cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting for dependence in a flexible multivariate receptor model

Formulation and evaluation of environmental policy depends on receptor models that are used to assess the number and nature of pollution sources affecting the air quality for a region of interest. Different approaches have been developed for situations in which no information is available about the number and nature of these sources (e.g., exploratory factor analysis) and the composition of these sources is assumed known (e.g., regression and measurement error models). We propose a flexible approach for fitting the receptor model when only partial pollution source information is available. The use of latent variable modeling allows the direct incorporation of subject matter knowledge into the model, including known physical constraints and partial pollution source information obtained from laboratory measurements or past studies. Because air quality data often exhibit temporal and/or spatial dependence, we consider the importance of accounting for such correlation in estimating model parameters and making...
Thematic Mapper laser profile resolution of holocene lake limit, Great Salt Lake Desert, Utah☆

The limit of Great Salt Lake's maximum expansion onto the floor of the Great Salt Lake Desert during Holocene time is marked by a break in slope which is clearly depicted in terrain models which merge Thematic Mapper (TM) multispectral scanner data and Aerial Profiling of Terrain System (APTS) laser profile data. Mean elevations of APTS-coincident TM pixels are strongly correlated with reflectance in TM Bands 5 and 7 when and where sufficient moisture contrasts among terrain components are high. TM-APTS models and field surveys place the highest Holocene standing water at an elavation of 4221 ft (1286.7 m).
Category learning in the context of co-presented items

A series of four studies explore how the presentation of multiple items on each trial of a categorization task affects the course of category learning. In a three-category supervised classification task involving multi-dimensionally varying artificial organism-like stimuli, learners are shown a target plus two context items on every trial, with the context items’ category membership explicitly identified. These triads vary in whether one, two, or all three categories are represented. This presentation context can support within-category comparison and/or between-category contrast. The most successful learning occurs when all categories are represented in each trial. This pattern occurs across two different underlying category structures and across variations in learners’ prior knowledge of the relationship between the target and context items. These results appear to contrast with some other recent findings and make clear the potential importance of context-based inter-item evaluation in human category learning, which has implications for psychological theory and for real-world learning environments.
Optimal payment time for a retailer under permitted delay of payment by the wholesaler

Abstract The retailer (buyer) is usually allowed a permissible credit period to pay back the dues without paying any interest to the wholesaler (supplier). In this problem the retailer can pay the wholesaler either at the end of credit period or later incurring interest charges on the unpaid balance for the overdue period. This research develops a retailer's model for optimal cycle and payment times for a retailer in a deteriorating-item inventory situation where a wholesaler allows a specified credit period to the retailer for payment without penalty. Under these conditions, this wholesaler-and-retailer system is modeled as a cost minimization problem to determine the optimal payment time under various system parameters. The model is solved through an iterative search procedure and the overall findings indicate that the retailer has always an option to pay after the permissible credit period depending on interest rates, unit purchase and selling price, and the deterioration rate of the products.
Relationship of Heart Rate to Ventricular Automaticity in Dogs During Ouabain Administration

Spontaneous changes in ventricular automaticity were determined from changes in idioventricular rate in eight dogs with heart block. The mediating effects of imposed rate were assessed in terms of (1) changes in post-pacing depression after ventricular pacing in 14 dogs and (2) changes in vagally induced ventricular escape time after atrial pacing in five dogs with intact AV conduction. Spontaneous ventricular automaticity decreased throughout the major portion of digitalization. The transition to a ventricular tachycardia was late and abrupt. Transient increases in rate transiently enhanced ventricular automaticity throughout digitalization. In animals with heart block, this was recognized at 38 ± 3% (SE) of the toxic dose of ouabain as blunting of postpacing depression, i.e., a significant decrease in the depression of the first post-pacing beat. Blunting was progressive and was replaced at 72 ± 3% of the toxic dose by post-pacing acceleration, i.e., the cycle length of the first post-pacing beat became shorter than the average pre-pacing cycle length. In vagal stimulation experiments ventricular escape time decreased earlier during atrial pacing at 180-190 beats/min (74 ± 3% of the toxic dose) than during atrial pacing at 140-150 beats/min (92 ± 3%). Early ventricular escape was not seen after pacing at 100 beats/min. These findings indicate that heart rate is a critical determinant of early increases in ventricular automaticity during digitalization.
Enhancement of Edwardsiella tarda and Aeromonas salmonicida through ingestion by the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis

When two common bacterial fish pathogens were cocultured with a ciliated protozoan, enhancement of each bacterial species was observed over time. Enhancement was hypothesized to be related to the uptake of intracellular nutrients by bacteria which survived protozoan ingestion. To test this ingestion/survival phenomenon, we developed a technique of chlorination and sonication of cocultures which showed that viable cells of both bacteria were contained within the protozoa. This implicated the importance of ingestion and survival from digestive processes for the increased growth of each bacterium.
Risk of cesarean delivery with Elective induction of labor at term in nulliparous Women

Abstract Objective: To quantify the risk of cesarean delivery associated with elective induction of labor in nulliparous women at term. Methods: We performed a cohort study on a major urban obstetric service that serves predominantly private obstetric practices. All term, nulliparous women with vertex, singleton gestations who labored during an 8-month period (n = 1561) were divided into three groups: spontaneous labor, elective induction, and medical induction. The risk of cesarean delivery in the induction groups was determined using stepwise logistic regression to control for potential confounding factors. Results: Women experiencing spontaneous labor had a 7.8% cesarean delivery rate, whereas women undergoing elective labor induction had a 17.5% cesarean delivery rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 3.18) and women undergoing medically indicated labor induction had a 17.7% cesarean delivery rate (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.13, 2.54). Other variables that remained significant risk factors for cesarean delivery in the model included: epidural placement at less than 4 cm dilatation (OR 4.66; 95% CI 2.25, 9.66), epidural placement after 4 cm dilatation (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.06, 4.48), chorioamnionitis (OR 4.61; 95% CI 2.89, 7.35), birth weight greater than 4000 g (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.69, 3.97), maternal body mass index greater than 26 kg/m2 (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.61, 3.47), Asian race (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.04, 5.34), and magnesium sulfate use (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.04, 4.55). Conclusion: Elective induction of labor is associated with a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. Avoiding labor induction in settings of unproved benefit may aid efforts to reduce the primary cesarean delivery rate.
Ambulatory continuous infusion ifosfamide with oral etoposide in advanced sarcomas

Background Chemotherapy given by continuous infusion may have different toxicity profiles and different degrees of therapeutic efficacy than when given by bolus administration. The potential therapeutic benefits of continuous infusion chemotherapy and the advantages of outpatient treatment led us to study a continuous infusion of ifosfamide with mesna and oral etoposide. Methods The authors performed a Phase I-II trial in which 9 g/m2 ifosfamide was administered for 6 days and 10.5 g/m2 mesna was administered for 7 days, both by continuous infusion, in combination with 50 mg/m2/d oral etoposide for 8 days in 21 patients with sarcomas or other solid tumors. Courses were repeated every 28 days. Results A total of 65 treatment cycles were given. Only six patients required hospitalization for treatment, all because of an initial poor performance status, and most carried out normal activities on an ambulatory basis. Treatment was stopped during the first course in five patients because of central nervous system toxicity, each with a poor pretreatment performance status; neurologic recovery was complete in each patient. The dose of etoposide was decreased by 20% in 11 patients and unchanged in 7 following the first treatment. Hematologic toxicity was predominantly manifested by leukopenia. An absolute neutrophil count less than 500 neutrophils/microliters occurred in 22 of 50 cycles; thrombocytopenia (platelets less than 100,000/microliters) was seen in two patients, requiring platelet transfusion in one. Neutropenic fevers occurred in 13 of 65 cycles; in 4 of these, cultures demonstrated a bacterial infection. Nausea and vomiting were mild. Objective responses occurred in 6 of 16 patients with soft tissue sarcomas (6 partial responses [PR]) (95% confidence interval, 15-65%), and 3 of 5 bone sarcomas, all of whom had been previously treated with doxorubicin and dacarbazine. Conclusions The authors concluded that ifosfamide and mesna given by ambulatory continuous intravenous infusion with wearable pump systems in combination with oral etoposide was well tolerated and showed substantial anti-tumor activity. This combination represents a rational therapeutic approach to patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas and may have application to other malignancies.
Thermal regulation of lymphocyte trafficking: Hot spots of the immune response

