cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algebra: Notes from the Underground

From rings to modules to groups to fields, this undergraduate introduction to abstract algebra follows an unconventional path. The text emphasizes a modern perspective on the subject, with gentle mentions of the unifying categorical principles underlying the various constructions and the role of universal properties. A key feature is the treatment of modules, including a proof of the classification theorem for finitely generated modules over Euclidean domains. Noetherian modules and some of the language of exact complexes are introduced. In addition, standard topics - such as the Chinese Remainder Theorem, the Gauss Lemma, the Sylow Theorems, simplicity of alternating groups, standard results on field extensions, and the Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory - are all treated in detail. Students will appreciate the text's conversational style, 400+ exercises, an appendix with complete solutions to around 150 of the main text problems, and an appendix with general background on basic logic and naive set theory.
Introduction to School Bullying and Inequality

In this introductory Chap. 1, we provide an overview about how this book will review sociological, psychological, criminological, and educational research literature pertaining to school bullying and the associated experiences in bullying and school violence among vulnerable and marginalized youth. It also examines how inequality associated with socioeconomic and social status, family cohesion and interactions, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, race, ethnicity, immigration, and religion, and disabilities and special health needs are significantly associated with youth’s experiences in bullying and presents how a social-ecological framework can inform the problem and address school bullying. This book seeks to bridge gaps in knowledge by addressing not only the individual, intrapersonal, and environmental factors, but also distal level factors and conditions that are specifically relevant to youth, such as culture and law as well as contextualize relevant multi-level factors that foster or inhibit bullying victimization among vulnerable and historically marginalized children and adolescents who are faced with cumulative social inequality.
Nonlinear Laser-Dielectric Optical Media Interaction Modeling and Characterization

Intense laser interactions in condensed optical media are under study at NRL for several Navy applications, including remote undersea laser acoustic generation and advanced micromachining. We have developed models and simulation codes for nonlinear propagation and interactions in water. Our modeling includes the effects of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), optical Kerr effect, parametric four-wave mixing (FWM) and nonlinear coupling involving pump, Stokes and anti-Stokes waves, multiphoton and collisional ionization, plasma refraction, diffraction and dispersion. 1 , 2 Our models are incorporated into the SNOPROP 2D axisymmetric nonlinear propagation and interaction simulation code (open-source, in Python). 3 , 4 Our modeling simulations showed good agreement with recent nonlinear propagation experiments. 1 Both our model and code can be used for a variety of condensed dielectric optical media.
Traditional Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches to Dystonia: Mode of Action of Currently Used Drugs for the Treatment of Dystonia

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of opposing muscle groups, resulting in twisting postures and abnormal positions. As a phenomenology, it is classified under hyperkinetic movement disorders. This chapter discusses the traditional pharmacological management of various types of focal and generalized dystonias. Despite the recent advances in the genetic etiologies of dystonia, the treatments predominantly still remain symptomatic at present. Current treatments can be generally subdivided into oral medications, injections or chemodenervation in the affected muscles, and surgical approaches. The chemodenervation treatment of dystonia and surgical treatments will be discussed elsewhere in the book. In this chapter, we will focus on the traditional pharmacotherapeutic options and their evidence-based support.
Tackling the brain's genetic complexity

The evolving genomics technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for neuroscientists. Many questions now under investigation simply could not have been addressed with previous methods, in which the expression of only one or a handful of genes could be examined. At the heart of all the new methods is the ability to examine expression of tens of thousands of genes at the RNA and/or protein level; high throughput is envisioned such that analyses can be run on large numbers of samples, leading to statistical significance for even modest changes in expression levels. The new technologies enable characterization of the genes that are expressed by samples as small as a single cell1 and as complex as the human brain. Neuroscientists are just beginning to apply genomics methods to problems such as measuring responses to chronic drug application2 and characterizing developmental gene expression programs3.
A Mechanism and Experimental System for Function-Based Sharing in Federated Databases

Abstract A function-based approach and mechanism to support sharing among the component database systems in a federation is described. In the context of a functional object-based database model, a technique to support inter-component information unit and behavior sharing is presented. An experimental system that implements the function-based sharing mechanism is described, its underlying algorithms are outlined, and its practical utility and effectiveness are assessed. This work is couched in the framework of the Remote-Exchange research project and experimental system.
Analysis of energy and delay for ARQ systems over time varying channels

We propose an analytical method to determine the joint distribution of the energy and delay of automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols over time varying channels. By using a finite state machine (FSM) to model the operation of ARQ systems with a state transition diagram, the generating function of energy and delay can be evaluated according to Manson's gain formula. From the joint generating function of energy and delay, two performance metrics, throughput and energy efficiency are derived. As the numerical results demonstrate, the time-varying characteristic of the channel has a great influence on the system performance
Agency Costs of Institutional Trading

