cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggression and power restoration: The effects of identifiability and timing on aggressive behavior

Abstract The study was designed to demonstrate that one function of aggression is the restoration of power. It was predicted that, after an individual had his power reduced, greater aggression would be emitted when the individual could be identified as the attacker by his victim than when he could not. It was felt that only when the aggressor was identifiable could he completely restore his power vis-a-vis the victim. A second aim of the study was to investigate the effects of timing of aggression on the intensity of aggression. It was predicted that in a learning situation, if aggression were utilized solely as a teaching device, greater aggression would be emitted by the “teacher” when the “learner” made mistakes early as opposed to late in the task. However, if the individual were motivated to restore his power by aggressing, greater aggression would occur when the mistakes were made late since having to wait should frustrate the teacher's desire to restore power through aggression. The design of the study was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial in which subjects were either insulted or not, given the opportunity to aggress either anonymously or when clearly identified, and able to aggress either early or late in a learning task. The results supported the power-restoration hypothesis: Subjects who were insulted aggressed more when identifiable than when anonymous. Also, there was greater aggression in the early as opposed to late conditions under all circumstances except in the insultidentifiable condition.
A Simultaneous Structure/Controller Design Iteration Method

Several methods are presented for placement/constrained optimization of the closed loop eigenvalues and eigenvectors of linear dynamical systems. A unified approach is taken to (i) iterate the design parameters in the plant being controlled, (ii) the location of sensor and actuators, (iii) the elements of a direct output feedback gain matrix, and (iv) the weight matrices in a time-domain LQG performance index, or (v) a combination of the foregoing, to accomplish a constrained, simultaneous optimization of the system's closed loop eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and their sensitivities. A low dimensioned discrete system and an order 42 model of a flexible structure controlled via direct output feedback are used to illustrate the approach.
Enhancing Sensor Network Security with RSL Codes

Sensor networks have found their wide applications in a variety of areas such as ocean and wildlife monitoring, manufacturing machinery, performance monitoring, building safety and earthquake monitoring. How to protect the data confidentiality is a challenging problem for sensor networks because of their resource constraints such as data memory, code space and energy to power the sensor nodes. Different threats to sensor networks, compared to those happened to traditional ad-hoc networks, also bring unique requirements to the design of a secure sensor network. In this paper, we present a novel encryption scheme based on Reed-Solomon-Like (RSL) Codes. The scheme provides a solution to the secure sensor networks with the advantages of fast calculation, low power consumption and easy implementation.
The Productivity of Ground-Based Optical Telescopes of Various Apertures

By scanning the papers published during the first quarter of 1996 in AA the weighted mean aperture was 2.52-m. By counting the 1996–2001 citations to those papers, we learned that 75% of the citations came from telescopes of <4-m apertures; the weighted mean aperture for the citations was 2.81-m. The mean citations per paper showed only a small dependence upon aperture. For example, telescopes of 5- to 10-m produce only twice as many citations per paper on the average as those of 1- to 2-m. Scanning the papers in the same journals during the first quarter of 200 I showed that 79% of the papers came from telescopes <4-m and the mean aperture was 2.81-m, which represent only small changes since I996. These numbers suggest that the bulk of our ground-based optical astronomical results come from telescopes of <4-m in aperture, and that is likely to continue to be true throughout the 2001–2010 decade. The 2001 decadal astronomy survey report made no recommendations for the maintenance, new instrumentation, and new construction of those telescopes that provide most of the astronomical results derived from ground-based optical telescopes. Although commendable in other respects, that survey represents an unrealistic appraisal of contemporary optical ground-based astronomy and its needs during this decade.
On the Computation of Suboptimal H ∞ Controllers for Unstable Infinite Dimensional Systems

In this paper we show how to compute suboptimal H ∞ controllers, for a class of (possibly) unstable and (possibly) infinite dimensional plants, from a finite set of linear equations. A solution to the H ∞ suboptimal control problem for infinite dimensional stable plants was obtained in [6]. Also, in [13] and [14] the H ∞ optimal control problem was solved for unstable distributed plants. Our solution for the suboptimal control problem of unstable distributed plants is based on the techniques developed in [6] and [13]. We obtain a computable expression for the suboptimal H ∞ controllers and identify their finite and infinite dimensional parts.
Respiratory control abnormalities in alveolar hypoventilation.

