cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACTIVE OPTIMIZATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF A GAS-TURBINE COMBUSTOR

ABSTRACT A model natural gas–fired gas-turbine combustor is utilized to evaluate active optimization strategies. Sensors for exhaust species and reaction zone chemiluminescence are utilized with an adaptive fuel injection strategy in a closed-loop feedback control system. The feedback sensors consist of (1) traditional extractive probe-based exhaust measurements of CO and NOx emissions and (2) chemiluminescence to provide very fast, yet accurate, indicators of performance. A direction-set algorithm is utilized to search for the region of optimal performance. The objectives of the study are to assess (1) the viability of controlling the spatial distribution for performance control; (2) the use of flame chemiluminescence as a fast, inferential emissions sensor for faster feedback; and (3) the robustness of the adaptive control strategy over the entire operability range and under a simulated perturbation mode. For the current study, a simulated injector perturbation scenario (partial fuel-jet blockage) is ut...
A Genetic Algorithm for the Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem

The Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem (SDVRP) allows customers to be assigned to multiple routes. Two hybrid genetic algorithms are developed for the SDVRP and computational results are given for thirty-two data sets from previous literature. With respect to the total travel distance and computer time, the genetic algorithm compares favorably versus a column generation method and a two-phase method.
Revisiting transportation planning and decision making theory: The case of Denver International Airport

Current approaches to transportation planning have yielded, at best, inconsistent results. Numerous projects, based on the traditional rational-comprehensive model, have failed to achieve their original objectives. Although scholars have, for decades, identified the weaknesses of this model and proposed new alternatives, it continues to dominate transportation planning. The case of Denver International Airport illustrates its weaknesses and the need to adopt more flexible alternative approaches that incorporate elements of robustness, corrigibility, hedging and resilience. For airport planning specifically, the new, highly volatile environment created by deregulation and increased public sensitivities needs to be recognized and new guidelines incorporating findings such as these should be designed and promulgated by the FAA.
What imaging characteristics determine risk of myocardial infarction and cardiac death

Before the emergence of noninvasive coronary angiography, we were able to gather detailed information on coronary arterial anatomy only in selected, high-risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography opened the door to assessing a wide array of coronary arterial characteristics, in some ways surpassing the information available by invasive angiography, which can now be obtained in all patients with suspected coronary artery disease. 1 Indeed, the information on coronary anatomic details from CT coronary angiography has been overwhelming. The past several years saw numerous clinical studies on coronary arterial stenosis assessment, atherosclerotic plaque characteristics, remodeling status, and local as well as total disease burden. At the same time, discussions arose over what information is most critical for guiding the management of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. The Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Angiography for Multivessel Evaluation (FAME) study suggested that hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease is most important for determining the need of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable symptoms. 2 These results triggered numerous efforts to noninvasively determine hemodynamic significance of coronary artery disease. Notable outcomes from these efforts include CT-derived fractional flow reserve assessment, lumen density gradient analysis, and CT myocardial perfusion imaging. Unfortunately, the FAME study was misinterpreted with regards to the significance of nonflow limiting coronary artery disease for risk of myocardial infarction and death. 3 Indeed, the FAME2 study revealed similar rates of myocardial infarction and death among patients with and without hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease. 4 Total coronary atherosclerotic disease burden is a more consistent predictor of myocardial infarction and cardiac death than provokable myocardial ischemia. 3,5 We have long known that myocardial infarction and death may occur as result of ruptured or eroded coronary atherosclerotic plaques that are only mildly obstructive. 6 Several studies even suggested that the majority of myo
A review of matrix-induced osteogenesis with special reference to its potential use in cranio-facial surgery.

Abstract Current data suggests that purified osteoinductive protein packaged into a collagenous delivery vehicle represents a viable alternative to restoring osseous defects with conventional implant materials. The proteins responsible for matrix-induced osteogenesis are the same as those that initiate and complete osseous repair of fractures. Consequently, the process of matrix-induced osteogenesis produced by implantation of the osteoinductive protein mimics the naturally occurring phenomenon of reparative osteogenesis. The collagenous delivery vehicle apparently serves the same role as the inactive collagenous bone matrix which is left after removal of the osteoinductive proteins from demineralized bone and, is required if osteogenesis is to occur. This collagenous delivery vehicle apparently serves a scaffold for the migration into, proliferation, and subsequent differentiation of cells responsible for osteogenesis. In addition, the original form of the collagenous implant dictates the dimensions of the resulting bony tissue. Finally, it is possible to generate an osteoinductive response in many mammals probably including man with purified xenogenic osteoinductive proteins. In conclusion, there is currently much research investigating the phenomenon of matrix-induced osteogenesis and its potential clinical use. In the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of manuscripts published in this area of connective tissue research. Consequently, if the current trend continues, clinicians in the near future can look forward to seeing this material being developed into a convenient “off the shelf” bone replacement system which stimulates host bone formation and repair of cranio-facial osseous defects.
Coping Skills and the Self-Efficacy of Substance-Using Women Versus Non-Substance-Using Women