Under the typical institutional trading arrangement a portfolio manager makes the trade decision and a trading desk executes the trade, with execution performance evaluated against a benchmark such as the volume weighted average price (VWAP). We show that this trading arrangement provides incentives to the trader that are at odds with the objectives of the portfolio manager. Specifically, traders maintain a relatively low ask quote during rising markets to expedite sell trades and a relatively high bid quote during falling markets to expedite buy trades. This process inhibits the security's natural tendency to rise (or fall) with the market. We provide empirical evidence of several properties of price-adjustment delays that are consistent with this model.
Chronic Binge Alcohol Administration Increases Intestinal T-Cell Proliferation and Turnover in Rhesus Macaques.

Background Alcohol use results in changes in intestinal epithelial cell turnover and microbial translocation, yet less in known about the consequences on intestinal lymphocytes in the gut. Here we compared T cell subsets in the intestine of macaques before and after 3 months of chronic alcohol administration to examine the effects of alcohol on intestinal T cell subsets.
Dynamics of Spin Relaxation in Finite-Size Two-Dimensional Systems: An Exact Solution

We find an exact solution for the problem of electron spin relaxation in a two-dimensional (2D) circle with Rashba spin-orbit interaction. Our analysis shows that the spin relaxation in finite-size regions involves three stages and is described by multiple spin relaxation times. It is important that the longest spin relaxation time increases with the decrease in system radius but always remains finite. Therefore, at long times, the spin polarization in small 2D systems decays exponentially with a size-dependent rate. This prediction is supported by results of Monte Carlo simulations.
Measurement of work system flexibility as an outcome variable for studies of emerging technologies in MIS research

It is proposed that researchers interested in assessing the effects of emerging information technology on organizations use local outcome variables to allow better testing of theory. The authors introduce such a variable, work system flexibility. Work system flexibility is defined in terms of links among system components-people, tools, and tasks. Flexible work systems are those that continue to function even when links among components are broken. The concept of work system flexibility is developed and related to ideas from MIS and other disciplines. An instrument to quantify the construct is presented. The instrument provided is in template form, allowing researchers to develop unique versions to fit their research contexts. The form of the instrument given, is oriented towards a research context in which a computer aided software engineering product is being introduced. >
The Work-Family Interface as a Mediator between Job Demands and Employee Behaviour.

In this investigation, we draw from the job demands–resource model and conservation of resources theory to examine the relationship between job demands, the work–family interface and worker behaviours. Data collected from an online survey of workers revealed that hindrance demands indirectly increase interpersonal and organizational deviance through work interference with family and family interference with work. Challenge demands indirectly predict interpersonal and organizational deviance through work interference with family. Finally, hindrance demands indirectly decreased individual-directed organizational citizenship behaviours through work-to-family enrichment. Taken together, these results stress the relevance of job demand management and resource drain/acquisition to counterproductive and extra-role behaviours. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vapor transport deposition of cadmium telluride films

Polycrystalline CdTe thin films are grown by vapor transport deposition onto moving substrates using a linear cross-web source for operation at low vacuum and high growth temperature. The source design, based on delivery of a carrier gas saturated with Cd and Te/sub 2/ vapors, overcomes the limitations of other vapor deposition methods. Models for vapor transport deposition and radiative transfer within the source facilitate a quantitative understanding of source behavior leading to control of film deposition. The deposition has been characterized over a wide range of operating parameters. Dense, single phase device quality CdTe films have been fabricated. Deposition of other compound semiconductor materials has also been demonstrated.
Histogram-shape preserving algorithm for image enhancement

A new direct contrast enhancement algorithm is proposed. It can be used to enhance the contrast of an image without increasing the dynamic range of the pixel values. A distinctive property of the proposed method is that it yields results matching the characteristic of the human visual system. The histogram of the enhanced image has almost the same shape as that of the original image. >
Two- and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging to facilitate detection and targeting of taut bands in myofascial pain syndrome.

