cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a decade of the African Union's protection of human rights and democracy: a post-Tahrir assessment

When the African Union was established, replacing the Organisation of African Unity, many were enthusiastic that it would champion the cause of human rights and democracy, one of the areas in which its predecessor had failed. Among the reasons for optimism was the fact that the African Union's Constitutive Act was a lot more empathetic for the cause of human rights and democratic ideals. This article contends that, while the Constitutive Act might be potentially important, it is but one among many conditioning factors for the Union's actions. The article argues that the most important determining factor for the Union's success or failure is the human rights track record of member states and the perceived or real dependence of elites within these states on human rights violations. Other conditioning factors, such as international legal obligations created by the Constitutive Act and other treaties, pressure from pan-African sentiment within the AU, and pressure from the AU's human rights organs play only a secondary and a comparatively minor role in affecting the AU's behaviour.
Bowlby's Legacy to Developmental Psychology

In formulating attachment theory, Bowlby made a number of important conceptual contributions to our understanding of human development. Discussed here are the balance (rather than the conflict) between attachment and exploration, the concept of internal working models, and the parent as a psychological secure base. In addition, Bowlby's "theory of reality" is examined, integration of Bowlby's and Erikson's ideas regarding attachment and culture is suggested, and Bowlby's open-minded ap- proach to theory construction is acknowledged.
A Review of Hydro “Fracking” and Its Potential Effects on Real Estate

In this paper we review the phenomena of hydro ‘‘fracking’’ operations for oil and gas in the United States. We provide background information on fracking, a summary of federal and state fracking d...
Current trends in home health care

The historical development and future of home health-care (HHC) services are reviewed from the perspectives of hospitals and hospital pharmacists. Hospitals have had three choices available to them for offering HHC services: refer patients to outside vendor, establish joint ventures, or establish independent programs. The market strategies of HHC vendors are reviewed, and the factors that portend continued rapid growth for HHC are discussed. An active role by hospital pharmacy directors in planning hospital HHC services is advocated. HHC offers an opportunity for hospital pharmacists to contribute to the financial well-being of the institution and to better patient care.
Parametric Study of Influence of Profile Geometry on Structural Performance of Buried Profile-Wall Pipe

A study at Utah State University examined the performance of buried high-density polyethylene profile-wall pipe to provide guidance for its proper design. One aspect of this effort was a parametric study of various pipe profiles through use of linear, three-dimensional finite element models. An experimental portion of this project showed that pipes that performed well in buried tests also performed well in parallel-plate tests. This paper summarizes the results of a parametric study of profile-wall pipes in parallel-plate tests. Among the several profile features examined were pipe profile height, profile curvature, wall angle, rib width, and wall thicknesses. In the completed parametric studies, a single dimension was varied while most of the remaining parameters were maintained at constant values. To simplify the analysis, this effort was limited to linear finite element models: the displacements are assumed to be small and the material linear elastic. The small displacement assumption was accurate for ...
Childhood growth and age at diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes in Colorado young people

Objective Studies have suggested that the age at diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is decreasing over time. The overload hypothesis postulates that risk factors, such as accelerated growth, may be responsible for this decrease. We assessed changes in age, body mass index (BMI), weight and height at diagnosis with T1D in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and Hispanic (HISP) young people from Colorado, using data from the IDDM Registry and SEARCH Study. Methods In three time periods, 656 (1978–1983), 562 (1984–1988) and 712 (2002–2004) young people aged 2–17 years were newly diagnosed with T1D. Age, weight, height and presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis with T1D were obtained from medical records. Trends over the three time periods were assessed with regression analyses. Results Age at diagnosis decreased by 9.6 months over time (P = 0.0002). Mean BMI standard deviation score (SDS), weight SDS and height SDS increased over time (P < 0.0001), while prevalence of DKA decreased (P < 0.0001). Increasing height over time accounted for 15% (P = 0.04) of the decreasing age at diagnosis with T1D. Conclusions Our study provides evidence that increased linear growth, but not increased BMI or weight over time, may account, at least in part, for the younger age at diagnosis of T1D in Colorado children. This finding supports the hypothesis that increasing environmental pressure resulting from changes in potentially preventable risk factors may accelerate the onset of T1D in children.
Non-stomal continent reservoir: use of detubularized ileal segment for bladder replacement

Total bladder replacement after cystoprostatectomy was performed in 2 patients using a detubularized segment of ileum to construct a continent urinary reservoir. A small part of the segment remained tubular for anastomosis to the urethra. The ureters were implanted into the reservoir using an antireflux technique. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Continence was maintained by the patients' external urethral sphincter. Two bowel configurations in 2 patients are described. The preliminary results with both configurations have been encouraging, with 1 patient achieving total continence. The detubularized ileal reservoir appears to offer technical and functional advantages over other tubular and detubularized bowel segments used for bladder replacement.
TDMA for primary users and CSMA for secondary users in a cognitive radio network

