cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Administered Ethanol on Protein Kinase C in Human Platelets

There are numerous reports of the effect of ethanol on protein kinase C (PKC) in animals or with in vitro systems. However, the effect of ethanol on PKC in humans has not been extensively investigated despite the large number of studies involving PKC and human platelets. In this study, we administered ethanol to human volunteers and determined the level of PKC before and after a 0.4 g/kg dose of ethanol. We studied Native Americans and Caucasians of both sexes. There was an increases in PKC activity 60 min after ethanol administration. There were no ethnic, age, nor gender differences detected, nor was there any correlation between family history of alcoholism and the basal or stimulated platelet PKC levels. Neither was there any correlation of basal or stimulated PKC activity with the genotypes for ADH2, ADH3, ALDH2, CYP2E1, and CYP1A2.
A valence force field for secondary dichlorides

Abstract The normal vibrations of 2,2-dichloropropane (DCP) and 2,2-dichlorobutane (DCB) have been calculated from a valence force field. Force constants determined previously for saturated hydrocarbons and secondary chlorides were transferred where appropriate. The initial calculation and subsequent corefinements have resulted in a valence force field for secondary dichlorides. Calculated frequencies determined for DCP and the trans and gauche isomers of DCB are in good agreement with those observed. The objectives of this initial study is to determine a valence force field for secondary dichlorides that may be transferred to polyvinylidene chloride and its oligomers.
Drosophila Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Over the last two decades, a number of mutations have been identified that give rise to neurodegenerative disorders, including familial forms of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although in most cases sporadic cases vastly outnumber familial forms of such diseases, study of such inherited forms has the potential to provide powerful clues regarding the pathophysiological basis of neurodegeneration. One powerful approach to analyzing disease mechanisms is the development of transgenic animal models, most notably in the mouse. However, development and analysis of such models can be costly and time consuming. Development of improved transgenic technologies have contributed to the development of Drosophila models of a number of neurodegenerative disorders that have shown striking similarities to the human diseases. Moreover, genetic screens using such models have begun to unravel aspects of the pathophysiological basis of neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we provide a general overview of fly models pertinent to trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases, and highlight key genetic modifiers that have been identified to date using such models.
STAT3 in CD4+ T helper Cell differentiation and Inflammatory Diseases

Jak/STAT pathways influence cell-fate decisions made by differentiating naive T cells, regulate the intensity and duration of inflammatory responses and are implicated in pathogenic mechanisms of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. Among the STATs, the STAT3 protein has emerged as an important determinant of whether the naive T cell differentiates into regulatory (Treg) or an inflammatory (Th17) T cell lineage. STAT3 also has potent anti-inflammatory effects and regulates critical cellular processes such as, cell growth, apoptosis and transcription of inflammatory genes. Dysregulation of STAT3 pathway has therefore been implicated in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, as well as, a number of malignant and neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on recent findings regarding the role of STAT3 in immunity, with particular emphasis on T cell lineage specification and disease etiology. New insights from animal models of uveitis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases are discussed as exemplars of critical roles that STAT3 pathways play in inflammatory diseases and on how inhibiting STAT3 can be exploited to mitigate pathogenic autoimmunity.
A Genomic Scan of Families with Prostate Cancer Identifies Multiple Regions of Interest

A 10-cM genomewide scan of 94 families with hereditary prostate cancer, including 432 affected men, was used to identify regions of putative prostate cancer–susceptibility loci. There was an average of 3.6 affected, genotyped men per family, and an overall mean age at diagnosis of 65.4 years. A total of 50 families were classified as early onset (mean age at diagnosis
World Population Policies: Their Origin, Evolution, and Impact

World Population Policies: Their Origin, Evolution, and Impact. 2012. By JOHN F. MAY. Dordrecht: Springer. Pp. xxvii +339. £117.00 or US$179.00. ISBN: 978-94-007-2836-3. This book reviews the histo...
Rebuilding Harlem: Public housing and urban renewal, 1920–1960

This article analyzes the history of public housing and urban renewal planning in the Harlem district of New York, from the crisis and private reform initiatives of the 1920s and 30s, and the construction of the first government project, Harlem River Houses, to the redevelopment program of Robert Moses, and the subsequent decline of community support. The impact of public housing and urban renewal on social and economic conditions in Harlem is examined and compared to the experience of other inner‐city areas in the United States. Public housing in Harlem provided new and modern dwelling units for a low‐income and working class African‐American population that was constrained in its housing options due to discrimination. But public housing ultimately contributed to the growing isolation of an immobile and impoverished “underclass” that lacked the skills and support services to adapt and prosper in New York's changing postwar economy. In a national perspective, the case of New York and Harlem is important f...
High-level allogeneic chimerism achieved by prenatal tolerance induction and postnatal nonmyeloablative bone marrow transplantation

