cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of barium ions on the spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic potentials in the brain of Helix pomatia (L.)

Abstract 1. 1. Intracellular methods have been used to study the effects of barium ions on the spontaneous EPSPs of the snail brain. 2. 2. An analysis of the interspike interval histograms of various pacemaker neurones showed characteristic differences when pacemaker activity and/or EPSPs were influenced in the barium media. 3. 3. The steady-state membrane resistance decreased when slow or fast EPSPs were evoked. The slope membrane resistance increased in some neurones while it decreased when the synaptically evoked effects of the barium ions predominated. 4. 4. The amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous fast and slow EPSPs increased when barium acted. 5. 5. The spontaneous EPSPs were not unequivocally prevented in 0 Ca 2+ -30mM Mg 2+ medium. but they were highly depressed in some cases, and were again facilitated in the presence of Ba 2+ 6. 6. Na + -free (Tris or Choline) solution totally blocked the barium evoked spontaneous EPSPs, but after readmission of the sodium ions a facilitation of the transmitter release occurred. The delayed release was also increased if barium had been acting previously in the Na + -free medium. 7. 7. On the other hand K + -free solution increased the spontaneous transmitter release, and the facilitatory effect of barium ions was enhanced in the absence of potassium ions. 8. 8. Indirect and/or direct facilitatory effects of barium ions were involved in the spontaneous transmitter release depending on the doses used.
Intraoperative high-frequency epicardial echocardiography in coronary revascularization: locating deeply embedded coronary arteries

During coronary revascularization, the precise location of major coronary arteries may be obscured by overlying fat, myocardial bridging, or epicardial scarring. High-frequency epicardial echocardiography can be used intraoperatively to quickly image and locate such arteries and eliminate the need for time-consuming epicardial exploration or potentially deleterious retrograde probing of distal coronary artery branches. This technique can be applied using commercially available equipment and the aid of a skilled technician.
Terpenes and sesquiterpenes of Chamaecyparis nootkatensis leaf oil

Abstract The composition of the leaf oil of Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is reported. The terpene fraction consists of (−)-α-pinene, (+)-3-carene and (+)-limonene together with small amounts of (−)-β-pinene, myrcene and two unidentified hydrocarbons. The sesquiterpene fraction is largely a mixture of levoratory α-, β-, and γ-curcumenes with lesser amounts of (−)-α-copaene, (+)-α-ylangene, (+)-longifolene, (+)-δ-cadinene, (+)-γ-cadinene, (+)-β-bisabolene, β-farnesene, (+)-trans-nerolidol and three substances which have not been fully characterized. One of these appears to be a mixture of diastereomeric “calamenenes”; the others are new sesquiterpenes which we designate as α- and β-alaskene. Valencene and nootkatene, previously reported from the heartwood oil of this species, were not detected in the leaf oil. The biogenetic and chemotaxonomic implications of these results are discussed.
[3H]DU41165: A high affinity ligand and novel photoaffinity labeling reagent for the progesterone receptor

Abstract 17α-Acetoxy-6-fluoro-16-methylene-(9β, 10α )pregna-4,6-dien-3,20-dione (DU41165), a retroprogestin (9β,10α) embodying a fluorine-substituted dienone system, has been prepared in high specific activity tritium-labeled form (4 Ci/mmol) and shown to be a high affinity ligand for the progesterone receptor (PgR) and a highly selective photoaffinity labeling reagent for PgR. The radiosynthesis involved conversion of DU41231 (the 17α-hydroxy analog of DU41165) to DU41165 by treatment with tritum-labeled acetic anhydride. The binding affinity of DU41165 for PgR was determined by both a competitive binding assay and a direct binding assay (Scatchard analysis) to be 1.6–2.2-times higher than that of the high affinity synthetic progestin promegestone (R5020). In unlabeled form, DU41165 demonstrates photoinactivation of PgR to the extent of 60% at 60 min. In radiolabeled form [3H]DU41165 demonstrates specific covalent attachment with an efficiency of 5–7%. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of photoattached [3H]DU41165 confirms that there is covalent labeling of both the B subunit (Mr = 118,000), and the A subunit (Mr = 88,000) of PgR in a molar ratio of approximately 1:3.
The Effects of Salicylate on Auditory Evoked Potential Amplitwde from the Auditory Cortex and Auditory Brainstem

Abstract Tinnitus has often been studied using salicylate in animal models as they are capable of inducing temporary hearing loss and tinnitus. Studies have recently observed enhancement of auditory evoked responses of the auditory cortex (AC) post salicylate treatment which is also shown to be related to tinnitus like behavior in rats. The aim of this study was to observe if enhancements of the AC post salicylate treatment are also present at structures in the brainstem. Four male Sprague Dawley rats with AC implanted electrodes were tested for both AC and auditory brainstem response (ABR) recordings pre and post 250 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections of salicylate. The responses were recorded as the peak to trough amplitudes of P1-N1 (AC), ABR wave V, and ABR wave II. AC responses resulted in statistically significant enhancement of amplitude at 2 hours post salicylate with 90 dB stimuli tone bursts of 4, 8, 12, and 20 kHz. Wave V of ABR responses at 90 dB resulted in a statistically significant reduction of amplitude 2 hours post salicylate and a mean decrease of amplitude of 31% for 16 kHz. Wave II amplitudes at 2 hours post treatment were significantly reduced for 4, 12, and 20 kHz stimuli at 90 dB SPL. Our results suggest that the enhancement changes of the AC related to salicylate induced tinnitus are generated superior to the level of the inferior colliculus and may originate in the AC.
Control of structures with friction controllable sliding isolation bearings

