cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply: Does dominant pedunculopontine nucleus exist?

Sir, We appreciate the thoughtful comments and additional contributions from Lam and colleagues with regards to our recent manuscript in Brain , which demonstrated substantial asymmetry of structural connectivity strength within the locomotor network of individuals with Parkinson’s disease who experience freezing of gait (FOG+) (Fling et al. , 2013). Specifically, we reported reduced white matter tract volume between the right pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) and the midline of the right frontal cortex, assessed by diffusion tensor imaging. This was in contrast to those patients with Parkinson’s disease who did not have freezing issues and age-matched controls. In addition, this asymmetric reduction of the right hemisphere’s locomotor network was strongly related to inhibitory cognitive control, a process that is uniquely lateralized to the right hemisphere (Aron, 2007). In their letter, Lam and colleagues report how the …
High energy and tunable picosecond laser pulses at 1 kHz: synchronously pumping a dye laser with a mode-locked, Q-switched and cavity dumped Nd:YAG laser system

Abstract Efficient operation of a mode-locked, Q-switched and cavity dumped YAG laser and a synchronously pumped dye laser is described. Stable operation is observed up to repetition rates of 1.3 kHz. Introduction of the cavity dumping optics into the YAG oscillator results in only a modest decrease in the energy of the output pulse train, the operation of the dye laser is unaffected. At a 1.0 kHz repitition rate, cavity dumping the YAG oscillator immediately following cavity dumping the dye laser at the maximum of its gain results in a single pulse energies in excess of 0.6 mJ. Efficient second harmonic generation using CD ∗ A produces pulse energies of 0.25 mJ (±5% stability) with a pulse width of 80 ps. In addition, the second harmonic of the cavity dumped YAG can be used to amplify the output of the dye laser. Amplification to 20 μJ/pulse is observed for input energies ranging from 0.1 μJ/ pulse to 10 μJ/pulse.
A labeling chamber for 13C enrichment of plant tissue for decomposition studies

Abstract Isotope labeling with a 13 CO 2 -enriched atmosphere was conducted on four raised beds of grain sorghum. A temporary rain shelter with clear polyethylene roofing material was constructed to allow controlled watering of the beds. Labeling chambers were constructed with aluminum frames, polyethylene sides and propofilm C tops. The chamber length (4 m) was one-quarter of the total bed length and enclosed a total volume of ∼ 3000 1. A fan recirculated air in the chamber through polyvinyl chloride pipes. An outlet allowed sampling of chamber atmosphere for CO 2 concentration, while another opening downstream provided an inlet for 13 CO 2 injection. An elebated extension was added when the grain sorghum grew to exceed the 50-cm height of the chamber, doubling the enclosed volume. Enrichment of the chamber atmosphere with 13 CO 2 was monitored with infrared gas analyzers. Gas flowmeters were used to measure isotope additions.
Preparation of 15N labeled tetranitromethane C(15NO2)4

15N labeled tetranitromethane, C(15NO2)4, was prepared from anhydrous nitric acid and acetic anhydride. A procedure for the preparation of the nitric acid from Na15NO3 is described. Tyrosine was nitrated with H15NO3 and its 15N NMR spectrum compared well with that of tyrosine nitrated with C(15NO2)4.
Chondroblastoma of the Knee Treated with Resection and Osteochondral Allograft Reconstruction

Case. This case report describes the operative management of 16-year-old male with a symptomatic chondroblastoma of the distal femur with breach of the chondral surface. Following appropriate imaging and core needle biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The patient then underwent intralesional curettage and osteochondral allograft reconstruction of the defect. At one-year follow-up the patient was pain-free and has obtained excellent range of motion. There is radiographic evidence of allograft incorporation and no evidence of local recurrence. Conclusion. Osteochondral allograft reconstruction is an effective option following marginal resection and curettage of chondroblastoma involving the chondral surface of the distal femur.
Medial agenesis associated with multiple extracranial peripheral and visceral arterial aneurysms

Developmental abnormalities consisting of focal absence of the arterial media have been implicated in the formation of the arterial aneurysms commonly observed in the intracranial cerebrovascular system. However, this observation has rarely been associated with visceral or peripheral arterial aneurysm formation. This article describes the experience with two patients having multiple peripheral and visceral arterial aneurysms with histologic findings previously observed only in intracranial, saccular berry aneurysms and in one patient with an isolated common carotid artery aneurysm. The two patients described herein had no clinical or angiographic evidence of cerebrovascular aneurysm formation. Light and electron microscopic histologic studies revealed complete focal absence of the arterial media in the region of aneurysm formation. No clinical or laboratory evidence of associated collagen-vascular disease was demonstrated. The patients were successfully managed with segmental resection and grafting of symptomatic, expanding, or large aneurysms. The necessity for an aggressive search for associated aneurysms as well as the need for long-term follow-up when histologic evidence of medial agenesis is demonstrated in association with arterial aneurysm formation are emphasized.
In the absence of ribosomal RNA synthesis, the ribosomal proteins of HeLa cells are synthesized normally and degraded rapidly.

