cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vibrational spectroscopy of fluid N2 up to 34 GPa and 4400 K.

Single-pulse multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) was used to observe the vibrational spectra of liquid N/sub 2/ shock compressed to several pressures and temperatures up to 34 GPa and 4400 K. Vibrational frequencies, peak Raman susceptibilities, and Raman linewidths were determined for the fundamental and several excited-state transitions by comparing experimental spectra to synthetic spectra calculated using a semiclassical model for CARS intensities. The question of excited-state populations in the shock compressed state is addressed.
High-rate photon-efficient laser communications with near single photon/bit receiver sensitivities

Optical communication systems with sensitivities approaching a single photon/bit can be realized by combining near-quantum-limited optically-preamplified receiver performance with energy-efficient modulation and coding. Potential applications include average-power-limited photon-starved links where channel bandwidth is readily available.
Forms of Coalgebras and Hopf Algebras

Abstract We study forms of coalgebras and Hopf algebras (i.e., coalgebras and Hopf algebras which are isomorphic after a suitable extension of the base field). We classify all forms of grouplike coalgebras according to the structure of their simple subcoalgebras. For Hopf algebras, given a W*-Galois field extension K ⊆ L for W a finite-dimensional semisimple Hopf algebra and a K-Hopf algebra H, we show that all L-forms of H are invariant rings [L ⊗ H]W under appropriate actions of W on L ⊗ H. We apply this result to enveloping algebras, duals of finite-dimensional Hopf algebras, and adjoint actions of finite-dimensional semisimple cocommutative Hopf algebras.
Long Range Chiral Imprinting of Cu(110) by Tartaric Acid

Restructuring of metals by chiral molecules represents an important route to inducing and controlling enantioselective surface chemistry. Tartaric acid adsorption on Cu(110) has served as a useful system for understanding many aspects of chiral molecule adsorption and ordering on a metal surface, and a number of chiral and achiral unit cells have been reported. Herein, we show that given the appropriate annealing treatment, singly deprotonated tartaric acid monolayers can restructure the Cu metal itself, and that the resulting structure is both highly ordered and chiral. Molecular resolution scanning tunneling microscopy reveals that singly deprotonated tartaric acid extracts Cu atoms from the Cu(110) surface layer and incorporates them into highly ordered, chiral adatom arrays capped by a continuous molecular layer. Further evidence for surface restructuring comes from images of atom-deep trenches formed in the Cu(110) surface during the process. These trenches also run in low symmetry directions and are...
Burst-forming unit-erythroid assays to distinguish cellular bone marrow failure disorders.

Patients with cytopenias and a cellular bone marrow can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Previous reports suggested a role for progenitor assays for diagnosis and predicting response to therapy. We report the results of Burst-forming unit–erythroid (BFU-E) assays in 48 consultative cases of single or multilineage cytopenias with cellular marrows. The final diagnoses included 17 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, 9 patients with pure red cell aplasia (non–large granular lymphocytosis [LGL] in etiology], 15 patients with LGL (eight of whom had a single-lineage cytopenia only, whereas the other seven had multilineage cytopenias), and 7 patients with cytopenias associated with systemic inflammation from autoimmune conditions. In this cohort, nonmalignant diseases were well-distinguished from myelodysplastic syndrome by BFU-E growth. Our data suggest that low BFU-E growth (less than 10 BFU-E per 10 5 marrow mononuclear cells) helps to exclude LGL, pure red cell aplasia, or cytopenias associated with systemic inflammation as a cause of pancytopenia with a sensitivity of 96.8%, specificity of 76.5%, and a predictive value of 88.2% ( p = 0.0001). BFU-E growth also was examined to predict treatment response. Of the 29 patients in this cohort treated with immunosuppressive therapy, there was an 86% response rate with 25 responders (11 partial responses and 14 complete responses) and 4 nonresponders. This result correlated with higher BFU-E growth. Our results suggest that BFU-E assays are a useful adjunct in the diagnosis and management of cytopenias in the setting of a normocellular or hypercellular marrows.
PERCEIVED VALUE OF A POLITICIAN'S CHARACTERISTICS

In order to assess the relative value accorded to the characteristics of a candidate for national political office, a questionnaire was prepared and distribured to college students attending psychology classes at a state university. The following instructions were printed at the top of the survey: "Of the 10 characteristics listed below, please decide which three you would most like to lee in a candidate for national political office such as the U. S. Presidency. Also, please indicate on the spaces below which three of the characteristics you would value least in a candidate." Shown below are the 10 characteristics used in the study. The percentage of students (N = 132) who chose each characteristic as one of the three most valued, and the percentage ( N = 132) who chose it as one of the three least valued are given in the m o columns on the left. Perhaps it should be noted that these data were collected during September of 1976, and the results may have been influenced to some extent by the students' perceptions of the current crop of politicians seeking national office.
Rheumatic disease aspects of leg length inequality

