cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benthic Marine Debris, with an Emphasis on Fishery-Related Items, Surrounding Kodiak Island, Alaska, 1994–1996

Composition and abundance of benthic marine debris were investigated during three bottom trawl surveys in inlet and offshore locations surrounding Kodiak Island, Alaska, 1994–1996. Debris items were primarily plastic and metal regardless of trawl location. Plastic bait jars, fishing line, and crab pots were the most common fishery-related debris items and were encountered in large amounts in inlets (20–25 items km−2), but were less abundant outside of inlets (4.5–11 items km−2). Overall density of debris was also significantly greater in inlets than outside of inlets. Plastic debris densities in inlets ranged 22–31.5 items km−2, 7.8–18.8 items km−2 outside of inlets. Trawls in inlets contained almost as much metal debris as plastic debris. Density of metal debris ranged from 21.2 to 23.7 items km−2 in inlets, a maximum of 2.7 items km−2 outside of inlets. Inlets around the town of Kodiak had the highest densities of fishery-related and total benthic debris. Differences in benthic debris density between inlets and outside of inlets and differences by area may be due to differences in fishing activity and water circulation patterns. At the current reduced levels of fishing activity, however, yearly monitoring of benthic debris appears unnecessary.
How far can mice carry autism research

In the face of growing controversy about the utility of genetic mouse models of human disease, Rothwell et al. report on a shared mechanism by which two different neuroligin-3 mutations, associated with autism spectrum disorders in humans, produce an enhancement in motor learning. The open question is how much we can learn about human ills from such models.
Impact of Tunnels and Tenodesis Screws on Clavicle Fracture: A Biomechanical Study of Varying Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction Techniques

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the load to fracture of distal clavicles with no tunnels, one tunnel, or 2 tunnels and to evaluate the effect of inserting tenodesis screws in the tunnels on load to fracture of the distal clavicle. Methods Fifty right sawbone clavicles were obtained and divided into 5 groups (n = 10): group 1, normal clavicle; group 2, one tunnel, no tenodesis screw; group 3, 2 tunnels, no tenodesis screws; group 4, one tunnel with tenodesis screw; and group 5, 2 tunnels with 2 tenodesis screws. Tunnels were created using a 5-mm-diameter reamer, and 5.5 × 10 mm polyethyl ethyl ketone tenodesis screws were used. A 4-point bending load was applied to the distal clavicles. Load to failure was noted for each specimen. Results Load to failure in clavicles without tunnels was significantly higher (1,157.18 ± 147.10 N) than in all other groups ( P Conclusions The use of tunnels in the clavicle for coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction significantly reduces the load required to fracture the distal clavicle. The addition of tenodesis screws does not appear to significantly increase the strength of the clavicle in this construct. Clinical Relevance CC ligament reconstruction techniques commonly use tunnels in the distal clavicle, which may render the clavicle more susceptible to fracture. This study helps quantify the effect of these tunnels on the strength of the distal clavicle.
The effect of heterogeneous infectious period and contagiousness on the dynamics of Salmonella transmission in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to address the impact of heterogeneity of infectious period and contagiousness on Salmonella transmission dynamics in dairy cattle populations. We developed three deterministic SIR-type models with two basic infected stages (clinically and subclinically infected). In addition, model 2 included long-term shedders, which were defined as individuals with low contagiousness but long infectious period, and model 3 included super-shedders (individuals with high contagiousness and long infectious period). The simulated dynamics, basic reproduction number (R0) and critical vaccination threshold were studied. Clinically infected individuals were the main force of infection transmission for models 1 and 2. Long-term shedders had a small impact on the transmission of the infection and on the estimated vaccination thresholds. The presence of super-shedders increases R0 and decreases the effectiveness of population-wise strategies to reduce infection, making necessary the application of strategies that target this specific group.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED IGF-I TREATMENT IN CHILDREN WITH GROWTH HORMONE INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME (GHIS)

We administered recombinant IGF-I to 8 children with GHIS, due either to GH receptor deficiency (Laron syndrome, n=5) or growth-attenuating antibodies to GH (3 pts. with GH gene deletion). Their ages range from 3 to 11 years and they have been treated for 3 to 18 months (fig.). The dose of IGF-I (Genentech, Inc.) ranged between 80 and 120 mcg/kg. sc, twice daily. Two hours post-injection the patients consumed a snack or meal. Height velocity improved significantly in all but one patient (*). He had poor growth (2.6cm/yr) during the first 3 months, when he had intercurrent illnesses and poor nutrient intake. His growth velocity increased to 10.2cm/yr (error bar) during the second three months of treatment. Hypoglycemia has occured infrequently and only in the two youngest patients early in treatment. No adverse changes in biochemical profile have been observed. Increased height velocity has been accompanied by increased caloric intake and weight gain, a reduction in subcutaneous adipose tissue and catch-up growth of kidneys and spleen (by ultrasound), These data show that IGF-I stimulates linear growth by endocrine mechanisms and suggest: that chronic treatment with IGF-I Is likely to be a successful form of therapy for patients with GHIS.
Impact of bulk properties and local secondary phases on the Cu2(Zn,Sn)Se4 solar cells open-circuit voltage

