cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of immune dysfunction during murine leukaemia retrovirus infection of old mice by dehyroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS)

Ageing, leukaemia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are conditions with dysregulated cytokine production. As dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) restored normal cytokine production in old mice its effects on retrovirally infected old mice were investigated. Retrovirus infection and ageing-induced immune dysfunction. Murine retrovirus-infected old C57BL/6 female mice consumed 0.22 or 0.44 microgram of DHEAS/mouse/day beginning 2 weeks postinfection for 10 weeks. DHEAS largely prevented the retrovirus-induced reduction in T-cell and B-cell mitogenesis. DHEAS supplement prevented loss of cytokines [interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma] secretion by mitogen-stimulated splenocytes representing T helper 1 (Th1) cell phenotypes. It also suppressed the retrovirus-induced, excessive production of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) by Th2 cells. The highest dose of DHEAS reduced IL-6 production by splenocytes from uninfected old mice by 75% while increasing their IL-2 secretion by nearly 50%. Thus immune dysfunction induced by ageing, even when exacerbated by murine retrovirus infection, was largely prevented by DHEAS.
Multiple Mechanisms of Endocannabinoid Response Initiation in Hippocampus

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) act as retrograde messengers at inhibitory synapses of the hippocampal CA1 region. Current models place eCB synthesis in the postsynaptic pyramidal cell and the site of eCB ...
The construction of an international investors' perception model for corporate published forecasted financial reports for the USA, the UK and New Zealand

Although the utility of corporate published forecasted financial reports to investors has been investigated, the findings are inconclusive. These inconclusive findings may have resulted from the ambiguity of defining the forecasted financial reports or its components. The clarification of the definition of forecasted financial reports or its components is the main objective of the present study. In addition, an investor's utility function is used to measure the utility of such reports for investors regarding the entire forecasted financial reports or their components.
Groupers on the Edge: Shelf Edge Spawning Habitat in and Around Marine Reserves of the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

The northeastern Gulf of Mexico contains some of the most diverse and productive marine habitat in the United States. Much of this habitat, located on the shelf edge in depths of 50 to 120 m, supports spawning for many economically important species, including groupers. Here, we couple acoustic surveys with georeferenced videography to describe the primary spatial and geologic features of spawning aggregation sites for four economically important species: gag (Mycteroperca microlepis), scamp (M. phenax), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), with notes on fish distribution and abundance and spawning activities. We provide information on movement patterns of reef fish determined using acoustic telemetry. Finally, we discuss the possible coupling of geomorphology with hydrographic features to influence the overall productivity of the region and the importance of spatial fishery management in sustaining that productivity.
Synthesis and reactivity of sulfur and silyl substituted α-alkylidene-β-lactams

Abstract Synthetically valuable α-alkylidene-β-lactams are produced from the addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to allenyl sulfides.
Irritable bowel syndrome

Patients with different irritable bowel symptoms and normal subjects were compared to determine whether subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) could be distinguished on the basis of colonic motility or psychological test scores. A provocative test involving stepwise distension of the rectosigmoid area revealed two types of colonic motility. Slow contractions having durations of at least 15 sec and occurring at irregular intervals were more frequent in IBS patients than in normals but did not differentiate constipation from diarrhea. Fast contractions having durations of less than 15 sec and occurring in runs at frequencies of 6–9 cpm were more frequent in patients with diarrhea than in normals or constipated IBS patients. Constipated patients showed no more fast contractions than normals. Severity of bowel symptoms was correlated with the overall amount of motility (motility index) in patients with diarrhea but not in patients with constipation. Patients with IBS showed significantly elevated levels on the following psychological traits: anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, and somatization of affect. However, there were no significant trait differences between patients with diarrhea and those with constipation. Also, there was no correlation between amount of psychopathology and either colonic motility or severity of symptoms in the whole group of IBS patients.
Measurements of Ab, Rb and the B±,0 lifetimes at the Z0 resonance by SLD

R b , A b and the lifetimes of the B + ( B u ) and B 0 ( B d ) mesons have been measured using a sample of 150,000 hadronic Z 0 decays collected by the SLD experiment at the SLC between 1993 and 1995. The analyses make use of a novel topological vertexing technique to obtain charge, decay length and vertex mass. The asymmetry A b is measured with a self-calibrating technique employing momentum-weighted track charge from both hemispheres in the tagged events as well as by using the polar angle dependency of the Z 0 — pole polarized cross section and tagging the bottom and charmed hadrons in the semileptonic decay channel.
Development of a Laboratory Screening Test for Asphalt Pavement Crack Sealants

