cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppression of ethanol withdrawal by dopamine

An ethanol-inhalation technique was used to determine a potential relationship between dopamine and central nervous effects produced by alcohol. Both L-DOPA and intracranially injected dopamine resulted in attenuation of ethanol-induced withdrawal convulsion scores, whereas, haloperidol, a known dopaminergic blocker was found to significantly increase convulsion scores.
A comparison of bayes estimators and constrained least square estimators

The mathematical properties of the Bayes estimator (BE) and the mixed estimator (constrained least square estimator (CLS)) for stochastic constraints, are compared. Conditions under which they have the same mathematical form are given. The mean square error (MSE) of the two kinds of estimators are compared. Ridge type estimators are shown to be special cases of both BE and CLS.
Review : Recent Advances in the Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease: Focus on Primary Prevention

Background: Several new strategies for prevention of coronary artery disease have emerged. This review examines the various approaches to primary prevention, and some aspects of secondary prevention.Methods and Results : The role of aspirin, beta-blockers, exercise, diets, fish intake, vitamin E, and folic acid are discussed. The potential role of chlamydia in atherosclerosis, the pro tective effect of alcohol consumption, and the benefits of female sex hormones are also examined. An update on lipid-lowering therapy, and a summary of the recent major clinical trials establishing the use of 3-hydroxy-3-methylgluataryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, are provided.Conclusions: An aggressive approach to medical management of coronary artery disease a substantial reduction in risk.
Evidence of pressure-forced turbulent flow in a forest

Lagged cross-correlation analyses between streamwise velocity at several heights within and above a forest, and between streamwise velocity and surface pressure, provide evidence that turbulence in the sub-crown region of the forest is to a large extent driven by pressure perturbations. The analyses support earlier results based on examination of coherent structures observed in the same forest. The phase of the streamwise velocity signal exhibits an increasing delay with decreasing height, indicative of a downwind tilted structure, until the upper region of the forest is reached, at which point the effect is reversed. It is suggested that positive pressure perturbations ahead of advancing microfronts induce streamwise accelerations in the trunk space. This link between the pressure pattern and the wind field explains why velocity spectra in the trunk space are depleted in the higher frequencies, relative to levels above.
Formation of Vertically Oriented TiO2 Nanotube Arrays using a Fluoride Free HCl Aqueous Electrolyte

Described is the synthesis of TiO2 nanotube array thin films by anodization of Ti foil in an aqueous HCl electrolyte. This process represents an alternative electrolyte that can be utilized instead of fluoride-containing electrolytes. Nanotube arrays up to 300 nm in length, 15 nm inner pore diameter, and 10 nm wall thickness were obtained by using a 3 M HCl aqueous electrolyte for anodization potentials between 10 and 13 V. An anodization voltage of up to 20 V could be used if it was increased stepwise with a resulting nanotube length of approximately 600 nm; however, the resulting nanotubes are not as well-ordered as those fabricated by a constant anodization voltage. The addition of a low concentration of H3PO4 as a buffering medium in the concentration range 0.01−0.1 M expands the anodization voltage up to 14 V but the architectures formed more closely resemble rods than tubes.
Pyridoxine Dependency Seizures: Report of a Case With Unusual Features

Pyridoxine dependency is a rare cause of neonatal seizures. Newborns with this disorder are often hyperirritable and fail to respond to the usual anticonvulsants. The diagnosis is established by cessation of seizures after the administration of parenteral pyridoxine. Reported is a case of pyridoxine dependency that illustrates several problems in management. The amount of pyridoxine required to control seizures is variable and may exceed 100 mg per day. The electroencephalogram (EEG) may not change significantly during the initiation of therapy. During intercurrent illnesses, parenteral pyridoxine may need to be given. Additional pyridoxine may be needed even when the EEG is normal. Treatment should continue indefinitely. (J Child Neurol 1987;2;38-40).
Cu0.66EuTe2, KCu2EuTe4 and Na0.2Ag2.8EuTe4: compounds with modulated square Te nets

Reactions of europium with copper or silver in molten alkali metal/polytelluride fluxes have produced the new polytelluride compounds, Cu 0.66 EuTe 2 , KCu 2 EuTe 4 and Na 0.2 Ag 2.8 EuTe 4 . All three compounds are stable in air and crystallize as red–brown plates in tetragonal space groups. Cu 0.66 EuTe 2 crystallizes in the space groupP4/nmm with a = 4.481(2), c = 10.260(3) A (at 23 °C) and Z = 2. KCu 2 EuTe 4 and Na 0.2 Ag 2.8 EuTe 4 are isostructural and crystallize in the space group P4mm with a = 4.4365(6), c = 11.365(2) A (at 23 °C) for KCu 2 EuTe 4 , and a = 4.4544(6), c = 11.106(2) A (at 23 °C) for Na 0.2 Ag 2.8 EuTe 4 . Cu 0.66 EuTe 2 adopts the CaMnBi 2 structure-type with square antiprismatic europium atoms sandwiched between an anti-PbO type layer of [CuTe] – and a flat square net of tellurium. The structure of KCu 2 EuTe 4 can be derived from that of Cu 0.66 EuTe 2 by systematically replacing half of the europium atoms in the framework with potassium. Electron diffraction studies on KCu 2 EuTe 4 and Na 0.2 Ag 2.8 EuTe 4 suggest a 1a × 7b superlattice, the result of a charge density wave (CDW) distortion in the square Te net of these compounds. KCu 2 EuTe 4 exhibits semimetallic behavior while Na 0.2 Ag 2.8 EuTe 4 is a p-type semiconductor with a bandgap of 0.24 eV.
Critical current density and upper critical field for epitaxial Y2Ba4Cu8O16 films

