cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tolerating Visitor Location Register failures in mobile environments

For mobile users who move frequently but receive relatively rare calls, a forwarding scheme has been shown to outperform the normal IS-41 location management scheme. But the forwarding scheme is more vulnerable to failure of intermediate Visitor Location Registers (VLRs) than the IS-41 scheme. We propose two simple variations to the forwarding scheme to address the fault tolerance weakness. One is based on the idea of maintaining two paths from the home location server to the last VLR. The second scheme is based on the knowledge of the neighbors of the faulty VLR. We evaluate and compare the performance of these location management schemes.
Characterization of Micro- and Nanoscale Silver Wires Synthesized Using a Single-Replacement Reaction between Sputtered Copper Metal and Dilute Silver Nitrate Solutions

This paper describes an experiment developed to provide students enrolled in introductory nanotechnology and introductory chemistry courses with an opportunity to synthesize silver nanowires using a bottom-up nanofabrication technique. The reaction between copper metal sputter coated on silicon dioxide and a dilute silver nitrate solution is used to create the nanowires. Included in this experiment is a characterization component allowing students to analyze the nanowires using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscale silver wires are also produced in the reaction, making it possible for students to utilize optical microscopy, in addition to AFM and SEM, for silver wire characterization. The silver nanowire synthesis reported in this paper does not require the use of nanoporous templates or hazardous purification steps to liberate wires from template confinement.
The “Science of the Sophomore” Revisited: from Conjecture to Empiricism

The controversy over using college students as subjects in applied research has been a topic of philosophical discourse and empirical investigation. Thirty-two studies are reviewed in which students and nonstudents participated as subjects under identical conditions. In studies reporting statistical tests of between-group differences, the preponderance of findings indicated that the experimental results differed in the two samples. By contrast, no major differences associated with the type of subject were reported in the majority of studies which did not employ statistical procedures to compare the findings in the two samples. Explanations for differences in the sample are offered, and serve as a basis for recommendations for future research.
Information Risk in TIPS Market: An Analysis of Nominal and Real Interest Rates

This study investigates the presence of information risk in two closely linked interest rate securities traded in separate markets: the nominal interest rate observed in the Treasury bond market and the real interest rate observed in the relatively new Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) market. We find that information flows unilaterally from the Treasury bond market to the TIPS market with a one-day lag. The information risk arising from asymmetric information flows may cause less informed traders to demand a higher rate of return (O’Hara, 2003). Our study provides an empirical explanation of why the TIPS yield has been relatively high throughout its nascent trading history.
Sensory and motor impairment in the nerve compression block.

Recently nerve compression block as a method of investigating movement control without kinaesthetic feedback has been questioned on the grounds that motor impairment (as measured by nerve conduction parameters) is a confounding factor. In order to clarify the relationship between sensory and motor function, behavioural data was obtained on both at systematic time intervals throughout the duration of the block. The findings indicated that significant decrements in tapping measures occurred somewhat earlier in the time course of the block than decreases in kinaesthetic discrimination. Also, contrary to assumption, the majority of subjects ceased to perform prior to total kinaesthetic loss. The data suggest that motor impairment is a “crucial” issue (Laszlo, 1966) in the use of this technique, and provide further behavioural support for the neurological findings of Kelso, Stelmach and Wanamaker (1974).
Obesity and Breast Cancer: The Roles of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor- and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1

Breast cancer is the most prominent cancer among females in the United States. There are a number of risk factors associated with development of breast cancer, including consumption of a high-fat diet and obesity. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a cytokine upregulated in obesity whose expression is correlated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer. As a key mediator of adipogenesis and regulator of adipokine production, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is involved in PAI-1 expression from adipose tissue. We summarize the current knowledge linking PPAR-γ and PAI-1 expression to high-fat diet and obesity in the risk of breast cancer.
Thin-film circuit technology part III — Active thin-film devices

The insulated-gate thin-film transistor is the active device under the most intensive investigation today. Solutions to its problems should simplify the future development of other types of active thin-film devices The first article in this series1 discussed thin-film circuits and the considerable success that has been achieved in the fabrication of inactive circuit elements by evaporative techniques. However, the thin-film technology will not be complete until active devices can be made compatibly with the inactive ones. At present the active elements — usually transistors — are soldered on the circuit boards. The usefulness of evaporated circuitry would be immeasurably increased if the active devices themselves were also evaporated.
A linear upslope-time-delay model for orographic precipitation

Abstract A simple advection model is proposed for the prediction of precipitation patterns in complex terrain with arbitrary wind direction. The model includes the time delays associated with the conversion of cloud water to hydrometeors and the gravitational fallout of hydrometeors. These equations are solved using a Fast Fourier Transform. The model is tested against raingauge data from the Alps and radar data from the Lago Maggiore area of northwestern Italy, for the heavy rainfall event on September 20, 1999. Problems with these precipitation data sets are discussed. In the limit of short time delays, the model reduces to the well-known upslope method. Compared with the upslope method, the upslope-time-delay model has a significantly improved predictive skill. In the future, the method may be extended to include airflow dynamics and downslope evaporation.
Empirical best linear unbiased and empirical Bayes prediction in multivariate small area estimation