Lymphocytes use extensive vascular networks to traffic to various destinations in the body, including lymphoid organs and extra-lymphoid tissues. This discussion will focus on the emerging evidence that thermal stress regulates the traffic signals that direct the exit of lymphocytes from the vascular freeway. This issue is particularly relevant to T cell-based cancer immunotherapy where delivery of immune effector lymphocytes to neoplastic lesions depends on their extravasation across tumour micro-vessels. Although tumours are frequently highly vascularized by vessels that are competent to support blood flow, the tumour micro-environment has been characterized as non-permissive to lymphocyte extravasation. This may lead to a scenario where limited leukocyte infiltration at tumour sites correlates with a poor prognosis. These observations support the thesis that adjuvant strategies that promote trafficking of tumour-reactive cytolytic leukocytes to tumour sites have the potential to improve the efficacy of immune-based cancer therapy.
Defining Bridge Preservation by Action Type

There has been progressive interest from FHWA and state departments of transportation (DOTs) in considering bridge preservation an essential part of a comprehensive bridge program. The available definitions of bridge preservation give a conceptual overview; they do not identify specific bridge preservation actions. The objective of this study was to come up with a comprehensive list of bridge actions, as identified by bridge experts, and to identify the specific actions that the experts defined as preservation. A comprehensive list of 94 bridge actions was developed with input from 12 DOTs. Through an online survey, bridge experts were asked to classify each bridge action as operations, maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation, improvement, or replacement. Although the level of consensus in the final classification of the bridge actions varied, 64 actions were assigned to the same category by more than 50% of the respondents. The authors used the simple majority to determine an action's classification bu...
A high-order spectral difference method for unstructured dynamic grids

Abstract A high-order spectral difference (SD) method has been further extended to solve the three dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes (N–S) equations on deformable dynamic meshes. In the SD method, the solution is approximated with piece-wise continuous polynomials. The elements are coupled with common Riemann fluxes at element interfaces. The extension to deformable elements necessitates a time-dependent geometric transformation. The Geometric Conservation Law (GCL), which is introduced in the time-dependent transformation from the physical domain to the computational domain, has been discussed and implemented for both explicit and implicit time marching methods. Accuracy studies are performed with a vortex propagation problem, demonstrating that the spectral difference method can preserve high-order accuracy on deformable meshes. Further applications of the method to several moving boundary problems including bio-inspired flow problems are shown in the paper to demonstrate the capability of the developed method.
Citizenship Education and National Integration: The Imperative of Developing the Psyche

Nations work assiduously to knit the various groups making up the nation. Nigeria had to an extent tried in this vain to ensure the integration of its diverse peoples through formal and informal education of the citizenry. Efforts had been made to educate citizens of its value systems, rights and obligations, fuse the people and bring an understanding in other to attain the national goals. Despite the effort so far made very little had been achieved, even when enormous energies and resources had been expended. Rather than the education bringing about conducive society, it has produced a society where the unusual has become necessities. For example, unusual source of wealth, evil and crimes of all shades perpetrated and contrary to the national goals, thus leaving a dysfunctional society in a nation that is abundantly endowed with both human and natural resources. The author believes that since citizenship education could not impact much positively on the people, either because it has not been stressed adequately and because of the new age and its characteristics, there is the need to expand education to the education of the psyche. The psyche is the mind which if properly trained would shape the world positively as it could help in the building and delivery of public services with truth and honesty. It is believed that with adequate training of the psyche, selfism, pride, arrogance, avarice, moral vices which delimits individuals and leaders positive behaviour would be demolished greatly and the society set free from negative tendencies. The way out is through sound moral education, less emphasis on immediate and individual gains, educating the people of its past (History), and its value systems. Consequently, we have to ensure through education the true transformation of the individual psyche for the sake of the national psyche and attainment of national goals. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n5p179
Influence of changes in external potassium and chloride ions on membrane potential and intracellular potassium ion activity in rabbit ventricular muscle