Abstract A friction controllable sliding isolation system was developed and experimentally and analytically investigated by Feng et al. (Feng, Q., Shinozuka, M. & Fujii, S. A. friction controllable sliding isolation system. J. Eng. Mech., ASCE, 1993, 119(6), in press), the control algorithm having been developed based on a key assumption that the structural motion is always in the sliding phase. However, this assumption may not be valid in cases where the sticking phase of the structural motion dominates. In this paper a new control algorithm is developed including the effects of stick—slip phases. Effect of time delay is included in the formulation. The developed algorithm is used to evaluate the accuracy and limitations of the algorithm with continuous sliding assumption. Response to various earthquake motions, simulated using the two control algorithms, is presented. Comparisons with experimental results are also presented. Effects of stick—slip phases on the response are evaluated.
Patterns of traffic offenses from adolescent licensure into early young adulthood.

Purpose This article examines adolescent psychosocial and problem behavior characteristics as predictors of traffic offenses from licensure to early young adulthood.
Calcium ion channels: challenges and successes in drug discovery

There are both opportunities and challenges in developing improved or novel therapeutics based on targeting voltage-gated calcium channels. Calcium channels are technically difficult with respect to target-based drug discovery but unquestionably are key points for influencing human physiology and pathophysiology. Many marketed drugs, including nifedipine, nimodipine, ethosuximide, pregabalin, and ziconotide, exert therapeutic efficacy via inhibition of calcium channels. Although there is no obvious path to improving these existing drugs, recent clinical results with dihydropyridine drugs point to testable strategies for treatment of Parkinson's disease and possibly other CNS disorders by inhibiting L-type calcium channels. Roles of T-type calcium channels in pain and in abnormal sleep are plausible and may soon be tested with clinical trials of novel therapeutics. Success with any of these trials certainly will be followed by intensive efforts for further refinements around the target class. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013, 2:85–104. doi: 10.1002/wmts.71 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Particle trajectories and terminal velocities in vertically oscillating fluids

The trajectories and terminal velocities of particles in vertically oscillating fluids have been studied by obtaining analytic and numerical solutions to the nonlinear Langevin equation representing a superposition of forces arising from particle acceleration, displaced fluid acceleration, buoyancy and particle-fluid drag as represented by an nth-power drag law. In vibrating fluids the directional particle velocities are found to be lower than in stationary fluids for drag exponents n > 1 and correspondingly higher for 0 < n < 1. The engineering significance of the results is discussed in relation to hold-up, separation and transport phenomena in vertically oscillating multiparticle-fluid systems. On a etudie les trajectoires et vitesses limites de particules dans un fluide sous oscillation verticale en obtenant des solutions numerique et analytique a l'equation non-lineaire de Langevin. Cette derniere represente une superposition des forces provenant des accelerations de la particule et du fluide deplace, de l'immersion et de la friction de la particule dans le fluide (relation de coefficient de trainee a la puissance n). Les vitesses directionnelles de la particule, dans un fluide sous vibration, sont moindres que celles dans un fluide stationnaire si n > 1 et plus grandes si 0 < n < 1. On discute de la signification des resultats obtenus en relation avec les phenomenes de circulation et de separation dans des systemes fluides-particules avec oscillation verticale.
International equities listed on the New York stock exchange: does type of issue or date of issue matter?

The initial short-term (21-day) and long-term (3-year) excess returns for foreign initial public offering (IPO) and seasoned equity offering (SEO) American depository receipts (ADRs) listed on the New York stock exchange from 1990 to 2009 are tested to determine differences in performance based on type of issue and date of issue for the decades of the 1990s and the 2000s. The overall sample outperformed the SP however, SEO ADRs outperformed IPO ADRs by nearly 19 % (relative to the market index). Breaking IPO and SEO ADR returns down by decade of issue shows that those listed in the 2000s for both samples drastically outperformed those listed in the 1990s in the long term. Both samples of ADRs listed in the 2000s also significantly outperformed the S&P 500 index in the first 36 months of trading. In the short-term results, for the first 21 days of trading, the SEO ADRs significantly outperformed the market by 2.1 %, while IPO ADRs outperformed by 0.97 % (though not significant).
Vertebrate Gastrulation: The BMP Sticker Shock

BMPs are essential regulators of cell fate during early embryonic development. Molecular genetics and in vivo imaging of cell behaviors in zebrafish now demonstrate a role for BMPs in the control of cell adhesion. The work reveals an important new mechanism governing cell movements during gastrulation.
Characteristics of Youth Food Preparation in Low-Income, African American Homes: Associations with Healthy Eating Index Scores

