cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 241: Influence of Dietary Salt and Renin-angiotensin System activity on plasma Retinol-binding Protein 4 in Healthy Human Subjects

Introduction: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4) is a circulating adipokine associated with insulin resistance, obesity and cardiovascular risk. Previous evidence suggests a negative impact on insulin sensitivity via an interaction with the insulin-stimulated glucose transporter (GLUT-4), specifically in adipocytes. Since angiotensin-2 (ANG-2) impairs GLUT-4 presentation and insulin sensitivity, we hypothesized that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity might affect RBP-4 expression as well. Furthermore, both RAS activity and insulin sensitivity are affected by dietary salt, but the relationship between these factors and RBP-4 expression is unknown. We hypothesized that liberal salt diet, via suppression of RAS activity, would be associated with reduced RBP-4 levels compared to salt restriction. METHODS: Healthy subjects (7 men, 7 women, mean age 24 yr, BMI 22.6) were studied on low salt (LS 10 mmol Na/day) diet and then liberal salt (HS 200 mmol Na/day) diet for 1 week each. Samples were drawn after overnight rest in the supine position for plasma renin activity (PRA), serum Aldosterone (Aldo) and plasma RBP-4 and again after ANG-2 infusion (3ng/kg/min x 45 mins). Results: Salt manipulation predictably modified RAS activity (HS v. LS Aldo, 4.5 ± 3.8 v. 19.5 ± 8.5 ng/dl [p Conclusion: RBP-4 levels are modified by dietary salt intake. RBP-4 levels were lower under HS conditions (suppressed RAS) as compared to LS conditions. Acute administration of ANG-2 does not increase RBP-4 levels in this healthy population. Insulin response was similar to prior reports suggesting that the connection between RAS activity, dietary salt and insulin sensitivity may include RBP-4. Future work exploring the relationship between RBP-4, GLUT-4 and insulin sensitivity should take into consideration the effect of dietary salt intake.
Poisson mixture distribution analysis for North Carolina SIDS counts using information criteria

Mixture distribution analysis provides us with a tool for identifying unlabeled clusters that naturally arise in a data set. In this paper, we demonstrate how to use the information criteria AIC and BIC to choose the optimal number of clusters for a given set of univariate Poisson data. We give an empirical comparison between minimum Hellinger distance (MHD) estimation and EM estimation for finding parameters in a mixture of Poisson distributions with artificial data. In addition, we discuss Bayes error in the context of classification problems with mixture of 2, 3, 4, and 5 Poisson models. Finally, we provide an example with real data, taken from a study that looked at sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) count data from 100 North Carolina counties (Symons et al., 1983). This gives us an opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed model framework in comparison with the original analysis.
Nano-mechanical Properties

With the development of production from shale oil and shale gas in North America during the last decade, more studies are being conducted in order to improve our knowledge of the shale characteristics. In this chapter, we talk about mechanical properties of shale samples in micro- and nano-scale. Nanoindentation and Atomic Force Microscopy were newly used advanced techniques in petroleum engineering to investigate the mechanical properties of shales. X-ray diffraction and energy diffusive spectroscopy were used to study the mineral compositions. Based on nanoindentation experiments, elastic modulus and hardness can be extracted from the force-displacement curve. AFM Peakforce quantitively nanomechanical mode is a relatively new mode which can produce maps of surface height and DMT modulus at the same time. In this chapter, we report the application of these two techniques on shale samples taken from Bakken Formation in Williston Basin, North Dakota.
Tumors: Clinical Behavior

Nonchromaffin paragangliomas have been reported arising in all age groups from the neonatal period to advanced age, with a peak incidence between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The average age also varies with the site of origin. Tumors were reported arising at the carotid bifurcation (Wosnessenski, 1923; Helpap and Helpap, 1966) and at ectopic carotid (Akkary, 1964) and temporal (Helpap and Helpap, 1966; Busby and Hepp, 1974) sites in infants several months of age. Elders and DeBoer (1961) also described aortic body tumors in a neonate and in a 6-month-old infant. Review of approximately 2000 reported cases reveals about 30 cases occurring in persons under 20 years of age. On review of the literature between 1919 and 1969, Helpap and Grouls (1971) found 36 cases of nonchromaffin paraganglioma in which the first symptom appeared before the age of 15 years. However, their series included 4 “paraganglioma femorale” lesions, which probably are alveolar soft-part sarcomas, and a carotid body tumor (Balboni and Pandolfini, 1955) and a glomus jugulare tumor (Bilancioni, 1919), the nature of both being controversial.
Alternative pathways for the in vivo repair of O6-alkylguanine and O4-alkylthymine in Escherichia coli: the adaptive response and nucleotide excision repair.