As the development of kesterite solar cells accelerates, the bottlenecks in device performance need to be identified and ways for their circumvention defined and developed. In this work, we use 2-dimensional (2D) numerical simulations to explore possible reasons for low open-circuit voltage (Voc) in Cu2(Zn,Sn)Se4 (CZTSe) solar cells. High defect density in the CZTSe absorber and at the CZTSe/CdS interface can be significant reasons for Voc deficit, but they do not explain all of the losses observed experimentally. Local deviation from stoichiometry could create secondary phases with a lower band gap compared to the absorber. These secondary phases can be severely harmful to Voc if located in the vicinity of the heterointerface and along the grain boundaries.
Experimental test of catastrophe theory in polar coordinates: Emulsion inversion for the ethanol/benzene/water system

Abstract A dispersion morphology diagram for emulsions formed by the ethanol/benzene/water system at 20°C is constructed from data in the literature. The ability of the cusp catastrophe to quantitatively describe the emulsion inversion and hysteresis is analyzed for different coordinate transformations of the inversion data. The transformation that converts the amphiphile concentration and phase volume fraction into polar coordinates produces the best agreement between theory and experiment for the tielines and the inversion hysteresis width, but the theory does not accurately predict average inversion phase volume fractions, except at the critical point. The catastrophe theory interpretations of emulsion inversion and hysteresis in this system and in the previously studied 2-butoxyethanol/water—temperature system are compared.
A transgenic locus in soybean exhibits a high level of recombination

We have examined transgene inheritance in over 300 progeny of a line of soybean (Glycine max) transformed by particle bombardment with a construct containing bovine β-casein under the control of the soybean lectin 5′ and 3′ regulatory elements. Four copies of the casein transgene, located at a single locus, exhibit a high frequency of recombination that resulted in novel patterns in approximately 16% of the progeny in both the T1 and T2 generations. Characterization of the transgene locus using restriction enzymes that do not cut the transformation plasmid showed that all four transgene copies are at a single locus no larger than approximately 40 kb in size. Therefore, the recombination events resulting in the loss of transgene DNA are taking place within a limited physical distance on the host chromosome. This is the first report extensively documenting transgene instability at the DNA level in a plant transformed via particle bombardment. As this report indicates, a seemingly simple phenotype (presence of the foreign protein) may conceal inherent genetic instability at the DNA level.
Approximate fundamental frequency of variable thickness composite plates

An approximate closed-form expression is sought which can be used to compute the fundamental frequency of composite rectangular laminates of variable thickness. After casting the governing differential equation into discrete form using the Ritz method, the desired closed-form expression for the fundamental frequency is developed by expanding the discrete equations in a Maclaurin series about the off-diagonal elements of both the stiffness and mass matrices. Since the resulting expression is dependent upon the chosen admissible basis, results for both beam shape functions and orthogonal polynomials are computed for clamped boundary conditions. Comparison of the predicted fundamental frequencies with those numerically obtained for a variety of plate aspect ratios and taper ratios demonstrates the utility of the derived expression.
Ropivacaine for pediatric use

Abstract As regional anesthesia and perioperative pain management become more integral parts of our anesthetic practice, the development of safer local anesthetics for our children is imperative. The release of ropivacaine, a new long-acting, aminoamide local anesthetic, for general use represents a step forward in efforts to achieve these goals. Bupivacaine, the agent of choice for longer acting regional anesthetic blocks, has been found to have life-threatening cardiac and neurotoxic side effects. Evidence has begun to accumulate that indicates a better safety profile for ropivacaine. Ropivacaine, a pure S -enantiomer unlike the racemate bupivacaine, produces a less dense motor block and a sensor block that is similar or better than bupivacaine. Initial studies in children have investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ropivacaine administered via the caudal and epidural routes. When combined with adjuncts, such as ketamine or clonidine, ropivacaine has been found to produce excellent, long-lasting anesthesia and analgesia. This report reviews the recent experience with ropivacaine in children. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Regulation of β-amyloid levels in the brain of cholesterol-fed rabbit, a model system for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

Accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in the brain is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for AD and has been shown by laboratory studies to cause Aβ accumulation. Aβ levels in the brain are governed by its generation from amyloid precursor protein by β-secretase (BACE1), degradation by the insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), clearance from the brain by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP-1), and transport from circulation into the brain by receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). However, the mechanisms by which hypercholesterolemia causes Aβ accumulation in the brain and contributes to the pathogenesis of AD are still to be determined. In the present study, we determined the extent to which hypercholesterolemia-induced Aβ accumulation is associated with alterations in BACE1, IDE, LRP-1, and RAGE expression levels. We show that hypercholesterolemia increases Aβ production, an effect that is associated with increased levels of BACE1 and RAGE and reduced levels of IDE and LRP-1. These results suggest that reducing Aβ accumulation in the brain may require strategies that combine reduction of generation and transport of Aβ in addition to acceleration of degradation and clearance of this peptide.
Optimum designs for next-generation sequencing to discover rare variants for common complex disease.