This study explores food preparation behaviors, including types of food prepared, methods of preparation, and frequency of preparation of low-income urban African American youth ages 9-15 in Baltimore City (n = 289) and analyzes a potential association to diet quality as measured through Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI) scores. Overall, the youth prepared their own food 6.7 ± 0.33 times per week without significant differences between age groups or genders as measured through pairwise comparison of means. Cereal, noodles, and sandwiches were amongst the foods prepared most frequently. Linear regression analysis found youth food preparation frequency was not significantly associated with total HEI (p = 0.59), sodium (p = 0.58), empty calories (p = 0.96), or dairy scores (p = 0.12). Younger age was associated with higher total HEI scores (p = 0.012) and higher dairy scores (p = 0.01) and female gender was associated with higher total HEI scores (p = 0.03), higher sodium scores (p = 0.03), and lower dairy scores (p = 0.008).
Loss of Curing Agent During Thin Film (Droplet) Curing of Thermoset Material

Abstract Recently, it has been reported by our group and others1.2 that loss of curing agent is encountered during the curing of small droplets or thin films of amine cured epoxies. In our earlier study3 results were reported on loss of curing agent in small droplets used in conducting the rnicrobond, single fiber test for determination of interfacial shear strength (ISS). It was reported that use of a volatile curing agent (meta-phenylene diamine (m-PDA) with DGEBA resin) resulted in increasing amounts of curing agent being lost (as measured by T8 of the cured droplets) with decreasing droplet size during the processing procedure. Droplets smaller than 150 micrometers were seen to lose up to 40% of the curing agent leading to alteration of the mechanical properties of the droplet and, therefore, causing measured values of ISS to be exceedingly low. Use of a less volatile curing agent (Jeffamine 700, a polyether diamine, Texaco Specialty Chemicals) in combination with DGEBA resin produced results which in...
Development Of Nonimaging Optics

This paper is concerned with the new field of nonimaging optics. Roughly this may be defined as the collection and redirection of light (or, more generally, electromagnetic radiation) by means of optical systems which do not make use of image formation concepts in their design. A non-trivial example is the compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) invented in 1965 for collecting Cerenkov radiation from large volumes of gas and concentrating it onto the relatively small area of a photomultiplier cathode. This task would, according to conventional optical practice, be performed by a lens or mirror image-forming system of high numerical aperture, but much greater concentration was achieved by a comparatively simple de-vice, the CPC. The key was to abandon the principle of imaging with high numerical aperture and instead to get the collected rays into as small an area as possible without attempting to produce an image.
Isospin Dependence of Experimental Nuclear Deformations

Isospin effects in nucleon inelastic scattering have been studied by comparing quadrupole deformation parameters deduced from measured ($n, {n}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) cross sections with values for ($p, {p}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) and values for electromagnetic excitation found in the literature. Proton-vibrational nuclei with $N=50$ and neutron-vibrational nuclei with $Z=50$ were studied. Predicted effects of core polarization are observed. Difficulties in interpreting detailed numerical relationships are discussed.
MRI-based Protocol to Characterize the Relationship Between Bicuspid Aortic Valve Morphology and Hemodynamics

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect and can lead to severe complications. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the potential of geometric and hemodynamic biomarkers to predict BAV-related aortopathy. This work proposes a novel semi-automatic protocol to characterize geometry and hemodynamics of aorta and aortic valve based on 2D cine and 4D flow MRI data. The protocol was applied to 12 BAV and 12 control subjects. Statistical differences between the groups were identified and linear regression models were investigated to elucidate the potential of this protocol to investigate the risk of disease progression. Statistical differences between the groups were found for orifice eccentricity, aorta diameter, velocity, jet angle and flow displacement. Key findings of the regression analysis include the association in the proximal ascending aorta between aorta diameter and mean velocity (negative), jet angle (positive) and flow displacement (positive), in the combined cohort. Positive association between flow displacement in the proximal aorta and orifice jet angle in TAV subjects was found. This study represents a pilot application of a protocol for standardized assessment of aortic geometry and hemodynamics associated with BAV disease. Its limited need for user input is advantageous for large cohort studies.
Sensitivity to ethanol in female mice: Effects of ovariectomy and strain

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of ovariectomy (OVX) on alcohol sensitivity in mice. In the first experiment, OVX, sham-operated, and nonsurgical control C57BL mice were examined for brain alcohol levels associated with alcohol-induced motor incoordination, alcohol-induced loss of righting reflex, and voluntary alcohol consumption. The second experiment employed four strains of mice (C57BL, C3H, DBA, and Swiss Webster) to evaluate the influence of OVX on alcohol-induced spontaneous activity. Taken together, the results indicated that surgical removal of the ovaries in mice does not influence alcohol-induced motor incoordination, loss of righting reflex, or spontaneous activity. Voluntary alcohol consumption, however, was affected by ovariectomy, since mice in the OVX group consumed less alcohol relative to body weight (g/kg) than controls.
The community impact of a work evaluation unit: a controlled study.