1. The membrane responses of rabbit papillary muscles to rapid changes in [K]o and [Cl]o were measured with open-tipped micropipettes and with closed micropipettes made from K-selective glass. 2. The muscle cells behaved primarily as a K electrode, and responses to changes in [K]o with constant [Cl]o or with constant [K]o × [Cl]o were substantially the same. 3. When [Cl]o was changed at a constant [K]o the membrane potentials changed rapidly and symmetrically by a small value and remained constant for 30 min. 4. Measurement of potential with K+-selective micro-electrodes in these experiments showed no change in intracellular K activity. In addition to permitting calculation of K permeability, these measurements reassured us that the K+-selective electrodes were well insulated and not influenced by electrical shunts at the impalement site. 5. Although the membrane response to changes in [Cl]o was small, it was possible to calculate that the permeability ratio (PCl/PK), was 0·11. The Cl and K conductances were about 0·015 mmho/cm2 and 0·09 mmho/cm2 respectively, resulting in a conductance ratio (gCl/gK) of about 0·17. 6. The time course of depolarization by increase in [K]o was rapid (half-time 5 sec), but repolarization on return to lower [K]o was much slower (half-time 50 sec). The depolarization time course was easily fitted by the potential change calculated by assuming the need for K diffusion into the extracellular spaces and taking account of the logarithmic relation between membrane potential and [K]o. These calculations did not fit the time course of repolarization, which was slowed in the fashion expected from an inward-rectifying membrane. 7. The influence of [K]i on membrane potential was investigated by changes in tonicity of the external solution. Hypotonic solution produced a change in intracellular K activity close to that produced by ideal water movement. However, in hypertonic solution, intracellular K activity did not rise as much as predicted, suggesting a change in intracellular activity coefficient.
Wheat ubiquitin gene exhibits a conserved protein coding region and a diverged 3' non-coding region.

Eukaryotic polyubiquitins, as their name suggests, occur ubiquitously inside the nucleus and cytoplasm of several fungi, plants and animals [8]. A multigene family encodes these polyproteins which consist of highly conserved identical repeats of 76 amino acids fused together in head-totail fashion. Further post-translational processing of these polyubiquitins results in their monomeric form which covalently attaches with their glycine residue to the amino terminal of abnormal, misfolded or short-lived proteins destined to degradation through ATP-dependent proteolysis. This unique protein also plays several other multifaceted roles in cellular metabolism [ 8 ]. Although highly conserved at the protein level, this polyubiquitin gene does exhibit remarkable species-specific variations in the number of repeats, the third base of the codons, the last codon before the stop codon of the last repeat and the 3' non-coding region. Moreover, during the heat stress there is a limited up-regulation of the transcription of this gene suggesting its role as heat shock protein [4]. Limited availability of free ubiquitin pool is proposed to be one of the factors in induction of heat shock genes via liberation of heat-shock transcription factors from ubiquitination [9]. We present here the nucleotide sequence of the last repeat of wheat polyubiquitin followed by the 3' non-coding region. We have constructed a cDNA library in 2ZAP II vector (Stratagene) using cDNA derived from poly(A) + RNA from leaves of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Mustang) which were heat-shocked for two hours at 37 ° C. Screening of this library (30000 clones) with a chicken ubiquitin DNA (UB 1.6) [1] resulted in 32 positive clones. The nucleotide sequence of one of these clones which consists of the terminal ubiquitin unit followed by the terminal amino acid and the 3' non-coding region is presented in Fig. 1.
Solar absorption by Mie resonances in cloud droplets

Abstract Recent studies suggest that resonant absorption of sunlight by cloud droplets may constitute a significant and unaccounted-for solar energy sink in the atmosphere. We spectrally resolve, for the first time, all solar absorption, including sharp resonances, in typical liquid water clouds. Resolving all sharp resonances requires a resolution in size parameter χ = 2 π r / λ ( r —droplet radius, λ —incident wavelength) of about 10 - 7 . The canonical integration resolution Δ χ ≈ 10 - 1 produces absorption biases up to 70% over 10 nm spectral bands. Hence, neglecting Mie resonances may cause substantial biases in radiance-based retrievals from sensor channels where atmospheric absorption is particle dominated. The canonical resolution produces broadband solar mean and RMS absorption coefficient biases of about 0.02% and 4%, respectively. Self-cancellation of the pseudo-randomly distributed biases explains why the mean bias is much smaller than the RMS bias. Exceeding 1% RMS accuracy in solar absorption requires Δ χ 10 - 5 . Increased cloud heating due to resolving all resonant absorption is less than 0.1%, equivalent to about 0.01 W m - 2 global annual mean heating. Overlap of droplet and water vapor absorption within clouds helps diminish the net enhanced absorption by sharp resonances. Hence, the heretofore unrepresented absorption is negligible for global climate, though very important for narrow spectral regions. These results apply to homogeneous liquid water clouds and aerosols.
Understanding watershed suspended sediment transport