Recent advances in next generation sequencing technologies make it affordable to search for rare and functional variants for common complex diseases systematically. We investigated strategies for enriching rare variants in the samples selected for sequencing so as to optimize the power for their discovery. In particular, we investigated the roles of alternative sources of enrichment in families through computer simulations. We showed that linkage information, extreme phenotype, and non-random ascertainment, such as multiply affected families, constitute different sources for enriching rare and functional variants in a sequencing study design. Linkage is well known to have limited power for detecting small genetic effects, and hence not considered to be a powerful tool for discovering variants for common complex diseases. However, those families with some degree of family-specific linkage evidence provide an effective sampling strategy to sub-select the most linkage-informative families for sequencing. Compared with selecting subjects with extreme phenotypes, linkage evidence performs better with larger families, while extreme-phenotype method is more efficient with smaller families. Families with multiple affected siblings were found to provide the largest enrichment of rare variants. Finally, we showed that combined strategies such as selecting linkage informative families from multiply affected families provides an optimum strategy with much higher enrichment of rare functional variants than either strategy alone.
Ist ein See von Elektronen immer eine Fermi-Flüssigkeit?

Wenn die Wechselwirkung zwischen den Elektronen in einem Metall besonders stark ist, treten eine Reihe faszinierender neuer Effekte auf. Die kollektive Bewegung der Elektronen fuhrt zur Bildung neuer „Teilchen”. Solche Effekte treten vor allem in der Nahe von Quantenphasenubergangen auf, oder wenn die Elektronen sich in nur einer Dimension bewegen konnen.
Complex line shapes in surface-enhanced coherent Raman spectroscopy

Peaks, dips, and intermediate line shapes have been observed in surface-enhanced coherent Raman spectroscopy. Here, we report an experimental observation of a peculiar line shape revealing both a peak and a dip as two vibrational transitions of pyridazine in the presence of aggregated gold nanoparticles. We propose a simple model based on plasmonic phase effects and quantum chemistry calculations, and compare the simulated coherent (SECARS) and incoherent (SERS) Raman signals from several complexes. Complex SECARS line shapes provide additional information compared to SERS and can be used as a tool in nanoscale sensing and spectroscopy.
TRPC3 regulates release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from human airway smooth muscle

Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) enhances Ca(2+) signaling and cell proliferation in human airway smooth muscle (ASM), especially with inflammation. Human ASM also expresses BDNF, raising the potential for autocrine/paracrine effects. The mechanisms by which ASM BDNF secretion occurs are not known. Transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) regulate a variety of intracellular processes including store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE; including in ASM) and secretion of factors such as cytokines. In human ASM, we tested the hypothesis that TRPC3 regulates BDNF secretion. At baseline, intracellular BDNF was present, and BDNF secretion was detectable by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of cell supernatants or by real-time fluorescence imaging of cells transfected with GFP-BDNF vector. Exposure to the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) (20ng/ml, 48h) or a mixture of allergens (ovalbumin, house dust mite, Alternaria, and Aspergillus extracts) significantly enhanced BDNF secretion and increased TRPC3 expression. TRPC3 knockdown (siRNA or inhibitor Pyr3; 10μM) blunted BDNF secretion, and prevented inflammation effects. Chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) (EGTA; 1mM) or intracellular Ca(2+) (BAPTA; 5μM) significantly reduced secreted BDNF, as did the knockdown of SOCE proteins STIM1 and Orai1 or plasma membrane caveolin-1. Functionally, secreted BDNF had autocrine effects suggested by phosphorylation of high-affinity tropomyosin-related kinase TrkB receptor, prevented by chelating extracellular BDNF with chimeric TrkB-Fc. These data emphasize the role of TRPC3 and Ca(2+) influx in the regulation of BDNF secretion by human ASM and the enhancing effects of inflammation. Given the BDNF effects on Ca(2+) and cell proliferation, BDNF secretion may contribute to altered airway structure and function in diseases such as asthma.
Frame synchronisation for binary data transmission

The performance of a frame-synchronisation technique for use with binary data transmission is analysed on the binary symmetric channel. Although the binary symmetric channel is an idealised channel, it can be used to represent a space channel or any data link to which a message-interleaving or diffusion scheme has been applied.
Computing intersection numbers between abelian varieties associated to subspaces of modular forms

We derive a formula for the intersection number between abelian varieties associated to complementary subspaces of the space of cuspidal modular forms. This formula can be used for computations using modular symbols, and we describe an implementation.
PHYLOGENY OF HEDYCHIUM AND RELATED GENERA (ZINGIBERACEAE) BASED ON ITS SEQUENCE DATA