Researchers purport that self-efficacy is critical for behavioral change. The theory of self-efficacy explains when an individual is able to attain awareness, lifestyle changes can occur and efforts to maintain self-efficacy are enhanced. The coping skills and self-efficacy of substance-using women versus nonusing women under social pressure were investigated. Research indicated that self-efficacy is a crucial component in changing behaviors. A sample of 60 African American female participants between the ages of 21 and 60 years of age were recruited for the study through a convenience sample. Specifically, 30 substance-using women from the Partners in Recovery Treatment Program, which is located at the Department of Social Services (DSS), and 30 non-substance-using women seeking benefits from the local DSS office were studied. Results revealed the mean score for self-efficacy in substance users is 2.90 (.88) versus 1.10 (.31) nonsubstance users. There was a statistical difference in coping skills and eff...
Improved InGaAs/InP double‐heterojunction bipolar transistors using a thin‐emitter structure design

We report an improved thin-emitter InGaAs/InP heterostructure bipolar transistor where the InGaAs base layer is contacted through the thin InP emitter. The InP passivation layer avoids the degradation of electrical characteristics observed in InGaAs/InP heterostructures after PECVD deposition. As compared to unpassivated HBTs, the InP passivated devices showed a remarkable improvement of the current gain. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 21: 235–238, 1999.
Seagrass planting in the southeastern United States: methods for accelerating habitat development

Seagrass transplanting experiments were conducted in Back Sound, Carteret County, North Carolina, and Tampa Bay, Pinellas County, Florida. In Florida, we compared three planting methods (cores, stapled bare root, and peat-pot plugs) for shoot addition rate coverage, and labor cost (harvest, fabrication, and deployment) using Halodule wrightii. Only planting methods and development rates were recorded for Syringodium filiforme. Fertilizer additions were made to peat-pot plantings of H. wrightii and Zostera marina in both North Carolina and Florida. Exclosure cages were tested to attempt to minimize bioturbation of H. wrightii and Z. marina in both North Carolina and Florida. Recovery from harvesting impacts to existing, natural beds of S. filiforme and H. wrightii were assessed in Florida. The peat-pot method was about 35% and 63% less expensive in work time than staples and core tubes, respectively. Response to fertilizer additions was masked by inconsistent release properties of the fertilizer, although some indication of positive response to phosphorus fertilizer in sediments with low carbonate content, and nitrogen in general, was detected. Complete loss of peat pots, largely ascribed to bioturbation, occurred in a large planting (Tampa Bay) but not in nearby smaller ones where exclosure cages were used. Cages did not affect planting unit survival in North Carolina but did improve number of shoots per planting unit in one of three experiments. No detrimental effects of cages were noted. Existing natura beds used to harvest transplanting stock in Tampa Bay recovered from excavations as large as 0.5 m2 in one year. Significant cost savings were found to be possible through methodological improvement, including planting techniques, bioturbation exclusion, and possibly fertilizer additions.
White matter abnormalities in long-term heroin users: a preliminary neuroimaging meta-analysis

AbstractBackground: Diffusion tensor imaging has been used to explore white matter changes in heroin-dependent patients; however, results have been inconsistent. Objectives: The current study meta-analytically examines the neuroimaging findings of all studies published before 2014 using the novel technique of Effect Size Signed Differential Mapping (ES-SDM). Methods: Two independent investigators searched three databases for whole-brain voxel-based fractional anisotropy morphometric studies involving heroin use without comorbid polysubstance abuse. Of 59 initial primary studies, four met stringent inclusion criteria. Results: Results from this preliminary analysis indicate that heroin abusers may have significant reductions in fractional anisotropy in the bilateral frontal sub-gyral regions extending from the limbic structures to the prefrontal association cortices, implicating damage to the cingulum and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Exploratory moderator analyses indicate that the potential damage in...
Conversion of a Missouri River Dam and Reservoir to a Sustainable System: Sediment Management

Abstract: A present and future challenge for water resources engineers is to extend the useful life of our dams and reservoirs. Ongoing reservoir sedimentation in impoundments must be addressed; sedimentation in many reservoirs already limits project benefits and effective project life. Sustainability requires that incoming sediment be moved downstream past the impounding dam. We use Lewis and Clark Lake, the most downstream of the six Missouri River main stem reservoirs, to demonstrate how a reservoir in advanced stages of its project life could be converted to a sustainable system with local benefits exceeding costs by a factor of 1.5. Full consideration of benefits would further enhance project justification. The proposed strategy involves four phases that will take about 50 years to complete. Cost estimates for this potential project range from the quantitative to the plausible, but it is clear that the results justify a full engineering, environmental, and economic study of this model project. If implemented, the project will create scientific knowledge and develop technologies useful for achieving sustainability at many other reservoirs in the Mississippi River basin and beyond.
Lipid peroxidation and the concept of antioxygenic potential: critical examination of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method.

The stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) can be used for quantitative estimation of lipid-soluble antioxidants. It was shown that the DPPH method revealed disappearance of α-tocopherol when simple suspensions of linseed oil in aqueous FeSO4 peroxidized in the presence of added α-tocopherol. However, in the much more complex in vitro system represented by peroxidizing rat liver microsomes, the DPPH method indicated an increase in antioxidant content, rather than the decrease that would be expected. It was concluded that the DPPH method is reliable for tracking antioxidant disappearance in simple nonbiological systems, but in complex biological systems, at least under certain circumstances, it cannot be relied upon for measuring changes in lipid antioxygenic potential.
Interconnections of muscles in the adductor mandibulae complex of birds

Summary In addition to a variety of connections at or near the attachment of muscles, some of the adjacent bellies in the adductor mandibulae complex of birds merge with one another across the whole or most of their contiguous sides. Such continuous intermuscular transitions are found between the adductor posterior and the deep part of the adductor externus, the posterior adductor and quadratomandibularis muscle, the adductor posterior and pterygoideus muscle and between the quadratomandibularis and pseudotemporalis muscles. Since a complete breakup of the adductor premuscle mass occurs early in development and there is no indication of adult intermuscular transitions in any of the studied avian embryos, the muscles must coalesce at some stage of growth. Therefore, the intermuscular transitions of adult birds cannot be derived with any certainty from the primary connections in the adductor mandibulae of early gnathostomes. The coalescence of developmentally discrete muscles is invariably seamless and appears to be contingent not only upon the contiguity of muscles but also upon the congruent arrangement of their fibers.
Mechanism of Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Dermatitis in Mice: Role of Specific Antibodies in Pathogenesis

Background Dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity is widely considered as a cell-mediated rather than antibody-mediated immune response. At present, very little is known about the role of antigen-specific antibodies and B cells in the development of dinitrochlorobenzene-induced hypersensitivity reactions, and this is the subject of the present investigation. Methodology/Principal Findings Data obtained from multiple lines of experiments unequivocally showed that the formation of dinitrochlorobenzene-specific Abs played an important role in the development of dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity. The appearance of dinitrochlorobenzene-induced skin dermatitis matched in timing the appearance of the circulating dinitrochlorobenzene-specific antibodies. Adoptive transfer of sera containing dinitrochlorobenzene-specific antibodies from dinitrochlorobenzene-treated mice elicited a much stronger hypersensitivity reaction than the adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from the same donors. Moreover, dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity was strongly suppressed in B cell-deficient mice with no DNCB-specific antibodies. It was also observed that treatment of animals with dinitrochlorobenzene polarized Th cells into Th2 differentiation by increasing the production of Th2 cytokines while decreasing the production of Th1 cytokines. Conclusions/Significance In striking contrast to the long-held belief that dinitrochlorobenzene-induced contact hypersensitivity is a cell-mediated immune response, the results of our present study demonstrated that the production of dinitrochlorobenzene-specific antibodies by activated B cells played an indispensible role in the pathogenesis of dinitrochlorobenzene-induced CHS. These findings may provide new possibilities in the treatment of human contact hypersensitivity conditions.
Considering a midlife career change

62 January/February 2002 In today’s world, it’s natural for employees to reevaluate their current jobs and explore alternate career choices. At times, people become bored with their job, while others have been “downsized” out of work. Some job seekers use the opportunity of “forced retirement” to explore more rewarding careers, and often these choices lead to jobs that offer greater satisfaction. No matter what the reason, transitioning into a new career later in life can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to translate into a “midlife crisis.” Individuals who make a midlife career change should search for opportunities that best suit their skills and specific talents, and offer them the greatest level of satisfaction and reward. Job seekers—especially older adults—frequently face a number of barriers in making career transitions. Often a job seeker feels that age is an obstacle to changing jobs. However, older, more experienced job seekers have more to offer an employer. Mature individuals offer a great deal of experience and skills acquired in a career and can easily transfer those skills to most other jobs regardless of the industry. In general, they have a willingness to learn new ideas and skills and are more open to learning from others. The mature individual can more clearly identify past accomplishments and relate abilities to a specific job. Seasoned workers are often more loyal to their employers, motivated to work hard, and have the life experience to make sound judgments and decisions. With this in mind, employers should reevaluate their job requirements and seek individuals who are exploring a career transition. These individuals have a renewed sense of energy and passion, and the employer benefits from the sense of their experience and skills. Based on my experience, these candidates will stay long-term with a new employer; are more stable in the working environment; and tend to be more reliable, dependable, and more enthusiastic about the job opportunity than the younger, newly trained individuals. For those exploring a career change, consider taking a temporary position in the field first to get a feel for the new demands and environment of your job. It could be the first step to making a transition that will increase your career satisfaction. Considering a Midlife Career Change?
Association of rabbit reaginic antibody with an immunoglobulin distinct from IgG, IgA, and IgM