Both TDMA and CSMA are effective media access protocols, which can also be important elements of more advanced protocols. In this paper, we investigate TDMA and slotted CSMA protocols in a cognitive radio network, where primary users have higher priority than secondary users and secondary users need to monitor the channel to avoid interference to the primary users. It is thus proposed that TDMA is used for primary users to access the channel and secondary users use slotted CSMA to sense the time slots of TDMA and transmit their packets during idle time slots. A Rayleigh fading channel is considered and we derive the throughput of TDMA and slotted CSMA for the primary and secondary networks.
Cortical blindness: Clinical and radiologic findings in reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome: Case report and review of the literature

Purpose To alert ophthalmologists to the recognition of cortical visual loss as the presenting feature in patients with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLES). Unique radiologic findings are paramount to the diagnosis. Design Interventional case report. Methods A patient was seen with perioperative bilateral cerebral visual loss that was misinterpreted initially as an irreversible ischemic event. Further detailed analysis of the radiologic findings and clinical history led to the correct diagnosis. Main outcome measures Visual acuity and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Results Recognition of the correct diagnosis of RPLES led to the institution of antihypertensive therapy and recovery of normal vision. Conclusions The diagnosis of RPLES should be considered in all patients with acute cerebral visual loss, especially in the setting of recent surgery, blood transfusion, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant use, hypertension, eclampsia, or seizures. Prompt diagnosis requires close collaboration with a radiologist and an emergent MRI study, which ideally should include diffusion-weighted imaging with calculation of an apparent diffusion coefficient map. Differentiation from acute cerebral ischemia is important in order to avoid permanent visual loss by prompt and vigorous treatment of exacerbating factors such as intermittent hypertension. Prompt diagnosis will also help to avoid potentially dangerous invasive procedures such as thrombolytic therapy.
The pathologic spectrum of the nephropathy associated with α1-antitrypsin deficiency

To further define the clinicopathologic spectrum and pathogenetic mechanism of the nephropathy associated with α 1 -antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency, we evaluated renal specimens from 34 patients with chronic hepatic disease, including 20 with A1AT deficiency (study patients), and correlated these findings with urinalysis evaluation. Glomerular lesions were noted in 79% (15 of 19) of A1AT patients with the PiZZ phenotype, including seven with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MPGN and focal segmental MPGN), six with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (Mes GN), one with diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN), and one with focal segmental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with segmental necrosis (FS Nec GN). One A1AT patient with the PiMZ phenotype did not demonstrate glomerular abnormalities. Focal segmental Mes GN was found in 43% (six of 14) of patients in an age-matched group with chronic hepatic failure unrelated to A1AT deficiency. In nine study patients, glomerular pathology was noted in the presence of a normal urinalysis. Immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of immunoproteins and the A1AT protein isoelectric forms, PiM and PiZ, in the subendothelial region of glomerular basement membranes in A1AT patients with MPGN, Mes GN, and DPGN. Our results emphasize the heterogeneity of glomerular lesions associated with A1AT deficiency and hepatic disease and the relatively high incidence of MPGN in these children. The presence of abnormal PiZ protein in the subendothelial region of the glomerular basement membrane in A1AT patients with glomerulonephritis suggests a possible role for this protein in the pathogenesis of this lesion.
Linguists and Foreign Language Teachers.

Since foreign language teachers are neither structural nor transformational linguists, the current controversy between the two linguistic schools has caused uncertainty about the validity of audiolingual techniques. Addressing itself to the foreign language teacher and his dilemma, the article briefly examines the two theories, their affinities, and their associations with more general theories of knowledge, particularly with learning psychology. It draws the implications of each position for the teaching of foreign languages and ends with the suggestion that we continue using structurally-based audio-lingual techniques, but enrich them with experimental infusions from the transformationalist position. While remaining alert for possible new developments in language teaching techniques, the teacher can then safely leave the infighting to the professional linguists.
Off-label use of drugs and devices: role of medical professionals in the establishment of parameters for their use.

UNLABELLED Physicians may use approved drugs and devices in ways not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, a process termed off-label use. Often, because there is not suitable data defining safety and efficacy, the results of such use may become problematic, as occurred with the off-label use by spine surgeons of bone morphogenetic proteins in anterior cervical fusions. Using this undesirable history of bone morphogenetic proteins, and the historical record of the introduction of another drug, chymopapain, a method is developed and presented whereby such drugs or devices in the future may be studied by the professional medical specialties themselves outside the New Drug Application process, but with appropriate input from government and industry. ABBREVIATIONS : AANS, American Association of Neurological SurgeonsACDF, anterior cervical discectomy and fusionACF, anterior cervical fusionBMP, bone morphogenetic proteinCNS, Congress of Neurological SurgeonsDJDD, degenerative joint and disc diseaseFDA, US Food and Drug Administration.
Pain, stiffness, and fatigue in juvenile polyarticular arthritis: contemporaneous stressful events and mood as predictors.

