cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical indication and timing of antenatal corticosteroid administration at a single centre.

Objective To determine how well antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) were timed, based on the indication for administration for women delivering preterm. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary medical centre. Population Six hundred and thirty women who had singleton preterm births between 24 and 34 weeks’ gestational age. Methods Charts from 2006 to 2011 were reviewed for indications for ACS administration, which included premature rupture of membranes, threatened preterm labour, risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth such as short ultrasound cervical length, positive fetal fibronectin, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Charts were reviewed for timing of ACS administration in relation to delivery. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was optimal timing, defined as administration of ACS ≥24 hours to ≤7 days prior to delivery. Results Of 630 women who delivered preterm, 589 (93%) received ACS prior to delivery. ACS timing was optimal in 40% (238 of 589) of cases. Women with hypertensive disorders were most likely to have steroids optimally timed (62%). Asymptomatic women at increased risk for preterm delivery were less likely to receive optimally timed ACS (12%). The majority of women who received steroids >2 weeks prior to delivery (57%) received a second course. Conclusion A majority of women who delivered preterm did not receive optimally timed ACS. Diagnostic tools that identified women at risk for preterm birth were not able to identify patients for appropriate steroid timing. Given the range of clinical scenarios in which patients are at increased risk for preterm delivery, further research is needed to assist clinicians in optimising steroid administration. Tweetable abstract Optimal timing of antenatal steroids prior to delivery does not occur in most cases.
O13 - Regional differences in sensitisation to ragweed in Croatian children are not associated solely with pollen concentration.

FP7 project ATOPICA (Atopic diseases in changing climate, land use and air quality) supported by EU Grant agreement NO: CP 282687 explores the combined pan-European impact of changes in climate, land use and air pollution on allergen pollen-induced diseases with an accent on atopy due to ragweed sensitization. Sensitization to ragweed pollen correlates with levels of airborne pollen concentration in environment, but can be enhanced by other environmental factors such as air pollution.
Probing Interfacial Electronic States in CdSe Quantum Dots Using Second Harmonic Generation Spectroscopy

Understanding and rationally controlling the properties of nanomaterial surfaces is a rapidly expanding field of research due to the dramatic role they play on the optical and electronic properties...
Does The Pore Diameter Of The OmpU Porin Change With pH

Electrophysiological recordings show that trimeric porins, such as the OmpU porin of Vibrio cholerae, display spontaneous closures of one third of the total conductance, corresponding to the closure of one monomer. But in acidic conditions, in addition to being more frequent and longer, the closing events of OmpU become larger while the total conductance of the trimer is unchanged. At pH 4.2, their conductance is more than half of the total conductance. In addition, only a single closing step is observed, instead of three representing each monomer closure. We have proposed three different hypotheses on the mechanism underlying these closures at acidic pH. 1) If we consider that OmpU is indeed constructed as a typical triple barrel channel, the single closure could represent the cooperative partial closures of the three monomers, and the conductance of these partial closures would increase at acidic pH. 2) The closure could involve only one monomer with a concomitant adjustment of the conductance of the other two monomers, such that the amount of current remaining through these two open monomers decreases progressively as the pH is lowered. 3) The trimer could form a single pore, and the closing events would be a partial closure with a conductance getting larger with lower pHs. In order to better understand the organization of this porin and the modifications that it undergoes at different pHs, we have performed experiments in neutral and acidic conditions to determine whether polyethylene glycol molecules of defined sizes can enter the pore or are excluded. The partitioning of PEGs will allow us to calculate the OmpU pore size in different conditions, as was shown by Bezrukov for OmpF. Supported by grant E-1597 of the Welch Foundation
ON THE FORCE AND MOMENT ON A BODY IN AN INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID, WITH APPLICATION TO RIGID BODIES AND BUBBLES AT HIGH AND LOW REYNOLDS NUMBERS

An analysis is made of the force and moment exerted on a rigid body in unsteady motion in a uniform incompressible, viscous or inviscid fluid. Integral formulae are derived which express the force and moment in terms of the velocity and vorticity of the fluid and the velocity of the body. The results extend a previous investigation of this problem (1), and permit the identification of the separate influences of added mass, normal stresses induced by free vorticity, and viscous skin friction. Illustrative applications are made to airfoil theory, to the calculation of the induced drag of a vortex street and the force on a cylinder moving in a slowly varying rotational mean flow, and to the determination of the viscous drag experienced by solid spheres and bubbles. The theory gives a direct prediction of the drag on a bubble in high-Reynolds-number motion, in contrast to the usual approach in which the drag is determined by equating the viscous dissipation to the work done by the drag force.
Erythrocyte Tropomodulin Isoforms with and without the N-terminal Actin-binding Domain

