cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbachol triggering of desynchronized sleep phenomena: enhancement via small volume infusions.

Abstract Two physical factors affecting the behavioral effects of drugs microinjected into the pontine tegmentum have been studied. Reducing the volume of vehicle produced a dramatic enhancement of the capacity of the long-acting cholinergic agent carbachol to induce desynchronized (D) sleep-like behavior (Dcarb). Enhancement of Dcarb was also achieved by substituting passive diffusion for active pumping of a given volume of carbachol solution. Controlling these two physical factors makes Dcarb a compelling experimental model for the study of D sleep mechanisms. The results also give support to the concept of a localized population of cholinoceptive neurons in the pontine reticular formation whose activation is a key step in the generation of physiological D.
Is Parathyroid Hormone a Therapeutic Option for Osteoporosis? A Review of the Clinical Evidence

Most of the data on the anabolic effect of PTH have been obtained with hPTH(1-34). Studies have shown a marked increment in spinal bone mass. Most recently we have shown that PTH and estrogen can be given together where there is increased total bone mineral and no loss of bone at any skeletal site. We have also shown the first reduction in vertebral deformity incidence due to PTH treatment.
Estimates of Predator Consumption of the Northern Shrimp Pandalus borealis with Implications for Estimates of Population Biomass in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract Globally, shrimp stocks are important both economically and ecologically, and this is true for the northern shrimp Pandalus borealis in the Gulf of Maine. Understanding and modeling of shrimp stock dynamics have often posed challenges, leading to the suggestion that inclusion of more multidisciplinary data may help to better elucidate shrimp stock dynamics. Thus, we explored the potential implications of including additional information for northern shrimp biomass estimates by examining fish food habits from the Gulf of Maine. We estimated the consumptive removals by 18 predators of northern shrimp. Summed across all predators, the consumptive removals for northern shrimp in recent years were on the order of 20,000–30,000 metric tons. These estimates are generally conservative based upon consumption model assumptions. Compared with survey indices, the trends in consumptive removals were out of phase in the 1990s but both trended upwards in the early 2000s. Compared with the base assessment model,...
Application of Sequential Cu(I)/Pd(0)-Catalysis to Solution-Phase Parallel Synthesis of Combinatorial Libraries of Dihydroindeno[1,2-c]isoquinolines

Parallel solution-phase synthesis of combinatorial libraries of dihydroindenoisoquinolines employing a sequential Cu(I)/Pd(0)-catalyzed multicomponent coupling and annulation protocol was realized. The scope and limitations of the protocol with respect to the substitution pattern in the aryl ring of the indene core, as well as the N-substituent have been defined, revealing that the methodology is compatible with a wide-range of aliphatic linear, branched, and ester functionalized N-substituents. Unexpectedly, the formation of regioisomers featuring a 1,2,3-contiguous substitution pattern in the aromatic ring of the indene core was observed. Three distinct combinatorial libraries with a total of 111 of members were synthesized, and 80 highly substituted dihydroindenoisoquinolines structurally related to known medicinal agents including some consisting of mixtures of two regioisomers were made available for biological activity testing.
Mapping the early steps in the pH-induced conformational conversion of the prion protein.

Under certain conditions, the prion protein (PrP) undergoes a conformational change from the normal cellular isoform, PrPC, to PrPSc, an infectious isoform capable of causing neurodegenerative diseases in many mammals. Conversion can be triggered by low pH, and in vivo this appears to take place in an endocytic pathway and/or caveolae-like domains. It has thus far been impossible to characterize the conformational change at high resolution by experimental methods. Therefore, to investigate the effect of acidic pH on PrP conformation, we have performed 10-ns molecular dynamics simulations of PrPC in water at neutral and low pH. The core of the protein is well maintained at neutral pH. At low pH, however, the protein is more dynamic, and the sheet-like structure increases both by lengthening of the native β-sheet and by addition of a portion of the N terminus to widen the sheet by another two strands. The side chain of Met-129, a polymorphic codon in humans associated with variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, pulls the N terminus into the sheet. Neutralization of Asp-178 at low pH removes interactions that inhibit conversion, which is consistent with the Asp-178–Asn mutation causing human prion diseases.
890 ERVTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN (EP) IN THE NEWBORN-INCREASED RATIO OF FREE TO ZINC COMPLEXED EP IN YOUNG RBC

EP exists in both the free state (FEP) and in a zinc complexed form (ZEP) in RBC. The ratio of FEP to ZEP in healthy individuals averages 1:10. In the newborn period and in conditions with increased RBC turnover the FEP/EP ratio becomes elevated. Using dextran or stractan gradients, cord blood was centrifugally separated into 4 fractions known to contain RBC populations of different ages. The characteristics of these fractions and their EP contents are as follows: (N=6, EP expressed as μg/dl RBC). The total content of EP did not vary significantly according to RBC age but there was an increased FEP/EP in the fraction of younger, reticulocyte-rich cells. This EP pattern suggests that the newly formed EP is in the free state and may become zinc complexed or lost from RBC with time. The previous observation of an elevation in the free form of EP in hemolytic disorders is likely to be related to the presence of a larger percent of young RBC.
Comparative Mapping of β-Amylase Activity QTLs among Three Barley Crosses