Abstract It is possible to solubilize essentially the total protein complement from a lysate of HeLa cells. When such an extract is displayed on a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel (pH 5·0 × sodium dodecyl sulfate) it is possible to isolate and identify 45 ribosomal proteins, five histones, and numerous other proteins. Using this method we have measured directly the synthesis of ribosomal proteins in the presence of actinomycin D. The results show that the synthesis of ribosomal proteins does not depend on concurrent transcription of ribosomal precursor RNA. Furthermore, if ribosomal precursor RNA synthesis is blocked for 25 hours by 10 ng of actinomycin/ml, ribosomal protein synthesis as well as histone synthesis continues normally. This suggests either that messenger RNA for ribosomal proteins is exceedingly long-lived or that the synthesis of mRNA for ribosomal proteins can be uncoupled from the synthesis of ribosomal precursor RNA. Ribosomal proteins synthesized in the presence of either high or low concentrations of actinomycin are unstable. They disappear, presumably through degradation, with half-lives of 30 to 100 minutes, depending on the individual proteins. Under these conditions, histones and several other cell proteins are stable.
Optimization of structural design

Typical problems of optimal structural design are discussed to indicate mathematical techniques used in this field. An introductory example (Section 2) concerns the design of a beam for prescribed maximal deflection and shows how suitable discretization may lead to a problem of nonlinear programming, in this case, convex programming. The problem of optimal layout of a truss (Section 3) is discussed at some length. A new method of establishing optimality criteria (Section 4) is illustrated by the optimal design of a statically indeterminate beam of segmentwise constant or continuously varying cross section for given deflection under a single concentrated load. Other applications of this method (Section 5) are briefly discussed, and a simple example of multipurpose design (Section 6) concludes the paper.
Modeling trade-off between time-optimal and minimum energy in saccade main sequence

Saccadic eye movement is highly stereotyped and commonly believed to be governed by an open-loop control mechanism. We propose a principle combining time-optimal and minimum control energy criteria to account for the saccade main sequence as observed from empirical data. The model prediction revealed that the weighting factor of the energy conservation becomes more dominant than the time-optimal when the saccade amplitude is large. We demonstrate that the proposed model is a general form synthesizing the time-optimum, minimum torque change, and minimum control effort models. In addition, we show the connection between our model and the stochastic minimum variance models from the aspect of optimization.
Computational Creativity in the Culinary Arts (Abstract Only)

The goal of our research project was to create an artificial chef program that produces novel salad recipes with limited human assistance. Our program was designed in two steps: first, we constructed a statistical model to rank recipes. Then, we experimented with various search algorithms to explore the salad recipe space for novel ingredient combinations. Surprisingly, we discovered that the top ranked recipes from a randomly generated population, as determined by our model, were already of high quality. To validate the quality of our automatically generated salads, we conducted a blind taste test with three computer designed and three human designed salads. The best performing computer salad was competitive with the human salads, but received a lower rating.
Effect of dichloroacetate on gluconeogenesis in vivo in the presence of a fixed gluconeogenic substrate supply to the liver.

Abstract Administration of dichloroacetate (DCA) to conscious 48 h fasted dogs causes a reduction in the conversion of circulating alanine and lactate to glucose coincident with both a reduction in the load of alanine and lactate delivered to the liver and a decrease in the plasma insulin-glucagon ( I G ) molar ratio. To determine whether DCA inhibits gluconeogenesis independent of its effect on alanine and lactate levels, the drug was infused concurrently with alanine and lactate in order to fix the load of these gluconeogenic precursors reaching the liver. When the circulating levels of alanine and lactate were fixed, DCA increased the net hepatic uptake of alanine markedly (98 ± 26%) but increased lactate uptake only slightly (8 ± 7%). However, the fraction of these gluconeogenic precursors which were converted to 14C-glucose decreased. Since the net effect of these changes was to increase the overall conversion of alanine and lactate to glucose, it is evident that the increase in precursor uptake overrode the inhibition of the gluconeogenic process per se. This increase in hepatic precursor uptake may have been due to DCA stimulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity or the observed decline in the I G molar ratio. The observed increase in overall glucose production (33 ± 10%) was probably attributable to the increase in gluconeogenesis as well as an increase in glycogenolysis since 48 h fasted dogs still have some hepatic glycogen (15 mg/gm). By overcoming the peripheral effects of DCA on gluconeogenic precursor supply it becomes evident that DCA has: (1) a direct inhibitory action on intrahepatic gluconeogenesis, and (2) an effect on the pancreas which by virtue of a change in the I G molar ratio may offset the direct intrahepatic effect of the drug.
OnTheMark: Integrated Stochastic Resource Planning of Human Capital Supply Chains