Introduction. Ultrasound imaging has gained acceptance in pain management interventions. Features of myofascial pain syndrome have been explored using ultrasound imaging and elastography. There is a paucity of reports showing the benefit clinically. This report provides three-dimensional features of taut bands and highlights the advantages of using two-dimensional ultrasound imaging to improve targeting of taut bands in deeper locations. Case Report. Fifty-eight-year-old man with pain and decreased range of motion of the right shoulder was referred for further management of pain above the scapula after having failed conservative management for myofascial pain syndrome. Three-dimensional ultrasound images provided evidence of aberrancy in the architecture of the muscle fascicles around the taut bands compared to the adjacent normal muscle tissue during serial sectioning of the accrued image. On two-dimensional ultrasound imaging over the palpated taut band, areas of hyperechogenicity were visualized in the trapezius and supraspinatus muscles. Subsequently, the patient received ultrasound-guided real-time lidocaine injections to the trigger points with successful resolution of symptoms. Conclusions. This is a successful demonstration of utility of ultrasound imaging of taut bands in the management of myofascial pain syndrome. Utility of this imaging modality in myofascial pain syndrome requires further clinical validation.
The homophone effect during visual word recognition in children: an fMRI study

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate the role of phonology in visual word recognition (VWR). A group of children between the ages of 7 and 13 participated in a lexical decision task in which lexical frequency and homophony were manipulated. A significant homophone effect was observed for the high-frequency condition, indicating that phonology does indeed play a significant role in VWR. The brain activation patterns also support this idea in that regions that have been linked to phonological processing, the inferior frontal gyrus and the inferior parietal lobe, also revealed a homophone effect. Additionally, the posterior superior temporal cortex showed a homophone effect; however, this activation is argued to be related to lexical competition generated by the high-frequency homophone via the activation of multiple semantic representations.
The mediating role of maternal warmth in the associations between harsh parental practices and externalizing and internalizing behaviors in Hispanic American, African American, and European American families.

Using data from the add-on 5-year cohort of In-Home Longitudinal Study of preschool aged Children of the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study (FFCWS), we examined the mediating role of maternal warmth in the associations between positive and harsh maternal practices and children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors. The sample consisted of 1,922 low-income Hispanic American, African American, and European American families. For European Americans, the links between maternal psychological aggression and hostility and children's externalizing behaviors were direct. Similarly, for Hispanic Americans, the links between maternal psychological aggression, physical assault, and hostility and externalizing behaviors were direct, as was the link between maternal physical assault and internalizing behaviors. For African Americans, maternal warmth partially mediated the links between maternal hostility and physical assault and externalizing behaviors. However, the associations between psychological aggression and externalizing and internalizing behaviors were direct. The data are discussed with respect to similarities in cultural pathways of influence between harsh maternal treatment and children's behavioral difficulties across ethnic groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Clinical Considerations in the Use of Inhalation Delivery Devices

Medications delivered through oral inhalation represent the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Several options exist as methods of delivering aerosols to the lung, including metered-dose inhalers, metered-dose inhalers attached to spacers or valved holding chambers, dry powder inhalers, and nebulizers. Delivery of aerosols to the lung is affected by numerous factors including characteristics of aerosol particles, patients’ ventilatory patterns, and physical condition of the lung. It has become increasingly clear that the device used to deliver the medication is an important factor in the extent of deposition and the ultimate therapeutic effect. Further, the same therapeutic agent may exhibit differing effects depending on which delivery device is used. Each inhalation device has specific instructions for use, and the techniques for use vary significantly among the available products. In each case, patients should be instructed and observed to ensure that ...
Near-field virtual audio displays

Although virtual audio displays are capable of realistically simulating relatively distant sound sources, they are not yet able to accurately reproduce the spatial auditory cues that occur when sound sources are located near the listener's head. Researchers have long recognized that the binaural difference cues that dominate auditory localization are independent of distance beyond I m but change systematically with distance when the source approaches within I m of the listener's head. Recent research has shown that listeners are able to use these binaural cues to determine the distances of nearby sound sources. However. technical challenges in the collection and processing of near-field head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) have thus far prevented the construction of a fully functional near-field audio display. This paper summarizes the current state of research in the localization of nearby sound sources and outlines the technical challenges involved in the creation of a near-field virtual audio display. The potential applications of near-field displays in immersive virtual environments and multimodal interfaces are also discussed.
Inside truths: ‘Truth’ and mental illness in the Australian asylum seeker and detention debates

This article examines some of the key debates and interactions between the Australian government and medical profession in relation to the mental health consequences of the policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers. It explores how, in a series of episodes between 2001 and 2005, each side claimed to represent accurately the ‘true’ nature of the detention system through asserting superior ‘objectivity’ and commitment to ‘scientific truth’ in their representations of the mental health of asylum seekers. Placing these debates within the particular political objectives of the Liberal Party during John Howard’s term as Prime Minister, the article explores how science and medical advocacy have been characterized and made to signify larger conflicts within the Australian political arena. It shows how populist political ideas of ‘elitism’ have been used by the government to represent as ‘elitist untruths’ psychiatric research which has demonstrated a direct causal links between government border control policies and mental ill-health.
Some results on the genus of a group

This Note announces two results on the genus of a group. First, there is exactly one group of genus two, thus answering a question of V. K. Proulx. Second, the genus of the full symmetric group of degree n is n!/168 + 1, for all n > 167.
Pulsed spontaneous Raman scattering technique for luminous environments.