β-amylase (BA) is one of the starch-degrading enzymes active in germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Unlike α-amylase (AA), it is not synthesized de novo at the onset of germination, but accumulates during seed development. BA activity is an important malting quality parameter and is a major contributor, along with AA, to diastatic power (DP). The objectives of this study were to (i) measure and map BA activity in three crosses of North American barleys, (ii) compare quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for BA among various crosses, and (iii) determine the relationship between BA and previously mapped DP QTLs. Comparative mapping was done by means of a consensus map with common markers from F 1 doubled haploid mapping populations from the crosses of 'Steptoe' × 'Morex' (SIM), 'Harringtolt' × TR306 (H/T), and Harrington x Morex (H/M). BA activity analyses were performed with field-grown seed from the three mapping populations and parents. Relatively normal frequency distributions for enzyme activity were obtained from each of the mapping populations. QTLs for BA were identified in all three crosses and on all seven chromosomes. Seven QTLs were located in S/M, the most genetically diverse cross, while only three each were found in H/T and H/M. As expected, BA QTLs were almost always found in conjunction with previously identified DP QTLs. A survey of QTL literature of populations of diverse germplasm showed many QTLs for BA and DP in common with those identified herein and some unique QTLs as well. The results of this study suggest the benefits of identifying markers closely associated with major BA QTLs are to allow for further molecular studies and for marker assisted selection of this trait.
Dual-scale topology optoelectronic processor.

The dual-scale topology optoelectronic processor (D-STOP) is a parallel optoelectronic architecture for matrix algebraic processing. The architecture can be used for matrix–vector multiplication and two types of vector outer product. The computations are performed electronically, which allows multiplication and summation concepts in linear algebra to be generalized to various nonlinear or symbolic operations. This generalization permits the application of D-STOP to many computational problems. The architecture uses a minimum number of optical transmitters, which thereby reduces fabrication requirements while maintaining area-efficient electronics. The necessary optical interconnections are space invariant, minimizing space–bandwidth requirements.
Progress in quantum lithography

We review our progress toward implementing the proposal of Boto et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2733-2736, 2000) for using entangled photons to increase the spatial resolution of the process of interferometric photolithography beyond that of the standard Rayleigh limit.
A Crucial Issue, School-Community Relations: A Systematic Approach

A good school- community relations program needs systematic planning, advises this author, who describes an implementation procedure based on the theoretical internal-external communications model.
INFLUENCE OF THROMBIN TREATMENT IN SUSPENSION FOLLOWED BY ACTIVATION UNDER HIGH SHEAR ON BINDING OF vWF BY PLATELET GPIb. ▴ 967

INFLUENCE OF THROMBIN TREATMENT IN SUSPENSION FOLLOWED BY ACTIVATION UNDER HIGH SHEAR ON BINDING OF vWF BY PLATELET GPIb. ▴ 967
Corrigendum: Algorithm 730: An implementation of a divide and conquer algorithm for the unitary eigenproblem

We present a FORTRAN implementation of a divide-and-conquer method for computing the spectral resolution of a unitary upper Hessenberg matrix H. Any such matrix H of order n, normalized so that its subdiagonal elements are nonnegative, can be written as a product of n–1 Givens matrices and a diagonal matrix. This representation, which we refer to as the Schur parametric form of H, arises naturally in applications such as in signal processing and in the computation of Gauss-Szego¨ quadrature rules. Our programs utilize the Schur parametrization to compute the spectral decomposition of H without explicitly forming the elements of H. If only the eigenvalues and first components of the eigenvectors are desired, as in the applications mentioned above, the algorithm requires only O(n2) arithmetic operations. Experimental results presented indicate that the algorithm is reliable and competitive with the general QR algorithm applied to this problem. Moreover, the algorithm can be easily adapted for parallel implementation.
Generalized Jacobi transform

Recently, Koornwinder and Walter derived an inversion formula for the finite continuous Jacobi transform for all α, β > −1. This inversion formula generalizes the one obtained earlier by Walter and Zayed for α,β > −1 and α+ β is a non-negative integer. In this paper we extend the finite continuous Jacobi transform and its inversion formula as obtained by Koornwinder and Walter to generalized functions. In particular, a fundamental space will be constructed and the generalized transform will be defined on the dual space. Several properties of the generalized transform will be studied along with a generalized inversion formula. Some examples of the finite continuous Jacobi transform and its inversion formula will also be given.
SU-FF-T-335: Dose Uncertainty Due to Motion-Induced Depth Changes in Energy-Stacked Proton Beams

