cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency response characteristics of electroreceptors in weakly electric fish (Gymnotoidei) with a pulse discharge

Three species of Gymnotid fish, two species ofHypopomus andRhamphichthys rostratus, each having “pulse” type electric organ discharges (EOD) of different durations were studied to learn if any correlation exists between the spectral composition of the species specific EOD pulse and the frequency response characteristics of that species' electroreceptors. The receptor population consisted of two major categories (examples in Fig. 3). One category, termed pulse marker receptors, responded to suprathreshold stimulus pulses with a single spike at a short (<2 ms) latency. These receptors were tuned to the higher frequency components of a species' EOD (Fig. 4A) and were always 5 to 10 dB less sensitive than any other electroreceptors within a given species. The second major receptor category, burst duration coders, responded to an electrical stimulus with a burst of spikes at a longer latency, burst length was a function of stimulus amplitude. This second category could be further divided into three sub-categories according to the receptors' frequency response characteristics. The most commonly seen subcategory, wide band receptors (Fig. 4B), responded best to stimuli having frequencies equal to the dominant frequency component of the species' EOD in the two species ofHypopomus studied. A second subcategory, narrow band receptors (Fig. 4 A), had frequency response characteristics similar to those of the pulse marker receptors; however, these had thresholds 10 dB lower than those of the pulse marker. The third subcategory of burst duration coders, low frequency receptors (Fig. 4 C, D), responded best to stimulus frequencies ranging from about 50 to 150 Hz. Mechanisms of coding stimulus amplitude and responses to prolonged sinusoidal electrical stimuli were also studied in the various receptor types.
Increased Variability of Bone Tissue Mineral Density Resulting from Estrogen Deficiency Influences Creep Behavior in a Rat Vertebral Body

Abstract Progressive vertebral deformation increases the fracture risk of a vertebral body in the postmenopausal patient. Many studies have observed that bone can demonstrate creep behavior, defined as continued time-dependent deformation even when mechanical loading is held constant. Creep is a characteristic of viscoelastic behavior, which is common in biological materials. We hypothesized that estrogen deficiency-dependent alteration of the mineral distribution of bone at the tissue level could influence the progressive postmenopausal vertebral deformity that is observed as the creep response at the organ level. The objective of this study was thus to examine whether the creep behavior of vertebral bone is changed by estrogen deficiency, and to determine which bone property parameters are responsible for the creep response of vertebral bone at physiological loading levels using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. Correlations of creep parameters with bone mineral density (BMD), tissue mineral density (TMD) and architectural parameters of both OVX and sham surgery vertebral bone were tested. As the vertebral creep was not fully recovered during the post-creep unloading period, there was substantial residual displacement for both the sham and OVX groups. A strong positive correlation between loading creep and residual displacement was found (r = 0.868, p
A Curious Aspect of Knockout Tournaments of Size 2m

(1972). A Curious Aspect of Knockout Tournaments of Size 2m. The American Statistician: Vol. 26, No. 3, pp. 28-30.
Prospective survey of patient-controlled epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and hydromorphone in 3736 postoperative orthopedic patients.

Background and Objectives: Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has been shown to be superior to intravenous patient-controlled analgesics (PCA) for postoperative analgesia after thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and lower extremity surgery. However, it is unclear which opioid is optimal for PCEA. Hydromorphone has potential advantages, yet there are no data to establish its efficacy and safety. Thus, we prospectively monitored our patients receiving PCEA with bupivacaine combined with hydromorphone after orthopedic surgery. Methods: All postoperative patients who received PCEA from March 1 to September 21, 2009, were included. Lumbar PCEA was initiated after central neuraxial anesthesia with 0.06% bupivacaine combined with hydromorphone 10 μg/mL. Initial settings were a bolus dose of 4 mL, lockout interval of 10 mins, and background infusion of 4 mL/hr. Patients were allowed oral analgesics, and meloxicam was routinely administered as an adjunct analgesic. Patients were evaluated twice a day at our Acute Pain Service department. Pain scores, adverse effects, and medications were entered prospectively into the electronic patient record. Results: Verbal pain scores (0-10) at rest were 3, 3, 3, and 2 on postoperative days 0 to 3. Verbal pain scores with activity were 4, 3, 3, and 3. Most adverse effects were modest to rare (15% pruritus, 10% hypotension, 0.08% sedation, and 0% respiratory depression) with the exception of nausea (30%). There were no epidural hematomas or abscesses. Median duration of PCEA was 27 hrs. Conclusions: Patient-controlled epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and hydromorphone provides effective and safe postoperative analgesia for orthopedic surgery.
Regulation of hemolymph volume by uptake of sand capillary water in desiccated fiddler crabs, UCA pugilator and UCA pugnax

