cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A retrospective study of intraoperative awareness with methodological implications.

BACKGROUND: Awareness during general anesthesia is a problem receiving increased attention from physicians and patients. Large multicentered studies have established an accepted incidence of awareness during general anesthesia as approximately 1–2 per 1000 cases or 0.15%. More recent retrospective data, however, suggest that the actual incidence may be as low as 0.0068%. METHODS: To assess the incidence of awareness at our institution, we conducted a review of adult patients undergoing surgical procedures over a 3-year period. Information on awareness came from entries of “Intraoperative Awareness” captured during our standard evaluations on postoperative day one in our perioperative information system. Patients were not questioned specifically about awareness. RESULTS: We reviewed 116,478 charts; 65,061 patients received general anesthesia and 51,417 received other types of anesthesia. Of the patients receiving general anesthesia, 44,006 had complete postoperative documentation. The reported incidence of undesired intraoperative awareness in this population was 10/44,006 (1/4401 or 0.023%). Of the patients who received other anesthetic modalities, 22,885 had complete postoperative documentation. Undesired intraoperative awareness was reported in 7/22,885 patients who did not receive general anesthesia (1/3269 or 0.03%). The reported incidence of intraoperative awareness was not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.54). Relative risk of intraoperative awareness during a general anesthetic compared with a nongeneral anesthetic was 0.74, with 95% confidence interval [0.28, 2.0]. CONCLUSION: Using a retrospective methodology, reports of intraoperative awareness are not statistically different in patients who received general anesthesia compared with those who did not. These results suggest that, despite success with other rare perioperative events, the resolution of retrospective database analyses may be too low to study intraoperative awareness.
A queueing approach to the performance evaluation of DQDB

A queuing model for the distributed queue dual bus protocol is presented and analyzed. A queue buffer of length one and a single priority level are assumed. The state of a node is defined by the number of requests in the distributed queue before and after generation of a packet. The node average waiting time and average throughput are analyzed as functions of the node position and state in the network. The results illustrate the effect of the various parameters on the waiting time and throughput. Comparisons with simulation and analytical results are presented. >
Incremental validity of the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test Version 2.0 (MSCEIT) after controlling for personality and intelligence

Abstract This study examined the incremental validity of the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test Version 2.0 after controlling for general cognitive ability and the Big 5 personality factors. The criterion measures used were academic achievement, psychological well-being, peer attachment, positive relations with others, and alcohol use. Results of these analyses suggest that emotional intelligence (EI) explains a significant and moderate to large amount of unique variance for alcohol use and positive relations with others after controlling for cognitive ability and personality. Implications of these results for theory and future research on the ability model of EI are discussed.
Flexibility Meets Accountability: State Charter School Laws and Their Influence on the Formation of Charter Schools in the United States

Using an original and unique database of state charter school laws that we have developed, we analyze how state policymakers have incorporated two key values into state charter school laws: flexibility and accountability. We supplement this database with other state-level measures to answer two specific questions: What factors influence the degree of flexibility and accountability in state charter school laws? How does the content of state charter school laws, and the different values those laws embrace, affect the formation of charter schools in the United States? Overall, we show that state political and contextual factors help account for the degree of flexibility, but not accountability, in state charter school laws. Further, we show that the degree of flexibility, accountability, and political and contextual factors influence the number of charter schools that form in the states.
Clinicopathological Characteristics of Extramedullary Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia (AMKL): Report of a Case with Initial Mastoid Presentation and Review of Literature to Compare Extramedullary AMKL and Non-AMKL Cases:

ABSTRACT Extramedullary acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare neoplasm with a varied clinical presentation. AMKL with initial mastoid presentation has never been reported. The extreme rarity of mastoid AMKL, together with the tendency of extramedullary AMKL to mimic other small blue cell tumors, can create a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of AMKL that initially presented as a mastoid lesion and provide a comprehensive review and analysis that compares the characteristics of extramedullary AMKL and nonmegakaryoblastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in reported pediatric cases over the past 30 years. We found that patients with extramedullary AMKL were not only younger than patients without megakaryocytic differentiation but were also limited to those ≤2 years of age. In addition, girls predominated in both AMKL and AML MLL+ groups compared with other types of AML (P = 0.0366 and P = 0.0082). Furthermore, we found that extramedullary AMKL was more likely to involve bone than AML MLL+ (P...
Spatial diffusion of a new loyalty program through a retail market

Abstract Retailers who wish to launch new innovations into their markets can be much more effective if they understand the geographic forces which affect consumer adoption of those innovations. A research field which studies this process is spatial diffusion. This paper explores and models the processes and driving forces of spatial diffusion across a market area following the launch of a new loyalty card program by a national retailer. Event history modeling is used to estimate the effects of distance, the impact of the firm’s marketing efforts, and the role of previous adopters in influencing the speed and spatial pattern of the adoption process. The results, in addition to yielding new insights into the processes involved in spatial diffusion, support previous findings on the importance of targeting the Innovator adopter group in a new product launch.
Chronological rank in biological evolution