Abstract The results suggest, but by no means prove, that for the Western New York Community, the Cardiac Work Evaluation Unit serves mainly in an education capacity. For certain industries a service is rendered the employer by the Unit, but many individuals, especially if free of significant emotional disease, are able to secure their own re-employment following a heart attack. The biggest problem area remains the middle-aged, unskilled worker in heavy industry. The Work Evaluation Unit has been of minimal help to this group, and they are the people who seem unable to help themselves occupationally. Premature retirement under social security disability benefits has been the eventual outcome for many of these people.
Digital Reference: A Case Study of Question Types in an Academic Library

An analysis of reference questions received by the digital reference service of a medium‐sized academic library over a two‐year period showed that the service could handle the full range of simple to complex questions typically asked at a physical reference desk. Because broad or complex questions can be difficult to answer remotely, suggests a strategy for improving the process of answering such questions in the digital environment.
Coaxial scattering probe of the surface and subsurface structure of the Si{100}-(2 × 1) and -(1 × 1)-H phases

Abstract It is demonstrated that both surface and subsurface structural information can be obtained from Si{100}-(2 × 1) and Si{100}-(1 × 1)-H by coupling coaxial time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS) with three-dimensional trajectory simulations. Experimentally, backscattering intensity versus both incident α and azimuthal δ angle scans at a scattering angle of ∼ 180° have been measured for 2 keV He+ incident on both the (2 × 1) and (1 × 1)-H surfaces. Computationally, an efficient three-dimensional version of the Monte Carlo computer code RECAD has been developed and applied to simulation of the TOF-SARS results. An R (reliability) factor has been introduced for quantitative evaluation of the agreement between experimental and simulated scans. For the case of 2 keV He+ scattering from Si{100}, scattering features can be observed and delineated from as many as 14 atomic layers ( ≈ 18 A ) below the surface. The sensitivity of the α and δ scans to the amplitudes of both surface and bulk vibrations, the interlayer spacings, the intradimer spacing (in the (2 × 1) reconstructed phase) and the presence of hydrogen atoms (in the (1 × 1) phase) is explored. The intradimer spacing D is determined as 2.2 A from the minimum in the R-factor versus D plot.
Life-cycle cost analysis of energy efficiency design options for residential furnaces and boilers

In 2001, the US Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a rulemaking process to consider whether to amend the existing energy efficiency standards for furnaces and boilers. A key factor in DOE's consideration of new standards is the economic impacts on consumers of possible revisions to energy-efficiency standards. Determining cost-effectiveness requires an appropriate comparison of the additional first cost of energy efficiency design options with the savings in operating costs. DOE's preferred approach involves comparing the total life-cycle cost (LCC) of owning and operating a more efficient appliance with the LCC for a baseline design. This study describes the method used to conduct the LCC analysis and presents the estimated change in LCC associated with more energy-efficient equipment. The results indicate that efficiency improvement relative to the baseline design can reduce the LCC in each of the product classes considered.
Four cycles of chemotherapy and regional radiation therapy for clinical early‐stage and intermediate‐stage Hodgkin's disease

To achieve a high percentage of durable complete remissions (CR) and prolonged survivals and reduce toxicity in patients with early-stage and intermediate-stage Hodgkin's disease, a randomized trial of four cycles of mech-Iorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) versus four cycles of thiotepa, bleomycin, and vinblastine (TBV) combined with regional radiation therapy (RT) was conducted. For MOPP and RT, the CR percentage was 98% (60 of 61), and at 5 years, the percentage of patients in CR was 90%, with freedom from progression of 89% and overall survival of 91%. For TBV and RT, the CR percentage was 93% (55 of 59), with a 5-year duration of CR of 83%, freedom from progression of 81%, and overall survival of 91% (P > 0.15). The median follow-up was 65 months (range, 7 to 96 months). For 27 patients with clinical Stage IIIA, the CR percentage for MOPP and RT was 75% (12 of 16), with 1 relapse and 4 deaths. For TBV and RT, the CR percentage for clinical Stage IIIA was 73% (8 of 11) with 2 relapses and 2 deaths. Short-term toxicity except for transient leukopenia was less for TBV and RT than for MOPP and RT. Good results are achievable with combined treatment without excessive toxicity. Cancer 1992; 69:1052–1060.
Contending with a Development Disaster: SONO Filters Remove Arsenic from Well Water in Bangladesh (Innovations Case Discussion: SONO Filters)

ishing with it. Instead, engaging with science for the public good requires one to solve problems in a manner acceptable to the people whom research breakthroughs will benefit. This premise has guided my thinking for at least the last fifteen years of my career, during which time I have joined with many other concerned scientists and physicians in mitigating the effects of arsenic laden ground water in the Ganges river delta region of South Asia. I originally come from Kushtia, Bangladesh, an area very much affected by this problem and where much of my family still lives, but for over twenty years I have taught and researched at George Mason University in Virginia, where I specialize in analytical chemistry. Since 1997, I have worked closely with my brother, Dr. A.K. Munir, on the problem of arsenic poisoning, a matter of great urgency that hundreds of thousands of people throughout Eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal face every day when they satisfy their most simple of needs by drinking a cup of water. Beginning in the late 90’s with the development of detection systems to measure the trace amount of arsenic in the groundwater, my brother and I then began experiments with filtration systems that could remove arsenic from ground water
A phenomenological approach to psychoprosthetics.