Purpose: To measure the dose uncertainty due to motion‐induced depth changes in energy‐stacked proton fields. Method and Materials: In energy‐stacked proton beams the spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) is generated by delivering the energy layers sequentially. In the presence of motion the depth of a point can change between the different energy layers, generating uncertainty compared to the planned dose. The magnitude of the uncertainty depends on the time‐structure of the dose delivery, and the frequency and amplitude of the depth variations. We add wax strips to the outside of a 4D Dynamic Thorax Phantom (CIRS). The strips are 1.5cm wide and 0.5 or 1.0cm thick. A cc04 ionization chamber (IBA Dosimetry) is moved perpendicularly behind the strips, at various amplitude and frequency. The proton field is delivered using both energy‐stacking and ‘quasi‐instantaneous’ for comparison. For each combination of motion and field delivery the dose is measured ten times to determine the statistical variation. A Matlab program determines the expected error in dose based on the time‐structure of both the motion and dose delivery.Results: Motion at 5.0cm depth behind 0.5cm strips, at a frequency of 0.25Hz, in a field with a range of 8.0g/cm2, modulation width of 6.0g/cm2, dose rate of 2Gy/min, total dose of 50cGy, gives a maximum error in dose of 7.4%. Decreasing the dose rate to 1Gy/min reduces the error to 5.3%. Conclusion: Motion‐induced variations in depth can lead to clinically significant dose uncertainties.
Severe hemolytic transfusion reaction due to anti-D in a D+ patient with sickle cell disease

A 5-year-old male with sickle cell disease presented with pain, dark urine, and fatigue 10 days after a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated severe anemia, blood type O+, and anti-D in the serum. Anti-D in a D+ patient led to RH genotyping, which revealed homozygosity for RHD*DAU4 that encodes partial D antigen. Anti-D in this patient whose RBCs exclusively express partial D caused a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction after exposure to D+ RBCs. The finding of anti-D in a D+patient should be investigated by molecular methods to help distinguish an alloantibody from an autoantibody.
CRITIQUING THE NEW EPISTEMOLOGIES: TOWARDMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SCIENTIFIC THEORY OF FAMILY THERAPY*

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the structures of the new epistemologies. Epistemology is a technical term within the field of scientific philosophy. When it is used looselyby family therapists, confusion results. The central argument of the present author is that the new epistemologies are, in fact, weak theories. It is suggested that the practice of using the term “epistemology” to denote theory or paradigm, be discontinued. A more limited and narrowly defined use for the term “epistemology” is proposed. Specifically, this paper presents: (a) a discussion ofthree areas of philosophy that serve as foundations for the construction of scientific theory, (b)a critical analysis of the new epistemologies, (c) a logical structure for scientific family therapy theory, and (d) minimum requirements for a scientific theory of family therapy.
Redness from short-wavelength-sensitive cones does not induce greenness.

Abstract According to opponent-colors theory, a reddish surround induces greenness in a central test field. Color-appearance measurements verify this with a long-wavelength reddish surround (660 nm) but not with a short-wavelength reddish surround (440 nm). Surprisingly, a short-wavelength reddish surround shifts the appearance of a test toward redness. Four possible explanations are: (1) stray light from the short-wavelength reddish surround falls in the test area; (2) receptoral sensitivity changes over whelm induced greenness from the surround; (3) a neural process of assimilation, rather than contrast, to the surrounding light; (4) short-wavelength-sensitive (S) cones do not contribute to induced redness/greenness. Chromatic cancelation experiments confirm the fourth explanation. There was no change in induced redness/greenness when quantal absorption by only S cones in the surround was varied by 30-fold (using tritanopic metamers), even though varying stimulation of S cones strongly affected the color appearance of the surround. The redness induced by a short-wavelength surround is accounted for by opponent chromatic induction mediated by only middle- and long-wavelength sensitive cones.
Concentration of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormones I and II in microdissected areas of turkey hen brain during the reproductive cycle.

Abstract Chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormones I and II (cGnRH I and II) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in extracts of microdissected regions of turkey hen brain (preoptic area [POA], region of periventricular nuclei [PHN], septum [SEP], hippocampus [HP], dorsomedial thalamus/habenula [DMT], midbrain central gray [MCG], and caudal lateral hypothalamus [LH]) at five stages of the reproductive cycle: before photostimulation, during egg laying, during incubation, during photorefractoriness, and after return to short daylengths. The highest concentration of cGnRH I occurred in PHN, followed by POA, SEP, DMT, HP, LH, and MCG, in decreasing order, whereas the highest concentration of cGnRH II occurred in SEP, followed by POA, DMT, HP, MCG, PHN, LH. These results agree, with some exceptions, with the distribution of fibers and cells as determined by immunohistochemistry. cGnRH II was from 1.3 to 24 times as abundant as cGnRH I in different brain areas. During incubation, cGnRH I concentrations were significantly elevated in the POA and cGnRH II levels were significantly elevated in HP; few other significant differences were detected. Correlation analysis detected occasional significant positive and negative correlations between cGnRH I and II concentrations in forebrain areas and MCG of laying birds and in PHN and LH of incubating birds. These results demonstrate an approximate correspondence between hormone concentrations measured in tissue extracts by RIA and immunohistochemistry and indicate an abundance of cGnRH II as compared with cGnRH I. cGnRH I and II concentrations did not, however, change in parallel in all brain areas, suggesting that these peptides do not function in an exactly parallel fashion. Thus, the extent to which cGnRH II is involved in gonadotropin release remains unresolved.
Structure Functions and Spectra of Scalar Quantities in the Inertial–Convective and Viscous–Convective Ranges of Turbulence