Abstract The in vivo removal of three different O-alkylated bases from DNA was measured in Escherichia coli. Using monoclonal antibodies specific for O6-methylguanine, O6-ethylguanine and O4-ethylthymine we have monitored the removal of these lesions from six different strains to assess the relative contributions of the adaptive response and of nucleotide excision repair. During the first hour after DNA alkylation, O6-methylguanine, O6-ethylguanine and O4-ethylthymine lesions were repaired almost exclusively by nucleotide excision, except when the adaptive response was being constitutively expressed. In wild-type E. coli the adaptive response began to contribute to O6-methylguanine repair about one hour after alkylation, the time required for the full induction of the ada DNA methyltransferase. In contrast, the adaptive response did not play such a large role in the repair of O6-ethylguanine and O4-ethylthymine in wild-type E. coli, presumably because DNA ethylation damage is a poor inducer of the adaptive response; possible reasons for this poor induction are discussed. The repair of all three O-alkylated lesions was virtually absent in ada- uvr- bacteria suggesting that no alternative pathway is available for their repair, at least during the first two hours after alkylation. When the repair of O-alkylated bases was compromised by an ada- or by a uvr- mutation, the bacteria became more sensitive to alkylation induced killing and mutation.
Drivers, alternatives, knowledge, and perceptions towards antimicrobial use among Tennessee beef cattle producers: a qualitative study

In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans, which has triggered concerns over non-judicious antimicrobial use. In the United States, antimicrobial use in food-producing animals for growth promotion or improved feed efficiency is perceived as non-judicious. To facilitate judicious antimicrobial use, the United States Food and Drug Administration implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive, effective from January 1, 2017. Interventions, such as the VFD, designed to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials among cattle producers may be more effective if the factors that inform and influence producer AMU practices are addressed. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the following among Tennessee beef cattle producers: (1) the most common drivers for using antimicrobials, (2) the perceived alternatives to antimicrobials, (3) the knowledge and perceptions regarding antimicrobial resistance, and (4) the preferred avenues for receiving information on prudent antimicrobial use. A total of 5 focus group meetings with beef producers were conducted in East, Middle, and West Tennessee. Each focus group was video recorded and thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. The factors that producers considered to drive antimicrobial use were the type of cattle operation, disease and animal welfare, economic factors, veterinarian consultation, producer’s experience and peer support, Veterinary Feed Directive, and perceived drug efficacy. Vaccination, proper nutrition, and other good management practices were considered alternatives to antimicrobial use. To encourage vaccine use among small producers, participants suggested packaging vaccines into smaller quantities. Antimicrobial resistance was perceived to be a problem affecting animal and public health. Participants suggested additional education for cattle producers on the prudent use of antimicrobials as a measure for improving antimicrobial use. The veterinarian, producer associations and meetings, and county extension agents emerged as trusted avenues for channeling information on prudent antimicrobial use to cattle producers. Several factors drive antimicrobial use among cattle producers in Tennessee. Participants generally perceived their antimicrobial use to be discreet and only when necessary. More awareness of drivers for the development of antimicrobial resistance and continuing education on prudent antimicrobial use is needed for Tennessee beef producers.
The Impact of State Firearm Laws on Homicide and Suicide Deaths in the USA, 1991–2016: a Panel Study

Firearm injuries are a major cause of mortality in the USA. Few recent studies have simultaneously examined the impact of multiple state gun laws to determine their independent association with homicide and suicide rates. To examine the relationship between state firearm laws and overall homicide and suicide rates at the state level across all 50 states over a 26-year period. Using a panel design, we analyzed the relationship between 10 state firearm laws and total, age-adjusted homicide and suicide rates from 1991 to 2016 in a difference-in-differences, fixed effects, multivariable regression model. There were 1222 observations for homicide analyses and 1300 observations for suicide analyses. Populations of all US states. The outcome measures were the annual age-adjusted rates of homicide and suicide in each state during the period 1991–2016. We controlled for a wide range of state-level factors. Universal background checks were associated with a 14.9% (95% CI, 5.2–23.6%) reduction in overall homicide rates, violent misdemeanor laws were associated with a 18.1% (95% CI, 8.1–27.1%) reduction in homicide, and “shall issue” laws were associated with a 9.0% (95% CI, 1.1–17.4%) increase in homicide. These laws were significantly associated only with firearm-related homicide rates, not non-firearm-related homicide rates. None of the other laws examined were consistently related to overall homicide or suicide rates. We found a relationship between the enactment of two types of state firearm laws and reductions in homicide over time. However, further research is necessary to determine whether these associations are causal ones.
The Extreme Compact Starburst in Markarian 273.