Objective To analyze patterns of stress, mood, disease symptoms, and activity reduction in children with polyarticular arthritis, using a prospective daily diary method. Methods For a 2-month period, 51 children with polyarticular arthritis (mean age 12.4 years, 65% female) completed daily diaries that included measures of symptoms of pain, stiffness, and fatigue, as well as stress, mood, and activity reduction. Functional status and disease activity were assessed at the initial and followup evaluations with use of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, physician global assessment, joint count, and laboratory testing. Results Children reported having pain, stiffness, and fatigue on >70% of days, with significant variability in symptom levels. Results revealed significant same-day relationships between stress, mood, and disease symptoms, after controlling for covariates. Specifically, daily fluctuations in both stress and mood were predictive of increased pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Increases in daily stress, mood, and disease symptoms were also significantly related to decreased participation in social activities on a day-to-day basis. Only mood and stiffness were predictors of a cutback in school attendance. Conclusion Stress and mood are important predictors of daily disease symptoms in children with polyarticular arthritis. Moreover, daily fluctuations in stress, mood, and disease symptoms are predictive of aspects of daily function, including participation in school and social activities. Thus, health care providers should solicit daily symptom reports when making decisions regarding clinical management. Nonpharmacologic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and stress management may be useful adjuvant therapy when treating the disease symptoms of children with polyarticular arthritis.
Should Pentecostal Theology be Analytic Theology

As pentecostal theology develops, it will become more sophisticated philosophically. Pentecostal theology should benefit from the gains of analytic theology, an approach to systematic theology characterized by certain tendencies within analytic philosophy. In addition to qualities like clarity and precision, such methodology may also enhance spiritual practice by encouraging meditation and discursive prayer in connection with speculative theology.
The C-terminal α Helix of Tn5 Transposase Is Required for Synaptic Complex Formation

An important step in Tn5 transposition requires transposase-transposase homodimerization to form a synaptic complex competent for cleavage of transposon DNA free from the flanking sequence. We demonstrate that the C-terminal helix of Tn5 transposase (residues 458-468 of 476 total amino acids) is required for synaptic complex formation during Tn5 transposition. Specifically, deletion of eight amino acids or more from the C terminus greatly reduces or abolishes synaptic complex formation in vitro. Due to this impaired synaptic complex formation, transposases lacking eight amino acids are also defective in the cleavage step of transposition. Interactions within the synaptic complex dimer interface were investigated by site-directed mutagenesis, and residues required for synaptic complex formation include amino acids comprising the dimer interface in the Tn5 inhibitor x-ray crystal structure dimer. Because the crystal structure dimer was hypothesized to be the inhibitory complex and not a synaptic complex, this result was surprising. Based on these data, models for both in vivo and in vitro synaptic complex formation are presented.
Critical role of a buried interface in the Stranski-Krastanov growth of metallic nanocrystals: quantum size effects in Ag/Si(111)-(7×7).

We show that the buried interface between a metallic nanocrystal and its supporting substrate is essential for understanding the stability of the ubiquitous class of nanomaterials that grow on a wetting layer in the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. Importantly, these new results reveal the broad role played by quantum confinement effects in the growth of thin nanoscale metals. In situ x-ray scattering experiments on Ag/Si(111)-$(7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7)$, where the apparent minimum stable thickness of the first two atomic layers on top of the wetting layer has posed a long-standing puzzle, show that the commensurate wetting layer is locally removed by the formation of incommensurate nanoislands, which is unanticipated for the conventional Stranski-Krastanov growth mode. The anomalous lattice expansion that had been previously proposed is not observed, and these new results for Ag are explained by electron confinement effects whose manifestation differs from other metals.
Syntheses and Fluorescence of Salicylaldimine Schiff Base Derivatives of 1,1′-Di(aminoethylaminocarbonylalkyl)-2,2′-biimidazole

The amide-amine, 1,1′-di(aminoethylaminocarbonylethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (DAEPB) (1), and subsequent Schiff base imine product, 1,1′-di(salicylaldiminoethylaminocarbonylethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (DSEB) (2a), have been synthesized from the ester, 1,1′-di(ethoxycarbonylethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (DEPB). Additionally, 1,1′-di(salicylaldiminoethylaminocarbonylmethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (DSMB) (2b), was prepared from its corresponding amide-amine. All compounds were characterized with FTIR, NMR and elemental analyses. The salicylaldimines, compounds (2a) and (2b), exhibit fluorescence at 540 and 520 nm, respectively, over a broad range of excitation wavelengths.
Succinic dehydrogenase in rat ovarian tissues during pregnancy and lactation.

