cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New contraceptives in the 1990s.

In the US the 90% of women at risk of pregnancy who use contraceptives account for 47% of all unplanned pregnancies. Thus if women using no contraceptives or using user-dependent methods were to switch to long-acting hormonal contraceptives like Norplant or injectables unplanned pregnancy rates would drop. Norplant was approved for use in the US in 1992. The device consists of six rods that release levonorgestrel over a period of five years to suppress the luteinizing hormone surge responsible for ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration. Norplant is highly effective results in few metabolic changes in users and can be used by lactating mothers. Side effects (most prevalent in the first six months) include abnormal bleeding weight gain depression and headaches. Adolescents studied reported overall satisfaction with the method. Difficulties with removal can be minimized if the implants are inserted properly. The injectable use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was approved in the US in 1992. Contraceptive plasma levels are reached within 24 hours of the injection and are maintained for 14 weeks. DMPA inhibits ovulation and is highly effective when administered once every three months. DMPA is associated with a longer delay in return to fertility than other methods. The side effects of DMPA are similar to those seen in Norplant users. Concern about changes in bone density are currently being investigated. DMPA users have increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as compared to IUD users. DMPA (unlike Norplant) can be used effectively in women using anticonvulsant medications or antibiotics. It is also safe during lactation. Research into hormonal methods is being concentrated on the development of a two-rod and one-rod Norplant delivery system on biodegradable delivery systems and on various injectable formulations including once-a-month estrogen/progesterone combination methods.
Cultured hippocampal neurons show responses to BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4, but not NGF

To investigate the possibility of neurotrophins acting directly on hippocampal neurons, we first examined expression of the trk receptors in sections of adult rat brain and in cultures of embryonic rat hippocampus, and then investigated general and specific responses of cultured hippocampal neurons to each of the neurotrophins. In situ hybridization studies indicated high levels of expression of trkB and trkC but not trkA in pyramidal cells, dentate granule neurons, and scattered interneurons. Cultures of embryonic day 18 (E18) hippocampal neurons were also found by Northern analysis to express trkB and trkC but not trkA, indicating potential responsiveness to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and NT-4, but not NGF. Phosphorylation experiments indeed showed that BDNF, NT-3, and NT- 4 produced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Trk proteins, as detected by immunoprecipitation using a pan-Trk-specific antibody, whereas NGF produced no detectable tyrosine phosphorylation in hippocampal cultures. Similarly, all of the neurotrophins, except NGF, induced expression of c-fos mRNA and c-fos protein in these cultures. c-Fos protein induction was detectable in approximately 40–50% of the cells. While we observed no major effect of any of the neurotrophins upon the survival of E18 hippocampal neurons, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4, but not NGF, produced marked increases in the number of neurons expressing detectable levels of either calbindin or AChE. NT-3 produced the greatest increase in the number of calbindin-positive neurons, whereas BDNF and NT-4 produced the greater increase in the number of AChE- positive neurons. Our results suggest that several of the neurotrophins have important effects in the differentiation and maintenance of function of subpopulations of hippocampal neurons.
Computational and experimental evidence for a new TM-N3/C moiety family in non-PGM electrocatalysts.

In the present work, we demonstrate that the formation energies of previously unexplored single and double carbon vacancy based TM–N3/C defect moieties are favourable. This prediction suggests that these defect motifs, in particular DV-Fe–N3/C can form during high-temperature catalyst synthesis. Defect specific N 1s core-level shifts were computed from first-principles for the deconvolution of XPS observations.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for 35 earthquakes in Western North America (1977-1983)

Abstract Seismic records from the GDSN (SRO, ASRO, DWWSSN, RSTN) and IDA networks were used to obtain long-period ( T > 45 sec) focal mechanisms for 35 earthquakes in Western North America (longitude: −140° to −110°; latitude: +30° to +60°) employing the centroid-moment tensor method of Dziewonski et al. (1981) and Dziewonski and Woodhouse (1983). The same algorithm was applied to all events, the smallest ( M 0 = 6.4 × 10 23 dyne-cm) being an aftershock to the 1979 Imperial Valley, California, earthquake and the largest ( M 0 = 8.5 × 10 26 dyne-cm), the 1980 Eureka, California, earthquake. All events were analyzed with and without the constraint M rθ = M rφ = 0 on the moment tensor; an ad hoc criterion on the relative variance reduction was employed to determine a favored solution. Our solutions show general agreement with other published results, as well as with tectonic structures. Agreement with results obtained using the abundant local and regional data confirms the adequacy of the method in determining long-period source parameters and verifies its applicability in regions where local and regional data are scarce or nonexistent. In some cases, disagreement between our solution and results from first motion studies appears to be related to source complexities. Our moment tensor represents the total stress release of the composite event. A consistent westward movement of the centroid locations reflects lateral heterogeneities in the crust and mantle.
A new matrix integrated magnetics (MIM) structure for low voltage, high current DC-DC converters