Images of neutral hydrogen 21 cm absorption and radio continuum emission at 1.4 GHz from Mrk 273 were made using the Very Long Baseline Array and Very Large Array. These images reveal a gas disk associated with the northern nuclear region with a diameter 05 (370 pc) at an inclination angle of 53°. The radio continuum emission is composed of a diffuse component plus a number of compact sources. This morphology resembles those of nearby, lower luminosity starburst galaxies. These images provide strong support for the hypothesis that the luminosity of the northern source is dominated by an extreme compact starburst. The H I 21 cm absorption shows an east-west gradient in velocity of 450 km s-1 across 03 (220 pc), which implies an enclosed mass of 2 × 109 M☉, comparable to the molecular gas mass. The brightest of the compact sources may indicate radio emission from an active nucleus, but this source contributes only 3.8% to the total flux density of the northern nuclear regions. The H I 21 cm absorption toward the southeast radio nucleus suggests infall at 200 km s-1 on scales ≤40 pc, and the southwest near-IR nucleus is not detected in high-resolution radio continuum images.
Fathers' perpetration of intimate partner violence and parenting during early childhood: Results from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study.

Abstract Background Experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization negatively impact maternal parenting. However, little is known about the association between fathers’ perpetration of IPV and paternal parenting. Objective To examine associations between fathers’ IPV perpetration against the child’s mother and fathers’ stimulation and spanking practices with their young child. Participants and Setting We used two waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study in the United States. The analytic sample comprised of 2,257 biological fathers who had been in a romantic relationship with the child’s mother. Methods Fathers’ IPV perpetration at year 1 and 3 was measured based on maternal report. Fathers were categorized into: never perpetrators (no IPV at either year), persisters (IPV at both years), desisters (IPV at year 1 only), and emergers (IPV at year 3 only). Fathers’ parenting at year 3 was measured based on self-reported stimulation (e.g., reading books, playing games, telling stories) and spanking. Results Approximately one-third of fathers never perpetrated IPV, 35.8% were persisters, 14.4% were desisters, and 16.9% were emergers. For stimulation, persisters (β=-0.16, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.06) and emergers (β=-0.25, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.14), but not desisters (β=-0.02, 95% CI: -0.14, 0.11), were less engaged in stimulation than fathers who never perpetrated IPV. However, for spanking, there were no differences in the associations by father IPV profiles. Conclusions Findings suggest that fathers’ perpetration of IPV is related to their stimulation practices. Partner-abusive men and their children may benefit from parenting programs that promote engagement in stimulation and improve the quality of parent-child relationships.
Investigation of a Solid-State Tuning Behavior in Lithium Niobate

Electric field-based frequency tuning of acoustic resonators at the material level may provide an enabling technology for building complex tunable filters. Tunable acoustic resonators were fabricated in thin plates ( h / $\lambda ~\sim ~0.05$ ) of X-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) (90°, 90°, $\psi = 170^{\circ }$ ). LiNbO3 is known for its large electromechanical coupling ( ${K} ^{2}$ ) for the shear and symmetric Lamb modes (SH0: ${K} ^{2} =40$ %, S0: ${K} ^{2} =30$ %) in thin plates and, thus, applicability for low-insertion loss and wideband filter applications. We demonstrate the effect of a dc bias in X-cut LiNbO3 to shift the resonant frequency by ~0.4% through direct tuning of the resonator material. A nonlinear acoustic computation predicted 0.36% tuning, which was in excellent agreement with the tuning measurement. For X-cut, we predicted electrical tuning of the S0 mode up to 1.6% and for Y-cut the electrical tuning of the SH0 and S0 modes was up to 7.0% with ${K} ^{2} =27.1$ %. The mechanism is based on the nonlinearities that exist in the piezoelectric properties of LiNbO3. The X-cut SH0 mode resonators were centered near 335 MHz and achieved a frequency tuning of 6 kHz/V through the application of a dc bias.
Polarization-Independent Directionally Invisible Electromagnetic Scatterers

Nonmagnetic directionally invisible objects can be constructed with independent control of the permittivity and permeability, providing significant design flexibility. This technique may be used to design new types of invisible objects.
4CPS-235 Systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background and importance SARS-CoV-2 infection has different stages and there are different targets for possible treatment. Corticosteroid therapy is one treatment, and information on the experience of hospitals in the first months of a pandemic can be very useful in providing more evidence for routine clinical practice. Aim and objectives To describe the use of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as the characteristics of the treated population. Material and methods This was a retrospective observational study conducted in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and May 2020. Variables collected were: sex, age, date of admission and hospital discharge, comorbidities (respiratory pathology, arterial hypertension (AHT), diabetes mellitus (DM)), concomitant treatment with remdesivir and/or tocilizumab, stay in intensive care unit (ICU) and/or hospital ward, type of corticosteroid administered, dose, treatment duration and length of hospital stay. Variables were obtained from the electronic medical record programmes. Results 102 patients were studied, 84 on the ward and 18 in the ICU, 66% men, with a mean age of 63±16 years. Eight patients had respiratory pathology, 44 AHT and 30 DM. Three patients received remdesivir and 55 tocilizumab. Classifying patients by comorbidities, corticosteroids were given to 63% of patients with respiratory disease, 41% with HT and 30% with DM. Regarding concomitant treatment, 33% of patients treated with remdesivir and 40% with tocilizumab received corticosteroids. In total, 30 patients received corticosteroid treatment, 23 on the ward and 7 in the ICU. On the ward, the mean daily dose of methylprednisolone was 122 mg/day, with a mean duration of 4.5 days, while for prednisone it was 18 mg/day, with a duration of 1.7 days. In the ICU, the mean daily dose of methylprednisolone was 112 mg/day, with a duration of 5.8 days, and for prednisone, 12 mg/day, with a duration of 5.8 days. One patient received a single dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone. Mean hospital stay for ICU patients who received corticosteroids was 39.3 days compared with 26.3 days for those who did not receive corticosteroids; on the ward, mean stay was 20.5 and 10.8 days, respectively. Conclusion and relevance Patients treated with corticosteroids required longer hospital stays, especially for ICU patients. Methylprednisolone dose was similar in the ICU and on the ward, but treatment duration was longer in the ICU. A high percentage of patients with comorbidities and treatment with remdesivir and/or tocilizumab required subsequent corticosteroid treatment. References and/or acknowledgements Conflict of interest No conflict of interest
Cascaded Diffusion Models for High Fidelity Image Generation