Abstract Reaginic antibody was demonstrated in the serum, colostrum, and milk of rabbits which had been immunized during pregnancy with dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin. The levels of the reaginic antibodies to DNP did not parallel those of IgM agglutinating antibodies in serum or IgA antibodies in colostrum, and their chromatographic behaviors on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE cellulose were also different from those of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Further evidence that the rabbit reagins belong to a unique class of immunoglobulins was obtained by the demonstration that the reagins were absorbed by anti-light chain serum but not by anti-γ-, anti-μ-, or anti-α-chain sera.
Effects of cooling rate on fracture resistance of nylon 6-silicate nanocomposites

In this paper, the fracture resistance of nylon 6-silicate nanocomposites was measured as function of silicate content and cooling rate. The addition of silicate nanolayers resulted in a significant decrease in toughness in air cooled samples. In cold water quenched samples, however, the total fracture work was comparable with that of neat nylon 6, providing a promising way for the simultaneous enhancement of stiffness, strength, and toughness. The effect of cooling rate on the semi-crystalline matrix structure and its role in fracture behavior were discussed.
Fluctuations and the nuclear meissner effect in rapidly rotating nuclei

The phase transition from a superfluid system to a normal fluid system in nuclei under the influence of a strong Coriolis field is investigated by the generator coordinate method (GCM). The strange behavior of the experimental moments of inertia in the nucleus 168Hf is well reproduced in this theory. The pairing collapse of the neutrons, however, is completely washed out by the fluctuations. It is found that the fluctuations of the orientation in gauge space, taken into account by number projection before the variation play the most important role. Fluctuations connected with the virtual admixture of pairing vibrations add only small corrections.
“Folic Acid” Active Compounds in the Nutrition of the Monkey.

SummaryVitamin B10 and B11 concentrates were inactive as a source of folic acid for the monkey.Crystalline vitamin Bc and the synthetic Lactobacillus casei factor were active as a source of folic acid for the monkey when fed at a level of 100 γ per day. The Bc conjugate had less activity when fed at levels of 200 and 300 γ per clay.Folic acid deficiency precipitates a deficiency for the monkey anti-anemia factor which is characterized by lack of growth, sub-optimal hemoglobin levels and a reversal in the lymphocyte-neutrophile ratio.
Challenges in Contemporary Requirements Practice

The management of requirements remains a key source of difficulty in systems development projects. Substantive changes in the practice of systems development and associated requirements engineering efforts suggest that a reconsideration of prevailing requirements challenges is warranted. In this essay, we report on a field study of practicing design professionals in which we assess the key challenges they experience in developing a stable set of system requirements. Building upon the findings from our study, we propose a framework for understanding contemporary requirements challenges and the ways in which they are fundamentally interrelated.
The promise of peer review.

> It is ironic that, in an era known for the great speed and availability of information – where we could choose to blog our results rather than submit them to journals – publishing papers seems slower and more painful than ever before I believe in the value of peer review, of having research
Prediction of the gas /liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficients in surface-aeration and gas-inducing reactors using neural networks

Abstract Almost all available literature correlations to predict the volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient, kLa in agitated reactors are systems- or operating conditions-dependent. In this study, two back-propagation neural networks (BPNNs), one dimensional and one dimensionless were developed to correlate kLa for numerous gas–liquid systems in both surface-aeration reactors (SAR) and gas-inducing reactors (GIR) operating under wide ranges of industrial conditions. A total of 4435 experimental data points obtained from more than 10 publications for 50 gas–liquid systems were used to train, validate the dimensional and dimensionless BPNNs, which were able to correlate all kLa values with R2 of 90.5 and 88.6%, respectively. The dimensional BPNN was used to predict the effect of various operating parameters on kLa in a number of important industrial processes. The predictions showed that increasing liquid viscosity decreased kLa values in the SAR, while kLa values in the GIR increased and then decreased with increasing liquid viscosity, following the gas holdup behavior. Increasing liquid density decreased kLa in both reactor types. Increasing liquid surface tension increased kLa values in the SAR, whereas in the GIR, kLa decreased due to the increase of bubble size. Increasing gas diffusivity or gas partial pressure or mixing speed, increased kLa in both reactor types. kLa values in the GIR were always higher than those in the SAR and increasing DImp./DT and HF/HL increased kLa in both reactor types.
Ultrasound guidance improves the success rate of a perivascular axillary plexus block.