Clinical application of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been limited by toxicity related to cytoreductive conditioning and immune response. In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHSCT) is a nonablative approach that achieves mixed chimerism and donor-specific tolerance but has been limited by minimal engraftment. We hypothesized that mixed chimerism achieved by IUHSCT could be enhanced after birth by nonmyeloablative total body irradiation (TBI) followed by same-donor BMT. To test this hypothesis, mixed chimerism was created by IUHSCT in a major histocompatibility complex-mismatched strain combination. After birth, chimeric animals received nonmyeloablative TBI followed by transplantation of donor congenic bone marrow cells. Our results show that: (1) low-level chimerism after IUHSCT can be enhanced to high-level chimerism by this strategy; (2) enhancement of chimerism is dependent on dose of TBI; (3) the mechanism of TBI enhancement is via a transient competitive advantage for nonirradiated hematopoietic stem cells; (4) engraftment observed in the tolerant, fully allogeneic IUHSC transplant recipient is equivalent to a congenic recipient; and (5) host-reactive donor lymphocytes are deleted with no evidence of graft-versus-host disease. This study supports the concept of prenatal tolerance induction to facilitate nonmyeloablative postnatal strategies for cellular therapy. If clinically applicable, such an approach could dramatically expand the application of IUHSCT.
Chiral supramolecules: organometallic molecular loops made from enantiopure R-[cis-Rh2(C6H4PPh2)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2.

Two enantiopure molecular loops, RR-[cis-Rh2(C6H4PPh2)2(py)2O2C(CF2)nCO2]2 (1, n = 2 and 2, n = 3) have been made from the reaction in CH2Cl2 and CH3OH of the inherently chiral dirhodium compound, R-[cis-Rh2(C6H4PPh2)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2, and HO2C(CF2)nCO2H in the presence of an excess of pyridine. Single-crystal structure analyses reveal that each of these compounds is composed of two R-cis-Rh2(C6H4PPh2)2(ax-py)22+ units, and two equatorial perfluorodicarboxylate linkers, which form a loop oligomer. The 1H, 19F, and 31P{1H} NMR spectra in CDCl3 and C5D5N indicate that only one type of highly symmetric species exists in each solution, which is consistent with the solid-state structures.
Sex differences in the mechanical behavior of the decellularized rat left ventricle

There are fundamental differences in the size and performance of male and female hearts. Even after adjustments for height and body surface area, the left ventricle of a healthy male is larger in both volume and mass [1]. There are differences in contractile performance between papillary muscle from male and female rats with male rats showing slower responses in both isometric and isotonic tests [2]. It is less clear, however, whether the underlying structure or mechanical properties vary between sexes as well. Of particular interest to us is the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the ventricular wall, which provides structural stability to the heart. This matrix can be isolated by perfusion decellularization [3].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Is Mythology Obsolete

L'article traite des livres de Robert A. Segal Theorizing about myth (Massachusetts, 1999) et de Bruce Lincoln Theorizing Myth (Chicago, 1999) consacres a l'etude et a la definition de la mythologie.
Influence of residual antegrade coronary blood flow on survival after myocardial infarction in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease

The restoration of antegrade coronary flow soon after myocardial infarction may be beneficial, independent of an effect on left ventricular function. In patients with disease of only the infarct artery, survival is influenced profoundly by the presence or absence of antegrade flow in that artery. This study was done to assess the influence of antegrade coronary perfusion on survival in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease following their first infarction. Over a 10-year period, 110 subjects (70 men and 40 women, aged 30 to 74 years) with infarction and disease of the infarct artery, as well as one or both of the other coronary arteries, were followed on medical therapy for 42 ± 28 months (mean ± SD). Thirty-five patients had partial or complete antegrade perfusion of the infarct artery (group I), whereas the other 75 had no or minimal antegrade perfusion (group II). The groups were similar in age, sex, risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, duration of follow-up, and maintenance medications. In comparison with the group I subjects, those in group II had larger left ventricular volumes, lower ejection fractions, and a markedly increased mortality (6% for group I and 32% for group II, P=0.017). Of the 110 patients, 52 had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.50 or less. Of these, the 11 with partial or complete antegrade flow in the infarct artery (group I) were similar to the 41 with no or minimal antegrade flow (group II) in all respects except survival: cardiac mortality was 9% for the group I patients and 49% for the group II subjects (P=0.017). Thus, survival after myocardial infarction is greatly influenced by the presence or absence of antegrade flow in the infarct artery in patients with both single and multivessel coronary artery disease. In subjects with myocardial infarction, the restoration of partial or complete antegrade flow—pharmacologically or mechanically—may be beneficial even if it is accomplished hours to days after the acute event
2008: Signaling Breakthroughs of the Year

This year's signaling breakthroughs extended from protein crystals to cells and subcellular structures to whole genomes. Nominations included research on synapses in brains and in B cells; the evolution and regulation of signaling networks; the identification of a new class of plant hormones; insights into the causes and treatments of disease, such as cancer and schizophrenia; and a possible way to stay in shape while avoiding exercise.
Some similarities in the responses of mice to pregnancy and leukemogenesis.