Inequality of leg lengths is associated with low back pain, greater trochanteric bursitis, and degenerative hip disease. The pelvic obliquity that results from a discrepancy of leg lengths may contribute to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. The diagnosis of leg length inequality may be overlooked. If this occurs, extensive and costly investigations are then often ordered to evaluate these secondary manifestations of leg length inequality. This is unfortunate because a simple shoe lift is all that was needed to provide symptomatic relief for selected patients.
Does US health reform reduce hospital readmission rates

Not in Massachusetts—insurance expansion alone won’t be enough In 2012, after the 2010 Affordable Care Act became law but before its full implementation, around 47 million people in the United States were without healthcare insurance. The sweeping provisions of the Affordable Care Act were primarily focused on expanding insurance coverage. An open question is whether such provisions will also affect healthcare utilization and health outcomes. In a linked paper (doi:10.1136/bmj.g2329), Lasser and colleagues studied the effect of reforms in Massachusetts, which passed legislation before the Affordable Care Act and similarly sought to broaden insurance coverage.1 After reform, the proportion of adults of working age in Massachusetts who were uninsured decreased from 12.5% in 2006 to 5.2% in 2012.2 Lasser and colleagues examined whether the Massachusetts reforms were associated with favourable changes in readmission rates. Readmissions represent an outcome that imposes a burden on individuals and the healthcare system, which are also amenable to improvements in healthcare quality. Studying the effect of healthcare insurance strategies on population health and healthcare utilization is challenging. A few investigators have had the opportunity to do so using randomized controlled trials.3 4 5 The RAND Health Insurance Experiment of the mid-1970s recruited more than 2000 households and found that higher co-payments within insurance products reduced resource use without large impacts on health or quality of care for …
Specific plasma membrane differentiations in the cells of the kidney collecting tubule.

Two types of membrane differentiations were observed by freeze-etching in the cells of the rat kidney collecting tubule. One consists of rectangular arrays of small (70 A) membrane-associated particles and is found in the light cells; the other is represented by particles with an elongated shape measuring about 290 × 160 A and is found in the membrane of the dark cells. Both differentiations occur in patches among usual 160 A globular particles.
Simultaneous determination of cyclohexene oxide and its metabolites in rat plasma and urine by gas chromatography

An assay was developed for the simultaneous measurement of cyclohexene oxide and its metabolites (cyclohexanol, trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol, cyclohexane-1,2-diol-O-glucuronide, and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-L-cysteine) in rat urine and plasma using gas chromatography. A mixture of ethyl acetate-acetonitrile (70:30) was used as the extracting solvent for both matrices. This liquid-liquid extraction procedure was followed by the separation of cyclohexene oxide and its metabolites on an HP-FFAP fused-silica capillary column. In order to determine the amount of cyclohexane-1,2-diol-O-glucuronide, samples were incubated at 37 degrees C with beta-glucuronidase and the amount of cyclohexane-1,2-diol formed from the reaction determined. The extraction efficiencies of cyclohexene oxide and cyclohexanol were greater than 90% both in urine and plasma. However, recovery from the plasma and urine for trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol (60-68%) and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-L-cysteine (approximately 76%) were considerably less. Long term stability studies showed that urine samples spiked with cyclohexene oxide and trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol are stable at -20 degrees C for up to 9 weeks. However, plasma samples are only stable for up to 2 weeks under the same conditions. The calibration curves for all analytes were linear over the range of 12.5 to 400 micrograms/ml and correlation coefficients (r2) were greater than 0.990. The limit of detection for cyclohexene oxide, cyclohexanol, and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-L-cysteine is 1.56 micrograms/ml, while the limit of detection for trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol is 3.12 micrograms/ml. This method has been used for the determination of the disposition and metabolism of cyclohexene oxide, and may be applied in environmental monitoring, as well as in microbiological studies for other epoxide materials.
Superconductivity and Structure

The degree of the isolation of the CuO2 planes (e.g. distance or bond valence to the apical coordination) has been shown by quantitative algorithms to be the major factor in determining aspects of the doping curves. They include the magnitude of the optimal number of doped holes (hop) and the corresponding Tcop. It is shown that the roots of these phenomenological laws lie in a related structural dependence of super-exchange. The latter is expressed in the pseudo-gap or Neel temperature of the undoped parent compound. A fruitful language can be developed which deals with a buildup of complex quantum chemical features by bringing two holes into vicinity of a super-exchange O, forming a “local” Cu2O7 pair. Structural considerations also dictate that stress is relieved by alternate orthogonal pair orientation. This leads to plaid patterns with primary and secondary channels of charge. The presence of these two types of charge channels is involved in the mechanism of superconducting charge transport. Similar structuring of doped charge into plaid patterns of “local” pairs has been proposed for “all” high Tc superconductivity. STM now gives pictorial representation of the remnants of such an electronic crystal structure. The response of these bond-ordering motifs to structural details is further discussed. These ideas supply organization to the manifold experimental situation and provide opportunities for a unifying theory for high Tc superconductivity in terms of real space structuring of “local” pairs, largely on crystal-chemical principles.
Combinatorial patterns of histone acetylations and methylations in the human genome