Abstract Small area estimation plays a prominent role in survey sampling due to a growing demand for reliable small area estimates from both public and private sectors. Popularity of model-based inference is increasing in survey sampling, particularly, in small area estimation. The estimates of the small area parameters can profitably ‘borrow strength’ from data on related multiple characteristics and/or auxiliary variables from other neighboring areas through appropriate models. Fay (1987, Small Area Statistics, Wiley, New York, pp. 91–102) proposed multivariate regression for small area estimation of multiple characteristics. The success of this modeling rests essentially on the strength of correlation of these dependent variables. To estimate small area mean vectors of multiple characteristics, multivariate modeling has been proposed in the literature via a multivariate variance components model. We use this approach to empirical best linear unbiased and empirical Bayes prediction of small area mean vectors. We use data from Battese et al. (1988, J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 83, 28 –36) to conduct a simulation which shows that the multivariate approach may achieve substantial improvement over the usual univariate approach.
High-Dose Erythropoietin Does Not Exacerbate Retinopathy of Prematurity in Rats

Preterm infants are at high risk of brain injury, and high-dose recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) may be therapeutic. However, the effect of rEpo on the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is unknown. We hypothesized that (1) rEpo would cross the blood-eye barrier and (2) early rEpo would modulate ROP in a rat model. Epo concentrations were measured by ELISA from the plasma and the homogenized eye tissue at timed intervals after rEpo injection. Flat-mounted retinas were prepared from rats given rEpo (0, 5000, or 30,000 U/kg i.p. qid x 3) on postnatal d (P) 1-3 that were raised in room air (RA) or cyclic oxygen exposure (COE) with O2 cycling every 24 h between 50% and 10% for 14 d. Photomicrographs of the fluorescein- or ADPase-stained P20 retinas were examined. rEpo penetrated into the eye in a dose- and time-dependent manner. COE increased retinal vascular pathology and decreased vessel density compared with RA controls. The 30,000 U/kg dose of rEpo increased the ROP clock hour scores, but only in ADPase-stained tissues. In contrast, 5000 U/kg rEpo did not change the incidence or severity of ROP by any measure. High-dose rEpo may protect against preterm brain injury with minimal impact on ROP.
SETTLEMENT, POPULATION AND LAND USE ANALYSES OF THE NORTH CHINA PLAIN USING SHUTTLE IMAGING RADAR‐A DATA*

Shuttle Imaging Radar-A data are employed to study the settlement, population and land use in the Baoding and Dezhou areas of the North China Plain. By applying nearest neighbor and quadrat analyses, the settlements are found to exhibit a mixed random-clustering pattern which defied the application of Christaller's central place theory. The distinctly visible boundaries from the images permitted accurate estimation of population in both areas. The linear land use forms, notably transportation lines, could also be accurately mapped; the Chinese practice of lake reclamation was also revealed. It is concluded that SIR-A data are useful for much human geography research.
Evaluation of inhaled carbon monoxide as an anti-inflammatory therapy in a nonhuman primate model of lung inflammation

Carbon monoxide (CO) confers anti-inflammatory protection in rodent models of lung injury when applied at low concentration. Translation of these findings to clinical therapies for pulmonary inflammation requires validation in higher mammals. We have evaluated the efficacy of inhaled CO in reducing LPS-induced lung inflammation in cynomolgus macaques. LPS inhalation resulted in profound neutrophil influx and moderate increases in airway lymphocytes, which returned to baseline levels within 2 wk following exposure. CO exposure (500 ppm, 6 h) following LPS inhalation decreased TNF-α release in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid but did not affect IL-6 or IL-8 release. Lower concentrations of CO (250 ppm, 6 h) did not reduce pulmonary neutrophilia. Pretreatment with budesonide, a currently used inhaled corticosteroid, decreased LPS-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, and reduced LPS-induced neutrophilia by ∼84%. In comparison, CO inhalation (500 ppm, for 6 h after LPS exposure) reduced neutrophilia by ∼67%. Thus, inhaled CO was nearly as efficacious as pretreatment with an inhaled corticosteroid at reducing airway neutrophil influx in cynomolgus macaques. However, the therapeutic efficacy of CO required relatively high doses (500 ppm) that resulted in high carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels (>30%). Lower CO concentrations (250 ppm), associated with anti-inflammatory protection in rodents, were ineffective in cynomolgus macaques and also yielded relatively high COHb levels. These studies highlight the complexity of interspecies variation of dose-response relationships of CO to COHb levels and to the anti-inflammatory functions of CO. The findings of this study warrant further investigations for assessing the therapeutic application of CO in nonhuman primate models of tissue injury and in human diseases. The study also suggests that akin to many new therapies in human diseases, the translation of CO therapy to human disease will require additional extensive and rigorous proof-of-concept studies in humans in the future.
Effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on information processing in hyperactive children