We show that cascaded diffusion models are capable of generating high fidelity images on the class-conditional ImageNet generation challenge, without any assistance from auxiliary image classifiers to boost sample quality. A cascaded diffusion model comprises a pipeline of multiple diffusion models that generate images of increasing resolution, beginning with a standard diffusion model at the lowest resolution, followed by one or more super-resolution diffusion models that successively upsample the image and add higher resolution details. We find that the sample quality of a cascading pipeline relies crucially on conditioning augmentation, our proposed method of data augmentation of the lower resolution conditioning inputs to the super-resolution models. Our experiments show that conditioning augmentation prevents compounding error during sampling in a cascaded model, helping us to train cascading pipelines achieving FID scores of 1.48 at 64x64, 3.52 at 128x128 and 4.88 at 256x256 resolutions, outperforming BigGAN-deep, and classification accuracy scores of 63.02% (top-1) and 84.06% (top-5) at 256x256, outperforming VQ-VAE-2.
Nutritional interventions for prevention of metabolic disorders in transition cows

The objective of this presentation is to overview the biology and hepatic metabolism that contributes to onset and progression of metabolic disorders. Nutritional interventions that decrease metabolic disorders will be discussed within the context of nutrient partitioning and hepatic metabolism in order to understand the mechanism of action. Although there are many nutritional interventions that can be considered to influence metabolic health, recent research on fermented ammoniated condensed whey, fatty acids, and choline are of interest here given their ability to influence nutrient partitioning, metabolic health, and production or feed efficiency in peripartum dairy cows.
Temporal and spatial heterogeneity of mineral dissolution rates in fractured media

Abstract Physical heterogeneity in the subsurface creates preferential flowpaths that have the potential to impact mineral dissolution rates. Previous studies using numerical simulations have found that physical heterogeneity can reduce the mineral dissolution rate by an order of magnitude relative to homogeneous simulations. These findings indicate that the long-studied difference between laboratory dissolution rates, and field dissolution rates could be the result of processes caused by heterogeneity in the subsurface, specifically variable fluid flowpaths controlling the approach to fluid saturation. In this study, we investigate the behavior of mineral dissolution rates in heterogeneous fractured rock domains through time. Domains containing albite and non-reactive quartz evolve through 1 million years as rainwater percolates through the system and allows for albite dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. Fracture density and orientation vary in the domains to determine the importance of fracture topology on mineral dissolution rates. In addition, the volumetric flow rate through each domain is systematically varied to determine the impact of changing flow conditions relative to reaction rates. Temporal analysis of the simulation results indicates that domain-averaged dissolution rates decrease with time, similarly to what has been observed in field systems and long-term laboratory experiments. Spatial analysis of the mineral dissolution rates throughout the simulations, indicates that fractures remain reaction limited through most of the simulation, while the matrix is transport limited. Since most of the domain consists of matrix, the domain is transport limited as a whole. However, speciation of the flux-weighted fluid leaving the domain indicates that the fluid is undersaturated with respect to albite, potentially leading to an interpretation that dissolution within the domain is not transport limited. The direct comparison of the spatial distribution of rates and the integrated flux signal appears contradictory, however, this approach reveals that the transport-limited signal that persists through most of the domain is diluted by the higher volume of water that leaves the system through fast-flowing fracture pathways compared to the mass of solutes diffusing out of disconnected portions of the domain. This parsing of the domain into transport-limited regions and kinetic-limited regions, induced by physical heterogeneity, has the potential to further explain the differences between laboratory dissolution rates and field dissolution rates. It is possible that mineral weathering is dominated by transport-limited conditions in many field systems with disconnected fluid pathways where reaction rates are slow due to a buildup of solutes, despite integrated signals in streams indicating far-from equilibrium conditions for dissolution reactions of primary minerals.
Software Defined Radio Based Drone Receiver Payload

