cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speaking While Gesturing Adversely Affects Limb Praxis In pAD. (P2.181)

OBJECTIVE: to learn whether an expected deficit in activating praxis concepts caused more substitution-activation speaking in participants with pAD than in controls during praxis testing. BACKGROUND: A left brain network supports skilled learned purposive movement (praxis); a sensitive screening method in probable Alzheimer Disease (pAD) is to ask subjects to produce tool-use and other gestural pantomimes to command. We previously observed (Barrett et al., 2002) that speaking was associated with praxis performance errors in aged people, and suggested that speech may have served as a substitute response, or as a means of activating praxis representations. DESIGN/METHODS: We compared 30 aged controls (20 women, mean age 74.8 ) to 14 pAD participants (6 women, mean age 67.4 ; mean MMSE = 22.7, SD 4.95). Participants generated 30 transitive and intransitive gestural pantomimes to command (the Florida Apraxia Battery, FAB). A rater blinded to participant diagnosis and FAB score recorded each participant9s speaking time, and the number of words spoken, per trial. We compared speaking time between groups, and examined the relationship between FAB score, speaking time, and words spoken. RESULTS: Participants with pAD had lower 30-item FAB scores (mean 19.0, SD 4.44) than controls (mean 22.6, SD 4.52; p = 0.02), and spoke more words (mean 5.5, SD 5.81) than controls per trial (mean 1.9, SD 1.83; p< 0.05). Over all subjects, FAB score negatively correlated with both words spoken per trial (-0.36, p = 0.02) and speaking time (-0.41 p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We replicated a negative relationship between speaking and praxis, and demonstrated more speaking during testing in pAD participants compared to controls. Research is needed to define the speech and praxis mechanisms interacting in this relationship, but this finding supports speaking while gesturing as pathologic, suggesting limb apraxia (Barrett & Foundas, 2004). Study Supported by: Alzheimer Association, Kessler Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Barrett has received personal compensation for activities with WebMD. Dr. Barrett has received research support from Kessler Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Improvement, the Department of Education/NIDRR. Dr. Dore has nothing to disclose.
Family member deaths across adulthood predict Alzheimer's disease risk: The Cache County Study.

Objectives Parental death during childhood, and offspring and spouse death during adulthood have individually been associated with faster cognitive decline and higher Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in late life. However, the cumulative effect of childhood and adulthood family deaths on AD risk among different age cohorts has not been studied. Methods To examine these associations, this prospective cohort study uses a population-based sample of 4545 initially non-demented participants (56.7% female; age M = 75.0/SD = 6.9 years) observed at four triennial waves, linked with objective Utah Population Database data on cumulative mother, father, sibling, spouse, and offspring death experienced during childhood and adulthood. Cox regression modeled survival time from baseline interview to AD onset, as a function of family deaths during childhood or adulthood, among different age groups, along with gender and presence of e4 allele at apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphic genetic locus. Results Age group significantly moderated the relationship between family death and AD; among persons aged 65–69 years at baseline (children of the Great Depression), those exposed to 3–4 deaths and 5+ deaths during adulthood exhibited a doubling of AD risk (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 2.25, p = .038, and aHR = 2.72, p = .029), while among persons aged 80 years and older, those exposed to 3–4 deaths during adulthood exhibited lower AD risk (HR = 0.539, p = 0.014). In a combined model of childhood and adulthood deaths, these findings persisted. Conclusions Results suggest a cohort effect in the link between family member deaths during adulthood and AD risk later in life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of orderly connections in developing sensory pathways.