Premature failure of crack sealants and fillers in the field calls into question the effectiveness of these materials as a treatment for cracked asphalt concrete (AC) pavements. Although standard sealant test methods ensure the consistency of the product, they fail to account for the ability of the sealant material to bond to AC, especially at cold temperatures after the material has aged. In an attempt to evaluate this behavior, a study was undertaken at Michigan Technological University, through sponsorship by the Michigan Department of Transportation. This study's objective was to develop a laboratory testing protocol to evaluate crack sealants and fillers in an attempt to obtain better predictions of field performance. The developed protocol tests sealed AC blocks at a low temperature before and after accelerated laboratory aging to assess stiffening and failure characteristics in tension of the sealant and filler materials. To date, four laboratory phases have been completed to verify the repeatability of the testing, and preliminary correlation has been made with limited field data. The results indicate that the developed protocol is able to measure relative sealant performance in various configurations, but it is not possible to establish definitive relationships between laboratory testing and field performance at this time. Additional testing of materials, with an emphasis on field correlation, will be necessary to calibrate the test procedure.
The ecology, structure and functions of social play in Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)

Social play was studied in Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) by examining its structure in two natural populations and by inferring functions through sexual differences in behaviour. Lambs discriminated the size of lambs with which they played. During contact play they responded most often to similarly sized individuals, whereas in locomotor play they chased and followed all sizes. Males engaged in more contact-oriented play than females. This evidence supports the idea that contact-oriented play developed in part to provide training for combatant skills in males and locomotor play as part of a general anitpredator strategy in both sexes. Social play was severely restricted in a desert environment due to risks and personal injury. The implications of lack of play in natural populations are discussed.
The study of nonlinear flexings in a floating beam by variational methods

Abstract The equation of a floating beam utt + uxxxx + bu+ = c with free-end boundary conditions is studied, using the variational methods. We show the existence of at least one nontrivial solution which is of the mountain-pass type. Also considered is the beam with one end clamped and the other end free; in this case there exist at least two nontrivial solutions. The numerical results show the presence of both small- and large-amplitude flexings. Moreover, they persist in the presence of small damping, and arise as solutions of an initial-value problem, thereby suggesting that some of these solutions have local asymptotic stability properties.
Status of Advanced UT Systems for the Nuclear Industry

An advanced ultrasonic testing (UT) system is a configuration of hardware that includes some type of computer. The computer may be hardwired to perform specific functions or have appropriate software. It may typically be used for data acquisition, signal processing, image generation, pattern recognition and data analysis. Additionally, advanced systems have data storage and are, therefore, different from the standard transducer-pulser/receiver systems that rely on human filtering and written documentation of the filtered data.
Structural similarities between the major polypeptides of thylakoid membranes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Abstract The major polypeptides of thylakoid membranes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were purified by preparative gel electrophoresis and examined for structural similarities. The largest of these polypeptides has an apparent molecular mass of 29,500 ± 500 daltons, whereas the other two both have an apparent mass of 26,000 ± 500 daltons. The amino acid compositions and uv-absorption spectra of the 29K- and 26K-dalton polypeptides are very similar. The same pattern of release of amino acids was obtained from both fractions by digestion with carboxypeptidase Y. Endoproteolytic digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, staphylococcal protease, and mild acid yielded identical patterns of N-terminal amino acids from both the 29K- and 26K-dalton polypeptides. However, different patterns of peptides were found after electrophoresis of fragments generated by digestion with staphylococcal protease. Conditions of electrophoresis were defined that permitted separation of the 26K-dalton fraction into two components, designated as polypeptides 16 and 17 in the identification system of Chua and Bennoun (1975 , Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA72, 2175–2179). Amino acid compositions of these two polypeptides are nearly identical. Polypeptide 16 contained N-terminal isoleucine, but no free N-terminal amino group was detected in polypeptide 17. Electrophoretic analysis of staphylococcal protease digests of these two polypeptides revealed significant differences in the patterns of peptides. These data confirm that there are three distinct major polypeptides in these membranes, which are present at nearly equal amounts. However, the data also suggest that significant similarities in amino acid sequence exist between these polypeptides.
To Provide or Protect: Motivational Bases of Political Liberalism and Conservatism

Political liberalism and conservatism differ in provide versus protect orientations, specifically providing for group members' welfare (political Left) and protecting the group from harm (political Right). These reflect the fundamental psychological distinction between approach and avoidance motivation. Conservatism is avoidance based; it is focused on preventing negative outcomes (e.g., societal losses) and seeks to regulate society via inhibition (restraints) in the interests of social order. Liberalism is approach based; it is focused on advancing positive outcomes (e.g., societal gains) and seeks to regulate society via activation (interventions) in the interests of social justice. As evidenced by specific policy positions, the domains of social regulation and individual autonomy are mirror images for liberals and conservatives. These differences in regulation and motivation suggest fundamental divergences in conceptions of the group and bases of group membership (i.e., societal inclusion), with conse...
Hexose and Glycerol Absorption by Some Trypanosomatidae