A drone receiver (RX) payload is built as a combination of an embedded software defined radio (SDR) and a low noise amplifier (LNA) and limiter circuit to sample radio frequencies (RF) that are transmitted from long distances. The system will be deployed during Costal Land-Air-Sea Interactions (CLASI) experiment in June in Monterey CA to measure EM propagation under ducting conditions [2]. This compact and lightweight system can be attached to a drone for collecting and recording data at high altitudes while maintaining the drone's mobility. This system is cost-effective and simple to operate. Since the SDR is embedded, the software can be uploaded into the SDR after which it can operate independently with no computer control. Limiter LNA both improves the overall noise figure of the receiver payload to ~ 3–4 dB while also acting as a limiter to protect the SDR.
Photon-Assisted Single-Particle Tunneling Between Superconductors

Before attempting to describe what effect a microwave photon might be expected to have on the tunneling current I would like to review briefly the gross features of the usual single-particle tunneling between dissimilar superconductors. If we assume that the energy gaps are e g1 = 2Δ 1 and e g2 = 2Δ 2 and for convenience take Δ 1 > Δ 2, then for T = 0°K there will be no tunneling current for an applied voltage e V o < Δ 1 + Δ 2. At eV o = Δ 1 + Δ 2 there will be an abrupt rise, with an approximately linear increase in the current for all values of eV o ≥ Δ 1 + Δ 2. The effect of finite temperatures on this abrupt rise, or tunneling edge, will be to broaden the transition and give it a definite width. In addition, due to the thermal excitation of electrons across the gap there will be electrons able to tunnel at voltages less than eV o = Δ 1 + Δ 2 , giving rise to a cusp in the current with the peak occurring at eV o = Δ 1 − Δ 2. The magnitude of the current below the tunneling edge, being related to the number of thermally excited electrons, can be made arbitrarily small by going to progressively lower temperatures.
Developing Human Capital in Kazakhstan: An Evaluation of Economic Understanding and Attitudes Toward Market Economics

Economic development experts have recognized the need for the spread of economic literacy in the transition economies of the former Soviet Union. This article presents an analysis of a program designed to enhance economic literacy through teacher training in Kazakhstan. The cognitive and affective outcomes for high school students who were taught by teachers trained through the National Council on Economic Education's (NCEE) International Economic Education Exchange Program (IEEEP) were examined and compared to students in courses taught by a sample of teachers who had not received training. A two equation model was estimated which allowed for the interdependency of economic understanding and attitudes. The results indicate that students taught by trained teachers achieved higher post-course scores on standardized testing instruments, after controlling for differences in student attributes, teacher attributes, and course characteristics. This and other findings suggest that IEEEP training and the distribution of NCEE-developed curriculum materials in Kazakhstan was successful.
Extended LTI anti-windup control with actuator magnitude and rate saturations

In this paper, we study the saturation control of actuators with both magnitude and rate constraints using anti-windup control scheme. Based on extended circle criterion, we develop convex anti-windup control synthesis condition in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The effectiveness of proposed anti-windup control scheme is demonstrated using a flight control example.
An Item-Driven Adaptive Design for Calibrating Pretest Items

Adaptive testing is advantageous in that it provides more efficient ability estimates with fewer items than linear testing does. Item-driven adaptive pretesting may also offer similar advantages, and verification of such a hypothesis about item calibration was the main objective of this study. A suitability index (SI) was introduced to adaptively select pretest items, by which an easy-to-implement calibration methodology—adaptive design—can be used. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the proposed adaptive design as compared to existing methodologies. Results indicate that the adaptive design has many desired features in item calibration, including less bias and more accurate parameter estimates, than the existing methods do. The SI is promising and flexible enough to apply additional constraints on the calibration sample and on the pretest items, for example, constraints on response time. It can also be used to try out individual item modules such as those used in multistage testing. Study limitations and future research are also covered in this report.
Treatment of chromium-bearing wastewaters with constructed wetlands

Chromium can have detrimental effects on most organisms, including humans. The present study focused on the effect of treating chromium-bearing, organic-rich wastewater on constructed wetland performance. Eight laboratory-scale systems were used to study organic matter and chromium removals, with three features tested in duplicate: media with proven chromium sorption capacity, vegetation presence and intermittent influent loading. A set of two wetlands acted as the base design. Average BOD 5 and chromium removal rates were 13.4g/m 2 day and 135 mg Cr/m 2 day, respectively. From an influent chromium concentration of 5 mg/L, 0.05). Overall treatment performance of all systems was remarkably good in spite of significant chromium content and salinity,
United States v. Motion Picture Film The Spirit of ’76

(1983). United States v. Motion Picture Film The Spirit of ’76. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 168-174.
Transfer of fructose and glucose across surviving guinea pig intestine.

Abstract Conversion of fructose to glucose by intestine of guinea pigs involves chain fragmentation in what appears to be an obligatory step, while glucose does not share a similar fate during active transport. A new method for degrading glucose, yielding C-1 as CO 2 , and a simple apparatus for studies on intestinal tissue are described.
Normal human sleep: an overview.