In this paper, we present a suite of innovative operations research models and methods called OnTheMark (OTM). This suite supports the effective management of human capital supply chains by addressing distinct features of human talent that cannot be handled via traditional supply chain management. OTM consists of novel solutions for (1) statistical forecasting of demand and human capital requirements, (2) risk-based stochastic human-talent capacity planning, (3) stochastic modeling and optimization (control) of human capital supply evolutionary dynamics over time, (4) optimal multiskill supply-demand matching, and (5) stochastic optimization of business decisions and investments to manage human capital shortages and overages. The OTM suite was developed and deployed as an important part of the human capital management and planning process within IBM, providing support for decision making to drive better business performance. This is achieved through important contributions in the areas of stochastic models and optimization (control), and the innovative application and integration of these models and methods in human capital management applications.
Spin-flip scattering in ZnTe-theoretical

The valence-band energy levels of ZnTe in a magnetic field are computed using the Luttinger-Kohn formalism for zinc-blende semiconductors and experimental valence-band parameters obtained from cyclotron resonance. The results are used to obtain gyromagnetic ratios ($g$ values) for light and heavy holes and applied to spin-flip scattering of laser light in the ZnTe valence band. The two shallowest-heavy-hole $g$ values are found to be $g=0.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15$ and $g=2.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.20$ in spherical approximation. The shallowest-light-hole value is found to be $g=2.33\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.40$ in spherical approximation. Calculations are also presented for the magnetic field in the [111] crystallographic direction, and the magnetic field in the ($1\overline{1}0$) plane. The effects of scattering from holes with finite momenta along the magnetic field are also considered. The $g$ value of the shallowest-heavy-hole level is compatible with experiment.
Coefficient assignment for generalised linear systems

Coefficient assignment of the characteristic polynomial corresponding to a generalised linear system using state feedback laws is discussed. The equivalence of a method using Sylvester's equation to the methods of Ackermann and Bass-Gura is derived. The single-input case follows directly from the nonpolynomial case, but for multi-input it is demonstrated that a more stringent condition on the controllability matrix is required.
Humoral and Cellular Immunities Elicited by HIV-1 DNA Vaccination

Recently it has been shown that immunization with plasmid DNA encoding genes for viral or bacterial antigens can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses in rodents and nonhuman primates. In this study, mice and nonhuman primates were vaccinated by intramuscular injection with plasmids that express either a secreted form of HIV-1 gp120 or rev proteins. Mice receiving the tPA-gp120 DNA developed antigen-specific antibody responses against recombinant gp120 protein and the V3 peptide neutralization epitope as determined by ELISA. Vaccinated mice also exhibited gp120-specific T cell responses, such as in vitro proliferation of splenocytes and MHC Class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities, following antigen restimulation. In addition, supernatants from these lymphocyte cultures showed high levels of γ-interferon production compared with IL-4, suggesting that primarily type 1-like helper T (Th1) lymphocyte responses were induced by both vaccines. Th1-like responses were also obtained for mice vaccinated with rev DNA. Immune responses induced by gp120 or rev vaccines were dose-dependent, boostable, and long-lived (≥ 6 months). Non-human primates vaccinated with tPA-gp120 DNA also showed antigen-specific T lymphocyte proliferative and humoral responses, including moderate levels of neutralizing sera against homologous HIV. These results suggest that plasmid DNA may provide a powerful means for eliciting humoral and cellular immune responses against HIV.
WATER TRANSFERS AND THEIR IMPACTS: LESSONS FROM THREE COLORADO WATER MARKETS

ABSTRACT: This paper presents an analysis of the effects of different institutional arrangements and economic environments on water markets. Characteristics of water rights transfers in the South Platte Basin of Colorado and transfers of shares of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) are compared to show how different institutional arrangements can affect the types and size distributions of transfers. The characteristics of water rights transfers in the prosperous South Platte are then compared with water rights transfer characteristics in the economically marginal Arkansas River basin of Colorado to identify the effects of different economic environments. Finally, the economic losses from reductions in irrigated acreage resulting from water transfers are estimated for the South Platte and Arkansas and compared with purchase prices by municipalities. Transfers in the South Platte were to new uses in the same basin, while more recent transfers in the Arkansas were to out of basin users. Transfers of South Platte rights and especially NCWCD shares were small and continuous over time, while transfers in the Arkansas were dominated by a few very large transfers. The negative impacts are judged to be more severe in the Arkansas basin than in the South Platte. Purchase prices paid by municipalities substantially exceeded capitalized transitional losses in the selling areas. In the South Platte, gains and losses were in the same basin, while the Arkansas absorbed the losses, with the benefits going to the purchasing basin.
Pseudo-Riemannian geometry on a simplicial lattice and the extrinsic curvature tensor.