The effect of methylphenidate on information-processing efficiency was studied in 12 hyperactive, nonretarded children. Performance on six efficiency tasks (Posner Letter Matching, Reaction Time, Memory Search, Category Verification, Item Identification, and Word-Span) and a general measure of on-task behavior were compared for children receiving methylphenidate or a placebo. The median drug dosage was .38 mg/kg, and it was ingested 1 1/2 hours prior to testing. Children blind to the drug-placebo condition were tested on 4 days. In general, methylphenidate-related improvements in attention to on-task behaviors were found. An overall analysis of processing speed suggested that methylphenidate improved efficiency. Methylphenidate significantly decreased reaction times to simple and complex stimulus arrays; differences due to the drug remained even when on-task attentive behaviors were statistically removed. Significantly fewer identification errors occurred on the Posner task in the methylphenidate condition. Results indicated that methylphenidate improved general attentional behaviors and positively influenced processes that define perceptual efficiency.
Reservoir Properties Inversion From AVO Attributes

A new rock physics model based inversion method is put forward where the shaly-sand mixture model is applied. AVO attributes analysis of the intercept and gradient which are linked to the reservoir rock by the rock physics model, can help to understand the reservoir properties. The estimation of clay content, water saturation and porosity are the important parameters to estimate the reservoir properties. Xu-white model is the sand and clay mixture model theory. Based on this model, the P-wave velocity and S-wave velocity is tightly related. Also the AVO attributes can be connected with the rock properties using this model on the workflow. This method can simultaneously provide the inversion results of water saturation, clay content and porosity inverted from the AVO attributes. The method is applied to the seismic data of the Gulf of Mexico. The small dataset have two wells and two 3D cubes. Every well is located in the middle of one cube. The relationship is derived from the first well and applied in the second well. The water saturation, clay content and porosity are estimated for the two cubes of seismic data.
Line assignments and intensities for the ν3 + ν4 − ν4 band of 12CH4

Abstract Assignments and Intensities are reported for 886 lines arising from the “hot-band” ν3 + ν4 − ν4 of 12CH4 at 3.3 μm. These are determined from spectra at 0.01–0.02 cm−1 resolution that include intensity measurements at reduced temperatures. Energy levels for the v4 = 1 state through J = 12 are also given based on the ν3 + ν4 band assignments of Hunt et al., and the wavenumbers of the hot-band lines.
Migration of the Army Cutworm, Chorizagrotis auxiliaries (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). I. Evidence for a Migration

Indirect evidence is presented to support the conclusion that the army cutworm, Chorizagrotis auxiliaris (Grote), migrates from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains during the spring and the same individuals return to the Plains in the fall. Spring activity occurs progressively later from east to west, the delay being greater than that caused by emergence but commensurate with flight potential of the moth. Flight is predominately from east to west and a constant turnover of moths occurs at all locations on the Plains. Seasonal occurrence in the mountains coincides with the period of inactivity on the Plains, during which fat reserves increase. Summer survival is unlikely on the Plains and little or no reproduction occurs in the mountains. Fall populations on the Plains are correlated with oversummering populations in the mountains but not with populations at any location on the Plains the preceding spring.
Commit quality in five high performance computing projects

High Performance Computing (HPC) has a long history of software development but relatively little is known about the approaches this community uses to create and maintain software. To close this gap we study the practices of using version control tools in five HPC production projects. We also contrast these practices to practices used in three distinct non-HPC open source projects. We first obtain version history of the projects from SVN, Mercurial, and Git. We then clean and process the data and use published material to construct three measures of code commit quality: the fraction of unique commit comments, their size, and the number of files per commit. Our results indicate relatively high but declining commit quality, and relatively large commits in HPC projects. We expect this work to highlight the differences among different software engineering domains and may lead to ideas suggesting good practices of using software tools in these domains.
Structure and property relationships in ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers

The effects of vinyl acetate content on crystallinity of ethylene–vinyl acetate (E/VA) copolymers were investigated by x-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The values of these parameters obtained from DTA were found to agree quantitatively with data calculated from x-ray, probability equations, and copolymer theory. The melting points of the crystalline copolymers, and the molar amounts of vinyl acetate to produce a completely amorphous rubber corresponds exactly to that predicted by the Flory theory. The random character expected in E/VA copolymers is thereby confirmed. The physical properties of E/VA copolymers of all ranges of compositions and crystallinity were determined. Depending directly upon vinyl acetate content, the copolymers changed progressively from highly crystalline polyethylene to semicrystalline polyethylene, a completely amorphous rubber, a soft plastic with a glass transition near room temperature. Properties which were correlated with copolymer composition include: crystallinity, melting point, density, modulus, tensile strength, glass transition, and solubility. Finally, the effect on crystallinity and physical properties of replacing the acetoxy group in E/VA with the smaller, highly polar hydroxyl group (ethylene—vinyl alcohol copolymer) was also investigated.
A life in passing: Jonathan Gray.