We present a statistical analysis of biological evolution processes. Specifically, we study the stochastic replication–mutation–death model where the population of a species may grow or shrink by birth or death, respectively, and additionally, mutations lead to the creation of new species. We rank the various species by the chronological order by which they originate. The average population Nk of the kth species decays algebraically with rank, Nk ~ Mμk−μ, where M is the average total population. The characteristic exponent μ = (α − γ)/(α + β − γ) depends on α, β, and γ, the replication, mutation, and death rates. Furthermore, the average population Pk of all descendants of the kth species has a universal algebraic behaviour, Pk ~ M k−1.
Comparative study of organic matter derived from Utah and Athabasca oil sands

Abstract Asphaltenes derived from Athabasca and Utah oil sands have been characterized using different techniques. Several factors were found to differentiate these asphaltenes. Number average molecular weight of Utah asphaltene was significantly higher, which correlated with its higher light absorbing capacity, compared with that for Athabasca asphaltene. In Athabasca asphaltene, V and Ni were higher and Al, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe were lower than those in Utah asphaltene. Structural models for these asphaltenes, as determined using a combination of 1 H and 13 C n.m.r. spectroscopy, were different with higher aromaticity and degree of condensation of aromatic rings for Athabasca asphaltene. 13 C structural parameters for humic acids extracted from demineralized fines separated from Utah oil sands were compared with Athabasca oil sand humic acid. As in the Athabasca sample, aromatic carbon in Utah humic acid was shown to be the predominant type of carbon.
On electrochemical tritium production

This paper reports tritium formed in LiOD-D2O solutions in which Pd cathodes are used to evolve D2. Electrolysis was carried out for up to 412 months. Excess heat has been observed from 5 electrodes out of 28, tritium in 15 out of 53 but 9 out of 13 if the electrodes are limited to 1 mm diameter. Steady state tritium concentrations were 104–107 disintegrations min−1 ml−1. A weak correlation may exist between heat observed and tritium produced. The rate of production of tritium was ca 1010 atoms cm−2 s−1. The branching ratio of tritium to neutrons was ∼108. A theoretical dendrite enhanced fusion model is suggested. Growing gas layer breakdown occurs at sufficiently high surface potential dendrite tips and correspondingly fusion reactions occur. The model gives quantitative consistence with experiment, especially the sporadic nature and the observed branching ratio.
Optimum matching of ohmic loads to the photovoltaic array

Optimum matching of loads to the photovoltaic (PV) generator is most desirable for more accurate sizing, higher system performance and maximum utilization of the costly solar array generator. The quality of load matching depends on the PV array characteristics, the load characteristics, and the insolation profile. A matching factor is defined as the ratio of the load energy to the array maximum energy over a one day period. Optimum matching is achieved by determining the optimal array parameters with respect to the load parameters. Optimization is done using direct-search techniques. Results show that the theoretical optimum matching factor for an ohmic load is 94.34%. For an electrolytic load the matching factor could reach 99.83%. A maximum power tracker can be eliminated if optimum matching is achieved.
Dietary α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation Inhibits Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient and Apolipoprotein E/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice

Background— Vascular inflammation and lipid deposition are prominent features of atherosclerotic lesion formation. We have shown previously that the dithiol compound α-lipoic acid (LA) exerts antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α– and lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial and monocyte activation in vitro and lipopolysaccharide-induced acute inflammatory responses in vivo. Here, we investigated whether LA inhibits atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) and apoE/low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient mice, 2 well-established animal models of human atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— Four-week–old female apoE−/− mice (n=20 per group) or apoE/low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient mice (n=21 per group) were fed for 10 weeks a Western-type chow diet containing 15% fat and 0.125% cholesterol without or with 0.2% (wt/wt) R,S-LA or a normal chow diet containing 4% fat without or with 0.2% (wt/wt) R-LA, respectively. Supplementation with LA significantly reduced...
Erasing Synapses in Sleep: Is It Time to Be SHY?