The regulation of respiration was evaluated in 5 patients with past episodes of respiratory failure that could not be attributed solely to pulmonary mechanical dysfunction. At the time of the study...
A macro approach to modeling projects with uncertain network structures

This paper presents an approach for modeling and analyzing project uncertainty at the network, rather than at the activity, level. This approach is applicable for project schedule risk analysis and contingency planning. The suggested approach requires that a set of project network scenarios be able to be identified, each with an assessed probability of occurrence. These scenarios might differ according to the results of uncertain events that could occur during the coarse of the project, uncertain activity durations, finite loops, or a combination of these. In this paper we present a general approach for modeling and analyzing the set of network scenarios. An advantage of our approach is that it uses standard methods, such as critical path analysis and probability analysis, to solve project planning problems with uncertain network structures. Our approach also leads uncertainty measures, including expected and conditional activity criticality slack, and early and late start and finish times for repeated activities resulting from looping. A second benefit is greater accessibility and likelihood of the use of uncertainty analysis in project planning, since the data needs and the analysis are focused on the key scenarios deriving schedule uncertainty. Several examples are presented to illustrate the proposed approach, including random events, loops, and random activity times. Suggestions for future research include field testing the proposed approach and determining the condition under which it is preferable to simulation.
Identifying mothers of very preterm infants at-risk for postpartum depression and anxiety before discharge

We investigated whether particular demographics, maternal psychosocial and infant factors identified mothers of very preterm infants at risk for postpartum depression or anxiety at the time of discharge from a level III urban Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A racially diverse cohort of mothers (N=73) of preterm infants (gestational age <30 weeks) completed a comprehensive questionnaire at discharge from the NICU assessing postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosocial and demographic factors. Additionally, infants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging before discharge. Twenty percent of mothers had clinically significant levels of depression whereas 43% had moderate to severe anxiety. Being married (P<0.01), parental role alteration (P<0.01) and prolonged ventilation (P<0.05) were associated with increased depressive symptoms. No psychosocial, demographics or infant factors, including severity of brain injury, were associated with state anxiety levels. Maternal factors, such as marital status, stress from parental role alteration and infant factors, such as prolonged ventilation, are associated with increased depression. However, clinically significant levels of anxiety are common in mothers of very preterm infants with few identifiable risk factors. These findings support the need for universal screening within the NICU.
Correlates of social support in young adults with advanced cancer

Objective This study examined the relationship between perceived social support, quality of life (QoL), and grief in young adults with advanced cancer.
The Pathologist and Toxicologist in Pharmaceutical Product Discovery

Significant change is occurring in the drug discovery paradigm; many companies are utilizing dedicated groups from the toxicology/ pathology disciplines to support early stage activities. The goal is to improve the efficiency of the discovery process for selecting a successful clinical candidate. Toxicity can be predicted by leveraging molecular techniques via rapid high-throughput, low-resource in vitro and in vivo test systems. Several important activities help create a platform to support rapid development of a new molecular entity. The proceedings of this symposium provide excellent examples of these applied concepts in pharmaceutical research and development. Leading biopharmaceutical companies recognize that a competitive advantage can be maintained via rapid characterization of animal models, the cellular identification of therapeutic targets, and improved sensitivity of efficacy assessment. The participation of the molecular pathologist in this quest is evolving rapidly, as evidenced by the growin...
Inheritance of Dollar Spot Resistance in Creeping Bentgrass

The dollar spot disease incited by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F.T. Bennet. is a common and destructive disease of both cool- and warm-season grasses throughout the world. Genetic resistance to dollar spot is an important control strategy; however, the genetic mechanism of dollar spot resistance in turfgrasses is unknown. The first objective of this study was to determine broad-sense heritability and predicted gain from selection of dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). This was completed through dollar spot disease evaluation of 265 randomly selected creeping bentgrass clones arranged in a randomized complete block design with six and five clonally propagated replicates in each of two locations evaluated over 2 yr. Five isolates of S. homoeocarpa were used to inoculate the field studies and applied at a rate of 1.75 g m -2 of prepared inoculum. The second objective was to evaluate inheritance characteristics of dollar spot disease resistance. Major gene calculations, heterosis, maternal effects, chi square analysis of segregation ratios, and number of effective factors were determined through the evaluation of dollar spot disease resistance of progeny from controlled crosses between fixed resistant and susceptible bentgrass clones. These progenies along with parental clones were established in field trials and inoculated with dollar spot. The continuous population distribution of phenotypes for clones and progeny indicated that dollar spot resistance may be quantitatively inherited. Broad-sense heritability estimates (0.56 on a single plant basis and 0.90 on an 11-plant clonal mean basis) indicated replication increased selection efficiency and that improvement in dollar spot resistance in creeping bentgrass should be possible. A minimum of two to five effective factors depending on the cross may be associated with dollar spot resistance.
Determination of the Wavelength Dependence of Refractive Indices of Flame Soot

The spectral variation of the optical properties of soot particles is determined by combining classical and dynamic light scattering measurements with the Kramers-Kronig relations. Particle size and number densities are determined from scattering/extinction and autocorrelation measurements at the wavelength of 0.488 μm. This information is then combined with the spectral extinction measurements in the wavelength range 0.2 to 6.4 μm to determine the spectral variation of the refractive indices of flame soot. Results are presented for a premixed propane-oxygen flame with a fuel equivalence ratio ϕ = 1.8. The sensitivity of the technique and its advantage over the previous methods are discussed.
Co-molding of nanoscale photonic crystals and microfluidic channel