Because of previous reports of a variety of similarities between fetal and malignant tissues, several physiologic, histologic, and serologic responses of leukemic mice were compared to those of pregnant mice. Identical alterations in protein profiles were seen in sera from pregnant and leukemic mice, both RLV-infected BALB/c mice and AKR mice with spontaneous thymic lymphoma. The alterations included an obliteration of the bimodal distribution of prealbumins 2 and 3, and an increase in the concentration of prealbumin 4. Protein migrating immediately ahead of transferrin was also increased. Sera from pseudopregnant or partially hepatectomized mice, from mice inoculated with fetal tissue, or from mice infected with LDV or pneumotropic mycoplasm did not show such alterations, while sera from scalped mice did. Spleen tissue from pregnant BALB/c mice showed erythroid hyperplasia and non-specific esterase profiles not unlike those for spleen tissue of mice infected with RLV free of LDV. These alterations were at their maximum from approximately 10-12 days of gestation. Germinal center formation was seen in spleen tissues from inbred (BALB/c) pregnant mice at 18-20 days of gestation and in postpartum spleens. In related experiments, sera from pregnant or scalped rats and anti-MulV sera from sarcoma-bearing rats showed a common precipitin line on reaction in double-diffusion tests with RLV pelleted from the variant RLV-infected JLS V5 cell culture. Sera from virgin rats showed no such reaction, nor did virus pellets from the original JLS V5 and JLS V6 cell cultures. Ether treatment of the virus pellet from the variant JLS V5 cell cultures abolished the precipitin reaction. These results indicate the presence of a common moiety in sera from pregnant, scalped, and sarcoma-bearing rats, which precipitates a factor (or factors) associated with the envelope of RLV propagated in cell culture. Only RLV from a transformed variant of the JLS V5 cell culture has thus far been capable of demonstrating the precipitin reaction. The similarity of physiologic, histologic, and serologic responses of leukemic and pregnant animals suggests the possibility that some neoplasms may induce reactions in the host not unlike those associated with pregnancy, and that the fate of such neoplasms may be related in part to these responses.
Transforming Growth Factor β1 Induces Proliferation in Colon Carcinoma Cells by Ras-dependent, smad-independent Down-regulation of p21cip1

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) can act as a tumor suppressor or a tumor promoter depending on the characteristics of the malignant cell. We recently demonstrated that colon carcinoma cells transfected with oncogenic cellularK-rasV12, but not oncogenic cellular H-rasV12, switched from TGFβ1-insensitive to TGFβ1-growth-stimulated and also became more invasive (Yan, Z., Deng, X., and Friedman, E. (2001)J. Biol. Chem. 276, 1555–1563). We now demonstrate that TGFβ1 growth stimulation of colon carcinoma cells is Ras-dependent and smad-independent. In U9 colon carcinoma cells, which are responsive to TGFβ1 by growth stimulation, a truncating mutation at Gln-311 was found in thesmad4 gene. Very little smad4 protein was detected in these cells. Loss of smad4 protein was confirmed by functional studies. In U9 cells co-transfected wild-type smad4, but not mutant smad4, mediated response of the 3TP-lux and pSBE promoter reporter constructs to TGFβ1. Proliferation initiated by TGFβ1 in U9 cells required Ras-mediated down-regulation of p21cip1 protein. Less p21cip1 was associated with cdk2·cyclin complexes in TGFβ1-treated U9 cells, and the cdk2 complexes had increased kinase activity. Elevation of p21cip1 levels diminished proliferative response to TGFβ1. U9 cells expressing DN-N17ras neither proliferated in response to TGFβ1 nor down-regulated the cdk inhibitor p21cip1, and TGFβ1 activation of 3TP-lux in U9 cells was inhibited by DN-N17ras in a dose-dependent manner. TGFβ1 also decreased p21cip1 levels and stimulated proliferation in SW480 cells, which express mutant K-Ras but no smad4 protein. TGFβ1 did not activate or inhibit the p21cip1 promoter construct in U9 cells even in the presence of co-transfected smad4, or alter p21cip1 mRNA levels. Thus the decrease in p21cip1 levels was mediated by a TGFβ-initiated Ras-dependent, but smad-independent post-transcriptional mechanism.
Pharmacologic treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a mixed-treatment comparison meta-analysis.