Erythrocyte tropomodulin (E-Tmod or Tmod1) of 41 kDa is a tropomyosin (TM)-binding protein that caps the slow-growing end of the actin filaments. Its N-terminal half is flexible, whereas the C-terminal half has a single domain structure. E-Tmod/TM5 complex may function as a "molecular ruler" generating actin protofilaments of ∼37 nm. Here we report the discovery of a short isoform of 29 kDa that lacks the N-terminal actin-binding domain (N-ABD) but retains the C-terminal actin-binding domain (C-ABD). E-Tmod29 can be generated by alternative splicing from an upstream promoter or by multiple transcriptional start sites from a downstream promoter. Promoter switching leads to a surge of E-Tmod41 in reticulocytes, which degrades quickly in the cytosol. We expressed recombinant isoforms in Escherichia coli and tested their binding toward TM5, G-actin, and F-actin. Solid-phase binding assays show that, without the N-terminal 102 residues, E-Tmod29 binds to TM5 or G-actin more strongly than E-Tmod41 does, but barely binds to F-actin after TM5 binding. Differential bindings explain the distinct localizations of E-Tmod29 in the cytosol and E-Tmod41 on the membrane. Sequential bindings and immunofluorescent staining further suggest that 1) TM5 binding to E-Tmod41 may open up the flexible N-terminal half, exposing N-ABD and unblocking C-ABD; 2) N-ABD binds to F-actin and C-ABD binds to G-actin; and 3) F-actin binding to N-ABD may prevent G-actin from binding to C-ABD. E-Tmod29 may thus modulate the availability of TM5 and G-actin for E-Tmod41 to construct the protofilament-based membrane skeletal network for circulating erythrocytes.
Motivation and performance in skill and chance defined situations

It was hypothesized that a higher level of motivation would be induced among Ss by instructions which defined a given situation as skill controlled than by instructions which defined the same situation as chance controlled. In order to test this hypothesis a situation in which Ss’ dominant responses were reinforced was employed. Results indicated that skill instructed Ss made significantly more correct responses than chance instructed Ss under these conditions.
Rejection and Victimization among Elementary School Children: The Buffering Role of Classroom-Level Predictors

This study examined features of classroom peer ecologies and teaching practices that may attenuate the prevalence of victimization and its connection to peer rejection. Participants were 1020 elementary school students from 54 classrooms and their teachers followed for one academic year. In the majority of classrooms students who were rejected in fall tended to be victimized in spring, but the strength of this association varied across classrooms. The positive relationship between rejection in the fall and victimization in the spring was stronger in classrooms where victimization was strongly centralized around specific victims in the fall. In addition, victimization in the spring was higher in classrooms that had higher levels of peer rejection in the fall, where victimization was strongly centralized in the fall, and where teachers reported making fewer efforts to reduce social status inequality. This study contributes to a growing body of research into contextual factors that may attenuate negative outcomes associated with peer rejection and reduce levels of peer harassment in elementary school.
Outcome after pediatric liver transplantation impact of living donor transplantation on cost

Abstract Objective To compare the direct health care cost of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with that of cadaver donor liver transplantation (CDLT) in children and identify predictors of cost. Study design All 16 children who underwent LDLT from January 1997 through January 2002 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center comprised the study population. They were matched for age, diagnosis, and nutritional status with 31 children who received CDLT during the same era. A historic cohort analysis was performed. Results There was no difference in the 1-year mortality rates between both groups. Costs associated with graft retrieval contributed 15.3% and 31% of the initial transplant cost for LDLT and CDLT, respectively. Mean cost of care in the first year was 60.3% higher for LDLT than CDLT (P = .01). Multivariate analysis identified biliary complications and insurance status as predictors of cost for initial transplantation (R2 = 0.57), whereas biliary complications and pediatric end stage liver disease scores were identified as predictors of cost of care in the first year after transplantation (R2 = 0.77). Conclusions The comprehensive cost of LDLT in the first year after transplantation is higher than cadaveric transplantation. This must be balanced against the time spent and care needs of patients on the waiting list.
Family Friendly Policies: Helping Mothers Make Ends Meet

Abstract This paper examines how family friendly policies affect mothers' wages. Standard economic theory predicts that workers who desire family friendly policies would accept lower wages, all else equal. However, in the US labor market, the workers who have access to these policies tend to be in the higher-prestige and higher-earning occupations. This study examines the effects on wages of having had access to maternity leave and the ability to control one's schedule, using the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The present-day wages of mothers who were working prior to the birth of their first child and received pay during their maternity leave are 9 percent higher compared to other mothers, controlling for other personal and job-related characteristics. Mothers who report working their current schedule because it helps them address their caring responsibilities—child care, elder care, or care for a sick family member—do not suffer a wage penalty as a result.
An analysis of industrial demand for natural gas