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses on the cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of orderly connections in developing sensory pathways. It also proposes that the electrophysiological state of developing postsynaptic sensory neurons is the key to understanding how orderly connections are formed. Developing neurons are not only equipped with cellular machinery that is responsive to molecular cues in their immediate environment and in distant targets, but they also possess several intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic responses that enable them to form functional neural pathways. It is generally assumed that various electrophysiological properties of differentiating neurons are “immature”, lacking certain characteristics that are associated with mature neurons. More likely, these “immature” properties reflect a state that optimizes precision in the developmental wiring of the nervous system. Some of these properties are lost or reduced in the mature state as to favor other aspects of information processing. The chapter summarizes evidence showing that both in the rat trigeminal and kitten retinogeniculate pathways; there are striking similarities in the functional properties of the first order central nervous system (CNS) relay neurons during development. The combination of voltage and ligand-gated conductances and avenues of access to Ca 2+ ions is clearly advantageous in detecting the relative strength of presynaptic inputs, as well as in minimizing signal distortion. These studies indicate that immature sensory neurons possess a distinctive combination of intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic responses that could contribute substantially to the remodeling of connectivity and regulation of activity in a Hebbian fashion. Moreover, these properties may be a common feature in the development of diverse sensory pathways in the mammalian brain.
Mood disorders and outcome in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background:Mood disorders (MD) have been demonstrated to influence outcome in cardiac disease in general and specifically in chronic heart failure (HF). Little is known about their possible effect on response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Objective:To evaluate the influence of MD on CRT response. Methods:We conducted a retrospective chart review of all cardiac CRT-D (CRT defibrillator) recipients (N = 153) at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System from beginning of 2004 through end of 2006. All-cause death and HF-related hospitalizations (HFH), individually and combined, were sought through 2009. Results:During a mean follow-up time of 31.4 ± 14.7 months, there were 48 (31.4%) deaths and 55 (35.9%) HFHs in HF patients having New York Heart Association class of 2.9 ± 0.3, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25.8 ± 9.1%, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) of 61.6 ± 11.6 mm, and QRS of 152 ± 30.5 ms. A total of 65 (42.5%) patients had MD (depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder). Compared to others, patients in the MD group were at a significantly higher risk of HFH alone (47.7% vs 27.3%, P = 0.009) or when combined with death (58.5% vs 39.8%, P = 0.022) but not death alone (35.4% vs 28.4%, P = 0.36). The significant predictive effect of MD on HFH alone and when combined with death shown in univariate analysis was not attenuated after adjustment for age, ejection fraction, etiology of cardiomyopathy, cumulative number of any shocks, smoking, and evidence of postimplantation echocardiographic improvement. Conclusions:MD in patients with advanced but stable HF receiving CRT-D therapy was a predictor of HFH alone or when combined with death but not mortality alone. (PACE 2011;1–9)
Multilevel optimum design of structures with fiber-composite stiffened-panel components

The multilevel approach to minimum weight structural design is extended to wing box structures with fiber-composite stiffened-panel components. Strength, deflection, and panel buckling constraints are treated at the system level with equivalent-thickness-type design variables. Local buckling and panel buckling constraints are guarded against at the component level, employing detailed component dimensions as design variables. A key feature of the method is selection of change in stiffness as the component level objective function to be minimized. Numerical results are given for wing box structures with sandwich and hat-stiffened fiber-composite panels.
Baroreflex Sympatho-activation During Muscle Metaboreflex Activation Improves Blood Flow to the Ischemic Muscle

Muscle metaboreflex and arterial baroreflex regulate arterial pressure through distinct mechanisms. Muscle metaboreflex activation (MMA) elicits a pressor response virtually solely by increasing cardiac output (CO) while baroreceptor unloading increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) primarily through peripheral vasoconstriction. We activated the muscle metaboreflex in chronically instrumented canines during dynamic exercise (via graded reductions in hindlimb blood flow; HLBF) followed by simultaneous baroreceptor unloading (via bilateral carotid occlusion; BCO). We hypothesized that simultaneous activation of both the reflexes would result in an exacerbated pressor response owing to both an increase in CO and vasoconstriction. We observed that MMA caused a significant increase in MAP, heart rate (HR), CO, and non-ischemic vascular conductance (NIVC; conductance of all vascular beds except the hindlimb vasculature). When followed by BCO, there were further increases in MAP and HR however, NIVC decreased by ...
Treprostinil, a prostacyclin analog, ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat orthotopic liver transplantation.

Prostaglandins have been evaluated for their ability to reduce IRI after liver transplantation; however, poor stability, side effects and the inability to show a significant difference in primary endpoint have limited their clinical application. Treprostinil, a prostacyclin (PGI2) analog, has a higher potency and longer elimination half-life than other commercially available PGI2 analogs. We examined the efficacy of treprostinil to prevent IRI during OLT. OLT was performed in syngeneic Lewis rats after 18 h of cold preservation (4°C) in the UW solution. IRI significantly increased serum ALT and AST levels, neutrophil infiltration, hepatic necrosis and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines post-OLT, while treatment with treprostinil decreased all the parameters. Cold storage of liver grafts significantly reduced ATP levels and treprostinil restored energy levels in liver grafts early postreperfusion. In addition, treprostinil preserved the sinusoidal endothelial cell lining and reduced platelet deposition early post-transplantation compared to placebo. Hepatic tissue blood flow was significantly compromised in the placebo group, whereas treprostinil maintained blood-flow similar to normal levels. Treprostinil protected the liver graft against IRI during OLT. Treprostinil has the potential to serve as a therapeutic option to protect the liver graft against I/R injury in patients undergoing OLT.
The Unsupervised Acquisition of a Lexicon from Continuous Speech