Abstract 1. 1. Desiccated Uca pugilator and Uca pugnax can rehydrate on damp sand. 2. 2. The crabs use setal tufts between the second and third pairs of walking legs and branchial chamber suction of up to -43 mmHg to extract sand capillary water, which is absorbed by the gills and/or drunk. 3. 3. Desiccated crabs of both species have a limited ability to generate “free water” from sand capillary water which they obtain from the substratum by suction; thus, although they can regulate hemolymph volume, they cannot regulate hemolymph osmotic pressure by using sand capillary water. 4. 4. The most likely use of this mechanism by the crabs in nature is for obtaining water from the substratum for flotation deposit feeding.
Scrambled eggs: mechanical forces as ecological factors in early development

Many ecological interactions involve, at some level, mechanical forces and the movements or structural deformations they produce. Although the most familiar examples involve the functional morphology of adult structures, all life history stages (not just the adults) are subject to the laws of physics. Moreover, the success of every lineage depends on the success of every life history stage (again, not just the adults). Therefore, insights gained by using mechanical engineering principles and techniques to study ecological interactions between gametes, embryos, larvae, and their environment are essential to a well-rounded understanding of development, ecology, and evolution. Here I draw on examples from the literature and my own research to illustrate ways in which mechanical forces in the environment shape development. These include mechanical forces acting as selective factors (e.g., when coral gamete size and shape interact with turbulent water flow to determine fertilization success) and as developmental cues (e.g., when plant growth responds to gravity or bone growth responds to mechanical loading). I also examine the opposite cause-and-effect relationship by considering examples in which the development of organisms impacts ecologically relevant mechanical forces. Finally, I discuss the potential for ecological pattern formation as a result of feedback loops created by such bidirectional interactions between developmental processes and mechanical forces in the environment.
Spain is Not Greece: How Metaphors are Understood

Metaphoric expressions are pervasive and powerful communication tools. The present report sheds light on two questions: how do we extract meaning from metaphors and similes, and are these two tropes interchangeable? Existing models propose different mechanisms for metaphor comprehension: comparison, categorization, and a shift from comparison to categorization as metaphors become conventionalized. While the categorization model allows for the possibility that metaphors and similes are not always interchangeable, all the variants of the comparison model assume equivalence of meaning between the two tropes. The findings reported here rule out this assumption: they show that metaphors and similes may express different, and even incompatible meanings. Aptness, rather than conventionalization, seems to determine processing mechanisms: apt metaphors, both novel and conventionalized, are understood as categorizations, while similes and inapt metaphors are understood as comparisons.
Cancer chemoprevention: myth or reality?

Most medical oncologists have focused their efforts on treatment of well-established malignancies. We will focus here on recent advances in cancer prevention and discuss opportunities for drug development. Although cancer chemoprevention is a relatively young field, we argue that this approach bears significant potential.
‘He was your father, he raised you’: Examining helping professionals’ narratives on filial piety in Singapore

Filial piety provides cultural justifications for the enactment of the Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA), which aims to address late life financial security. Under the Act, indigent older parents ma...
Neuroscience: The units of a song.

Exactly when motor-planning neurons function to produce a bird's song is debatable. New data suggest that bursts of activity in these cells mark sudden changes in the commands to the vocal organ. See Article p.59
Role of ethanol in conditioning aversion to alcoholic beverages in rats

Abstract Two experiments investigated whether the taste/flavor characteristics of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) influenced the conditioning of aversion to alcoholic beverages. Experiment 1: 80 male rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) received preconditioning access to ethanol, whiskey, bourbon or distilled water prior to the pairing of whiskey or distilled water with a 0.15 M LiCl injection. Each alcohol solution contained a 5% ethanol concentration. Preconditioning access to whiskey or bourbon reduced the magnitude of aversion to whiskey. Preconditioning access to ethanol or distilled water yielded reliable aversion effects which were similar to each other. Experiment 2: 90 male rats received differential conditioning procedures with compound CSs ethanol-whiskey. ethanol-bourbon or whiskey-bourbon. In conditioning, one beverage of a compound was paired with LiCl injection; the other, with an NaCl injection. Relative to ingestion-toxin controls, differential aversion conditioning occurred for each beverage in ethanol-whiskey and ethanol-bourbon compounds. Aversion did not generalize from the conditioned beverage to the other beverage in a compound. In the whiskey-bourbon compound aversion effects occurred to whiskey but not to bourbon. Results suggested that aversion occurred more to the taste/flavor characteristics of the particular alcoholic beverage than to those of the ethanol content in the beverage.
Distances between trees