A new matrix integrated magnetics (MIM) structure is proposed for low voltage, high current DC-DC converter applications. The proposed structure enables the design of low profile magnetics resulting in better core utilization, higher inductance per secondary winding and improved efficiency. The principal of operation of the MIM structure is explained as applicable to a half-bridge current doubler rectifier (CDR) controlled according to the symmetrical modulation scheme. The proposed concept is, however, applicable to a variety of DC-DC converter topologies and control algorithms. The structure is cellular in that replicating elementary cells enables the development of higher current modules without compromising performance and power density metrics. It enables the development of novel interleaving schemes to reduce switching ripple in inductor current and output voltage. It also facilitates integration for multiple output and multiphase interleaved DC-DC converters with integrated magnetics. Experimental results from 3.3 V/100 W CDR prototype are presented to illustrate the validity of the proposed MIM structure.
Modeling scholarly book literature

Recent technology provides the means to gauge the declining ability of the nation's research libraries to maintain fairly comprehensive book collections in the face of the extraordinary growth and price inflation of scholarly publishing since the 1970s. An application of this technology is presented here in the form of a model of total book publication output and the aggregate holdings of 71 research libraries in a selected field, general sociology, for the period 1979–88. The usefulness of such modeling is discussed in terms of generating knowledge that, while low on precision, has broad reliability and relevance.
Energy Drinks and Caffeine-Related Adverse Effects

In 1911, under authority granted by the recently enacted Food and Drug Act, US agents seized 40 kegs and 20 barrels of Coca-Cola syrup in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The group, led by chief chemist Harvey Wiley, considered the caffeine in Coca-Cola to be a significant public health hazard (both cocaine and alcohol had been removed from the recipe in the previous decade). The case continued for years. Eventually Coca-Cola decreased the caffeine content in this product and legal action was dropped. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again investigating a caffeine-containing product, the “energy drink,” because of safety concerns. Several types of these caffeinated drinks are linked to unexpected deaths in apparently healthy persons, raising calls for closer scrutiny and possible regulation. Drinks containing both caffeine and alcohol were considered unsafe by the FDA in 2010 because the caffeine obscured “some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication.” The swift change in public perception of energy drinks from harmless mild stimulant to lethal, unregulated drug is unprecedented. Energy drinks were introduced in the United States in 1997. Since then their popularity has increased: US residents consumed an estimated 2.3 billion energy drinks in 2005 and 6 billion in 2010. About 6% of young men in the United States report consuming a daily energy drink. In a recent survey of US overseas troops, 45% reported daily use.6 Sales of energy drinks in the United States increased 16% in a single year to almost $9 billion in 2011. Product labels for most energy drinks do not list their caffeine content. Many energy drinks contain “natural” ingredients, such as ginkgo or milk thistle, allowing these drinks to be regulated as “dietary supplements” rather than as medications. The 1994 Dietary Supplement and Education Act classifies products containing herbs and other natural ingredients as supplements rather than drugs, allowing manufacturers to side-step disclosure of caffeine dose, even though some brands do provide the information. In contrast, caffeine-containing products such as No-Doz and Caffedrine, marketed as over-the-counter drugs, are required to provide dose. The millions of persons consuming energy drinks seek more energy, alertness, or stamina yet may be unaware of the amount of caffeine they are ingesting. Consequently, unintentional caffeine overdoses have resulted in serious illness and rare deaths from caffeine poisoning.... Language: en
A Performance-Guided Graph Sparsification Approach to Scalable and Robust SPICE-Accurate Integrated Circuit Simulations

To improve the efficiency of direct solution methods in SPICE-accurate integrated circuit (IC) simulations, preconditioned iterative solution techniques have been widely studied in the past decades. However, it is still an extremely challenging task to develop robust yet efficient general-purpose preconditioning methods that can deal with various types of large-scale IC problems. In this paper, based on recent graph sparsification research we propose circuit-oriented general-purpose support-circuit preconditioning (GPSCP) methods to dramatically improve the sparse matrix solution time and reduce the memory cost during SPICE-accurate IC simulations. By sparsifying the Laplacian matrix extracted from the original circuit network using graph sparsification techniques, general-purpose support circuits can be efficiently leveraged as preconditioners for solving large Jacobian matrices through Krylov-subspace iterations. Additionally, a performance model-guided graph sparsification framework is proposed to help automatically build nearly-optimal GPSCP solvers. Our experiment results for a variety of large-scale IC designs show that the proposed preconditioning techniques can achieve up to $18 {\times }$ runtime speedups and $7 {\times }$ memory reduction in DC and transient simulations when compared to state-of-the-art direct solution methods.
Effective highway barriers