The phylogeny of Hedychium J. Koenig was estimated using sequence data of internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA. Sequences were determined for 29 taxa, one interspecific hybrid of Hedychium and one species in each of 16 other genera of Zingiberaceae representing tribes Hedychieae, Globbeae, Zingibereae and Alpinieae. Cladistic analysis of these data strongly supports the monophyly of Hedychium, but relationships to other genera are poorly supported. Within Hedychium, four major clades are moderately supported. These clades are also distinguishable on the basis of number of flowers per bract and distribution. Stahlianthus, Curcuma, and Hitchenia also form a strongly supported clade. Based on this limited sample, the currently defined tribes of Zingiberoideae are not monophyletic. The Asiatic genera form a monophyletic group within this broadly defined Hedychieae. The taxonomy and biogeography of Hedychium are reviewed.
Storage of sugarbeet pollen

To develop the technology for long-term pollen preservation, sugarbeet pollen was collected from plants grown in the greenhouse and in the field, and was stored 1 day to 1 year at 5, -18, and -196°C. Pollen containing about 12% moisture was successfully stored in liquid nitrogen (LN2) up to 1 year; this pollen effected fertilization of male-sterile flowers as well as freshly collected pollen. Germination of the resultant seed was good and not different from seed from fresh pollinations. Pollen stored at -18°C for 1 year did not result in as much seed set as fresh pollen, and 1 year at 5°C was essentially lethal. In vitro pollen germination served as a post-storage viability measure, provided the pollen was hydrated before germination. The methods tested in these experiments provided a relatively simple, reliable, and inexpensive means for preservation of sugarbeet pollen for breeding purposes and for preservation of genetic resources.
Distributions of serum lipoproteins in children by repeated measurements

Serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured three times over 6 years in a total-community study of children in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Interrelationships and changes in the distributions of serum lipoprotein cholesterol levels were examined in terms of variability and precision of the laboratory measurements. Although distributions of serum lipoprotein cholesterol variables shifted among the three surveys, precision increased markedly as indicated by a decrease in the coefficient of variation for measurement error for total cholesterol, alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides between Year 1 and Year 4 and then stabilized. Pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol was the most difficult variable to measure. The range and magnitude of correlation coefficients between lipid and lipoprotein variables were very similar. Despite quality controls, efforts to standardize laboratory analyses, and adherence to protocols, fluctuations in distributions of lipids and lipoproteins occurred when the same population was restudied. Long-term studies for coronary artery disease prevention should include laboratory safeguards that help to distinguish modest population changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins from laboratory drift.
Creativity in verbalization as evidence for analogic knowledge

An issue which I take to be of great interest at the present time is whether human knowledge can be adequately represented in terms of a network of propositions. The alternative is that knowledge has a significant analog component, which I understand to mean that continuous differences in the real world are stored in a continuous mental representation. Three views are possible. A strict propositionalist would say that a propositional network is adequate to account for everything in memory. A strict analogist would claim that everything is stored analogically. But I suppose that many people are willing to admit some combination of these two views, and allow that the mind has the capacity for both kinds of knowledge.
The influence of glucose and nitrate concentrations upon denitrification rates in sandy soils

Dentrification rates in two soils were assessed separately as a function of NO3− concentration while providing a constant initial glucose concentration, and as a function of glucose concentration while providing a constant initial NO3−-N concentration. Of the soils used, a Hanford sandy loam and a Coachella fine sand, the bacteria in the former produced higher rates of denitrification with a maximum loss of 1500 μg NO3−-N/ml day−1 as compared to a loss of 150 μg NO3−-N/ml day−1 from the latter. Rates of loss closely approximated Michaelis Menten kinetics in the Coachella sand, and Km values for glucose-C and NO3−-N were 500 μg/ml and 170 μg/ml, respectively. Rates of loss of NO3−-N from the Hanford soil did not approximate Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and this was attributed to failure to saturate enzyme systems in the denitrifying bacteria with glucose and nitrogen when each was held constant. C/N ratios around 2 appeared to provide the greatest rates of denitrification. High C/N ratios or high glucose concentrations (1.8 per cent) retarded denitrification, with fungal growth and a subsequent drop in pH occuring. A Pseudomonas was incubated aerobically for 24 h followed by a 72 h anaerobic incubation with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source at 0, 10, 50, 100, 250 and 500mg N/ml concentrations. Assimilatory nitrate reduction never exceeded 75 mg N/ml, and it was concluded that this mode of nitrate reduction is insignificant at higher nitrate concentrations by comparison to dissimilatory nitrate reduction, i.e. denitrification.
Social fragmentation and economic growth: evidence from developing countries

