-induced pulse in digital form. Subsequently, all the pulse features can be analyzed digitally (e.g., pulse validation, energy information through digital integration of the pulse, dynamic threshold determination, pulse duration, pulse shape analysis, and noise reduction). This paper describes implementation of such a system using a GaGe CompuScope 1012, 12-bit, 10-MHz computer-based oscilloscope card. This card is designed to function as a dual channel, 12-bit, 10-MHz, digital oscilloscope or a single channel 20-MHz oscilloscope. The system contains 1 megabyte of on-board memory and allows transfer of this data to computer memory at a rate of 1.5 megawords/s in a 486-class computer. The computational time required to perform digital pulse integration and cross-correlation pulse shape discrimination has also been determined. Combining the data transfer rate with this computational time results in throughput rates of approximately 7000 counts per second for typical data acquisition modes. Applications for this system include alpha/beta/gamma-ray discrimination in phoswich detectors, alpha/beta discrimination in CsI scintillators and neutron/gamma-ray discrimination in BF3 probes, proton recoil gas-filled detectors, and organic liquid scintillation detectors.
Median incision of the upper pole in medial pedicle vertical mammaplasty.

Background: The medial pedicle is commonly employed in vertical breast reduction. With this procedure, there is concern about pedicle compression, especially in large breast reductions when a relatively large medial pedicle is rotated into a smaller sized areolar opening. Objectives: The author describes a technical refinement to the vertical mammaplasty, whereby a splitting incision is made into the upper pole parenchyma that allows safe pedicle inset without any constriction by the pillar closure, while upper pole fullness is still maintained. Methods: A total of 94 patients underwent mammaplasty with the author’s technique, in which a superomedial pedicle was dissected as a full-thickness flap. The excision of breast tissue was beveled (especially laterally) to treat lateral fullness, while it was maintained perpendicular to the chest wall at the areola opening to preserve upper pole fullness. A straight incision was made into the upper pole, such that the pedicle was then easily rotated to the defect, obviating the need for upper pole debulking. Results: Resection per breast ranged from 350 to 2505 g (average, 780 g). In this series, medial pedicle vertical mammaplasty was a safe and effective operation for a wide variety of breast sizes and shapes, without any nipple-areola complex necrosis. Follow-up at an average of one year demonstrated a stable and aesthetically pleasing shape in all patients. Conclusions: The median incision of the upper pole adds to the safety of vertical mammaplasty by preventing medial pedicle compression. Additionally, the aesthetic outcome is improved.
Equity under and state responses to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986

A difficult problem facing states with significant commercial hazardous waste treatment and disposal capacity is the inflow of waste into the state for disposal. The states with commercial capacity allege that other states are reluctant to aggressively pursue siting facilities, and in fact may be impeding development through restrictive siting provisions. Likewise, capacity states are frustrated with the Environmental Protection Agency for its perceived inaction in reviewing state siting standards. Equity discussion abounds at the state level. Capacity states hoped that equity would be elevated to federal debate through Section 104(k) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. I examine equity and review hazardous waste management in a federalism context to discern the relationship between EPA and the states. I focus on the different roles EPA and the states perceived for the other during implementation of Section 104(k). I conclude with an evaluation of how equity was handled under the new legislation and what remains to be done.
Right trisectionectomy of the liver for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with bile duct invasion in a Jehovah's Witness

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is well known to have a very poor prognosis. Aggressive surgical strategies in the treatment of ICC, including major hepatectomy, have been reported to afford patients the best chance for significant survival. Recent advancements in surgical techniques concerning live donor liver transplantation have dramatically improved the results of major hepatectomy. However, surgical treatment of biliary malignancy is complex and is known to increase the likelihood of blood transfusion. We describe a Jehovah's Witness patient with ICC and concomitant bile duct invasion who had a successful right trisectionectomy with bile duct resection, lymph node dissection, and Rouxen-Y hepatico-jejunostomy without blood transfusion. A multidisciplinary preparation was crucial in obtaining this positive outcome. Importantly, bloodless liver transection techniques with inflow clamping, meticulous dissection, and hemostasis should be utilized for major hepatectomy in a Jehovah's Witness. The success of this case may alert clinicians to consider a hepatectomy as a possible option in the treatment of ICC in a Jehovah's Witness.
Search for conical emission with three-particle correlations

We present preliminary STAR results on three-particle azimuthal angle correlation studies in Au+Au collisions at GeV. The studies are carried out at mid-rapidity between a trigger particle with 3 ≤p⊥≤ 4 GeV/c and two associated particles in 1 ≤p⊥≤ 2 GeV/c. A cumulant analysis reveals finite three-particle azimuthal correlations, dominated by near- and away-side particle correlations consistent with jet production, and jet-flow correlations. We use a two-component model to remove underlying background correlations. This analysis indicates the presence of the conical emission signals in central Au+Au collisions within the model assumptions about background composition and normalization.
Identification of Shareholder Ethics and Responsibilities in Online Reverse Auctions for Construction Projects