Histones are characterized by numerous posttranslational modifications that influence gene transcription. However, because of the lack of global distribution data in higher eukaryotic systems, the extent to which gene-specific combinatorial patterns of histone modifications exist remains to be determined. Here, we report the patterns derived from the analysis of 39 histone modifications in human CD4(+) T cells. Our data indicate that a large number of patterns are associated with promoters and enhancers. In particular, we identify a common modification module consisting of 17 modifications detected at 3,286 promoters. These modifications tend to colocalize in the genome and correlate with each other at an individual nucleosome level. Genes associated with this module tend to have higher expression, and addition of more modifications to this module is associated with further increased expression. Our data suggest that these histone modifications may act cooperatively to prepare chromatin for transcriptional activation.
Correlation of Pelvic and Spinal Parameters in Adult Deformity Patients With Neutral Sagittal Balance

Abstract Study Design Retrospective measurement of spinal and pelvic parameters in adult spinal deformity patients. Objective To correlate spinal and pelvic parameters in adult spinal deformity patients who were in neutral spinal balance. Summary and Background Data It is believed that sagittal spinal balance is influenced by both spinal and pelvic parameters, which are closely interrelated as manifested by the reciprocal changes seen when any of the interrelationships was altered. New parameters including proximal thoracic slope (PTS), proximal thoracic tilt, thoracic apical tilt, and coxo-spinal angle (CSA) were studied and correlated with previously studied spinal and pelvic parameters. Methods One thousand patients who had undergone standing scoliosis views from 2007 to 2010 were screened. A total of 70 patients, 29 with a diagnosis of degenerative scoliosis and 41 with the diagnosis of adult idiopathic scoliosis, were analyzed for various spinal and spinopelvic parameters. Linear regression analysis was performed. Results Thoracic kyphosis (TK) plus sacral slope (SS) had as strong a correlation with lumbar lordosis (LL) (r = 0.871; p Conclusion The spinal equation may predict ideal spinal and pelvic parameters that may aid in preventing complications such as proximal junctional failure.
Differential activation of biologically distinguishable endogenous mouse type c rna viruses. Interaction with host cell regulatory factors.

Abstract Mouse cells contain multiple biologically distinguishable endogenous type-C RNA viruses. Sensitive biologic methods have been utilized to study activation of these viruses from clonal mouse cell lines. The regulatory locus, Fv-1, has been shown to influence the expression of one virus. The presence of a second virus, by itself unaffected by Fv-1, permits the first virus to partially overcome the restriction at Fv-1 in nonpermissive cells. These results provide evidence that the interaction between different endogenous viruses plays a role in their expression.
An inexpensive circuit for monitoring photomultiplier anode current

Abstract An 8-channel current-to-frequency converter module has been developed for measuring photomultiplier anode currents in the range of 1–100 μA. Although this circuit was designed specifically for monitoring photomultiplier currents in a ground-based very high energy gamma-ray telescope, it would be useful in many other applications where cost is a consideration. An interesting consequence of this technique is that, by measuring the pulse-to-pulse time interval, it is possible to synthesize the kind of measurements usually performed with lock-in amplifiers. Tests show that with a few seconds integration time, a 1 kHz modulated signal can be detected at a level of 10 −5 of the ambient current.
Low-cost simulated MIG welding for advancement in technical training

The simulated MIG lab (sMIG) is a training simulator for Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding. It is based on commercial off the shelf (COTS) components and targeted at familiarizing beginning students with the MIG equipment and best practices to follow to become competent and effective MIG welders. To do this, it simulates the welding process as realistically as possible using standard welding hardware components (helmet, gun) for input and by using head-tracking and a 3D-capable low-cost monitor and standard speakers for output. We developed a simulation to generate realistic audio and visuals based on numerical heat transfer methods and verified the accuracy against real welds. sMIG runs in real time producing a realistic, interactive, and immersive welding experience while maintaining a low installation cost. In addition to being realistic, the system provides instant feedback beyond what is possible in a traditional lab. This help students avoid learning (and unlearning) incorrect movement patterns.
Modification of the Cytokinin Promotion of Deoxyisoflavone Synthesis in Soybean Tissue

Soybean tissue incubated in liquid media formed daidzin in response to cytokinin when the media contained 0.1 m sucrose but formed another, unidentified compound when the media contained 0.6 m sucrose or mannitol. The cytokinin effect in either setup was detectable only after a lag period of several hours. Addition of possible precursors of the compounds being synthesized or of related compounds did not alter the lag period to any great extent. Trans-cinnamic acid did perhaps shorten it a little as did preincubation of the tissue in the basal medium before the addition of kinetin. Several inhibitors of RNA synthesis substantially reduced the production of daidzin and the other compound. Protein synthesis inhibitors were also effective except that cycloheximide and puromycin actually promoted synthesis of the unknown compound while inhibiting that of daidzin. The results do not give a clear impression as to how the cytokinins are involved in the synthesis of the compounds, but are at least suggestive that cytokinin is involved in RNA or protein synthesis.
Detection of Viruses Via Statistical Gene Expression Analysis