This paper proposes a composite measure of ethnic fragmentation, the Social Diversity Index (SDI) to capture inherent multidimensionality not captured in the prevalent Ethno-Linguistic Fractionalization Index (ELF). The SDI more accurately demonstrates the direct effects of hidden diversity values and the extent and corresponding costs of ethnic diversity on economic growth. A comparative empirical analysis of the results from 132 countries employing the SDI and the ELF Index, suggests that the SDI is more robustly correlated with growth, and does a moderately better job of explaining the effect of exogenous static ethnic diversity. However, the empirical effects of ethnic diversity on growth tend to diminish with the inclusion of additional macroeconomic variables.
Preservation of pulmonary function by an outer membrane protein F vaccine. A study in rats with chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This study investigated the ability of a protein F vaccine to reduce macroscopic evidence of lung damage and preserve pulmonary function in immunized animals in a rat model of chronic pulmonary infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Other membrane protein F of P aeruginosa was purified by extraction from polyacrylamide gels of cell envelope proteins of the PAO1 immunotype 7 strain. Rats were immunized intramuscularly with either 25 μg of the purified protein F or bovine serum albumin on days 0 and 14 and then challenged on day 28 via intratracheal inoculation of agar beads containing cells of an immunotype 3 clinical isolate of P aeruginosa . Also, included was a noninfected control group which received only sterile agar beads. On day 35, the lungs were excised, pulmonary compliance measured, and the lungs examined macroscopically for the presence and severity of lesions. The protein F-immunized rats had a significant (p L =0.12±0.008), whereas C L of protein F-immunized rats (n=12, C L =0.17±0.006) was similar to that of noninfected control rats (n=5, C L =0.15±0.008). This study demonstrated that a protein F vaccine has the ability to decrease macroscopic lung lesions from infection and preserve pulmonary function in actively immunized rats upon subsequent challenge with P aeruginosa in this model of chronic lung infection.
Ring Laser GyroscopesÃ¢â¬â?Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) Readout And Signal Processing For High Resolution Applications

Recent advances in Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) imaging detectors and high speed digital signal processors have prompted the investigation of a new class of Ring Laser Gyroscopes (RLG) at The Aerospace Corporation. Because of the demands, such as survivability, reliability, long life, high accuracy and resolution, and wide dynamic range, that will be made by future space systems on inertial reference technology, the RLG will be increasing in importance in future missions. However, thus far, little consideration has been given to sophisticated techniques for the readout and analysis of the RLG's output interference fringe pattern. This paper presents a system concept of a new technique for sensing and analyzing the fringe pattern produced by a RLG. The system hardware utilizes CCD imaging detectors for multiple channel sensing and digital memory for recording the fringe patterns. The system software employs digital filtering algorithm for converting the fringe movement to incremental angles. This signal processing technique greatly enhances the resolution of RLG's output.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biodegradation of dispersed oil in Arctic seawater at -1°C.

As offshore oil and gas exploration expands in the Arctic, it is important to expand the scientific understanding of arctic ecology and environmental impact to mitigate operational risks. Understanding the fate of oil in arctic seawater is a key factor for consideration. Here we report the chemical loss due to the biodegradation of Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil that would occur in the water column following the successful dispersion of a surface oil slick. Primary biodegradation and mineralization were measured in mesocosms containing Arctic seawater collected from the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, incubated at −1°C. Indigenous microorganisms degraded both fresh and weathered oil, in both the presence and absence of Corexit 9500, with oil losses ranging from 46−61% and up to 11% mineralization over 60 days. When tested alone, 14% of 50 ppm Corexit 9500 was mineralized within 60 days. Our study reveals that microorganisms indigenous to Arctic seawater are capable of performing extensive biodegradation of chemically and physically dispersed oil at an environmentally relevant temperature (−1°C) without any additional nutrients.
193 Orally Delivered Thioketal-Nanoparticles Loaded With TNFα-SiRNA Target Inflammation and Inhibit Gene Expression in the Intestines

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against proinflammatory cytokines have the potential to treat numerous diseases associated with intestinal inflammation 1 ; however, the side-effects caused by the systemic depletion of cytokines 2‐4 demands that the delivery of cytokine-targeted siRNAs be localized to diseased intestinal tissues. Although various delivery vehicles have been developed to orally deliver therapeutics to intestinal tissue 5‐7 , none of these strategies has demonstrated the ability to protect siRNA from the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and target its delivery to inflamed intestinal tissue. Here, we present a delivery vehicle for siRNA, termed thioketal nanoparticles (TKNs), that can localize orally delivered siRNA to sites of intestinal inflammation, and thus inhibit gene expression in inflamed intestinal tissue. TKNs are formulated from a polymer, poly-(1,4-phenyleneacetone dimethylene thioketal), that degrades selectively in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, when delivered orally, TKNs release siRNA in response to the abnormally high levels of ROS specific to sites of intestinal inflammation 8‐10 . Using a murine model of ulcerative colitis, we demonstrate that orally administered TKNs loaded with siRNA against the proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) diminish TNF
The energetic cost of bipedal hopping in small mammals