Abstract Several analysts have proposed the theory that there is a frustrated demand for natural gas in the United States. According to this theory, the natural gas curtailments of the 1970s have convinced industrial users that natural gas is not reliably available. The users are willing to buy fuel oil at a premium and store it to assure a reliable energy supply. If this theory is correct, as the supply of natural gas becomes more reliable, natural gas should be able to recapture the market share it lost to fuel oil. To investigate this theory, a state-level data base on demand for fuel oil and natural gas by all manufacturing sectors for 1971 and 1974 to 1979 was developed. Then a model was developed to explain manufacturers' demand for fuel oil and natural gas during this period on the basis of fuel price and the availability of natural gas. Rather than a frustrated demand for natural gas, we find an excess demand for natural gas in several states. Fuel oil may be able to capture the market from natural gas in these states.
The correlation between thermal property variation and high temperature wear transition of rubbing metals

This paper reports the findings of a preliminary investigation of the correlation between the thermal properties of a rubbing material and its wear behavior at elevated temperatures. It is conjectured that, the potential of a material to accommodate a sudden change in its thermal state upon contact is an important factor that influences wear resistance of the material. Accordingly, metals which intrinsically maintain a smooth transition between two thermal states are more likely to display a favorable wear behavior at higher temperatures. Thus for such metals, the nature of transition is conducive to protective layer formation. The results indicate that for all alloys, an equilibrium between the conductive and the diffusive effects is maintained throughout the temperature intervals for which a favorable wear behavior was experimentally reported. Moreover, the bounds of such intervals mark the respective reported wear regime transition temperatures.
Free energy calculation on base specificity of drug--DNA interactions: application to daunomycin and acridine intercalation into DNA.

We present the results of free energy perturbation/molecular dynamics studies on B-DNA · daunomycin and B-DNA · 9-aminoacridine complexes as well as on B-DNA itself in order to calculate the free energy differences between complexes having different base pair sequences. The results generally reproduce the trends observed experimentally, i.e., preferences of acridine and daunomycin to bind to a specific base sequence in the DNA. This is encouraging, given the simplicity of the molecular mechanical/dynamical model in which solvent is not explicitly included.
Chronic pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain is a common medical problem with significant social, psychologic, and economic implications. It accounts for 10% of all gynecologic referrals, 1 40% of laparoscopies, 2 and 12% of hysterectomies 3 performed in the United States. With the highest frequency in young adult women at the peak of their productivity (mean age 30 yrs), chronic pelvic pain is associated with long-term suffering and disability, often leading to marital discord and divorce, loss of employment, and numerous medical and surgical interventions that are frequently unsuccessful and occasionally compounded by untoward effects and complications. The annual medical cost of the disorder is estimated to exceed $2 billion. Chronic pain differs from acute pain not only in duration but also in behavioral, psychologic, and physiologic manifestations. Over the roughly 6 months when the transition from acute to chronic pain occurs, the relief provided by various treatments progressively diminishes both in degree and duration. As the pain becomes chronic, other organ systems may manifest progressive symptomatology, including irritable bowel, urinary bladder dysfunction, diminished sexual interest and response, and low back and pelvic floor pain syndromes. As the physical disability and emotional distress progress over time, the patient's role at work, in the family and in society is altered as support progressively erodes. Eventually, pain becomes the most important problem for both the woman and her family. Hence, the urgent expectation of the physician to cure it. Classic Cartesian teaching assumes that pain is the direct result of pathologic processes. The injured tissue activates neurosensory fibers that register pain sensation to a degree that corresponds to the severity of the pathology. "Real" pain is associated with observable pathology. In the absence of identifiable tissue injury, the pain must be spurious or psychogenic. Although the Cartesian model may hold true for acute pain, it does not apply for most cases for chronic pelvic pain, in which a somatic etiology is identified in less than 50% of patients, and when it is, it may not account for the symptoms. This lack of correlation between the severity of symptoms and objective pathologic findings is a frequent source of exasperation and frustration for both the woman and the physician. The assumption that in the absence of somatic pathology the disorder must be psychogenic is equally frustrating and not supported by scientific evidence. Although depression may be a consequence, especially
(Thermo)dynamic role of receptor flexibility, entropy, and motional correlation in protein-ligand binding.

The binding of 2-amino-5-methylthiazole to the W191G cavity mutant of cytochrome c peroxidase is an ideal test case to investigate the entropic contribution to the binding free energy due to changes in receptor flexibility. The dynamic and thermodynamic role of receptor flexibility are studied by 50 ns-long explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations of three separate receptor ensembles: W191G binding a K+ ion, W191G–2a5mt complex with a closed 190–195 gating loop, and apo with an open loop. We employ a method recently proposed to estimate accurate absolute single-molecule configurational entropies and their differences for systems undergoing conformational transitions. We find that receptor flexibility plays a generally underestimated role in protein–ligand binding (thermo)dynamics and that changes of receptor motional correlation determine such large entropy contributions.
Multifunctional polymeric micelles for delivery of drugs and siRNA