SYNOPSIS. Culture forms of 9 species of Trypanosomatidae were studied. Of these, Crithidia fasciculata, Leishmania brasiliensis, L. donovani, L. tropica, Trypanosoma conorhini, T. cruzi and T. rangeli consumed significantly less glycerol than glucose, both when the 2 substrates were offered singly or simultaneously. On the other hand, T. gambiense and T. rhodesiense consumed as much glycerol as glucose when the 2 substrates were given separately. When both substrates were offered simultaneously, more glycerol than glucose was consumed, but the sum of glucose + glycerol carbon taken up approximated closely that taken from glucose alone. This held for species consuming only little glycerol, indicating that in all cases some mutual inhibition took place. Atttempts to adapt T. cruzi to glycerol consumption were unsuccessful. When T. gambiense and T. rhosiense were cultivated in the presence of glycerol, their normrapid glycerol consumption remained also unchanged but, curiothey consumed more glucose than before “adaptation.” Iodoacetami and NaF strongly inhibited glucose and glycerol absorption of 7 gambiense; phloridzin, deoxygalactose and deoxyglucose gave nonificant inhibition. KCN slightly stimulated glucose absorption, weakly inhibited glycerol absorption. Omission of sodium from medium was without effect, while lack of CO2 markedly inhiglucose and glycerol uptake. Galactose was not a satisfactory sub strate for T. gambiense and T. rhodesiense, nor were deoxygalactos and deoxyglucose. These 3 hexoses were consumed in small amonly and did not allow maintenance of motility.
Child-Adult Expenditure Allocation by Ethnicity

Resource distribution within households is an important issue for family economists, policy makers, agents of the courts, and others interested in individual and family welfare. This research examines the monetary distribution in U.S. households who have children and are of four different ethnic groups. Intrahousehold expenditure allocations between children and adults are estimated, using 1994 and 1995 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data and a method developed by Lazear and Michael. The results indicate that the overall average expenditure per child is less than that per adult in households with children. The sample households' estimated allocations vary considerably, however. Further analysis according to household ethnicity and other characteristics helps explain the variation and leads to the conclusion that the four ethnic groups examined differ in their child-adult expenditure allocations, which may be due to the groups' differences in characteristics other than ethnicity.
Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia and Intensity of Exercise

Pain sensitivity has been found to be altered following exercise. A number of investigators have found diminished sensitivity to pain (hypoalgesia) during and following exercise. However, currently it is unknown whether there is a specific intensity of exercise that is required to produce this hypoalgesia response. Aerobic exercise, such as cycling and running, have been studied most often, and a number of different exercise protocols have been used in this research including: (i) increasing exercise intensity by progressively increasing the workloads; (ii) prescribing a particular exercise intensity based on a percentage of maximum; and (iii) having participants self-select the exercise intensity. Results indicate that hypoalgesia occurred consistently following high-intensity exercise. In the studies in which exercise intensity was increased by increasing workloads, hypoalgesia was found most consistently with a workload of 200 W and above. Hypoalgesia was also found following exercise prescribed at a percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (e.g. 60 to 75%). Results are less consistent for studies that prescribed exercise based on percentage of heart rate maximum, as well as for studies that let participants self-select the exercise intensity. However, there has not been a systematic manipulation of exercise intensity in most of the studies conducted in this area. In addition, the interaction between exercise intensity and exercise duration, more than likely influences whether hypoalgesia occurs following exercise. There is a need for research to be conducted in which both intensity and duration of exercise are manipulated in a systematic manner to determine the 'optimal dose' of exercise that is required to produce hypoalgesia. In addition, there is a need for more research with other modes of exercise (e.g. resistance exercise, isometric exercise) to determine the optimal dose of exercise required to produce hypoalgesia.
Behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of regret in rat decision-making on a neuroeconomic task

Disappointment entails the recognition that one did not get the value expected. In contrast, regret entails recognition that an alternative (counterfactual) action would have produced a more valued outcome. In humans, the orbitofrontal cortex is active during expressions of regret, and humans with damage to the orbitofrontal cortex do not express regret. In rats and nonhuman primates, both the orbitofrontal cortex and the ventral striatum have been implicated in reward computations. We recorded neural ensembles from orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum in rats encountering wait or skip choices for delayed delivery of different flavors using an economic framework. Economically, encountering a high-cost choice after skipping a low-cost choice should induce regret. In these situations, rats looked backwards toward the lost option, cells within orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum represented the missed action, rats were more likely to wait for the long delay, and rats rushed through eating the food after that delay.
Light and electron microscopic study of the projection of the medial septal nucleus to the hippocampus of the cat