Photonic crystals are nanofabricated structures that enhance light as it is passed through the constructed design. These structures are normally fabricated out of silicon but have shown to be an improvement if fabricated from a more cost effective material. Photonic crystals have uses within biosensing as they may be used to analyze DNA and other analytes. Microfluidic channels are used to transport different analytes and other samples from one end to another. Microfluidics are used in biosensing as a means of transport and are typically fabricated from biocompatible polymers. Integrated together, the photonic crystals and microfluidic channels would be able to achieve better sensing capabilities and cost effective methods for large scale production. Results will be shown from the co-molding.
Electric field glow discharge inside externally excited porous spherical cavity resonators

A porous spherical cavity resonator (PSCR) provides amplification of externally incident electric fields a resonant frequencies corresponding to discrete modes. The PSCR has a mesh surface with a large number of polygon (hexagon and pentagon) holes. The size of the holes is adjusted to maximize the Q of the resonator for production of maximum internal electrical fields. Amplification factors for a PSCR can be over 1000. The high resonator Q, that may exceed 10000, requires precise tuning of the incident wave frequency to a resonant frequency. The PSCR can be placed in a low-pressure (1 T) gas chamber and excited by an external microwave horn to excite a chosen spherical cavity resonator mode. At the resonant frequency, a glow discharge can occur inside the cavity producing a plasma cloud in the shape of electric field modes that are excited. Varying the neutral gas pressure inside the chamber (1) yields variations in the glow discharge light intensity and (2) affects the shapes of the plasma cloud. If the plasma frequency in the electron cloud approaches the incident wave frequency, self-action produces localized regions of dense plasmas. The PSCR apparatus can be used to study cavity resonator modes in the low pressure environment and electromagnetic wave interactions in high pressure plasmas.
Thermal Patterns in Ice Under Dynamic Loading

Heat emission patterns in the infrared spectrum were discovered in ice subjected to cyclic loading. The ice plates used in the tests had a rectangular shape of 13 x 19 cm and a thickness of 2 cm. The plates were frozen to the platen of the testing apparatus to form a cantilever beam and were vibrated over a frequency range from n.5 to 5 kHz at an ambient temperature of -4°C. The surface heat patterns were scanned by two thermal imaging systems with spectral hand passes of 2-5.6 pm and 8-14 μm, and the heat patterns were recorded on Polaroid film and on videotape. The heat emission patterns first appeared at the fixed end of the ice plate and migrated gradually to the free end. The temperature difference between the ends was found to depend on the duration and frequency of excitation. The results of these tests indicate that vihrothermography can have wide areas of practical application in the study of the origin and growth of defects, recrystallization, fatigue, and failure processes in ice.
Counselors Teaching Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution theory suggests that the constructive, prosocial, integrative style is best for resolving interpersonal conflict, because it not only solves the problem but also enriches the interpersonal relationship. Effective interpersonal communication is the critical element of this integrative process. Counselors could prepare people to resolve interpersonal conflicts skillfully, effectively, and peacefully.
Indications for Anterior Fixation of Pelvic Fractures

From April 1982 to August 1995, the author treated 127 patients with pelvic ring injuries by open reduction and internal fixation within 3 weeks of injury. Fifty-five (43%) patients (none of whom had a symphysis dislocation) had posterior internal fixation without anterior pelvic internal or external fixation. In 37 patients (29%) anterior and posterior internal fixation was performed whereas 35 patients (28%) were treated by anterior internal fixation alone. Plates and screws were used for all anterior fixations. Bladder or urethral injury was not considered a contraindication to anterior internal fixation. Of 109 patients who were observed until union of their fractures, 3 required a repeat surgery because of loss of reduction or failure of fixation or both. All 3 patients maintained reduction and healed after the second intervention. Of 72 anterior internal fixations, 1 deep infection was the only surgical complication. A single plate is reliable for fixation of the symphysis pubis and when necessary, the superior pubic ramus. However, even in displaced and unstable pelvic ring injuries, most fractures of the pubic rami do not require stabilization by internal or external fixation. Eighty-eight of 105 fractures of the obturator ring were not internally fixed and none required subsequent treatment for nonunion or loss of reduction; nor did their initial instability cause failure of posterior fixation. Internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring, though safe and reliable, should be reserved for symphysis pubis dislocations and only a minority of pubic ramus fractures.
The Role of Language Fluency Self-Efficacy in Organizational Commitment and Perceived Organizational Support

Abstract This study explored the relationship between language fluency self-efficacy and organizational commitment and perceived organizational support in a sample of non-native English speaking employees doing food preparation work. A reliable, single-factor measure of language fluency self-efficacy was developed for this study. Consistent with existing literature, we found a significant relationship between language fluency self-efficacy and perceived organizational support. Additionally, perceived organizational support was related to organizational commitment. Structural equation modeling analysis results showed that the data were a good fit to the model.
Allogeneic transplantation for leukaemia using unrelated donors