Abstract Temperature and field dependence of the critical current density (Jc) and upper critical field (Hc2) in epitaxial Y2Ba4Cu8O16 films are reported. Jc (T,H) data are in excellent agreement with a model of thermally activated flux motion in type-II superconductors. The pinning potential varies from 283 to 125 meV for zero to 40 KG fields and the pre-exponential frequency is in the GHz range. A critical comparison of our data with reports on YBa2Cu3O7 indicates that the flux line lattice is more dynamic in Y2Ba4Cu8O16. The anisotropy in the Ginsberg-Landau coherence length deduced from the slope of the Hc2 phase boundary is comparable to that in YBa2Cu3O7.
Interactions between groundwater seepage and sediment porewater sulphate concentration profiles in lake anna, Virginia

Most sulphur diagenesis models predict that SO42- concentrations decrease exponentially with increasing sediment depth and are lower than that of the overlying water throughout the sediments. Low SO42- concentrations (less than 0.2 mM) are common in the sediments of Lake Anna that receive acid mine drainage; however, sediment with as much as 20 mM SO42- at about 20cm below the sediment surface is also seen in this section of the lake. A decision tree was proposed to investigate the cause of the high SO42- concentrations at depth (HSD) in the sediment. The first possibility proposed was that an increase in the quantity of groundwater flowing through Lake Anna sediments may increase groundwater advection of SO42- or oxygen which would induce sulphide oxidation. This hypothesis was tested by measuring groundwater flow. HSD profiles were found in a discrete region of the lake; however, stations having these profiles did not have higher groundwater flow than other sites sampled. Alternate explanations for the HSD profiles were that the region in which they occurred had: (1) unusual sediment chemical compositions; (2) a different source of regional groundwater, or (3) a lateral intrusion of high SO42- groundwater. There were no differences in sulphide and organic matter concentrations between the two regions. The area which has HSD in the sediment covers a large area in the middle of the lake, so it is unlikely that it has a unique source of regional groundwater. The third alternative was supported by the fact that in all three sample years, HSD stations were located in the preimpoundment stream channel, which is a likely lateral flow path for groundwater containing high SO42- concentrations.
Detection of High Energy Protons by Thin-Window Lithium-Drifted Germanium Counters

Recent developments in producing thin-window Li-drifted germanium detectors have enabled us to investigate their response to 29- and 40-MeV protons. The window is of negligible thickness for long-range particles, probably about 0.5 ?, although a precise measurement has not been made. Resolutions of 28 and 44 keV (FWHM) were obtained on 29- and 40-MeV protons, respectively. After subtracting nondetector contributions, mainly the energy spread in the cyclotron beam, the resolutions obtained approach the theoretical limit for a Ge detector. A brief discussion of the response of a 0.5 cm thick, high-voltage Li-drifted silicon detector is also presented. Although extensive measurements have yet to be performed, these devices appear to be capable of a resolution approximately equal to that for Ge detectors for 29-MeV protons.
The Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies of African American Faculty Teaching at Predominantly White Institutions

African American faculty constitute a small number of faculty members who teach at predominantly White colleges and universities. Although their presence within these institutions is beneficial for a number of reasons, they often face many challenges on various levels. In this paper the authors address the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social and legal concerns faced by African American faculty who teach at majority institutions. Recommendations for thriving in these environments are given.
Determination of angiotensin II in blood–brain barrier permeability studies using microbore LC with p-nitrophenyl-2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate bis-tetrahydropyranyl ether as a pre-separation electrochemical labeling reagent

Abstract Angiotensin II has been determined using microbore LC after pre-column derivatization with the novel derivatization reagent, p -nitrophenyl 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate, bis-tetrahydropyranyl ether (NDTE). Derivatization of trace concentrations of angiotensin II, angiotensin III and angiotensin II 3–8 was complete after 4 h at 25°C and resulted in the formation of an electrochemically active derivative possessing a hydroquinone. After suitable sample preparation, samples were analyzed using gradient elution microbore LC-EC with a radial-flow electrochemical thin-layer detection cell set at a potential of +250 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, [Cl − ]=15 mM. The concentration limit of detection for angiotensin II was found to be 62.5 nM (39 fmol injected). Samples obtained during in vitro blood–brain barrier transport studies were subjected to an appropriate preparation protocol subsequently and analyzed for angiotensin II using the described method. Semi-linear permeation of angiotensin II across a cultured, bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell monolayer was monitored for 2 h at concentrations ranging from 80 to 495 nM (84–518 ng ml −1 ).
Development of a novel method to create double-strand break repair fingerprints using next-generation sequencing.