Recent studies of locomotion in red kangaroos (Megaleia rufa, 18–28 kg)1 and Australian hopping mice (Notomys cervinus, 36.6 g)2 have indicated that over a certain range of speeds the energetic cost of bipedal hopping locomotion may become independent of speed. As much as 70% of the decrement in kinetic energy which takes place when the kangaroo lands may be stored in elastic elements and used to propel the kangaroo upwards and forwards as it takes off (leaving only 30% to be added by the muscles)3,4. Presumably, this same phenomenon could be exploited by all bipedal hopping mammals and it seems possible that at high speeds this specialized mode of locomotion could result in large energetic savings when compared with the costs incurred by a similarly sized quadruped running at the same speed. This hypothetical lower cost of locomotion has been invoked as an explanation for the rather common occurrence of bipedal hoppers among desert and plains dwelling mammals, as it might substantially reduce the energetic cost of foraging, or travelling, for animals utilizing widely dispersed resources5–7. The purpose of the present study was to extend the assessment of the metabolic expense of bipedal hopping to a broader range of body sizes and mammalian taxa. Using indirect calorimetry we measured the cost of locomotion for three bipedal hopping eutherians (0.03–3.0 kg) and one bipedal hopping marsupial (1.1 kg). When properly trained for sustained running, none of the three species deviated from the expected quadrupedal pattern relating cost of locomotion to running speed, even while running fully bipedally. Bipedality must therefore be associated with benefits other than those related to the energetic costs of locomotion.
Preliminary evidence of hippocampal dysfunction in adolescent MDMA (“ecstasy”) users: possible relationship to neurotoxic effects

Rationale 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) is a potent and selective serotonin neurotoxin whose use is growing among adolescents. Although cognitive deficits among adult MDMA users are well documented, little is known of the cognitive and brain functional sequelae of MDMA use during adolescence.
Susceptibility testing and antifungal agents

The microbiology laboratory plays a key role in establishing the diagnosis of systemic fungal infections, by recovering fungi in culture and/or detecting fungal constituents or metabolic products in body fluids. The laboratory's role in proriding pertinent information to help manage patients with documented systemic fungal infections is, however, less clear. The value in providing susceptibility data on fungal isolates will be the subject of this report. The choice of antifungal agents that are available for treatment of systemic mycoses is still limited and represented only by amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and miconazole.
Optimal production and setup control of a dynamic two-product manufacturing system: Analytical solution

This paper deals with the optimal control of a one-machine two-product manufacturing system with setup changes, operating in a continuous time dynamic environment. The system is deterministic. A known constant setup time is incurred when production is switched from one product to the other. Each product or part has specified constant processing time and constant demand rate, as well as an infinite supply of raw material. The problem is formulated as a feedback control problem. The objective is to minimize the sum total of backlog and inventory costs incurred over a finite horizon. The optimal solution provides the optimal production rate and setup switching epochs as a function of the state of the system (backlog and inventory levels). For the steady state, the optimal cyclic schedule is determined. To solve the transient case, the system's state space is partitioned into mutually exclusive regions, such that, with each region the optimal control policy is determined analytically.
Survey of graduate training in clinical child psychology

A survey of graduate programs in clinical psychology was conducted. The purposes were to determine the extent and models of training available in clinical child psychology, and to develop a listing of programs for student advisement. A dramatic increase in the numbers of such programs over previous listings occurred (36 formal and 29 informal programs). However, standards and formats of training varied greatly, with only a few programs preplanned to follow explicit models.
U.S. monetary policy indicators and international stock returns: 1970–2001

Abstract It is documented in the literature that U.S. and many international stock returns series are sensitive to U.S. monetary policy. Using monthly data, this empirical study examines the short-term sensitivity of six international stock indices (the Standard & Poor 500 [S&P] Stock Index, the Morgan Stanley Capital International [MSCI] European Stock Index, the MSCI Pacific Stock Index, and three MSCI country stock indices: Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom) to two major groups of U.S. monetary policy indicators. These two groups, which have been suggested by recent research to influence stock returns, are based on the U.S. discount rate and the federal funds rate. The first group focuses on two binary variables designed to indicate the stance in monetary policy. The second group of monetary indicators involves the federal funds rate and includes the average federal funds rate, the change in the federal funds rate, and the spread of the federal funds rate to 10-year Treasury note yield. Dividing the sample period (1970–2001) into three monetary operating regimes, we find that not all policy indicators influence international stock returns during all U.S. monetary operating periods or regimes. Our results imply that the operating procedure and/or target vehicle used by the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) influences the efficacy of the policy indicator. We suggest caution in using any monetary policy variable to explain and possibly forecast U.S. and international stock returns in all monetary conditions.
Carbon and nitrogen determinations of carbonate‐containing solids1

Two methods are described for determination of organic carbon, inorganic carbon, and total nitrogen in sediments, sediment trap materials, and plankton. Both methods discriminate organic and inorganic carbon by acidification, avoid losses of acid-soluble organic and inorganic matter, and utilize an automated CHN analyzer for all elemental determinations. Short-term precisions for organic carbon and total nitrogen are about ± 1% of the measured value with blank levels < 1.5 µg for each element.
Precursor structures in ferroelectrics from first-principles calculations