The phenomenology of human embodiment can advance the practitioner’s understanding of the lived human body and in particular, what it means to incorporate a prosthetic device into one’s body. In order for a prosthesis to be incorporated into the lived body of the patient, the prosthesis must arguably be integrated into the body schema. This article uses the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and others to identify three of the necessary conditions of embodiment that determine the body schema: corporeal understanding, transparency and sensorimotor feedback. It then examines the structure of each of these conditions of embodiment and how they impact the lived body’s incorporation of prostheses and other artifacts.Implications for RehabilitationPhenomenology complements evidence-based research in the field of psychoprosthetics by a systematic study of the experience of what it is like for the prosthesis user to incorporate a prosthetic device into his or her body.The practictioner can use phenomenologica...
Evaluation of needs of high- and low-income families following paediatric traumatic brain injury

This paper assesses the needs of high- and low-income caregivers shortly after the traumatic brain injury of their child. The Family Needs Questionnaire [1], developed to assess the priorities and satisfaction of needs among family members, was administered to 49 caregivers. Surprisingly, caregivers from both groups displayed similar patterns of priorities and rated their most important needs as met. Caregivers' most important needs included clear information, therapy input, and understanding from professionals and classroom teachers. Personal needs, family support, and future patient-related concerns were devalued by both groups. These results are discussed as having implications for identification of high-risk families, treatment goals, and community reintegration needs.
A model for population-recreational quality interactions of a fresh water site

Abstract A computer model is devised to explore the structure of the population-recreational site quality relationship. The model is comprised of a hydrology-pollution section and a population forecasting section. The hydrology-pollution section translates the total population load on the watershed of the site into pollutant concentrations in the lake. The population forecasting section determines recreational demand temporally modified by the level of crowding and perceived pollution quality of the lake. Both sections are coupled into a cyclic system iteratively updated on a yearly basis. The 12 yr dynamic performance of a scenic fresh water site located outside of a number of major population centers is illustrated as a test case. The model is programmed for operation on the IBM 360/50 digital computer.
Urgent cerebral revascularization bypass surgery for iatrogenic skull base internal carotid artery injury.

BACKGROUND When feasible, the management of iatrogenic internal carotid artery (ICA) injury during skull base surgery is mainly endovascular. OBJECTIVE To propose a cerebral revascularization procedure as a rescue option when endovascular treatment is not feasible. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass procedures performed between July 2007 and January 2014. RESULTS From 235 procedures, we identified 8 consecutive patients with iatrogenic ICA injury managed with an EC-IC bypass. Injury to the ICA occurred during an endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (n=3), endoscopic transfacial-transmaxillary surgery (n=1), myringotomy (n=1), cavernous sinus meningioma resection (n=1), posterior communicating artery aneurysm clipping (n=1), and cavernous ICA aneurysm coiling (n=1). Endovascular management was considered first-line treatment but was not successful. All patients received a high-flow EC-IC bypass. At a mean clinical/radiographic follow-up of 19 months (range, 3-36 months), all patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1. All bypasses remained patent. CONCLUSION Iatrogenic injury of the skull base ICA is uncommon but can lead to lethal consequences. Many injuries can be treated with endovascular techniques. However, certain cases may still require a cerebral revascularization procedure.
Effects of cadmium on gene expression in cadmium-tolerant and cadmium-sensitiveDatura innoxia cells.

The effect of Cd on gene expression in suspension cultures of twoDatura innoxia cell lines with differing Cd tolerance was studied.In vivo labeling experiments using [3H] leucine showed that Cd induced the synthesis of a similar range of proteins in both cell lines at a concentration which will kill the sensitive but not the tolerant cells. Corresponding changes in levels of translatable mRNA were also observed. The induction of the synthesis of proteins by Cd was transient since Cd-tolerant cells growing continuously in 250 μM CdCl2 contained a similar set ofin vitro translation products to cells growing in the absence of Cd. Although Cd had a similar effect on gene expression in both cell lines, Cd-tolerant cells possess two abundant mRNAs which are constitutively produced. These mRNAs encode proteins of low molecular weight (about 11 kDa) and are either absent or present at a low level in Cd-sensitive cells. The functions of these proteins are not known but they may be involved in the tolerance mechanism. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis ofin vitro translation products showed that many of the Cd-induced proteins are also induced by heat shock. A 42°C heat shock resulted in agreater range and more intense induction of translatable mRNAs than 4 h exposure to 250 μM CdCl2. However a subset of mRNAs were induced specifically by Cd while other mRNAs were heat shock-specific. There was no difference in the ability of the two cell lines to tolerate heat shock. This was also reflected by the same pattern of major proteins induced by heat shock in the two cell lines.
Advanced areas in information technology and related standards