Abstract Efficient DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is a critical determinant of cell survival in response to DNA damaging agents, and it plays a key role in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) represent the two major pathways by which DSBs are repaired in mammalian cells. We now understand that HR and NHEJ repair are composed of multiple sub-pathways, some of which still remain poorly understood. As such, there is great interest in the development of novel assays to interrogate these key pathways, which could lead to the development of novel therapeutics, and a better understanding of how DSBs are repaired. Furthermore, assays which can measure repair specifically at endogenous chromosomal loci are of particular interest, because of an emerging understanding that chromatin interactions heavily influence DSB repair pathway choice. Here, we present the design and validation of a novel, next-generation sequencing-based approach to study DSB repair at chromosomal loci in cells. We demonstrate that NHEJ repair “fingerprints” can be identified using our assay, which are dependent on the status of key DSB repair proteins. In addition, we have validated that our system can be used to detect dynamic shifts in DSB repair activity in response to specific perturbations. This approach represents a unique alternative to many currently available DSB repair assays, which typical rely on the expression of reporter genes as an indirect read-out for repair. As such, we believe this tool will be useful for DNA repair researchers to study NHEJ repair in a high-throughput and sensitive manner, with the capacity to detect subtle changes in DSB repair patterns that was not possible previously.
Incidence, associations, and evaluation of sixth nerve palsy using a population-based method

Abstract Purpose To determine the incidence of sixth nerve palsy in a population-based study, with particular emphasis on associated coexisting medical conditions and to use these data to develop a management algorithm. Design Retrospective, population-based case series. Participants All residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy between January 1, 1978 and December 31, 1992. Methods All cases were identified by using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records linkage system, which captures all patient-physician encounters in Olmsted County. The entire medical record of each patient was reviewed to confirm the diagnosis, document county residency, and to determine associated medical conditions. We used stringent predetermined criteria to define diabetes mellitus and hypertension as associations. Incidence rates were adjusted to the age and gender distribution of the 1990 white population in the United States. Main outcome measures Etiology or systemic associations of the palsy. Results We identified 137 new cases of sixth nerve palsy over the 15-year period. The age- and gender-adjusted annual incidence of sixth nerve palsy was 11.3/100 000 (95% confidence interval, 9.3–13.2/100 000). Causes and associations were: undetermined (26%), hypertension alone (19%), coexistent hypertension and diabetes (12%), trauma (12%), multiple sclerosis (7%), neoplasm (5%), diabetes alone (4%), cerebrovascular accident (4%), postneurosurgery (3%), aneurysm (2%), and other (8%). When sixth nerve palsy was the presenting sign in cases of neoplasm (n = 1) and aneurysm (n = 3), history and examination revealed the presence of other neurologic symptoms or signs. Conclusions We provide population-based data on the incidence of sixth nerve palsy with a notably lower incidence of neoplasm and higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension than previous institution-based series. We suggest that patients with nontraumatic neurologically isolated sixth nerve palsy may undergo a focused medical evaluation followed by close observation, whereas non–neurologically isolated cases warrant a full neurologic evaluation, including prompt neuroimaging.
SYMPOSIUM: Experimental Biology 1995 Role of Mesangial Cell Ion Transport in Glomerular Physiology and Disease: CALCIUM AND CALCIUM‐RELATED SIGNALLING PATHWAYS IN GLOMERULAR MESANGIAL CELLS

1. Calcium is an important cation for many of the physiological and pathophysiological functions of the mesangial cell. Calcium binds to many proteins in the cell. some of these proteins seemingly serve, primarily, as intracellular buffers for calcium, whose intracellular concentration must be strictly controlled. In addition to these buffering proteins, a large number of proteins are regulated by calcium. These proteins are important for mesangial cell structural integrity, maintenance of internal ionic composition, contractility, effector responses to a variety of hormones and growth factors, and production of inflammatory mediators. 2. Calcium homeostasis in mesangial cells is complex. Cells respond to vasoactive peptides and growth factors with increases in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) due to Ca2+ release from intracellular storage sites and entry across the cell plasma membrane. 3. Individual mesangial cells respond to arginine vasopressin with repetitive [Ca2+]i spikes. Increasing the concentration of vasopressin up to 10 nmol/L increases the frequency of the repetitive Ca2+ spikes. The amplitude of the oscillations does not vary with the concentration of vasopressin used. 4. The presence of Ca2+ oscillations whose frequency varies with ligand concentration suggests that the Ca2+ signal may encode its information through a frequency-dependent mode in addition to, or rather than, an amplitude-dependent mode. Calcium can change the conformation of proteins and can change catalytic activity of enzymes directly. 5. Another important mode of regulation by calcium is demonstrated by cytosolic phospholipase A2, where calcium is important not for catalytic activity directly but for the apposition of enzyme with substrate so that the catalytic activity may be manifest.
The activation of adenylate cyclase: II. The postulated presence of (A) adenylate cyclase in a phospho (inhibited) form (B) a dephospho (activated) form with a cyclic adenylate stimulated membrane protein kinase