Abstract The Obukhov–Corrsin constants (often referred to as Kolmogorov constants) are the constants of proportionality in formulas pertaining to the inertial-convective range of structure functions (or spectra) of scalar quantities and the cross-structure functions (or cospectra) of pairs of scalar quantities. These Obukhov–Corrsin constants are shown to be equal for all scalar quantities and pairs of scalar quantities. The inertial-convective and viscous-convective range formulas for cross-structure functions (or cospectra) can be deduced from those of the structure functions (or spectra). Special attention is given to the case of dimensionless scalar quantities like refractive index for which the inertial-convective and viscous-convective range formulas can be deduced by several different arguments. Dimensional analysis is useful for the structure functions, cross-structure functions, spectra and cospectra of the inertial-convective range and for the spectra and cospectra in the viscous-convective rang...
Toll‐like receptors: molecular mechanisms of the mammalian immune response

The unrelenting bombardment by microbial pathogens from the environment and their increasing resistance to medical treatments are a constant threat to the survival of all organisms on earth. Microbes are covered by molecular patterns that are common among a broad range of pathogens. These include the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria, lipoteichoic acids of Gram-positive bacteria, lipoproteins of bacteria and parasites, glycolipids of mycobacteria, mannans of yeast and double-stranded RNAs of viruses.1,2 Recognition of and responses to these molecules are controlled by a wide variety of cellular receptors. The best characterized receptors are the T-cell receptor and B-cell antibody receptor of the adaptive immune response, the specificity of which is randomly generated and clonally selected during the development of T and B lymphocytes.3 Unlike the receptors of the adaptive immune system, the pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system have predetermined specificity generated early on in evolution and play an essential role in the determination of self versus non-self during the initial rapid responses to infection.1,2 As described in this review, a family of cell surface receptors, termed Toll-like receptors, are emerging as key regulators of host responses to infection.
Scopolamine self-administration: Cholinergic involvement in reward mechanisms

Abstract Naive rats readily learned to self-administer scopolamine, a centrally active anticholinergic antimuscarinic agent, by the intravenous route; drug intake remained constant while response rates decreased with increasing unit dose ((0.005–0.02 mg/kg/infusion). Increases and decreases in scopolamine responding were elicited by pretreatment with muscarinic agonists and antagonists, respectively. An anticholinergic action at muscarinic synapses appears to be sufficient for reinforcing efficacy; such an action may mediate, in part, the addictive properties of other drugs (e.g., opiates and phencyclidine-like hallucinogens) that are known to have anticholinergic effects.
Optimization of specificity in a cellular protein interaction network by negative selection

Most proteins that participate in cellular signalling networks contain modular protein-interaction domains. Multiple versions of such domains are present within a given organism1: the yeast proteome, for example, contains 27 different Src homology 3 (SH3) domains2. This raises the potential problem of cross-reaction. It is generally thought that isolated domain–ligand pairs lack sufficient information to encode biologically unique interactions, and that specificity is instead encoded by the context in which the interaction pairs are presented3,4. Here we show that an isolated peptide ligand from the yeast protein Pbs2 recognizes its biological partner, the SH3 domain from Sho1, with near-absolute specificity—no other SH3 domain present in the yeast genome cross-reacts with the Pbs2 peptide, in vivo or in vitro. Such high specificity, however, is not observed in a set of non-yeast SH3 domains, and Pbs2 motif variants that cross-react with other SH3 domains confer a fitness defect, indicating that the Pbs2 motif might have been optimized to minimize interaction with competing domains specifically found in yeast. System-wide negative selection is a subtle but powerful evolutionary mechanism to optimize specificity within an interaction network composed of overlapping recognition elements.
Pemoline in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Predictors of Nonresponse

The psychostimulants are the most widely used treatment modality for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although positive responses to psychostimulants have been demonstrated, 46% of adults with ADHD, on average, are nonresponsive or cannot tolerate the medications because of adverse effects. We reviewed the charts of 43 students treated with pemoline and studied parameters of nonresponse. Sixteen (37%) met the study definition of nonresponse. Of these 5 (12%) were symptom nonresponders and 11 (25%) were nonresponders because of adverse effects. We found a significant relationship between age and nonresponse resulting from adverse effects, yet no other factors predicted nonresponse to pemoline. Clinicians should consider using smaller starting doses of pemoline in adults to minimize adverse effects.
Ambivalence Toward Integration: the Sequence of Response to Six Interracial Situations*