Abstract The need for a quantitative tool to measure differences between tree structures is already apparent. (cf. Dobson (1975), Farris (1973), Sokal and Rohlf (1962), Bobisud and Bobisud (1972)). This paper takes the axioms for a distance function on the collection of partial orders given by Bogart and changes them to a form with more general applications. Axioms giving a unique distance function on any collection of binary relations are stated and the applications to tree structures and hierarchical classifications are discussed.
Tailoring the formation of metastable Mg through interfacial engineering: A phase stability analysis

Abstract A classical thermodynamic approach has been used for describing the pseudomorphic growth in Mg/Nb multilayer films. The bi-phase diagram of these films has been predicted theoretically and the predictions were verified experimentally by growing multiple Mg/Nb thin films that were characterized through high resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. The good agreement between predictions and experiments shows that the stability of multilayer films can be explained through simple thermodynamic analysis on the competition between bulk and interfacial energies.
Towards MEMS Probes for Intracellular Recording

Simultaneous, multi-site recording from the brain of freely behaving animals will allow neuroscientists to correlate neuronal activity with external stimulation and behavior. This information is critical for understanding the complex interactions of brain cells. Recent interest in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and in particular in bio-MEMS research has led to miniaturization of microelectrodes for extracellular neuronal recording. MEMS technology offers a unique opportunity to build compact, integrated sensors well suited for multi-site recording from freely behaving animals. These devices have the combined capabilities of silicon-integrated circuit processing and thin-film microelectrode sensing. MEMS probes for intracellular recording may offer significantly improved signal quality. Here we discuss the basic concepts that underlie the construction of intracellular MEMS probes. We first review the basics of neuronal signaling and recording, and the principles of microelectrode technology and techniques. Progress in MEMS technology for neuronal recording is then discussed. Finally, we describe MEMS probes for intracellular recording, viz., fabrication of micro-machined silicon needles capable of penetrating cell membranes. Using these needles, we recorded localized extracellular signals from the hawk moth Manduca sexta and obtained first recordings with silicon-based micro-probes from the inside of neurons, using an isolated brain of the sea slug Tritonia diomedea.
Effect of winter cover crops on populations of southern root-knot and reniform nematodes

Abstract Nematicidal effects of decomposing plant amendments have long been known, and many different crops have been shown to suppress a range of species of plant parasitic nematodes. Leguminous winter cover crops such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) have varying degrees of tolerance to high populations of certain plant parasitic nematodes, but their ability to suppress populations have not been well studied. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of commonly-used winter cover crops to suppress populations of root-knot (Meloidogyne arenaria) and reniform (Rotylenchulus reniformis) nematodes in field and greenhouse studies. Common vetch (Vicia sativa L. cv. `Cahaba White'), hairy vetch and crimson clover were planted in autumn, each at the rate of 22 kg ha−1. Two additional treatments were bare soil (no cover crop) and bare soil plus nitrogen added at a rate equal to the average N content of the incorporated cover crops. Cover crops were incorporated just before planting okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Few significant differences in nematode populations were noted at any sampling date because of cover crop treatments. When differences occurred, populations of M. arenaria were lower in bare soil treatments in comparison with those with an incorporated cover crop. Okra yield was unaffected by any cover crop. In the greenhouse study, R. reniformis populations were reduced in rye and bare soil treatments, but populations were unaffected in common or hairy vetch treatments.
Theory of laser-induced excitation transfer and atomic association

Formulas are derived for the differential and integral cross sections associated with laser-induced excitation transfer. The theory is patterned closely after our recent treatment of laser-induced chemi-ionization. It is found that cross sections specific to single-photon absorption are proportional to the square of the cosine of the angle between the laser polarization and the initial relative velocity of the two colliding atoms. The distortion by a laser of the cross section for an elastic scattering event also is treated. Finally, a cross-section formula is derived for a collision-induced two-photon absorption, mediated by a single intermediate electronic state.
Synthesis of experimentally induced glutamine synthetase (glutamotransferase activity) in embryonic chick retina in vitro

Abstract The phenomenon of precocious appearance and rapid enhancement of glutamotransferase activity of embryonic chick neural retina in response to explanation in vitro has been subjected to more detailed scrutiny. On the basis of cofactor requirements, pH optima, response to specific inhibitors, and ratio of transferase to synthetase activity, the enzyme undergoing change was classified as a glutamine synthetase. Tests for the presence of enzyme activators and/or inhibitors undergoing change during increase in enzyme activity were negative, suggesting that increase in activity was due to synthesis of new enzyme. This was substantiated by the finding that low levels of puromycin blocked completely and reversibly increases in enzyme activity under culture conditions; and that actinomycin D similarly blocked such increases irreversibly. Preexisting levels of activity appeared stable in the presence of either inhibitor. These data were interpreted to mean that enhancement of glutamotransferase activity which occurs in culture is due to synthesis of new enzyme; it also suggested a lability of the RNA involved and consequently a rather direct genomic control over the rate of synthesis of the enzyme in early ontogenesis. Pigmented epithelium of embryonic eye, vitreous humor, and embryo extract showed no effect on the increase in glutamine synthetase activity in the explanted retina; this was interpreted as diminishing but not excluding the possibility that a stable, diffusible systemic factor is responsible for control of early ontogenesis of this enzyme in the embryo. Glutamine, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyrate were found to lower synthesis of the enzyme in culture when added to the medium, but none of these amino acids appeared capable of total repression at concentrations approaching physiological values. Glutathione (oxidized and reduced), asparagine, aspartate, and glucose all had no demonstrable affect upon the growth of the enzyme in culture.
Analysis Driven Design Optimization of SMA-Based Steerable Active Needle