Abstract Bridge rail and guardrail design has evolved over the years in an attempt to meet the needs of the times. The standards to which guardrails and bridge rails must perform have been made more demanding by the slow but steady increase in the average operating speed of vehicles in recent years. Researchers have been and are now responding to the needs for traffic railings with improved performance characteristics, and highway authorities have quickly put to practice the results of this research. Research efforts over the last several years have led to the development of a first generation of impact attenuators for use at roadside hazards in the gore area. The life-saving benefits of such devices have been verified through research and experimental construction. This paper discusses recent research findings in the United States in the area of the development of bridge railings, guardrails, and impact attenuators.
Capabilities and limitations of 3D flame measurements based on computed tomography of chemiluminescence

Abstract This work investigated the fundamental capabilities and limitations of three-dimensional (3D) combustion measurements based on computed tomography of chemiluminescence (CTC). Experimental, computational, and analytical studies were conducted to map out the fundamental relationship of several parameters important to 3D measurements, including the achievable spatial resolution, the dimension of the measurement volume, and the signal level. The spatial resolution was analyzed both from the Fourier Slice Theorem (FST) and from linear algebraic (LA) considerations, and two limits (the FST and LA limits) were obtained to predict the achievable spatial resolution in tomographic measurements. The achievable signal level and measurement volume were also analyzed under different conditions. These results suggest that it is advantageous to implement tomographic diagnostic such that the projection image fills the camera chip completely. Under such an implementation, the average signal level increases linearly with respect to the size of the measurement volume, and the spatial resolution under the LA limits degrades linearly with respect to the measurement volume if the chemiluminescence emission intensity remains constant. We expect these results to be valuable not only for CTC, but also for tomography diagnostics based on other types of signals because the mathematical formulation in this work is not specific to chemiluminescence signals.
Querying Drosophila In-Situ Expression Data using SPARQL and D2RQ

I describe a SPARQL endpoint for a database containing annotated images of gene expression in fruitfly embryogenesis. The images depict the actual expression of genes at a microscopic level using a technique called insitu hybridisation. The results were recorded in a relational database, and the images were annotated using the fly anatomy ontology.
Experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation on a home care program.

Abstract Home care rehabilitation has proved to be a practical way of reducing hospital stay and assuring proper adjustment to the community in selected cases. Experience with a large group of patients over a 5-year period encourages the viewpoint that this type of service should be part of the over-all rehabilitation program available to the handicapped patient.
Estimates of Douglas-fir fine root production and mortality from minirhizotrons.

Abstract Minirhizotrons were used to assess the influence of soil resources on fine root (diameter ≤ 2 mm) production, mortality, and standing crop over a 2-year period. Two study sites were located, along an elevational transect, in the Oregon Cascade Mountains in mature (>100 years old), closed-canopy Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stands growing on soils with differing resource levels. The low resource site (LRS) had lower soil N (0.15% total N) and lower available water capacity (83 mm) than the high resource site (HRS), where soil N was 0.25% total N and available water capacity was 145 mm. Minirhizotron tubes were installed at each site during August 1994. To allow time for recovery from tube installation, the first root images were collected in late fall 1995 and then at ∼4 week intervals thereafter, except when snow prevented sample collection at the LRS. Root data from soil cores collected near the minirhizotron tubes were used to convert the minirhizotron data to the units of g m−2 (to a depth of 60 cm). Tree bole growth, at the HRS, was about twice that at the LRS, while fine root biomass, at the HRS, was only a third of that at the LRS. Seasonally, fine root production started before the onset of bole growth. Fine root standing crop, production, and mortality were consistently higher at the LRS than at the HRS. These findings support the concept that plants allocate more C to fine roots when soil resources are low. Our estimates of fine root production and mortality tend to be larger than previous reports for Douglas-fir stands. These differences can be attributed, in part, to the failure of the previous studies to account for fine root production and mortality between sampling events.
Errata in medical publications.

Abstract Background Information is limited about the communication of corrections or errors in the medical literature; therefore, we sought to determine the frequency and significance of published errata in high impact factor journals. Methods Retrospective evaluation of errata reports for articles published in 20 English-language general medicine and cardiovascular journals (mean impact factor, 12.23; median, 5.52) over 18 months. Each independently adjudicated erratum was categorized by location in the article and qualitative categories of severity. Descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were computed to describe the association between author and errata number. Source of error, association between impact factor and errata occurrence, and errata rate by journal were assessed. Results A total of 557 articles were associated with errata reports (overall errata report occurrence 4.2 per 100 published original and review articles; mean of 2.4 errors per errata report). At least 1 major error that materially altered data interpretation was present in 24.2% of articles with errata. There was a strong association between impact factor and errata occurrence rate (rho = 0.869, P Conclusions The reporting of errata across journals lacks uniformity. Despite published criteria for authorship that mandate final approval of the manuscript by all authors, errors are frequent, including those that may materially change the interpretation of data. Increased vigilance by authors to prevent errata and consensus by journal editors on the format of reporting are warranted.
The relation of Holocene fluvial terraces to changes in climate and sediment supply, South Fork Payette River, Idaho