Suspended sediment at the watershed scale has played a critical role in sediment pollution, water-quality degradation, and the impairment of riparian ecosystems, and thus has been widely studied in many disciplines. This paper synthesizes a variety of methods adopted in suspended sediment monitoring, estimation and modelling for understanding sediment transport processes and determining the suspended sediment load. Methods for sediment monitoring are described in terms of direct and indirect approaches. Estimation of suspended sediment load is commonly achieved by establishing a sediment rating curve. Different approaches toward the establishment of a sediment rating curve are examined thoroughly. Techniques of sediment modelling are summarized via depiction of various hydrological and sediment models at the watershed scale. The paper ends with the discussion of future developments in suspended sediment studies at the watershed scale.
Ulnar nerve transection as a complication of two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release: a case report

Endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament for relief of median nerve compression neuropathy has recently been promoted as superior to traditional open surgical methods. A decreased incidence of scar tenderness, postoperative hand weakness, and pillar pain and an earlier return to work have been suggested. As a consequence of the limited surgical exposure inherent to endoscopic procedures, there has been concern regarding potential risks to neurovascular structures in the hand. We report a case involving complete transection of the ulnar nerve during two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release requiring sural nerve grafting for reconstruction.
BACTERIAL L-FORMS IN RELAPSING URINARY-TRACT INFECTION

Abstract A patient with a relapsing Proteus mirabilis urinary-tract infection is described. Each relapse followed a seemingly adequate course of antibiotics, and no anatomical genitourinary malformation was found to explain the repeated infections. Bacterial L-forms were isolated from the patient's urine during a course of ampicillin therapy. Further therapy designed to eliminate these L-forms was associated with eradication of the infection. Bacterial L-forms may play a role in some cases of relapsing urinary tract infections and antibiotic therapy aimed at their eradication may successfully terminate such infections.
Myxoma of the left atrial appendage mimicking thrombus during aortic valve replacement.

Echocardiographic characterization of cardiac masses involving the left atrium are defined by morphologic shape and appearance, site of attachment, type of margins, and presence or absence in the left atrial appendage. Most reports use location in the LAA as strong supportive evidence of thrombus, especially if associated with other suggestive findings (i.e., atrial fibrillation, spontaneous echo contrast, or both). Other reported masses (non-thrombi) in the left atrial appendage are considered extremely rare. We report a case of a patient with coexisting aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation diagnosed intraoperatively by transesophageal echocardiography with myxoma of the left atrial appendage.
Magnetic field dependence of the ultrasonic attenuation and resistance of a superconducting granular lead film

On presente des mesures d'attenuation des ultrasons et de resistance en courant continu d'une couche mince granulaire supraconductrice de plomb en fonction de la temperature et du champ applique
EFFECT OF OVARIAN WEDGE RESECTION FOR THE STEIN‐LEVENTHAL SYNDROME ON PLASMA FSH, LH, OESTRADIOL AND TESTOSTERONE LEVELS AND ON THE RESPONSES OF THE PITUITARY TO INTRAVEN US LHRH

Basal plasma levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) estradiol the testosterone levels were determined in 10 patients with Stein-Leventhal syndrome before and after ovarian wedge resection. The pituitary response to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was also determined before and 10 days after ovarian wedge resection. The results were compared with those found in 15 healthy patients between the 3rd-7th day of the menstrual cycles. Preoperative basal and post-LH-RH plasma levels of LH and testosteorne were elevated inpatients with Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Ovarian wedge resection corrected these abnormalities. Plasma estradiol levels were depressed both before and after the operation. A hypothesis regarding the etiology of Stein-Leventhal syndrome is developed.
Provably good scheduling for parallel programs that use data structures through implicit batching