Membrane adenylate cyclase (AC) from polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes and platelet membranes are activated several fold by fluoride and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) respectively. Incubation of such activated membranes in a phosphorylating system inhibits cyclase activity. The inhibition can now be relieved by further treatment with fluoride and PGE1 respectively. These findings suggest that AC exists in an inhibited phospho- and activated dephospho-form. This is supported by the finding that membrane preparations from both sources contain a cyclic adenylate (cAMP) stimulated protein kinase and points to the existence of an adequate membrane phosphorylating system.
Imbibition in layered systems of packed beads

We study imbibition of a wetting fluid into layers of packed beads and examine how variations of permeability in the flow direction affect the dynamics of imbibition. In the case of systems made of two distinct layers, we show that the imbibition dynamics exhibit three regimes including diffusive-like imbibition as well as an unusual constant speed imbibition, which can be fine-tuned by adjusting the bead diameters and the length of the initial layer. We also perform experiments with gradients of permeability by ordering layers of beads of increasing (or decreasing) sizes in a tube. A continuum description is used to explain the results from the discrete experimental systems. In all cases, analytical models based on Darcy's equation show excellent agreement with the experiments.
Starch and sugar levels in three coniferous insect galls.

Starch, reducing, and non-reducing sugar levels were determined for three coniferous insect galls and compared with levels in normal tissue. Reducing sugar levels in tissue from two galls caused by Cecidomyiidae were significantly higher than those from normal needle tissue but levels were lower in tissue from galls caused by a species of Chermes. Levels of non-reducing sugars were not significantly different in galled or normal tissue for any of the three galls studied. Starch concentration was significantly higher in tissue from all three galls than from tissue of normal needles. We suggest that quality, and perhaps quantity, of food materials in insect galls is related to feeding mechanism, or activities of the causative insect and that the galls function mainly as a specialized feeding site rather than a protective device. Zusammenfassung Uber den Starke- und Zuckergehalt in 3 Arten Insektengallen an Koniferen Es wurde der Gehalt an Starke, reduzierenden und nichtreduzierenden Zuckern in 3 von Insekten induzierten Gallenarten an Koniferen analysiert und mit den Werten im normalen Gewebe verglichen. Der Gehalt an reduzierenden Zuckern war in 2 Arten Cecidomyiidae-Gallen signifikant hoher als im normalen Nadelgewebe, dagegen niedriger in einer Art Adelgiden-Gallen. Die Werte von nichtreduzierenden Zuckern zeigten zwischen Normal- und Gallengewebe keine gesicherten Unterschiede. Die Starkekonzentration war signifikant hoher im Gewebe aller 3 Gallenarten gegenuber dem Normalgewebe. Es wird angenommen, das die Qualitat und vielleicht auch Quantitat des Nahrungsmateriales in Insektengallen zum Ernahrungsmechanismus oder zu anderen Aktivitaten der Galleninsekten in Beziehung steht und das die Gallen mehr fur die Ernahrung als fur den Schutz der Gallenbewohner Bedeutung haben.
Interfacial Nonradiative Energy Transfer in Responsive Core−Shell Hydrogel Nanoparticles