This chapter describes the current role of unrelated donor stem cell transplantation (UD-SCT) in the management of leukaemia. The available data are scant and incomplete and there are few randomized studies comparing UD-SCT with alternative therapies. Patients with many of the leukaemias require prolonged follow-up after allogeneic SCT to determine whether they are cured; the registry-based comparisons that have been initiated reflect the results achievable some years ago and may not help us in deciding what is best in 2001. In addition, new therapies such as ST1571, even though the long-term outcome of patients treated with this agent is uncertain, may affect which patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia we decide to recommend for transplant. The focus here is on acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, as well as the myelodysplastic syndromes. Patient selection, conditioning strategies, comparison with other therapies, timing of transplant and the major causes of treatment failure are discussed, and there is an exploration of where improvement will come from.
Intimacy and Heteronomy On Grounding Psychology in the Ethical

The modern self, understood as individual consciousness, derives from Greek and more recent sources that have come to be called modernism. It is argued that genuine intimacy is an impossible achievement for this self, and that its ethical concern must take the form of rational moral principles. The work of Emmanuel Levinas offers an alternative perspective wherein the self derives from the presence of the face of the Other. The mode of being of the self is thus fundamentally ethical, grounded in heteronomy and ethical obligation to the Other. Intimacy, from this grounding, is the taking on of ethical obligation. If human being is fundamentally ethical in this way, psychology should reflect this unavoidably ethical nature.
Planning and control of movement

In this abstract, we outline an analysis of the control structures required for the movement of an animal or a robot. As we shall see, artificial intelligence studies have tended to focus on the high-level planning of various stages involved in an activity, while control theory has had more to say about the regulation of posture and simple limb movements.
Anaylsis of motion estimation using multiple reference frames in MPEG-4AVC/H.264

In the latest video coding standard, MPEG-4 AVC /H.264, motion estimation is permitted to use multiple reference frames as opposed to the previous MPEG-4 standards that support only single reference frames[4]. This feature of H.264 improves performance but adds computational complexity. The H.264 encoder supports up to 7 inter-prediction modes: 16×16, 16×8, 8×16, 8×8, 8×4, 4×8, and 4×4. In this paper, an H.264 encoder using the 16×16 prediction mode is analyzed for both compression performance and computational complexity using multiple reference frames on various video clips.
MOLECULAR CLONING OF cDNA ENCODING RAT ISOVALERYL-CoA DEHYDROGENASE (IVD)

IVD is a mitochondrial flavoprotein, a tetramer of 43 kDa subunits, which catalyzes the third reaction in leucine metabolism. Hereditary deficiency of IVD causes isovaleric acidemia, one of the more common inherited organic acidemias, characterized by recurrent episodes of vomiting, ketoacidosis, lethargy and sweaty feet odor. Extensive molecular heterogeneity, including at least five distinct variant alleles, has been shown on the basis of the presence or absence of immunoprecipitable variant IVDs and their sizes (PNAS 82:7081, 1985). As a first step in the study of the molecular basis of isovaleric acidemia, we have isolated a cDNA clone encoding rat IVD. First, we highly purified the mRNA encoding IVD from rat liver by polysome immunopurification using polyclonal, monospecific antibody. A cDNA library, enriched for IVD, was prepared using the purified mRNA, and screened by colonly hybridization using two oligonucleotides (17-mer and 15-mer) corresponding to the portions of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. Numerous positive cDNA clones were isolated. One of them contained a 54 bp portion which perfectly matched an 18 amino acid peptide from the amino terminus of pure rat IVD, thereby positively identifying the clone as that of rat IVD. This cDNA extends 100 bp towards the 5′ end, indicating that it contains the entire sequence for the leader peptide (2 kDa). Screening of human cDNA libraries for IVD cDNA is in progress.
Redundant enhancers and causal variants in the TCF7L2 gene.

The TCF7L2 gene is the locus with the strongest association with risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in different populations.1, 2 The rs7903146 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), located in intron 3 and the one with the strongest association to T2D risk, has been the most widely studied TCF7L2 variant. Current evidence suggests that rs7903146 may affect risk of T2D through its effects on enhancer activity3, 4 resulting in higher TCF7L2 gene expression.3, 4, 5 The rs7903146 SNP has been found located inside islet-selective open chromatin sites using either formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements coupled with high throughput sequencing (FAIRE-seq),3 or histone H3 lysine methylation modifications as marks of regulatory elements.4 In addition, the T-allele of rs7903146 (ie, the allele associated with higher risk of T2D) has been found associated with higher TCF7L2 gene expression in human pancreatic islets,5 and in luciferase reporter assays in the mouse pancreatic MIN6 cell line,3, 4 and the rat pancreatic 832/13 cell line.3 More recently Savic et al6, 7 reported that the TCF7L2 gene harbors several highly conserved cis-regulatory elements that show both in vitro and in vivo enhancer activity. These enhancer elements are located in a 92-kb interval that harbors all the TCF7L2 SNPs, not just rs7903146, associated with T2D risk. The physical overlap between multiple enhancer elements and TCF7L2 variants suggests that this gene may carry more than one causal variant related to the development of T2D. The present letter discusses the implications of these recent findings and presents possible mechanisms in how genetic variants in the TCF7L2 gene may affect the development of T2D.
Age-related ultrastructural changes in the flight muscle of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis

The flight muscle of Culex tarsalis and other Diptera is asynchronous fibrillar muscle. Ultrastructurally, we found that it resembles flight muscle described in other insects, except that it contains more glycogen than has been reported for other species. Profound ultrastructural changes occur in relation to age. Newly emerged mosquitoes have fewer glycogen deposits than older individuals. Glycogen in the young mosquito is in the form of beta particles, 25 nm in diameter, and flight muscle mitochondria of newly emerged individuals are smaller and have fewer cristae than those in older mosquitoes. Three-day-old mosquitoes (the age of all mosquitoes is expressed in days after eclosion) exhibit an abundance of glycogen, some of which exists as a dense aggregation along the M-line (intrafibrillar glycogen). Mitochondria in 3-day-old mosquitoes (i.e. 3 days after eclosion) are more dense than in newly emerged individuals, and about twice as large. In mosquitoes aged 42 days, intrafibrillar glycogen still exists as beta particles, but extrafibrillar glycogen is primarily of the alpha or rosette type. Mitochondria in individuals of this age group are present in two morphological forms. Most are similar in morphology to mitochondria of 3-day-old mosquitoes. A few, however, exhibit fewer cristae, some of which may be tubular, and a less dense matrix. Most glycogen has disappeared from both the intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar locations, in 84-day-old (after eclosion) mosquitoes. Mitochondria are present in two morphological types, as they were in insects, 42 days after eclosion.
Habitat Use and Fishery Dynamics of a Heavily Exploited Coastal Migrant, Spanish Mackerel

AbstractSpanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus support important commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Although federally managed because of interstate migrations, harvest, essential fish habitat consideration, and management are largely state issues. Contrary to the accepted paradigm of a well-mixed stock from the GOM to the Atlantic, Spanish Mackerel have been suggested to exhibit reduced movement, and hence mixing, which could lead to areas of localized depletion within the larger stock. We addressed how local abundance patterns responded to changes in harvest pressure, evaluated migration patterns via examining temporal trends in abundance, and determined whether the spatial abundance patterns resembled habitat specialization or generalization. Abundance trends of Spanish Mackerel in Alabama have remained relatively constant from 2001 to 2011 despite a significant increase in commercial harvesting. Seasonal patterns of catch rates coincided with the proposed annual migra...
Cardiac output and its distribution through capillaries and A‐V shunts in diving seals

Regional blood flow and cardiac output were determined by distribution of radioactive microspheres injected via catheter into the left ventricle during experimental diving and recovery in juvenile spotted seals (Phoca vitulina largha) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Cardiac output was 9.7 L/min before diving, declined 90% during submersion and increased to 12.1 L/min after 40 s of recovery. Left ventricular myocardial perfusion declined from 179 +/- 24 (21) to 25 +/- 2 (6) ml/min . 100 g at 2 min submersion, and measured 23 +/- 3 (8) after 10 min of submersion. Cerebral cortical flow was reduced from a pre-dive value of 115 +/- 3 (15) to 40 +/- 5 (3) and 49 +/- 6 (3) at 2 and 5 min of diving, respectively, but increased to 253 +/- 14 (4) ml/min . 100 g at 10 min along with elevated PCO2 (84 torr) and lowered pH (7.10) in arterial blood. It remained at that level in recovery. Brain stem perfusion after 10 min submersion was still identical with control, but increased to 275% of control in recovery. Adrenal flow decreased to 34 and 27% of control at 2 and 5 min of diving, respectively. Recovery flow after 10 min of diving was 200% of control. Liver, kidney, fat, skin, and stomach were ischemic throughout the dive. Recovery flow increased slowly in these tissues. Skeletal muscle (M. psoas) was perfused at a low rate. (3 ml/min . 100 g) pre-dive and was ischemic during diving. Recovery muscle perfusion was variable at different sites (from 5 to 105 ml/min . 100 g). Pre-dive pulmonary capillary perfusion was 58 +/- 8 (9) ml/min . 100 g, decreased to 7 +/- 0 (3) ml/min . 100 g min of submersion, and had increased to 50% of pre-dive value after 40 s of recovery from a 10 min dive. Conclusions are: (1) previous information from implanted flow transducers was confirmed, (2) detailed data for discrete tissues elaborate the concept of selective redistribution of cardiac output in diving seals, (3) non-uniform reperfusion contributes to the maintenance of arterial pressure during recovery, and (4) substantial A-V shunting of cardiac output took place in the first 2-5 min of the dive, when total capillary/nutritive flow was low. Late in the dive, however, CO was routed through systemic capillaries mainly in the cerebral circulation and less than 15% through A-V shunts.
Swallowing, speech, and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in spasmodic torticollis