We define the simplicial analogues of two concepts from differential topology: the concept of a point on the simplicial manifold and the concept of a tangent space on a simplicial manifold. We derive the simplicial analogues of parallel transport, the covariant derivative, connections, the Riemann curvature tensor, and the Einstein tensor. We construct the extrinsic curvature for a simplicial hypersurface using the simplicial covariant derivative. We discuss the importance of this simplicial extrinsic curvature to the 3+1 Regge-calculus program. It appears to us that the newly developed null-strut lattice is the most natural version of a 3+1 Regge lattice for the construction of extrinsic curvature. (A null-strut lattice is a 3+1 Regge spacetime lattice with TrK=const simplicial hypersurfaces, each connected to its two adjacent hypersurfaces entirely by simplicial light cones built of null struts.) Finally, we test the Regge-calculus version of the extrinsic curvature on a Bianchi type-IX simplicial hypersurface. The calculation agrees with the continuum expression to first order.
Infinite-Dilution Viscoelastic Properties of Comb-Shaped Polystyrenes

The storage and loss shear moduli, G′ and G″, have been measured for solutions of three comb-shaped polystyrenes with numbers of branches (f) 8.3, 24, and 51, by use of the Birnboim–Schrag multiple-lumped resonator. The weight-average molecular weights were 0.51, 1.38, and 6.64×106; the fractions of backbone mass were 0.11, 0.04, and 0.014 respectively. The frequency range was 100 to 6000 Hz and the concentration range 0.0016 to 0.013 g/ml. Decalin was used for one sample (f=51) as a Θ-solvent at 15°C; toluene, α-chloronaphthalene, and Aroclor 1232 were used as good solvents with different viscosities, the latter at several different temperatures. The extrapolated intrinsic moduli, [G′] and [G″], were compared with the Zimm–Kilb theory as evaluated by Osaki and Schrag for star-shaped and by Osaki for comb-shaped molecules. At low frequencies, [G′] and the reduced steady-state shear compliance jeR0 were not as much smaller than those for a corresponding linear molecule as these theories would predict, and were surprisingly insensitive to the degree of branching. At higher frequencies, the logarithmic slopes of [G″] and [G′] against frequency were unusually large (0.8) and their ratio was also large (about 3). This behavior corresponds to an empirical relaxation spectrum in which the relaxation times πp are proportional to p−α with α=1.25.
A Post-processing Technique for Extending Depth of Focus in Conventional Optical Microscopy

Abstract In this paper, we propose a post-processing technique to obtain optical microscope images with extended depth of focus using a conventional microscope. With the proposed technique, we collect a sequence of images focused at different depths. We then combine the in-focus regions of each acquired frame to compose a single all-in-focus image. That is, a new image with extended depth of focus is obtained. The key to such an algorithm is in selecting the “in-focus” regions from each frame. In this paper, we describe the technique used to identify the in-focus region on every depth slice. Quantitative simulation results are presented where mean absolute error is used as a metric to assess the algorithm performance. Results using real imagery are also presented for subjective evaluation. Based on subjective evaluation and the quantitative simulation results, we believe that the proposed algorithm provides useful depth of focus extension.
Identification of mesenchymal progenitor cells in normal and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage.

Objective To determine the presence of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) in human articular cartilage. Methods Primary cell cultures established from normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human knee articular cartilage were analyzed for the expression of CD105 and CD166, cell surface markers whose coexpression defines mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone marrow and perichondrium. The potential of cartilage cells to differentiate to adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages was analyzed after immunomagnetic selection for CD105+/CD166+ cells and was compared with bone marrow–derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). Results Up to 95% of isolated cartilage cells were CD105+ and ∼5% were CD166+. The mean ± SEM percentage of CD105+/CD166+ cells in normal cartilage was 3.49 ± 1.93%. Primary cell cultures from OA cartilage contained significantly increased numbers of CD105+/CD166+ cells. Confocal microscopy confirmed the coexpression of both markers in the majority of BM-MSCs and a subpopulation of cartilage cells. Differentiation to adipocytes occurred in cartilage-derived cell cultures, as indicated by characteristic cell morphology and oil red O staining of lipid vacuoles. Osteogenesis was observed in isolated CD105+/CD166+ cells as well as in primary chondrocytes cultured in the presence of osteogenic supplements. Purified cartilage-derived CD105+/CD166+ cells did not express markers of differentiated chondrocytes. However, the cells were capable of chondrocytic differentiation and formed cartilage tissue in micromass pellet cultures. Conclusion These findings indicate that multipotential MPCs are present in adult human articular cartilage and that their frequency is increased in OA cartilage. This observation has implications for understanding the intrinsic repair capacity of articular cartilage and raises the possibility that these progenitor cells might be involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis.
Research Note: Relationship Between Throat Feather-Color Pattern and Photodependency of Testicular Function in the Athens Randombred Control Line of Japanese Quail