Background: Traditional approaches to performing brachial plexus blocks via the axillary approach have varying success rates. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if a specific technique of ultrasound guidance could improve the success of axillary blocks in comparison to a two injection transarterial technique. Methods: Fifty-six ASA physical status I–III patients presenting for elective hand surgery were prospectively randomized to receive an axillary block performed by either a transarterial technique (Group TA) or an ultrasound-guided perivascular approach (Group US). Both groups received a total of 30 ml of 1.5% lidocaine (225 mg) with 5 μg/ml epinephrine. Patients were then evaluated for block onset in specific nerve distributions and whether or not the block acted as a surgical anesthetic. Results: Group TA sustained more failures defined as conversion to general anesthesia or the inability to localize the artery [Group TA eight patients (29%) vs. Group US in which 0 patients required conversion to general anesthesia (0%) P < 0.01]. Group US demonstrated a reduction in performance times vs. Group TA (7.9 ± 3.9 min vs. 11.1 ± 5.7 min, P < 0.05). By 30 min post-injection, there were no significant differences between groups TA and US in terms of the proportion of patients demonstrating a complete motor or sensory loss. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic guidance improves the overall success rate of axillary blocks in comparison to a transarterial technique.
Production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by Alcaligenes latus using sugarbeet juice

Abstract The practicality of using sugarbeet juice as medium to grow Alcaligenes latus (ATCC 29714) for production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable plastic, was explored in this study. Dilute sugarbeet juice, sugarbeet juice with partial and complete addition of nutrients other than sugar were used as culture media. Media with partial nutrient addition was shown to be optimal for PHB production, with final dry cell weight (DCW) 10.30 ± 1.01 g/L, PHB concentration 4.01 ± 0.95 g/L, PHB content 38.66 ± 7.28%, Yp/x (g PHB produced per g dry cell weight) 0.39 ± 0.07 and a maximum PHB productivity of 0.22 ± 0.01 g/L h. The melting temperature of PHB extracted from sugarbeet juice-grown cells supplemented with partial nutrients was measured to be 151.46 °C with crystallinity of 43.12% and the corresponding crystallinity temperature of 45.42 °C. Thermal degradation of extracted PHB occurred from 255.14 to 283.69 °C with the degradation peak at 273.86 °C.
Female aggression in cross-cultural perspective.

This paper presents findings from a preliminary cross-cultural survey of adult human female aggression. Cases of female-initiated aggres sion, ranging from verbal abuse to murder, are found in all regions of the world. Female aggression is largely directed against other females and generally involves little injury. Co-wives and other rivals in sex and marriage are the most common victims. Husbands are the most common male targets. Female aggression is often a means of competing for men or subsistence products, but it may also be a means of defense.
Genome-wide identification of in vivo protein-DNA binding sites from ChIP-Seq data.

ChIP-Seq, which combines chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with ultra high-throughput massively parallel sequencing, is increasingly being used for mapping protein–DNA interactions in-vivo on a genome scale. Typically, short sequence reads from ChIP-Seq are mapped to a reference genome for further analysis. Although genomic regions enriched with mapped reads could be inferred as approximate binding regions, short read lengths (∼25–50 nt) pose challenges for determining the exact binding sites within these regions. Here, we present SISSRs (Site Identification from Short Sequence Reads), a novel algorithm for precise identification of binding sites from short reads generated from ChIP-Seq experiments. The sensitivity and specificity of SISSRs are demonstrated by applying it on ChIP-Seq data for three widely studied and well-characterized human transcription factors: CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor), NRSF (neuron-restrictive silencer factor) and STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 1). We identified 26 814, 5813 and 73 956 binding sites for CTCF, NRSF and STAT1 proteins, respectively, which is 32, 299 and 78% more than that inferred previously for the respective proteins. Motif analysis revealed that an overwhelming majority of the identified binding sites contained the previously established consensus binding sequence for the respective proteins, thus attesting for SISSRs’ accuracy. SISSRs’ sensitivity and precision facilitated further analyses of ChIP-Seq data revealing interesting insights, which we believe will serve as guidance for designing ChIP-Seq experiments to map in vivo protein–DNA interactions. We also show that tag densities at the binding sites are a good indicator of protein–DNA binding affinity, which could be used to distinguish and characterize strong and weak binding sites. Using tag density as an indicator of DNA-binding affinity, we have identified core residues within the NRSF and CTCF binding sites that are critical for a stronger DNA binding.
Sensory Contributions to Impaired Emotion Processing in Schizophrenia