To explore the controversial “brainstem theory” of spasmodic torticollis, eight consecutively referred patients were examined. Three independent examinations were conducted on the same day: a videofluoroscopic barium swallowing examination, an instrumental speech examination, and a brainstem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) analysis. Swallowing was normal in two patients; speech physiology, in five; and BAEPs, in all. Normal BAEPs refute the brainstem theory, while abnormalities of speech and swallowing temper this conclusion. Several alternative explanations are proposed.
Advanced propagation systems for biomass species: a model system based on sweet potato

Abstract A method for somatic embryo production of sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) has been developed. The first step of somatic embryogenesis was to obtain embryogenic callus from 0.2 mm apical domes with 1–2 leaf primordia on medium containing 10 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D). Selective proliferation of embryogenic callus has been obtained on solid media containing 10 μM 2,4-D and 1 μM benzylaminopurine (BAP) and in liquid media containing 5 μM 2,4-D. The fraction of suspension cultures larger than 710 μM was commonly used to produce embryos. Cultures were recultured every 2 weeks in liquid media and every 6 weeks on agar media. The formation of embryos was triggered by transferring embryogenic calli or cell aggregates from nutrient media containing 2,4-D to fresh media without 2,4-D. Late torpedo and cotyledonary stage embryos had the highest potential for plant formation. The automated production of synthetic seed in combination with fluid drilling technology could render economically feasible the production of sweet potato for biomass.
Liver colonization by human colon cancer cells is reduced by antisense inhibition of MUC2 mucin synthesis

Abstract Background & Aims: Alterations in the production of epithelial mucins have been correlated with advanced tumor stage in the colon, but direct evidence for a role of specific mucin genes in liver metastasis is lacking. The current study was designed to establish more directly the role of MUC2 in colon cancer metastasis. Methods: MUC2 levels were manipulated in highly metastatic human colon cancer cells using eukaryotic expression constructs designed to express a portion of MUC2 complementary DNA in antisense orientation. To assess the effect of MUC2 levels on metastatic potential, liver colonization was assessed in athymic mice after splenic-portal inoculation. Results: Stable integration of the MUC2 antisense construct into metastatic colon cancer cells (LS LiM6) resulted in an 80% reduction in MUC2-specific messenger RNA and a concomitant decrease in MUC2 apomucin protein. This reduction was associated with a 50% reduction in synthesis of mature glucosamine-labeled mucin, almost complete inhibition of secretion of sialyl-Le X and sialyl-Tn antigens, and a 40% decrease in binding of colon cancer cells to E-selectin. Reduction in MUC2 levels was associated with a marked decrease in liver colonization. Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence that MUC2 plays an important role in colon cancer metastasis. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:363-371
Holeuryhalinity and its mechanisms in a cirriped crustacean, Balanus improvisus.

Abstract 1. The barnacle Balanus improvisus succeeds in fresh water as well as in sea water. The euryhalinity depends partly on hyperosmotic regulation of the haemolymph and partly on cell volume regulation. 2. The animals osmoconform in waters above 500 mOsm and osmoregulate in more dilute sea waters, showing strict homoiosmoticity below 100 mOsm. Haemolymph and maxillary gland fluid are isosmotic and have equal chloride concentrations. 3. Seventeen free amino acids are found in thorax muscle tissue in amounts varying with haemolymph osmolality. Proline reaches unique values of 0.7 M at hypersaline sea water. 4. The relative water content of muscle tissue varies little with changes in haemolymph osmolality pointing to a regulation of cell volume. The adjustments of the intracellular amino acids, especially proline, assist in this regulation. 5. The intermoult cycle does not significantly influence the measured parameters.
Raman Scattering in Gray Tin

The first-order one-phonon Raman spectrum of gray tin ($\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n}$) and its temperature dependence is reported. The results are compared with recent work on germanium and silicon.
Angels in near-death experiences

The literature on near-death experiences (NDEs) contains no substantive discussion of angels in NDEs, even though there are references to angels in several studies of these experiences. In this article I identify angels in NDEs and describe their functions in the NDE based on published NDE accounts. I conclude that angels are personages with whom the NDEr does not usually recall having previous acquaintance. Angels, serve as guides, messengers, or escorts in the NDE.
Mitochondrial respiratory abnormalities in patients with end-stage congenital heart disease.