A gated photon counting system, cavity-dumped argon-ion laser, and a multipass retroreflecting light cell have been combined in a system to enhance spontaneous Raman scattering in luminous background situations. Signal-to-background ratio (SBR) has been improved a factor of 450 over a single-pass cw system with cw power equal to the pulsed average power. The improvement attributable to the gating and cavity dumping the laser is a factor of 30. A factor of 15 improvement is due to the retroreflecting light cell. Temperature and density data obtained from N2Q-branch spectra of a luminous methane–air flame are presented to illustrate the utility of the system. A passband fitting technique is introduced to analyze the data.
The Effects of Local Anesthetics and Epinephrine on Rat Sciatic Nerve Blood Flow

The effects of topical application of local anesthetics on peripheral nerve blood flow (NBF) were studied in the rat sciatic nerve. Sciatic NBF was measured by laser doppler in 45 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (90 nerves) after topical application of 25 microliter lidocaine and epinephrine, alone and in combination (lidocaine plus epinephrine), as well as bupivacaine, tetracaine, and normal saline, and studied in a randomized, blinded experimental design. NBF changes produced by lidocaine were dose-dependent. Compared with that for saline, blood flow reduction for lidocaine 0.5% was not significant, but it was significant for lidocaine 1.0% at 2-5 min and for lidocaine 2.0% at all time periods after 1 min (P less than 0.05). Maximum reduction was seen at all concentrations by 5 min after application. Average blood flow reduction at 5 min was 7% for lidocaine 0.5%, 12% for lidocaine 1.0% and 18% for lidocaine 2.0%. Epinephrine also produced dose-dependent changes in NBF. Epinephrine 2.5 micrograms/ml produced a transient 20% increase in NBF lasting 2-3 min (P less than 0.05), followed by a return to baseline. Epinephrine 5.0 micrograms/ml and epinephrine 10.0 micrograms/ml produced reductions of 20% and 35%, respectively (P less than 0.05), which lasted throughout the study. The effects of each of the three concentrations were significantly different from the others. The combination of lidocaine plus epinephrine resulted in synergistic reduction of NBF for all drug concentrations (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The responses of Ceriodaphnia dubia toward multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Effect of physical–chemical treatment

The influence of physical–chemical treatment, e.g. ozonation (O), ultrasound (US) and mechanically dispersion, on the response of fresh water organisms, exemplified by Ceriodaphniadubia toward multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was studied. Results indicated that physical–chemical treatment had pronounced effect on the stability and aggregation of carbon nanomaterials and thereby impact on C.dubia. US-MWCNT exerted the greatest toxicity to C.dubia compared to the untreated and the ozone treated MWCNT which exhibited a LC50 at one order of magnitude greater than that of US-MWCNT. Similar toxic results were observed in the 3-brood reproduction and sub-lethal growth tests. The primary diameter of MWCNT did not exhibit significant toxic impacts on C.dubia at least measured in terms of LC50. C.dubia ingested and accumulated the nanoparticles in the digestive tract and brood chamber. Upon transferring to nanoparticle-free environment, the C. dubia began to defecate the CNT particles, indicating the capability of self-cleaning. US-MWCNT was retained in the digestive tract for a longer time and also required a longer time to be cleaned than O-MWCNT. Results confirmed the importance of physical–chemical treatment on the interactions between the nanomaterials and aquatic organisms in assessing the fate, transport, and ecological impacts of nanomaterials.
Shift in threshold toxicity levels in plants when more than one trace metal contaminates simultaneously

Abstract Trace metal contamination in the environment usually involves more than one metal simultaneously. Levels of some of the contaminants, even though considered to be at safe levels, may not be so because of their interactions with other trace metals. Accurate assessment demands that additive, protective, and synergic effects also be considered. Multiple trace metal toxicities can result in a shift of threshold toxicity. Experimental verification of these effects has been shown for some combinations and concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, copper and lithium, but not enough information is presently available to fully evaluate such a problem. Multiple trace element interactions often result in synergic effects on uptake and partitioning as well as on yields. A theoretical basis for explanation of various interacting-synergic, additive, antagonistic-effects is presented.
Effect of prenatal or postnatal high-fat diet on physiology and behavior of borderline hypertensive rats (BHR).