White liberals (N=204) believing in integration and living in Los Angeles County expressed their attitudes toward six interracial situations: (1) busing in the schools for the purpose of ending de facto segregation; (2) the entrance of blacks into the respondents' occupational fields; (3) blacks moving into the respondents' neighborhoods; (4) the quota system as the basis for college admission for minorities; (5) rentals to blacks in white-occupied apartment buildings; and (6) hiring of blacks. A scalogram analysis indicates that the attitudes common to white liberals as a group form a systematic ordering of adherence to or retreat from anti-discriminatory principles, with the underlying dimension being the degree of attitudinal favorableness toward the situations and integration in general. We found a predictable pattern of complexity of attitudes toward the situations, with progression from the most difficult to the least difficult situation as follows: quota, busing, residence, apartment, hiring, and occupation. We reject a situational, direct threat hypothesis in favor of a general attitude hypothesis since retreats from anti-discriminatory beliefs follow a cumulative sequence, irrespective of the respondents' particular life circumstances or the nature of the specific situation. We conclude that the cultural definitions of the situations and the degree of clarity of emergent norms are primary factors determining attitudinal expressions which are consistent or inconsistent with a general belief in integration.
Tyrosine kinase Syk associates with toll-like receptor 4 and regulates signaling in human monocytic cells

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) induces an innate immune response in mammals by recognizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we show that tyrosine kinase Syk constitutively associates with TLR4 in THP-1 cells. As previously reported in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, TLR4 gets inducibly tyrosine phosphorylated upon LPS engagement in THP-1 cells. Piceatannol, a pharmacological inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Syk, abrogates TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation at low doses. The kinetics of TLR4 tyrosine phosphorylation in THP-1 cells coincides with an early wave of Syk tyrosine phosphorylation. Additionally, serine threonine kinase interleukin-1 (IL1) receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1) is transiently recruited to the complex containing adaptor molecule MyD88, TLR4 and Syk within 1 min of LPS engagement and dissociates by 30 min. Finally, the inhibition of Syk with piceatannol has no effect on LPS-mediated release of cytokines IL6, IL1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, neither on chemokines macrophage inhibitory protein (MIP)1alpha, MIP1beta, monocyte chemoattractant protein -1, IL8, Groalpha and RANTES. However, IL10 and IL12p40 releases are significantly inhibited. Our findings implicate Syk as a novel modulator of LPS-mediated TLR4 responses in human monocytic cells and shed insight into the kinetics of early complex formation upon LPS engagement.
The role of feared possible selves in the relationship between peer influence and delinquency.

This study explores the impact of a feared delinquent possible self on the relationship between exposure to negative peer behaviors and violent and non-violent self-reported delinquency. Previous research strongly supports that deviant peers influence adolescents' delinquent behavior. Yet, few studies have explored intrapersonal factors that may moderate this influence. Possible selves include what one hopes, expects and fears becoming and are believed to motivate behavior. Thus, it was hypothesized that adolescents who were exposed to deviant peers and also feared engaging in delinquency would be more likely to self-report delinquency. Seventh grade students (n = 176) identified feared possible selves in the future, their exposure to negative peer behavior and self-reported violent and non-violent delinquent behavior. Findings suggest that exposure to negative peer behavior is associated with self-reported delinquent behavior. For violent behavior, possessing a feared delinquent possible self moderates this relationship. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Perceptual coding strategies in the formation and verification of descriptions.

Three experiments were carried out to study the “picture coding” process implicit both in making up descriptions of pictures and in verifying descriptions against pictures. In the first experiment, Ss were asked simply to describe pictures of one object above another; some pictures were symmetrical vertically and some were not. In the other two experiments, other Ss were timed as they judged whether sentences likeStar isn’t below line were true or false of such pictures. According to the results, Ss comply to three ordered “preference” rules in describing the two objects, rules that are conditional on characteristics of the picture and demands of the task. Furthermore, Ss in the verification task comply to the same three rules when they view and encode the picturebefore they read the sentence to be verified, but to only one of the rules when they view the pictureafter they read the sentence. The results also reconfirm two recently proposed models for the process of verifying sentences against pictures.
Electromagnetic “Bubbles” and Shock Waves: Unipolar, Nonoscillating EM Solitons

We show that atomic gases can support solitary pulses of a unipolar electromagnetic field (``EM bubbles'') with amplitude up to the atomic field ( $\ensuremath{\sim}$1${0}^{9}$ V/cm) and duration down to $\ensuremath{\sim}$ ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ s. EM bubbles propagate without dispersion, are stable, and are insensitive to the change of gas density. Atomic gasses can also support an EM shock wave forming a precursor of a dc ionizing field.
Periappendicitis presenting as left renal colic.