We present an unsupervised learning algorithm that acquires a natural- language lexicon from raw speech. The algorithm is based on the optimal encoding of symbol sequences in an MDL framework, and uses a hierarchical representation of language that overcomes many of the problems that have stymied previous grammar-induction procedures. The forward mapping from symbol sequences to the speech stream is modeled using features based on articulatory gestures. We present results on the acquisition of lexicons and language models from raw speech, text, and phonetic transcripts, and demonstrate that our algorithm compares very favorably to other reported results with respect to segmentation performance and statistical efficiency.
Nondestructive characterization of impact damage in graphite/epoxy laminates

Transient deformation and damage were studied in graphite/epoxy plates subjected to falling weight impact. The plates were 8-ply and 16-ply quasi-isotropic laminates clamped around a 12.7 cm (5 in.) diameter circumference. They were instrumented with surface and embedded strain gages and loaded by a 202 gr (0.445 lb) mass dropped from a height of 1.83 m (72 in.). The dynamic load history and imparted energy were obtained by means of an accelerometer attached to the impactor. Transient strains at various locations through the thickness and at various distances from the loading point were obtained. The characteristic features of the strain records are associated with specific failure modes in the laminate. The deformation history was also correlated with the induced damage as detected by X-radiography and ultrasonics. Impact damage is more extensive in the thicker laminate. Damage takes the form of delaminated strips parallel to the fiber direction in each ply and increasing in length from top to bottom. The length variation of consecutive delaminated strips is more pronounced in the thin laminate. Transient strain records corroborate the ultrasonic indications regarding the location of delaminations.
SOI MOSFET thermal conductance and its geometry dependence

SOI MOSFETs are susceptible to the local thermal heating generated in the channel due to the lesser thermal conductivity of their buried oxide. Even with a /spl sim/100 nm thin buried oxide, SOI MOSFET DC I-V characteristics, from which SPICE parameters are extracted, show current loss due to the self-heating. On the other hand, for most logic circuits in an LSI, the self-heating effect is insignificant. Since the average power per device is low and the switching time (/spl sim/10 ps) is much shorter than the thermal constant (/spl sim/100 ns), the device temperature increase due to the self-heating is quite small. Therefore, for an accurate circuit design, we must correct the DC I-V data for the self-heating. In this paper, the thermal dissipation paths in SOI MOSFETs are investigated via experiments and modeling.
Combining tissue Doppler echocardiography and B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation of left ventricular filling pressures: Review of the literature and clinical recommendations

Tissue Doppler imaging is an echocardiographic technique that directly measures myocardial velocities. Diastolic tissue Doppler velocities reflect myocardial relaxation, and in combination with conventional Doppler measurements, ratios (transmitral early diastolic velocity/mitral annular early diastolic velocity [E/Ea]) have been developed to noninvasively estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. Consequently, mitral E/Ea can help to establish the presence of clinical congestive heart failure in patients with dyspnea. However, E/Ea has a significant ‘gray zone’, and is not well validated in nonsinus rhythm and mitral valve disease. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a protein released by the ventricles in the presence of myocytic stretch, and has been correlated to LV filling pressure and, independently, to other cardiac morphological abnormalities. In addition, BNP is significantly affected by age, sex, renal function and obesity. Given its correlation with multiple cardiac variables, BNP has high sensitivity, but low specificity, for the detection of elevated LV filling pressures. Taking into account the respective strengths and limitations of BNP and mitral E/Ea, algorithms combining them can be used to more accurately estimate LV filling pressures in patients presenting with dyspnea.
Intracrine signaling in the mammary gland

Abstract The concept of paracrine/autocrine regulation of cellular mechanisms by peptide regulators acting through cell surface receptors and generating a cascade of intracellular second messengers is highly established. Recent evidence is accumulating that peptide regulatory factors can act within the cell (without plasma membrane signaling receptors) and this action has been coined “intracrine”. The locus of many intracrine actions appears to be the nucleus. Evidence also indicates that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) directly interacts with nuclear receptors. We and others have indicated that lactoferrin (Lf) and IGFBP-3 are also intracrine factors and these proteins appear on the putative list of potential intracrine factors. These proteins have a signal sequence and are secreted from cells. Additionally, they have nuclear localization sequences (NLS) and have been shown to sequester in the nuclear compartment of some cells. While IGFBP-3 has been linked to retinoid receptors and signaling, the mechanism of cellular internalization and the resulting phenotypic effect has remained unclear. However, a recent study has indicated that nucleolin may be responsible for Lf binding as well as translocation to the nuclear compartment. We hypothesize that the high regulation, high synthesis and secretion rates of Lf and IGFBP-3 by mammary cells provide the opportunity to be critical regulators of mammary gland development and differentiation via nucleolin and retinoid receptors.
Measurements of 3He in Galactic HII regions and planetary nebulae