Abstract Based on an analysis of the wavevector dependence of lattice instabilities in KNbO3, the existence of a real-space chain-like instability was deduced[1] To further study this instability, we have constructed an ab initio effective Hamiltonian for KNbO3 that reproduces the low-energy Born-Oppenheimer surface. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations yield the observed sequence of ferroelectric phase transitions. The transition temperatures are lower than experiment, especially for the higher temperature transitions. Simulations of the static structure factor reveal features consistent with chain-like correlations and qualitatively reproduce diffuse X-ray scattering measurements. The calculated dynamic structure factor reveals anharmonically stabilized TO vibrational modes that soften along the entire Γ − X line in the Brillouin zone, as the phase transition is approached from above. A real-space analysis of the intercell correlations of the soft-mode coordinate, unambiguously establishes the ...
Energy levels of a hydrogenic impurity in a parabolic quantum well with a magnetic field.

In this paper, we present a circulation of the energy levels of a hydrogenic impurity (or a hydrogenic atom) at the bottom of a one-dimensional parabolic quantum well with a magnetic field normal to the plane of the well. The finite-basis-set variational method is used to calculate the ground state and the excited states with major quantum number less than or equal to 3. The limit of small radial distance and the limit of great radial distance are considered to choose a set of proper basis functions. The results in the limit that the parabolic parameter α=0 are compared with the data of Rosner et al. [J. Phys. B 17, 29 (1984)]. The comparison shows that the present calculation is quite accurate
Iron and Manganese Accumulation by the brz Pea Mutant Grown in Soils

Leaf composition of the bronze brz) mutant Pea [Pisum sativum L. cv. Sparkle E107 (brz brz)] and its Parent genotype (cv-Sparkle) have been compared when grown in nutrient culture, but not when grown in soil where pH has been adjusted to reduce readily available Fe and Mn. Both genotypes were grown in a growth chamber in five soils that differed in pH and DTPA-extractable Fe and Mn. The brz genotype accumulated very high, and often toxic, concentrations of Fe and Mn when grown in acidic soils, while Sparkle did not. Liming reduced leaf-Fe and leaf-Mn concentrations in the brz mutant, but Fe toxicity symptoms were still evident in older leaves. In the acidic soils, leaves of the brz plants also accumulated significantly more Zn, Cu, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Al, and P than did leaves of Sparkle plants. Roots of the brz genotype depressed soil pH by several tenths of a pH unit more than did roots of Sparkle. In contrast to result obtained in the acidic and near-neutral soils, the brz mutant and its parent grew similarly in a calcareous soil (pH 8.2), which contained low concentrations of DTPA-extractable Fe and Mn. In conclusion, the brz mutant Pea consistently accumulates high levels of Fe and Mn when these metal ions are present in readily available forms. Liming an acid soil to near-neutral pH did not prohibit the brz mutant from accumulating potentially toxic concentrations of Fe, but growing the mutant in a calcareous soil did
Information Rates and Optimal Decoding in Large Neural Populations

Many fundamental questions in theoretical neuroscience involve optimal decoding and the computation of Shannon information rates in populations of spiking neurons. In this paper, we apply methods from the asymptotic theory of statistical inference to obtain a clearer analytical understanding of these quantities. We find that for large neural populations carrying a finite total amount of information, the full spiking population response is asymptotically as informative as a single observation from a Gaussian process whose mean and covariance can be characterized explicitly in terms of network and single neuron properties. The Gaussian form of this asymptotic sufficient statistic allows us in certain cases to perform optimal Bayesian decoding by simple linear transformations, and to obtain closed-form expressions of the Shannon information carried by the network. One technical advantage of the theory is that it may be applied easily even to non-Poisson point process network models; for example, we find that under some conditions, neural populations with strong history-dependent (non-Poisson) effects carry exactly the same information as do simpler equivalent populations of non-interacting Poisson neurons with matched firing rates. We argue that our findings help to clarify some results from the recent literature on neural decoding and neuroprosthetic design.
Phenotypic and functional comparison of cultures of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and stromal cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a population of pluripotent cells within the bone marrow microenvironment defined by their ability to differentiate into cells of the osteogenic, chondrogenic, tendonogenic, adipogenic, and myogenic lineages. We have developed methodologies to isolate and culture-expand MSCs from human bone marrow, and in this study, we examined the MSC's role as a stromal cell precursor capable of supporting hematopoietic differentiation in vitro. We examined the morphology, phenotype, and in vitro function of cultures of MSCs and traditional marrow-derived stromal cells (MDSCs) from the same marrow sample. MSCs are morphologically distinct from MDSC cultures, and flow cytometric analyses show that MSCs are a homogeneous cell population devoid of hematopoietic cells. RT-PCR analysis of cytokine and growth factor mRNA in MSCs and MDSCs revealed a very similar pattern of mRNAs including IL-6, -7, -8, -11, -12, -14, and -15, M-CSF, Flt-3 ligand, and SCF. Steady-state levels of IL-11 and IL-12 mRNA were found to be greater in MSCs. Addition of IL-1α induced steady-state levels of G-CSF and GM-CSF mRNA in both cell preparations. In contrast, IL-1α induced IL-1α and LIF mRNA levels only in MSCs, further emphasizing phenotypic differences between MSCs and MDSCs. In long-term bone marrow culture (LTBMC), MSCs maintained the hematopoietic differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Together, these data suggest that MSCs represent an important cellular component of the bone marrow microenvironment. J. Cell. Physiol. 176:57–66, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Unique Relationship: The United States and the Republic of China under the Taiwan Relations Act