Abstract Periappendicitis, a variant of appendicitis, is histologically diagnosed in only about 5 per cent of appendices removed for presumptive acute appendicitis. We herein describe a boy with periappendicitis whose clinical presentation was that of left renal colic and partial left midureteral obstruction. Appendicitis not infrequently simulates right ureteral colic. However, to our knowledge appendiceal inflammation never has been reported to simulate left ureteral colic. Also, complications of appendicitis are known to cause right ureteral obstruction (rarely bilateral) but have not been reported to cause solitary left ureteral obstruction. We found no previously reported case of solitary left ureteral obstruction from appendiceal inflammation or of periappendicitis causing a serious urologic complication.
Assessment of Particle Deposition inside Payload Fairing from Launch Vehicle Plume Contribution

Concerns were raised for potential payload contamination inside payload faring (PLF) contributed from the soot particles in the launch vehicle ignition plume. Soot particles, once ingested into PLF through vents, can pose potential payload contamination risks due to their light absorbing characteristics. To gain insights into the extent of soot particle contamination inside the PLF, analytical calculations and laboratory experiments were performed using a PLF simulator to determine the rate of soot particle deposition onto surfaces. The analysis assumed a non-venting setting as the worst case scenario, in which particles were trapped inside the PLF simulator and allowed to deposit onto available surfaces. Soot particles were briefly introduced inside a PLF mockup and after the soot generation source ceased, particle deposition rates were examined by measuring the particle concentration decay as a function of time. Based on the experimentally determined particle deposition rates and other parameters including the venting scenarios, the impact of soot particle deposition for the full scale PLF and payload was evaluated. The effects of soot particles contamination were also studied, and pronounced transmission degradation toward the UV region on a fused silica substrate was observed.
Phase and non-equilibrium behaviour of microgel suspensions as a function of particle stiffness

We investigate the phase and non-equilibrium behavior of suspensions comprised of swollen, ionic microgels as a function of particle stiffness. We use visual inspection of the samples, rheology and UV-visible spectroscopy to determine how the system phase changes with particle concentration for particles with different crosslinker content. Our results indicate that stiff particles exhibit all three phases observed in hard sphere suspensions: liquid, crystal and glass; however, the boundaries separating one phase from the other are different from the corresponding boundaries in hard sphere suspensions. In particular, the width of the liquid–crystal phase-coexistence region increases with decreasing particle stiffness. For particles with intermediate stiffness, the crystal phase disappears and the microgel suspension transitions from a liquid to a glassy state at certain particle concentration. For even softer particles, no glassy state is observed. Instead the system remains liquid within the experimentally accessed concentration range. These results emphasize the richness in behaviour that is brought about when deformable and compressible objects are considered instead of the more usual hard colloidal particles.
Coupled granular/continuous medium for thermally stable perpendicular magnetic recording

Abstract We studied coupled granular/continuous (CGC) perpendicular media consisting of a continuous multilayer structure and a granular layer. The addition of Co/Pt multilayers decreased the nucleation field from 200 to −1800 Oe and increased the squareness from 0.9 to 1.0. The moment decay at room temperature was significantly reduced from −4.8% to −0.05% per decade. At elevated temperatures, strong exchange coupling between a granular layer and a continuous layer is needed for thermal stability. The exchange-coupled continuous layer reduces thermal demagnetization as it effectively increases the grain size, tightens the grain distribution, and prevents the reversal of individual grains. Magnetic Force Microscope image showed a larger magnetic cluster size for the CGC structure. Compared to the CoCr 18 Pt 12 medium, the CGC medium had 2.3 dB higher output. However, the noise for the CGC medium increased with the recording density, while the noise for the CoCr 18 Pt 12 medium remained constant from 4 to 15 kfc/mm. Further optimization and noise reduction are still required for future high density recording.
On the robustness of the h - and p -versions of the finite-element method

Abstract The classical h -version of the finite-element method achieves accuracy by refining the mesh and keeping p , the degree of polynomials used, at a fixed (low) level. We compare the robustness of such algorithms to that of the more recent p -version, which uses a fixed mesh and increases p . We consider two physical parameter-dependent problems that can lead to poor approximations near a limiting value of the parameter (locking). Our results show that p -type algorithms are generally more robust with respect to the parameter values than h -type ones.
Angularly resolved observations of sidescattered laser light from laser-produced plasmas

Small scale structure is observed in angularly resolved measurements of scattered laser light from 1.06 \ensuremath{\mu}m laser irradiations of CH targets. The structure size varies as the laser spot diameter is changed. The structure is consistent with light produced by the stimulated Brillouin sidescattering instability. The overall angular dependence of the scattered laser light intensity is compared to the distribution predicted by convective growth of stimulated Brillouin sidescattering. Two-dimensional plasma effects are shown to be important in determining the angular distribution of the scattered light.
Identification of Hydroxycinnamoylquinic Acids of Arnica Flowers and Burdock Roots Using a Standardized LC-DAD-ESI/MS Profiling Method

A screening method using LC-DAD-ESI/MS was developed for the identification of common hydroxycinnamoylquinic acids based on direct comparison with standards. A complete standard set for mono-, di-, and tricaffeoylquinic isomers was assembled from commercially available standards, positively identified compounds in common plants (artichokes, asparagus, coffee bean, honeysuckle flowers, sweet potato, and Vernonia amygdalina leaves) and chemically modified standards. Four C18 reversed phase columns were tested using the standardized profiling method (based on LC-DAD-ESI/MS) for 30 phenolic compounds, and their elution order and retention times were evaluated. Using only two columns under standardized LC condition and the collected phenolic compound database, it was possible to separate all of the hydroxycinnamoylquinic acid conjugates and to identify 28 and 18 hydroxycinnamoylquinic acids in arnica flowers (Arnica montana L.) and burdock roots (Arctium lappa L.), respectively. Of these, 22 are reported for the first time.
Observations of water vapor ions at the lunar surface.