The cosmic abundance of the 3He isotope has important implications for many fields of astrophysics. We are using the 8.665 GHz hyperfine transition of 3He+ to determine the 3He/H abundance in Milky Way H ii regions and planetary nebulae. Here we review the 30 year history of our 3He program, report on its current status, and describe our future plans.
Application-Specific Customization of Dynamic Profiling Mechanisms for Sensor Networks

To reduce the complexity associated with application-specific tuning of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), dynamic profiling enables an accurate view of an application’s runtime behavior, such that the network can be reoptimized at runtime in response to changing application behavior or environmental conditions. However, the dynamic profiling must be able to accurately capture application behavior without incurring significant runtime overheads. Since application- and sensor-specific constraints dictate the profiling requirements and tolerated overheads, designers require design assistance to quickly evaluate and select appropriate profiling methodologies. To increase designer productivity, we formulate profiling methodology design guidelines based on extensive evaluation and analysis of a variety of profiling methodologies suitable for dynamically monitoring WSNs with respect to network traffic overhead, power, and code impacts associated with each method. While energy consumption increases are reasonable, ranging from 0.5% to 2.6%, network traffic, code size, and computation time overheads can be as high as 66.2%, 75.9%, and 136.6%, respectively. Our results show that these overhead variations are highly application specific, and a single profiling method is not suitable for all types of application behavior, thus necessitating, application-specific profiling methodology customization. To facilitate rapid development of these profiling methodologies, we present a profiler-customization methodology consisting of a code generator module, overhead estimation module, and profile data management module. Using our profiling-customization methodology, designers can rapidly evaluate the overhead of different profiling methodologies, and automatically integrate the most appropriate methodology into the application at design time.
A Comparison of the Grip Strength of Children With Myelomeningocele to That of Children Without Disability

The grip strengths of 108 children aged 6 to 19 years with myelomeningocele were measured and compared with previously published results for children without disability. The grip strengths of the 59 female subjects with myelomeningocele were significantly lower than those of the population without disability in all age groups except for the 12 to 15 years range. The 49 male subjects exhibited significantly lower grip strengths only up to age 12 years. Implications and recommendations for clinical treatment, effects of secondary neurological complications, limitations of the study, and topics of future research are discussed.
Spatial Association of Signaling Proteins and F-Actin Effects on Cluster Assembly Analyzed via Photoactivation Localization Microscopy in T Cells

Recognition of antigens by T cell receptors (TCRs) triggers cellular signaling cascades initiated by recruitment to the plasma membrane of numerous effector molecules to form signaling microclusters (MCs). Here we show that the method of high-resolution photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM) imaging can be used to analyze the spatial correlation between kinase ZAP70 and adaptor SLP76 MCs at the cell periphery and the effects of F-actin on MC assembly. We first determined the photophysical rate constants of Dronpa and tdEos fluorescence probes, which allowed us to optimize our dual-color PALM imaging method. We next analyzed the degrees of spatial association through determination of Mander's colocalization coefficients from PALM images, which revealed increasing spatial segregation of ZAP70 and SLP76 MCs at the cell periphery after initiation of signaling. We showed that this spatial segregation at the cell periphery occurred in parallel with the reduction of MC phosphorylation levels. Furthermore, we used Ripley's K function to analyze spatial randomness, and determined average radii of clusters as a function of activation time. The average radii of SLP76 and LAT MCs were found to decrease, whereas ZAP70 MC radii remained relatively constant. Finally, effects of F-actin depolymerization on MC morphology were studied by determining radial distributions of cluster circularity. Our data suggest that MC morphology is affected by actin polymerization. The quantitative analysis of sub-diffraction PALM images may provide a starting point for a molecular interpretation of cluster-cluster interactions and of the regulation of T cell signaling MCs by the cytoskeleton.
Model-centric nonlinear equalizer for coherent long-haul fiber-optic communication systems

In long-haul DWDM or elastic subwavelength modulated systems with periodic dispersion compensation and amplification, all-optical communications give rise to severe physical impairments, due to fiber dispersion and nonlinearity, together with noise due to amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), that adversely affect system performance. Many signal processing techniques, including forward error correction, constrained coding, and predistortion/equalization, have been developed to mitigate these physical impairments and fully exploit the system capacity of long-haul DWDM systems. However, existing equalizers either only mitigate linear impairments or are too complex to be useful, such as backpropagation. This paper proposes a model-centric nonlinear equalizer for coherent systems based on a 2D discrete-time model of physical impairments in long-haul time and wavelength channel systems with periodic dispersion compensation and amplification using inverse Volterra theory. Different from backpropagation, which is hard to implement in hardware, this equalizer can function on the most basic discrete-time signal processing device. The nonlinear equalizer is effective in suppressing linear and nonlinear physical impairments in a long-haul fiber-optic communication system, particularly for high launched power levels where fiber nonlinearity dominates.
Effects of smoking cigarets on the heart in normal persons and in cardiac patients.