Jonathan Gray died today. Five years ago, he underwent an esophageal resection for cancer, developed an aorto-esophageal fistula requiring an emergent colonic interposition and survived to develop metastatic disease to the liver, initially successfully treated with oxaliplatin and a taxane containing regimen. Gifted with a sense of life's meaning and purpose, a rather remarkable ability to single out the best and brightest most capable of helping him, he was a tireless enthusiast for making novel therapies available to patients, and rallied against the futility of the current drug development process - too slow, too ineffective, and as he faced his own certain and early mortality, impossibly oriented for the patient with cancer to limited success for a limited number of individuals with extraordinarily slow mechanisms.
17-Alpha Hydroxylase Deficiency: A Case Series

potential. Surgical management: Decision to perform feminizing vs. masculinizing surgery is influenced by the degree of masculinization of the external genitalia and the projected effectiveness of sex assignment including functionality and potential for future fertility. In XY gonadal dysgenesis, surgery should be considered in cases of severe virilization and be performed in conjunction, when appropriate, with repair of the common urogenital sinus. A second surgery to create a functional vagina should be performed after puberty when the patient is motivated to self-dilate and/or is sexually active. FSH and hCG stimulation tests suggestive of ovotestes avoid gonadal biopsy; dysgenetic gonads can be removed after puberty when the risk of malignant transformation is relevant. Hormone replacement therapy: HRT should mimic endogenous hormone production in normal adolescent females. Initiate therapy around age 12 to achieve breast development, support maturation of secondary sex characteristics, and attain optimal bone density. Start with a low dose estrogen; double dose at 3 to 6 months and again 3 months later. After 2 years of unopposed estrogen therapy, add progesterone to achieve optimal breast development irrespective of the presence or absence of a uterus. Treatment should continue until the expected age of menopause. Androgen therapy is not indicated. Discussion: XY gonadal dysgenesis invariably leads to female sex assignment however, the cases presented illustrate potential diagnostic and management difficulties. Systematic laboratory testing and imaging allow early diagnosis and minimize patient and parental frustration. Appropriately timed surgeries minimize the need for additional corrective procedures so that functionality is maximized. Non-surgical diagnostic modalities are consistent with new approaches that seek less invasive interventions. Appropriately timed HRT results in satisfactory development of secondary sex characteristics and minimizes the psychosocial stressors patients face.
SR 141716 (Rimonabant) precipitates withdrawal in marijuana-dependent mice.

Abstract Repeated marijuana use is known to lead to physical dependence in humans; however, its dependence liability has yet to be adequately assessed in laboratory animals. The goals of the present study were to: assess whether the CB 1 antagonist SR 141716 (rimonabant) precipitates withdrawal in mice that had been repeatedly exposed to marijuana smoke, and to compare these precipitated withdrawal effects to those elicited following intravenous administration of its chief psychoactive component Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC). SR 141716 elicited a significant increase in paw tremors in mice that were repeatedly dosed with either marijuana or Δ 9 -THC. Unexpectedly, the blood and brain concentrations of Δ 9 -THC following marijuana exposure were considerably lower than those found following Δ 9 -THC injection when comparing an equivalent magnitude of paw tremors in both conditions. Finally, Δ 9 -THC dose-dependently alleviated SR 141716-induced paw tremors in marijuana-dependent mice, but marijuana itself failed to reverse the precipitated withdrawal effect. It is likely that marijuana exposure generated insufficient Δ 9 -THC brain levels (i.e., 203 ± 19 ng/g) to reverse the withdrawal signs compared with the brain levels following intravenous injection (i.e., 1862 ±82 ng/g). These findings taken together indicate that mice exposed repeatedly to marijuana smoke exhibit similar precipitated withdrawal effects as Δ 9 -THC-injected mice.
A Microcomputer Preprocessor/Postprocessor for Analog Signals

A microcomputer system is described which serves as a preprocessor/postprocessor for analog signals which are processed by a minicomputer. Both hardware and software characteristics are discussed.
GENES AND PROTEINS INVOLVED IN CELLULOSE SYNTHESIS IN PLANTS

In recent years, progress has been made in the identification of genes that encodeproteins critical for the process of cellulose synthesis in plants. CesA genes encodeproteins that are proposed to catalyze the glucan chain elongation step. CesA genes comprise a relatively large gene family in which some members may function in cell-type-specific expression, while others may serve as redundant genes mutually expressed within one cell type. In addition to CesA, evidence suggests the importance of other proteins in the process. For example, a cytoskeletal-anchored form of sucrose synthase may play a role in channeling substrate, and other cytoskeletal proteins may be involved in directing the orientation of microfibril deposition. Recent evidence suggests that a membrane-associated cellulase also plays somecritical role in the process of cellulose synthesis. While the power of molecularbiology, isolation of specific mutants, and genomics are certainly leading to new insights into the process, the major challenge still facing the field is to develop functional assays in which the entire process can be reconstituted and the specific roles played by each gene product clarified.
The Role of Fillers and Reinforcements in Plastics Technology