We develop a new Bayesian construction of the elastic net (ENet), with variational Bayesian analysis. This modeling framework is motivated by analysis of gene expression data for viruses, with a focus on H3N2 and H1N1 influenza, as well as Rhino virus and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Our objective is to understand the biological pathways responsible for the host response to such viruses, with the ultimate objective of developing a clinical test to distinguish subjects infected by such viruses from subjects with other symptom causes (e.g., bacteria). In addition to analyzing these new datasets, we provide a detailed analysis of the Bayesian ENet and compare it to related models.
Mast cells: Ontogeny, homing, and recruitment of a unique innate effector cell

Mast cells (MCs) are found principally in peripheral tissues yet are of bone marrow origin. Recent studies in mice trace the MC lineage from the common myeloid progenitor through the granulocyte-macrophage progenitor in the bone marrow to a committed MC progenitor (MCP). Additionally, at least in the mouse, a bipotent basophil-MC progenitor has been identified in the spleen, suggesting a physiologic role for this organ in MC development. MCPs are especially abundant in the mouse intestine, likely ensuring the capacity for a rapid expansion of MCs in the intestinal epithelium during the effector response to helminth infection and perhaps providing a pool of committed cells capable of redistribution to other tissues. Migration of MCPs to the intestine is constitutive and controlled by alpha chemokine receptor 2 and alpha4beta7 integrins expressed on the MCPs, with the latter integrin interacting with endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1. In contrast, normal mouse lung tissue contains few MCPs and MCs, and these cellular reservoirs are not affected by the lack of alpha chemokine receptor 2 or alpha4beta7 integrin. Nonetheless, robust recruitment of MCPs to the lung occurs during experimentally induced allergic pulmonary inflammation and requires alpha4beta7 and alpha4beta1 integrins interacting with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 but not with mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1. Thus although MCs are present in all organs, the pathways responsible for the trafficking of MCPs from the circulation are organ specific and include both constitutive and inducible systems, ensuring both resident MCs and the potential for incremental recruitment in accord with the requirements of the immune response. These findings in mice await confirmation in human subjects.
Genetic modifier screens in Drosophila demonstrate a role for Rho1 signaling in ecdysone-triggered imaginal disc morphogenesis.

Drosophila adult leg development provides an ideal model system for characterizing the molecular mechanisms of hormone-triggered morphogenesis. A pulse of the steroid hormone ecdysone at the onset of metamorphosis triggers the rapid transformation of a flat leg imaginal disc into an immature adult leg, largely through coordinated changes in cell shape. In an effort to identify links between the ecdysone signal and the cytoskeletal changes required for leg morphogenesis, we performed two large-scale genetic screens for dominant enhancers of the malformed leg phenotype associated with a mutation in the ecdysoneinducible broad early gene ( br 1 ). From a screen of >750 independent deficiency and candidate mutation stocks, we identified 17 loci on the autosomes that interact strongly with br 1 . In a complementary screen of ∼112,000 F 1 progeny of EMS-treated br 1 animals, we recovered 26 mutations that enhance the br 1 leg phenotype [ E(br) mutations]. Rho1, stubbloid, blistered ( DSRF ), and cytoplasmic Tropomyosin were identified from these screens as br 1 -interacting genes. Our findings suggest that ecdysone exerts its effects on leg morphogenesis through a Rho1 signaling cascade, a proposal that is supported by genetic interaction studies between the E(br) mutations and mutations in the Rho1 signaling pathway. In addition, several E(br) mutations produce unexpected defects in midembryonic morphogenetic movements. Coupled with recent evidence implicating ecdysone signaling in these embryonic morphogenetic events, our results suggest that a common ecdysone-dependent, Rho1-mediated regulatory pathway controls morphogenesis during the two major transitions in the life cycle, embryogenesis and metamorphosis.
Recoverability and Testability of Missing data: Introduction and Summary of Results

This is an expository paper, aimed to provide a gentle introduction to missing data problems as viewed from graphical modeling perspective. Aside from producing new theoretical results, the graphical perspective oers researchers a transparent language in which to understand, articulate and analyze missing data problems. Users can specify graphical features of their problems before choosing software or algorithms, and methodological researchers can use graph-based tools to develop software and algorithms that either exploit modeling assumptions or stand robust to such assumptions. The text of this paper is written around as set of 11 slides (marked 59-69) presented at the JSM-13 meeting, on August 6, 3013.
Robust stability of differential delay systems

Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii theory, a sufficient condition involving the existence of a triple of positive definite matrices satisfying a certain Riccati equation has been derived for the robust stability (independent of the delay) of linear differential delay systems. In this paper an extension for the robust stability of neutral equations is explored.
Critical Current Dependence on Axial Strain at LN2 Temperature of Ag-Clad BI(2223) Tapes

The critical currents (1 μvolt/cm criterion) or commercially supplied tapes of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3OX (Bi(2223)) in Ag were measured at LN2 temperature as axial stresses of up to 220 MPa were applied. The critical current decreased linearly with increasing strain up to the point or plastic deformation, whereupon it dropped discontinuously to less than 10% or the unstressed value. The resistivity of a pure silver sample was also tested at LN2 temperature it was constant with increasing stress up to (the same) point of plastic deformation; then it increased linearly. Youngs modulus and the yield strength at LN2 and room temperature are compared.
Dexamethasone protected human glioblastoma U87MG cells from temozolomide induced apoptosis by maintaining Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and preventing proteolytic activities

Glioblastoma is the deadliest and most prevalent brain tumor. Dexamethasone (DXM) is a commonly used steroid for treating glioblastoma patients for alleviation of vasogenic edema and pain prior to treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs. Temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent, has recently been introduced in clinical trials for treating glioblastoma. Here, we evaluated the modulatory effect of DXM on TMZ induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells. Freshly grown cells were treated with different doses of DXM or TMZ for 6 h followed by incubation in a drug-free medium for 48 h. Wright staining and ApopTag assay showed no apoptosis in cells treated with 40 μM DXM but considerable amounts of apoptosis in cells treated with 100 μM TMZ. Apoptosis in TMZ treated cells was associated with an increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], as determined by fura-2 assay. Western blot analyses showed alternations in the levels of Bax (pro-apoptotic) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) proteins resulting in increased Bax:Bcl-2 ratio in TMZ treated cells. Western blot analyses also detected overexpression of calpain and caspase-3, which cleaved 270 kD α-spectrin at specific sites for generation of 145 and 120 kD spectrin break down products (SBDPs), respectively. However, 1-h pretreatment of cells with 40 μM DXM dramatically decreased TMZ induced apoptosis, decreasing Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and SBDPs. Our results revealed an antagonistic effect of DXM on TMZ induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells, implying that treatment of glioblastoma patients with DXM prior to chemotherapy with TMZ might result in an undesirable clinical outcome.
Classes of disruptive behaviour in a sample of young elementary school children

Background: The objectives were to (1) classify young children to groups differing in disruptive behaviour, (2) determine whether the patterns of disruptive behaviour in these groups are in accordance with the conceptualisation of disruptive disorders as described in DSM-IV, and (3) optimise the classification of children in groups. Methods: Disruptive behaviour of 636 seven-year-old elementary schoolchildren was assessed with the CBCL/4-18. Using CBCL items rated as very consistent with DSM-IV categories Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, latent class analyses were applied to identify classes of children differing in patterns of disruptive behaviour. Results: Three classes were identified: (1) high levels of oppositional defiant problems (ODD problems) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems (ADH problems) and intermediate levels of Conduct problems; (2) intermediate ODD problems and ADH problems and low levels of Conduct problems; (3) low levels on all disruptive behaviours. Conclusions: No classes were identified in which children had symptoms of only Conduct problems, only ODD problems or only ADH problems. Covariates (socio-economic status, gender, parenting stress) improved the classification of children. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for classification, identification of children at risk, prevention and treatment of disruptive behaviour in young children.
Comparison Study of a-SiGe Solar Cells and Materials Deposited Using Different Hydrogen Dilution

A-SiGe n-i-p solar cells with i-layer deposited via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) with a germane to disilane ratio of 0.72 and hydrogen dilution R=(H2 flow)/(GeH4+Si2H6 flow) values of 1.7, 10, 30, 50, 120, 180 and 240 were deposited on stainless steel substrates. This germane to disilane ratio is what we typically use for the i-layer in the bottom cell of our standard triple-junction solar cells. Solar cell current-voltage curves (J-V) and quantum efficiency (QE) were measured for these devices. Light soaking tests were performed for these devices under 1 sun light intensity at 50 o C. While device with R=30 showed the highest initial efficiency, the device with R=120 exhibit higher stabilized efficiency after 1000 hours of light soaking. Single-layer a-SiGe films (~500 nm thick) were deposited under the same conditions as the i-layer of these devices on a variety of substrates including 7059 glass, crystalline silicon, and stainless steel for visible-IR transmission spectroscopy, FTIR, and hydrogen effusion studies. It is interesting to note 1) the H content in the film decreased with increasing R based on both the IR and H effusion measurements, and 2) while the H content changes significantly with different R, the change in Eg is relatively small. This is most likely due to a change in Ge content in the film for different R.
Receptive Grammatical Knowledge of Familiar Content Words and Inflection in 16-Month-Olds