It has been our experience, over a period of years, that most patients with a cardiac disorder, including those with disease of the coronary arteries, can smoke moderately without apparent harm. In fact, for many, smoking not only affords pleasure but aids in promoting emotional stability. Yet it is common practice to advise patients with cardiac disease to abstain from the use of tobacco. Recently, a report was made of the effects of the intravenous injection of nicotine on the circulation. 1 It was shown that variations in response were as large in normal persons as in those with cardiovascular disease, and that they depended to a greater extent on individual susceptibility than on the presence of disease. In the present study, observations were made on the effects of smoking regular and commercially "denicotinized" cigarets. The indexes used were changes in cardiac output as determined by the ballistocardiograph, changes in
Stress Analysis for Linear Viscoelastic Cylinders

An alternative method is developed to find the stress and strain distributions in a linear viscoelastic cylinder. The problem of a hollow cylinder with moving inner boundary is presented. The cylinder is encased in and bonded to an elastic casing, and subjected to a uniform internal pressure. It is found that this particular problem can be reduced to a typical Volterra integral equation of the second kind. Solutions can be obtained either analytically by a method of successive approximations, or numerically by means of a finite-difference technique.
Meeting the needs of adolescents: pediatric medical education and workforce development.

In this issue of Pediatrics , Fox et al1 present data from a national survey of pediatric residency training programs and adolescent medicine clerkship directors that was designed to evaluate residency education in adolescent medicine. This study is timely in light of the recent Institute of Medicine report “Adolescent Health Services: Missing Opportunities,”2 which documented poor progress in improving the health status of adolescents in the United States and significant health disparities. Review of 21 of the Healthy People 2010 critical health objectives for ages 10 to 24 shows little progress in the health status of adolescents since 2000. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic-status disparities in adolescents' utilization of primary care and mental health services, chronic disease risk behaviors, and overall perception of health status are of major concern.3 Fox et al demonstrate major gaps in adolescent medicine training across the nation and suggest strategies for enhancing training. To meet the needs of adolescents, 2 important areas of workforce development are critical: (1) the training of adequate numbers of adolescent medicine teachers and health providers; and (2) interdisciplinary models of training … Address correspondence to Maria Trent, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAM, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pediatrics, 200 N Wolfe St, Suite 2064, Baltimore, MD 21287. E-mail: mtrent2{at}jhmi.edu
CHROMOSOMAL BREAKAGE AND SPRAY ADHESIVE EXPOSURE

The recent claim of a 5 to 6 fold increase in cells with chromosomal damage in individuals in Oklahoma City exposed to spray adhesives, the resulting national warnings, and the questionable nature of the evidence offered in support of the association, prompted a local “blind–assessment” study of chromosome breakage in 11 exposed and 11 control individuals. PHA stimulated peripheral blood cultured for 72 hours (as in the Oklahoma study) was used. The cells were scored “blindly”, i.e. without knowledge of their source, and only metaphase spreads with clear evidence for chromosome breakage, exclusive of gaps, were scored as “positive”. Approximately 700 cells from each group were evaluated. The rate in the exposed was 1.3% and in the controls 1.0%; a non-significant difference which in fact excludes with 95% confidence a rate in the exposed 2½ times or greater that in the controls. In the entire study 3 cells with evidence for chromosomal rearrangement were seen: 2 dicentrics in the controls and 1 in the exposed. Thus this study does not confirm the Oklahoma report. It does raise more general questions as to what laboratory evidence of chromosome breakage warrants the nationwide emergency action that occurred with spray adhesives, and how scientific societies can provide immediate consultation for regulatory agencies in need of advice.
Technology learning assistants: students tutoring faculty in technology