The increasing number of companies providing internet services and auction tools helped popularize the online reverse auction trend for purchasing commodities and services in the last decade. As a result, a number of owners, both public and private, accepted the online reverse auctions as the bidding technique for their construction projects. Owners, while trying to minimize their costs for construction projects, are also required to address their ethical responsibilities to the shareholders. In the case of online reverse auctions for construction projects, the ethical issues involved in the bidding technique directly reflects on the owner’s ethical and social responsibilities to their shareholders.
Behavioral research in pediatric diabetes: putting the evidence to work for advocacy and education.

Anderson BJ. Behavioral research in pediatric diabetes: putting the evidence to work for advocacy and education. Dr Henri Lestradet was a founding member of the International Study Group for Diabetes (in childhood and adolescence) (ISGD), and his influence on the scope and vision of this organization was profound. A brief biography of Dr Lestradet and a summary of how his original ISGD evolved into the current International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) will be presented first. Second, consistent with Dr Lestradet's vision for children with diabetes worldwide, I will suggest five areas of behavioral research in diabetes in which there is strong evidence that can be used to create educational and advocacy initiatives for children with diabetes. Finally, I will recommend several priorities for behavioral research in the next decade which will help to strengthen Prof. Lestradet's legacy of support for children with diabetes and their families.
Applying linear interaction energy method for rational design of noncompetitive allosteric inhibitors of the sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase

Noncompetitive inhibitors of sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) have important therapeutic value in the treatment of cancer, due to their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a proliferation-independent manner. Thapsigargin (TG) and its analogues are one such class of inhibitors that bind to a hydrophobic pocket located in the transmembrane region of SERCA near the biomembrane surface and interfere with calcium transport. The binding free energies of thapsigargin-based inhibitors of SERCA were computed using a novel linear interaction energy (LIE) method with a surface generalized Born (SGB) continuum solvation model. A training set of 20 TG analogues was used to build a binding affinity model for estimating the free energy of binding for 18 new inhibitors with a root-mean-square (rms) error of 1.36 kcal/mol with respect to experimental data. For 15 out of the 18 inhibitors in the test set, the rms error was 1.02 kcal/mol, which is on the order of the accuracy level achieved...
In vitro effects of prostaglandins on the guinea pig detrusor and bladder outlet

The effects of prostaglandins on the urinary bladder and urethra were determined using guinea pig detrusor and urethral muscle strips in an in vitro muscle bath. Prostaglandins E1, E2, F1a and F2a caused contraction of detrusor strips and relaxation of strips from the bladder outlet. Their mechanism of action appears to be mediated through the sympathetic nervous system in both the detrusor and outlet with some direct relaxation effects in the outlet.
Ancestral pueblo population aggregation and abandonment in the North American Southwest

After over a century of archaeological research in the American Southwest, questions focusing on population aggregation and abandonment continue to preoccupy much of Pueblo archaeology. This article presents a historical overview of the present range of explanatory approaches to these two processes, with a primary focus on population aggregation in those regions occupied by historic and prehistoric Pueblo peoples. We stress the necessarily complementary nature of most of these explanations of residential abandonment and aggregation. Case studies from the northern Southwest illustrate the continuous nature of these processes across time and space. We suggest that additional explanatory potential will be gained by the use of well-defined theoretical units to frame our current approaches. We extend the use of the “local community” concept as a theoretical unit of organization that, along with explicit archaeological correlates, should help advance our research into population aggregation and abandonment in this and other regions of the world.
Positive prolactin response to bromocriptine in 2 patients with cabergoline-resistant prolactinomas.

Objective: To describe a positive prolactin response to bromocriptine treatment in 2 patients with cabergoline-resistant prolactinomas.Methods: We report the patients' clinical presentations, laboratory test results, imaging findings, and clinical courses.Results: Patient 1 had a 5-mm pituitary microadenoma that was initially diagnosed at age 30 years. After initial diagnosis, she was treated with transvaginal bromocriptine for 9 years and then subsequently went untreated for 2 years. After developing symptoms of amenorrhea, decreased libido, and hyperprolactinemia, oral cabergoline, 0.5 mg twice weekly, was initiated. Her prolactin concentration remained elevated at 80 ng/mL while taking cabergoline. Her prolactin concentration decreased to 13 ng/mL after her regimen was switched to bromocriptine, 5 mg daily. Patient 2 had a 17-mm pituitary macroadenoma that was initially diagnosed at age 15 years. Oral cabergoline was started at 0.5 mg twice weekly and increased to 1 mg 3 times weekly when prolactin lev...
The influence of estrogen on migraine: a systematic review.