Abstract The projection from the medial septal nucleus to the hippocampal formation of the cat was examined after medial septal nucleus lesions by light microscopical silver impregnation and electron microscopy. The afferent pathway from the medial septal nucleus terminates into both dorsal and ventral parts of bilateral hippocampal formation. The most prominent projection of the afferent pathway was observed in the molecular layer of the fascia dentata and hippocampus. The afferent fibers also terminate in CA1, CA2, and CA3 of the hippocampus. All of these afferent pathways never terminate as axosomatic synapses on the granular cells and pyramidal cells. The degenerating terminals were classified into four types by the appearance of synaptic membrane “thickening,” synaptic vesicles, and mitochondria. Distribution of the afferent pathway in the hippocampal formation and the fine structure of the degenerating terminals were discussed in terms of other investigations. We also observed the dark fiber endings and dark postsynaptic structures in both experimental and control animals.
The effects of induced mood on bidding in random nth-price auctions

We investigate the effects of mood on decisions in random nth-price auctions. There are two possible ways in which mood can affect behavior: (1) mood can affect the valuation of the object being auctioned or the willingness to pay (WTP), and (2) mood can affect the bidding behavior itself. To identify these two possible effects, we study decisions with induced values and with homegrown values. Our data show that positive mood generates an upward bidding bias in the induced value condition. However, only under certain conditions do we observe weak mood effects on WTP.
Metallization and Fermi-level movement at the Cs/GaAs(110) interfaces.

The room-temperature (RT) and 110-K low-temperature (LT) Cs/GaAs(110) interfaces have been studied with use of photoelectron spectroscopy. The overlayer metallization is investigated by following the density of states near the Fermi cutoff, the free-electron-plasma loss features, and the Fermi-level movement of n- and p-type GaAs. The criteria of metallicity are proposed. One monolayer (ML) Cs (which is the saturation coverage at RT) is not metallic at either RT or LT, and the full metallicity is established at 2 ML coverage. Development of the overlayer metallicity after the first monolayer is accompanied by a striking increase in electron scattering. The band bending (large for p-type GaAs but little for n-type GaAs) at low Cs coverages (up to 0.1 ML) is predominantly due to the surface donor states originating from the chemisorbed Cs adatoms. A one-to-one correlation is established between the number of surface donor states and that of the deposited Cs atoms before p-type GaAs band bending reaches a maximum value [1.25 eV at LT and 1.1 eV at RT above the valence-band maximum (VBM)]. The Fermi-level stabilization (0.75 and 0.5 eV above the VBM for n- and p-type GaAs, respectively) is due to the defects at the RT interfaces. At LT it takes place only when the overlayer becomes metallic. In this case, the defects become inefficient because of metal screening, and the metal-induced gap states are responsible for the Fermi-level pinning (0.78 eV above the VBM).
Comparison of finite element calculations with experiments for the dynamic response of LMFBR core subassembly ducts

Abstract The capability of a finite-element computer code STRAW to predict the structural response of LMFBR core subassembly hexagonal wrappers to postulated accidentical local energy releases has been verified by comparisons with test data from out-of-pile experiments. The code was applied to the analysis of the dynamic response of hexcans subjected to internal pressure pulse loadings, and the computational results were correlated with data from a series of tests on individual hexcan sections. The pressure was generated by a PETN burning mixture. Two specified pressure pulse shapes were generated to simulate hypothetical conditions created by a fuel-coolant interaction resulting from a fuel pin failure. The hexcan dynamic deflections were measured with light-emitting diode (LED) gauges, and the midflat circumferential and axial strains were measured with foil strain gauges. The sensitivity of the response to variations in both the pressure loading and the material properties of the stainless steel were examined. The ductility of the steel was varied by coldworking and annealing. Very low ductility test hexcan specimens were fabricated by coldworking introduced in the drawing process by means of a specially designed set of dies. High ductility specimens were produced by a solution annealing process. Sensitivity computations demonstrated that the hexcan response is determined not only by the peak value of the pressure pulse, but is also strongly influenced by the risetime. The dynamic response is also strongly influenced by the material properties of the steel. For example, under similar loading conditions the peak deflection for a low ductility hexcan was reduced by a factor of 8 compared with the deflection for an annealed hexcan. Conversely, it was found that the dynamic response, in turn, influences the material properties through strain-rate effects. Separate tensile tests were required to determine the influence of strain rates upon the stress-strain properties of the steel.
Mediation and the Transformation of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:

During the 1990s, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict underwent a profound transformation, which has proceeded slowly and sometimes with severe disruptions and retrogressions. This article examines the diverse contributions of different kinds of mediators to the transformation at various stages of the process. Particular attention is given to the Oslo negotiations, their forerunners, and subsequent negotiations. Comparisons are made regarding the different kinds of contributions made by different kinds of mediators. Mediators include intermediaries with leverage, such as a United States President, and mediators with few material resources, such as unofficial facilitators. At various stages of a conflict's escalation and de-escalation, different kinds of mediators can make appropriate and effective contributions. Making and building peace in protracted conflicts requires a wide variety of complementary actions by diverse actors, including persons within the adversary sides as well as by intermediaries. Mediat...
Adolescents’ Beliefs about Preferred Resources for Help Vary Depending on the Health Issue

Abstract Background Adolescents' health care use is less than ideal, especially for more sensitive services. We know little about adolescents' preferred resources for help for health-related issues, and whether these resources vary by problem type. This study examined whether adolescents' preferred resources for help differed depending on the health issue studied. Methods Two hundred ten high school students (54% females; 76.6% participation rate) completed a self-administered survey of four separate age- and gender-specific health case scenarios: an adolescent who has symptoms of pneumonia; smokes five cigarettes daily; plans to initiate sex; and has symptoms of depression. For each health scenario, participants rated the importance of getting help in general, how important it was to get help from specific resources (friends/siblings; significant adults; health care professionals; and mental health professionals), and highest rankings of specific resources. Results Most adolescents believed it somewhat or very important to get help in general for all scenarios (94% pneumonia; 81% cigarette; 88% depression) except the sex scenario (27%). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences in participants' beliefs in the importance of getting help from each specific resource across the four scenarios (all p Conclusions Adolescents' preferred resources for help differ depending on the health issue in question, with adolescents preferring informal resources (friends and partners) and significant adults (parents) to go to for help for nonphysical health-related issues and physicians for physical health-related issues. Future preventive service efforts and research should also consider the importance of age and gender when examining adolescents' preferred resources for help.
On the origins of tandemly repeated genes: Does histone gene copy number in Drosophila reflect chromosomal location?

Widely regarded beliefs aboutDrosophila histone gene copy numbers and developmental requirements have been generalized from fairly limited data since studies on histone gene arrangements and copy numbers have been largely confined to a single species,D. melanogaster. Histone gene copy numbers and chromosomal locations were examined in three species:D. melanogaster, D. hydei andD. hawaiiensis. Quantitative whole genome blot analysis of DNA from diploid tissues revealed a tenfold variability in histone gene copy numbers for these three species. In situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes showed that the histone DNA (hDNA) chromosomal location is different in all three species. These observations lead us to propose a relationship between histone gene reiteration and chromosomal position.
Generalized Chebychev Inequalities: Theory and Applications in Decision Analysis

In many decision analysis problems, we have only limited information about the relevant probability distributions. In problems like these, it is natural to ask what conclusions can be drawn on the basis of this limited information. For example, in the early stages of analysis of a complex problem, we may have only limited fractile information for the distributions in the problem; what can we say about the optimal strategy or certainty equivalents given these few fractiles? This paper describes a very general framework for analyzing these kinds of problems where, given certain "moments" of a distribution, we can compute bounds on the expected value of an arbitrary "objective" function. By suitable choice of moment and objective functions we can formulate and solve many practical decision analysis problems. We describe the general framework and theoretical results, discuss computational strategies, and provide specific results for examples in dynamic programming, decision analysis with incomplete information, Bayesian statistics, and option pricing.
Pressure Drop Characteristics of R134a Two-Phase Flow in a Horizontal Rectangular Microchannel

Adiabatic two-phase flow pressure drop of R134a have been investigated experimentally in a rectangular channel with hydraulic diameter of 0.14 mm. Single-phase flow experiments were also conducted with liquid and vapor R134a, and an empirical correlation was developed for the turbulent flow regime. The parameter ranges examined for two-phase flow are: mass flux from 158 to 785 kg m−2 s−1 ; vapor quality from 0.01 to 0.95; and saturation temperature at about 24 ~ 32°C. The experimental data were compared with twelve existing correlations. The homogeneous model and the Mishima and Hibiki (1996) correlation give better predictions than any other correlations.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Evaluation of the continuum of gambling problems using the DSM-IV.