Polymeric micelles, self-assembling nano-constructs of amphiphilic copolymers with a core-shell structure have been used as versatile carriers for delivery of drugs as well as nucleic acids. They have gained immense popularity owing to a host of favorable properties including their capacity to effectively solubilize a variety of poorly soluble pharmaceutical agents, biocompatibility, longevity, high stability in vitro and in vivo and the ability to accumulate in pathological areas with compromised vasculature. Moreover, additional functions can be imparted to these micelles by engineering their surface with various ligands and cell-penetrating moieties to allow for specific targeting and intracellular accumulation, respectively, to load them with contrast agents to confer imaging capabilities, and incorporating stimuli-sensitive groups that allow drug release in response to small changes in the environment. Recently, there has been an increasing trend toward designing polymeric micelles which integrate a number of the above functions into a single carrier to give rise to “smart,” multifunctional polymeric micelles. Such multifunctional micelles can be envisaged as key to improving the efficacy of current treatments which have seen a steady increase not only in hydrophobic small molecules, but also in biologics including therapeutic genes, antibodies and small interfering RNA (siRNA). The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in the development of multifunctional polymeric micelles specifically for delivery of drugs and siRNA. In spite of the tremendous potential of siRNA, its translation into clinics has been a significant challenge because of physiological barriers to its effective delivery and the lack of safe, effective and clinically suitable vehicles. To that end, we also discuss the potential and suitability of multifunctional polymeric micelles, including lipid-based micelles, as promising vehicles for both siRNA and drugs.
Inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase I isolated from the roots of Zanthoxylum nitidum

A methanol extract of Zanthoxylum nitidum found to inhibit topoisomerase I-mediated DNA relaxation and stabilize the covalent binary complex between the enzyme and DNA was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation; three strongly inhibitory principles were identified including nitidine, chelerythrine, and a new alkaloid for which the name isofagaridine is suggested
HPLC and 31P NMR characterization of the reaction between antitumor platinum agents and the phosphorothioate chemoprotective agent S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721)

Abstract In prior studies, we examined the effects of the radioprotective and chemoprotective agent WR-2721 [S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid] on the in vivo biotransformation of the cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)] analog ormaplatin [(d,l)trans-1-1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetrachloroplatinum(IV), Pt(dach)Cl4, (rmformerly called tetraplatin)]. Those data suggested that a direct interaction between WR-2721 and ormaplatin and/or the corresponding Pt(II) drug, Pt(dach)Cl2, may be occurring in vivo. This would be in contrast to the generally accepted hypothesis that WR-2721 is a prodrug that must first be converted by alkaline phosphatase to a free thiol compound, WR-1065, before any appreciable reactivity would be evident. However, the major biotransformation product observed in the peritoneal fluid, plasma, and all tissues was Pt(dach)(WR-1065). We report here on further investigations into the in vitro reactivity of Pt(dach) compounds with WR-2721 and WR-1065. Separation of reaction products resulting from incubation of Pt(dach)(malonato) with either WR-2721 or WR-1065 under physiological conditions gave profiles that were indistinguishable by reverse phase HPLC and cation exchange HPLC at two different pHs. 31P NMR characterization of the dephosphorylation of WR-2721 revealed essentially no loss of inorganic phosphate for up to 24 hr when incubated in unbuffered water at 30 °. In contrast, when incubated with a 1:1 molar ratio of cisplatin under the same conditions, the WR-2721 signal was decreased markedly in the first 5 min, and had disappeared almost completely by 1 hr. The signal corresponding to inorganic phosphate increased in parallel to the decrease in the WR-2721 signal. No intermediate formation of a complex containing both platinum and phosphate could be detected at any time. These data suggest that the reaction between WR-2721 and platinum complexes results in rapid dephosphorylation of WR-2721, and, consequently, that the reaction products formed with either WR-2721 or WR-1065 and Pt(II) complexes are identical.
Effects of absolute ethanol, misoprostol, cimetidine, and phosphate buffer on the morphology of rat gastric mucosae.

Fasted rats were given a single oral dose of one of the following: a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, misoprostol (low dose=100 μg/kg, or high dose=1 mg/kg), cimetidine (low dose=100 μg/kg, or high dose=50 mg/kg), phosphate buffer, or absolute ethanol. A second group of rats received a single oral dose of misoprostol, cimetidine, or phosphate buffer intragastrically, followed 30 min later by a second oral dose of absolute ethanol. Stomachs were either surgically removed and examined grossly or were fixedin situ and prepared for histological observation 15 or 30 min after, the initial dose, or 15 or 30 min after the second dose. Absolute ethanol alone produced grossly visible hemorrhagic lesions and extensive hyperemia and microscopic damage to the glands, which was largely confined to the crests of the rugae. Microscopic examination of nonhemorrhagic areas showed extensive damage of the superficial and gastric pit epithelial cells as well as some endothelial cells and adjacent structures in the lamina propria. Pretreatment with phosphate buffer, or either dose of cimetidine, did not obviate the gross hemorrhagic lesions or the histologic damage produced by absolute ethanol. Both the low and high doses of misoprostol protected the stomach against ethanol-induced gross hemorrhagic lesions but did not completely protect against microscopic damage to the superficial mucosa. Conclusion: the protective action of misoprostol involves mechanisms that prevent hemorrhagic lesions but do not completely shield the superficial mucosa from damage. These mechanisms appear to be independent of misoprostol's antisecretory effects.
The 1st workshop on large-scale multimedia retrieval and mining (LS-MMRM'09)