Faculties are usually reticent or too busy to attend formal, scheduled training sessions on the use of technology. At Penn State, the Technology Learning Assistant (TLA) program provides requesting faculty members with one-to-one tutoring by a tech-savvy student.The goal of the TLA program is to help faculty with challenges they encounter when planning to use educational technologies. TLAs spend a semester or more in one-on-one consultations (5 to 10 meetings) to answer technology questions and help faculty learn the skills necessary to use ANGEL (Penn State's course management system), create Web pages, develop PowerPoint slides, develop an electronic grade book, and learn other technology skills.These one-hour sessions are intended to assist faculty in learning how to use technology more efficiently in both the management of content and its use in instruction. Faculty benefit by receiving one-on-one help with technology, being tutored at their own computer in their own office, getting personalized answers to technology questions, being able to use technology more efficiently, and receiving help matching the right technology to their specific goals. Faculty clients, the courses they teach, and the departments and colleges of faculty clients benefit by gaining richer course resources, integration of interactive technologies into courses, and expanded use of technology to support teaching and course management.Students are either undergraduate or graduate students and must have a minimum grade-point average to participate. They come from several different colleges within the University and have varying degrees of expertise in various technology areas. Students benefit from participation in the program by gaining real-life consulting experience, practicing communication skills, earning academic credit, and enhancing their resumes. Students can receive academic credit or can be placed in a wage position after their first semester of participation.In addition to the consultations students have with faculty, they also receive direct training in the use of emerging technologies such as blogs, wikis, Adobe Connect Pro and Web 2.0 applications. Students also receive training in soft skills, such as working with faculty in stressful situations, and how to handle clients who are less than confident in their technology skills.The program has generated significant interest across the University, as evidenced by the nearly 100% increase in faculty requests for assistance, and the 50% increase in student participation. A redoubled marketing and recruitment program, for both TLAs and faculty participants, has had a dramatic effect on the awareness of the program.In this paper, we will examine the fundamental constructs of the program, including the organization of the TLA cadre, the development of training for students, the marketing to both students and faculty, the processes and procedures used in accounting for time spent in consultations, the summary project for TLA student tutors, and the plans for future refinements to the TLA program for faculty and students
Prediction of Water Configuration in Wet Unsaturated Porous Media

A numerical model for predicting the air−water interfacial area of fluid in wet unsaturated particulate media is utilized to predict the pore-scale configuration of the fluid in the porous matrix. ...
Examining trying as a mediator and control as a moderator of intention–behavior relationship

This article presents a modified model of the theory of planned behavior by incorporating trying as a mediator and actual control as a moderator of the intention–behavior relationship. The revised model was tested with the use of structural equation models for eight commonly performed activities (N = 240). Results provide general support for the model suggesting that intentions influenced the level of trying, which, in turn, influenced behavior. Correlation analysis employing Fisher's z transformation revealed that actual control moderated the relationship between trying and behavior. Implications of the findings are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Annual and Offshore Changes in Bacterioplankton Communities in the Western Arm of Lake Superior during 1989 and 1990

A shallow site in the western arm of Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota was sampled bimonthly from May to October during 1989 and 1990 to identify seasonal and annual changes in bacterioplankton communities. The greatest change in bacterioplankton abundance was between 1989 (1.48 × 109/L ± 0.06 SE) and 1990 (1.14 × 109/L ± 0.06 SE). The majority of bacterial cells (65%) were cocci. Individual cells were larger during 1989 (0.067 μm3 ± 0.007 SE) than 1990 (0.025 μm3 ± 0.002 SE). Although the rate of thymidine incorporation varied from 0.2 to 47.0 pmol/L/h over both years (mean = 12.1 pmol/L/h ± 1.3 SE), no consistent temporal or spatial changes were detected. Bacteria were more abundant (∼2×) and productive (∼10×) at the mouth of the Lester River than offshore of this site. During July and August, a benthic nepheloid layer (BNL) formed at shallow offshore sites but bacterioplankton abundance and production in this BNL were usually similar to values measured in the hypolimnion. Three additional sites from the Duluth basin northeast to the Chefswet basin were sampled during late summer (Aug-Sept) 1990 to identify spatial differences in bacterioplankton communities. Although the number of bacteria was often greater at shallower sites compared to deeper sites further offshore, a strong gradient was not found and bacterial production was similar at all sites. These results may be due in part to the lake basin morphology in this region of Lake Superior, as well as the time when these additional offshore sites were investigated.
Treatment of dysthymic disorder.

Recent studies support the use of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of dysthymic disorder. This article reviews the relationship of the definition of dysthymic disorder to clinical treatment studies and discusses the treatment of dysthymic disorder with pharmacotherapy (with special emphasis on the use of fluoxetine) and psychotherapy. Depression and Anxiety, Volume 8, Supplement 1:54–58, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Penicillin- and barium-induced epileptiform bursting in hippocampal neurons: Actions on Ca++ and K+ potentials

Both barium (Ba++) and penicillin produce spontaneous epileptiform burst generation in hippocampal neurons in vitro. Recent investigations suggest that Ba++ acts by both adding to a calcium (Ca++)-mediated depolarization and reducing potassium (K+) conductance. In contrast, it has been proposed that pencillin produces burst generation by attenuating inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. However, some evidence suggests that penicillin may also directly alter intrinsic membrane properties. We therefore compared the actions of penicillin and Ba++ on three intrinsic Ca++- or K+-mediated membrane events, namely, Ca++ spikes, Ca++-dependent anomalous rectification, and K+-dependent afterhyperpolarization. Ba++ augmented the Ca++ potentials and attenuated the K+-dependent afterhyperpolarization: penicillin had no demonstrable effect on these events. Ba++ produced rhythmical burst firing and oscillations of the membrane potentials, while penicillin caused sporadic burst generation followed by a longlasting afterhyperpolarization. Synchronized, orthodromically evoked burst firing occurred after exposure to penicillin but not to Ba++. Ba++ and penicillin are prototypes of agents which induce epileptogenesis in mammalian cortical neurons by two different but probably interrelated mechanisms. Ba++ causes burst generation by disrupting a delicate balance between depolarizing Ca++ potentials and repolarizing, hyperpolarizing K+ potentials. Pencillin does not affect Ca++- or K+-mediated membrane events; other data suggest that it produces burst generation in hippocampal pyramidal neurons by attenuating γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated synaptic inhibition, which in turn ordinarily limits intrinsic bursting.
Separation of water droplets from water-in-diesel dispersion using superhydrophobic polypropylene fibrous membranes