Abstract The relationship between throat feather-color and testicular regression and recrudescence under short photoperiods of 6 hr light (L):18 h dark (D) was examined in the Athens randombred control line of Japanese quail. In contrast to earlier studies, no differences were found in testicular regression when quail with brick red, mixed red and white, central red surrounded by white, or all white throat feathers were shifted from a photoperiod of 16L:8D to one of 6L:18D. The cloacal protuberance areas (CPA) of all groups ranged between 1.81 ± .09 and 1.90 ± .19 cm2 while birds were housed on the long photoperiod. Cloacal protuberance areas of all groups were markedly reduced after 3 wk of exposure to 6L:18D. Testes weights of all groups ranged between 46.7 and 54.8 mg after 3 wk of exposure to the short photoperiod. In a second experiment, cloacal foam gland development of males of the four throat feather patterns was examined during 26 wk after changing the photoperiod from 16L:8D to 6L:18D. Foam glands of all groups regressed within 3 wk of exposure to 6L:18D. Glands of birds with brick red throats or mixed red and white feathers recrudesced by 11 wk under the short photoperiod. Foam glands of birds with white throats or a band of white surrounding a patch of red did not show recrudescence at 11 or 14 wk but did so by 26 wk.
Statistical specification of local surface weather elements from large-scale information

A procedure for stochastic simulation of the spatial structure of daily mesoscale temperature and precipitation values is presented. Specific values are generated on the basis of, and consistent with, observational data representing averages over areas corresponding to Atmospheric General Circulation Model grid elements. The procedure is based on a rotated principal component representation of the correlation structure of the observed local data, and procedures synthetic data which statistically resemble the corresponding observations. Use of a stochastic, rather than a deterministic, specification procedure may not be required if generation of only temperature data are of interest.
Combining regional metrics for disease-related brain population analysis

In this paper, we present a new metric combining regional measurements to improve image based population studies that use manifold learning techniques. These studies currently rely on a single score over the whole brain image domain. Thus, they require large amount of training data to uncover spatially complex variation in the whole brain impacted by diseases. We reduce the impact of this issue by first computing pairwise measurements in local regions separately and then combining regional measurements into a single pairwise metric. We apply the new metric to learn the manifold of ADNI data and evaluate the resulting morphological representation by fitting multiple linear regression models to the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score. The regression models show that the morphological representations from the proposed metric achieves higher estimation accuracy of MMSE score compared to those from the conventional global scores.
Murine γ-herpesvirus-68: a mouse model for infectious mononucleosis?

The major similarities and differences between EBV- and MHV-68-induced infectious mononucleosis are summarized in Table 1Table 1. Overall, the syndromes are strikingly similar and this important mouse model will greatly facilitate our understanding of the association between the primary infection and the onset of this syndrome and allow characterization of the B- and T-cell reactivity elicited during the infectious mononucleosis phase of the infection.Table 1Key characteristics of g-herpesvirus-associated infectious mononucleosisaaCharacteristicEBVMHV-68CommentsSplenomegaly/lymphadenopathy++Spontaneously resolving splenomegaly is a common characteristicPeripheral blood T-cell lymphocytosis++Increased numbers of activated T cells is a common characteristic, but the Vb bias and specificity of the T cells appears to be differentAtypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood+?Atypical lymphocytes are characteristic for EBV. Although there have been no published reports of atypical lymphocytes for MHV-68, abnormal lymphocytes have been described after infection with a related virus, MHV-72 (Ref. 18xDetection of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood of Balb/c mice infected with murine g-herpesvirus strain 72: the analogy with Epstein–Barr virus infection. Mistrikova, J. and Mrmusova, M. Acta Virol. 1998; 42: 79–82PubMedSee all References18)Autoantibodies++Non-virus-specific antibody production, including autoantibodies, have been described after both EBV and MHV-68 infection, apparently a consequence of polyclonal B-cell activationaAbbreviations: EBV, Epstein–Barr virus; MHV-68, murine g-herpesvirus-68.
Coronary pressor reflexes

Abstract The heart differs from other cardiovascular reflexogenic structures because it has two prominent inputs to the central nervous system. One input is spinal and is mediated by afferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers. The other is medullary and is mediated by afferent vagal fibers. The number of fibers projecting centrally appears to be similar in the two systems. The reflex effects produced by excitation of the two inputs are complicated and can be either pressor or depressor. However, reflex pressor effects seem to be more prominent for the spinal input and reflex depressor effects more prominent for the medullary input.
Comparison of first-wall damage in Cat-D and D-T Tokamaks

Abstract The reduced neutron flux and lower average energy characteristic of the Cat-D fusion cycle, compared to D-T, result in reduced first-wall damage. In order to compare first-wall lifetime expectations, neutron-induced damage and also surface erosion due to sputtering are evaluated for recent conceptual tokamak reactor designs employing Cat-D and D-T fuels. While neutron damage appears to limit the D-T first wall to ~7 years lifetime, the Cat-D wall is found to last 20 years or longer. While sputtering erosion is more severe for Cat-D, this does not appear restrictive with use of appropriate first-wall coating techniques.
Effects of laser energy and wavelength on the analysis of LiFePO4 using laser assisted atom probe tomography