IT WAS SHOWN in a previous report from this laboratory (Meyer, McShan and Erway, 1945) that the ovaries of pregnant and pseudopregnant rats were high in succinic dehydrogenase (SDH-ase) and that this high activity was due to the lutein tissue rather than the other ovarian tissues. However, the determinations during pregnancy were made on days 18 and 20 of gestation, and therefore information is not available as to the way in which this enzyme changes in activity throughout pregnancy and lactation. Thus it was of interest to determine the SDH-ase activity of the corpora lutea and other ovarian tissues at intervals during these two phases of the reproductive cycle. The results obtained are presented in this report. EXPERIMENTAL Sprague-Dawley rats approximately 4 months of age were used in the study. Males were introduced into cages containing females on the day preceding the next estimated estrus and the females were examined on the following morning to determine whether insemination had taken place.
Bleeding in the brain: Killer waves of depolarization in subarachnoid bleed

Hemorrhages in the brain are responsible for about 15% of strokes and are particularly difficult to treat. Costantino Iadecola assesses a new clinical study that may change the view of why a common form of hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, often leads to death. Massive brain lesions often develop days after the initial event, a dangerous complication previously attributed to vasospasm, narrowing of the arteries. The study suggests that these lesions may instead by caused by neuronal depolarization, extending in waves across the brain. Gregory del Zoppo explores the connection between deposition of toxic amyloid-β peptides in the brain and hemorrhage. He discusses studies suggesting that the peptides inactivate proteins in the blood that can stop hemorrhage.
The Definition and Measurement of Individual Condition in Evolutionary Studies

Over the past four decades, as the use of the term condition has become more frequent, the meaning of the term has become increasingly vague. This is especially true in evolutionary theory where condition is now equated with reproductive value, genetic quality, or defined as the ‘total pool of resources available for reproduction.’ Condition with the latter meaning is essentially impossible to measure empirically because it is associated with multiple attributes, such as nutritional state, health, experience, foraging success, ability to cope with environmental pressures, and social status, that collectively affect individual fitness. The addition of qualifying terms that often precede condition (e.g., phenotypic, energetic, and nutritional) and the usage of terms that describe an individual's state (e.g., physiological state, energetic state, and nutritional state) add confusion to the issue. It is therefore important to evaluate the meaning of condition, the limits of its usefulness, and how it can be best measured. We suggest using a more narrow definition of condition, amenable to empirical study, would benefit evolutionary and behavioral studies.
THE MORPHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF PYXICOLA NOLANDI N. SP. (CILIATA, PERITRICHIDA, VAGINICOLIDAE).

SYNOPSIS. Pyxicola nolandi, n. sp., is a loricate peritrich favored by clean pond water. The yellowish-brown lorica measures 74 × 25 μ, on the average; supported by a noncontractile stalk, it resembles a vase with a slightly curved neck bearing an oblique opening. The stalk, ∼ 13 × 6 μ, is marked by vertical lines which give it a corrugated appearance. The bluish-gray translucent truncated body is protrusible beyond the lorica's opening, averages 87 × 15 μ, and is characterized as follows. An expansive sphincter collar that extends into a narrow shelf; 3 rows of concentrically spiralling peristomial membranes; prominent “soie de Lachmann” visible when peristomial region expands; a slightly lobulated discshaped operculum originating on the ventro-lateral surface of the peristomial collar, averaging 15 μ in diameter, and overhanging the edge of the lorica when the body extends; one contractile vacuole; C-shaped macronucleus; micronuclcus ∼ 6 times 3 μ Large populations were found in June, July, and August, attached to the alga Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and to other kinds of filamentous algae. The peritrich was scarce in winter, but it was found even when the pond was covered with ice, providing that Rhizoclonizm survived in the cold weather. Some aspects of binary fission, lorica formation, conjugation, environmental pREFERENCES, and maintenance are described. The peritrich was cultivated in laboratory aquaria. Clones were established repeatedly from pond D-7 and from laboratory aquaria. Loricae were stained successfully with Congo red. Nuclear phenomena were revealed with the Feulgen technique. Silver impregnation was unsuccessful, thus far.
Cynthia B. Roy, Interpreting as a discourse process. (Oxford studies in sociolinguistics.) New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Pp. v, 141. Hb $35.00.

As indicated by the title, this book steers away from traditional, atheoretical, praxis-oriented frameworks for studying interpreting. Its strength lies in its call for research that describes interpreted events as a means of moving away from prescriptive approaches to the discipline. The book discusses Roy's own application of discourse theory in her analysis of a videotaped interpreted event. The languages represented in that event are American Sign Language (ASL) and English, but the conclusions and recommendations made by the author are equally relevant to both signed and spoken language researchers, interpreters, interpreter trainers, and interpreters in training. Drawing on research in interactional sociolinguistics, Conversation Analysis, and ethnography of communication, Roy provides a rich description and analysis of a 30-minute meeting between a deaf student and a professor at a U.S. university. Through her analysis, Roy challenges the belief that interpreters serve as a conduit providing direct interaction between primary interlocutors.
Increase of calmodulin-stimulated striatal particulate phosphorylation response in chronic haloperidol-treated rats.