Abstract Water in diesel fuel is one of the major causes of diesel engine maintenance problems. Effective water removal from ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is considered an essential requirement to improve performance of diesel engine and achieve strict emission standards for diesel engines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This paper discusses fabrication, characterization and use of superhydrophobic fiber mats made up of syndiotactic polypropylene for separation of dispersed water droplets from ULSD. Solutions of different weight concentrations of the polymer were electrospun to produce micron and submicron sized fibers of different fiber diameters. The electrospun fibers were layered onto glass fiber mats to form the filter media. The filter media surfaces were characterized by their water contact angles. All electrospun layers were superhydrophobic with water contact angles greater than 150°. The filter media were tested in liquid–liquid separation experiments to evaluate their performance in separation of water drops dispersed in ULSD. The experimental results showed that the superhydrophobic fiber mats removed water from fuel very effectively with water removal efficiencies reaching 99%.
Conceptual analysis and measurement of the construct of ego-resiliency.

This investigation explored the meaning, measurement, and validity of the ego-resiliency construct (ER, J.H. Block & J Block) in 3 samples. Study 1 explored the internal structure of ER in observer and self-report data, and the development of a self-report measure is described. Study 2 tested convergent and discriminant relations of ER with personality attributes. Study 3 investigated implications of ER for adjustment and effective functioning in adulthood. Components of ER obtained through exploratory factor analyses--confident optimism, productive and autonomous activity, interpersonal warmth and insight, and skilled expressiveness--formed a unitary construct and mirrored the relations found between ER and other trait domains. Across samples, there were strong relations between ER and effective functioning in diverse areas of life. ER is discussed in relation to generally accepted criteria of adjustment and effective functioning.
Anti‐DNA antibody in procainmide‐induced lupus erythematosus. Determination using DNA fractionated by methylated albumin‐kieselguhr chromatography

Both putatively native(n) commercial calf thymus DNA and 14C labeled human KB DNA contained significant amounts of denatured DNA (dDNA) as determined by methylated albumin-kieselguhr chromatography. The proportion of dDNA in these preparations was sufficient to cause confusion regarding the antigenic specificity of anti-DNA antibody when unfractionated DNA was used in either the counterimmunoelectrophoresis or the Farr assays for anti-DNA antibody. Serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus contained both anti-nDNA and anti-dDNA antibodies. About 50% of patients with symptomatic procainamide-induced lupus (PLE) exhibited anti-dDNA; none had anti-nDNA. Procainamide treated patients with a positive ANF who did not have symptomatic PLE had neither anti-dDNA nor anti-nDNA.
Time dependence of photovoltaic shifts in photoelectron spectroscopy of semiconductors.

Photovoltage-induced peaks shifts in photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) were recently shown to be important in studies of semiconductor interface formation [M. H. Hecht, Phys Rev. B 41, 7918 (1990)]. In that process, the photons used to probe the sample were shown to cause a reduction in surface band bending, hence shifting the spectrum in energy. In this paper it is shown that the time dependence of the charging and discharging process can have an important influence on experimentally observable phenomena. Since the charging process is very fast, the effective photocurrent in a pulsed-synchrotron-radiation experiment may be orders of magnitude higher than previously assumed. Using a simple model of the discharge profile it is shown that the photovoltage persists on a time scale that is macroscopic under typical PES conditions. Finally, a noncontacting method for determining equilibrium surface band bending is proposed.
Acoustic emission from graphite/epoxy composites containing interlaminar paper inclusions

Abstract The results of a preliminary study of the acoustic emission monitoring of graphite fibre-reinforced laminates, with and without backing-paper inclusions, are presented. Amplitude distribution analysis provides some striking distinctions between the paper flawed and the unflawed laminates.
Study of transport processes in photoconductors in the presence of non-uniform absorption