The purpose of this study is to determine whether maternal overnutrition contributes to obesity, hypertension, and altered stress reactivity in rats with a genetic predisoposition to mild hypertension. Adult female Wistar rats were maintained on either a high-fat (HF: 60% lard) or low-fat (LF: 10%) diet for approximately 8 weeks, after which they were mated with male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to yield BHR offspring. Gestating females were maintained on the same diets as prior to impregnation. At parturition, the litters were culled and cross-fostered either to a dam with either low-or high-fat diet, so yielding 4 groups for the period of lactation: HF/HF, LF/LF, HF/LF, LF/HF. At weaning, half the litters were fed Purina chow while the other half were placed on a varied but HF cafeteria diet. These weanling rats were divided among four different experiments: (1) to determine the growth and food intake of the offspring, (2) to determine whether exposure to high salt diet after puberty has differential hypertensive effects as a function of perinatal diet, (3) to determine whether these rats have differential hormonal responses to chronic social stress (resident-intruder protocol), and (4) whether motivation for food is altered (operant protocol). These studies are currently under way and updated results will be presented.
Y junctions arising from dark-soliton propagation in photovoltaic media

We report the observation of planar Y-junction waveguide splitters that are due to the bulk photovoltaic effect. The junctions are generated by multiple dark-soliton propagation in LiNbO3 by use of low power levels (20 mW) and average intensities of 10 W/cm2 at 488 nm. The junctions persist in the dark and can be used to divide input beams of less photorefractive sensitivity. We describe some possibilities for generating other waveguide structures in bulk and thin-film media.
A descriptive 18-year retrospective review of subperiosteal implants for patients with severely atrophied edentulous mandibles

Abstract Statement of problem Fabricating dentures for the patient with severe mandibular atrophy can be a challenge for both the dentist and patient. Subperiosteal implants with a mandibular overdenture may be a solution for the atrophic mandible. Purpose The purpose of this retrospective study was to review the survival of mandibular subperiosteal implants placed at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry Graduate Prosthodontics program between 1982 and 2000. Material and methods Forty subperiosteal implants were placed in atrophic mandibles of 40 patients (33 women, 7 men) between 1982 and 2000. The age range of the patients was 47 to 80 years of age at time of placement (mean = 62 years). Each patient was reviewed clinically by an author (DJM). Manual depression and lifting of the framework were used to evaluate the stability of the implant. Additionally, the implants were observed for any movement. Each patient was questioned for pain or discomfort. Each patient was examined for observable inflammation and intraoral exposure of the framework and questioned as to whether the implant had satisfied the patient and met the patient's expectations. Results Thirty-nine of the 40 original patients were recalled in 2000. One patient had died. Fourteen patients had implants for over 10 years, 12 patients had implants between 5 and 10 years, and 12 patients had implants for less than 5 years (mean time of implant service = 8 years). Thirty-eight patients had the implant in place with no sign of inflammation or mobility, 1 patient with diabetes had inflammation around one of the struts. All patients were wearing their prostheses, and there was no sign of exposed implant framework for any patient. All patients reported a high level of satisfaction with the implant. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the mandibular implants placed at UMKC were still functioning, and all patients denied any discomfort or pain from the prostheses. Patients reported they were comfortable and able to function with the implant-supported prosthesis.
Australian Stock Market Volatility: 1875–1987*

This paper investigates the volatility of monthly Australian stock returns over the period 1875–1987. There has been extensive work on this question in the United States, but little with data outside that country. Our analysis centres upon whether the ‘stylized facts’ regarding returns in the US also hold true for Australia. We find that there are both similarities and differences. There is little evidence for asymmetry in Australian returns but strong persistence of shocks into volatility. What is particularly interesting in the Australian series is the large volatility of the last two decades, an experience not matched in the US data
Aggregate fluctuations as an information transmission mechanism

A model is presented in which individuals attempt to track shocks with a capital-like quantity that is costly to produce and to adjust. The shocks have separate individual-specific and economy-wide components. Individuals do not have direct access to desired information about economy-wide shocks. The information is potentially available from the observation of endogenous aggregates, but because the aggregates are endogenous, there is an informational externality associated with them. Two polar cases are considered. When the desired information is about economy-wide real shocks, as in Townsend (1983), the externality is potentially completely internalized. When the desired information is about purely nominal aggregates, as in Lucas (1973, 1975), aggregate fluctuations are a necessary condition of equilibrium.
Ellipsoidal coordinates—a natural coordinate system for calculations of laser irradiations of slabs☆

Abstract In most focused laser irradiations of slabs there are several significant two- and three-dimensional effects in the resultant material motion. By using a “natural” coordinate system it is possible to account for the most significant features of these effects in a one-dimensional calculation. The essential requirement is to find a coordinate system wherein the contours of constant density, temperature, etc., coincide approximately with the coordinate lines. For one such coordinate system, an “ellipsoidal” coordinate system, we obtain the fluid equations and discuss the approximations that are necessary to obtain one-dimensional equations.
Signal transduction in the vomeronasal organ of garter snakes: ligand–receptor binding-mediated protein phosphorylation