Abstract Well-preserved Holocene terraces along the South Fork Payette River in central Idaho provide a record of fluvial system behavior in a steep mountain watershed characterized by weathered and erodible Idaho Batholith granitic rocks. Terrace deposit ages were provided by 14C dating of charcoal fragments and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sandy sediments. Along with pairing of many terrace tread heights, these data indicate episodic downcutting during the Holocene, with a mean incision rate of ∼0.9 m/ka from ∼7 ka to present. Prior to 7 ka, the river incised to within∼3 m of current bankfull, but then aggraded by ∼5 m over at least a ∼10 km-long reach in an episode centered ∼7–6 ka. Aggradation may relate to (1) increased hillslope sediment input from landslides and debris flows in steep tributary basins with abundant grussified granitic bedrock, (2) possible local landslide-damming of the channel, (3) decreased peak discharge, or (4) a combination of these factors. Middle Holocene channel aggradation ca. 7–6 ka corresponds with a period of prolonged and widespread aridity in the northern Rocky Mountains. Between ∼5 and 1.3 ka, the river aggraded slightly and then remained stable, forming a prominent terrace tread at ∼3 m above current bankfull. Modest aggradation to vertical stability of the South Fork Payette River at the 1.5 m terrace level ∼1.0–0.7 ka corresponds with large fire-related debris flows in tributaries during Medieval droughts. Three intervals of incision (∼5.5–5 ka, 1.3–1.0 ka and 0.5 ka) correspond with frequent but small fire-related sedimentation events and generally cooler, wetter conditions suggesting increased snowmelt runoff discharges. Other possible drivers of channel incision include an increase in stochastic or climate-modulated large storms and floods and a reduction in delivery of hillslope sediment to the channel. Aggradation is more confidently tied to climate through increases in hillslope sediment delivery and (or) decreased stream power, both likely related to warmer, drier conditions (including high-severity fires) that reduce snowmelt and decrease vegetation cover on steep slopes. Thus, the Holocene terraces of the South Fork Payette River do not reflect simple stepwise incision with periods of vertical stability and lateral migration, but record substantial episodes of aggradation as well. We infer that increases in hillslope erosion and mass movements combined with reduced discharges during prolonged droughts episodically reverse the post-glacial trend of downcutting, in particular during the middle Holocene. The present bedrock-dominated channel implies a strong tendency toward incision in the late Holocene.
Bisdiamine inhibits extracellular matrix formation and cell proliferation of atrioventricular mesenchyme from developing chick heart valves

Abnormalities of the cushion tissues lead to atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) and truncus arteriosus (TA). Bisdiamine exposure in the embryo frequently causes AVSD and TA in the newborn chick, mouse, or rat. We studied the effects of bisdiamine on mesenchymal cells grown in aggregate culture isolated from the developing atrioventricular valves of the stage-36 chick embryo. Fibronectin extracellular matrix formation and cell proliferation in the aggregates were assessed in various media. Chick serum stimulated the cells to produce an extracellular matrix and to divide, and the inclusion of bisdiamine inhibited both responses. If we isolated an extracellular matrix from a monolayer of mesenchymal cells and added the sonicated matrix to the medium containing serum and bisdiamine, the matrix incorporated into the aggregates and the cells entered the mitotic cycle. Our previous work established that cells need to attach to an intact extracellular matrix to begin cell division. Thus, we suggest that bisdiamine inhibits the normal formation of the extracellular matrix, leading to reduced cell proliferation, but it does not affect matrix-cell interaction. The lack of cushion growth in situ may be the cause of AVSD or TA.
Rat Liver Nuclei Contain Receptors for a Folate Binding Protein

AbstractA folate binding protein purified from the cytoplasm of human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and saturated with [3H]pteroylglutamic acid, and the same protein labeled with 125I and saturated with pteroylglutamic acid, binds to the nuclear fraction of rat liver. EDTA inhibits this binding and this inhibition is reversed by Ca2+ but not by Mg2+. The nuclear fraction binds very little free [3H]pteroylglutamic acid, and the cytoplasm from which the nuclei have been removed does not bind the protein-folate complex. A Kd of 0.7 nM and a value of 1000 unsaturated binding sites per nucleus were obtained by Scatchard analysis. The translocation of folate to the nuclear membrane or nucleus by this soluble cytoplasmic folate binder may be the mechanism for the induction of enzyme(s) required for the metabolism of the folate ligand attached to the protein.
A Clinical Index for Predicting Visual Acuity After Cataract Surgery