Fluorescently labeled core−shell latex particles composed mainly of the thermoresponsive polymer poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (p-NIPAm) have been synthesized such that an energy transfer donor (phenanthrene) and an energy transfer acceptor (anthracene) are covalently localized in the core and shell, respectively. When the thermally induced particle deswelling is interrogated by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), a continuous (non-first order) phase transition is observed. Conversely, when the nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) efficiency is used to probe the collapse of these same particles, the phase transition event is observed to occur over a much smaller temperature range and approaches first-order (discontinuous) behavior. Furthermore, core−shell particles with differing shell thicknesses display identical phase transition temperatures when PCS is used to monitor the transition, while NRET measurements show a clear increase in collapse temperature as the shell thickness is increased. These apparen...
Structure, process, and outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND. The health services research framework of structure, process, and outcome is used commonly to examine quality of care, and it indicates that structure influences process, which in turn influences outcomes. However, little empirical work has been done to test this hypothesis, particularly for medical rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES. To determine if, among stroke patients, (1) structure of care was associated with process of care, and (2) structure of care was associated with outcomes after adjusting for process. RESEARCH DESIGN. Two-year, prospective study of 288 acute stroke patients in 11 VA medical centers, of whom 128 were included in the current analysis. MEASURES. Structure of care: systemic organization, staffing expertise, and technological sophistication. Process of care: compliance with the AHCPR poststroke rehabilitation guidelines. Patient characteristics: baseline prior walking ability and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor subscale. Outcomes: the FIM motor subscale 6-months poststroke. RESULTS. The combination of systemic organization and staffing expertise, along with technological sophistication, were independent predictors of process of care (beta coefficients 0.21, P <0.05 and 0.37, P <0.001, respectively). When controlling simultaneously for patient characteristics, structure and process of care, structure of care did not have and process of care did have a statistically significant association (beta coefficient 0.18, P <0.01) with functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS. Better process of care was associated with better 6-month functional outcomes, therefore improving process of care probably would improve stroke outcomes. However, our results indicate that improving key structure of care elements might facilitate improving process of care for stroke patients.
Educators' and Parents' Perception of What School Nurses Do: The Influence of School Nurse/Student Ratios.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine how ratios influenced relationships between school nurses and the educators and parents with whom they work; and how the relationships influenced the understanding and value of the school nurse. A purposeful sampling of 33 participants from four states (New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan, and Utah) was included in the study. The results indicate both educators and parents perceived the primary role of the school nurse to be medication administration and first aid. The value and understanding of the role of the nurse was not based on the school nurse-to-student ratio. It was influenced by the quality of interactions with school nurses; and the extent to which the nurse was a member of the school team. School nurses must understand the culture of education in order to build professional relationships with administrators and be seen as valuable members of the school team.
The ARX story (epilepsy, mental retardation, autism, and cerebral malformations): one gene leads to many phenotypes.

Purpose of reviewInfantile spasms, mental retardation, autism, and dystonia represent disabling diseases for which little etiologic information is available. Mutations in the Aristaless related homeobox gene (ARX) have been found in patients with these conditions. This discovery provides important g
Interrelations between migration and fertility in Thailand

Based on special tabulations of 1960 census data on migration within Thailand, this analysis attempts to assess the role of migration in the urbanization process and the relation between migration and fertility. The importance of migration to urban growth is evidenced by the clearcut positive relationship between the percentage of persons classified as either lifetime or 5-year migrants and the urban character of their 1960 place of residence. Yet, the evidence also points to an increasing proportion of urban growth in recent decades attributable to natural increase. The specific relation between fertility and migration varies depending on the measure of migration used: Compared to nonmigrants in their place of destination, the fertility levels of lifetime migrants are not very different; but those of 5-year migrants are considerably lower. Regardless of migration status, however, fertility level is markedly lower for those living in urban places compared to those in rural places. This suggests the important role of both migration and urbanization in affecting fertility levels in Thailand.
Ion pumps get more glamorous.

A new study shows that the Na+/K+ ATPase can function as an integrator of spike activity and interacts with a K+ conductance to provide a cellular short-term memory of locomotion in the Drosophila larval motor circuit.
Evolution of the unsaturated zone testing at Yucca Mountain

The evaluation of the Yucca Mountain site has evolved from intensive surface based investigations in the early 1980s to current focus on testing in underground drifts. Different periods of site-characterization activities and prominent issues concerning the unsaturated zone are summarized. Data-collection activities have evolved from mapping of faults and fractures, to estimation of percolation through tuff layers, and to quantification of seepage into drifts. Evaluation of discrete flow paths in drifts has led to fracture-matrix interaction and matrix diffusion tests over different scales. The effects of tuff interfaces and local faults are evaluated in fractured-welded and porous-nonwelded units. Mobilization of matrix water and redistribution of moisture are measured in thermal tests. Lessons learned from underground tests are used to focus on processes needed for additional quantification. Migration through the drift shadow zone and liquid flow through faults are two important issues that have evolved from current knowledge.
Rising zinc: a significant cause of ischemic neuronal death in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus

There is a rising intracellular Zn2+ transient during neuronal ischemic hypoxia (oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation, OGD/R). The results of our recent works suggest that the OGD/R-induced Zn2+ transient can readily be mistaken for a Ca2+ transient. The aim of this study was to examine the respective functions of Zn2+ and Ca2+ in OGD/R-induced neuronal injury. We showed that [Zn2+]i accumulation was consistently met with the induction of OGD/R-induced cell injury. Ca2+ accumulation induced with high [K+] (to open voltage-gated calcium channels) or ionomycin (a Ca2+ ionophore) caused a moderate neuronal injury that was reduced significantly by the application of the Zn2+ chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN). In comparison, Zn2+ accumulation, induced with the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione, resulted in significantly greater injury. The application of nimodipine and MK801 was shown to attenuate neuronal injury only from a mild (10 mins) OGD insult. Neuronal injury from more severe (30 mins) OGD was not mitigated by the ion channel antagonists, whereas treatment with the Zn2+ chelator TPEN did afford significant protection from cell injury. These results indicate Zn2+-mediated damage to be of greater consequence than Ca2+-mediated damage, and collectively support the suggestion that Zn2+ accumulation may be a more significant causal factor of OGD/R-induced neuronal injury.
Distributed control of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on a smart grid

This paper explores the effect of a distributed control system for the charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles utilizing an agent-based approach in a smart grid. The vehicles are regarded as additional loads in addition to a primary forecasted load and use information transfer with the grid to make their charging decisions. MATLAB was used as the simulation tool to design the control strategy and simulate its effect on a power grid. The findings of this study are that the charging behavior and peak loads on the grid can be reduced by use of this distributed control strategy.
Assessment techniques for childhood depression: a critical appraisal.