Abstract Background Nitric oxide (NO) binds to mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase to decrease myocardial oxygen consumption (Mvo 2 ). This regulation is disrupted in heart failure (HF) due to reduced NO. The present objective was to evaluate NO-mediated regulation of mitochondrial respiration in the myocardium of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and cardiomyopathy (CMP). Methods Mvo 2 was measured in vitro in explanted human myocardium obtained at transplantation. Seven patients had CHD (5 cyanotic, 2 acyanotic), and 11 had non-ischemic CMP. The effects of the following on Mvo 2 were measured: kinin-dependent endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) agonists, bradykinin, ramiprilat and amlodipine; NO donors, nitroglycerin and S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) (10 −7 to 10 −4 mol/liter); and NOS inhibitor, N ω -nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME). Results eNOS agonists caused a smaller decrease in Mvo 2 in CHD compared with CMP patients. Changes in Mvo 2 at the highest dose in CHD vs CMP were, respectively: bradykinin, −22 ± 7% vs: −30 ± 5% ( p p p 2 in CHD vs CMP (NTG −16 ± 6% vs −37 ± 4%, SNAP −37 ± 4% vs −49 ± 3%, [ p Conclusions Abnormal regulation of Mvo 2 in end-stage CMP may be secondary to reduced endogenous NO availability and can be reversed by the use of NO agonists. In end-stage CHD, this abnormality may be related in part to abnormal mitochondrial function.
A fiber optic microbend tactile sensor array

Abstract A new design for a fiber optic tactile sensor array is presented. In this design, optical fibers are used both as the actual force-sensing elements and as the signal-transmission media. The tactile array is formed by appropriately arranging fibers into four overlapping layers, two active layers sand- wiched between two corrugation layers, forming a two-dimensional grid of fibers. When force is imparted to a given fiber intersection, small dis- tortions (microbend) appear in the stressed fibers, resulting in decreases in transmitted light intensity in these fibers. A prototype sensor of this type has been constructed and tested. Comparison of the test results to desired tactile sensor charac- teristics and to a popular commercially available tactile sensor indicate that the prototype sensor performs very well, out-performing the commer- cial sensor in a number of the tested categories.
A critical reappraisal of the fibrositis concept

Abstract Physicians could use such terms as "fibrositis" and "the myofascial pain syndrome" simply to describe an easily recognized quality of illness. But the terms are chosen as part of a privileged vocabulary designed to assert a pathophysiologic insight(s). On careful consideration, these insights are tenuous at best. Furthermore, the terms, with their pathophysiologic insights, become labels that may perturb the patient's experience of disease in a fashion that is counterproductive.
The role of anthropogenic emissions of NOx on tropospheric ozone over the North Atlantic Ocean : A three-dimensional, global model study

A three-dimensional, global tropospheric model is used to simulate the concentration of ozone over the North Atlantic Ocean over an annual cycle. Two scenarios, a baseline and one in which North American fossil fuel NO x emissions are reduced 50% are simulated. The largest decreases in O 3 are found in the summer months closest to the east coast of North America, presumably because of strong photochemical production and transport from the southwest due to the Bermuda High. Ozone decreases are also predicted for other North Atlantic Ocean sites and occur throughout the year, but tend to be smaller than those off North America. The total tropospheric mass of O 3 over a region from (2.2S, 82.5W) to (68.8N, 0) decreases by 1.8 Tg O 3 from 41.3 to 39.5 Tg O 3 when North American NO x fossil fuel emissions are reduced, or roughly 4.4%. Given recent estimates of the export of North American O 3 to the global atmosphere, the 50% fossil fuel NO x reduction corresponds to a 30% reduction in the total mass of tropospheric O 3 exported from North America to the North Atlantic Ocean. Nonlinearities may be due to the fact that ozone production potential per unit NO x increases as NO, concentrations decrease.
A simplified approach to economic analysis of solar heating and hot water systems and conservation measures

Abstract Using a new manipulation of standard relationships, the economic optimization and analysis of solar heating and hot water systems has been simplified. A payback ratio is defined as the reciprocal of the capital recovery factor and used to calculate the minimum or marginal annual thermal return per unit area acceptable for the system. Selecting the point at which the slope of a plot of solar fraction versus area (expressed as area per unit annual demand) equals the marginal annual thermal return per unit area optimizes the system. The ratio of coordinates at that point is the overall annual thermal return per unit collector area. This may be easily transformed into the return on investment, net worth, and payback time of the system. A new equivalent life-cycle payback time is defined that is derived from life-cycle analysis. The analysis is then extended to optimization of conservation measures. A closed formula for optimal insulation thickness is developed and illustrated.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Cyclosporin