Abstract Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and phosphatase activities were studied in rat striatal particulate preparations. The effect of Ca 2+ (0.1–0.5 mM) on phosphorylation was completely abolished in the preparation which had been washed 3 times with a buffer containing ethylene glycol bis-(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA, 1.2 mM). Ca 2+ -stimulated phosphorylation was restored in a dose-dependent manner after calmodulin (1 μg) was added to the assays. Ca 2+ and calmodulin promoted the phosphate incorporation into two major striatal protein bands with estimated M r at 52 and 40 kdaltons. The presence of phosphatase in the EGTA-pretreated preparations was negligible. Chronic treatment in rats with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, 20 days) produced a significant decrease in the Ca 2+ -independent phosphorylation but an increase in the extent of Ca 2+ and calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation in the striatum. The chronic haloperidol treatment did not alter the striatal [ 125 I]calmodulin binding curve. In vitro, haloperidol (even at 10 −4 M) had no effect on calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. Haloperidol (10 −4 M) did not reduce the number but decreased the rate of [ 125 I]calmodulin binding to the striatal particulates. These data suggest that the link between dopamine receptors and calmodulin-dependent enzyme is dissociated in vitro. On the other hand, the potential sensitivity of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the chronic haloperidol-treated rats correlated with the supersensitive dopamine receptor responses occurred in these rats. Therefore, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase may biochemically regulate dopamine receptor function in the striatum in vivo.
Effects of constraint and validity of sentence contexts on lexical decisions

Recent models of sentence context effects predict that the pattern of facilitation and inhibition of response to sentence completions should be influenced by the experiment-wide contextual “environment.” In the present experiments, this environment was manipulated in several ways, including the degree to which contexts constrained possible completions, the probability of predictable completions’ being presented, and the probability of congruous completions’ being presented. In Experiment 1, decreasing the proportion of congruent test words had no effect on either the facilitation for highly likely words or the inhibition for incongruent words; increasing the proportion of predictable words produced no increase in facilitation for these words, but did increase the inhibition for incongruous words. In Experiment 2, contexts with very high or very low degrees of constraint produced equivalent results when predictability was uniformly low: no facilitation for unlikely but congruent words, and inhibition for incongruent words. In general, the patterns of change in facilitation and inhibition caused by changes in the contextual environment were more consistent with the modified two-process model (Stanovich & West, 1983) than with the verification model (Becker, 1982). But the limited range of influence suggests that, under conditions approximating normal reading, little use is made of such “metacontextual” information.
Collagen in the ageing human intervertebral disc : an increase in covalently bound fluorophores and chromophores

Abstract Human disc tissue gradually changes in colour from white in the young to yellow brown in the elderly. It was investigated to what degree this colouration and an associated fluorescence (which are characteristic of the non-enzymic reaction products of sugars or oxidized lipids with proteins), were the result of covalent derivatives on the collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins. Annulus fibrosus was obtained from four subjects aged 19 to 92 years. Papain-solubilized samples of tissue showed increasing yellow colour and the glycation-related fluorescence with age. On chromatography of CNBr-digests of tissue, the yellow colour and fluorescence remained bound to the CNBr-peptide fragments of the collagen and other matrix proteins. One peptide, α1(II)CB12 (from type II collagen), was selected for purification and shown to contain increasing amounts of the characteristic fluorescence with age. Sequencing by Edman degradation over 24 cycles confirmed the identity of the peptide, and by analysis of a portion of the PTH-derivatives showed fluorescence at cycle 11, a lysine residue. The results imply that much of the yellow colour and characteristic fluorescence that accumulate in ageing human discs are contributed by covalent adducts (possibly derived from non-enzymic reactions with carbohydrates or lipids) linked to the collagen and probably to other long-lived matrix proteins. The disc is perhaps particularly susceptible to such protein modifications because, being large and avascular, of its tendency to a low oxygen tension. Such modifications to structural proteins may contribute to the commonly observed degeneration and impaired material function of ageing disc tissue.
Viscoelastic response of intervertebral disks at audiofrequencies

The viscoelastic responses of intervertebral disks taken from the cervical regions of the spinal columns of several adult, male, mongrel dogs have been determined. The results are presented in terms of a mean complex shear compliance,Jd*=J′d−iJ″d, for the disk structures when these are subjected to small-amplitude audiofrequency vibrations (25–5000 Hz) while surrounded by normal salt solution, both at room temperatures and at 98·6°F (37.0°C) (in vitro). Values of the general compliance levels decrease with time after sacrifice, and an abrupt transition in the 100-Hz compliance-time curves at 5·5 hours after death is attributed to the completion of rigor mortis (at room temperature). Comparisons of the broad compliance-frequency disk spectra with those of five synthetic polymeric materials, including a silicone rubber, are presented and suggestions for materials suitable to be used in disk prosthesis are made. Such materials must have values of both elastic compliance (J′) and viscous compliance (J″) which are close to the corresponding living disk compliances. A brief discussion of the characteristic sharp resonance dispersions or fine structure observed in the disk spectra is also presented along with suggestions for future measurements. Finally, the idea is advanced that a composite synthetic structure with a stiff, outer ring of low compliance and a very compliant inner core might most satisfactorily mimic the viscoelastic behaviour of a normal intervertebral diskin vivo.
V617F “JAKs” up myeloproliferative signal