Abstract Major techniques for assessing childhood depression, including self-report scales, interviews, projective techniques, peer ratings, and others, are reviewed and evaluated. Although several measures are available, the technology for assessment is not well developed. Few studies have examined facets of reliability and validity and a relatively restricted range of response modalities has been assessed. Several approaches for validation are suggested, including convergent and discriminant validation and differentiation of respondents. Selected assessment techniques for adult depression, including those based upon nonverbal behavior, EMG responses, and overt activity, are highlighted as possible additions to supplement information obtained by current methods for children.
Closed Loop Control of a Roll Straightening Process

Summary Manufacture of basic metal stock forms by hot or cold rolling or by extrusion often leads to a product that is long, thin and far from straight. This lack of straightness is exaggerated by subsequent heat treating in the case of aluminum products. A necessary step in manufacture of this stock is, therefore, selective bending of the material to improve straightness. However, this is a labor intensive, time consuming step since each piece has a unique shape, which must be accounted for individually. In this paper a novel strategy for controlling a three roll bending process is described that employs closed-loop regulation of the desired material shape. With this approach, lack of straightness in the in-feed material is treated as an output (or shape) disturbance, and by proper design the control system can be made to totally eliminate these variations. Considerations of speed, accuracy, and the material adaptive qualities of this system are presented along with experimental results from a lab scale machine.
In-cylinder oxygen mass fraction cycle-by-cycle estimation via a lyapunov-based observer design

This paper presents a nonlinear observer design for cycle-by-cycle estimation of the in-cylinder oxygen mass fraction at the intake valve closing (IVC) for Diesel engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. Such an observer can provide critical in-cylinder condition information for control of combustion, particularly advanced combustion modes on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The stability of the observer was shown through a Lyapunov analysis based on a mean-value model. Simulations based on a high-fidelity, computational, GT-Power engine model exhibited that the observer can effectively estimate the in-cylinder oxygen mass fraction at IVC on a cycle-by-cycle basis at both steady-state and transient operating conditions.
Effects of gelator 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) on ionic liquid based Pickering emulsions

Abstract We have examined the perturbation effects of 12-hydoxystearic acid (HSA) on ionic liquid (IL)-based Pickering emulsions. The 12-HSA gelled pure 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) ionic liquid and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oil effectively by the formation of entangled networks of thin fibers but not the water phase. In IL-in-water Pickering emulsions, the 12-HSA gelled the IL–water interfaces rather than the entire IL droplets since the 12-HSA partitioned into the water phase. In addition, we found that the morphology of interfacial gelation could be altered by manipulating cooling rate which provided a new way of controlling the solid particle transport into the dispersed phase. The 12-HSA effectively stabilized oil-in-IL Pickering emulsions by increasing the elastic modulus of the bulk phase and consequently overcoming the buoyancy force of the bridged droplets. These results indicate that phenomena unique to IL based Pickering emulsions can be tuned by the addition of an organogelator.
A 200-MHZ double-sideband to single-sideband converter in 1- mu m CMOS generated by silicon compiler

The design of a 43-tap Hilbert transform digital filter chip is presented. This chip is configured to provide both the conversion of a double-sideband (DSB) signal to a single-sideband (SSB) signal with a factor of two sampling rate reduction and the conversion of a SSB signal to a DSB signal with a factor of two sampling rate increase. The chip was fabricated in a 1- mu m n-well CMOS process and has been verified at sample rates in excess of 200 MHz. >
Virtual basestation: architecture for an open shared WiMAX framework

This paper presents the architecture and performance evaluation of a virtualized wide-area "4G" cellular wireless network. Specifically, it addresses the challenges of virtualization of resources in a cellular base station to enable shared use by multiple independent slice users (experimenters or mobile virtual network operators), each with possibly distinct flow types and network layer protocols. The proposed virtual basestation architecture is based on an external substrate which uses a layer-2 switched datapath, and an arbitrated control path to the WiMAX basestation. The framework implements virtualization of base station's radio resources to achieve isolation between multiple virtual networks. An algorithm for weighted fair sharing among multiple slices based on an airtime fairness metric has been implemented for the first release. Preliminary experimental results from the virtual basestation prototype are given, demonstrating mobile network performance, isolation across slices with different flow types, and custom flow scheduling capabilities.
24: Inter-rater agreement of qualitative grading for fetal echocardiographic findings in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