The Apollo 14 Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment observed a series of bursts of 48.6 eV water vapor ions at the lunar surface during a 14-hr period on Mar. 7, 1971. The maximum flux observed was 100 million ions per sq cm per sec per sr. These ions were also observed at Apollo 12, 183 km to the west. Evaluation of specific artificial sources including the Apollo missions and the Russian Lunokhod leads to the conclusion that the water vapor did not come from a man-made source. Natural sources exogenous to the moon such as comets and the solar wind are also found to be inadequate to explain the observed fluxes. Consequently, these water vapor ions appear to be of lunar origin.-
Binding of HTLV-1 tax oncoprotein to the precursor of interleukin-16, a T cell PDZ domain-containing protein.

HTLV-1 Tax oncoprotein interacts with various cellular factors and modulates transcription and the cell cycle. In that role it is sufficient to create T cell malignancies in the absence of HTLV-1 infection. HTLV-1 Tax protein has been reported to bind to cellular proteins containing PDZ domains in vitro. The precursor of human interleukin 16, pro-IL-16, is an abundant cellular protein present in human peripheral blood T cells. Pro-IL-16 contains three PDZ domains. It has been shown that expression of pro-IL-16 in pro-IL-16 negative cells induces a G0/G1 arrest in the cell cycle. The current studies demonstrate that Tax binds to pro-IL-16 in HTLV-1 infected human T cells. We mapped the Tax binding site to the first PDZ domain of pro-IL-16. Over-expression of Tax in COS cells resulted in fewer cells in G0/G1 consistent with its activity to induce G1- to S-phase progression in lymphocytes, while over-expression of pro-IL-16 in COS cells resulted in G0/G1 arrest. Co-expression of wild type Tax with pro-IL-16 in COS cells negated the effects of pro-IL-16, an effect not observed with Tax mutated at its PDZ binding C-terminus. These results suggest that one of the effects of Tax on growth deregulation in HTLV-1 infected T cells might be mediated by its binding to pro-IL-16.
Enhancing Self-Efficacy in Elementary Science Teaching With Professional Learning Communities

Emerging from Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, this study of in-service elementary school teachers examined the effects of sustained Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) on self-efficacy in science teaching. Based on mixed research methods, and a non-equivalent control group experimental design, the investigation explored changes in personal self-efficacy and outcome expectancy among teachers engaged in PLCs that featured Demonstration Laboratories, Lesson Study, and annual Summer Institutes. Significant changes favoring the experimental group were found on all quantitative measures of self-efficacy. Structured clinical interviews revealed that observed changes were largely attributable to a wide range of direct (mastery) and vicarious experiences, as well as emotional reinforcement and social persuasion.
Insulin-likë effects of lithium ion on isolated rat adipocytes. II: Specific activation of glycogen synthase

Lithium ion, like insulin, activated adipocyte glycogen synthase with or without glucose in the medium. However, the effect of lithium ion was much greater than that of insulin under both conditions. The lithium-activated glycogen synthase was stable to both Sephadex chromatography and ethanol precipitation of the enzyme, indicating that the effect of lithium ion on glycogen synthase was through covalent modification of the enzyme. Glycogen synthase was significantly activated by lithium ion under conditions where concentrations of cellular ATP were unaffected. The effect of lithium ion on glycogen synthase was rapid and observed at concentrations as low as 1 to 3 mM, reaching a maximum at the concentration of 40 mM. It was thus the most sensitive of all the effects studied (see previous paper). Insulin further stimulated glycogen synthase at low concentrations but not at maximal concentration of lithium ion. Lithium-activated glycogen synthase was inhibited by both epinephrine and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but was not affected by the removal of extracellular Ca++. Interestingly, lithium ion had no detectable effect on basal pyruvate dehydrogenase as well as on epinephrine-stimulated phosphorylase. The failure of lithium ion to thus mimic insulin actions on pyruvate dehydrogenase and on phosphorylase suggests that the action of lithium ion on glycogen synthase is quite specific and may be mediated by stimulating a phosphatase or by inhibiting a protein kinase acting specifically on glycogen synthase.
Using circulation tests to model natural organic matter adsorption and particle deposition by spiral-wound nanofiltration membrane elements

Abstract Ambient particles in water are a much more severe threat to fouling a spiral-wound membrane element than natural organic matter (NOM). Particles deposit continuously and at a constant rate. Deposition rates, which are generally high ranging between 10 6 –10 8 particle per hour, increase with increasing particle size. The presence of NOM increases the rate for particles > 1.0 μm in size while decreasing the rates for particles 0.5–1.0 μm in size. Whereas for NOM adsorption approaches a steady-state level after a period of about 2 weeks, adsorption is at most 12.6% of the available NOM mass in the feed water. Plotting of steady-state adsorption levels vs. feed water NOM concentrations on a log-log scale showed data conforming to a classic Freundlich isotherm model. Particles both > 1.0 μm and 0.5–1.0 μm in size interfere with NOM adsorption, reducing the amount of NOM adsorbed.
Wireless Sensor Networks: Architecture and Protocols

In the interest of full disclosure, this book is published by a subsidiary of Taylor & Francis. This is a great book. It is hardware oriented, which is definitely outside my area of expertise. And ...
Ethanol metabolism in guinea pig: in vivo ethanol elimination, alcohol dehydrogenase distribution, and subcellular localization of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in liver.