We developed a clinical index for predicting postoperative visual acuity of cataract patients and cross-validated it using data from 182 patients aged 70 years and older. The index consisted of four statistically combined indicators: age, preoperative visual acuity, frequency of reading, and comorbidity. Validation of the index included comparisons to two standard technical instruments for measurement of retinal visual acuity. For the clinical index, 72% of predictions were accurate within one Snellen line of postoperative visual acuity compared to 37% using a laser interferometer and 33% using a potential acuity meter. Testing of the clinical index's external validity using data from 111 patients in a different ophthalmology clinic disclosed 61% of predictions accurate within one Snellen line.
Laser scattering from moving, polydisperse particles in flames—II. Preliminary experiments☆☆☆

Abstract Particulate growths in flames have been measured by using laser-radiation scattering as a diagnostic tool. The results obtained in three different experimental studies of progressively greater complexity and better definition of particulate formations are described. In the first series of investigations, the magnitudes of the scattered signals were employed as measures of total particle concentrations in the diagnostic region. The spacial resolution achieved was an appreciable fraction of the flame width above a Bunsen burner. In these investigations, the axial velocity components were mapped with a laser-Doppler velocimeter in C 2 H 2 -air diffusion flames and in partially-premixed flames of C 2 H 2 with air burning in air. The results obtained for partially-premixed flames are consistent with the well-known fact that the gas speed is strongly accelerated at the flame front. In pure diffusion flames, the axial velocity rose uniformly along the centerline and the flame boundary may not close along the axis. Scattering-signal strength increased with downstream distance in all flames because of production of particles above the burner port. The relative amplitudes of the scattered laser signals, as well as the rates of rise with downstream distance, decreased as the amount of air premixed with C 2 H 2 increased, thus showing that both the absolute magnitudes and the rates of growth of particulate formation are favored in the more fuel-rich systems. Radial distributions of particulate growth rates have also been defined through the magnitudes of scattered signal intensities. In the second series of measurements, a flat-flame burner was employed and the radial dependence of the measured signal strengths was used as a measure of mean particle size on the assumption that the scattering centers are monodisperse. Work of this type has been performed by a number of authors using such light sources as mercury or tungsten arcs and suitable collimating systems in observations on flames formed in air by burning methane, ethane, ethylene, and propane. Our studies, using the more convenient laser light source, have generally confirmed the semi-quantitative conclusions reached earlier. In our final series of measurements, we have employed the frequency distribution of measured power spectra for particle sizing. Our experimental results indicate that measurements of particle diameters in flames can be performed by using photocurrent power spectra, in accord with the theoretical analyses given in Part I.
Development of the OCIR Model of the Intervention Process

This article reviews recent efforts to develop a new model of the intervention process called the Organization—Change Agent—Interventions—Results (OCIR) model. He examines a traditional model for organizational change called the Truth—Love model and discusses how OCIR differentiates from this process. He asserts that the OCIR model is more adequetly designed to incorporate ideas related to desired outcomes and other cause-effect relationships in the organizational change process. He discusses the benefits of the OCIR model in light of the drawbacks of the Truth-Love model, noting that OCIR is more concerned with the effectiveness of the overall change process rather than simply measuring the intentions of the effort. He believes OCIR offers a better understanding of the change process.
Elevated plasma F2-isoprostanes in patients on long-term hemodialysis

Elevated plasma F2-isoprostanes in patients on long-term hemodialysis Background End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on long-term hemodialysis (HD) may be under increased oxidative stress, caused by either HD or renal failure. Plasma F2-isoprostanes have been established as an important indicator of in vivo oxidative stress. Methods Plasma esterified F2-isoprostanes were measured in 25 HD patients and 23 controls with normal renal function, employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization (GC-MS-NCI). C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined concurrently in patients and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). α-Tocopherol, retinol, albumin and creatinine were also determined. Results The average total esterified F2-isoprostanes in the ESRD patients was 1.62 ± 0.73 vs. 0.27 ± 0.10 ng/mL in controls ( P P r = 0.48, P = 0.015). Plasma α-tocopherol did not differ between patients and controls, but plasma retinol was higher in patients (3.15 ± 1.71 μmol/L) than in controls (1.97 ± 0.51 μmol/L, P Conclusions These results are consistent with the hypothesis that oxidative stress in ESRD patients contributes to increased values of esterified plasma F2-isoprostanes, with concurrent increases in plasma CRP levels in some patients. Impaired clearance of esterified F2-isoprostanes may contribute to the elevated levels in renal failure. Plasma esterified F2-isoprostanes may be a useful indicator to evaluate effectiveness of interventions to decrease oxidative stress and associated inflammation.
Book review: Computation of Language: An Essay on Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics in Natural Man-Machine Communication By Roland Hausser (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1989)