Abstract The effects of laser wavelength (355 nm and 532 nm) and laser pulse energy on the quantitative analysis of LiFePO4 by atom probe tomography are considered. A systematic investigation of ultraviolet (UV, 355 nm) and green (532 nm) laser assisted field evaporation has revealed distinctly different behaviors. With the use of a UV laser, the major issue was identified as the preferential loss of oxygen (up to 10 at%) while other elements (Li, Fe and P) were observed to be close to nominal ratios. Lowering the laser energy per pulse to 1 pJ/pulse from 50 pJ/pulse increased the observed oxygen concentration to nearer its correct stoichiometry, which was also well correlated with systematically higher concentrations of 16O2+ ions. Green laser assisted field evaporation led to the selective loss of Li (~33% deficiency) and a relatively minor O deficiency. The loss of Li is likely a result of selective dc evaporation of Li between or after laser pulses. Comparison of the UV and green laser data suggests that the green wavelength energy was absorbed less efficiently than the UV wavelength because of differences in absorption at 355 and 532 nm for LiFePO4. Plotting of multihit events on Saxey plots also revealed a strong neutral O2 loss from molecular dissociation, but quantification of this loss was insufficient to account for the observed oxygen deficiency.
Psychiatric and behavior disorders in children with mental retardation and seizure disorder

The primary aim of this investigation was to compare the types of psychiatric and behavioral disturbance present in a sample of children with mental retardation with and without a seizure disorder. This retrospective study involved the chart review of the past 42 patients with a diagnosis of a seizure disorder admitted to a specialized psychiatric inpatient unit for children with developmental disorders and psychiatric and behavioral disorders. The control group consisted of the last 42 consecutive admissions without a seizure disorder, but were matched with the experimental group on age, level of mental retardation, and gender. Children with a seizure disorder were more often diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Organic Brain Syndrome, Not Otherwise Specified. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in the reported behavioral disturbances in children with and without a seizure disorder. Psychopharmacological treatments for the two groups were also similar. There were few differences in this sample of psychiatric inpatients with and without a seizure disorder.
An RNA polymerase-binding protein that is required for communication between an enhancer and a promoter

Although bacteriophage T4 late promoters are selectively recognized by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase bearing a single protein encoded by T4 gene 55 (gp55), efficient transcription at these promoters requires enhancement by the three T4 DNA polymerase accessory proteins, bound to distal "mobile enhancer" sites. Two principles are shown to govern this transcriptional enhancement: (i) Promoter recognition and communication between the enhancer and the promoter require separate phage-coded proteins. Only RNA polymerase that has the T4 gene 33 protein (gp33) bound to it is subject to enhancement by the three DNA replication proteins. (ii) Transcriptional enhancement in this prokaryotic system is promoter-specific. Promoter specificity is generated by a direct competition of phage T4 gp33 and gp55 with the E. coli promoter recognition protein, sigma 70, for binding to the E. coli RNA polymerase core. Thus, polymerase that contains sigma 70 is competent to transcribe T4 early and middle genes, but lacks the ability to be enhanced by the DNA replication proteins, while polymerase that contains gp55 and gp33 is capable of enhancement via gp33, but its activity is restricted to T4 late promoters by gp55.
Data acquisition for a patient-directed intervention protocol in the dynamic intensive care unit setting

Methods to easily, accurately, and efficiently obtain data in an ICU-based clinical trial can be challenging in this high-tech setting. Patient medical status and the dynamic nature of this clinical setting further complicate data collection. The purpose of this paper is to describe the modifications of commercially available headphones and the application of a data logging device to capture frequency and length of protocol use (music listening or headphones only for noise cancellation) without burdening participants or busy ICU nurses. With the automatic capture of protocol use by research participants, there have been no instances of lost data for this clinical trial.
Dusty plasmas for on-site spectroscopic analysis of water sources

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a low-cost, borosilicate glass-based spectroscopic sensor for the detection of water contaminants. 10 P L water samples are inserted into a sandblasted sample re servoir in a borosilicate glass substrate and are partially evaporated with a 200 nm thin-film Cr microheater/cathode patterned to the bottom of the reservoir. The relative contaminant concentration within the partially evaporated sample is greater, providing a means of measuring lower concentrations of impurities. An on-chip plasma discharge is stuck to the sample, sputtering the water contaminants into the discharge, doping its spectral emissions. Cu and Fe impurities are detected at 10 ppm in a 2.5% HNO 3 solution and Ca and Mg contaminants are detected at 100 ppm. The on-chip microheater yields temperature changes as high as 96 qC when supplied with 100 mA. Multiple single-use sensors can be fabricated inexpensively on the borosilicate glass substrate using simple, standard photolithography techniques. Keywords: plasma spectroscopy, atomic emission spectroscopy, on-site water monitoring, metal ion water contaminants, metal ion water impurities, field-portable devices
Flehmen in male goats: role in sexual behavior.