Comment on Jelinek et al, page [3370][1], Kralovics et al, page [3374][2], and Levine et al, page [3377][3] JAK2 V617F, an ostensibly myeloid lineage-specific mutation, also appears to be myeloid disease–specific according to 2 studies in the current issue of Blood, which also features a third
Characterization and scatchard binding analysis of adrenal digitalis-like material.

Abstract Culture medium conditioned by the adrenocortical tumor cell line Y-1 has been fractionated by HPLC to determine whether the ouabain-like binding activity (OLB) of this medium co-purifies with digoxin immunoreactivity. Furthermore, we have evaluated whether this medium contains the ability to inhibit the ion translocating action of the sodium pump and how this material purifies on HPLC. These activities are not homogenous, however, maximal activity in each assay was found in the same HPLC fraction. The OLB of this fraction was not reduced by alkaline hydrolysis or trypsinization, heating in air at 150°C did reduce activity. Scatchard binding analysis of this fraction indicated the presence of a single class of specific competitive inhibitor of the binding of radiolabelled ouabain to human erythrocytes. The inhibitor showed a Hill coefficient of unity.
Species song discrimination in choice experiments with territorial male swamp and song sparrows

Abstract Playbacks of synthetic and normal songs were used to determine what song parameters are important to species song recognition by territorial male swamp sparrows ( Melospiza georgiana ) and song sparrows ( Melospiza melodia ). Syllable morphology influences the discrimination of conspecific song from song sparrow song in adult swamp sparrows, but temporal pattern does not; this result duplicates that found in studies of song learning of the young in this species. Species song recognition is influenced by both syllable morphology and temporal pattern in adult song sparrows, in contrast to the situation in young sparrows, which seem not to distinguish their own species' song from that of swamp sparrows on either cue.
Analytical Space Trajectories for Extremal Motion with Low-Thrust Exhaust-Modulated Propulsion

Optimal trajectories for spacecraft with power-limited propulsion are considered. Analytical solutions that describe motion along spiral trajectories are obtained for spacecraft with low-thrust propulsion. It is shown that the product of the specific impulse and the mass remains constant during the motion and that the spacecraft position is highly dependent on final value of the angle between thrust and local horizon. Minimization of the integral of thrust acceleration squared implies the minimization of the total transfer time. As an illustration of the solution process, the problem of transfer between elliptical orbits is analyzed.
Short- and long-term changes in adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activity during insulin-induced hypoglycemia and cold stress

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia increases the capacity for catecholamine biosynthesis in the rat adrenal medulla by two temporally distinct processes: a rapid increase in the affinity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) for cofactor and a more gradual increase in the maximal TH activity. Cold exposure leads to comparable long-term increases in adrenal TH activity, apparently without causing a prior activation of TH.
Regulatory Interactions in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the immature, pluripotent cells from which all myeloid and lymphoid cell types originate. As stem cells, HSCs are capable of two very different fate choices: self-renewal, ensuring they will persist throughout the lifetime of an organism, and differentiation to mature progeny. Therapeutic applications of HSCs include their routine use in stem cell transplantation to treat hematopoietic malignancies or bone marrow failure. Research and clinical experience have provided tools for the immunophenotypic identification and functional analysis of HSCs and there is increasing evidence suggesting that HSC regulation is greatly influenced by signals from their niches in the bone marrow. Although they represent one of the most rigorously studied stem cell types, still more remains to be known about how HSCs are regulated and respond to stress conditions.
Surveying the Landscape of Integration: Muslim Immigrants in the United Kingdom and France

This research explores how the beliefs of Muslim immigrants living in France compare to those of their counterparts in the United Kingdom. We conducted a survey of 400 Muslims in each nation and noted significant differences between them. We found that British Muslims felt less positively about the West and its influence in the Muslim world than did French Muslims. British Muslims were more likely to prioritize loyalty to the Ummah and to perceive hostility toward Islam. The findings are suggestive of a disparity in the immigrant experience in the two nations, as well as in the effectiveness of their government integration strategies.
Surface Evolution under Curvature Flows

In many areas of computer vision, such as multiscale analysis and shape description, an image or surface is smoothed by a nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation to eliminate noise and to reveal the large global features. An ideal flow, or smoothing process, should not create new features. In this paper we describe in detail the effect of a number of flows on surfaces on the parabolic curves, the ridge curves, and umbilic points. In particular we look at the mean curvature flow and the two principal curvature flows. Our calculations show that two principal curvature flows never create parabolic and ridge curves of the same type as the flow, but no flow is found capable of simultaneously smoothing out all features. In fact, we find that the principal curvature flows in some cases create a highly degenerate type of umbilic. We illustrate the effect of these flows by an example of a 3-D face evolving under principal curvature flows.
The development and pattern of innervation of the avian cornea.