The continuous implementation of shape memory alloys’ (SMAs’) actuation capabilities in various applications from aerospace to biomedical tools has attracted researchers’ interests into design optimization of active systems. Traditional methods of optimization have mostly relied on several iterations of altering and testing different possible design of prototypes seeking the best configuration. This trial and error experimentation method is usually expensive and time consuming. In the recent years the availability of computational analysis has facilitated the optimization process by avoiding the developments of many prototypes in the whole design space. In this work an automated design optimization frameworks is presented especially for the systems including active components. Design exploration of a recently proposed medical device was considered as a case study to elaborate this iterative technique. SMA activated needle is an innovative medical tool to be used in needle-based surgeries aiming the enhancement of the needle tip placement inside the tissue. Different configurations have been assessed by altering the design variables in the assigned domain seeking the maximum needle tip deflection to assure the maximum flexibility of the structure where all the analyses were constrained to the stress level of SMAs to be in the safe range preventing plasticity. A commercially available finite element package was used for the iterative assessments in the optimization approach. The challenging part in any analysis of active components is the incorporation of a suitable material model. For this purpose three experimental setups were developed to get the material properties of SMAs through different responses of the wires. These material properties along with the implementation of Brinson model led to the generation of the isothermal stress strain curves which were defined as material model of the active components in the FE analyses. The FE model was then linked to the iterative engine of direct optimization to iterate through the whole domain and determine the best configuration. The Design of Experiments (DOE) and the Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) were used for the case study optimization. Both the design optimization and the design sensitivity studies were described. The results showed the length of the needle and the offset between the neutral axis of needle and the actuator were the most sensitive variables. The best five configurations with the maximum tip deflection was also presented.
Effect of lipid polarity and cell design on the in vitro transport of salicylic acid

The transport kinetics of salicylic acid have been studied in a Schulman-type in vitro model cell containing two aqueous phases (A and C) separated by a third liquid lipid phase (B) simulating the biomembrane. Prime consideration was given to evaluating the effect of increasing the polarity of the lipid phase on the two forward rate constants, K1 and K2. While K1 (A → B) always increased with increasing polarity of the lipid phase, K2 (B → C) was found to increase or decrease depending on the stirring conditions employed in the two aqueous phases. The surface-to-volume ratio of the immiscible phases was significant in determining the magnitude of the rate constant K1.
Thermospray, particle beam and electrospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of azo dyes

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS) method was used for the analysis and characterization of fourteen commercial azo and diazo dyes. Thermospray analysis of these dyes using the “filament-on” chemical ionization operation mode produced mass spectra consisting primarily of [M + H] + ions with very few fragments. Particle beam electron impact ionization mass spectrometric analysis resulted in molecular ion information and various fragment ions. Characterization of the azo dyes could be achieved by observing typical fragment ions formed by cleavage of the CN bonds on either side of the azo linkage, and cleavage of the NN double bond with transfer of one or two hydrogen atoms to form an imine or amine. Many commercial azo dyes contain precursors, by-products of the synthesis, degradation products or other impurities. Some of these components were tentatively identified by their mass spectra and by review of the chemistry of dye manufacture. Electrospray negative ion operation was suitable for the characterization of a disulfonated azo dye and showed singly and doubly molecular ions and fragment ions at higher capillary-skimmer potential differences. The base peak was attributed to a doubly charged naphthol cleavage product.
New Image Analysis Technique for Quantitative Longitudinal Assessment of Lung Pathology on CT in Infected Rhesus Macaques

This paper describes a novel method of quantitative assessment of lung pathology derived from chest computed tomography (CT) scans in infected animal models, namely rhesus macaques. Tracking the extent of lung pathology is essential in the understanding of the natural history of infectious diseases and can be eventually used to predict prognosis and monitor response to preventative (vaccines) or therapeutic interventions. Our technique utilizes the histogram of voxel Hounsfield units (HU) within the segmented lung to track the percent change in "hyper dense volume" as a marker of disease over time. This method is not as susceptible to variability in lung inflation from breath hold techniques during the scanning process as are other techniques. Our quantitative lung pathology estimates using this technique correlated well with qualitative interpretation of lung pathology performed by a radiologist.
Influence of Moisture Content of Bovine Feces on Oviposition and Development of the Face Fly