Abstract Plastics composites consist of intimate mixtures of resin and fillers or reinforcements. According to the definitions proposed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM-D-883), a filler is a relatively inert material added to a plastic to modify its strength, permanence, working properties, or other qualities, or to lower costs. In contrast, according to ASTM-D-883, a reinforced plastic is defined as one with some strength properties greatly superior to those of the base resin, resulting from the presence of high-strength fillers imbedded in the composite. The reinforcing fillers are usually fibers, fabrics, or mats made of fibers. The plastic laminates are the most common and strongest type of reinforced plastics.
Critical viscous surface waves over an incline

Abstract Surface waves moving at a speed near some critical value on a viscous fluid flow down an incline are studied. An inhomogeneous equation of the Burgers type is derived as a model equation for the long time evolution of the surface waves, when the shear stress on the free surface and the deviation of the uneven bottom from an inclined plane are prescribed. A soliton-like wave and a shock-like front generated ahead of or behind a moving source on the free surface are discovered.
The Myth of the Strong Soviet State

Studies of state-society relations continue to assume that the Soviet Union was the quintessential “strong” state, able to dominate a weak society at every stage of the policy process. Evidence gleaned from the former Soviet defense industry, however, reveals that the Soviet state, at least since the Brezhnev era, had difficulty implementing some of its highest priority objectives. While the Soviet state may have possessed considerable despotic power, its infrastructural power was lacking in many areas. Soviet authorities never managed to construct policy levers that could consistently influence defense industrial managers to behave in the ways they desired.
The Ethics of Excess and Indian Intervention in South Asia

This article examines four interlinked historical aspects of intervention from a philosophic and ethical perspective. What are the dimensions of intervention and how is it managed? What conditions govern intervention? How can intervention be evaluated? What are the moral issues in intervention? India, the world's largest democracy, has promoted its power through intervention in neighboring countries under the cloak of morality. The United States, Great Britain, and Russia have nonetheless tacitly endorsed India's role as the policing force in the region. Does this recognition justify India's actions toward its weaker and smaller neighbors?
Time resolution of the CS2 optical shutter: Effects of group velocity dispersion and beam geometry

Abstract For any given group velocity dispersion characterizing trigger and signal pulses employed in a CS 2 ultrafast light gate of arbitrary length, the beam geometry can always be manipulated to yield a time resolution limited only by the trigger pulse's time profile and the birefrigence relaxation time in CS 2 .
Surface Amendment of Fertilizer Ammonium Thiosulfate To Reduce Methyl Bromide Emission from Soil

Emission of methyl bromide (CH3Br) from soil fumigation contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion and imposes adverse toxicological effects on humans. We report the identification of fertilizer ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) as a potential surface amendment to reduce CH3Br volatilization from fumigated soils. In ATS-amended soil, CH3Br was rapidly degraded to Br-, with the degradation rate dependent on the ATS:CH3Br molar ratio and soil temperature. At 20 °C, the half-life of CH3Br in an Arlington sandy loam was >5 d, but was reduced to <5 h when 4 molar times of ATS was amended. Greatly reduced CH3Br emission was observed from soil columns when Thio-Sul, a 60% ATS fertilizer, was applied to the soil surface at 660 kg ha-1. The emission of CH3Br from the unamended column was 61% of the applied dosage following a 30-cm injection, but that from the ATS-treated columns was <10%. Field study showed that ATS amendment at 660 kg ha-1 only had a limited effect on the efficacy for controlling nematodes and weeds. ...
Frost resistance among theSolanum species in the ir-1 potato collection

Five-hundred eighty-six wild and cultivated introductions representing 82Solanum species maintained in the IR-1 Potato Collection were evaluated in the field for frost resistance following freezing temperatures down to 27 F (−2.8 C). The most resistant introductions were those ofS. acaule, S. chomatophilum, S. commersonii, S. xcurtilobum, S. demissum, andS. sanctae-rosae. Resistance comparable to the best in the tuberbearing species was found in introductions of 2 closely related (nontuberous) species,S. brevidens andS. etuberosum. Seedling families of 102 interspecific crosses also were evaluated. Most of the hybrids involvingS. acaule were resistant to temperatures of 27 F. Some of the recent literature on frost resistance is reviewed and the species reported as resistant are listed according to the most recent taxonomic treatments of the tuber-bearingSolanum species.
Extraction of error related local field potentials from the striatum during environmental perturbations of a robotic arm

A time-frequency analysis based on wavelet transform was carried out to extract error related local field potentials (LFPs) resulting from undesired action perturbations during the control of a robotic effector. During this study, a marmoset monkey controlled the movements of a robotic arm while periodically observing the arm unexpectedly moving to the incorrect target during perturbations. LFPs were recorded using a multi-electrode array implanted in the striatum. Results showed that the proposed signal processing method with a chosen classification threshold can effectively separate the perturbed and the normal situations. Obtaining such information during brain machine interfaces (BMI) tasks could improve the performance of BMI systems.
Sensing, signaling and sorting events in kidney epithelial cell physiology