This workshop, as the first of its kind, aims to bring together researchers and industrial practitioners interested in large-scale multimedia data retrieval and mining. The workshop will provide a venue for the participants to explore a variety of aspects and applications on how advanced multimedia analysis techniques can be leveraged to address the challenges in large-scale data collections.
A role for acetylcholine in spatial memory in turtles

The present research was undertaken to determine whether acetylcholine plays a role in memory for a maze in turtles. Cholinergic cells have been observed in the basal forebrain of turtles, and the basal forebrain of turtles projects to the dorsal cortex, a region that has been implicated in associative function. In Experiment 1, turtles were trained on an X-maze for water reward and then given lesions of the dorsal cortex or basal forebrain or sham lesions and retested postoperatively on the maze. Both dorsal cortex and basal forebrain lesions impaired performance on the maze. In Experiment 2, turtles were trained on the maze and then given saline, scopolamine, or methylscopolamine on a 1-day retention test. Scopolamine in the higher doses impaired maze performance on the test day, but methylscopolamine did not. The highest dose of scopolamine had no effect on measures of general activity, showing that the effects of the drug were specific to the learned task.
Potassium currents from isolated frog lens epithelial cells.

Abstract Using the perforated patch version of whole-cell recording, we have measurd currents from isolated frog lens epithelial cells. Three types of currents were seen. A time-independent outwardly rectifying potassium current was identified that sets the resting voltage. This potassium current differs significantly from any of the potassium currents recorded with the whole-cell technique in mammalian lens epithelial cells. In addition to the potassium current, the two other currents present were both outwardly rectifying: one was time-independent while the other showed distinct activation.
Mechanical strength and mineral content of bone from rats fed acetazolamide.

The mineral content and mechanical strength of the humeri were measured in pair-fed rats fed diets containing 0.05%, 0.2% and 0.5% sodium acetazolamide for 20 days. At all levels employed no significant effect of acetazolamide was seen on the growth, ash content or ash composition of long bones. However, acetazolamide-feeding tended to decrease the breaking strength of humeri. At the level of 0.5% acetazolamide in the diet, this decrease was significant. These findings suggest that caution should be exercised in the use of acetazolamide to control disuse osteoporosis.
Materials derived from biomass/biodegradable materials.

Abstract Interest in biodegradable plastics made from renewable resources has increased significantly in recent years. PHBV (polyhydroxybutyrate-polyhydroxyvalerate) copolymers are good examples of this type of materials. This paper provides an overview of the manufacturing process, properties, biodegradability, and application/commercial issues associated with PHBV copolymers. They are naturally produced by bacteria from agricultural raw materials, and they can be processed to make a variety of useful products, where their biodegradability and naturalness are quite beneficial. PHBV copolymers are still in the first stage of commercialization. But they are presented in this paper as an example of how new technology can help meet society's needs for plastics and a clean environment.
Presystolic Atriogenic Mitral Reflux Developed at Abnormally Long PR Intervals

Atrial and ventricular systoles were controlled electronically in non-thoracotomized dogs with acute heart block. Videodensitometer analysis of selective left ventricular videoangiograms showed presystolic reflux to the left atrium during regular cardiac driving with long atrial-ventricular intervals. Atriogenic mitral valve closure after relatively isolated atrial systole was not as effective as closure either by optimally timed atrial and ventricular systoles or by ventricular systole alone.
Differential effects of dietary calcium augmentation and hormone replacement therapy on bone turnover and serum levels of calcitrophic hormones.