Study Objective. To assess the comparative efficacy of pharmacologic agents for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design. Traditional and mixed-treatment comparison (MTC) meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Patients. A total of 31,020 patients with COPD from 43 trials. Measurements and Main Results. A systematic literature search of various databases (through October 2007) was performed to identify randomized controlled trials of long-acting β2-agonists, tiotropium, inhaled corticosteroids, and/or combination therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting β2-agonist in patients with COPD. Forty-three trials were included. Both meta-analyses were used to evaluate the occurrence of one or more episodes of COPD exacerbation, overall mortality, and patient withdrawal rates. With MTC analysis, long-acting β2-agonists, tiotropium, inhaled corticosteroids, and combination inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting β2-agonist therapy each decreased the odds of having an exacerbation by 16%, 31%, 15%, and 24%, respectively, compared with placebo. Moreover, tiotropium use reduced the odds of having at least one exacerbation by 18% compared with long-acting β2-agonists and by 19% compared with inhaled corticosteroids alone. Each of the four drug classes was associated with significant odds reductions in patient withdrawals (26–41%) compared with placebo, and both tiotropium and combination therapy significantly decreased the odds of patient withdrawals compared with long-acting β2-agonists or inhaled corticosteroids alone. Only combination therapy was associated with a mortality benefit, showing a 29% reduction compared with placebo and a 25% reduction compared with long-acting β2-agonists alone. Compared with combination therapy, tiotropium use reduced exacerbations by 9% and increased mortality by only 4%. These findings did not demonstrate significant changes in the sensitivity or subgroup analyses, which were performed to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity among the included studies. Conclusions. Combination inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting β2-agonist therapy was associated with the greatest positive effect on outcomes in patients with COPD. Of the bronchodilator monotherapies, tiotropium was associated with lower odds of having a COPD exacerbation or withdrawal from a study compared with long-acting β2-agonists. Conclusion: Our MTC meta-analysis provides a useful and comprehensive evaluation of the beneficial effects of various therapeutic drug classes on outcomes in patients with COPD. Combination inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting β2-agonist therapy had the greatest positive effect on outcomes. Of the bronchodilator monotherapies, tiotropium was associated with lower odds of having an exacerbation or withdrawing from a study compared with long-acting β2-agonists.
Can merging the roles of public health preparedness and emergency management increase the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency planning and response

Some jurisdictions have reduced workforce and reallocated responsibilities for public health preparedness and emergency management to more efficiently use resources and improve planning and response. Key informant interviews were conducted in six counties in North Carolina (USA) to discuss perceptions of the challenges and opportunities provided by the new shared positions. Respondents feel that planning and response have improved, but that requirements related to activities or equipment that are eligible for funding (particularly on the public health side) can present an impediment to consolidating public health preparedness and emergency management roles. As the financial resources available for public health preparedness and emergency management continue to be reduced, the merging of the roles and responsibilities of public health preparedness and emergency management may present jurisdictions with an effective alternative to reducing staff, and potentially, readiness.
Propranolol Disposition in Chronic Liver Disease: A Physiological Approach

The pharmacokinetics of propranolol can be quantitatively explained on a physiological basis from a knowledge of the effects of four biological determinants: (1) the activity of the drug metabolising enzymes (intrinsic clearance); (2) hepatic blood flow; (3) drug binding, and (4) the anatomical arrangement of the hepatic circulation. Distrubances of all these determinants can occur in chronic liver disease and result in predictable changes in propranolol disposition. These changes, as well as those occurring with other drugs in chronic liver may be explained by 'intact hepatocyte theory' which postulates that the major pathophysiological change occurring in compensated chronic liver disease is a reduction in relatively normally perfused and functioning cell mass with the development of intrahepatic portasystemic vascular shunts.
The Occurrence of and Effect of Cyanide on Respiratory Drift in the Developing Tung Nut

3. CANNON, W. A. 1901. The anatomy of Phoradendron villosum Nutt. Torrey Botan. Club Bull. 28: 374-90. 4. COHEN, L. I. 1954. The anatomy of the endophytic system of the dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium campylopodum. Am. J. Botany 41: 840-47. 5. FREELAND, R. 0. 1943. The American mistletoe with respect to chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Plant Physiol. 18: 299-302. 6. HEINRICHER, E. 1923. Das Absorptionssystem der Wacholdermistel, Arceuthobium oxycedri (D.C.) M.B., mit besonderer Beriicksichtigung seiner Entwicklung und Leistung. Sitzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Abt. 1, 132: 143-94. 7. HULL, R. J. AND 0. A. LEONARD. 1964. Physiological aspects of parasitism in mistletoes (Arceuthobium and Phoradendron). I. The carbohydrate nutrition of mistletoe. Plant Physiol. 39: 996-1007. 8. KuIJT, J. 1960. Morphological aspects of parasitism in the dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium). Calif. Univ. Publications Botany 30: 337-436. 9. PEIRCE, G. J. 1905. The dissemination and germination of Arceuthobium occidentale Eng. Ann. Botany 19: 99-113. 10. RANSON, S. L. AND M. THOMAS. 1960.. Crassulacean acid metabolism. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 11: 81-110. 11. REDISKE, J. H. AND K. R. SHEA. 1961. The production and translocation of photosynthate in dwarf mistletoe and lodgepole pine. Am. J. Botany 48: 447-52. 12. SELEDZHANU, N. AND D. GALAN-FABIAN. 1961. Nutrition of common mistletoe. Fiziol. Rast. 8: 547-54. English Transl. in Plant Physiol. (USSR) 1962, A.I.B.S. 8: 43642. 13. THO)AY, D. AND E. T. JOHNSON. 1930. On Arceuthobium pusillum Peck. I. The endophytic system. Ann. Botany 44: 393-413. 14. TUBEUF, K. VON. 1923. Monographie der Mistel. R. Oldenbourg, Printer, Munich and Berlin, 832 pp. 15. WAGENER, W. W. 1957. The limitation of 2 leafy mistletoes of the genus Phoradendron by low temperatures. Ecology 38: 142-45. 16. WEIR, J. R. 1916. Mistletoe injury to conifers in the Northwest. U.S. Dept. of Agr. Tech. Bull. 360, 39 pp.
Moment tensor inversion of microseisms from the B-sand propped hydrofracture, M-site, Colorado