Converging lines of evidence strongly support a role for sleep in brain plasticity. An elegant idea that may explain how sleep accomplishes this role is the “synaptic homeostasis hypothesis (SHY).” According to SHY, sleep promotes net synaptic weakening which offsets net synaptic strengthening that occurs during wakefulness. SHY is intuitively appealing because it relates the homeostatic regulation of sleep to an important function (synaptic plasticity). SHY has also received important experimental support from recent studies in Drosophila melanogaster. There remain, however, a number of unanswered questions about SHY. What is the cellular mechanism governing SHY? How does it fit with what we know about plasticity mechanisms in the brain? In this review, I discuss the evidence and theory of SHY in the context of what is known about Hebbian and non-Hebbian synaptic plasticity. I conclude that while SHY remains an elegant idea, the underlying mechanisms are mysterious and its functional significance unknown.
Anatomy of a cosmic-ray neutrino source and the Cygnus X-3 system

The effects of an intense beam of ultra-high energy cosmic rays from a compact object in the Cygnus X-3 binary system hitting the companion star, and of the subsequent production of secondary neutrinos, are examined. A maximum allowable beam luminosity of about 10 to the 42nd erg/s is found for a system containing a 1-10 solar mass main sequence target star. The proton beam must heat a relatively small area of the target star to satisfy observational constraints on the resulting stellar wind. With such a model, the neutrino to gamma-ray flux ratio of about 1000 can result from a combination of gamma-ray absorption and a large neutrino to gamma-ray duty cycle ratio. It is found that the high density of the atmosphere resulting from compression by the beam leads to pion cascading and a neutrino spectrum peaking at 1-10 GeV energies.
Dose-dependent effect of radiation on angiogenic and angiostatic CXC chemokine expression in human endothelial cells.

Abstract Blood vessel growth is regulated by angiogenic and angiostatic CXC chemokines, and radiation is a vasculogenic stimulus. We investigated the effect of radiation on endothelial cell chemokine signaling, receptor expression, and migration and apoptosis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to a single fraction of 0, 5, or 20 Gy of ionizing radiation (IR). All vasculogenic chemokines (CXCL1–3/5–8) increased 3–13-fold after 5 or 20 Gy IR. 20 Gy induced a marked increase (1.6–4-fold) in angiostatic CXC chemokines. CXCR4 expression increased 3.5 and 7-fold at 48 h after 5 and 20 Gy, respectively. Bone marrow progenitor cell chemotaxis was augmented by conditioned media from cells treated with 5 Gy IR. Whereas 5 Gy markedly decreased intrinsic cell apoptosis (0 Gy = 16% ± 3.6 vs. 5 Gy = 4.5% ± 0.3), 20 Gy increased it (21.4% ± 1.2); a reflection of pro-survival angiogenic chemokine expression. Radiation induces a dose-dependent increase in pro-angiogenic CXC chemokines and CXCR4. In contrast, angiostatic chemokines and apoptosis were induced at higher (20 Gy) radiation doses. Cell migration improved significantly following 5 Gy, but not 20 Gy IR. Collectively, these data suggest that lower doses of IR induce an angiogenic cascade while higher doses produce an angiostatic profile.
Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome masquerading multiple sclerosis

Abstract Gerstmann–Straussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a rare degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to the family of human spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. GSS is almost always inherited and mostly carried in an autosomal dominant pattern. Nevertheless, GSS is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous; among the different prion diseases GSS has the longest clinical course thereby has the potential to mimic the clinical course of different neurological disorders. Here, we report of a patient with a progressive ataxic syndrome, with MRI and CSF findings suggestive of a demyelinating-inflammatory process as multiple sclerosis and the cues that prompted to a final diagnosis of GSS.
Ocriplasmin for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion: an evidence-based review of its potential

Vitreomacular traction is a multicategory entity that may cause substantial visual loss due to the formation of a macular hole or traction-induced tissue distortion. The advent of optical coherent tomography (OCT) has demonstrated the anatomic features of persistent vitreomacular attachment (VMA) more definitively, including in many asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients. The indications for intervention are unclear, since it is not possible to predict which eyes might be likely to develop progressive visual loss. This has been especially important since for many years, the only treatment option involved surgical intervention (vitrectomy) to release the persistent VMA. Recently, a pharmacolytic agent, ocriplasmin, has become available after many years of development and investigation, and may offer a feasible alternative to surgery, or even a risk/benefit ratio sufficiently favorable to offer intervention at an earlier stage of VMA. Several studies, including a large, prospective clinical trial, have established the foundation of its rationale and efficacy, providing the basis of its approval. The role for ocriplasmin in clinical practice is in the process of being determined. This paper summarizes current knowledge and status of investigations regarding ocriplasmin-induced pharmacologic vitreolysis, and offers some evidence-based considerations for its use.
A COMPARISON OF SOME CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF YOGURTS MADE FROM CONTROL AND LACTASE-TREATED MILKS

Certain properties of yogurts made from regular commercial skim milk and from milk which had been treated with lactase enzyme so that 70-75% of the lactose was hydrolyzed to glucose and galactose were evaluated. Initially faster rates of acid production in lactase-hydrolyzed milks (LH) during fermentation resulted in somewhat shortened processing times, although a decrease in the rate of acid production occurred earlier during fermentation in the LH milk so that final product pH was similar for both the control and LH yogurts. Control yogurts contained 5.0% lactose and 0.2% galactose while LH yogurts contained 1.6% glucose, 1.5% lactose and 2.1% galactose. Appreciably more lactic acid was produced in LH yogurts and this effect has been related to fermentation by the starter culture organisms of a greater proportion of the available sugar as glucose.
Oscillations in double-diffusive convection