The mechanism of action of retardation of postmenopausal bone loss may be different for dietary calcium augmentation and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). We performed a three-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial comparing an intake of calcium of 1700 mg with: (1) calcium augmentation with HRT and (2) placebo. One hundred and eighteen women entered the study; 17 patients dropped out of the study. The vast majority of women were less than 2 years postmenopause. Bone mineral density declined significantly in the placebo group. The previously reported rates of change in the HRT group were significantly positive for total body calcium and the trochanter and not significantly different from zero for the others. The rate of change in the calcium augmentation group was intermediate between that in the two other groups, and achieved statistical significance compared with placebo for the total body calcium measurement and for the neck of the femur. Measurements were made prior to treatment and at the end of the study (2.9 years ±1.1 SD) for parameters of bone turnover and the calcitrophic hormones, to examine whether the mechanism of action was different for calcium augmentation versus hormonal therapy. There were no changes in the placebo group. The calcium augmentation group had a significant increase in 24-h urinary calcium and declining values for urinary collagen cross-links (pyridi-nium and deoxypyridinium), urinary hydroxyproline and calcitriol. The group treated with HRT and dietary calcium augmentation also had an increase in urinary calcium and a decline in collagen cross-links and urinary hydroxyproline and skeletal alkaline phosphatase; serum calcitriol did not change. The HRT group also displayed a drop in serum osteocalcin, and an increase in nephrogenous cAMP. Serum parathyroid hormone remained unchanged in all groups. Dietary calcium augmentation retards postmenopausal bone loss by decreasing resorption. The addition of HRT results in a more marked decline in bone resorption parameters and a suppression of parameters of bone formation. Whereas calcium augmentation suppressed calcitriol levels, the addition of HRT resulted in maintenance of calcitriol levels, possibly through enhancement of the renal effects of parathyroid hormone, although other mechanisms are possible.
Cervical Spine: Case Presentation, Complications, and Their Prevention

Objective. A number of case presentations of catastrophic outcomes after cervical epidural injections have occurred after both interlaminar and transforaminal injection techniques. Practitioners in pain medicine need guidance to avoid these complications Design. A systematic search of the MEDLINE database, electronically available pain journals, and recent pain and spine meeting abstracts was searched for articles relevant to cervical spine interventional procedure complications. Results. A representative case of cervical radicular pain is presented to illustrate key differences of radicular pain presenting in the cervical area from those in the lumbar area Although cervical interlaminar epidural complications more likely involve direct neurological trauma to the spinal cord or spinal nerve, the mechanism for injury after transforaminal epidural corticosteroid injections is less clear. Many investigators hypothesize that particulate steroids may be the primary cause, in that these particles may occlude segmental medullary feeding arteries that reinforce the longitudinal anterior spinal artery supply to the spinal cord. Anatomical nomenclature of spinal cord blood supply and variants of normal are presented. Conclusions. Specific examples of potential injury avoidance strategies are discussed, including: 1) the use of nonparticulate steroid preparations; 2) needle bevel/size and other technical considerations; 3) preprocedural planning and sedation considerations; 4) test dosing with local anesthetics; and 5) imaging considerations, including the use of digital subtraction to better define angiographic patterns. Recommendations for the conduct of cervical epidural injection procedures are discussed.
ADS-B feasibility study for commercial space flight operations

This paper introduces a concept of integrating commercial space flight operations with conventional aviation operations in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). This paper reviews the current space surveillance systems and conducts a feasibility study on the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) to aid the integration. The scope of this paper is focused on the surveillance services of the future suborbital commercial space vehicles (e.g., Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs)), commercial space flight operations inside the National Airspace System (NAS), and their impacts or potential hazards on the NAS. The objective of the study is to build a dynamic system to coordinate aircraft and commercial space vehicles simultaneously, so that the impact of the commercial space flight operations on the NAS can be minimized. A conceptual view of future space transportation system and background of ADS-B are introduced. Space flight profiles and parameters for this paper are demonstrated. ADS-B-related system issues and space-related technical issues, which need to be resolved to support commercial space flight operations are shown, and recommendations or potential solutions are given to them.
The effect of cyclic creep on grain-boundary cavitation in ceramics

Small-angle neutron scattering has been used to characterize the cavity distribution in crept samples of a hot-pressed silicon carbide, which contained a thin continuous amorphous phase, and a sintered alumina, which contained no amorphous phase. The compression creep experiments were performed under cyclic loading at 1600° C and a frequency of 0.33 Hz. Comparison of the cavitation rates under cyclic loading with previously measured rates under static loading indicates that cavitation in the silicon carbide was unaffected by the cyclic loading, while the cavity volume fraction and the cavity size in the alumina were slightly increased by the cyclic loading. The results suggest that 0.33 Hz is too slow a frequency to affect the stress distribution and thus cavitation in the glassy phase containing silicon carbide, but it is rapid enough to accelerate cavitation in the absence of a glassy phase. This hypothesis is supported both by experimental results from other ceramic and metal systems and by calculations of characteristic stress relaxation times.
Neurotoxic effects of apolipoprotein E4 are mediated via dysregulation of calcium homeostasis