The vomeronasal (VN) system of garter snakes plays an important role in several species-typical behaviors, such as prey recognition and responding to courtship pheromones. We (X.C. Jiang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265 (1990) 8736-8744 and Y. Luo et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269 (1994) 16867-16877) have demonstrated previously that in the snake VN sensory epithelium, the chemoattractant ES20, a 20-kDa glycoprotein derived from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion, binds to its receptor which is coupled to PTX-sensitive G-proteins. Such binding results in elevated levels of IP3. We now report that ES20-receptor binding regulates the phosphorylation of two membrane-bound proteins with molecular masses of 42- and 44-kDa (p42/44) in both intact and cell-free preparations of the VN sensory epithelium. ES20 and DAG regulate the phosphorylation of p42/44 in a similar manner. ES20-receptor binding-mediated phosphorylation of p42/44 is rapid and transient, reaching a peak value within 40 seconds and decaying thereafter. Phosphorylation of p42/44 appears to be regulated by the countervailing actions of a specific membrane-bound protein kinase and a protein phosphatase. The phosphorylation of these membrane-bound proteins significantly reduces the activity of G-proteins as evidenced by a decrease in GTPase activity, but has little effect on ligand-receptor binding. These findings suggest that p42/44 play a role in modulating the signal transduction induced by ES20 in the vomeronasal system.
Detector Pulse Shaping for High Resolution Spectroscopy

Shaping is considered with respect to minimizing the random errors with respect to detector pulse measurements. Some properties of time variant and invariant linear networks are considered. It is shown that the weighting function characterizes both time variant and invariant networks with respect to the determination of the errors. The errors are classified according to their origin and character. Errors due to noise, pile up and base line shift are considered. Equations for their variances and average values are derived using the weighting function and the statistical properties of random impulses. The weighting function characteristics, such as shape and time scale, are considered with respect to the resulting errors The characteristic of the weighting function, required to minimize or decrease particular errors are discussed. Particular attention has been given to base line error reduction.
Effect of Fundamental Frequency on Judgments of Electrolaryngeal Speech

Purpose To determine (a) the effect of fundamental frequency (f0) on speech intelligibility, acceptability, and perceived gender in electrolaryngeal (EL) speakers, and (b) the effect of known gende...
Personal correlates of contrasting environments: Student satisfactions in high school classrooms

The relationship o f perceived environment o f the high school classroom to student satisfactions and moods was assessed in two matched samples o f 18 classrooms each. A number o f significant and replicated relationships were found between the perceived environment and various satisfactions and moods. The strongest relationships with student satisfactions and positive student mood involved those classrooms emphasizing personal relationship dimensions and clarity o f rules. The study was conceptualized and discussed in the context o f two central aspects o f community psychology." the assessment of environments and the implications o f such assessments for planning and change.
A phosphatidylserine binding site in factor Va C1 domain regulates both assembly and activity of the prothrombinase complex.

Tightly associated factor Va (FVa) and factor Xa (FXa) serve as the essential prothrombin-activating complex that assembles on phosphatidylserine (PS)–containing platelet membranes during blood coagulation. We have previously shown that (1) a soluble form of PS (C6PS) triggers assembly of a fully active FVa-FXa complex in solution and (2) that 2 molecules of C6PS bind to FVa light chain with one occupying a site in the C2 domain. We expressed human factor Va (rFVa) with mutations in either the C1 domain (Y1956,L1957)A, the C2 domain (W2063,W2064)A, or both C domains (Y1956,L1957,W2063,W2064)A. Mutations in the C1 and C1-C2 domains of rFVa reduced the rate of activation of prothrombin to thrombin by FXa in the presence of 400 μM C6PS by 14 000- to 15 000-fold relative to either wild-type or C2 mutant factor rFVa. The Kd's of FXa binding with rFVa (wild-type, C2 mutant, C1 mutant, and C1-C2 mutant) were 3, 4, 564, and 624 nM, respectively. Equilibrium dialysis experiments detected binding of 4, 3, and 2 molecules of C6PS to wild-type rFVa, C1-mutated, and C1,C2-mutated rFVa, respectively. Because FVa heavy chain binds 2 molecules of C6PS, we conclude that both C2 and C1 domains bind one C6PS, with binding to the C1 domain regulating prothrombinase complex assembly.
Accounting for uncertainty in cumulative sediment transport using Bayesian statistics