Both emotion and visual processing deficits are documented in schizophrenia, and preferential magnocellular visual pathway dysfunction has been reported in several studies. This study examined the contribution to emotion-processing deficits of magnocellular and parvocellular visual pathway function, based on stimulus properties and shape of contrast response functions. Experiment 1 examined the relationship between contrast sensitivity to magnocellular- and parvocellular-biased stimuli and emotion recognition using the Penn Emotion Recognition (ER-40) and Emotion Differentiation (EMODIFF) tests. Experiment 2 altered the contrast levels of the faces themselves to determine whether emotion detection curves would show a pattern characteristic of magnocellular neurons and whether patients would show a deficit in performance related to early sensory processing stages. Results for experiment 1 showed that patients had impaired emotion processing and a preferential magnocellular deficit on the contrast sensitivity task. Greater deficits in ER-40 and EMODIFF performance correlated with impaired contrast sensitivity to the magnocellular-biased condition, which remained significant for the EMODIFF task even when nonspecific correlations due to group were considered in a step-wise regression. Experiment 2 showed contrast response functions indicative of magnocellular processing for both groups, with patients showing impaired performance. Impaired emotion identification on this task was also correlated with magnocellular-biased visual sensory processing dysfunction. These results provide evidence for a contribution of impaired early-stage visual processing in emotion recognition deficits in schizophrenia and suggest that a bottom-up approach to remediation may be effective.
Prospects for antiproton experiments at Fermilab

Fermilab operates the world’s most intense antiproton source. Newly proposed experiments can use those antiprotons either parasitically during Tevatron Collider running or after the end of the Tevatron Collider program. For example, the annihilation of 5 to 8 GeV antiprotons is expected to yield world-leading sensitivities to hyperon rare decays and CP violation. It could also provide the world’s most intense source of tagged D0 mesons, and thus the best near-term opportunity to study charm mixing and, via CP violation, to search for new physics. Other measurements that could be made include properties of the X(3872) and the charmonium system. An experiment using a Penning trap and an atom interferometer could make the world’s most precise measurement of the gravitational force on antimatter. These and other potential measurements using antiprotons offer a great opportunity for a broad and exciting physics program at Fermilab in the post-Tevatron era.
Ultrastructural Evidence for Synaptic Interactions between Thalamocortical Axons and Subplate Neurons

Thalamic axons are known to accumulate in the subplate for a protracted period prior to invading the cortical plate and contacting their ultimate targets, the neurons of layer 4. We have examined the synaptic contacts made by visual and somatosensory thalamic axons during the transition period in which axons begin to leave the subplate and invade the cortical plate in the ferret. We first determined when geniculocortical axons leave the subplate and begin to grow into layer 4 of the visual cortex by injecting 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine (Dil) into the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). By birth most LGN axons are still confined to the subplate. Over the next 10 days LGN axons grow into layer 4, but many axons retain axonal branches within the subplate. To establish whether thalamic axons make synaptic contacts within the subplate, the anterograde tracer PHA-L was injected into thalamic nuclei of neonatal ferrets between postnatal day 3 and 12 to label thalamic axons at the electron microscope level. The analysis of the PHA-L injections confirmed the Dil data regarding the timing of ingrowth of thalamic axons into the cortical plate. At the electron microscope level, PHA-L-labelled axons were found to form synaptic contacts in the subplate. The thalamic axon terminals were presynaptic primarily to dendritic shafts and dendritic spines. Between postnatal days 12 and 20 labelled synapses were also observed within layer 4 of the cortex. The ultrastructural appearance of the synapses did not differ significantly in the subplate and cortical plate, with regard to type of postsynaptic profiles, length of postsynaptic density or presynaptic terminal size. These observations provide direct evidence that thalamocortical axons make synaptic contacts with subplate neurons, the only cell type within the subplate possessing mature dendrites and dendritic spines; they also suggest that functional interactions between thalamic axons and subplate neurons could play a role in the establishment of appropriate thalamocortical connections.
Corpus Callosotomy for Seizures Associated with Band Heterotopia

Band heterotopia is a severe form of neuronal migration disorder associated with intractable epilepsy and neurologic impairment. Surgical treatment of seizures associated with this malformation has not been reported previously. We report a patient with band heterotopia and poorly controlled atonic seizures causing falls and injury. The patient was treated with anterior corpus callosotomy, with significant postoperative decrease in seizure frequency. Corpus callosotomy is a reasonable alternative to consider in management of patients with cortical heterotopia and intractable seizures.
Tiotropium bromide step-up therapy for adults with uncontrolled asthma