The association of the E4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE4) as a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been well established. Although recent studies in neuronal cell lines and transgenic mice have shown that apoE4 promotes neurodegeneration, the mechanisms through which apoE4 impairs neuronal viability are not completely understood. In this context, the main objective of the present study was to determine whether the neurotoxic effects of apoE4 are mediated by an alteration in calcium homeostasis. For this purpose, effects of recombinant apoE3 and apoE4 on cell viability and intracellular calcium levels were analyzed in a murine hippocampal cell line (HT22) and in primary rat cortical neurons, in the presence or absence of calcium inhibitors. Under basal conditions, apoE4-treated cells displayed increased levels of cytosolic calcium associated with cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, apoE4 treatment potentiated the rise in cytosolic calcium and cell death following the administration of a calcium ionophore. The effects of apoE4 on cell viability and calcium homeostasis were inhibited by calcium chelators or by blocking calcium channels, but not by inhibitors of intracellular calcium reserves. Taken together, these results indicate that the neurotoxic effects of apoE4 are dependent on extracellular calcium influx via calcium channels.
Harmonically mode-locked erbium-doped waveguide laser

The generation of ultrastable picosecond pulses in the 1550 nm range is required for numerous applications that include photonic analog-to-digital converter systems and high-bit rate optical communication systems. Mode-locked erbium-doped fiber ring lasers (EDFLs) are typically used to generate pulses at this wavelength. In addition to timing stability and output power, the physical size of the laser cavity is of primary importance to the Air Force. The length of the erbium (Er)-doped fiber used as the gain medium may be on the order of meters or even tens of meters which adds complexity to packaging. However, with the recent advancements in the production of multi-component glasses, higher doping concentrations can be achieved as compared to silicate glasses. Even more recent is the introduction of Er-doped multi-component glass waveguides, thus allowing the overall footprint of the gain medium to be reduced. We have constructed a novel harmonically mode-locked fiber ring laser using the Er-doped multi-component glass waveguide as the gain medium. The performance characteristics of this Er-doped waveguide laser (EDWL) including pulse width, spectral width, harmonic suppression, optical output power, laser stability and single sideband residual phase noise will be discussed in this paper.
Aggregating and Testing Intra-Individual Correlations: Methods and Comparisons

From a longitudinal study, we have repeatedly measured data from multiple individuals at multiple occasions. For each individual, the relation between 2 variables can be measured by the Pearson's correlation. The question is how to aggregate the multiple correlations and conduct statistical inference on the aggregated intra-individual correlation. Several methods are proposed to aggregate and test intra-individual correlations: (a) a meta-analysis method based on Fisher's Z transformed correlations, (b) a meta-analysis method based on the Pearson's correlations, and (c) a multilevel modeling method using data standardized within each individual. The performance of the methods after bias corrections was compared using simulations with considering factors including numbers of individuals, numbers of time points, population effect sizes, and their distribution forms (homogeneous vs heterogeneous). The results from the simulation studies show that estimation biases were found using the meta-analytic methods and suggestions on when and how to correct biases were provided based on the simulation results. Furthermore, the performance of the 3 methods after necessary bias corrections was found to be comparable and reasonably good, indicating that all 3 methods worked for aggregating and testing intra-individual correlations. An empirical daily diary data set was then used to illustrate the applications of the 3 methods. The assumptions, advantages and disadvantages, and possible extensions of the 3 methods were discussed.
Deep-level spectroscopy of reactively sputtered a-Si:H films

Abstract We have performed light-induced modulation of absorption spectroscopy, thermally stimulated current spectroscopy, capacitance measurements as a function of temperature and frequence, and electron spin resonance experiments on reactively sputtered a-Si:H films. We find evidence for seven different localized gap states in a range of ±0.4 eV around the midgap region. The possible origin of these states is discussed.
The dynamics of helicobacter pylori infection of the human stomach

Abstract Helicobacter pyloriis a bacterial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract of humans causing chronic superficial gastritis which persists for decades. The mechanism by whichH. pyloriis able to persist, despite environmental constraints, remains unknown. Therefore, a model is proposed describing the interactions ofH. pyloriwith its host, involving an autoregulatory network in which inflammation leads to nutrient release. A determinist mathematical model examining the interactions necessary to maintain chronic infection indicates that this proposed autoregulatory network can produce steady-state solutions, and the model is robust in encompassing biological variations.
Development of transmitters in dual-frequency transducers for interventional contrast enhanced imaging and acoustic angiography

Spatial limitation can be a challenge to interventional ultrasound transducers for dual-frequency contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, or acoustic angiography. A low frequency (< 3 MHz) transmission with moderate peak negative pressure (PNP) and short pulse length is not easily attainable within limited dimensions. In this paper, a new design of the low frequency transmitter of dual-frequency transducers is presented. 1–3 composites for interventional transmitter design were analyzed by the Krimholtz-Leedom-Matthaei (KLM) model and finite element analysis (FEA). The dual frequency transducer prototype with a 2 MHz 1–3 composite transmitter and a 14 MHz receiver was fabricated and characterized, followed by microbubble detection tests. The transmitter showed the peak negative pressure (PNP) of −1.5 MPa. The −6 dB pulse echo fractional bandwidth for the transmitter and receiver were 61 % and 45 %, respectively. The prototyped dual frequency transducer was used to successfully excite microbubbles and to detect super harmonic responses from microbubbles. The measured harmonic signal showed a 12 dB contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).
The Sea Urchin Genome: Where Will It Lead Us?