Abstract That sediment transport estimates have large uncertainty is widely acknowledged. When these estimates are used as the basis for a subsequent analysis, such as cumulative sediment loads or budgets, treatment of uncertainty requires careful consideration. The propagation of uncertainty is a problem that has been studied in many other scientific disciplines. In recent years, Bayesian statistical methods have been successfully used to this end in hydrology, ecology, climate science, and other disciplines where uncertainty plays a major role—their applications in sediment transport, however, have been few. Previous work demonstrated how deterministic sediment transport equations can be brought into a probabilistic framework using Bayesian methods. In this paper, we extend this basic model and apply it to sediment transport observations collected on the Snake River in Wyoming, USA. These data were used previously to develop a 50-year sediment budget below Jackson Lake dam. We revisit this example to demonstrate how viewing sediment transport probabilistically can help better characterize the propagation of uncertainty in the calculation of cumulative sediment transport. We present the development of probabilistic sediment rating curves that rely on deterministic sediment transport equations and then show how these can be used to compute the distribution of sediment input and output for each year from 1958 to 2007. The Bayesian approach described provides a robust way to quantify uncertainty and then propagate it through to subsequent analyses. Results show that transport uncertainty is quantified naturally in the Bayesian approach, making it unnecessary for modelers to assume some specified error rate (e.g., ± 5%) when developing estimates of cumulative transport. Further, we demonstrate that a Bayesian approach better constrains uncertainty and allows sediment deficit and surplus to be examined in terms of quantified risk.
Fungal and mycobacterial skin infections

Abstract Concurrent with the AIDS epidemic has been the resurgence of syphilis to its highest prevalence since the introduction of penicillin in 1943. 1 The popular press has even speculated that syphilis may be the cause of AIDS, an idea clearly dispelled by the isolation of HIV-1 as the causative agent of AIDS. 2 Nonetheless, many clinicians and researchers believe that concurrent infection with both HIV-1 and Treponema pallidum is more than coincidental and that the course of each may be affected by the other. Five clinical observations occur in the course of syphilis in the presence of HIV. 3 These include: 1) the high prevalence of HIV-seropositivity among patients with syphilis; 2) a dysregulation of the antibody response to luetic infection; 3) the rapid progression of syphilis to tertiary stage disease; 4) the inadequacy of benzathine penicillin for the treatment of syphilis in immunocom-promised patients; and 5) the possible vaccination-induced relapse of syphilis.
A consistent model reduction of measured modal parameters for reduced-order active control

The problem of synthesizing reduced-order linear models of vibrating structures for the design of fixed-order dynamic feedback control is investigated. The present technique builds on a recently developed procedure for constructing an objective set of mass and stiffness matrices from measured modal parameters that are akin to the Craig-Bampton synthesized ones obtained from finite element models. The constructed mass and stiffness matrices are determined directly from the identification of experimental data, however, rather than through correlation or reconciliation of a finite element model. A model truncation criterion is then applied to the identified minimum-order mass and stiffness model to satisfy certain observability/controllability requirements for the reduced model. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique for synthesizing reduced-order controllers from system realizations of experimental data. The dynamic performance of the resulting closed-loop models is assessed using the known full-order structural dynamics and compared with existing model reduction techniques.
Chronic Ketosis and Cerebral Metabolism

The effects of chronic ketosis on cerebral metabolism were determined in adult rats maintained on a high-fat diet for approximately three weeks and compared to a control group of animals. The fat-fed rats had statistically significantly lower blood glucose concentrations and higher blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate concentrations; higher brain concentrations of bound glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, pyruvate, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, alanine, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP); lower brain concentrations of fructose 1,6-diphosphate, aspartate, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), creatine, cyclic nucleotides, succinyl coenzyme A (CoA), acid-insoluble CoA, and total CoA; and similar brain concentrations of glucose, malate, calculated oxaloacetate, glutamate, glutamine, adenosine monophosphate, phosphocreatine, reduced CoA, acetyl CoA, sodium, potassium, chloride, and water content. The metabolite data in the chronically ketotic rats demonstrate an increase in the cerebral energy reserve and energy charge. These data also suggest negative modification of the enzymes phosphofructokinase, pyruvic dehydrogenase, and alpha-ketoglutaric dehydrogenase; positive modification of glycogen synthase; and possible augmentation of the hexose transport system. There was no demonstrable difference in brain pH, water content, or electrolytes in the two groups of animals. We speculate that the increased brain ATP/ADP ratio is central to most, if not all, the observed metabolic perturbations and may account for the increased neuronal stability that accompanies chronic ketosis.
Submaximal exercise testing after acute myocardial infarction: myocardial scintigraphic and electrocardiographic observations.