This article discusses normal human sleep. Landmarks leading up to the understanding of human sleep, electroencephalographic definitions, and general characteristics of normal human sleep are presented. Actuarial laboratory data, for both night 1 and night 2, are provided with an explanation of how they are compiled. Finally, the mechanisms governing sleep and wakefulness are reviewed. This information is critical to understanding abnormal sleep associated with sleep disorders.
Hippocampal EEG and information processing: A special role for theta rhythm ☆

Abstract This review analyzes the significance of the principal EEG patterns in the hippocampal EEG: low voltage, fast activity (LVFA), rhythmic, slow activity (RSA), and high voltage, slow (irregular) activity (HVSA), as they may relate to the underlying information processing reactions. Emphasis is given to the significance of RSA and its shifts in frequency. The cause of RSA is presumed to result from the compounding of both postsynaptic potentials and staccato firing of impulses in fiber tracts which is made possible by the special microanatomy of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is proposed to hace three distinct operational modes, as reflected in LVFA, RSA, and HVSA. Modes are assumed to be switch-selected by the input pattern of firing, with one kind of brain reticular drive creating a septal burst pattern the engages the RSA mode, and another kind of reticular drive disrupting the burst pattern and engaging the LVFA mode; lack of reticular drive causes a passive lapse into the HVSA mode. Frequency shifts during the RSA mode could result from a change in number and/or phase relation of contributing impulses and postsynaptic potentials, all of which are readily modified by changes in septal, entorhinal, or reticular inputs; the dentate mossy fiber pool is considered as a critical gate control system for frequency regulation. The consequences of RSA are presumed to be: (1) possible electrotonic action; (2) unified operation as a system of certain circuits within hippocampal “chips”; (3) stereotypical processing of information and (4) RSA involvement in input detection and transformation, analysis of raw and manipulated input data, and delivery of output. Specific examples are given for such postulated output functions as probability biasing, gating (Boolean) and scanning. Finally, such reactions are evaluated in the context of hippocampal relationships with other brain areas and in terms of phylogenetic significance.
Do ADRs enhance portfolio performance for a domestic portfolio? Evidence from the 1990s

Abstract American depository receipts (ADRs) represent an increasingly popular and convenient mechanism for international investing. We analyze ADRs traded throughout the 1990s and find that these securities offer a diversification and portfolio performance benefit when combined with a domestic portfolio (proxied by the S&P 500). While we find that emerging market ADRs are effective instruments for reducing portfolio risk, they do not improve portfolio performance as measured by the Sharpe ratio. Developed market ADRs do improve portfolio performance as measured by the Sharpe ratio. The asset allocation which maximizes the Sharpe ratio is 84 percent domestic stocks, 16 percent developed ADRs, and 0 percent emerging ADRs. Further, due to problems in defining an appropriate market index for ADRs, the Sharpe ratio is viewed to be the preferred performance measure. Other measures such as Jensen’s alpha and the Treynor measure are susceptible to being “gamed” to distort portfolio performance.
Organizational measures as a form of knowledge management: a multitheoretic, communication-based exploration

One form of knowledge management is the use of measures, to foster learning, to transform individual tacit understanding to shared explicit sensemaking, to evaluate and improve processes and customer service, and even to rationalize and control organizational activities and workers. This article summarizes and applies four theoretical approaches-- organizational learning, sense-making, quality management, and critical theory--to explore how measures are constructed, interpreted, and used within organizational settings as forms of knowledge management. The primary principles, the role of communication, and the role of measures are summarized for each approach. The article ends by discussing some implications of measures in general and this multitheoretic conceptualization of measures in particular for knowledge management.
Novel dual-channel fiber-optic surface plasma resonance sensors for biological monitoring

Most applications of fiber optic SPR sensors are designed to measure refractive index (RI) of biological sample by single channel, also the sensitivity and stability of the sensor system is easily affected by the unexpected effects from instrumentation and external environment conditions. In this study, we presented two dual-channel fiber optic SPR sensors based on flat-tip or tetra-taper tip structure with two SPR spectrum located on separate wavelengths that can be used for self-compensating RI measurements of more than one biological samples. The prototyped sensors were fabricated and laboratory characterized. The preliminary experimental results demonstrate the characteristic responses of both SPR wavelengths from two channels are independently correspond to the RI changes of the detected samples or the temperature characters of external environment. Both of these two designs could be extend practicable highly sensitive multi-channel sensor systems that will have extensive applications for biological monitoring.
Association of sleep disturbance with chronicity and remission of alcohol dependence: data from a population-based prospective study.