Aims To assess the measurement properties of the 10 symptoms of pathological gambling defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) in a general population survey, including examination of unidimensionality and relative severity of the symptoms and their typical patterning. Design We conducted a Rasch model item–response analysis of data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Setting The NESARC surveyed a nationally representative sample from the United States. Participants Participants were 11 153 individuals who reported gambling more than five times in a single year. Measurements The NESARC survey employed the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disability Interview Schedule-DSM-IV version (AUDADIS-IV). Findings and conclusions DSM-IV problem gambling symptoms were strongly unidimensional and maintained a reliable ordering across a broad range of the problem gambling continuum, indicating that the 10 symptoms can be used to create an additive index of problem severity. The DSM-IV-based symptom index appeared to have sufficient reliability to separate life-time pathological gamblers from other gamblers using the current diagnostic threshold of five or more symptoms. However, the DSM-IV symptom index did not have sufficient reliability to separate further among groups of gamblers who reported fewer than five symptoms. After equating for the level of gambling problem severity, the likelihood of reporting certain symptoms was biased across groups characterized by their age and gender. Implications for understanding the construct of gambling problems severity and use of symptom counts as a continuous index are discussed.
Mild renal hypertension alters run training effects on the frequency response of rat cardiomyocyte mechanics

We examined the effects of run training on the frequency dependence of cardiomyocyte mechanics and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) dynamics in rats with mild renal hypertension. Male ...
Heart Rate Characteristics Monitoring and Central Neonatal Apnea

Background: Heart rate characteristics monitoring using the HeRO score detects reduced variability and transient decelerations that occur prior to clinical signs of neonatal sepsis, and reduces VLBW mortality when displayed to clinicians. Neonatal apnea causes HR decelerations. Aim: We tested the hypothesis that central apneas are the cause of high HeRO scores. Methods: We fashioned an algorithm to detect central neonatal apnea that efficiently removes the cardiac component of the chest impedance signal. We identified 0.9 episodes per day lasting more than 30 sec and accompanied by bradycardia and desaturation in 1837 non-ventilated days in 105 VLBW infants in the University of Virginia NICU. Results: Severe central apneas accounted for only 17% of the variance in HeRO scores but were highly significant predictors of high HeRO score even after birth weight, Apgar, and hospital day were taken into account. Individual records (Figure), though, showed inconsistent temporal association of HeRO score (shade) and the number of severe apneas (line), here in an infant who died of lung disease - some but not all, synchronized with HeRO. Figure Conclusion: Frequent and severe central neonatal apneas can correlate with elevated HeRO scores, and may be partly causative. We speculate that abnormal heart rate control in sepsis may have mechanisms in addition to hypoxemia caused by central apnea.
Inorganic and organic sulfur profiles in nine Sphagnum peat bogs in the United States and Czechoslovakia

Depth profiles of total S, organic S, soluble SO 4 2− -S, FeS, and FeS2 were characterized for Sphagnum-derived peat cores collected from 9 sites. Marcell S-2 Bog (MN), Tamarack Swamp (PA), Cranesville Swamp (MD/WV), and Big Run Bog (WV) receive water from precipitation and upland runoff; atmospheric S deposition is 13, 47, 54, and 114 mmol m−2, yr−1, respectively. McDonald's Branch Swamp (NJ) is predominantly groundwater fed. Tub Run Bog (WV) and Allegheny Mining Bog (MD) receive augmented SO 4 2− inputs through acid coal mine drainage. Jezerni slat' and BoŽi Dar Bog in Czechoslovakia receive atmospheric S inputs of 33 and 243 mmol m−2 yr−1, respectively. In the peat from all sites except Allegheny Mining Bog, where the substantially augmented SO 4 2− input was reflected in an unusually high dissolved SO 4 2− pool in the surface peat, organic S (probably mostly carbon bonded S) was the dominant S fraction; FeS2 was generally the dominant inorganic S fraction. Subsurface peaks in total S, organic S and FeS2-S in peat from the runoff water fed sites were interpreted as indicative of depth-dependent patterns in S reduction/oxidation and in S immobilization/mineralization. Unless SO 4 2− inputs to a site are tremendously augmented (e.g., Allegheny Mining Bog), the rapid turnover of the dissolved SO 4 2− pool combined with the relative stability of the other inorganic and organic S pools, apparently functions as an effective buffer against site differences in S inputs, leading to a general similarity in vertical S profiles in the peat deposits.
Inhibition of murine neuroblastoma growth by dopamine antagonists