Bioassays of Musca autumnalis De Geer with lyophilized bovine feces reconstituted with distilled water demonstrated a definite relationship between fecal moisture content and fly productivity. Maximum pupal weight and percent adult emergence occurred in feces reconstituted to 85% moisture. Larvae failed to survive at extremes of the moisture range tested (65–95%). Adult oviposition also was related to moisture content; most eggs were deposited in reconstituted feces in the 80–85% moisture range. An unknown factor (s), lost during lyophilization, decreased oviposition preference. Four bovine diets, designed for fecal production of high and low moisture contents, also were evaluated. Moist feces from animals maintained on low-roughage, grain-supplemented diets supported greater fly production. Fly production of the drier manures from animals maintained on roughage diets could not be increased by lyophilizing and reconstituting to a higher moisture level, demonstrating the importance of chemical composition. Adult flies also favored fresh feces from low-roughage, grain-supplemented diets as oviposition sites. Flies had an oviposition preference for reconstituted feces from animals maintained on an alfalfa hay, grain-supplemented diet.
Battery powered heating and cooling suit

Temperature related inconveniences such as heat stroke, heat rash, frostbite, hypothermia and others, have been a persistent problem for people throughout history. Some of these conditions, when left unchecked, have led to unfortunate deaths. What is even more common is the unsatisfaction that people have with the weather at various points of the year. People often complain that it is either too hot or too cold. The current technological solutions made to keep people thermally comfortable such as air conditioning and heating units have come a long way and have been successful in helping people obtain comfort in their dwellings (e.g. home or car), but are not personal mobility solutions. What if one has to be out in the weather? The addition or subtraction of layers with coats and jackets or beach wear, are popular solutions to that problem, but do not always yield upmost satisfaction, for layers become cold over time and sunburn is a serious problem. This is why a heating/cooling suit is a very beneficial product for the masses. Such a suit allows the user to control and monitor the internal temperature of the suit from high temperatures to low temperatures, depending on the season. Creating the most comfortable thermal environment for the user within an enclosed space of small proximity while providing comfort, practicality and mobility is the objective of this suit. With the use of the thermoelectric effect, microcontroller technology and a bit of ingenuity, this suit can be realized.
Radiologic Signs of Pneumoperitoneum

A 4-year-old girl presented to the hospital with progressive abdominal pain and distention after a 1-week history of watery diarrhea. The physical examination showed a body temperature of 36.2°C, a distended abdomen, hypoactive bowel sounds, and diffuse tenderness without rebound pain. The laboratory evaluation revealed a white-cell count of 5000 per cubic millimeter, with 63% segmented neutrophils. The plain-film radiograph of the abdomen showed several signs of free intraperitoneal gas. These included air accumulation in the right upper quadrant (the subphrenic area and ventral surface of the liver) (solid white arrows); the falciform-ligament sign, visible as a longitudinal linear density . . .
Application of adaptive time delay neural network to mitigate instability due to time delays on networked control systems using variable sampling

This paper analyzes a new alternative approach to compensate for the effects of time delays on a dynamic networked control system using one step ahead prediction based on an adaptive time delay neural network or TDNN and the combined application of optimal control and classical pole placement methods.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF OLEFINS YIELD IN FIXED BED CONVERSION OF DIMETHYL ETHER

ABSTRACT Selective conversion of dimethyl ether to lower olefins is a process of commercial significance. Lower olefins are intermediates in the conversion of dimethyl ether to higher hydrocarbons. Conversion of dimethyl ether to hydrocarbons has significant advantages over its counterpart methanol conversion process in the areas of heat duties, hydrocarbon selectivities, product yield, and reactor size The present work examines the effect of key process variables on the dimethyl ether conversion to lower olefins in a fixed bed reactor system. The effect of process variables, namely reactor temperature, reactor pressure, feed dilution with nitrogen, and the weight hourly space velocity of dimethyl ether has been investigated using a 24 full factorial experimental design, with three replicates of the center point of the design. The estimates of significant main and interactive effects have been quantified using the Yates algorithm and conducting F-tests. A computational model has been formulated to predict...
Urotensin II lowers cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in goby enterocytes: Measurements using quin2

Abstract A technique is described for the measurement of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] c ) in a suspension of goby intestinal epithelial cells using the fluorescent probe quin2. For 18 cell suspensions, [Ca 2+ ] c was determined to be 142 ± 14 n M . The caudal neurosecretory peptide urotensin II at 10 −7 to 10 −6 M concentration reduced [Ca 2+ ] c by 20–50%. Together with previous findings linking the calcium-calmodulin system with the stimulation of Na + and Cl − absorption in this tissue, it appears that alterations in cytoplasmic Ca 2+ may mediate urotensin II-induced stimulation of ion transport.
The nonlinear, complex sequential organization of behavior in schizophrenic patients: neurocognitive strategies and clinical correlations.