Abstract We apply a moment-tensor inversion algorithm to microseismic events generated by hydrofracturing. Our dataset consists of microseismic events associated with a hydraulic fracturing experiment conducted at the GRI/DOE M-site near Rifle, Colorado. The event recordings were from a vertical string of 3-component accelerometer pods that are cemented in a borehole. The accelerograms clearly show P and S waves, which can be rotated into the SH and SV components. To invert the P and S amplitudes for moment tensors, we use just the first two peaks after the first arrival. Using this amplitude information and the average pulse width, we formed a symmetric, stylized pulse for integration and we inverted for the moment tensor. Resolution tests revealed that with the source (microseism) to receiver geometry we have at the M-site, where all receivers are in one borehole and at the same azimuth from the source, we can extract the five deviatoric components of the moment tensor using combinations of P, SH and SV amplitudes (for example, a minimum data set of 3 P-wave, 2 SV-wave, and 1 SH-wave amplitudes). To obtain the sixth component, which is the isotropic component, requires amplitude information from receivers at another azimuth. We studied seven high-quality events in detail and tested their results against two alternative source geometries. These microseismic events tend to have a major-double–couple nodal plane aligned parallel to the main hydrofracture plane, rather than have their tension (T) axes aligned parallel to the regional minimum principal-compressive-stress direction. The events have seismic moments (M0) on the order of 10−5 Nm and moment magnitudes (Mw) of about −2.5.
Update on complications of group A streptococcal infections

+I istorically group A streptococcal infection has been associated with several acute purulent complications and with two nonpurulent sequelae. Purulent complications include peritonsillar abscess, mastoiditis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, erysipelas, puerperal sepsis, septicemia, and meningitis. The nonpurulent sequelae consist of acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. The prevalence of most of these complications in developed countries in theWest diminished greatly over the previous four decades despite a steady rate of tonsillopharyngitis caused by group A streptococcal infection. Diseases such as peritonsillar abscess, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and puerperal sepsis caused by this organism are seen infrequently in current practice. Scarlet fever, which was quite familiar to the older generation of physicians, is a disease that young physicians are unaccustomed to treating. Similarly, the prevalence of rheumatic fever in the United States had declined so markedly that its eradication in the developed countries of the West was considered a serious reality. The pattern of decline in the prevalence of acute, purulent group A streptococcal infections and their complications, especially of rheumatic fever, was interrupted a decade ago by the reappearance of isolated outbreaks of rheumatic fever in the United States. In addition, an increased frequency of cases of severe infection by group A streptococci, associated with a high mortality rate, was reported. These cases included infections with severe cellulitis associated with toxic shock, and adults and children were affected. Several reports of a previously un
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Comorbid Anxiety Disorders and Social Difficulties in Children with High-Functioning Autism: A Case Report

A substantial proportion of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger syndrome (AS) have one or more comorbid anxiety disorders. Because anxiety disorders exacerbate the social difficulties and other functional impairments caused by an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a need for efficacious treatments to address the clinical needs of youth with this comorbid presentation. This article describes an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment manual enhanced to address the unique characteristics and clinical needs of children with ASD. A case study is presented in which CBT was utilized in the successful treatment of an 11-year-old girl with HFA. The intervention was effective in reducing anxiety and improving social and adaptive functioning. These findings suggest that an enhanced CBT approach may be a viable intervention for children with comorbid HFA and anxiety disorders that should be further evaluated.
Asymptotic analysis of Bragg fibers

Using an asymptotic analysis, we obtain an eigenvalue equation for the general mode dispersion in Bragg fibers. The asymptotic analysis is applied to calculate the dispersion relation and the field distribution of TE modes in a Bragg fiber. We compare the asymptotic results with exact solutions and find excellent agreement between them. This asymptotic approach greatly simplifies the analysis and design of Bragg fibers.
Deep level impurity effects on the frequency dependence of Schottky barrier capacitance

Abstract The frequency dependence of the capacitance of Schottky barriers is predicted for a single partially ionized deep level in combination with ionized shallow impurities. Shockley-Read recombination statistics, a gradient-free fermi level for free electrons and deep levels, a uniform impurity concentration, and an abrupt spatial transition in frequency response were assumed. The results apply at frequencies from d.c. to near that at which only the impurities in the bulk semiconductor respond and for any bias and temperature. A method is shown to determine the shallow and deep impurity concentrations, deep impurity energy level, and capture cross-section of the deep impurity level from the capacitance-frequency relationship at any temperature.
Economic Vulnerability, Discrimination, and Hurricane Katrina: Health Among Black Katrina Survivors in Eastern New Orleans