This study examines 16-month-olds' understanding of word order and inflectional properties of familiar nouns and verbs. Infants preferred grammatical sentences over ungrammatical sentences when the ungrammaticality was cued by both misplaced inflection and word order reversal of nouns and verbs. Infants were also sensitive to inflection alone as a cue to grammaticality, but not word order alone. The preference for grammatical sentence forms was also disrupted when adjacent function word cues were removed from the stimuli, and when familiar content words were replaced by nonce words. These results suggest that sensitivity to the relationship between functional morphemes and content words, rather than sensitivity to either independently, drives the development of early grammatical knowledge. Furthermore, infants showed some ability to generalize from familiar to nonce content word contexts.
A parallel independent component analysis algorithm

Independent component analysis (ICA), orienting as an efficient approach to the blind source separation (BSS) problem, searches for a linear or nonlinear transformation that minimizes the statistical dependence between source signals. However, ICA has been very time consuming in real-time application, especially for high volume data set. In this paper, a SPMD-structured parallel ICA (pICA) algorithm is presented. pICA is developed based on the FastICA approach and conducted in three stages: the estimation of weight matrix in which sub-processes are executed on multiple processors in parallel, the internal decorrelation that performs weight vector decorrelations within the same sub-matrix, and the external decorrelation that performs weight vector decorrelations between different sub-matrices. We propose a LogP-based performance prediction model that estimates the speedup of the pICA process by taking into account the size of the dataset, the network bandwidth, and the processor overhead. We further implement the pICA algorithm in an MPI environment consisting of 10 processors. Both analytical and experimental studies show that pICA distributes the computation burden to multiple processors without losing accuracy. Comparing to FastICA, the pICA process generates an exponential speedup when the number of the estimated weight vectors increases linearly.
A design time simulator for computer architects

Processor design and implementation is a complex and resource intensive enterprise. Ideally, designers should be able to quantify the design time implications of their architectural proposals, in order to make more educated decisions and design trade offs. To address the lack of quantitative methodologies to estimate processor design time, this paper introduces a new class of event-driven simulation: µDSim. Our proposed simulation infrastructure models the interaction between engineers during the development and verification cycles. To validate µDSim, we compare estimated design times against data gathered during the development and verification of three different academic processors and three industrial multiprocessor systems. As an example application for the architectural community, we estimate the design time for a previously published architectural proposal.
Risk of pneumothorax in CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy of the lung.

PURPOSE: To determine risk factors for pneumothorax and chest tube placement associated with computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) of the lung. METHODS: One hundred twenty-one consecutive CT-guided TNAB procedures were performed in 117 patients. Patient age, sex, number of needle passes and pleural planes traversed, lesion size, distance of lesion from the pleura, and results of pulmonary function tests were analyzed as single and multiple dependent variables for pneumothorax and chest tube placement. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 54 of 121 procedures (44.6%); a chest tube was required in 18 cases (14.9%). Increased lesion depth was the most significant predictor of pneumothorax (P = .002). Smaller lesion size also correlated with increased risk of pneumothorax (P = .04). Among patients with pneumothorax, a significantly higher frequency of chest tube placement was seen in those with severe obstructive lung disease, as measured by percentage of predicted FEV1 (f...
How can third codon positions outperform first and second codon positions in phylogenetic inference? An empirical example from the seed plants

Greater phylogenetic signal is often found in parsimony-based analyses of third codon positions of protein-coding genes relative to their corresponding first and second codon positions, even for early-derived ("basal") clades. We used the Soltis et al. (2000; Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 133:381-461) data matrix of atpB and rbcL from 567 seed plants to quantify how each of six factors (observed character-state space, frequencies of observed character states, substitution probabilities among nucleotides, rate heterogeneity among sites, overall rate of evolution, and number of parsimony-informative characters) contributed to this phenomenon. Each of these six factors was estimated from the original data matrix for parsimony-informative third codon positions considered separately from first and second codon positions combined. One of the most parsimonious trees found was used as the constraint topology; branch lengths were estimated using likelihood-based distances, and characters were simulated on this tree. Differential frequencies of observed character states were found to be the most limiting of the factors simulated for all three codon positions. Differential frequencies of observed character states and differential substitution probabilities among states were relatively advantageous for first and second codon positions. In contrast, differential numbers of observed character states, differential rate heterogeneity among sites, the greater number of parsimony-informative characters, and the higher overall rate of evolution were relatively advantageous for third codon positions. The amount of possible synapomorphy was predictive of the overall success of resolution.
Intraflagellar transport is required for the vectorial movement of TRPV channels in the ciliary membrane.