Abstract The relation between global and regional left ventricular function and electrocardiographic signs of ischemia at rest and during submaximal supine exercise was studied in 27 patients 2 to 3 weeks after acute myocardial infarction. Dynamic myocardial scintigraphy was performed at rest and during submaximal exercise utilizing an in vivo method of labeling red blood cells with technetium-99m pertechnetate. Gated radio-nuclide blood pool scintigrams were obtained in a modified left anterior oblique, and in some patients also in the right anterior oblique projection, to measure left ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion. Electrocardiographic monitoring of heart rate and rhythm was provided during the exercise. The submaximal exercise test was terminated when the patient's heart rate reached 125 beats/min or if angina, malignant ventricular ectopy or electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia developed before this rate was reached. The data demonstrate that patients with a recent anterior myocardial infarct, in contrast to patients with a recent inferior or nontransmural infarct, manifest a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction with submaximal exercise. Of the eight patients with an anterior infarct, seven had segmental wall motion abnormalities at rest. Four of these eight manifested more severe abnormalities with submaximal exercise; three had abnormalities at rest that did not change with exercise. Four of the eight had a positive electrocardiographic response during exercise (two were taking digoxin). Of these four, only two had more marked wall motion abnormalities with effort. Of the 13 patients with an inferior infarct, 11 had apparently normal wall motion in the modified left anterior oblique projection at rest, including 2 who manifested segmental wall motion abnormalities with submaximal exercise; the 2 remaining patients had wall motion abnormalities at rest that, on exercise, became more marked in one and were unchanged in one. Four of the 13 had a positive electrocardiographic response with exercise (one was taking digoxin); only one of these had a detectably more severe wall motion abnormality with exercise. Of the six patients with a nontransmural infarct, four had no identifiable wall motion abnormalities at rest; in one of these, an abnormality developed with exercise. The remaining two patients had wall motion abnormalities at rest; in one, a positive electrocardiographic ischemic response developed with exercise. Patients with an anterior infarct appear to have a different functional ventricular response to submaximal exercise at the time of hospital discharge than patients with an inferior or nontransmural Infarct. To identify ischemic responses with submaximal exercise in these patients one should ideally use both electrocardiographic monitoring and dynamic myocardial scintlgraphy.
Interleukin 1 inhibitor masks high interleukin 1 production in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Abstract Monocyte functions, including interleukin 1 (IL-1) production, have been shown previously to be impaired in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have fractionated culture supernatants from unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to determine whether the low IL-1 activity in AIDS was due to the presence of IL-1 inhibitors. The results demonstrate that PBMCs from patients with AIDS produce increased amounts of IL-1 activity compared with those of controls together with marked increases (10- to 20-fold) in the amounts of 50,000–100,000 and 6000–9000 molecular weight (MW) factors which inhibit IL-1 activity. These inhibitors mask IL-1 activity measured in the standard thymocyte proliferation assay for IL-1. The 6000–9000 MW IL-1 inhibitor shows the greatest increase in all AIDS patients ( n = 5) compared with that of controls ( n = 7). This inhibitor may block the IL-1 dependent maturation of T lymphocytes in AIDS and thereby contribute to the immunodeficiency.
Clinical results for the training-phase roll-in patients in the intracoil femoralpopliteal stent trial

The purpose of this study was to report the results of the roll-in patients for the multicenter IntraCoil trial in the femoropopliteal arteries at 9-month follow-up. Ninety-three roll-in patients (mean age, 67.8 +/- 10.5 years; 62.4% male gender) constituted the learning phase for the 22 clinical sites. Obstructive femoropopliteal artery disease up to 15 cm was treated with stenting. Clinical patency was measured over a 9-month period by clinical and hemodynamic data as well as the Rutherford scale. Diabetes mellitus was present in 35.5%. Twenty-nine percent of lesions treated were occlusions. The mean reference diameter for treated lesions was 4.27 +/- 1.11 mm, while the mean lesion length was 3.83 +/- 3.69 cm. Acute angiographic success by operator evaluation was obtained in 98.9% of patients. Major complications occurred in 3.2%. No patient experienced abrupt or subacute closure. There were two reports of failure to deliver assigned stent. In both incidences, the stent was removed without surgical intervention. There were also three reports of stent misplacement (moving during delivery), one report of stent migration, one report of delivery system failure. At 30-day and 9-month follow-up of successfully treated patients, 100%/77.9% remained free of major adverse clinical events (MACE) and 100%/81.8% target lesion revascularization (TLR), respectively. At 9-month follow-up, ankle-brachial index increased from 0.66 +/- 0.22 to 0.83 +/- 0.20 while mean maximum walking time increased form 4.47 +/- 3.02 to 5.91 +/- 3.97 min. The use of the IntraCoil stent appears to have a short learning curve. Excellent clinical and hemodynamic patency is seen at 9 months. The randomized comparison trial comparing the IntraCoil to angioplasty is pending.