The involvement of nerves in the development of the avian cornea is poorly understood, primarily because the demonstration of corneal nerves has proved to be elusive. In the present study, the development of corneal innervation is demonstrated by the application of a modified Bodian staining technique (J. Lewis, 1978, Zoon, 6, 175–179). On the 6th day of embryonic development, numerous large fascicles of axons are observed arriving at the ventrotemporal aspect of the cornea, within the periocular mesenchyme. These fascicles subdivide into two distinct groups which migrate both ventrally and, more extensively, dorsally around the cornea. Progressive migration of nerve fascicles around the cornea occurs through the 7th and 8th days of development, and by the 10th day the cornea is ensheathed within a ring of nerves. Concomitant with ring formation, nerves are observed leaving the main nerve fascicles and migrating toward the cornea. Numerous nerve processes, which enter through the mid-stroma, are observed migrating toward the center of the 12th-day cornea. Innervation of the epithelium is detected on the 12th day, beginning at the periphery and increasing dramatically with development. Innervation of the epithelium is almost complete on the 16th day and penetration of nerves into the central stroma occurs on the 18th day of development. On the 16th day, the basal epithelial cells begin to demonstrate silver-staining properties. The levels of this staining increase with development, and in the hatchling the squamous cells demonstrate a characteristic silver-staining pattern. Innervation of the corneal endothelium is not observed. These results indicate that the avian cornea and its epithelium become innervated over the same developmental period in which the major transition from corneal opacity to transparency is achieved.
Uncharged analogues of the phenalenyl cation: Hartree–Fock, Møller–Plesset, and density functional computational investigations of the isomers of boraphenalene

Abstract The four isomers of boraphenalene, 1-bora-, 2-bora-, 3a-bora-, and 9b-boraphenalene, have been examined at the Hartree–Fock 6-31G(d) and the density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) and B3PW91/6-31G(d) levels of theory as both singlet and triplet species. The Hartree–Fock structures were also examined, and fully optimized, at the Moller–Plesset MP2/6-31G(d) level of theory with all electrons included in the correlation calculations. At the Hartree–Fock level of theory, the ground state systems are the singlet states for 1-bora- and 9b-boraphenalene and the triplet states for 2-bora- and 3a-boraphenalene; the triplet 2-boraphenalene system is the global minimum. Conversely, at both density functional levels of theory, the singlet states are the ground states for all four isomers and the singlet 1-boraphenalene system is the global minimum. At the Moller–Plesset level of theory, the singlet states are the ground states for 1-bora-, 2-bora-, and 9b-boraphenalene, but the triplet state is the ground state for 3a-boraphenalene and the singlet 1-boraphenalene system is the global minimum. The triplet state of the 1-boraphenalene isomer, at the Hartree–Fock and Moller–Plesset levels of theory, is not a minimum, but rather optimizes to a ring-opened triplet system which, when then calculated as a singlet system, transforms to a substituted bora-acenaphthylene.
Brain bioenergetics and response to triiodothyronine augmentation in major depressive disorder.

Background Low cerebral bioenergetic metabolism has been reported in subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). Thyroid hormones have been shown to increase brain bioenergetic metabolism. We assessed whether changes in brain bioenergetics measured with phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 31 P MRS) correlate with treatment outcome during augmentation treatment with triiodothyronine (T3) in MDD. Methods Nineteen subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for MDD who had previously failed to respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs received open label and prospective augmentation treatment with T3 for 4 weeks. We obtained 31 P MRS spectra before and after treatment from all MDD subjects and baseline 31 P MRS from nine normal control subjects matched for age and gender. Results At baseline, depressed subjects had lower intracellular Mg 2+ compared with control subjects. Seven MDD subjects (38.9%) were treatment responders (≥ 50% improvement). Total nucleoside triphosphate (NTP), which primarily represents adenosine triphosphate (ATP), increased significantly in MDD subjects responding to T3 augmentation compared with treatment nonresponders. Phosphocreatine, which has a buffer role for ATP, decreased in treatment responders compared with nonresponders. Conclusions The antidepressant effect of thyroid hormone (T3) augmentation of SSRIs is correlated with significant changes in the brain bioenergetic metabolism. This seems to be a re-normalization of brain bioenergetics in treatment responders. Further studies will determine whether these findings can be generalized to other antidepressant treatments.
Micromechanics Modeling of Electronic Composites