Abstract Guinea pig ethanol metabolism as well as distribution and activities of ethanol metabolizing enzymes were studied. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1) is almost exclusively present in liver except for minor activities in the cecum. All other organ tissues tested (skeletal muscle, heart, brain, stomach, and testes) contained only negligible enzyme activities. In fed livers, ADH could only be demonstrated in the cytosolic fraction (2.94 μmol/g liver/min at 38 °C) and its apparent Km value of 0.42 m m for ethanol as substrate is similar to the average Km of the human enzymes. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3) of guinea pig liver was measured at low (0.05 m m ) and high (10 m m ) acetaldehyde concentrations and its subcellular localization was found to be mainly mitochondrial. The total acetaldehyde activity in liver amounts to 3.56 μmol/g/ min. Fed and fasted animals showed similar zero-order alcohol elimination rates after intraperitoneal injection of 1.7 or 3.0 g ethanol/kg body wt. The ethanol elimination rate of fed animals after 1.7 g ethanol/kg body wt (2.59 μmol/g liver/min) was inhibited by 80% after intraperitoneal injection of 4-methylpyrazole. Average ethanol elimination rates in vivo after 1.7 g/kg ethanol commanded only 88% of the totally available ADH activity in fed guinea pig livers. Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), an enzyme previously implicated in ethanol metabolism, is of 3.4-fold higher activity in guinea pig (10,400 U/g liver) than in rat livers (3,100 U/g liver), but 98% inhibition by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole did not significantly alter ethanol elimination rates. After ethanol injection, fed and fasted guinea pigs reacted with prolonged hyperglycemia.
A spherical parallel three degrees-of-freedom robot for ankle-foot neuro-rehabilitation

The ankle represents a fairly complex bone structure, resulting in kinematics that hinders a flawless robot-assisted recovery of foot motility in impaired subjects. The paper proposes a novel device for ankle-foot neuro-rehabilitation based on a mechatronic redesign of the remarkable Agile Eye spherical robot on the basis of clinical requisites. The kinematic design allows the positioning of the ankle articular center close to the machine rotation center with valuable benefits in term of therapy functions. The prototype, named PKAnkle, Parallel Kinematic machine for Ankle rehabilitation, provides a 6-axes load cell for the measure of subject interaction forces/torques, and it integrates a commercial EMG-acquisition system. Robot control provides active and passive therapeutic exercises.
Effects of rough rice storage conditions on gelatinization and retrogradation properties of rice flours

ABSTRACT Changes in gelatinization and retrogradation properties of two rice cultivars, Bengal and Kaybonnet, during rough rice storage were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The storage variables included two storage moisture contents (12 and 14%), three storage temperatures (4, 21, and 38°C), and four storage durations (0, 3, 9, and 16 weeks). Rough rice cultivar, storage temperature, moisture content, and duration affected (P < 0.05) the enthalpies and temperatures of gelatinization and retrogradation of rice flour. Bengal had a higher gelatinization enthalpy (P < 0.005) but lower gelatinization temperatures (P < 0.0001) than the long-grain Kaybonnet. Rice stored at 38°C exhibited higher gelatinization enthalpy and temperatures (P < 0.05) than those stored at 4 or 21°C. Storage duration affected the gelatinization and retrogradation properties through a higher order, rather than a linear, relationship.
Improving behavior of computer game bots using fictitious play

In modern computer games, "bots" -- intelligent realistic agents play a prominent role in the popularity of a game in the market. Typically, bots are modeled using finite-state machine and then programmed via simple conditional statements which are hard-coded in bots logic. Since these bots have become quite predictable to an experienced games' player, a player might lose interest in the game. We propose the use of a game theoretic based learning rule called fictitious play for improving behavior of these computer game bots which will make them less predictable and hence, more a enjoyable game.
Crack nucleation on an elastic polycrystal surface in a corrosive environment: Low dimensional dynamical models

This paper analyses a process of crack nucleation on the surface of a ceramic subject to a stress parallel to the surface, in an environment where the ceramic evaporates slowly and deforms elastically. We formulate dynamical models of one or two degrees of freedom by combining an existing elasticity solution and a variational approach. Both grain boundary tension and elastic stress concentration cause the surface to groove along its intersections with the grain boundaries. Two behaviors are identified. If the applied stress is small, the grooves approach an invariant shape, and the ceramic erodes by gross mass loss. If the applied stress is large, the grooves sharpen into crack fronts, and the ceramic breaks by decohesion. The models relate crack nucleation threshold and time to the applied stress, surface and grain boundary tensions, chemical free energy, grain size, and kinetic parameters. Surface self-diffusion is also included in the analysis.