BACKGROUND : Few works have viewed disaster relief in the context of socioeconomic disparity and racial inequality before Katrina.OBJECTIVE: By using the vulnerable-populations conceptual framework, our study aimed to investigate the relationship among economic vulnerability, perceived discrimination, and health outcomes among 69 Black Katrina survivors in Eastern New Orleans. STUDY DESIGN: A mixed-method approach, including survey and focus groups, was applied to collect data.RESULTS: Our findings suggested that a higher level of perceived racial discrimination during Katrina and financial strain post-Katrina were associated with more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; support provided by network members served to enhance mental and physical health. Compared with Black males, female survivors reported more PTSD symptoms and worse mental health.CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative for nursing scholars and public policies to directly address the intricacies of race, class, and gender inequality to del...
Acquisition and decay rates in synaptically coded memory

Abstract We study convergence of a weight vector w on the lines entering a single processing unit and being updated by Grossberg's general learning rule, Δwt = λtxt − δtwt (where t = 0, 1, 2, … measures discrete time). Here, each xt is a random vector chosen from a common finite set of training patterns carrying a fixed probability distribution. The rule is determined by any choice of a learning rate sequence λt and a decay rate sequence δt. We prove that the weight vector can converge in probability to nothing other than a multiple of the common expected value of the training patterns by some positive factor α. Moreover, we show that this happens exactly when λt and δt are chosen so that λt converges to zero, Σδt approaches ∞, and λ t δ t converges in a very weak but specific sense to α.
Speechreading Supplemented by Single-Channel and Multichannel Tactile Displays of Voice Fundamental Frequency

The benefits of two tactile codes of voice fundamental frequency (Fo) were evaluated as supplements to the speechreading of sentences in two short-term training studies, each using 12 adults with n...
Recyclable Polymer- and Silica-Supported Ruthenium(II)-Salen Bis-pyridine Catalysts for the Asymmetric Cyclopropanation of Olefins

Homogeneous ruthenium(II)-salen bis-pyridine complexes are known to be highly active and selective catalysts for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of terminal olefins. Here, new methods of heterogenization of these Ru-salen catalysts on polymer and porous silica supports are demonstrated for the facile recovery and recycle of these expensive catalysts. Activities, selectivities, and recyclabilities are investigated and compared to the analogous homogeneous and other supported catalysts for asymmetric cyclopropanation reactions. The catalysts are characterized with a variety of methods including solid state cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CP MAS) 13 C and 29 Si NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Initial investigations produced catalysts possessing high selectivities but decreasing activities upon reuse. Addition of excess pyridine during the washing steps between cycles was observed to maintain high catalytic activities over multiple cycles with no impact on selectivity. Polymer-supported catalysts showed superior activity and selectivity compared to the porous silica-supported catalyst. Additionally, a longer, flexible linker between the Ru-salen catalyst and support was observed to increase enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity, but had no effect on activity of the resin catalysts. Furthermore, the polymer-supported Ru-salen-Py 2 catalysts were found to generate superior selectivities and yields compared to other leading heterogeneous asymmetric cyclopropanation catalysts.
A Study of Transgender Adults and Their Non-Transgender Siblings on Demographic Characteristics, Social Support, and Experiences of Violence

A national sample of 295 transgender adults and their nontransgender siblings were surveyed about demographics, perceptions of social support, and violence, harassment, and discrimination. Transwomen were older than the other 4 groups. Transwomen, transmen, and genderqueers were more highly educated than nontransgender sisters and nontransgender brothers, but did not have a corresponding higher income. Other demographic differences between groups were found in religion, geographic mobility, relationship status, and sexual orientation. Transgender people were more likely to experience harassment and discrimination than nontransgender sisters and nontransgender brothers. All transgender people perceived less social support from family than nontransgender sisters. This is the first study to compare trans people to nontrans siblings as a comparison group.
Estimation of frequency-dependent parameters of unknown walls for enhanced through-the-wall imaging

In this paper, the frequency dependent constitutive parameters of an unknown wall, when interrogated by a ultra-wideband radar, are estimated using a norm-difference algorithm. In this approach, we first apply a technique based on the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) method, which assumes the wall parameters are constant, to quickly obtain an estimate of the dielectric constant, loss-tangent, and the thickness of the wall. Using the initial estimated parameters, the proposed norm-difference algorithm is then applied to estimate the wall's constitutive parameters for each frequency step over the entire band of the radar signal. Numerical results are presented to show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed frequency domain wall parameter estimation technique
Towards 100% polarization in the optically-pumped polarized ion source

The depolarization factors in the multi-step spin-transfer polarization technique and basic limitations on maximum polarization in the OPPIS (Optically-Pumped Polarized H* Ion Source) are discussed. Detailed studies of polarization losses in the RHIC OPPIS and the source parameters optimization resulted in the OPPIS polarization increase to 86-90%. This contributed to increasing polarization in the AGS and RHIC to 65 ~ 70%.
Optical limiting in Bragg-spaced semiconductor quantum wells

We propose a new mechanism for optical limiting in which nonlinear absorption and nonlinear reflection act in concert. The mechanism is based on the light-induced shift of the band gap in Bragg-spaced semiconductor quantum wells.
The Runx3 distal transcript encodes an additional transcriptional activation domain.