The kidney regulates body fluid, ion and acid/base homeostasis through the interaction of a host of channels, transporters and pumps within specific tubule segments, specific cell types and specific plasma membrane domains. Furthermore, renal epithelial cells have adapted to function in an often unique and challenging environment that includes high medullary osmolality, acidic pHs, variable blood flow and constantly changing apical and basolateral 'bathing' solutions. In this review, we focus on selected protein trafficking events by which kidney epithelial cells regulate body fluid, ion and acid-base homeostasis in response to changes in physiological conditions. We discuss aquaporin 2 and G-protein-coupled receptors in fluid and ion balance, the vacuolar H(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) and intercalated cells in acid/base regulation and acidification events in the proximal tubule degradation pathway. Finally, in view of its direct role in vesicle trafficking that we outline in this study, we propose that the V-ATPase itself should, under some circumstances, be considered a fourth category of vesicle 'coat' protein (COP), alongside clathrin, caveolin and COPs.
Hereditary Angioedema Therapy: Kallikrein Inhibition and Bradykinin Receptor Antagonism

Current strategies for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) include targeted inhibition or antagonism of the contact system, which is dysregulated in HAE patients by a C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. Ecallantide, a plasma kallikrein inhibitor, and icatibant, a selective bradykinin-2 receptor antagonist, have recently been evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of acute HAE attacks. Both drugs have demonstrated evidence of efficacy and safety in treating acute HAE episodes, with ecallantide approved for use in the United States and icatibant approved for use in Europe. As therapeutic options for HAE expand for both for prophylactic and acute treatment strategies, a number of patient-specific and drug-specific factors have emerged as important considerations when developing individualized HAE management plans. Optimization of HAE therapy will require further integration of new therapies into the current treatment paradigm.
Steam Generator control in Nuclear Power Plants by water mass inventory

Abstract Control of water mass inventory in Nuclear Steam Generators is important to insure sufficient cooling of the nuclear reactor. Since downcomer water level is measurable, and a reasonable indication of water mass inventory near steady-state, conventional feedwater control system designs attempt to maintain downcomer water level within a relatively narrow operational band. However, downcomer water level can temporarily react in a reverse manner to water mass inventory changes, commonly known as shrink and swell effects. These complications are accentuated during start-up or low power conditions. As a result, automatic or manual control of water level is difficult and can lead to high reactor trip rates. This paper introduces a new feedwater control strategy for Nuclear Steam Generators. The new method directly controls water mass inventory instead of downcomer water level, eliminating complications from shrink and swell all together. However, water mass inventory is not measurable, requiring an online estimator to provide a mass inventory signal based on measurable plant parameters. Since the thermal-hydraulic response of a Steam Generator is highly nonlinear, a linear state-observer is not feasible. In addition, difficulties in obtaining flow regime and density information within the Steam Generator make an estimator based on analytical methods impractical at this time. This work employs a water mass estimator based on feedforward neural networks. By properly choosing and training the neural network, mass signals can be obtained which are suitable for stable, closed-loop water mass inventory control. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that water mass control can significantly improve the operation and safety of Nuclear Steam Generators.
A Miocene Gilbert-type fan-delta from a volcanically influenced lacustrine basin, Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya

A lacustrine, volcanically influenced fan-delta is recognized in the Kulu Formation of the Miocene Rusinga Group in western Kenya. In the Nyamsingula Gully area on Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria, mapped lithologic units include the classic topset, foreset (mega-foreset) and bottomset structure of a Gilbert-type delta. A distinctive mega-breccia unit of colluvial origin interfingers laterally with the delta deposits and consists of pyroclastic and sedimentary rock fragments derived from underlying and laterally adjacent strata. The breccia formed from the bevelling of a fault escarpment, from which the fan-delta also originated. Away from the fan-delta axis, slumping of fault-scarp colluvium into the lake produced matrix-supported debris flows that are interbedded with lacustrine shales. In the topset beds of the delta, clasts of a distinctive melilitite–nephelinite tuff of airfall origin can be identified and traced down a palaeoslope through laterally adjacent units from the original bedded tuff, into the mega-breccia unit, and finally into debris-flow deposits in the foreset and bottomset beds. During resedimentation the tuff behaved in a brittle fashion due to quick cementation as a result of its water soluble, ultra-alkaline composition. The Kulu Formation is a distinctive facies that interfingers with the lowermost Hiwegi Formation. Both formations are part of the Rusinga Group. The bulk of the Rusinga Group, excluding the Kulu Formation, represents braidplains and alluvial aprons that flanked the Miocene volcano of Kisingiri. The braidplain and alluvial apron deposits have primary dips away from the volcano and were derived from material erupted and eroded from the volcano. The Kulu Formation, in contrast, was deposited in two small, elongate lacustrine basins separated by a small horst (approximately 5 km long and 2–3 km wide), from which the deposits were largely derived. The fan-delta systems prograded symmetrically away from the horst margins, into the adjoining lacustrine basins. The long dimensions of the horst and lake basins roughly parallel the local slope of the Kisingiri volcano, and therefore deposition in the Kulu Formation was perpendicular to deposition of the other Rusinga Group formations in the vicinity
PHOTOXIDATION OF ASCORBATE TO OXALATE AND THREONATE MEDIATED BY CHLOROPLASTS IN FAR RED LIGHT