The spectrum of transport noise in photoconductors has been found experimentally to vary with the photon energy of the incident radiation. The noise spectra are markedly different for large and small absorption coefficients. For weak absorption, the measured specta indicate that generation-recombination processes dominate, while for strong absorption, the spectra reflect dominant diffusion processes. This effect is analysed by solving the one dimensional transport equation governing the photoconductive carrier density fluctuations for the noise spectra. The resultant spectrum shows a functional dependence upon the crystal absorption coefficient. The prevailing transport processes and corresponding noise spectra are then discussed in terms of crystal length, diffusion constant, surface recombination velocities, and the strength of absorption present. Es wurde experimentell ermittelt, das fur Photoleiter die Anderungen im Transportrauschspektrum von der Photonenenergie der einfallenden Strahlung beeinflust werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, das das Rauschspektrum merklich von der Grose des Absorptionskoeffizienten abhangt. Die ermittelten Spektren zeigen, das fur schwache Absorption die Generations-Rekombinations-Prozesse vorherrschend sind, wahrend fur starke Absorption Diffusionsprozesse von Bedeutung sind. Dieser Effekt wird mit Hilfe der Losung der eindimensionalen Transportgleichung analyseirt. Diese Gleichung beschreibt die Schwankungen in der Dichte der photoleitenden Trager und bestimmt somit auch die Rauschspektren. Das resultierende Rauschspektrum zeigt eine funktionelle Abhangigkeit von dem Kristallabsorptionskoeffizienten. Die vorherrschenden Transportvorgange und ihre entsprechenden Rauschspektren werden dann in Bezug auf die Lange des Kristalls, Diffusionskonstante, Oberflachenrekombinationsgeschwindigkeit und Absorptionsstarke untersucht.
An Automatic Mercury Still

A new form of vacuum mercury still is described. This still is easily made from standard laboratory glassware, starts and stops automatically, and needs very little attention. The power required is 90 watts for an output of 100 grams of mercury per hour.
Invariant high resolution optical skin imaging

Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) is a bio-medical low coherence interferometric imaging technique that has become a topic of active research because of its ability to provide accurate, non-invasive cross-sectional images of biological tissue with much greater resolution than the current common technique ultrasound. OCM is a derivative of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that enables greater resolution imposed by the implementation of an optical confocal design involving high numerical aperture (NA) focusing in the sample. The primary setback of OCM, however is the depth dependence of the lateral resolution obtained that arises from the smaller depth of focus of the high NA beam. We propose to overcome this limitation using a dynamic focusing lens design that can achieve quasi-invariant lateral resolution up to 1.5mm depth of skin tissue.
An adrenocorticotropin analog [ACTH(6-39)] which acts as a potent in vitro adrenocorticotropin antagonist at low calcium concentration and as a weak agonist at high calcium concentration.

We have characterized in two different in vitro assay systems the biological activity of a synthetic human ACTH analog containing residues 6–39 of the native sequence. In broken membranes from rat adrenal cortex, the analog did not stimulate adenylate cyclase but blocked the stimulatory effects of ACTH(l–24) at equimolar concentrations. In this system, the Kd (Kact) for ACTH(l–24) was approximately 0.41 μM, while the Ki of ACTH (6–39) was 0.32 –M. The analog showed no agonist effects in the membrane system over a wide range of calcium concentrations but, in the presence of the GTP analog, Gpp(NH)p, became a very weak agonist. In a second assay system utilizing dispersed intact rat adrenal cells, the analog was found to inhibit both steroidogenesis and cAMP production in response to ACTH(1–24). In the intact cell system, a 50-to 100-fold molar excess of inhibitor was required to block steroidogenesis. The apparent Kd of ACTH(l–24) for steroidogenesis was approximately 0.1 nM, while the Ki of the antagonist...
The modern theory of consumer behavior: Ordinal or cardinal?

In sum, the cardinal utility numbers generated by neoclassical utility functions provide more information than do their ordinal counterparts. In fact, for any given set of bundles they contain all of the information implicit in ordinal utility numbers for the same set, plus they provide additional information concerning the intensity of the preference for any one bundle relative to any other. It is precisely because utility functions cannot be used to calculate ordinal rankings of bundles without prior calculation of their cardinal utility numbers that the use of utility functions is unacceptable for economic purposes. Moreover, although meaningless with respect to the reality of actual individuals’ preferences, this extra information is harmful because it is misleading. I conclude by reiterating the purpose of this article. I have attempted to demonstrate that neoclassical utility functions are an invalid means of analyzing consumer behavior for three reasons: first, and most important, because such functions, and their attendant rankings, are cardinal, not ordinal in nature; second, because, with respect to the set of bundles relevant to actual human beings, such functions are not continuous and, therefore, not differentiable; and, third, because such functions do not correctly, consistently, and properly include dimensions/units. Let me put this in another way. I will accept the validity of utility functions as soon as its proponents can show me how to perform basic mathematical or arithmetic operations on such ordinal numbers as 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 17th.