Although concurrent data structures are commonly used in practice on shared-memory machines, even the most efficient concurrent structures often lack performance theorems guaranteeing linear speedup for the enclosing parallel program. Moreover, efficient concurrent data structures are difficult to design. In contrast, parallel batched data structures do provide provable performance guarantees, since processing a batch in parallel is easier than dealing with the arbitrary asynchrony of concurrent accesses. They can limit programmability, however, since restructuring a parallel program to use batched data structure instead of concurrent data structure can often be difficult or even infeasible. This paper presents BATCHER, a scheduler that achieves the best of both worlds through the idea of implicit batching, and a corresponding general performance theorem. BATCHER takes as input (1) a dynamically multithreaded program that makes arbitrary parallel accesses to an abstract data type, and (2) an implementation of the abstract data type as a batched data structure that need not cope with concurrent accesses. BATCHER extends a randomized work-stealing scheduler and guarantees probably good performance to parallel algorithms that use these data structures. In particular, suppose a parallel algorithm has (i)T_1(i/) work, (I)T_∞(I/) span, and (I)n(I/) data-structure operations. Let (I)W(n)(I/) be the total work of data-structure operations and let (I)s(n)(I/) be the span of a size-(I)P(I/) batch. Then BATCHER executes the program in (I)O((T_1+W(n) + n s(n))/P+ s(n) T_∞)(I/) expected time on (I)P(I/) processors. For higher-cost data structures like search trees and large enough (I)n(I/), this bound becomes (I)(T_1+n\lg n)/P + T_∞lg n)(I/) provably matching the work of a sequential search tree but with nearly linear speedup, even though the data structure is accessed concurrently. The BATCHER runtime bound also readily extends to data structures with amortized bounds.
Using NPR to evaluate perceptual shape cues in dynamic environments

We present a psychophysical experiment to determine the effectiveness of perceptual shape cues for rigidly moving objects in an interactive, highly dynamic task. We use standard non-photorealistic (NPR) techniques to carefully separate and study shape cues common to many rendering systems. Our experiment is simple to implement, engaging and intuitive for participants, and sensitive enough to detect significant differences between individual shape cues. We demonstrate our experimental design with a user study. In that study, participants are shown 16 moving objects, 4 of which are designated targets, rendered in different shape-from-X styles. Participants select targets projected onto a touch-sensitive table. We find that simple Lambertian shading offers the best shape cue in our user study, followed by contours and, lastly, texturing. Further results indicate that multiple shape cues should be used with care, as these may not behave additively.
Testing Students' Ability To Do Geometric Proofs: A Comparison of Three Objective Item Types.

The assumed values to students of doing formal proofs and of receiving feedback have prompted geometry teachers over the ages to spend considerable time in scoring proofs. Until it becomes economically feasible to have computers score proofs and provide prompt feedback, geometry teachers will doubtless continue to perform these tasks. There are, however, two situations in which it is not practical to score formal proofs. First, the time pressure that attends the scoring of final examinations often forces teachers to include fewer proofs than they deem desirable. Second, the necessity of objective scoring causes standardized geometry test authors to tend to neglect formal proof. Yet assessment of proof-producing ability is considered essential to the content validity of both teacher-made final examinations and standardized tests. It is therefore desirable to consider various kinds of objective test items for assessing students' ability to produce formal proofs. The purpose of this study was to compare the concurrent validity of three objective item types designed to measure students' ability to produce formal proofs. The extent to which three kinds of easily scored objective test items would correlate with a conventional test of student-produced formal proofs given at about the same time was investigated.
Decreased contractile response to endothelin-1 of peripheral microvasculature from diabetic patients.

Background We compared the contractile responses to endothelin-1 (ET-1) with and without the inhibition of ET-A receptors and protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-α) in the human peripheral microvasculature of diabetic and case-matched, nondiabetic patients. Methods Chest wall skeletal muscle was harvested from patients with and without diabetics undergoing cardiac surgery. Peripheral arterioles (90–180 μm in diameter) were dissected from the harvested tissue. Microvascular constriction was assessed by videomicroscopy in response to ET-1 with and without an endothelin-A (ET-A) receptor antagonist, an endothelin B (ET-B) antagonist, or a PKC-α inhibitor. Results ET-1 induced a dose-dependent contractile response of skeletal muscle arterioles from diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The contractile response of diabetic arterioles from both prebypass and postbypass to ET-1 (10 −9 mol/L) was decreased compared with those of nondiabetic patients ( P −7 mol/L) or the PKC-α inhibitor safingol (2 × 10 −5 mol/L, P −7 mol/L). There were no differences in skeletal muscle levels of the ET-A and ET-B receptors between diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Conclusion Diabetic patients demonstrated a decreased contractile response to ET-1 in human peripheral microvasculature. The contractile response of diabetic vessels to ET-1 occurs via activation of ET-A receptors and PKC-α. These results provide novel mechanisms of ET-1–induced contraction in vasomotor dysfunction in patients with diabetes.
Practical Proximity Correction