A b s t r ac t Background Long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) therapy improves symptoms in patients whose asthma is poorly controlled by an inhaled glucocorticoid alone. Alternative treatments for adults with uncontrolled asthma are needed. Methods In a three-way, double-blind, triple-dummy crossover trial involving 210 patients with asthma, we evaluated the addition of tiotropium bromide (a long-acting anticholinergic agent approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but not asthma) to an inhaled glucocorticoid, as compared with a doubling of the dose of the inhaled glucocorticoid (primary superiority comparison) or the addition of the LABA salmeterol (secondary noninferiority comparison). Results The use of tiotropium resulted in a superior primary outcome, as compared with a doubling of the dose of an inhaled glucocorticoid, as assessed by measuring the morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), with a mean difference of 25.8 liters per minute (P<0.001) and superiority in most secondary outcomes, including evening PEF, with a difference of 35.3 liters per minute (P<0.001); the proportion of asthmacontrol days, with a difference of 0.079 (P = 0.01); the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) before bronchodilation, with a difference of 0.10 liters (P = 0.004); and daily symptom scores, with a difference of −0.11 points (P<0.001). The addition of tiotropium was also noninferior to the addition of salmeterol for all assessed outcomes and increased the prebronchodilator FEV 1 more than did salmeterol, with a difference of 0.11 liters (P = 0.003). Conclusions When added to an inhaled glucocorticoid, tiotropium improved symptoms and lung function in patients with inadequately controlled asthma. Its effects appeared to be equivalent to those with the addition of salmeterol. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00565266.)
The Treatment of Brain Metastases

(1996). The Treatment of Brain Metastases. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 169-177.
A new direction for anticoagulants: Inhibiting fibrin assembly with PEGylated fibrin knob mimics

Current anticoagulants target coagulation Factors upstream from fibrin assembly and polymerization (i.e. formation of fibrin clot). While effective, this approach requires constant patient monitoring since pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics vary from patient to patient. To address these limitations, we developed an alternative anticoagulant that effectively inhibits fibrin polymerization. Specifically, we investigated PEGylated fibrin knob `A' peptides, evaluating the effect of both PEG chain length (0, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 30 kDa) and knob peptide sequence (GPRPAAC, GPRPFPAC, and GPRPPERC) on inhibiting fibrin polymerization (i.e. clot formation). Thrombin-initiated clotting assays with purified fibrinogen were performed to compare clot formation with each peptide-PEG conjugate. Results indicated a biphasic effect of PEG chain length whereby active-PEG conjugates demonstrated increasingly enhanced inhibition of fibrin polymerization from 0 to 5 kDa PEG. However, the anticoagulant activity diminished to control levels for PEG chains above 5 kDa. Ultimately, we observed a 10-fold enhancement of anticoagulant activity with active peptides PEGylated with 5 kDa PEG compared to non-PEGylated knob peptides. The sequence of the active peptide significantly influenced the anticoagulant properties only at the highest 1:100 molar ratio where GPRPFPAC-5 kDa PEG and GPRPPERC-5 kDa PEG demonstrated significantly lower percent clottable protein than GPRPAAC-5 kDa PEG. Moreover, human plasma treated with the active 5 kDa PEG conjugate exhibited delayed the prothrombin time to within the therapeutic range specified for oral anticoagulants. Collectively, this study demonstrated the utility of PEGylated fibrin knob peptides as potential anticoagulant therapeutics.
The Contribution of Dietary Factors to Dental Caries and Disparities in Caries

Frequent consumption of simple carbohydrates, primarily in the form of dietary sugars, is significantly associated with increased dental caries risk. Malnutrition (undernutrition or overnutrition) in children is often a consequence of inappropriate infant and childhood feeding practices and dietary behaviors associated with limited access to fresh, nutrient dense foods, substituting instead high-energy, low-cost, nutrient-poor sugary and fatty foods. Lack of availability of quality food stores in rural and poor neighborhoods, food insecurity, and changing dietary beliefs resulting from acculturation, including changes in traditional ethnic eating behaviors, can further deter healthful eating and increase risk for early childhood caries and obesity. America is witnessing substantial increases in children and ethnic minorities living in poverty, widening the gap in oral health disparities noted in Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General . Dental and other care providers can educate and counsel pregnant women, parents, and families to promote healthy eating behaviors and should advocate for governmental policies and programs that decrease parental financial and educational barriers to achieving healthy diets. For families living in poverty, however, greater efforts are needed to facilitate access to affordable healthy foods, particularly in urban and rural neighborhoods, to effect positive changes in children's diets and advance the oral components of general health.
Support for online mathematics education: MeML and WME services

As the Web-based mathematics education (WME) system develops and undergoes in-class trials, we are investigating better technologies for page markup and support services. The mathematics education markup language (MeML) is an XML application specifically designed to structure WME lesson pages and increase element interoperability. A client-side plug-in, Woodpecker, supports the display and operations of MeML pages. The mathematics education service protocol (MESP) defines a uniform interface for accessing, controlling, deploying, and customizing WME services. MeML and MESP are important for WME to become a "Web for mathematics education" based on interoperability of components and expertly constructed pages and services that are customizable.
NUCLEAR-CYTOPLASMIC RELATIONS IN THE MITOSIS OF SEA URCHIN EGGS: III. γ-Ray-Induced Damage to Whole Eggs and Nucleate and Anucleate Half-Eggs