Abstract Advances in computer and communications technologies will provide new capabilities in high resolution image capture, high speed processing of data, high density storage systems, and integration of data, voice and image information, and process cooperation across distributed, heterogeneous systems. Current activities at NIST support US Government requirements for standards and technical assistance to exploit advanced technologies.
Individual level determinants for not receiving immunization, receiving immunization with delay, and being severely underimmunized among rural western Kenyan children

Abstract Background Estimating vaccination coverage and delays are important because these measures can identify at risk sub-populations who can be targeted with interventions and public health policies. This paper sought to determine estimates and risk factors for children in rural western Kenya who did not receive immunization, received immunization with delay, or were severely underimmunized. Methods Caregivers of children aged 12–23 months old were surveyed for immunization history using written records from the immunization booklet. Risk factors for not receiving immunization, delayed immunization, and severe underimmunization were calculated using log-binomial regression. Children were categorized as delayed if a given immunization was received greater than four weeks from the age-appropriate scheduled date. Severely underimmunized children were those who were fully unvaccinated for more than 90 days and had three or more vaccines delayed or not given. Results Immunization coverage for pentavalent1, pentavalent3, measles, and fully immunized child (FIC; BCG, three doses of polio, three doses of pentavalent, and measles vaccines) were 99%, 94%, 83%, and 80%, respectively. Approximately, 10%, 24%, and 29%, of children were delayed for pentavalent1, pentavalent3, and measles, respectively. Each model produced a unique combination of risk factors with only advanced maternal age as a risk factor common to all models. Children with delayed receipt of pentavalent1 were at risk for not receiving pentavalent3 (RR: 5.20; 95%CI 3.48, 7.77), measles vaccine (RR: 1.48; 95%CI 1.12, 1.95), and not achieving FIC (RR: 1.88; 95%CI 1.51, 2.34) compared with children who received pentavalent1 on time. Conclusions Immunization coverage among 12–23 month old children was high, yet a substantial proportion of children were vaccinated with delay. Although vaccine coverage and timeliness are often conceptualized as separate measures, the finding that delayed pentavalent1 receipt was a strong risk factor for not receiving future immunizations indicates the two measures are intertwined.
Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5′-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor.

Multidrug resistance pumps (MDRs) protect microbial cells from both synthetic and natural antimicrobials. Amphipathic cations are preferred substrates of MDRs. Berberine alkaloids, which are cationic antimicrobials produced by a variety of plants, are readily extruded by MDRs. Several Berberis medicinal plants producing berberine were found also to synthesize an inhibitor of the NorA MDR pump of a human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibitor was identified as 5′-methoxyhydnocarpin (5′-MHC), previously reported as a minor component of chaulmoogra oil, a traditional therapy for leprosy. 5′-MHC is an amphipathic weak acid and is distinctly different from the cationic substrates of NorA. 5′-MHC had no antimicrobial activity alone but strongly potentiated the action of berberine and other NorA substrates against S. aureus. MDR-dependent efflux of ethidium bromide and berberine from S. aureus cells was completely inhibited by 5′-MHC. The level of accumulation of berberine in the cells was increased strongly in the presence of 5′-MHC, indicating that this plant compound effectively disabled the bacterial resistance mechanism against the berberine antimicrobial.
Measurement of intermodulation distortion in optical diodes

A measurement technique has been developed to directly determine the output two-tone, third-order intercept of microwave frequency p-i-n optical detector diodes. This method has been used to determine the bias dependence and frequency dependence of output third-order intercept for a p-i-n diode. It has been found that the third-order intercept increases monotonically with increasing reverse bias and decreases with increasing frequency. The maximum measurable output third-order intercept for a p-i-n diode has been found to be in excess of 10 dBm at 2 GHz. >
The fine structure of Meissner's touch corpuscles of human fingers.

Thin slices of the finger pads of six individuals were fixed in buffered 1 per cent osmic acid, embedded in deaerated, nitrogenated methacrylate, and cut into thin sections for electron microscopic study. Before embedding, the slices were trimmed so as to include several digital tactile corpuscles. Some thin sections were stained in 10 per cent aqueous phosphotungstic acid solution. The principal part of Meissner's corpuscle is made up of flattened laminar cells stretching across the corpuscle in irregular layers. The perinuclear cytoplasm of these cells contains numerous small mitochondria, a sparse granular endoplasmic reticulum, and a large number of small vesicles. Nerve fibers enter the side or base of the corpuscle, lose their myelin sheaths, and follow a meandering course between the laminar cell plates. The nerve endings enter into a close appositional relationship with the flattened portions of the laminar cells. In some areas the apposed axolemma and cell membranes are slightly thickened with small vesicles located along the cell membrane or on both surfaces. These regions are interpreted as synapses. The most prominent feature of the nerve endings is an extraordinary accumulation of small mitochondria which vary in size and internal density. The nerve endings also contain vacuoles, groups of dense concentric membranes, and small dense vesicles of irregular distribution. The laminar cells are separated from one another by a dense intercellular substance of uniform thickness which also envelops the entire corpuscle. This material contains randomly oriented collagen fibers and fine fibrils bound together by a dense material at nodal points recurring at regular intervals of approximately 120 mµ. These findings are discussed in relation to the problems of the function of Meissner's corpuscle, neural material loss and replacement, and the presence of synapses.
Cerebral Mechanisms Involved In Ipsilateral Eye-Hand Use In Split-Brain Monkeys