Summary The membranes of all eukaryotic motile (9 + 2) and immotile primary (9 + 0) cilia harbor channels and receptors involved in sensory transduction (reviewed by [1]). These membrane proteins are transported from the cytoplasm onto the ciliary membrane by vesicles targeted for exocytosis at a point adjacent to the ciliary basal body [2, 3]. Here, we use time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to demonstrate that select GFP-tagged sensory receptors undergo rapid vectorial transport along the entire length of the cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans sensory neurons. Transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channels OSM-9 and OCR-2 [4, 5] move in ciliary membranes at rates comparable to the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery located between the membrane and the underlying axonemal microtubules [6–8]. OSM-9 motility is disrupted in certain IFT mutant backgrounds. Surprisingly, motility of transient receptor potential polycystin (TRPP) channel PKD-2 (polycystic kidney disease-2) [9], a mechano-receptor [10], was not detected. Our study demonstrates that IFT, previously shown to be necessary for transport of axonemal components [11], is also involved in the motility of TRPV membrane protein movement along cilia of C. elegans sensory cells.
Motor imagery classification using multiresolution analysis and sparse representation of EEG signals

Classifying motor imagery brain signals where the signals are obtained based on imagined movement of the limbs is a major, yet very challenging, step in developing Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Of primary importance is to use less data and computationally efficient algorithms to support real-time BCI. To this end, an algorithm that exploits the sparse characteristics of EEGs is proposed to classify these signals. Different feature vectors are extracted based on the energies in different frequency sub-bands of the Wavelet Packet decomposition of EEG trials recorded only by five electrodes near the sensorimotor cortex. Features from a small spatial region are approximated by a sparse linear combination of few atoms from a multi-class dictionary constructed from the wavelet features of the projected EEG training signals for each class. This is used to classify the signals based on the pattern of their sparse representation using a minimum-residual decision rule. The results obtained from real data demonstrate that the combination of energy and entropy features enables efficient classification of motor imagery EEG trials related to hand and foot movements. Also, the decomposition used is shown to provide a frequency resolution consistent with the existence of different levels within the alpha band.
Three-Dimensional Home Ranges of Cricetid Rodents

A 13-month live-trapping and tracking study conducted in a California coastal sage scrub community revealed extensive arboreal activity by three of four cricetid rodents, Reithrodontomys megalotis, Peromyscus eremicus, P. californicus and P. maniculatus (the latter essentially terrestrial). Peromyscus californicus showed the greatest height range and proportion of arboreal activity and Reithrodontomys megalotis the lowest height range with an intermediate proportion of arboreal activity. Peromyscus eremicus resembled P. californicus in height and distribution of arboreal records. Arboreal activity of P. californicus was affected by shrub branch dimensions including height, diameter, and angle. Concentration of arboreal activity by R. megalotis on the shrubs Lotus scoparius and Eriogonum fasciculatum and P. californicus on Salvia apiana was directly related to the importance of those shrubs as food and insect availability on the shrubs. Home range volumes calculated from area determinations and arboreal records suggest that spatial niches of these climbing species are considerably larger than previously believed. This could be an important means of avoiding overlap between potential competitors in the rodent community.
Relationship of serotonin and reserpine in the chicken.

SummaryIt appears that in chickens as in other animals, reserpine causes release of bound serotonin which is subsequently metabolized. Sedation was observed when the tissue serotonin content was subnormal.
205 A RECLASSIFICATION OF TEMPORAL BONE FRACTURES AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH FACIAL NERVE INJURY.

Background Historic methods of classifying temporal bone fractures have been shown to poorly correlate with clinical findings. Due to the mechanisms of injury associated with these fractures, complete examination of patients can be difficult. An effective and simple way of correlating radiological findings in temporal bone fractures with complications like facial nerve weakness and paralysis will better guide physicians in treatment of their patients. We hypothesize that a classification system based on the medial extent of a fracture will best predict facial nerve injuries. Study Design and Methods A retrospective chart review identified 109 patients with 131 temporal bone fractures. Temporal bone CT scans and a record of facial nerve evaluation was available in 115 fractures (99 patients). CT scans were reviewed and fractures were classified by our proposed system and by the traditional system (longitudinal, transverse, and mixed). Our proposed system is as follows: Group A is a lateral fracture involving the mastoid, external auditory canal, and/or temporomandibular joint; Group B involves the tympanic cleft; Group C involves the course of the facial nerve; and Group D involves the otic capsule. A final rating of A-D was given based on the medial most extent of the fracture line. Fractures were grouped according to the classification schemes and correlated with clinical reports of facial nerve dysfunction. Results In 115 temporal bone fractures, 16 patients with facial nerve weakness or paralysis were identified. Using the new classification scheme, facial nerve injury was present as follows: Group A fractures - 0/20, Group B - 5/55 (9%), Group C - 6/31 (19%), Group D - 5/9 (56%). Using the traditional classification system, facial nerve dysfunction was present as follows: 11/72 (13%) of longitudinal fractures, 4/21 (19%) of transverse fractures, and 3/22 (14%) of mixed fractures. Conclusion When compared to the traditional classification system for temporal bone fractures, these results demonstrate that the new system appears to have a higher predictive value with facial nerve function. This simple system can help physicians to triage patients and guide treatment even if a complete examination of the patient is not possible.
Study of Dynamic Robustness of Servo Control System on a Water Press

The reliability and robustness of the electro-hydraulic servo control system for heavy-duty forging machine play an important role in forging processes. A mathematic model of 50 MN water press for free forging was created in this research. The dynamic robust compensator integrating with PID control method is designed and applied to the mathematical model simulation. The simulated results approved that the dynamic robust compensator application restrains interference from extra load and improves the electro-hydraulic position servo control system accuracy and stability.
Distinctions between idiopathic ineffective erythropoiesis and di Guglielmo's disease: clinical and biochemical differences.