The microstructure-macroproperty relation of electronic composites is studied by use of the Eshelby's method which has been extended to treat the inclusion problem of thermal and electromagnetic behavior. Eshelby's model has further been extended to the case of coupling behavior such as piezoelectric or pyroelectric behavior. When fillers embedded in the matrix are overlapped, the Eshelby's model may not be applicable. Then one must use a percolation model, which is also discussed in this paper. Finally, the predictions based on these models are compared with experimental data to check the validity of the analytical modeling.
An investigation of the response of incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps to voltage fluctuations

This paper describes a laboratory-based investigation to compare the effects of voltage fluctuations on incandescent lighting and several common, commercially-available compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The lamps that were tested were 60W incandescent and 60W equivalent CFLs, which were designed for a 120V, 60Hz system. In this test, two incandescent and three compact fluorescent lamps were put through identical tests in order to determine their steady state response to long voltage fluctuations as well as their response to short duration voltage fluctuations. In every situation tested, the visible performance of the CFLs was superior to that of the incandescent lamps. The detailed results of these tests, comparisons, and conclusions are presented.
Markov random fields for image modelling and analysis

This chapter deals with the problem of image modelling through the use of 2D Markov Random Field (MRF). The MRF’s are parametric models with a noncausal structure where the various dependencies over the plane is described in all directions. We first show how the MRF’s are used as texture image models, region geometry models, as well as edge models.Then we show how they have been successfully used for image classification, surface inspection, image restoration, and image segmentation.
Swinglock removable partial dentures: Where and when

Abstract The where and when of swinglock removable partial denture treatment planning have been presented, including indications, contraindications, and advantages. While the principles asserted in this article do not represent a panacea to partial denture design, the swinglock design concept does provide another treatment alternative for select and difficult biomechanic situations.
Degree of lateralization as a hierarchy of manual and cognitive skill levels.

Abstract Four handedness measures and two cognitive measures were employed with 71 children aged from 3 to 10 yr. Results indicate that high-skill manual tasks become increasingly lateralized and low-skill manual tasks remain in their original, non-lateralized state. High-skill manual task performance correlated significantly with performance on the cognitive measures. Lateralization appears to be directly related to the skill level of the task, both manual and cognitive tasks.
Effects of nitrogen ion implantation on load-bearing capacity and adhesive wear behavior in steels

The effects of nitrogen implantation on the wear and scoring behavior of AISI 304, SAE 01 and AISI M2 steels (measured with a block-on-ring wear and friction test machine) are described. Results are correlated with nitrogen concentration vs depth profiles which show enhanced inward nitrogen diffusion in samples implanted at high implantation dose rates (∼ 1500 μA/cM 2 ). Implantation of the softest steel (AISI 304) is found to induce an increase in the load-bearing capacity to over 40 times that of unimplanted 304 stainless steel. As hardness of the untreated steel increases the improvement in the wear resistance that is effected by nitrogen implantation diminishes.
Classifying the intensity of pediatric cancer treatment protocols: The intensity of treatment rating scale 2.0 (ITR-2)

Background To develop and validate a method of classifying the intensity of pediatric oncology treatments using four operationally defined categories of treatment intensity. Procedure An earlier version of a rating scale, the intensity of treatment rating (ITR), was revised and validated in two phases. In the Scale Construction phase, three criterion raters revised the ITR items based on consensus and item agreement data from pediatric oncologist raters (N = 15). In the Scale Validation phase, the new ITR-2 items were validated using a second set of pediatric oncologists external to our institution (N = 12). In addition, a third group of raters (N = 16), was employed to assess inter-rater reliabilities for 12 patients at varying levels of treatment intensities. Results Agreement between criterion ratings and the median of external raters for all 34 items on the ITR-2 was very high (r = 0.95, range 0.71–0.91). When the ITR-2 was used to rate 12 patient examples, the inter-rater agreement among pediatric oncologists was also very high (median agreement between criterion-rater pairs: r = 0.87; overall relatedness among 16 raters: rICC = 0.83). Conclusions The revised ITR Scale 2.0 (ITR-2) is a valid and reliable scale for classifying the intensity of pediatric oncology treatments. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:673–677. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A pad perturbation method for the dynamic coefficients of tilting-pad journal bearings

A pad assembly method for analyzing tilting-pad bearings is presented. The method results in the complete coefficient matrix for a tilting-pad bearing; the matrix is independent of the pad inertia, the pitch frequency and the number of degrees of freedom of the pad. A pad assembly method is used because it allows the collection of more bearing data with less computer time than a brute force iterative procedure. The results given show the complete dynamical matrices for a five-pad tilting-pad bearing both including and ignoring the damping effects of the unloaded (top) pads. For a symmetrical tilting-pad bearing the reduced cross-coupling coefficients are zero when the moment of inertia of the pad is ignored.