Abstract Background: Thought disorder is a hallmark of schizophrenia and can be inferred from disorganized behavior. Measures of the sequential organization of behavior are important because they reflect the cognitive processes of the selection and sequencing of behavioral elements, which generate observable and analyzable behavioral patterns. In this context, sequences of choices generated by schizophrenic patients in a two-choice guessing task fluctuate significantly, which reflects an “oscillating dysregulation” between highly predictable and highly unpredictable subsequences within a single test session. In this study, we aimed to clarify the significance of dysregulation by seeing whether demographic, clinical, neuropsychological, and psychological measures predict the degree of dysregulation observed on this two-choice task. Methods: Thirty schizophrenic patients repeatedly performed a LEFT or RIGHT key press that was followed by a stimulus, which occurred randomly on the left or right side of the computer screen. Thus, the stimulus location had nothing to do with the key press behavior. The range of key press sequence predictabilities as measured by the dynamical entropy was used to quantify the dysregulation of response sequences and reflects the range of fixity and randomness of the responses. A factor analysis was performed and step-wise multiple regression analyses were used to relate the factor scores to demographic, clinical, symptomatic, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Rorschach variables. Results: The LEFT/RIGHT key press sequences were determined by three factors: 1) the degree of win-stay/lose-shift strategy; 2) the degree of contextual influence on the current choice; and 3) the degree of dysregulation on the choice task. Demographic and clinical variables did not predict any of the three response patterns on the choice task. In contrast, the WCST and Rorschach test predicted performance on various factors of choice task response patterns. Conclusions: Schizophrenic patients employ several rules, i.e., “win-stay/lose-shift” and “decide according to the previous choice,” that fluctuate significantly when generating sequences on this task, confirming that a basic behavioral dysregulation occurs in a single schizophrenic subject across a single test session. The organization or the “temporal architecture” of the behavioral sequences is not related to symptoms per se, but is related to deficits in executive functioning, problem solving, and perceptual organizational abilities.
Mn K -edge XANES study of the La 1 − x Ca x MnO 3 colossal magnetoresistive manganites

We report Mn K-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) calculations of the ${\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ manganites considering three pair correlations, according to the three fundamental degrees of freedom governing their unusual electronic properties, namely, the electronic structure of the unoccupied states probed by the Mn K-edge profile versus (i) local atomic distortions; (ii) local magnetic ordering; and (iii) the charge-transfer nature of the Mn-O bonds. The calculations are accompanied by Mn K-edge XANES measurements in the temperature range 30--300 K. The main features of the absorption edge can be qualitatively reproduced in terms of single-electron multiple-scattering calculations for an 87-atom cluster. Lattice polaronic distortions in ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.7}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.3}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ are simulated assuming a strongly distorted orthorhombic structure above and an almost undistorted rhombohedral structure below ${T}_{c}.$ The results roughly reproduce the energy ``shift'' across ${T}_{c}$ observed experimentally. Mn K-edge spin-polarized XANES spectra of the $x=0,$ 0.3, and 1 samples are presented. An energy splitting between the majority- and minority-spin spectra of 0.5--1.1 eV contributes to the total XANES broadening below the N\'eel (Curie) temperature. A small feature ${B}_{3}$ standing approximately 6 eV above the main absorption peak is beyond the scope of single-electron calculations; it is assigned to a shake-up transition. To illustrate, the calculated Mn K edge is obtained as the convolution product of the single-electron XANES and the spectrum of many-body excitations in the Mn-O electronic states upon the sudden switching on of the Mn $1s$ core hole. We investigate the charge-transfer (CT) versus. Mott-Hubbard-type ground state using the ${U}_{d},$ \ensuremath{\Delta}, and the ${T}_{\mathrm{dp}}$ parameters determined by previous Mn $2p$ x-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements and find that ${\mathrm{LaMnO}}_{3}$ should be viewed as a CT-type insulator with a substantial O $2p$ component in the ground state. In light of these results the controversial issue of Mn valence states in the manganites is critically reexamined. We argue that the disproportionation may be understood as a mixture of the CT many-body electronic configurations coupled with spin and lattice degrees of freedom.
Lightning Investigation at Alcoa, Tenn.