While idiopathic ineffective erythropoiesis (IIE) and di Guglielmo’s disease (DD) are both characterized by intramedullary hemolysis, they can be distinguished clinically and biochemically. Twelve patients with IIE had normal platelet counts and morphologically normal myelopoiesis. Three patients with DD presented with pancytopenia and marrow myeloid immaturity. Conversion to acute myeloid leukemia occurred in the three DD patients but did not occur in the 12 IIE patients, who had a mean duration of anemia of 10.7 yr. Hemoglobin synthesis was well preserved in two DD patients, while six IIE patients had significant defects of both heme and globin synthesis. Defective heme synthesis in IIE could not be attributed to a defect of the heme synthetic enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetase. The nature of the heme and globin synthesis defects in IIE remains unclear but may reflect a more fundamental abnormality of cell maturation or cell division in this disorder.
Interleukin-12 and Cancer Therapy

Although the ability of IL-2 to induce sustained tumor regression in patients with renal cell cancer and melanoma established a clinical role for cytokine therapy in fighting cancer, the severe toxicity seen in early trials limited its application to a select group of patients (1). In 1989 cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor, later termed IL-12, was discovered (2). IL-12 plays a central role in interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production and the development of a Th1 type immune response, thereby playing a role in both innate and adaptive immunity. In mouse models, IL-12 can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Early clinical trials of rhIL-12 in melanoma and renal cell cancer were complicated by severe toxicity and attenuation of the immune response over time. Revised dosing schedules, alternate routes of administration, and the use of combination cytokine therapy have led to improved tolerability and more sustained immune activation, but have resulted in only modest clinical activity. Current clinical trials continue to explore new ways to augment the antitumor activity of IL-12 in lymphoma and other potentially responsive malignancies.
Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Cervical Lymph Nodes in Rats with EAE: A Pilot Study.

Abstract In this pilot study, focused ultrasound (FUS) was used to produce hyperthermia in cervical lymph nodes of rats having experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to alleviate symptoms associated with EAE. EAE was induced in dark agouti rats, and EAE scores were recorded over 21 d. At the onset of EAE symptoms, rats were treated with FUS to induce temperatures of 43–44°C for 20 min in the superficial cervical lymph nodes. An EAE remittance score was tallied for all rats, defined as the maximum EAE score observed minus the minimum EAE score observed after the maximum EAE was reached. On average, the peak remittance score for FUS-treated rats was 1.14 ± 0.48 versus 0.33 ± 0.27 for sham-treated rats. These differences were statistically significant ( p = 0.037). Therefore, FUS treatment of cervical lymph nodes in rats with EAE resulted in a significant reduction in EAE score.
A Longitudinal Study of Maternal and Child Internalizing Symptoms Predicting Early Adolescent Emotional Eating

Objective To examine maternal and child internalizing symptoms as predictors of early adolescent emotional eating in a longitudinal framework spanning three critical developmental periods (preschool, elementary school, and early adolescence). Methods Participants were 170 children recruited at preschool age for a longitudinal study. When children were 5.25 years, their mothers completed ratings of their own internalizing symptoms. During the spring of 4th grade, children completed measures of internalizing symptoms. In early adolescence, youth completed a measure of emotional eating. Results Maternal and child internalizing symptoms predicted adolescent emotional eating. The results indicated that child psychopathology moderated the association between maternal psychopathology (except for maternal anxiety) and early adolescent emotional eating. There was no evidence of mediation. Conclusions Pediatric psychologists are encouraged to provide early screening of, and interventions for, maternal and child internalizing symptoms to prevent children's emotional eating.
Wide-range, picoampere-sensitivity multichannel VLSI potentiostat for neurotransmitter sensing

Neurotransmitter sensing is critical in studying nervous pathways and neurological disorders. A 16-channel current-measuring VLSI potentiostat with multiple ranges from picoamperes to microamperes is presented for electrochemical detection of electroactive neurotransmitters like dopamine, nitric oxide etc. The analog-to-digital converter design employs a current-mode, first-order single-bit delta-sigma modulator architecture with a two-stage, digitally reconfigurable oversampling ratio for ranging the conversion scale. An integrated prototype is fabricated in CMOS technology, and experimentally characterized. Real-time multi-channel acquisition of dopamine concentration in vitro is performed with a microfabricated sensor array.