ContextMenstrual migraine affects approximately 50% to 60% of female migraineurs, but knowledge regarding the role of hormones, especially estrogen, appears incomplete.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review to determine the role of hormones on menstrual migraine.Evidence AcquisitionMEDLINE (January 1966 through September 1, 2005) and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (January 1991 through September 1, 2005) were searched for articles published in the English language using the keywords migraine,estrogen,menstrual migraine,pure menstrual migraine,true menstrual migraine,menstrually-associated migraine,menstrually-related migraine,pregnancy,breast-feeding,perimenopause,menopause,nitric oxide, and estrogen receptors. A total of 643 unique articles were reviewed for relevance, scientific rigor, and generalizability. For each relevant citation, the bibliography was reviewed to identify additional sources of pertinent data.Evidence SynthesisThe influence of estrogen on migraine is evident by a 3-fold greater prevalence among women compared with men, and by significant changes in migraine incidence with changes in female reproductive status. Menstrual migraines are usually more resistant to treatment, generally not associated with aura, of longer duration, and associated with more functional disability compared with attacks at other times of the month. Biochemical and genetic evidence suggest central and peripheral roles for estrogen in the pathophysiology of menstrual migraine, with potential interactions with excitatory circuits, including serotonergic components. Although evidence for estrogen as a preventive treatment for menstrual migraine is inconsistent, serotonin receptor agonists (triptans) provide acute relief and also may have a role in prevention.ConclusionsEpidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical evidence link estrogen to migraine headaches. Triptans appear to provide acute relief and also may be useful for headache prevention. Clear, focused, and evidence-based treatment algorithms are needed to support primary care physicians, neurologists, and gynecologists in the treatment of this common condition.
Are Products More Real on Reality Shows? An Exploratory Study of Product Placement in Reality Television Programming

The integration of products and brands into movies and television has been around since the early days of these media; however, to date limited research has examined product placement in reality shows. The purpose of this exploratory study is to empirically assess attitudes and behaviors toward a product placement in a reality program, as well as to examine the concepts of perceived realism and skepticism. Using an example of unique product placement featured in the reality show The Biggest Loser, we propose and test a series of nine hypotheses through structural equation modeling. Full or partial support was found for seven of the nine hypotheses advancing the concept of product placements in reality shows. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Mothers' and Fathers' Ratings of the Benefits of Early Intervention Services

Ratings of early intervention services received by 91 mothers and fathers were analyzed one year after entry to programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. While a high level of helpfulness was indicated, service components directed specifically to parents instead of to parents and children together were rated less favorably. In addition, mothers and fathers differed in their ratings, and the weighting of perceived benefits varied by child and family characteristics. Implications for flexible and individualized program planning to meet differing family needs, and specifically to focus on the needs of fathers, are discussed, as well as the need for periodic solicitation of feedback from both mothers and fathers as part of program evaluation activities.
Electromagnetic field behavior near homogeneous anisotropic wedges

The behavior of electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of homogeneous anisotropic wedges is investigated. An extensive analytical treatment is presented for the fields near the tip of the wedge in the static limit. This can be carried out by first allowing the propagation parameter to vanish and then by solving the resulting Laplace-type equation to determine the local distribution of the electric and magnetic fields, which can be found from two transcendental equations. The roots of these equations govern the radial dependence of the field close to the tip and, hence, a graphical representation of their solutions is introduced to illustrate the circumstances under which the fields exhibit singular behavior. Numerical case-studies are presented along with the results obtained by using the static approximation to the dynamic problem. The near fields are calculated so that their radial dependence in the azimuthal plane can be compared to that extracted from the static power law. >
One-dimensional acausal linear systems

The assumption of causality for one-dimensional linear systems is dropped. The basic properties of the resulting systems are discussed.
A model for fatigue crack growth with a variable stress intensity factor

Abstract A model for fatigue crack growth, similar to that of Majumdar and Morrow, is proposed where the crack growth rate is determined from the low cycle fatigue and cyclic stress-strain response of the material. The model is for a constant stress range at infinity, but does allow for a variable stress intensity factor due to the changing crack length. The study also includes an analysis of the strain range in the neighborhood of the crack tip. Further it is shown that the model predicts the critical stress intensity factor. A prediction of the crack growth rate is made for 2024-T351 aluminium, copper and CU-6.3 AL alloy and is compared to the experimental observations.