ABSTRACT The Proximity Effect which results from electron scattering can be corrected in a number of ways. The most rigorous methods use computed changes to the pattern database and are very costly to perform on very large circuit patterns. Alternatives are presented which are more practical to implement. They are: 1) CAD corrections tothe data base, 2) layout and design rules, 3) GHOSTING, 4) system set -up, 5) tri -level resist, and 6) optimum use of the resistcontrast behavior. INTRODUCTION Electron scattering during E -Beam lithography exposure can cause linewidth control and resist profile problems. This is known as the "proximity effect ". The name comesfrom the way in which these problems get worse in areas where circuit features are packed tightly together. These linewidth variations become unacceptable for submicronfeatures. In Figure 1, interlaced metal lines on the right look as they were designed to be. But as the lines leave the dense area and proceed into the open area on theleft, the proximity effect causes severe line narrowing, resulting in broken lines. Fortunately, this can be corrected. In Figure 1, for example, the lines couldhave beenmade artifically wide at the left, by changing the data base that controls the E -Beam writing. One shortcoming to this correction method is encountered when very complexcircuits with millions of features need correction. The time and expense of computing proximity correction are often not practical with today's software and computers.This paper describes some practical alternatives for proximity effect correction. The lithography was performed by a JEOL JBX-6All E -Beam system. The resist usedwas EP25H, a positive resist synthesized at Honeywell. All circuit features were between 0.5 and 0.7 microns.
Theoretical study of asymmetric molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions for C 1s photoejection from CO2

We report the results of ab initio calculations of cross sections and molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions for C 1s ionization of CO2, and propose a mechanism for the recently observed asymmetry of those angular distributions with respect to the CO^+and O^+ions produced by subsequent Auger decay. The fixed-nuclei, photoionization amplitudes were constructed using variationally obtained electron-molecular ion scattering wave functions. We have also carried out electronic structure calculations which identify a dissociative state of the CO2^++ dication that is likely populated following Auger decay and which leads to O^+ + CO^+ fragment ions. We show that a proper accounting of vibrational motion in the computation of the photoelectron angular distributions, along with reasonable assumptions about the nuclear dissociation dynamics, gives results in good agreement with recent experimental observations. We also demonstrate that destructive interference between different partial waves accounts for sudden changes with photon energy in the observed angular distributions.
Studies on the condition and structure of bone of the Saldanha fossil cranium.

The external surface of the Saldanha cranium shows extensive exfoliation and cracking. In a few places remnants of the probable original bone surfaces can be observed. These are orange-brown in color, contrasting with the nearly white color of exposed deeper layers, and are subdivided into small segments with pits in their centers. Causes of the color differences are uncertain but merit investigation. The surface cracking and exfoliation probably result from weathering before fossilization. This conclusion is based on the observation that the endocranial surfaces show no such effects, despite the scattering of the cranial fragments at the time of discovery. A depressed fracture in the frontal bone indicates a heavy blow at or shortly after the time of death. This blow probably created some of the fragments, but there are also incomplete fracture cracks which may have resulted from the blow. Unresolved taphonomic problems include the manner in which the cranium held together after decay of soft tissues allowed weathering, and the manner in which the fragments were subsequently scattered. Chips from the cranial vault indicate that the outer table was very thick, tending to support recent proposals that the specimen and associated fauna and tools are from a considerably earlier time period than originally believed. The surface damage to the brow ridges gives information on the structure of deeper layers. These are lacking orientation, supporting the hypothesis that hominid brow ridges are not primarily a response to masticatory forces, but may afford protection for the eyes.
Enhanced osteoblast adhesion on hydrothermally treated hydroxyapatite/titania/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) sol-gel titanium coatings.