We have studied the transition between oscillatory and steady convection in a simplified model of two-dimensional thermosolutal convection. This model is exact to second order in the amplitude of the motion and is qualitatively accurate for larger amplitudes. If the ratio of the solutal diffusivity to the thermal diffusivity is sufficiently small and the solutal Rayleigh number, RS, sufficiently large, convection sets in as overstable oscillations, and these oscillations grow in amplitude as the thermal Rayleigh number, RT, is increased. In addition to this oscillatory branch, there is a branch of steady solutions that bifurcates from the static equilibrium towards lower values of RT; this subcritical branch is initially unstable but acquires stability as it turns round towards increasing values of RT. For moderate values of RS the oscillatory branch ends on the unstable (subcritical) portion of the steady branch, where the period of the oscillations becomes infinite. For larger values of RS a birfurcation from symmetrical to asymmetrical oscillations is followed by a succession of bifurcations, at each of which the period doubles, until the motion becomes aperiodic at some finite value of RT. The chaotic solutions persist as RT is further increased but eventually they lose stability and there is a transition to the stable steady branch. These results are consistent with the behaviour of solutions of the full two-dimensional problem and suggest that period-doubling, followed by the appearance of a strange attractor, is a characteristic feature of double-diffusive convection.
Robot exercise instructor: A socially assistive robot system to monitor and encourage physical exercise for the elderly

We describe the design and implementation of a socially assistive robot that monitors the performance of a user during a seated arm exercise scenario, with the purpose of providing motivation to the user to complete the task and to improve performance. The visual arm pose recognition procedure used by the robot in tracking user performance, the three exercise games, and the methodology behind the human-robot interaction dialogue are presented. A two-condition experimental study was conducted with elderly participants to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the robot exercise system, the results of which demonstrate the viability and usefulness of the system in motivating exercise among elderly users.
Halting in single word production: A test of the perceptual loop theory of speech monitoring

The perceptual loop theory of speech monitoring (Levelt, 1983) claims that inner and overt speech are monitored by the comprehension system, which detects errors by comparing the comprehension of formulated utterances to originally intended utterances. To test the perceptual loop monitor, speakers named pictures and sometimes attempted to halt speech in response to auditory (Experiments 1 and 3) or visual (Experiments 2, 4, and 5) words that differed from the picture name. These stop-signal words were varied in terms of their semantic or phonological similarity to the intended word. The ability to halt word production was sensitive to phonological similarity and, in Experiment 5, to emotional valence, but not to semantic similarity. These results suggest that the perceptual loop detects errors by making comparisons at a level where phonological knowledge is represented. These data also imply that dialogue, back channeling, and other areas where speech production is affected by simultaneous comprehension may operate based on phonological comparisons.
Transactional and Participatory Activism in the Emerging European Polity: The Puzzle of East-Central Europe

In this article, the authors examine the potential for concerted collective action in the societies that emerged from state socialism in East-Central Europe after 1989. Although scholars have found strong individual-level evidence that protest potential is weaker here than in other parts of the world, the authors question whether individual-level data adequately tap all the dimensions of activism that are relevant to contentious politics. They propose a differentiated model of civil society consisting of (a) internal potential for citizen action and (b) relational aspects of social activism and argue that some forms of the latter—and in particularly, what they call “transactional activism”—are more robust than what evidence at the individual level suggests. They also examine some local and transnational-level data from the region and speculate about the capacities for collective action they find there and their potential for contributing to the construction of a transnational Europe.
The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

t i F t v d f o F t v v OR THE PAST CENTURY, THE PATHOGENESIS OF AGErelated macular degeneration (AMD) has remained unclear. Treatments developed over the past two ecades focus on late-stage disease, where our knowledge is ost comprehensive. Understanding the first stages of MD may allow us to develop interventions earlier in the isease and save vision. The etiology of AMD, I believe, is largely attributable to mpairment of choroidal perfusion. Atherosclerosis inreases scleral rigidity. Scleral rigidity, in turn, interferes ith choroidal venous drainage of retinal lipoproteins; nd, finally, the accumulation of these lipoproteins is esponsible for the retinal damage seen in early AMD. rogression to the neovascular form results from angioenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF). Photoreceptor loss occurs in geographic atrophy nd neovascular AMD secondary to apoptosis and necrois. For centuries, we have known that the coat of the eye ardens with age. Hardening can be attributable to age, ietary lipid, or atherosclerosis. Venous choroidal blood raverses the sclera tangentially through its four vortex eins rather than in a perpendicular manner characteristic f arterial flow. This tangential passage is not a problem hile the sclera is healthy and pliable, but with increased cleral rigidity, flow can become impaired. As a result, the learance of retinal lipoproteins (from photoreceptor turnver by the retinal pigment epithelium [RPE]) can derease. In 1937, Friedenwald stressed the role of elevated cleral rigidity in the aging eye and Verhoeff, in the same ear, attributed the pathogenesis of AMD to impairment of horoidal blood flow and the development of drusen. In 963, we showed that drusen are manifestations of an xudative process involving the choriocapillaries of chooidal veins (Figure 1). In 1970, using choroidal flatounts, we demonstrated that indeed drusen tend to ppear in those parts of the vortex system farthest from the eart, where the venous pressure is the greatest, anteriorly region of the ora serrata) as well as posteriorly (near the acula), confirming venous involvement in the pathology Figure 2). Recent research by Dashti and associates has hown that the lipoproteins are not of dietary or systemic rigin but are most likely waste products of retinal metablism that are usually excreted by the choroidal circula-
Triheteromeric NMDA Receptors at Hippocampal Synapses