points; 2nd and 3rd trimester scans were scored out of 27 possible points. Scans achieving a score 80% were considered passing; scans scoring 80% were considered failing and required submission of a supplemental scan. RESULTS: A total of 36 sonographers participated from 14 centers. Median sonographer experience performing obstetric ultrasounds was 12 years (range 3-30). Overall, 580 scans were submitted, of which 77.8% passed. More than 90% (20/22) of sonographers were required to submit 1 supplemental scan. Pass rates were significantly lower for initial submissions (74.7%; 349/467) than supplemental scans (90.3%; 102/113) (p 0.0005). Pass rates were similar for the three trimesters (1st: 80.6% [158/196]; 2nd: 77.5% [155/200]; 3rd: 75% [138/184]) (p 0.419). Figure 1 demonstrates the percentage of scans in which a deduction was made for select parameters. Of those sonographers who achieved credentialing in all trimesters (22/36; 61%), median time to full credentialing was 5.0 months (range 3-10). CONCLUSION: Intensive training and image review can be used to credential sonographers to perform standardized 2D ultrasounds of fetal biometry. Despite extensive prior experience, sonographers were often required to submit supplemental scans to demonstrate proper image acquisition and caliper placement.
Transduction in Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons is invariant to air speed

In the vertebrate nose, increasing air speed tends to increase the magnitude of odor-evoked activity in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), given constant odor concentration and duration. It is ofte...
On a singular perturbation problem in magnetohydrodynamics

Die Stromung einer zahen, inkompressiblen und elektrisch leitenden Flussigkeit uber einen rotationssymmetrischen Korper wird studiert mit Hilfe einer singularen Methode der Storungsrechnung. Eine asymptotische, im ganzen Stromungsfeld gultige Losung wird gegeben fur grosse Hartmann-ZahlenM.
Cyclic nucleotide metabolism in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disorder frequently seen in patients with a personal or family history of atopic disease (i.e., asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis). The prevalence among children in England has been determined to he approximately 3%1. Altered reactivity to a number of environmental stimuli is an important feature of atopy but the underlying cause for this is not known. The basic abnormality in atopic dermatitis may be genetic, immunological, pharmacological or biochemical, although these disciplines should not be considered in isolation, Cyclic nucleotides play an important role in cell regulation and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) is a modulator of inflammation and immune responses2. In this article I have reviewed the background to, and the evidence for, abnormal cyclic nucleotide metabolism in atopic dermatitis.
Comparison of outcomes and cost in patients undergoing tonsillectomy with electrocautery and thermal welding.

Abstract Purpose To assess the morbidity and efficacy of thermal tissue welder instrument for tonsillectomy and compare it with monopolar electrocautery. Materials and methods IRB approval was obtained at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University for a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical study of 48 healthy adult volunteers undergoing tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis and tonsil hypertrophy. Subjects were randomized to the TW or EC group. Post-operative pain, pain medication use, return to normal oral intake, return to normal activity, and bleeding were measured on the post-operative log. We recorded operative time, operating room time, and blood loss. All procedures were performed by one surgeon to eliminate variations in time and experience. Operative and patient data were analyzed using a Student T-test and evaluated by cost analysis. Results There was a statically significant increase in operative time with the TW taking an average of 4 min longer per procedure, p Conclusions While the tissue welder remains a viable option for the adult tonsillectomy procedure, it has not demonstrated in our study the necessary parameters intraoperatively, postoperatively, or via cost analysis to become the choice instrument at our institution. We cannot ignore the increase in cost that may be seen for short and routine procedures without an added benefit to the patient in terms of outcome or safety. A larger study is needed to determine if secondary bleeding rates are lower with this instrument.
Mechanizing the Cotton Harvest in the Nineteenth-Century South

A persistent problem in American economic history is the explanation of the failure of the South to mechanize cotton production. Summarily, the following argues that the failure to mechanize was due to a southern economic structure which operated to reduce the effectiveness of the factors in society conducive to invention and innovation.
Herpes zoster infection after liver transplantation: A case-control study

Prior case series have suggested that herpes zoster (HZ) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may lead to serious complications due to visceral involvement. We sought to determine the incidence, risk factors, and long term outcomes of HZ after OLT. Clinical data from September 1993 to April 2004 were collected on all cases of HZ after OLT, and at the same post-OLT time points in age, gender, and transplant-year-matched HZ-negative controls. Risk factors for HZ infection and long-term outcomes were compared between cases and controls. A total of 29 patients developed HZ at a median of 4.9 years (range .5-12.9) after OLT. All HZ infections except 1 were localized to a single dermatome. Only 8 (28%) were hospitalized and 16 (55%) were treated with oral antivirals alone. No patients developed visceral involvement or died of HZ infection. No risk factors for HZ infection were identified on multivariate analysis. Of the long-term outcomes, the estimated 10-year survival was lower (P = .05) for cases than controls. The lower survival in HZ cases was not directly attributable to HZ infection. In conclusion, this study is the largest series on HZ after OLT. HZ is neither a common nor a serious infection after OLT and can be managed with antiviral therapy with a low likelihood of visceral dissemination.
Similarity-driven Defuzzification of Fuzzy Tuples for Entropy-based Data Classification Purposes