The cooperative lightning laboratories near Alcoa, Tenn., have been in operation since July, 1928. This paper outlines the purpose of the installation and describes the transmission line on which the studies are being conducted. A background is provided for a more complete appreciation of the technical data which appear from time to time. Conclusions drawn from an operating viewpoint are presented.
Decentered Authority in Bobbie Ann Mason's In Country

(1990). Decentered Authority in Bobbie Ann Mason's In Country. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 199-212.
Small Angle Scattering of X-rays by Deuteron-irradiated Germanium Crystal

The angular intensity distribution of scattered x rays from an irradiated germanium crystal is given. (auth)
Endophyte infection in perennial ryegrass reduces the susceptibility of black cutworm to an entomopathogenic nematode

The perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, forms a symbiotic relationship with Neotyphodium lolii, a fungus that produces alkaloids. This relationship provides a competitive advantage to the host plant in grassland communities by increasing drought tolerance, and disease and herbivore resistance. Black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, is among the few insect species that are able to feed and develop on endophytic perennial ryegrass. Some insects can use plant secondary compounds to defend themselves against predators, therefore we hypothesized that the cutworms fed on endophytic grasses would exhibit greater defense against a lethal endoparasitic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae. Laboratory experiments involving 4-5th instars support the hypothesis that A. ipsilon feeding on grass clippings from field plots with high (> 90%) incidence of endophyte infected perennial ryegrass are less susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes than larvae fed grass clippings from plants with little or no incidence of endophyte. Laboratory studies resulted in similar overall mortality after 48 h. Field studies, however, show decreased susceptibility to S. carpocapsae when larvae were confined to areas of endophytic grass (> 75% infected). Early instars (2-3rd) fed on endophyte free grass suffered greater overall mortality at all nematode concentrations than 4-5th instars fed similarly. Early (2-3rd) instars were equally susceptible to nematode attack regardless of food source. Our results indicate that the fungal endosymbionts of grasses can influence the biology of natural enemies of an herbivorous insect.
Palaeomagnetism and age of mid-Palaeozoic ring complexes in Niger, West Africa, and tectonic implications

Summary Detailed AF and thermal demagnetization has been performed on 185 oriented samples from 36 sites in a series of basic to acid subvolcanic ring complexes in central and southern Niger. Published Rb–Sr whole rock and mineral isochrons from acid members of the suite range – north to south – from 480 Ma to 320 Ma. Two distinct vectors have been isolated by linear regression of demagnetization data: (1) A due north and negative inclination (rarely reversed) component is present in basic rocks from 12 sites in four distinct northern complexes (published Rb–Sr ages date from 480 Ma to 420 Ma). This component is carried by ∼single domain magnetite (occasionally also by titanhaematite) and is considered to be primary, acquired during the terminal stages of this igneous episode. 40Ar/39Ar dating of biotite from three samples used in the palaeomagnetic study yield ∼435 Myr ages. (2) A due north and positive inclination (rarely reversed) direction is present as a second component in some of the basic-suite sites and is the predominant component in most sites in syenitic to granodioritic rocks. Primary Fe–Ti oxides are rare in these acid igneous rocks, and the feldspars within them are usually pervasively altered. This component, carried primarily by haematite, is believed to be either a modern day VRM, or a secondary TCRM acquired during (hydro?) thermal activity associated with widespread Quaternary volcanism in the southern Air. The primary component gives a mean south pole at 43.4S, 08.6E; (n= 12, k= 50, α95= 6.2) located southwest of Cape Town. This position requires a rapid southward excursion of the Gondwana A.P.W. path in early Silurian time, but it is generally consistent with most of the other Silurian/Devonian palaeomagnetic data from Gondwana. These, however, are from the Lachlan Fold Belt in southeast Australia whose relation to the Australian craton in Early Palaeozoic time is not clear. Integrating all stratigraphic, palaeoclimatic, tectonic, and other palaeomagnetic data for Early and Middle Palaeozoic time, suggests that the proto-Atlantic closed during the Silurian Period. If a late Devonian-early Carboniferous Gondwana pole in central Africa is valid, the ocean may have opened again before the final closure and reassembly of Gondwana in the late Carboniferous.
EARLY AND MIDTRIMESTER GENETIC AMNIOCENTESES: Safety and Outcomes

Prenatal diagnosis, the in utero determination of fetal disease, has become an important aspect of genetic counseling. The advances in technology coupled with developments in the field of molecular biology and genetics have made possible the detection of an increasing number of diseases in utero. Although not without some risk, midtrimester amniocentesis has been, and will continue to be, an important technique in this regard.
Random coded sampling for high-speed HDR video