Objective: We assessed the association of three types of self-reported sleep disturbances (insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep disturbance caused by worry) among individuals with chronic and remitted alcohol dependence, using prospectively gathered data from a population-based sample. Methods: Probability samples of area residents were selected by census tracks and households in Baltimore, MD, in 1981, as part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area program (n= 3481). Between 1993 and 1996, the original cohort was traced, and 73% of the survivors were re-interviewed (n= 1920). Three groups for alcohol dependence status were identified: (1) chronic, (2) remitted, and (3) no lifetime or current history of dependence. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between alcohol dependence status for each type of sleep disturbance. Results: Of the 248 individuals with alcohol dependence, most had achieved remission of dependence by the time of the median 13-year follow-up interview (n= 211). A total of 37 met criteria for chronic dependence. After holding constant potential confounders (age, sex, race, educational level, marital status, psychiatric and illicit drug disorder history, health services use, and age of onset of first alcohol-related problem), we found that chronic dependence was associated with insomnia (odds ratio = 2.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.11–6.08; p= 0.03), relative to those without a history of dependence. Remitted dependence was not associated with sleep disturbance in the models adjusted for covariates. In supplemental analyses, we assessed the association of drinking status with alcohol dependence remission. Conclusions: Individuals with persistent alcohol dependence have greater odds of insomnia than those whose alcohol dependence remits. The need for prospectively gathered data from community-based samples to assess further the temporal relationships of sleep disturbance, alcohol dependence, and alcohol consumption level is discussed.
Fluoroaromatic universal bases in peptide nucleic acids

Fluoroaromatic peptide nucleic acid residues were found to possess little base discrimination when incorporated into PNA.DNA double helices.
The longitudinal photomagneton of electromagnetic radiation: On the absence of faraday induction in vacuo

The recently proposed free space photomagneton,\(\hat B^{(3)} \), of electromagnetic radiation produces no intrinsic Faraday induction in a vacuum, but in matter produces phase free magnetization in the inverse Faraday effect.
Examination of Pt(111)/Ru and Pt(111)/Os surfaces: STM imaging and methanol oxidation activity

Abstract Ruthenium and osmium were deposited in submonolayer amounts on Pt(111) single crystal surfaces using the previously reported ‘spontaneous deposition’ procedure [Chrzanowski et al., Langmuir, 13 (1997) 5974]. Such surfaces were first explored using ex situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to image the deposition characteristics of ruthenium and osmium islands on Pt(111). It was found that, using the spontaneous deposition procedure, a maximum coverage of 0.20 ML ruthenium is formed on the surface after 120 s of exposure to a RuCl 3 solution in 0.1 M HClO 4 . A homogeneous deposition on the Pt(111) surface was found, with no observed preferential deposition on step edges or surface defect sites. In contrast, in the spontaneous deposition of osmium, osmium clusters form preferentially at, though not limited to, surface defect sites and step edges. Osmium island deposition occurs at a greater rate than ruthenium on Pt(111), and possible explanations are presented. Methanol activity on the Pt(111)/Ru and Pt(111)/Os surfaces is also studied, using the coverage values determined to yield the highest activity for methanol electro-oxidation (0.20 ML coverage for Ru and 0.15 ML for Os). At potentials more negative than 0.40 V vs. RHE, the Pt(111)/Ru surface yields a higher surface activity than Pt(111)/Os. However, at potentials more positive than 0.04 V, Pt(111)/Os exhibits demonstrably higher surface activity. The relevance of this data is discussed and future avenues of interest are indicated.
STEADY STATE TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION AND HEAT FLOW IN PRISMATIC BARS WITH ISOTHERMAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Abstract Steady state two-dimensional temperature distribution and heat flow in prismatic bars with isothermal boundary conditions and various external geometry were computed and tabulated. The method of conformal mapping was used.
Simultaneous net accumulation of both K+ and Na+ by lymphocytes at 0°C

Abstract Human lymphocytes at 0°C in low Na + medium accumulate both K + and Na + to levels higher than in the external medium. This is not due to an impermeable compartment or a Donnan equilibrium, and is incompatible with the membrane Na + -pump concept. In contrast, it supports prior evidence that ion exchange in lymphocytes is mediated by adsorption onto and desorption from fixed anionic sites within the cell. Additional aspects of ion and water contents of cells in low Na + medium are described and are explained by this concept.
Fluid Management in Enteral Nutrition

Hydration is an essential component of enteral nutrition management. There are various ways to calculate fluid requirements, most of which are based on some estimate of lean body mass and fluid losses. Once fluid requirement estimates are made, the fluids must be given (if indicated) and there must be ongoing assessment of the patient's clinical hydration status. There are also various ways to provide fluids in enterally fed patients, but for most patients, tap water as a bolused flush suffices to meet fluid needs.
General Allee effect in two-species population biology.