The sea urchin genome reveals large domains of biology heretofore unexplored at the genome level, as this is the first nonchordate deuterostome sequence. The sequence will accelerate progress toward complete understanding of the genomic regulatory system that controls developmental specification and morphogenetic function, thus illuminating basic developmental process in all animals.
Dissociation of dilute immiscible copper alloy thin films

The dissociation behavior of dilute, immiscible Cu-alloy thin films is found to fall into three broad categories that correlate most closely with the form of the Cu-rich end of the binary alloy phase diagrams. Available thermodynamic and tracer diffusion data shed further light on alloy behavior. Eight alloying elements were selected for these studies, with five elements from groups 5 and 6, two from group 8, and one from group 11 of the periodic table. They are respectively V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, Fe, Ru, and Ag. The progress of precipitation in approximately 500-nm-thick alloy films, containing 2.5–3.8 at. % solute, was followed with in situ resistance and stress measurements as well as with in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction. In addition, texture analysis and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the evolution of microstructure and texture of Cu(Ta) and Cu(Ag). For all eight alloys, dissociation occurred upon heating, with the rejection of solute and evolution of microstructure often ...
Sequential optical logic implementation

An optical system that performs sequential binary logic operations is described. The system consists of a spatial light modulator (SLM) used to provide a nonlinear threshold response and a computer-generated hologram to provide interconnections between logic gates. A 2-D array of logic gates with binary inputs and outputs is formed on the active surface of the SLM. These gates are interconnected by a 2-D array of subholograms, one for each gate. Arbitrary logic circuits consisting of NOR gates and inverters can be implemented, and the system can be reconfigured by changing a single holographic element. The system is demonstrated using a twisted-nematic liquid crystal light valve as the SLM. A test circuit is implemented that includes a synchronous master–slave flip-flop and an oscillator consisting of five inverters in a feedback loop. Experimental results of this test circuit are presented.
Density Functional Theory Applied to Structure and Vibrational Band Analysis of an Aggregated Thiacarbocyanine

Density functional theory at the B3LYP level, using the 6-31G(d) basis set, was employed to calculate structural properties (e.g., bond distances, bond angles, charge distributions, and Raman vibra...
Tree pruning with subadditive penalties

In this paper we study the problem of pruning a binary tree by minimizing, over all pruned subtrees of the given tree, an objective function that combines an additive cost term with a penalty term that depends only on tree size. We present algorithms for general size-based penalties, although our focus is on subadditive penalties (roughly, penalties that grow more slowly than linear penalties with increasing tree size). Such penalties are motivated by recent results in statistical learning theory for decision trees, but may have wider application as well. We show that the family of pruned subtrees induced by a subadditive penalty is a subset of the family induced by an additive penalty. This implies (by known results about additive penalties) that the family induced by a subadditive penalty 1) is nested; 2) is unique; and 3) can be computed efficiently. It also implies that, when a single tree is to be selected by cross-validation from the family of prunings, subadditive penalties will never present a richer set of options than an additive penalty.
Phenytoin-dexamethasone interaction: a previously unreported observation.

A possible drug interaction between phenytoin and dexamethasone was evaluated by comparing serum phenytoin concentrations in 23 patients receiving both drugs with those of a control group of 15 patients receiving phenytoin only. Serum phenytoin concentrations obtained 24 hours after a loading dose of 11 mg per kilogram body weight administered intravenously and 13 mg/kg given intramuscularly were examined. The total amounts of dexamethasone administered during the 24-hour period ranged from 16 to 150 mg. The average serum phenytoin concentration was 17.28 ± 3.49 μg/ml in patients receiving both drugs, as compared to 12.48 ± 3.52 μg/ml in patients receiving only phenytoin ( p
Creating and Sustaining Problem-Based Partnerships among Graduate, Undergraduate, and K-12 Learners: Opportunities and Challenges

This article outlines a K-12 college learning partnership that has evolved over the past two years at the University at Albany, SUNY. Two faculty members with the School of Information Science & Policy (SISP) Joette Stefl-Mabry and Jennifer Goodall Powers, with administrative support of their Associate Dean, Carol Doll, have integrated problem-based learning (PBL) into graduate and undergraduate curricula to establish partnerships with local K-12 school districts. Dynamic PBL environments link K-12 schools, School Library Media (SLM) graduate students, and undergraduate students majoring in information science to develop content, delivery, and assessment methods for K-12 curricula while at the same time strengthening graduate and undergraduate curricula by incorporating real-world challenges into coursework. Through this partnership, K-12 schools benefit from research-based best practices in educational technology and information science graduate and undergraduate students experience real career situation...