Abstract Seven chiasm-forebrain-split monkeys ( Macaca nemestrina ) were trained to perform, through one eye, a variety of visual discrimination problems by pushing with one hand the correct one of two black and white patterns presented simultaneously side by side. After learning with the first hand was completed, the other hand was tested and the extent of transfer was recorded. No transfer or savings was apparent on the average when the contralateral hand was trained first. By contrast, there was complete transfer to the contralateral hand when the ipsilateral hand was trained first. Two normal and three chiasm-split controls exhibited high-level transfer regardless of the order of the manual training. Training through one eye, paired first with one hand and then the other, in split-brain monkeys did not reduce the learning rates with the second eye. The evidence indicates that the corpus callosum is important for certain voluntary visually guided movements involving the use of a given hand across the midplane of the visual field. Eventually, control of ipsilateral extremities on a particular problem approached that of monkeys with the corpus callosum intact. It is proposed that this improvement in ipsilateral control involves ipsilateral motor participation in combination with motor regulatory mechanisms of the hemisphere contralateral to the sensory input.
Deontic reasoning as a target of selection: reply to Astington and Dack.

Abstract In their discussion of young children’s deontic reasoning performance, Astington and Dack (2013) made the following claims: (1) Children need more cues to elicit cogent social norm reasoning than adults require, namely, explicit reference to authority; (2) Deontic reasoning improves with age, and this is evidence against a nativist view; (3) All evolutionary explanations of deontic reasoning advantages require positing a ‘‘domain-specific deontic reasoning module.”; and (4) young children excel at deontic reasoning because it is easier. Here, I refute each claim. Instead, I argue that (1) Social norm reasoning is one type of deontic reasoning that has been the target of selective pressure; (2) Development does not preclude nativism; (3) Epistemic utterances make no greater processing demands than deontic utterances; and (4) both adult and child norm reasoning performance is strongly influenced by reference to or implication of authority.
Stochastic resonance: a signal+noise in a two state system

The term stochastic resonance (SR) describes a stochastic phenomenon which occurs in bistable systems when driven by a weak periodic signal embedded in noise of comparable intensity. The author discusses the phenomenology of stochastic resonance, outlines the theoretical questions, and demonstrates typical measurements on an analog simulator. The resonance occurs when the period of the signal becomes comparable to an internal time scale established by the noise. For such a condition, the signal-to-noise ratio of the response of the bistable system is maximized. >
A pulse transmission mode Q-switched Nd:YLF laser pumped by cylindrical microlens-collimated diode bars

A Q-switched cavity-dumped single-transverse-mode Nd:YLF laser pumped by two 60-W quasi-CW diode bars collimated using cylindrical microlens technology produced 4-mJ, 4.5-ns pulses. The pump geometry employed has many of the advantages of longitudinal pumping yet allows the use of high-power quasi-CW bars while requiring only 1 optical element. >
Ischemic heart disease diagnosed before sudden cardiac arrest is independently associated with improved survival.

Background Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a significant public health problem, and rates of survival after resuscitation remain well below 10%. While several resuscitation-related factors are consistently associated with survival from SCA, the impact of specific comorbid conditions has not been assessed. Methods and Results The Oregon Sudden Unexpected Study is an ongoing, multisource, community-based study in Portland, Oregon. Patients with SCA who underwent attempted resuscitation between 2002 and 2012 were included in this analysis if there were both arrest and prearrest medical records available. Information from the emergency medical services system, medical examiner, public health division, hospitals, and clinics was used to adjudicate SCA, evaluate comorbidities, and identify medical treatments. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the influence of prearrest comorbidities on survival to hospital discharge. Among 1466 included patients, established resuscitation-related predictors (Utstein factors) were associated with survival, consistent with prior reports. When a panel of prearrest comorbidities was evaluated along with Utstein factors, recognized coronary artery disease was significantly associated and predicted higher odds of survival (unadjusted odds ratio 1.5, P <0.001; adjusted odds ratio 1.5, P =0.02). In multivariable logistic models, prearrest coronary artery disease modified the survival effects of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but did not modify other Utstein factors. Conclusions An established diagnosis of coronary artery disease was associated with 50% higher odds of survival from resuscitated SCA after adjustment for all arrest-related predictors. These findings raise novel potential mechanistic insights into survival after SCA, while highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment of coronary artery disease.
Effect of Compression on the Water Management of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell With Different Gas Diffusion Layers