In this paper, we introduce a new method which lets us utilize uncertain data for precise decision rules learning. We focus our investigation on a proximity-based fuzzy relational database as it provides convenient mechanisms for the storage and interpretation of uncertain information. In proximity-based fuzzy databases the lack of certainty about obtained information can be represented via insertion of multiple (i.e. non-atomic) attribute values. In addition the database extends classical equivalence relations with fuzzy proximity relations, which provide users with extraordinary analytical capabilities. In this paper we take advantage of both of these properties when developing our approach to induction of decision trees from imperfect information.
Manufactured Uncertainty Protecting Public Health in the Age of Contested Science and Product Defense

The strategy of "manufacturing uncertainty" has been used with great success by polluters and manufacturers of dangerous prod- ucts to oppose public health and environmental regulation. This strat- egy entails questioning the validity of scientific evidence on which the regulation is based. While this approach is most identified with the tobacco industry, it has been used by producers of asbestos, benzene, beryllium, chromium, diesel exhaust, lead, plastics, and other hazardous products to avoid environmental and occupational health regulation. It is also central to the debate on global warming. The approach is now so common that it is unusual for the science not to be challenged by an industry facing regulation. Manufacturing uncertainty has become a business in itself; numerous technical consulting firms provide a ser- vice often called "product defense" or "litigation support." As these names imply, the usual objective of these activities is not to generate knowledge to protect public health but to protect a corporation whose products are alleged to have toxic properties. Evidence in the scientific literature of the funding effect—the close correlation between the results of a study desired by a study's funder and the reported results of that study—suggests that the financial interest of a study's sponsors should be taken into account when considering the study's findings. Similarly, the interpretation of data by scientists with financial conflicts should be seen in this light. Manufacturing uncertainty is antithetical to the public health principle that decisions be made using the best evidence currently available.
Forensic Significance of the Limbic Psychotic Trigger Reaction

During the "decade of the brain," competent expert testimony should encompass widely neglected, even novel, neurophysiologically plausible explanations for otherwise unexplainable acts. In the case presented here, a sudden, out-ofcharacter, motiveless, unplanned homicidal attack was committed by a patient who demonstrated flat affect, preserved consciousness, and memory of the episode. Transient autonomic hyperactivation and psychosis were suddenly experienced when the victim happened to move his mouth while eating. Following a sudden memory revival of repetitive but moderate bodily stresses, the patient suffered visceral hallucinations of his entire body being cut into pieces with the delusional belief that he was about to be "cannibalized." The patient's sudden and very transient symptomatology is characteristic of 13 interrelated symptoms and signs (including autonomic, e.g., visceral, hyperactivation and psychosis) proposed as a new subtype of a partial seizure, called "limbic psychotic trigger reaction," which has been consistently delineated thus far in 18 white social loners (14 homicidal men, 3 fire setters, and 1 bank robber), who ruminated about past, moderately painful, but repeated events. This rendered them liable to seizure kindling, particularly of the limbic system. Apparently a post-ictal transient frontal lobe deficiency is secondary to the limbic storm. The forensic impact of seizures on cognition (appreciation of the quality of the act) and on volition is discussed.
Kaczmarz Iterative Projection and Nonuniform Sampling with Complexity Estimates

Kaczmarz's alternating projection method has been widely used for solving mostly over-determined linear system of equations A x = b in various fields of engineering, medical imaging, and computational science. Because of its simple iterative nature with light computation, this method was successfully applied in computerized tomography. Since tomography generates a matrix A with highly coherent rows, randomized Kaczmarz algorithm is expected to provide faster convergence as it picks a row for each iteration at random, based on a certain probability distribution. Since Kaczmarz's method is a subspace projection method, the convergence rate for simple Kaczmarz algorithm was developed in terms of subspace angles. This paper provides analyses of simple and randomized Kaczmarz algorithms and explains the link between them. New versions of randomization are proposed that may speed up convergence in the presence of nonuniform sampling, which is common in tomography applications. It is anticipated that proper understanding of sampling and coherence with respect to convergence and noise can improve future systems to reduce the cumulative radiation exposures to the patient. Quantitative simulations of convergence rates and relative algorithm benchmarks have been produced to illustrate the effects of measurement coherency and algorithm performance, respectively, under various conditions in a real-time kernel.
Wh-Expletives in Hindi-Urdu: The vP Phase

This article addresses wh-displacement and wh-expletive constructions in Hindi-Urdu, accounting for parametric variation in terms of the properties of the phase-defining heads C and v. This analysis provides an understanding of a systematic set of contrasts between Kashmiri and Hindi-Urdu that suggests that crosslinguistic variation may follow from properties of specifically the phase-defining functional heads. It is then possible to construct a unified account of the various strategies of forming long-distance wh-dependencies in the two languages.