— Chloroplasts illuminated with light absorbed predominantly by Photosystem I can mediate the photoxidation of ascorbic acid to threonic and oxalic acids. Two micromoles of oxygen are consumed for each micromole of ascorbic acid added. The kinetics of this endogenous chloroplast system closely resemble the kinetics of an artificial flavin-manganese-catalase system in which flavin is the photosensitizing dye.
Fluorescent derivatives of nucleosides

Fluorescence spectra of formycin anhydronucleosides 5,6,8 and of N-dimethylaminomethylene ribonucleosides 1b, 2, 3a-3c and 4 in aqueous solution at 5-7 × 10−5 M are reported. Compounds 5 and 6 exhibit a very strong fluorescence emission, ca. 4 and 2 times more intense than that of formycin (1a) accompanied by a bathochromic shift of the emission maximum. Anhydronucleoside 8 also has an increased fluorescence intensity over the parent nucleoside 7. The level of fluorescence emission is lower in 7 and 8 than in 1a, 5 or 6. Introduction of N-dimethylaminomethylene group into 1a (compound 1b) caused a decrease in the fluorescence intensity relative to 1a but a bathochromic shift of the emission maximum. In other instances (compounds 2, 3a-3c, 4) the introduction of N-dimethylaminomethylene group led also to fluorescent derivatives. This effect is most pronounced with 2, whereas the fluorescence intensity of the rest of the group (3a-3c and 4) is much lower. Compounds 3c and 4 exhibit, however, a profound bathochromic shift in the fluorescence emission maximum relative to 2, 3a or 3b. A possible relationship of the fluorescence emission to the base conformation in formycin and potential use of N-dimethylaminomethylene nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives as fluorescent probes are discussed. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 14, 135 (1977).
Analysis of Popular Press Articles Concerning Postpartum Depression: 1998–2006

The purpose of the study was to analyze the content of popular press magazine articles that focused on postpartum depression, published from 1998–2006. Replicating earlier research by , 47 articles were identified and their content analyzed in the areas of etiology, symptoms, treatment, resources, and demographic assumptions about readers. Popular press magazines contained contradictory information about the definition, prevalence, onset, duration, symptoms, and treatment of postpartum mood disorders. Health care providers should be proactive in directing childbearing women to factual sources of information on postpartum depression.
A personalized learning environment

We report on the current research activities and results obtained through the Concept Learning service for Concept Knowledge (CLICK) and present a demonstration of the system. This poster session will focus on a demonstration of the CLICK system and the results of the learning study
Isolation and characterization of proteinase inhibitor I from etiolated tobacco leaves.

Abstract Proteinase Inhibitor I was induced to accumulate in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabaccum ) leaves by placing plants in darkness for 10 days at 27 °C. The inhibitor was isolated using ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-75 chromatography, heating, and affinity chromatography with a chymotrypsin-Sepharose column. Inhibitor I was purified 232-fold with a yield of 34 mg from 2.5 kg of leaves. Affinity-purified tobacco Inhibitor I was shown to be homogeneous by gel electrophoresis in both nondissociating and dissociating buffers. The inhibitor has a molecular weight of 39,000 ± 1000 determined by gel filtration and, like its potato and tomato counterparts, is composed of five subunits of molecular weight 8100. The tobacco Inhibitor I strongly inhibits chymotrypsin and weakly inhibits trypsin. The chemical, physical, and immunological properties of tobacco Inhibitor I indicate that it is structurally very similar to potato tuber Inhibitor I and tomato leaf Inhibitor I, although the synthesis and accumulation of the three inhibitors in their respective tissues are all under different developmental or environmental regulation.
EFFECT OF INCREMENTAL DOBUTAMINE INFUSION ON CARDIAC VOLUMETRIC AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSES IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Results: Nine of ten subjects experienced their maximal cardiac index (CI) response at the maximum dose of dobutamine. At this point, the mean cardiac index more than doubled over baseline (3.92 ± 0.35 to 7.81 ± 0.50 L/min/m2, p<.0001). A mean increase in heart rate of 67.8 ± 6.4 at baseline to 72.7 ± 4.9 (p<.0001) accounted for as much as 75.3% of the increase in CI. The remaining increase in CI was associated with the percent increase of stroke volume index of 22.6 ± 6.6% (p=.0081) from the baseline of 54.4 ± 3.7 mL/m2. Mean right and left ejection fractions were both increased signiicantly by approximately 15% (relative change) over baseline. Biventricular end-systolic volume indices either reached or strongly trended towards signiicant reductions but increases in end-diastolic volume indices did not. Conclusions: The cardiac response of normal volunteers to graded dobutamine infusion is characterized by a marked increase in cardiac index that is due primarily to an increase in heart rate. Increased ejection fraction with reduced end-systolic volumes contributed to at least half the increase in stroke volume with the remaining increase caused by dobutamine-associated augmentation of end-diastolic volumes. Dobutamine increases indices of cardiac contractility. How the response to dobutamine in disease states may differ will require additional studies.
The Stuff of Life