The flehmen or lip-curl behavior displayed by most ungulate species is a sexually dimorphic behavior seen most frequently when males investigate the genital region of females or freshly voided urine from females. Functionally, flehmen appears to be related to the transport of nonvolatile chemosensory materials from the oral cavity to the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Three experiments were designed to further study the role of flehmen in sexual investigation and mating. In Experiment 1, involving two-choice presentation of urine samples to male goats, flehmen occurred much more frequently to urine from diestrous than estrous females. This indicated that prior to flehmen a diagnosis of estrus versus nonestrus condition had already been made, and that flehmen and the VNO are used to confirm or refine information received by regular olfaction. During mating tests conducted in Experiment 2, it was found that most flehmen responses were made after mounting or ejaculatory responses, suggesting that VNO stimulation, like regular olfactory stimulation, may function during copulatory activity to maintain sexual interest. In Experiment 3 it was found that olfactory bulbectomy virtually eliminated flehmen revealing that stimulation of the main olfactory system is responsible for evoking flehmen. Blocking the access of materials in the oral cavity to the VNO, by occluding the nasopalatine duct, did not reduce flehmen.
TRAVELING DENSITY WAVE MODELS FOR EARTHQUAKES AND DRIVEN THRESHOLD SYSTEMS

Driven threshold systems are now used to model sandpiles, earthquakes, magnetic depinning transitions, integrate-and-fire neural networks, and driven foams. We analyze a physically motivated model which has many of the same properties as the hard threshold models, but in which all of the nonequilibrium physics is obtained from a Lyapunov functional. The ideas apply to mean-field systems, and lead to a number of predictions, including scaling exponents and metastable lifetimes for nucleating droplets. The former predictions are supported, for example, by data observed for earthquake fault systems. An interesting consequence of the model is that time appears as a scaling field, leading to temporal scaling laws similar to those observed in nature.
Translating Effective Paper-Based Disease Management into Electronic Medical Systems

We developed an innovative approach to computerize and integrate a previously-validated but paper-based asthma disease management program into an electronic medical systems. Asthma is the leading chronic disease of children and currently affects about 6.2 million (8.5%) children in the United States. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) Guidelines recommend a multimodal chronic care approach. However, both the 1997 and 2007 NAEPP guidelines have not been widely adopted by primary care clinicians. Easy Breathing c is a cost-effective, asthma management program that has improved the quality of pediatric and adult asthma care, but uses paper and pencil dictations that have not been translated to an electronic format. When practices transition to an electronic health record (EHR), a paper-based program becomes cumbersome for clinicians to use in their new clinical workflow. Although integrating Easy Breathing into practice-based EHRs is most desirable, it is expensive and technically difficult as EHRs are proprietary and are the greatest barriers to continued use of the validated paper-based program. In this paper, we describe an informatics and software development model that translates Easy Breathing into a web-based system. This system is ready for integration into payer-provider web portals, such as the portals of Medicare/Medicaid vendors or private insurance companies. The availability of such a software system will allow clinicians to test the feasibility of using non-practice-based electronic systems that cut across different EHRs to integrate effective paper based disease programs. Our preliminary evaluation with a few healthcare professionals demonstrates that the resulting software is a streamlined and effective tool. Future clinical studies will be needed for system evaluation at the point of patient care.
The effect of an undecided alternative on resolution of approach-approach and avoidance-avoidance conflict situations

Thirty male and 30 female Ss from an introductory psychology class were presented with 21 approach-approach and 21 avoidance-avoidance conflicts typed on 3 × 5 cards. Conflicts were created by systematically pairing seven desirable personal characteristics. Each conflict had an “undecided” alternative. It was hypothesized that the undecided alternative would facilitate resolution of the avoidance-avoidance conflicts because the S was allowed to leave the field while having little effect on the approach-approach conflicts. The data did not substantiate that the undecided alternative facilitated resolution of avoidance-avoidance conflicts. A possible explanation is given.
The discovery of psychotropic drugs by computer‐analyzed cerebral bioelectrical potentials (CEEG)

The psychotropic properties of nine compounds were discovered in healthy subjects based on the effects of computer-analyzed cerebral bioelectrical potentials or computer-analyzed electroencephalograms (CEEG). Quantitative pharmaco-EEG (QPEEG) studies demonstrated that CEEG profiles of mianserin (GB-94), GC-46, cyclacozine, mesterolone, and estradiol valerate, resembled the CEEG profiles of tricyclic antidepressants. CEEG profiles of d- and I-norgestrel and cyproterone acetate showed similarities to benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and profiles of lisuride hydrogen maleate resembled psychostimulant compounds. Thus, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and “psychostimulant” effects were predicted for these compounds. Subsequent clinical trials confirmed the antidepressant effects of mianserin, GC-46, and mesterolone in depressed patients; the anxiolytic effects of I-norgestrel and cyproterone acetate in anxiety syndromes; and the “psychostimulant” properties of lisuride hydrogen maleate in the “geriatric” population. However, animal pharmacology and biochemical investigations failed to predict any psychotropic properties for these compounds.
ARE PACS TRYING TO INFLUENCE POLITICIANS OR VOTERS