NMDA receptors are composed of two GluN1 (N1) and two GluN2 (N2) subunits. Constituent N2 subunits control the pharmacological and kinetic characteristics of the receptor. NMDA receptors in hippocampal or cortical neurons are often thought of as diheteromeric, meaning that they contain only one type of N2 subunit. However, triheteromeric receptors with more than one type of N2 subunit also have been reported, and the relative contribution of diheteromeric and triheteromeric NMDA receptors at synapses has been difficult to assess. Because wild-type hippocampal principal neurons express N1, N2A, and N2B, we used cultured hippocampal principal neurons from N2A and N2B knock-out mice as templates for diheteromeric synaptic receptors. However, summation of N1/N2B and N1/N2A EPSCs could not account for the deactivation kinetics of wild-type EPSCs. To make a quantitative estimate of NMDA receptor subtypes at wild-type synapses, we used the deactivation kinetics and the effects of the competitive antagonist NVP-AAM077. Our results indicate that three types of NMDA receptors contribute to wild-type EPSCs, with at least two-thirds being triheteromeric receptors. Functional isolation of synaptic triheteromeric receptors revealed deactivation kinetics and pharmacology that were distinct from either diheteromeric receptor subtype. Because of differences in open probability, synaptic triheteromeric receptors outnumbered N1/N2A receptors by 5.8 to 1 and N1/N2B receptors by 3.2 to 1. Our results suggest that triheteromeric NMDA receptors must either be preferentially assembled or preferentially localized at synapses.
The infirmary as a short-term psychiatric facility.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the role of the Oregon State University Infirmary (inpatient unit) in the provision of crisis intervention services for students with emotional problems. The focus was on the working assumptions of the infirmary program, the patient population which utilized the infirmary, the dimensions of treatment, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected for a three year span on all patients who had contact with the infirmary for problems of an emotional nature. Records were reviewed for demographic variables, presenting symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, disposition, and outcomes. Comparisons were made between these patients and those who received outpatient services through the Oregon State University Mental Health Clinic. Demographic data indicated that patients who were treated in the infirmary differed only slightly from either the general student population of the university or from students receiving outpatient services. Presenting symptoms reflected a wi...
Microanatomy of the lung parenchyma of a tegu lizard Tupinambis nigropunctatus

The combined techniques of light microscopy, scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used for the first time to study the structure of unicameral lungs of a Tegu lizard (Tupinambis nigropunctatus). The lungs are prolate spheroid bags with blood supplied by superficial branches of a dorsal pulmonary artery and returned by diffuse, more deeply located veins. The primary bronchus enters the medial aspect near the apex of the lung. The lung wall is composed of trabeculae: (1) arranged in a faviform pattern, (2) forming individual faveoli (gas exchange chambers) which appear deepest in the cranial one-half of the lung, (3) all of which have a smooth muscle core overlain by either a ciliated or nonciliated epithelium. A ciliated epithelium lines the luminal surfaces of the large primary trabeculae and parts of smaller secondary trabeculae; it is composed of cone-shaped cells with ciliated-microvillous surfaces, and of columnar serous secreting cells. Nonciliated epithelium covers the luminal surface of portions of some secondary trabeculae, abluminal surfaces of primary and secondary trabeculae and all surfaces of the small tertiary trabeculae forming the faveoli. The nonciliated epithelium overlies an extensive superficial capillary network. The blood-gas barrier (0.7-1.0 μm thick) is composed of a thin cytoplasmic flange of Type I pneumonocytes, a thick homogeneous basal lamina and an attenuated endothelial cytoplasm. Numerous surfactant-producing Type II pneumonocytes are closely associated with the Type I pneumonocytes. The nonrespiratory ciliated epithelium may function in humidification of air and clearing of the lungs.
Myocardial and pancreatic necrosis induced by rocio virus, a new flavivirus