Computation of Language is a self-styled essay that addresses issues in natural-language syntax, semantics, and pragmatics from the perspectives of natural-language processing (NLP), formal-language theory (FLT), and philosophy of language. Subtitling a 425-page book an "essay" is somewhat unusual, since an essay usually has the length of a journal article. Yet the word does seem to fit in the sense that an essay can be an "attempt," for the book attempts to provide a philosophical foundation, in terms of a comprehensive theory of natural-language communication, for the practical task of designing and constructing a natural-language-communicating robot (NLC-robot). Hausser fails, however, to connect satisfactorily his philosophical and practical discussions. The book is not a single essay at all: it's really three essays,1 loosely related by their general concern with language and computation, yet without the sort of sustained unity one would expect for a project of the scope of Hausser's. Though the book as a whole lacks unity, it's not without other virtues. Hausser proposes an interesting delineation of the proper spheres of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, and the book's parts are insightful and often novel in presentation, thus making them individually worthwhile.
Non-linear response of a fluid valve

Abstract The method of multiple scales is used to analyse the non-linear response of a relief valve under combined static and dynamic loadings. First-order ordinary-differential equations are derived for the evolution of the amplitudes and phases for the following resonances: primary resonance; subharmonic resonance of order one-third; superharmonic resonance of order-three; subharmonic resonance of order one-half; superharmonic resonance of order-two; and combination resonances of both the additive and the difference types. The evolution equations are used to determine the steady-state motions and representative frequency-response curves are presented for each resonance. The stability of the steady-stae solutions is investigated. Moreover, unlike linear systems, multivalued responses are possible for non-linear systems, and hence the initial conditions determine the response. The multivaluedness of the solution may cause jumps, and hence may cause unsatisfactory performance of the relief valve.
Very low threshold current density continuous-wave quantum dot laser diode

In this presentation, a continuous-wave room temperature lasing at a threshold current density of 11.7 A/cm2 is reported. This is the lowest threshold current density ever reported for continuous-wave room temperature operation of a laser diode, to the authors' knowledge.
Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of a Median Sternotomy Technique in the Dog

This study evaluated postoperative sequelae following a sternotomy closed with transsternal and parasternal sutures in nine dogs. Wound complications noted within 30 days suggested excessive intraoperative trauma to bone or surrounding soft tissues. Radiographic evaluation at the end of this period demonstrated a significant lack of osseous bridging between the sternal halves in eight of nine dogs. There was frequent wire breakage, suggesting instability of the sternal halves and considerable midline inaccuracy when splitting the sternum. Postoperative pain was minimal. This technique is suitable for use in dogs provided that swaged-on needles and sufficient transsternal wires are used, the sternebrae are carefully split on the midline, and the wires are carefully twisted to assure a tight closure.
Carrier capture in semiconductor quantum well lasers: A quantum transport analysis

A quantum transport-based analysis of the essential physics of carrier capture in semiconductor quantum wells is presented. First, the past progression of models of carrier capture by quantum wells is briefly reviewed. Then carrier capture is modeled using the Schrodinger Equation Monte Carlo (SEMC) quantum transport simulator. In addition to reproducing familiar effects, these simulations exhibit significant effects associated with partial phase-coherence of the carrier wave-function across the well which cannot be modeled via classical or perturbative Golden Rule calculations, and address fundamental transport limitations often overlooked in Golden Rule calculations. However, this analysis also points to simple changes that could significantly improve, although not perfect, the treatment of carrier capture via these latter more conventional approaches.
A new paradigm for E × B velocity shear suppression of gyro-kinetic turbulence and the momentum pinch

Detailed studies of the non-linear radial wavenumber spectrum of electric potential fluctuations in gyro-kinetic plasma turbulence simulations have led to a new paradigm that is capable of computing the momentum pinch quasilinearly. It is found that shear in the E × B velocity Doppler shift suppresses turbulence by inducing a shift in the peak of the radial wavenumber spectrum, and a reduction in the amplitude. An analytic model of the process is used to understand the roles of the sheared velocity and the non-linear mode coupling. The analytic model leads to a simple formula that fits the non-linear spectrum and only depends on the spectral average shift in the radial wavenumber. This 'spectral shift' model is a new paradigm that radial parity breaking is the fundamental mechanism that suppresses the turbulence through a radial wavenumber shift. The E × B velocity shear is one of a number of radial parity breaking mechanisms. Using a model of the spectral shift the toroidal Reynolds stress due to the E × B velocity shear can be computed for the first time with a quasilinear model. It is shown that, when diamagnetic and neoclassical contributions to the parallel flows are included, the E × B velocity shear term in the toroidal Reynolds stress allows the sign of the intrinsic toroidal rotation to change. Simulations of the co-current and balanced neutral beam injection phase of a DIII-D discharge using the quasilinear model show good agreement with experiment.
Mountain pine beetle-caused mortality over eight years in two pine hosts in mixed-conifer stands of the southern Rocky Mountains