Abstract C-1300 murine neuroblastoma (MNB) contains the catecholamine biosynthetic pathway. This study investigated manipulation of this pathway for effects on cell growth and survival in tumor-bearing mice, and to correlate these findings with specific membrane-bound dopamine-binding activity. The dopamine antagonists domperidone, pimozide, and spiroperidol inhibited macromolecular synthesis in vitro as demonstrated by decreased [ 3 H]TdR and [ 14 C]leu incorporation in a dose-response fashion; 56, 49, and 43% inhibition was noted at 10 −6 M concentration of each drug, respectively, with no loss of cell viability. Dopamine agonists showed no significant inhibition. Scatchard analysis of dopamine binding was consistent with a single class of receptor sites with a mean concentration of 13.2 ± 2.0 pmole/g wet weight of tissue and mean dissociation constant ( K d ) = 0.69 ± 0.38 n M , compared to a mean receptor concentration of 28.1 ± 5.2 pmole/g wet weight of tissue and K d = 0.38 ± 0.09 n M in receptor-rich dog caudate nucleus, the normal control. A/J mice injected with 1 × 10 6 tumor cells and treated with daily pimozide or domperidone had a significant increase in disease-free survival when compared to controls (15 versus 8.5 days, P P in vivo by dopamine antagonists suggests a specific chemotherapeutic approach to neuroblastoma, possibly mediated by dopamine receptors.
The acceleration of heavy nuclei in solar flares

The overabundance of heavy nuclei in solar cosmic rays of energy approximately 5 Mev/nucleon is explained by taking into account the pre-flare ionization states of these nuclei in the region where they are accelerated. A model is proposed which considers two-step accelerations associated with the initial development of solar flares. The first step is closely related to the triggering process of flares, while the second one starts with the development of the explosive phase. Further ionization of medium and heavy nuclei occurs through their interaction with Kev electrons accelerated by the first-step acceleration. It is suggested that the role of these electrons is important in producing fully ionized atoms in the acceleration regions.
Plasmonic Acceleration of a Photochemical Replicator

The photoinduced decarbonylation of an α-diketone adduct generates 2,6-dimethoxyanthracene in the ground state. The photochemical product can also absorb the incoming photons and transfer its excitation energy to another molecule of the reactant to establish an autocatalytic loop. In the presence of silver nanoparticles, the efficiency of energy transfer increases significantly with a concomitant acceleration of the autocatalytic transformation. In principle, this mechanism to establish kinetic amplification can be extended to any photoactivatable fluorophore, if reactant and product can be engineered to satisfy the spectral requirements necessary for energy transfer. Furthermore, the resulting photochemical replicators can be exploited to monitor the influence of metallic nanostructures on photochemical reactions with convenient fluorescence measurements. In turn, the associated plasmonic effects offer the opportunity to accelerate autocatalysis with nanoscale resolution.
Noble gas pressure broadening of the 7Li 2s–3s transition

We have made measurements of the foreign gas line broadening rate for the 2s–3s transition in atomic lithium, with rare gas perturbers ranging from neon to xenon. The experimentally determined broadening rates are compared with calculations in the impact approximation made on both ab initio potentials and long-range potentials due to Proctor and Stwalley (1977 J. Chem. Phys. 66 2063). We also provide experimental estimates of the shift rate for the rare gases argon to xenon. We discuss our measurements in the context of previous determinations of alkali atom s-state broadening and shift rates.
Vorticity and Wave Motion in a Compressible Protoplanetary Disk

The impact of an isolated vortex in a compressible Keplerian disk is examined using higher order numerical solutions of the Euler and entropy-conserving Energy equations. The vortex is stretched by the background shear flow with longer lasting anticyclonic vortices persisting for about 10 vortex revolutions. Simultaneously, the vortex emits transient radial waves consisting mainly of axisymmetrical weak shock waves and a slower, nonaxisymmetric Rossby wave. These waves may contribute to certain transient events in protoplanetary disks. The vortex stretching and waves were found to have little long-term feedback on the baseline 'standard solar nebula' disk structure and confirm the extremely stable structure of non self-gravitating disks.
Maximum crossing number algorithm on linear array with a reconfigurable pipelined bus system

In the channel routing problem, terminals between cells are interconnected completely while reducing channel routing area. The crossing number, the number of crossings between two wires in the channel, is related to the channel routing area. In this paper, we present a parallel algorithm finding a maximum crossing number, density, in the channel by using a LARPBS model (Linear Array with a Reconfigurable Pipelined Bus System), which is based on the advanced fiber optic technology. The maximum crossing number algorithm on the LARPBS model runs in O(n) time using O(n) number of processors, where n is the number of nets in a channel.
An excess electron trapped in molecular tweezers: ab initio study

Abstract In this work, we have used theoretical ab initio calculations to design a molecular trap for an excess electron consisting of two chains of hydrogen-bonded HF molecules and a water molecule. A system with a ‘tweezers’-type shape has been found, where the excess electron is localized between two HF molecules in a ⋯FH · e · HF⋯ bridge.
Geometric phase associated with transformations of cylindrical vector beams