Abstract Rocio virus, the etiologic agent of an epidemic of human encephalitis in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, produced a severe, generalized infection in suckling hamsters. Of the non-neural organs, heart and pancreas were most severely affected. Focal necrosis was apparent in the heart 48 hr after intracerebral inoculation, and by 72 hr it was widespread. Virus particles were seen within cisternae in both the myocardial fibers and the smooth musculature of small blood vessels. The pancreas exhibited minimal changes at 48 hr but within 72 hr there was extensive necrosis, with both exocrine and endocrine portions of the organ severely affected. Virus particles were found mostly within the acinar cells where frequently they were sequestered in the zymogen granules, and within the beta cells in the islets. They were also seen in vacuoles in unmyelinated nerve fibers supplying the pancreas.
Spermioteleosis of Bruchus quadrimaculatus, Fabr.†

The cytoplasmic structures in the spermioteleosis of Bruchus quadrimaculatus were studied, using various fixatives and stains including vital and smear techniques. Mitochondria appear in all stages following spermatogonia, exhibiting characteristic appearances during mitoses and in the spermatids. The [central substance] in the halves of the nebenkern becomes localized along the edges of the outgrowing [ribbons] as the source of the marginal filament. The undulating membrane apparently is formed by the fusion of these [ribbons.] The axial filament arises from the distal centriole, being permanently attached thereto, and lies along one edge of the undulating membrane of the tail. Golgi bodies are first observed in the secondary spermatocyte; they behave characteristically during spermiogenesis, producing the acrosome and leaving a residuum, the Golgi remnant, to be sloughed off with the cytoplasm from the tail. Chromatoid bodies occur in some spermatids but not in others. They migrate backward along the axial filament to be rejected with the Golgi remnant.
Triplex ultrasound: elasticity imaging to age deep venous thrombosis

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and its sequela, pulmonary embolism (PE), is the leading cause of preventable in-hospital mortality in the USA and other developed countries. After it is detected, acute clots must be differentiated from chronic DVT for appropriate treatment. However, there are no reliable thrombus staging methods presently available in clinical practice. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that blood clots can be detected and staged using a triplex ultrasound (US) test. Triplex US is based on a "gold standard" duplex US technique augmented by US-based reconstructive elasticity imaging. Fibrin-composed blood clots harden with development and organization. By imaging clot elasticity, it may be possible to both detect and differentiate clots and, therefore, provide an urgently needed noninvasive means of DVT staging.
Ontogenesis of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine receptors in neonatal rat brain: dissociation between receptor concentration and stimulation of oxygen consumption by 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine.

Studies were undertaken to define the concentration of T3 nuclear receptors in the brain of the developing rat. Efforts were made to correlate such concentrations to the level of circulating T3 and to the period during which T3 exerts its maximal effects on maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, the effect of T3 on O2 consumption by slices of neonatal and adult brain was tested in order to determine whether or not neonatal brain, unlike adult brain, is responsive to T3 by this criterion. Receptor sites were demonstrated in fetal whole brain with a binding capacity of 0.17 ± 0.02 ng T3/mg DNA, a value only slightly lower than in adult brain (0.22 ± 0.03 ng T3/mg DNA). Two days after birth, the binding capacity had risen sharply to 0.38 ± 6.04 ng T3/mg DNA. During the subsequent 4 weeks, the binding capacity fell to adult levels. Plasma T3 concentrations were exceedingly low in the fetal serum (0.08 ± 0.01 ng/ml) despite the near normal nuclear binding capacity of brain. A rapid increase ...
MABEL at IPAC: managing address books and email lists at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center

The Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC), located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology, is NASA's multi-mission data center for infrared astrophysics. Some of IPAC's services include administering data analysis funding awards to the astronomical community, organizing conferences and workshops, and soliciting and selecting fellowship and observing proposals. As most of these services are repeated annually or biannually, it becomes necessary to maintain multiple lists of email contacts associated with each service. MABEL is a PHP/MySQL web database application designed to facilitate this process. It serves as an address book containing up-to-date contact information for thousands of recipients. Recipients may be assigned to any number of email lists categorized by IPAC project and team. Lists may be public (viewable by all project members) or private (viewable only by team members). MABEL can also be used to send HTML or plain-text emails to multiple lists at once and prevents duplicate emails to a single recipient. This work was performed at the California Institute of Technology under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
An Integrative Neural Network for Detecting Inertial Motion and Head Orientation