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays an important role in maintaining suitable water management in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The properties of the gas diffusion layer, such as its porosity, permeability, wettability, and thickness, are affected by the shoulders of the bipolar plates due to the compression applied in the assembly process. Compression therefore influences the water management inside fuel cells. A two-phase fuel cell model was used to study the water management problem in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with interdigitated flow channels. The effect of the compression on the fuel cell performance was numerically investigated for a variety of GDL parameters. This paper focuses on studying the water management of fuel cells under compression for various types of gas diffusion layers. First, the deformation of a gas diffusion layer due to compression applied from the shoulders of the bipolar plates was modeled as a plain-strain problem and was determined using finite element analysis (FEA). The porosity and the permeability of the gas diffusion layer were then recalculated based on the deformation results. Next, the deformed domain from the FEA model was coupled with a fuel cell model, and the effects of the compression during the assembly process on the water management and fuel cell performance were studied for gas diffusion layers with different thicknesses, porosities, and compressive moduli. It was found that the deformation of the GDL results in a low oxygen concentration at the reaction site. The saturation level of liquid water increases along the flow direction, and is higher when the compression effect is considered in the simulation.
Measurement-based model parameters for quasi-optical electron device arrays

Impedance element values for a Schottky beam control diode array are obtained by curve-fitting quasioptical reflection coefficient measurements to a series RLC array model. The model provides a good representation of the array behavior. Parameters of Schottky varactor arrays tested to-date are summarized. The technique should be applicable to other quasioptical arrays, as well. >
Persistent Dyspnea in a 59-Year-Old Woman Receiving Immunosuppressants

59-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with worsening shortness of breath and fatigue. Eight months earlier, she had received a living donor kidney transplant. She had been doing well on immunosuppressants, which were azathioprine, sirolimus, prednisone, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim; sirolimus was started 2 months prior to her current admission. Two weeks before this presentation, the patient was admitted for similar complaints with fever, and her condition was diagnosed as pneumonia and urinary tract infection complicated by gram-negative bacteremia. Subsequently, she was given meropenem and discharged with a 21-day prescription. Two weeks later, she presented to the transplant clinic with worsening fatigue and shortness of breath and was admitted. The patient’s medical history was signifi cant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and end-stage renal disease secondary to hemolytic uremic syndrome. She was a nonsmoker and denied a history of contact with sick persons, pets, or travel. There was no family history of malignancy.
Video-assisted and robotic mitral valve surgery: toward an endoscopic surgery.

Our group at East Carolina University recently has shown the efficacy of new video-assisted mitral valve surgery. Moreover, we review the evolution and predict the future of endoscopic and robotic-enabling technology for cardiac valve surgery. Herein, a video-assisted mitral valve operation is described and early results are discussed. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established via the femoral vessels, and blood cardioplegic arrest was induced by using a new percutaneous, transthoracic cross-clamp. A 6-cm minithoracotomy was used in each patient. Videoscopy was helpful for suture placement, chord reconstruction, leaflet resection, knot tying, and valve ring or prosthesis positioning. Thus far, 85 patients have undergone this surgery successfully with a 1.2% surgical mortality rate. Our early study with cost data is reviewed in detail. Cardiopulmonary perfusion times and cross-clamp periods for the entire group have been longer than for conventional sternotomy patients at 167 ± 4.6 minutes and 120 ± 4.0 minutes, respectively, but complications have been less. Complex repairs and replacements were possible. Bleeding, ventilatory times, and hospital lengths of stay have been reduced. One patient required a second surgery for a failed repair. Recently, we have used voice-activated, robotic assistance for camera control in 28 patients. This has decreased camera motion artifact and lens cleaning while providing direct cerebral-eye tracking of instruments by the surgeon. From this and other studies we reviewed, we conclude that video-assisted and computer-assisted robotic techniques are safe and may be the pathway to truly endoscopic mitral valve surgery.
One‐Band One‐Site Model for Crystal Imperfections

The one-band one-site model for crystal imperfections, introduced by Koster and Slater, is critically examined. A simple improvement scheme, which is equivalent to a many-band one-site model, is proposed. These ideas are tested on a case for which exact solutions are known, namely, a one-dimensional potential well. It is found that the one-band one-site approximation gives rather unreliable results, in general, and that the improvement scheme is indeed an improvement, converging to the exact answer as the one-site approximation becomes exact. Das von Koster und Slater eingefuhrte „one-band one-site”-Modell fur Kristalldefekte wird kritisch untersucht. Ein einfaches Verbesserungsschema wird vorgeschlagen, das mit einem „many-band one-site” Modell identisch ist. Diese Ideen werden fur den Fall des eindimensionalen Potentialtopfes getestet, fur den exakte Losungen bekannt sind. Es wird gefunden, das die „one-band one-site” Naherung im allgemeinen ziemlich unzuverlassige Ergebnisse liefert und das das Verbesserungsschema tatsachlich eine Verbesserung bedeutet und gegen die exakte Losung konvergiert, wenn die „one-site” Naherung exakt wird.