The authors of this volume illustrate the extraordinary success of the Taiwan Relations Act in contributing to regional security and a high level of economic and political stability in one of the world's most tactically unpredictable and volatile areas.
Mitochondrial Regulation of Store-operated Calcium Signaling in T Lymphocytes

Mitochondria act as potent buffers of intracellular Ca2+ in many cells, but a more active role in modulating the generation of Ca2+ signals is not well established. We have investigated the ability of mitochondria to modulate store-operated or “capacitative” Ca2+ entry in Jurkat leukemic T cells and human T lymphocytes using fluorescence imaging techniques. Depletion of the ER Ca2+ store with thapsigargin (TG) activates Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels in T cells, and the ensuing influx of Ca2+ loads a TG- insensitive intracellular store that by several criteria appears to be mitochondria. Loading of this store is prevented by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or by antimycin A1 + oligomycin, agents that are known to inhibit mitochondrial Ca2+ import by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conversely, intracellular Na+ depletion, which inhibits Na+-dependent Ca2+ export from mitochondria, enhances store loading. In addition, we find that rhod-2 labels mitochondria in T cells, and it reports changes in Ca2+ levels that are consistent with its localization in the TG-insensitive store. Ca2+ uptake by the mitochondrial store is sensitive (threshold is 10 min. Under these conditions, the rate of Ca2+ influx in single cells undergoes abrupt transitions from a high influx to a low influx state. These results demonstrate that mitochondria not only buffer the Ca2+ that enters T cells via store-operated Ca2+ channels, but also play an active role in modulating the rate of capacitative Ca2+ entry.
Wave Equation with Slowly Decaying Potential: asymptotics of Solution and Wave Operators

In this paper, we consider one-dimensional wave equation with real-valued square-summable potential. We establish the long-time asymptotics of solutions by, first, studying the stationary problem and, second, using the spectral representation for the evolution equation. In particular, we prove that part of the wave travels ballistically if q ∈ L 2 (ℝ+ ) and this result is sharp.
Fiber Optic Star Coupler for a 32-Terminal Data Bus System

A 64-port transmissive fiber optic star coupler that displays an excess loss of 5.2 2.7 dB is described. Design and fabrication are discussed and performance data are presented. A passive optical attenuator is incorporated into the coupler to permit adjustments for greater uniformity. The manufacturability is also considered.
Hierarchical analysis of power distribution networks

Careful design and verification of the power distribution network of a chip are of critical importance to ensure its reliable performance. With the increasing number of transistors on a chip, the size of the power network has grown so large as to make the verification task very challenging. The available computational power and memory resources impose limitations on the size of networks that can be analyzed using currently known techniques. Many of today's designs have power networks that are too large to be analyzed in the traditional way as flat networks. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical analysis technique to overcome the aforesaid capacity limitation. We present a new technique for analyzing a power grid using macromodels that are created for a set of partitions of the grid. Efficient numerical techniques for the computation and sparsification of the port admittance matrices of the macromodels are presented. A novel sparsification technique using a 0-1 integer linear programming formulation is proposed to achieve superior sparsification for a specified error. The run-time and memory efficiency of the proposed method are illustrated through the analysis of case studies of several multi-million node power grids, extracted from real microprocessor and DSP designs.
Molecular Pathology Techniques

Several well-established techniques are currently used in molecular neuropathology. Analyses include copy-number changes, mutations, and epigenetic modification assessed most commonly by FISH, PCR, sequencing or mutation-specific antibodies. From the technical perspective, once validated, these techniques are robust and require minimal troubleshooting. The most commonly performed tests with the largest clinical impact include MGMT promoter methylation, 1p/19q status, and IDH1 mutation. These assays should be incorporated both within routine clinical care and within clinical trial designs. When used in the right clinical context after neuropathology review and with appropriate interpretation guidelines, they can provide diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive information that can help guide clinical management. At the present time, the number of assays that can be performed on brain tumors and the information that can be obtained are significantly greater than what can be used for practical diagnostic and clinical purposes. Careful retrospective and prospective validation of molecular genetic alterations and profiles for prognostic and predictive value will be required in clinical studies before implementation into routine diagnostics and clinical care.