The ability to navigate in the world and execute appropriate behavioral responses depends critically on the contribution of the vestibular system to the detection of motion and spatial orientation. A complicating factor is that otolith afferents equivalently encode inertial and gravitational accelerations. Recent studies have demonstrated that the brain can resolve this sensory ambiguity by combining signals from both the otoliths and semicircular canal sensors, although it remains unknown how the brain integrates these sensory contributions to perform the nonlinear vector computations required to accurately detect head movement in space. Here, we illustrate how a physiologically relevant, nonlinear integrative neural network could be used to perform the required computations for inertial motion detection along the interaural head axis. The proposed model not only can simulate recent behavioral observations, including a translational vestibuloocular reflex driven by the semicircular canals, but also accounts for several previously unexplained characteristics of central neural responses such as complex otolith-canal convergence patterns and the prevalence of dynamically processed otolith signals. A key model prediction, implied by the required computations for tilt-translation discrimination, is a coordinate transformation of canal signals from a head-fixed to a spatial reference frame. As a result, cell responses may reflect canal signal contributions that cannot be easily detected or distinguished from otolith signals. New experimental protocols are proposed to characterize these cells and identify their contributions to spatial motion estimation. The proposed theoretical framework makes an essential first link between the computations for inertial acceleration detection derived from the physical laws of motion and the neural response properties predicted in a physiologically realistic network implementation.
Interpretation of cost-effectiveness analyses.

Dr. Owens is supported by a Career Development Award from the VA Health Services Research and Development Program.
Optical Characterization of Damage Resistant “kilolayer” Rugate Filters

Multilayer dielectric optical coatings produced by high temperature plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) have been previously shown to have very high surface and bulk damage thresholds (above 40J/cm{sup 2}). Because these experimental coatings are deposited on tubular substrates, conventional wavelength scanning cannot accurately measure the coating peak reflectance and bandwidth. Measurement of the variation of transmittance with incidence angle at fixed wavelength permits analysis of the coating spectral response. The results indicate that the PCVD coatings behave as nearly ideal'' rugate filters. Their optical performance agrees well with that predicted for a rugate by Southwell's coupled-wave theory and by the characteristic-matrix model. These 1000-layer-pair filters have maximum reflectances exceeding 99.9%, peak reflectance wavelengths within 0.5% of the design wavelength, and FWHM bandwidths narrower than 10 nm. Minor perturbations to the ideal rugate sinusoidal profile do not appreciably affect the coating optical performance. Comparison with calculations suggest that the only significant deviation of the PCVD structure from that of an ideal rugate is a small (0.7%) drift in the index period. Excellent optical performance and high damage resistance makes PCVD rugate coatings potentially useful for several high power laser applications. 13 refs., 7 figs.
An Acetate Prodrug of a Pyridinol-Based Vitamin E Analogue

Purpose To investigate of an approach to stabilize a novel pyridinol based α–tocopherol analogue (1) as a prodrug by acetylation of its phenol moiety.
The phase-space hydrodynamic model for the quantum standard map

Abstract The dynamics of the quantum standard map is studied in a quantum phase-space representation using the hydrodynamic analogy. The hydrodynamic picture is adapted to a coherent state representation in a cylindrical phase space. The hydrodynamic field variables are formulated as diagonal coherent state expectation values of well defined quantum operators. The dynamics of wavepackets for the quantum standard map are numerically investigated by following the phase-space field variables in time and by constructing the Lagrangian fluid trajectories. Of special interest is the role of phase-space structure in interpreting the quantum evolution. It is found that many remnants of classical structure in the chaotic regime serve to localize quantum states.
Document-centered information systems to support reactive problem-solving in manufacturing

Abstract This paper develops and illustrates a methodology for building document-based information systems to support collaborative manufacturing problem-solving. The paper begins with an exploratory case study to understand the information requirements for reactive problem-solving in manufacturing. We focus on the communication mechanisms, decision-making processes, and implementation issues to address problems that arise due to materials shortage in an electronics assembly plant. Based upon observations from this case study, we describe a conceptual framework for computer-supported reactive problem-solving that emphasizes parsimony and generalizability. The framework consists of 4 layers—organizational process, computational process, data/information model, and network architecture—to link the necessary interactions between people, application systems, database structures, and hardware. To better support the collaborative needs of reactive problem-solving, we extend existing manufacturing information models to incorporate collaborative distributed hypermedia (or interlinked networks of structured multimedia documents), and provide details of a novel strategy to develop computer support for effective reactive problem-solving.
Preferential protonation and methylation site of thiopyrimidine derivatives in solution: NMR data.