We present a geometric phase arising from transformations along the surface of a Poincare sphere representation for cylindrical vector beams. Cylindrical vector beams are expressed as the superposition of orthogonal circular polarized Laguerre-Gaussian modes of opposite topological charge. Two spheres are described where the poles of each sphere are circular polarized Laguerre-Gaussian modes, and points along the equator are cylindrical vector beams. A closed loop transformation on the sphere's surface is carried out using combinations of wave plates and cylindrical lens mode converters, and an acquired geometric phase is experimentally measured interferometrically.
Monolithic and segmented projectile penetration experiments in the 2 to 4 kilometers per second impact velocity regime

Abstract A series of experiments was performed to evaluate the performance of projectiles impacting targets at velocities two to three times larger than conventional ordnance velocities. The results were positive, where low L/D ratio projectiles exceeded the theoretical hydrodynamic limit of penetration for the given projectile-target combination. High L/D ratio projectiles did not appreciably exceed the limit. A second set of experiments was devised to test the hypothesis that a segmented projectile, - consisting of a series of low L/D projectiles, assembled in a long rod configuration, - could penetrate deeper into the target than a monolithic projectile of equivalent mass. The results were again positive, with a gain of about 10% shown in some cases. The balance of the experiments was devoted to developing a set of design rules and to exploring variations in the configuration and materials.
Liquid mediated growth and the bimodal microstructure of YBa2Cu3O7−δ films made by the ex situ conversion of physical vapor deposited BaF2 precursors

YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) films produced by the ex situ conversion of BaF2-based precursors deposited by physical vapor deposition on ion-beam assisted deposited (IBAD) yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and rolling-assisted biaxially textured substrates (RABiTS) templates are characterized by a bi-axially aligned, laminar grain structure that results from the anisotropic growth characteristics of the YBCO phase and its precipitation from a transient liquid phase during the conversion process. A bimodal microstructure characterizes these films and is defined by large, well-formed YBCO grains with Y2O3 precipitates in the bottom region of the film and small YBCO grains with a high density of stacking faults in the upper half. Ba2Cu3Oy or Ba-O-F/CuO second phase layers were often found between large YBCO grains in the bottom half of the films. YBCO grain sizes exceeded 50 µm within the plane of the film in some cases. Conversely, discrete secondary phases of Y2Cu2O5, Y2O3, and Ba2Cu3Oy/Ba-O-F could be found among the much smaller YBCO grains in the top portion of the bimodal structure. The dividing line of the bimodal structure was generally at one half of the film thickness, although exceptions to this trend were found. The highest critical current densities (Jc) and best film alignments for a given film thickness were found in samples where the layers of Ba2Cu3Oy or Ba-O-F were minimized or eliminated from the films. Samples quenched after partial conversion show the segregation of CuO to the top region of the film and the lateral growth of large YBCO grains from a precursor mix of Y2Cu2O5 and Ba-O-F. The data demonstrate that transient liquid phases are part of the conversion process of BaF2-based YBCO films. The control of both CuO segregation and the amount of liquid phases generated during the initial stages of phase formation is needed for optimizing the ex situ conversion process for high-Jc coated conductors.
IBM Type 704 Medical Diagnosis Program

The basic input to the type 704 computer is simply the presence or absence of those characteristics (symptoms or results of a laboratory test) of a set of medical cases which are considered to be pertinent by an expert in that particular field. Pairwise and over-all similarity of both the cases and the symptoms are defined so that geometrically the cases, considered as points in a suitable space, form several clumps, thus establishing a natural classification. The mathematical model is based on the assumption of equal-likeliness of the characteristics or symptoms so that in order that the final results be significant, a sufficiently large number of characteristics are initially assumed and the system is reduced by repetitively deleting the least significant characteristic, thus inducing weighting of the characteristics, since more emphasis is placed on those characteristics which comprehend one another. When the set of characteristics is fixed, the computer is able to determine the case or cases which in an over-all sense best represent the characteristics. By interpreting pairwise similarity as probabilities, it is possible to predict how likely it is for a case with given symptoms (or tests) to exist on the basis of the classification the computer produces.
Transistors: Past, present, future, and future-er

In this talk, we will explore the history, current status, and future prospects for the transistor. We review the 30+ year past, focusing primarily on the work-horse planar CMOSFET, as well as the incredible state of integrated electronics it has enabled. We look at the more recent past, where the “end of scaling” and death of the planar MOSFET has been repeatedly forecast, and discuss critical innovations on strained-silicon and high-k/metal-gate transistors which have extended MOSFET scaling. Next we look to the near future, to strong candidates for the generations of process technology to come and challenges which must be overcome to enable them. Finally, we peer into our crystal ball in the distant future and consider the viable options for the next switching element to continue the march of integrated electronics.