Abstract Eruptive mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae , MPB) populations have caused widespread mortality of pines throughout western North America since the late 1990s. Early work by A.D. Hopkins suggested that when alternate host species are available, MPB will prefer to breed in the host to which it has become adapted. In Colorado, epidemic MPB populations that originated in lodgepole pine expanded into mixed-conifer stands containing ponderosa pine, a related host. We evaluated the susceptibility of both hosts to successful MPB colonization in a survey of 19 sites in pine-dominated mixed-conifer stands spanning 140 km of the Front Range, CO, USA. In each of three 0.2-ha plots at each site, we (1) assessed trees in the annual flights of 2008–2011 to compare MPB-caused mortality between lodgepole and ponderosa pine; (2) recorded previous MPB-caused tree mortality from 2004–2007 to establish baseline mortality levels; and (3) measured characteristics of the stands (e.g. tree basal area) and sites (e.g. elevation, aspect) that might be correlated with MPB colonization. Uninfested average live basal area of lodgepole and ponderosa pine was 74% of total basal area before 2004. We found that for both species, annual percent basal area of attacked trees was greatest in one year (2009), and was lower in all other years (2004–2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011). Both pine species had similar average total mortality of 38–39% by 2011. Significant predictors of ponderosa pine mortality in a given year were basal area of uninfested ponderosa pine and the previous year’s mortality levels in both ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine mortality was predicted by uninfested basal areas of both lodgepole and ponderosa pine, and the previous year’s lodgepole pine mortality. These results indicate host selection by MPB from lodgepole pine natal hosts into ponderosa pine the following year, but not the reverse. In both species, diameters of attacked trees within each year were similar, and were progressively smaller the last four years of the study period. Our results suggest that, in contrast to previous reports, ponderosa and lodgepole pine were equally susceptible to MPB infestation in the CO Front Range during our study period. This suggests that forest managers may anticipate similar impacts in both hosts during similar environmental conditions when epidemic-level MPB populations are active in mixed-pine stands.
Thioredoxin-interacting Protein (Txnip) Is a Critical Regulator of Hepatic Glucose Production

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) has been recently described as a possible link between cellular redox state and metabolism; Txnip binds thioredoxin and inhibits its disulfide reductase activity in vitro, while a naturally occurring strain of Txnip-deficient mice has hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, and ketosis exacerbated by fasting. We generated Txnip-null mice to investigate the role of Txnip in glucose homeostasis. Txnip-null mice were hypoglycemic, hypoinsulinemic, and had blunted glucose production following a glucagon challenge, consistent with a central liver glucose-handling defect. Glucose release from isolated Txnip-null hepatocytes was 2-fold lower than wild-type hepatocytes, whereas β-hydroxybutyrate release was increased 2-fold, supporting an intrinsic defect in hepatocyte glucose metabolism. While hepatocyte-specific gene deletion of Txnip did not alter glucose clearance compared with littermate controls, Txnip expression in the liver was required for maintaining normal fasting glycemia and glucose production. In addition, hepatic overexpression of a Txnip transgene in wild-type mice resulted in elevated serum glucose levels and decreased ketone levels. Liver homogenates from Txnip-null mice had no significant differences in the glutathione oxidation state or in the amount of available thioredoxin. However, overexpression of wild-type Txnip in Txnip-null hepatocytes rescued cellular glucose production, whereas overexpression of a C247S mutant Txnip, which does not bind thioredoxin, had no effect. These data demonstrate that Txnip is required for normal glucose homeostasis in the liver. While available thioredoxin is not changed in Txnip-null mice, the effects of Txnip on glucose homeostasis are abolished by a single cysteine mutation that inhibits binding to thioredoxin.
A novel crystallographic and improved computational study of three ligands of lead ion complex

Abstract The three novel lead(II) complexes, [Pb (L1) (NO3)2] (1), [Pb (L2) (NO3)2] (2), and [Pb (L3) (NO3)2] (3), were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. In order to understand the stereochemical structural nature and thermodynamic properties of these complex molecular systems, a theoretical study was conducted. The spatial coordinate positions of complex compounds 1–3 with lead were obtained from X-ray structural analysis and then used as initial coordinates to conduct density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations. This improved computational approach resulted in better accuracy when treating large, electron-rich species and better understanding of the complex compounds between the lariat crown ethers (LCEs) and lead ion. Through experimental data auxiliary of a quantum mechanical calculation approach, a DFT method was used to calculate the B3LYP/CEP-121G, B3LYP/SDD and B3LYP/LanL2DZ levels using the GAUSSIAN 03 package program. The calculations were conducted on the three novel LCEs complexed with lead ion. The theoretical calculation was to confirm the lowest energy, optimum geometric structure so as to receive more accurate thermodynamic properties and relative geometric stabilities of these three complex molecules. The atomic bond lengths, atomic torsion angles, binding energies and binding enthalpies of the three novel complex compounds were also calculated. The results of the DFT calculations show that these different complex compounds are cooperative participations of the oxygen on the C-pivot side arm with the ring oxygen molecules to form a six coordination number ligand of stable lead complex compound, which was also confirmed by the single crystal X-ray crystallography analysis.
A computer-controlled, three-stage mass spectrometer