Political Action Committees (PACs) can aAect public policies in either of two ways: altering legislators’ roll-call voting behavior, or influencing election outcomes. This paper develops a dynamic model demonstrating that the relative importance of the election-influencing channel is easily underestimated. A one-time contribution to a candidate who supports the PAC’s position that alters an election outcome yields benefits to the PAC as long as that candidate holds oAce. In contrast, roll-call vote buying is likely to operate on a quid-pro-quo basis, limiting the PAC’s return on investment. Empirical tests based on the theoretical model suggest that PACs value the election-influencing aspect of contributions at least as much as the roll-call vote-buying channel. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS by Political Action Committees (PACs) have increased dramatically in the last twenty years. Donations made by PACs to House races grew from $36 million to $120 million (in constant 1992 dollars) between 1974 and 1992, an increase of over 200% in real terms. PACs now account for over one-third of all campaign contributions in House races, and one-fourth of contributions to Senate candidates. In response to the increasing importance of PACs, a great deal of analysis has been devoted to understanding PAC behavior. There are two primary rationales for PAC donations. First, PACs may hope to aAect the course of legislation either by‘‘buyingvotes’’inCongress[e.g.,Snyder(1990)],orbyalteringlegislationatthe
An Ada Run-Time Control Architecture For Telerobots

This paper describes the architecture and Ada language implementation of a process-level run-time control subsystem for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) telerobot system. The concept of run-time control in a combined robot-teleoperation environment is examined and the telerobot system at JPL is described. An Ada language implementation of the JPL Telerobot Run-Time Controller (RTC) is described by highlighting the functional behavior of the subsystem, defining the internal modules, and providing a functional flow time sequence of internal module activity.
An exact expression for the critical exponent η

Abstract An exact expression is derived for the exponent η for classical fluids in terms of an integral which involves only the two body potential, the critical point value of p/k B T and elements of the principal null vector.
Long-term measurements of the integral galactic cosmic-ray fluxes in geostationary orbit

Abstract Measurements have been made serendipitously of the integral fluxes of galactic cosmic rays in geostationary orbit for over a decade. The GCR appear as background counts in an instrument designed to measure the fluxes and energy spectra of relativistic magnetospheric electrons. This database is described in this brief report.
Arterial levels of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) reflect oxidant stress in vivo

Neutrophil-related, oxidant-mediated injury to the pulmonary microvasculature appears to follow endotoxemia, cutaneous thermal injury, and ischemia-reperfusion injury to the liver or intestine. Glutathione is an important endogenous intracellular oxygen radical scavenger. Plasma concentrations of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) reflect oxidant injury resulting from an overdose of certain oxidatively metabolized drugs. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate plasma GSSG as an indicator of oxidant stress resulting from activation of the endogenous inflammatory response. An established model of neutrophil- and oxidant-related acute lung injury following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion in rats was used. Intestinal ischemia was induced by clip occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 120 min. Reperfusion resulted from SMA clip removal. Following reperfusion for 0, 15, or 120 min, plasma GSSG levels in portal vein, inferior vena cava (IVC), and aorta were obtained. Plasma GSSG was undetectable in sham animals and those with intestinal ischemia alone. Following reperfusion, all plasma samples had significant elevations in GSSG. Aortic plasma GSSG after 15 min of reperfusion was significantly elevated compared to both portal vein and IVC plasma GSSG. These data suggest that oxidant stress after intestinal reperfusion is reflected by elevations in plasma GSSG. The step up in plasma GSSG across the pulmonary vascular bed, a site of known oxidant injury, suggests that plasma GSSG may be a useful marker of oxidant stress in vivo, particularly with regard to the pulmonary microvasculature. This simple in vivo approach to assessing oxidant stress related to inflammatory tissue injury may have the potential to be of significant use in the clinical setting.
Use of lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid for brain relaxation in occipital lobe approaches in children: technical note.

Abstract Background The purpose of this report is to describe the use of lumbar drainage of CSF in children to achieve brain relaxation for occipital lobe approaches with the need for minimal retraction. This technique of brain relaxation, widely reported and used in the adult neurosurgical literature, has not been documented by published reports in the pediatric literature. Case Description We illustrate this technique through the case of a 5-year-old patient who was operated on for an AVM of the occipital lobe through a suboccipital supratentorial approach. Conclusions We confirm that lumbar drainage of CSF is an effective and safe technique, and an alternative to ventriculostomy placement, in accomplishing brain relaxation and minimal retraction in occipital lobe approaches in children. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages related to lumbar drain and ventriculostomy placement.