Protonation (alkylation) sites of several thiopyrimidine derivatives were directly determined by 1H−15N (1H−13C) heteronuclear single quantum coherence/heteronuclear multiple bond correlation methods, and it was found that in all compounds, protonation (methylation) occurred at the N1 nitrogen. GIAO DFT chemical shifts were in full agreement with the determined tautomeric structures. According to ab initio calculations, the stability of the different protonated forms and methylated derivatives was favored due to thermodynamic control and not kinetic control.
Physiological ecology of Juniperus virginiana in oldfields

Juniperus virginiana plants grow faster than other associated tree species in abandoned fields. During the summer the needles of the species do not light saturate even at 1,750 μE m-2 s-1, reach optimum photosynthesis at ∼20°C, and maintain maximum photosynthesis at-8 to-12 bar twig water potential. In the field, the plants experience pronounced daily changes in water potential. The magnitude of the changes becomes more pronounced later in the summer. Leaves of the mature plants have highest rate of photosynthesis, young trees intermediate, and seedlings lowest. In winter there is a slight shift in optimum temperature for photosynthesis and the plants photosynthesize at 0°C. The rates of photosynthesis are lower in winter than in summer. On sunny days with calm winds, mature individuals and seedlings maintain significantly higher temperatures than air temperature while intermediate plants do not. The latter exhibit a lower photosynthetic rate than both mature plants and seedlings. The trends of photosynthesis, in the 3 size classes, both in winter and summer, correspond to the chlorophyll content of their leaves. It is concluded that J. virginiana grows well in open field habitats because it is a sun-adapted, drought resistant species with a long growing season which includes winter. The species is excluded from mature forests because it is shade-intolerant.
Optimal Neural Network Model for Characterization of Process‐Induced Damage in Drilling Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

In this paper, a method for robust design of a neural network (NN) model for prediction of delamination (Da), damage width (Dw), and hole surface roughness (Ra) during drilling in carbon fiber rein...
Adaptation of a 15-ft-dia ribbon parachute and a 73-ft cross main recovery parachute for cargo delivery from high altitude

An existing parachute system has been adapted for delivery of a resupply container at high altitudes from aircraft. The parachute system consists of a 15-ft diameter ribbon parachute reefed for 10 seconds and a 73-ft diameter cross parachute reefed for 10 seconds. A solid state recorder in the 2341 1b drop test vehicle was used to obtain deceleration history with time. Two drop tests using the Navy A7 aircraft were conducted at Stallion Site, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Drop release conditions were 250 KCAS at 20,000 ft above sea level from the first test and 230 KCAS at 22,000 ft msl for the second. A new load transfer bridle was designed and tested to release the first stage parachute and replace a costly mechanical load plate.
Emissivity of Electronic Materials, Coatings, and Structures

This study presents an overview of commonly used electronic materials and nanocoatings, as well as the evolution and significance of emissivity of commonly used electronic materials and nanocoatings. In addition, some key issues are addressed, such as accurate temperature measurements during materials processing and control as well as thermal management in high-power electronic device applications. Case studies of the optical properties of bulk materials, multilayered structures, and electronic devices, mainly bolometers, are discussed and analyzed for optimization.
Deviant writing and youth identity: Representation of dialects with Chinese characters on the internet

This paper examines the emergence of the representation of dialect with Chinese characters (fangyan wenzihua) on the Internet. The online dialect writing is primarily identified as a subject of Internet language and youth language study. The CMC discourse as a hybrid register mixing spoken and written language features facilitates the written use of oral dialect on the Internet. Deviating from the standard Chinese writing system, the Internet-savvy youth transcribe their native dialects on an ad hoc basis, which celebrates multiplicity, creativity, individuality and resists uniformity, standardization, and institutionalization. Taking the SHN website (www.shanghaining.com) as a case study, the paper discusses how the written Shanghai Wu words are explored to mark a distinct visual style and to articulate a distinct local youth identity. Furthermore, this paper examines the dominant strategy of phonetic borrowing in dialect transcription on the Internet. It is argued that diachronically, the youth’s phonocentric obsession tapped into the May Fourth tradition of the baihua vernacular movement that was heavily influenced by the European logocentrism; and synchronically, the celebration of dialect sound on the Internet echoes the contemporary soundscape of local dialects formed in the mass media in recent years.
Scrambled actin I gene in the micronucleus of Oxytricha nova.

In the hypotrichous ciliate Oxytricha nova the cloned precursor gene from the micronuclear genome that encodes actin I is composed of highly disordered blocks of deoxynucle-otide sequences. We present and illustrate in detail a recombination model that explains how the actin I gene may be unscrambled during macronuclear development after cell mating. The model was described in a previous publication (Greslin et al.: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:6264-6268, 1989). Here we show the data, described in the earlier publication, that support the model. The data show that scrambling is not an artifact of cloning. They rule against the presence of an unscrambled copy of the actin I gene in the micronucleus, which means that unscrambling must be a part of macro-nuclear development. Finally, the data prove that the actin I gene in O. trifallax is scrambled in a pattern that resembles the pattern in O. nova. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Nature of Mediterranean Europe: An Ecological History

A. T. Grove and O. Rackham. New Haven, CT: Blackwell Publishing, 2001. 384 pp., maps, photos., diags., biblio., and index. $75.00 cloth (ISBN 0-300-08443-9). Environmental history is an emerging fi...