Book reviewed: Colin B Bailey, Philip Conisbee and Thomas W Gaehtgens, The Age of Watteau, Chardin and Fragonard: Masterpieces of French Genre Painting
THE POLITICS OF BUDGETING

Political concerns are an integral part of any library's budgeting process. This article identifies the various constituencies who must be won over during budget development, allocation, and management, specifically in university libraries. The author outlines ways to ensure the support of major figures, suggests useful strategies, and presents examples from her experience. She also stresses the importance of keeping in mind the larger institutional goals and using these as a way to rally support around the library budget.
A fresh look at an ancient receptor family: Emerging roles for low density lipoprotein receptors in synaptic plasticity and memory formation

The well-known family of low-density lipoprotein receptors represents a collection of ancient membrane receptors that have been remarkably conserved throughout evolution. These multifunctional receptors, known to regulate cholesterol transport, are becoming increasingly interesting to the neuroscience community due to their ability to transduce a diversity of extracellular signals across the membrane in the adult CNS. Their roles in modulating synaptic plasticity and necessity in hippocampus-specific learning and memory have recently come to light. In addition, genetic, biochemical and behavioral studies have implicated these signaling systems in a number of human neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders involving loss of cognitive ability, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and autism. This review describes the known functions of these receptors and discusses their potential role in processes of synaptic regulation and memory formation.
Low-dose intrathecal fluorescein and etiology-based graft choice in endoscopic endonasal closure of CSF leaks.

Abstract Objective Skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of various etiologies are increasingly repaired through the natural corridor using an endoscopic endonasal approach. Characteristics of the skull base defect significantly correlate with etiology, which should be ascertained to guide surgical management. The objectives of this study were to assess the long-term outcomes of patients that underwent endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leak using low-dose intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) and an etiology-based algorithm for multi-layer graft closure. Methods Patients were divided into 4 groups: A – congenital, B – post-traumatic, C – post-endonasal surgery, D – post-craniotomy. Low-dose ITF was utilized in all case series. Long-term clinical follow-up data, including perioperative complications associated with the use of intrathecal fluorescein and leak closure rates, were obtained retrospectively. Endoscopic visualization of fluorescein-stained CSF as well as the method of skull base closure and graft material is detailed. Results We identified a total of 41 patients (N = 24 in Group A, N = 4 in Group B, N = 12 in Group C and N = 1 in Group D) that underwent 50 CSF leak repairs using the endoscopic endonasal approach with an average follow-up of 31.6 months. Nine patients (21.9%) had undergone a previous attempt at CSF leak repair. Lumbar drain was used intraoperatively in 26 patients (63.4%) and kept in place for an average duration of 3.25 days. ITF successfully identified the site of leak in 80.5% of cases regardless of etiology. Leaks were successfully closed in 92% of patients. One patient (2.4%) experienced transient leg weakness following lumbar drain placement. Another patient (2.4%) developed hydrocephalus requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Conclusion Low-dose ITF is a safe and useful adjunct to endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leaks with minimal complications and successful localization of the leak in approximately 80%. An etiology-based approach to graft choice and duration of lumbar drain placement in CSF leak repair may optimize closure rates.
Primary health care and primary care: a confusion of philosophies.

The internationally accepted definition of PHC is qualitatively different from that of PC. Both PC, which produces professionally and institutionally driven services, and PHC, which creates community-based and community-driven services, can serve Nursing's Agenda for Health Care Reform.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF LIVE AND ARTIFICIAL DIETS ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE ATLANTIC SILVERSIDE, Menidia menidia

Juvenile Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) were fed a live diet of 3-day-old brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia salina). Growth and survival of those fish is compared with that of fish fed various artificial diets, those fed live food and an artificial diet on alternate days, and one group not fed. Survival on the live Artemia diet was 93% of the original 150 fish after 24 days. Artificial diets gave survival ranging from 43% to 79% during the same period. Fish fed live and artificial diets had 88% survival. The unfed group had 10% survival after 9 days and all died after 16 days of starvation. Growth was best on the live diet and only slightly less, but significantly different, on the combination diet. Growth was significantly less on all the artificial diets. No artificial diet yet tested, including the World Mariculture Society Nutrition Task Force invertebrate reference diet (preliminary), has provided survival and growth of Atlantic silversides equivalent to that of fish fed live brine shrimp nauplii. Relative success of the combination diet demonstrates partial nutritional requirements can be derived from an artificial (non-living) food source and indicates progress toward adequate artificial diets for marine fishes.