Abstract A computer-controlled, three-stage mass spectrometer for heavy element isotope ratio measurements has been constructed. The spectrometer consists of two symmetric, 90° sector, magnetic analyzers of 12-in. radius in a zero-dispersion configuration followed by a symmetric, 90°, cylindrical, electrostatic analyzer also of 12-in. radius. This arrangement yields an abundance sensitivity of 10 9 . A small on-line computer directly controls the mass spectrometer and processes digital ion-counting data from it. Any scheme of scanning the magnetic field or ion accelerating voltage and accumulating data can be programmed through the computer.
Psychometric Characteristics of Single-Word Tests of Children's Speech Sound Production

Purpose Our understanding of test construction has improved since the now-classic review by McCauley and Swisher (1984). The current review article examines the psychometric characteristics of curr...
Computing frontiers in nonlinear filtering

Computer realizations for the optimal nonlinear phase estimator are discussed, with emphasis on parallel computer architectures. Implementation of the nonlinear filter on various computer architectures, including the CDC6600/ 7600, CDC STAR-100, Illiac IV, the CRAY-1, and the Floating Point Systems AP120B is reviewed. Implications concerning the ideal computer architecture for nonlinear filter realization are discussed.
Hypothesis Testing Procedures for a Series of Independent Fourfold Tables under Inverse Sampling

This paper considers four summary test statistics, including the one recently proposed by Bennett (1986, Biometrical Journal 28, 859–862), for hypothesis testing of association in a series of independent fourfold tables under inverse sampling. This paper provides a systematic and quantitative evaluation of the small-sample performance for these summary test statistics on the basis of a Monte Carlo simulation. This paper notes that the test statistic developed by Bennett (1986) can be conservative and thereby possibly lose the power when the underlying disease is not rare. This paper also finds that for given a fixed total number of cases in each table, the conditional test statistic is the best in controlling type I error among all test statistics considered here.
Integrating Theoretical Traditions in Media Effects: Using Third-Person Effects to Link Agenda-Setting and Cultivation

In an earlier period of mass communication research, scholars were more adventuresome in advancing “new” theories and less hesitant to “create” theory. The 1970s, in particular, bore witness to the emergence of several such theories—from the knowledge gap and agenda-setting to cultivation. Scholars have generated substantial literatures elaborating work in these and other traditions. Those contributions are now sufficiently robust that it is time to direct some of our energies toward synthesizing theories. This article nominates third-person perception as a candidate for such integration. Several prominent theories of media effects in the mass communication literature are selected to illustrate how the theories can or have been integrated. Results from three surveys provided evidence that the theories of third-person perception, agenda-setting and cultivation can be interrelated. The proposition examined here can serve as a model for further integration of other media theories. This integration attempt ha...
A study of electrode immersion and emersion

Abstract It has been shown that electrodes can be removed from solution with their double layers intact and the electrolyte otherwise absent. This can be done at any potential not dominated by Faradaic currents, on either side of the p.z.c. The state of the double layer was followed by means of electrode conductance monitoring, which permits sensitive observation before, during, and after removal of the electrode. The presence of the double layer was confirmed by ESCA, as were the details of specific adsorption for a number of anions and cations.
The radioactive labeling of proteins with an iodinated amidination reagent.

An iodinated derivative of the imidoester methyl p-hydroxybenzimidate HCl (MPHBIM) has been synthesized for the selective labeling of proteins to high specific activity with radioactive iodine. In the first step, MPHBIM is reacted with radioactive iodide in the presence of chloramine T, and the iodinated derivative is precipitated from acidified solution to achieve partial purification. In the second step, the iodinated imidoester is redissolved at slightly alkaline pH and reacted with protein amino groups, to which it couples by amidine linkage. The coupling reaction proceeds in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents used to protect proteins. The main advantage of this two-step labeling procedure is that it avoids direct contact of the protein with potentially deleterious materials such as chloramine T or contaminants of the radioactive iodide.
Electrocochleographic Response Patterns in a Group of Patients Mainly with Presbyacusis

The latency, amplitude and wave-form of the action potential were studied in a group of patients, mainly presby-acusics and a few with noise-induced hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss of unknown etiology and conductive loss. Electrocochleographic recruitment with short latency of the AP “threshold” and very rapid increase in amplitude with increasing click intensity was seen in 22%. Partial recruitment with long latency at AP “threshold” but steep amplitude-intensity curves was present in 33%. Only 17% of the subjects showed both electrocochleographic recruitment (or partial recruitment) and recruitment in the acoustic reflex test. Subjects with conductive loss had normal amplitude and latency intensity curves but they were shifted to the right. The action potential wave-form was normal. Broad action potentials with multiple peaks were the most common in sensorineural hearing loss.