Cyclosporin (cyclosporin A) is a unique immunosuppressant used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs and to treat diseases of autoimmune origin. Therapeutic drug monitoring of cyclosporin is essential for several reasons: (a) wide variability in cyclosporin pharmacokinetics has been observed after the oral or intravenous administration of the drug. The variability in the kinetics of cyclosporin is related to a patient’s disease state, the type of organ transplant, the age of the patient and therapy with other drugs that interact with cyclosporin; (b) maintaining a blood concentration of cyclosporin required to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ; (c) minimising drug toxicity by maintaining trough concentrations below that which toxicity is most likely to occur; and (d) monitoring for compliance since patient non-compliance with drug regimens is a significant reason for graft loss after 60 days. Clinical monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of cyclosporin can be performed using different biological fluids (plasma, serum or whole blood) and different analytical techniques (radioimmunoassay or high pressure liquid chromatography). The available analytical methods provide different results when using blood, plasma, or serum. Comparison of therapeutic ranges and pharmacokinetic parameters should be made with careful attention given to the method of cyclosporin analysis.
Boron Sites in Borosilicate Zeolites at Various Stages of Hydration Studied by Solid State NMR Spectroscopy

The local structures of framework boron atoms in borosilicate zeolites B-β, B-SSZ-33 and B-SSZ-42 have been studied in the course of hydration/dehydration by employing solid-state NMR methods. In particular, characterization of trigonal boron sites has been studied in great detail. 11B MAS NMR spectra showed that boron trigonally coordinated to the framework (B(OSi)3, denoted as B[3]) can be readily transformed to a defective trigonal boron site (B(OSi)2(OH), denoted as B[3]-I) as a result of hydration. The presence of B[3]-I sites was proven by utilizing a number of different NMR methods including 11B MAS NMR at two different fields (11.7 and 19.6 T), 11B MQMAS, 11B CPMAS, and 11B 2D HETCOR experiments. The B[3]-I species can be converted into B[3] upon dehydroxylation, but its presence can also be sustained even after very high-temperature treatment (at least up to 500 °C). The formation of deboronated species, B(OH)3, in distorted form was detected even under a mild hydration treatment. HETCOR NMR reve...
Design of Deterministic Controllers for Uncertain Dynamical Systems

We consider the general design approach for controllers of uncertain dynamical systems. The design approach, utilizing only the bound of uncertainty, can be used to construct various classes of controllers which render the systems practically stable. No statistical information of the uncertainty is ever referred and the system performance is described in a deterministic fashion. The proposed controllers summarize all the early works in this area. The approach can be suggested to generated new controllers for further use.
Implantable MEMS drug delivery device for cancer radiation reduction

We present the first implantable MEMS drug delivery device that includes an electrochemical bellows pump, refillable drug reservoir, and dual regulation valve. Multiple drug pump configurations were fabricated, assembled, and tested. Delivery of agents for cancer radiation reduction was demonstrated. In vivo chronic delivery of radiation sensitizing agents in the form of small interfering (siRNA)-gold nanorod complexes (nanoplexes) directly to tumors induced in mice was achieved. Radiation therapy in conjunction with active drug pumping by electrolysis actuation resulted in significant reduction of colon cancer tumor (HT29) size (∼50%) over diffusion-based delivery and intravenous injections. To our knowledge, this is the first MEMS drug delivery pump suitable for safe, efficacious, and local delivery of short half-life siRNA in vivo.
A Rapid Postmortem Screening Test for Lead Toxicosis in Common Loons (Gavia immer) and Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

In live animals, lead poisoning can be diagnosed by analyzing blood samples. For postmortem testing, blood samples are not available and analysis of liver or kidney is often used for diagnosis. Liver and kidney analysis is relatively expensive and results might not be quickly available. We examined an inexpensive, rapid method to screen animals for lead toxicosis postmortem by testing the mixture of body fluids (termed ‘‘tissue fluids’’) that pool in the body cavity at necropsy for lead. At necropsy we collected body fluid and liver samples from Common Loon (Gavia immer) and Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) carcasses and determined concentrations of lead in tissue fluid using a desk-top blood lead analyzer. Concentrations of lead in liver were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. There was strong correlation between tissue fluid and liver tissue lead concentrations, and receiver-operating characteristic analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.91, indicating that postmortem m...
Microspectrophotometric measurements of the cytochromes in a mitochondrial aggregate in vivo.

Abstract Recent improvements in microspectrophotometry have allowed a quantitative in vivo assay of the respiratory enzymes in a single mitochondrial aggregate, the “nebenkern”, of the grasshopper spermatid with a detectability equivalent to 6,000 molecules of cytochrome b . It has been possible to demonstrate Soret spectra of both oxidized and reduced cytochromes, depending on whether the cell is in an aerobic or an anaerobic state. The total concentration of cytochromes a 3 , a , b , c , and c 1 in the “nebenkern” is calculated to be about 7 · 10 4 molecules/ μ 3 and is at least 50 times that in any other comparable part of the cell.