The runt family transcriptional regulator, Runx3, is upregulated during the differentiation of CD8 single-positive thymocytes and is expressed in peripheral CD8+ T cells. Mice carrying targeted deletions in Runx3 have severe defects in the development and activation of CD8+ T cells, resulting in decreased CD8+ T-cell numbers, aberrant coexpression of CD4, and failure to expand CD8+ effector cells after activation in vivo or in vitro. Expression of each of the three vertebrate runt family members, including Runx3, is controlled by two promoters that generate proteins with alternative N-terminal sequences. The longer N-terminal region of Runx3, expressed from the distal promoter, is highly conserved among family members and across species. We show that transcripts from the distal Runx3 promoter are selectively expressed in mature CD8+ T cells and are upregulated upon activation. We show that the N-terminal region encoded by these transcripts carries an independent transcriptional activation domain. This domain can activate transcription in isolation, and contributes to the increased transcriptional activity observed with this isoform as compared to those expressed from the ancestral, proximal promoter. Together, these data suggest an important role for the additional N-terminal Runx3 activation domain in CD8+ T-cell function.
Robust Control for Microgrid Frequency Deviation Reduction With Attached Storage System

In this paper, we propose a robust control strategy for reducing system frequency deviation, caused by load fluctuation and renewable sources, in a smart microgrid system with attached storage. Frequency deviations are associated with renewable energy sources because of their inherent variability. In this work, we consider a microgrid where fossil fuel generators and renewable energy sources are combined with a reasonably sized, fast acting battery-based storage system. We develop robust control strategies for frequency deviation reduction, despite the presence of significant (model) uncertainties. The advantages of our approach are illustrated by comparing system frequency deviation between the proposed system (designed via μ synthesis) and the reference system which uses governors and conventional PID control to cope with load and renewable energy source transients. All the simulations are conducted in the Matlab™ and Simulink™ environment.
An Efficient 3-D Ear Recognition System Employing Local and Holistic Features

We present a complete three-dimensional (3-D) ear recognition system combining local and holistic features in a computationally efficient manner. The system is comprised of four primary components, namely: 1) ear image segmentation; 2) local feature extraction and matching; 3) holistic feature extraction and matching; and 4) a fusion framework combining local and holistic features at the match score level. For the segmentation component, we introduce a novel shape-based feature set, termed the Histograms of Indexed Shapes (HIS), to localize a rectangular region containing the ear. For the local feature extraction and representation component, we extend the HIS feature descriptor to an object-centered 3-D shape descriptor, the Surface Patch Histogram of Indexed Shapes (SPHIS), for local ear surface representation and matching. For the holistic matching component, we introduce a voxelization scheme for holistic ear representation from which an efficient, voxel-wise comparison of gallery-probe model pairs can be made. The match scores obtained from both the local and holistic matching components are fused to generate the final match scores. Experimental results conducted on the University of Notre Dame (UND) collection G dataset, containing range images of 415 subjects yielded a rank-one recognition rate of 98.3% and an equal error rate of 1.7%. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms state-of-the-art 3-D ear biometric systems. Additionally, the method is considerably more efficient compared to the state-of-the-art because it employs a sparse set of features rather than using the dense model.
Diagnosis and Management of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: A Practice Guideline

This is the second in a series of practice guidelines commissioned by the Infectious Diseases Society of America through its Practice Guidelines Committee. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide assistance to clinicians when making decisions on treating the conditions specified in each guideline. The targeted providers are pediatricians, family practitioners, and internists. The targeted patients and setting for the acute pharyngitis guideline are pediatric, adolescent, and adult outpatients with a complaint of sore throat. Funding was provided by the IDSA. Panel members represented experts in adult and pediatric infectious diseases. The guidelines are evidence-based. A standard ranking system was used for the strength of the recommendations and the quality of the evidence cited in the literature reviewed. The document has been subjected to external review by peer reviewers as well as by the Practice Guidelines Committee and was approved by the IDSA Council. An executive summary, algorithms, and tables highlight the major recommendations. Indicators of quality will assist in guideline implementation. The guideline will be listed on the IDSA home page at http://www.idsociety.org. — Peter A. Gross, MD, for the IDSA Practice Guidelines Committee
Screening high-risk patients for the ambulatory setting.