Sea urchin eggs were cut into halves. The nucleate and anucleate halves and whole eggs were irradiated with γ-rays and then fertilized with normal sperm. The first mitosis of the diploid half-egg was more delayed than the division of the whole egg. There was a small, but highly significant, delay of the mitosis of the haploid half-egg, thus demonstrating cytoplasmic sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Since the sensitivity of nucleate cells is influenced by cytoplasmic volume, the problem of the role of cytoplasm in repair is considered in relation to these data and other reports in the literature.
Phosphorylation of Mouse Sperm Axoneme Central Apparatus Protein SPAG16L by a Testis-Specific Kinase, TSSK2

The mammalian protein SPAG16L, the ortholog of Chlamydomonas Pf20, is an axoneme central apparatus protein necessary for flagellar motility. The SPAG16L protein sequence contains multiple potential phosphorylation sites, and the protein was confirmed to be phosphorylated in vivo. A yeast two-hybrid screen identified the testis-specific kinase, TSSK2, to be a potential SPAG16L binding partner. SPAG16L and TSSK2 interactions were confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of both proteins from testis extracts and cell lysates expressing these proteins, and their colocalization was also noted by confocal microscopy in Chinese hamster ovary cells, where they were coexpressed. TSSK2 associates with SPAG16L via its C-terminal domain bearing WD repeats. The N-terminal domain containing a coiled coil motif does not associate with TSSK2. SPAG16L can be phosphorylated by TSSK2 in vitro. Finally, TSSK2 is absent or markedly reduced from the testes in most of the SPAG16L-null mice. These data support the conclusion that SPAG16L is a TSSK2 substrate.
Europeanization, Education, and School Curricula The Role of Historical Legacies in Explaining Policy Variation Between England and France

One might expect governments to react to deepening European integration since the mid-1980s by updating national school curricula in social science subjects such as history and geography so as to r...
SPINACH ON THE CEILING: A Theoretical Chemist's Return to Biology

AbstractI was born in Vienna and came to the United States as a refugee in October 1938. This experience played an important role in my view of the world and my approach to science: It contributed to my realization that it was safe to stop working in fields that I felt I understood and to focus on different areas of research by asking questions that would teach me and others something new. I describe my experiences that led me from chemistry and physics back to my first love, biology, and outline some of the contributions I have made as part of my ongoing learning experience.
Position and distance specificity are important determinants of cis-regulatory motifs in addition to evolutionary conservation

Computational discovery of cis-regulatory elements remains challenging. To cope with the high false positives, evolutionary conservation is routinely used. However, conservation is only one of the attributes of cis-regulatory elements and is neither necessary nor sufficient. Here, we assess two additional attributes--positional and inter-motif distance specificity--that are critical for interactions between transcription factors. We first show that for a greater than expected fraction of known motifs, the genes that contain the motifs in their promoters in a position-specific or distance-specific manner are related, both in function and/or in expression pattern. We then use the position and distance specificity to discover novel motifs. Our work highlights the importance of distance and position specificity, in addition to the evolutionary conservation, in discovering cis-regulatory motifs.
Cosmic-ray changes near the north geomagnetic pole from 1954 to 1956

— Since the summer of 1954, when the sun was at a very low state of activity, the intensity of cosmic rays at high altitudes near the poles has been decreasing in accordance with Forbush’s relationship. The decrease in the numbers of primaries from the summer of 1954 to 1955 was only a few percent, but the decrease was approximately a factor of two between 1955 and 1956. At the middle altitudes the intensity was even less in 1956 than in 1937 when the sun was at a maximum of activity. However the ionization at balloon altitudes did not pass through a maximum in 1956 as it did in 1937. The shape of the ionization-depth curve at atmospheric pressures of 10 to 100g cmp-2 is quite sensitive to the relative numbers of low-energy particles in the primaries. If protons, such particles have energies in the range 100 to 500 MeV. By comparing the shapes of such curves taken near the geomagnetic poles at different times, the presence or absence of a « knee » at very high altitudes may be predicted for it is just the absence or presence of such low-energy particles that causes the presence or absence of the « knee ». The relative numbers of low-energy (100 to 500 MeV protons) particles to those of higher energy do not always bear the same relationship to each other. Thus, on some days the numbers of low-energy particles will be higher than on some other days, but the numbers of those of higher energy may be less. The reverse situation may also be true. As to the nature of the primaries that change so radically with time, there is some evidence that they may be almost all protons. Thus, the latitude effect at high altitudes is certainly consistent with this assumption. Also, the experiments of the Minnesota group show an absence of low-energy α-particles even during the low period of solar activity in 1954.
Characterization of Mixed Uranium Antimony Oxides USbO5 and USb3O10

The system U-Sb-O was examined in air up to 1000°C for ternary compounds. The products were characterized by chemical analysis, density determinations, TGA, X-ray diffraction techniques, and magnetic measurements. The ternary compounds found were USbO5 and USb3O10. All cations are pentavalent in these new compounds, which are crystallographically related to α-UO3 and U3O8.