We propose a novel method for capturing high-speed, high dynamic range video with a single low-speed camera using a coded sampling technique. Traditional video cameras use a constant full-frame exposure time, which makes temporal super-resolution difficult due to the ill-posed nature of inverting the sampling operation. Our method samples at the same rate as the traditional low-speed camera but uses random per-pixel exposure times and offsets. By exploiting temporal and spatial redundancy in the video, we can reconstruct a high-speed video from the coded input. Furthermore, the different exposure times used in our sampling scheme enable us to obtain a higher dynamic range than a traditional camera or other temporal superresolution methods. We validate our approach using simulation and provide a detailed discussion on how to make a hardware implementation. In particular, we believe that our approach can maintain a 100% light throughput similarly to existing cameras and can be implemented on a single chip, making it suitable for small form factors.
Taylor instability of finite surface waves

The instability of the accelerated interface between a liquid (methanol or carbon tetrachloride) and air has been investigated experimentally for approximate sinusoidal disturbances of wave-number range from well below to well above the cut-off. The growth rates are measured and compared with theoretical results. A third-order theory shows the phenomena of overstability which is found in the experimental results. Some measurements of later stages of growth agree moderately well with the available theory and disclose some additional phenomena of bubble competition, Helmholtz instability with transition to turbulence, and jet instability with production of drops.
The impact of bulky upper abdominal disease cephalad to the greater omentum on surgical outcome for stage IIIC epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer.

Abstract Objective. To analyze the impact of bulky upper abdominal disease (UAD) cephalad to the greater omentum on surgical outcomes for patients with stage IIIC epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal carcinoma. Methods. All patients with stage IIIC epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal carcinoma who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery at our institution from 1989 to 2005 were eligible for the study. UAD cephalad to the greater omentum was defined as cancerous lesions involving the diaphragm, liver, porta hepatis, spleen, pancreas, stomach, and lesser sac. The study group was divided into three groups based on the presence and size of UAD cephalad to the greater omentum at the beginning of surgery—group 1, no disease; group 2, ≤ 1 cm disease; and group 3, bulky disease > 1 cm. These three groups were further divided into two subsets based on the routine use of extensive upper abdominal surgery after January 1, 2001. Standard statistical analyses were utilized. Results. We identified 490 patients who met study inclusion criteria. Their median age was 61 years (range, 25–88). UAD status was recorded in 474 patients as follows: group 1 (no UAD), 116 (24%); group 2 (≤ 1 cm UAD), 161 (34%); and group 3 (bulky UAD > 1 cm), 197 (42%). Bulky UAD was associated with ascites volume (P 500 ml, 54% had bulky UAD cephalad to the greater omentum, 37% had minimal UAD, and 9% had no evidence of UAD. Optimal surgical outcome (≤ 1 cm residual disease) was achieved in 81%, 63%, and 39% of patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P Conclusion. The upper abdomen cephalad to the greater omentum is frequently involved in patients with stage IIIC ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinoma. This disease site is significantly associated with large-volume ascites and suboptimal cytoreduction. Over the course of 17 years, however, the significant improvement in optimal cytoreduction rates has been most apparent in patients with bulky UAD. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive training, preparation, and referral when appropriate to centers that specialize in the surgical management of patients with advanced ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinoma.
Improved Fourier transform methods for solving the parabolic wave equation

[1] A standard method for modeling electromagnetic propagation in the troposphere is the Fourier split-step algorithm for solving the parabolic wave equation. An important advance in this technique was the introduction of the mixed Fourier transform, which permitted the extension of the method from propagation over only smooth perfectly conducting surfaces to quite general surfaces with impedance boundary conditions. This paper describes improvements in the implementation of the mixed Fourier transform, which make the method more robust and efficient and avoid potential numerical instabilities, which occasionally caused problems in the previous implementation. Some examples are also presented.
Hybrid Control of Automotive Powertrain Systems: A Case Study

In this paper, a hybrid control design approach is used to develop control strategies for coordination of automotive engine and transmission systems. The main goal is to improve system performance, fuel economy, robustness and other performance specifications. The method employs performance indices in guiding both analog and discrete control actions such that robust stability and performance of closed-loop hybrid systems are maintained, in the presence of modeling errors, disturbances and structural uncertainties.
Multilayer Scene Similarity Assessment

As we move increasingly towards multi-source data analysis, the assessment of similarity of complex, multilayer scenes is becoming increasingly important for spatial data mining. In this paper, we present a content-based approach for scene similarity assessment. The proposed approach is based on a graph-matching scheme that models linear feature networks (road network) as graphs and additional GIS information (e.g. buildings) as layer content. This allows us to combine diverse but co-located pieces of information (e.g. roads and buildings) in an integrated similarity assessment process. In the paper we present key theoretical concepts and provide experimental results to demonstrate the capability and robustness of the proposed approach.