Abstract Screening patients for ambulatory surgery is a team effort that requires diligence by all staff members to elicit information through the use of good communication skills as well as a thorough screening tool. A careful review of body systems is a must, with focused attention on vital organ systems. When a holistic approach is used, the true picture of the patient's needs and concerns emerges. This article reviews the importance of diligent preoperative screening of high-risk patients for the ambulatory surgical care setting. The primary focus is on patients with cardiac disease, obesity, and sleep apnea.
Why are there large differences between models in global budgets of tropospheric ozone

[1] Global 3-D tropospheric chemistry models in the literature show large differences in global budget terms for tropospheric ozone. The ozone production rate in the troposphere, P(Ox), varies from 2300 to 5300 Tg yr−1 across models describing the present-day atmosphere. The ensemble mean of P(Ox) in models from the post-2000 literature is 35% higher than that compiled in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report (TAR). Simulations conducted with the GEOS-Chem model using two different assimilated meteorological data sets for 2001 (GEOS-3 and GEOS-4), as well as 3 years of GISS GCM meteorology, show P(Ox) values in the range 4250–4700 Tg yr−1; the differences appear mostly because of clouds. Examination of the evolution of P(Ox) over the GEOS-Chem model history shows major effects from changes in heterogeneous chemistry, the lightning NOx source, and the yield of organic nitrates from isoprene oxidation. Multivariate statistical analysis of model budgets in the literature indicates that 74% of the variance in P(Ox) across models can be explained by differences in NOx emissions, inclusion of nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs, mostly biogenic isoprene), and ozone influx from stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE). Higher NOx emissions, more widespread inclusion of NMVOC chemistry, and weaker STE in the more recent models increase ozone production; however, the effect of NMVOCs does not appear generally sensitive to the magnitude of emissions within the range typically used in models (500–900 Tg C yr−1). We find in GEOS-Chem that P(Ox) saturates when NMVOC emissions exceed 200 Tg C yr−1 because of formation of organic nitrates from isoprene oxidation, providing an important sink for NOx.
Effects of voucher-based incentives on abstinence from cigarette smoking and fetal growth among pregnant women.

Aims This study examined whether voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) contingent upon smoking absti- nenceduringpregnancyisaneffectivemethodfordecreasingmaternalsmokingduringpregnancyandimprovingfetal growth. Design, setting and participants A two-condition, parallel-groups, randomized controlled trial was con- ducted in a university-based research clinic. A total of 82 smokers entering prenatal care participated in the trial. Intervention Participants were assigned randomly to either contingent or non-contingent voucher conditions. Vouchers exchangeable for retail items were available during pregnancy and for 12 weeks postpartum. In the contin- gent condition, vouchers were earned for biochemically verified smoking abstinence; in the non-contingent condition, vouchers were earned independent of smoking status. Measurements Smoking outcomes were evaluated using urine-toxicology testing and self-report. Fetal growth outcomes were evaluated using serial ultrasound examinations performed during the third trimester. Findings Contingent vouchers significantly increased point-prevalence absti- nence at the end-of-pregnancy (41% versus 10%) and at the 12-week postpartum assessment (24% versus 3%). Serial ultrasound examinations indicated significantly greater growth in terms of estimated fetal weight, femur length and abdominal circumference in the contingent compared to the non-contingent conditions. Conclusions These results provide further evidence that VBRT has a substantive contribution to make to efforts to decrease maternal smoking during pregnancy and provide new evidence of positive effects on fetal health.
Distribution of components in condensation interpolymers

The distribution of components of condensation interpolymers into runs of various lengths is derived as a function of composition, relative reaction rates, and extent of reaction. The most important case considered is the polymer built up from AA and BB type units in equivalent amounts. If the AA units represent several chemical individuals but the BB units are restricted to a single individual (e.g., a mixture of diamines together with a single dibasic acid) and the reaction is homogeneous, then the distribution at complete reaction is independent of any differences in the reaction rates of the various AA monomers. Equations are given which allow one to follow the polycondensation process in detail. It is of particular interest to follow the relative numbers of “homogeneous” molecules (containing only one kind of AA unit) and “mixed” molecules (containing two or more kinds) as functions of the extent of reaction, the relative rate constants, and the length of the average run.
The Nature of Diabetes

DR. UNGER: I think part of the dilemma that we face may be factitious and a nomenclatural dilemma resulting from inadequate definition of the term “diabetes”. This has been argued for decades. Probably within this room we would not all agree on what is “diabetes”. If, for example, one defines diabetes mellitus as a disease associated with an increased morbidity and mortality attributable to the specific vascular lesions, one identifies a population entirely different from a group of mildly hyperglycemic elderly persons who live to be 80 or more. We should consider how to sub-classify the hyperglycemic states. This, I think is what Dr. Levine was really suggesting at the end of his discussion.
On Asymptotic Normality of Nonlinear Least Squares for Sinusoidal Parameter Estimation

This correspondence revisits the asymptotic normality question of the nonlinear least-squares estimator for sinusoidal parameter estimation and fills a gap in the literature by providing a complete proof of the asymptotic normality under the assumption of additive non-Gaussian white noise. The result shows that the nonlinear least-squares estimator is able to asymptotically attain the Cramer-Rao lower bound derived under the Gaussian white noise assumption in situations where the actual noise distribution is non-Gaussian.