The main objective of this work is to present a general framework for the notion of the strong Allee effect in population models, including competition, mutualistic, and predator–prey models. The study is restricted to the strong Allee effect caused by an inter-specific interaction. The main feature of the strong Allee effect is that the extinction equilibrium is an attractor. We show how a ‘phase space core’ of three or four equilibria is sufficient to describe the essential dynamics of the interaction between two species that are prone to the Allee effect. We will introduce the notion of semistability in planar systems. Finally, we show how the presence of semistable equilibria increases the number of possible Allee effect cores.
Radionuclide ventriculographic responses to graded supine and upright exercise: Critical role of the Frank-starling mechanism at submaximal exercise

To assess the influence of work load and posture on the response to exercise, 25 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 17 normal subjects underwent graded supine and upright exercise radionuclide ventriculography. In both groups, end-diastolic counts increased with supine exercise (p less than 0.001). The ejection fraction and peak systolic pressure-end-systolic volume relation increased in normal subjects (p less than 0.02), but not in patients with CAD. At upright rest, end-diastolic counts decreased in both groups (p less than 0.001) and then increased with exercise (p less than 0.001). The increase in end-diastolic counts was most pronounced on the transition from upright rest to the 150-kpm work load and resulted in a significant increase in stroke counts (p less than 0.05) for both patients with CAD and normal subjects, without a measurable change in the ejection fraction or the peak systolic pressure-end-systolic volume relation. Later in exercise, end-diastolic counts plateaued, and the ejection fraction and the peak systolic pressure, end-systolic volume relation increased only among normal subjects. Thus, low-level upright exercise is highly dependent on the Starling mechanism in both normal subjects and patients with CAD, with enhanced contractility apparent only during more vigorous exercise in normal subjects.
Effects of thyroid state on preference for and sensitivity to ethanol in Fischer-344 rats

1. It has been reported by several groups that thyroid status can alter ethanol preference in rats. However, results using different methods and different strains of rats have not been consistent. 2. In this study, thyroidectomy or T4 augmentation was used to produce hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively, in adult male Fischer-344 rats. 3. Preference for weak solutions (4 or 5%) of ethanol or tap water and ethanol-induced sedation and hypothermia were compared in hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and euthyroid rats. 4. No significant differences in preference indices (the ratios of ethanol to total liquid consumed) among the three groups were observed; however, for ethanol to contribute a greater portion of total calories ingested by hypothyroid rats than by euthyroid or hyperthyroid rats. 5. The duration of sleep resulting from a single i.p. injection of 2.5 mg/kg ethanol was increased (by 34%) in hyperthyroid rats and decreased (by 16%) in hypothyroid rats compared to euthyroid controls. Only the effect of hyperthyroidism was significant at the 0.05 level. 6. Colonic temperatures differed with thyroid state (hyperthyroid > euthyroid > hypothyroid) but the decrease produced by ethanol did not differ by thyroid state. 7. Observed differences in ethanol-induced sedation are consistent with differences in brain TRH levels and effects on neurotransmitter systems associated with different thyroid states.
Winter Microhabitat Foraging Preferences of Sympatric Boreal and Black-capped chickadees in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Abstract We examined differences in microhabitat use between Boreal (Poecile hudsonicus) and Black-capped chickadees (P. atricapillus) where they co-occur near Marquette, Michigan, USA. Twenty-four Boreal and 37 Black-capped chickadees were followed during 60 hrs of field observation. Boreal Chickadees foraged only in three conifer species, 76% of which were black spruce (Picea mariana), while Black-capped Chickadees foraged widely across six coniferous and three deciduous tree species. Analysis of foraging data categorized by zones within conifer trees indicated high niche overlap (0.676) between Boreal and Black-capped chickadees across all foraging zones. Individual comparisons on a zone-by-zone basis revealed a significant difference in foraging occupancy in the medial portion of the crowns of conifer trees (P = 0.0002). Our results indicate exclusive use by Boreal Chickadees of dense medial foliage within the top 3 m of conifer crowns.
Determination of the oxygen precipitate-free zone width in silicon wafers from surface photovoltage measurements

Abstract A procedure has been developed for applying the surface photovoltage technique to the measurement of the width of the oxygen precipitate-free zone present at the surface of a thermally processed, Czochralski-grown silicon wafer. This procedure was developed through the use of a numerical simulation program which models the experimental determination of an effective diffusion lenght, L 0 , from surface photovoltage measurements on silicon wafers. The program predicts L 0 for a given precipitate-free zone diffusion length and thickness and bulk diffusion length. Results of the simulations show that for bulk diffusion lengths of 2 μ or less and a precipitate-free zone diffusion length greater than the thickness of the zone, W , the W ≡ 2.5 L 0 . Experimental results are presented which support the numerical findings.
" Hermano Entrepreneurs!" Constructing a Latino Diaspora across the Digital Divide

On a balmy September morning in 2003, I arrived at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to attend the launching of an innovative development initiative. This invitation-only event was advert...
Hardware acceleration of n-body simulations for galactic dynamics

N-body methods are used to simulate the evolution and interaction of galaxies. These simulations are usually run on large-scale supercomputers or on very expensive full-custom hardare. This paper presents an alternative hardware method for acceleration of N-body simulations. The method yields a significant fraction of the performance of custom hardware and provides a great deal more flexibility. A protoype implementation is presented.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.