Abstract Sol–gel processing was used to coat titanium substrates with hydroxyapatite (HA), TiO2, and poly( dl -lactic-glycolic acid). Coating surface characteristics were analyzed with XRD, EDS, AFM, SEM, and water contact angle measurements which indicated that the coatings had a high degree of crystallinity and good resistance to cracking. Coatings were also evaluated by cytocompatibility testing with osteoblast-like cells (or bone-forming cells). The cytocompatibility of the HA composite coatings prepared in the present in vitro study was compared to that of a traditional plasma-sprayed HA coating. Results showed that osteoblast-like cell adhesion was promoted on the novel HA sol–gel coating compared to the traditional plasma-sprayed HA coating. In addition, hydrothermal treatment of the sol–gel coating improved osteoblast-like cell adhesion. Since osteoblast adhesion is a necessary prerequisite for subsequent formation of bone, these results provided evidence that hydrothermally sol–gel processed HA may improve bonding of titanium implants to juxtaposed bone and, thus, warrants further investigation.
Thermodynamics of the helix-coil transition of the alternating copolymer of deoxyadenylic acid and deoxythymidylic acid☆

Abstract The method of differential heat capacity calorimetry (Danforth, Krakauer & Sturtevant, 1967) is applied to the study of the helix-coil transition of the alternating copolymer of deoxyadenylic acid and deoxythymidylic acid, poly (dAT). ‡
Systematic Assessment and Instruction of Assistive Technology for Cognition (ATC) Following Brain Injury: An Introduction

This article provides a summary of crucial issues related to implementation of Assistive Technology for Cognition (ATC) following brain injury. Components of assessment, instruction, and outcome me...
The Road to Xanadu: Public and Private Pathways on the History Web

On August 24, 1965, Theodor Nelson presented a paper to the Association for Computing Machinery national conference in which he introduced the word "hypertext" to refer to "a body of written or pictorial material interconnected in such a complex way that it could not conveniently be presented or represented on paper." Nelson, who had started musing about this sort of associative thinking and linking as a Harvard University graduate student in 1960, viewed "hypertext" as an integral part of an imagined globally interconnected library and publishing system that would "grow indefinitely, gradually including more and more of the world's written knowledge" and "have every feature a novelist or absent-minded professor could want, holding everything he wanted in just the complicated way he wanted it held, and handling notes and manuscripts in as subtle and complex ways as he wanted them handled." 1 Two years later, while working at the publisher Harcourt Brace, Nelson an inveterate coiner of terms whose own Web page lists sixteen words or phrases that he claims to have introduced into general use started to describe his global library as "Xanadu." "For forty years," Nelson wrote recently, "Project Xanadu has had as its purpose to build a deep-reach electronic literary system for worldwide use and a differently-organized general system of data management. "2
Indications and techniques for lower intestinal endoscopy

The search for inflammatory and neoplastic lesions are the main indications for colonoscopy. A high rate of detection of polyps has become a quality criterion that depends on skilled handling of the colonoscope, on expertise and concentration during the examination, on excellent bowel preparation, and on a high standard of technical equipment. The diagnostic benefits outweigh the risk of bleeding, perforation and infection in almost all situations. Contraindications are signs of perforated intestine or imminent perforation due to deep ulcerations, necroses, or fulminant colitis. The patient's comorbidity must be considered to assess the physical stress of bowel preparation, colonoscopy and sedation. Informed consent is necessary and must be documented in all cases. It is advisable to explain planned therapeutic manoeuvres before the examination, since all non-invasive polyps must be removed completely. Total colonoscopy is possible in 95-99% of cases, but technical efforts are under way to solve the problem of looping and fixed colon angulations. Optimising optical imaging is another main focus of industrial development. The combination of narrow-band imaging, zoom magnification, and high-definition processor technology is currently the most promising tool for identifying small and flat lesions in the colon.
Reliability of Children's Drawings in the Goodenough-Harris “Draw-a-Man Test”

During the collection of data for a study of 386 3- to 11-yr.-old children's artistic development using clay, it was decided to have the children draw two figures of a man, to test the reliability ...
Neurotransmitters decrease the calcium component of sensory neurone action potentials

RELEASE of neurotransmitters from presynaptic axon terminals requires the influx of Ca2+ ions during the nerve terminal action potential1. Action potentials recorded in some neurone cell bodies exhibit a relatively large Ca2+ component, and it has been suggested that these soma Ca2+ spikes may provide a model for Ca2+ influx across the less accessible nerve terminal membrane2. Recent data support the usefulness of this model. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) increases transmitter output at certain habituated sensory nerve-motoneurone synapses in the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia and it also prolongs the Ca2+ spike recorded in the sensory neurone cell body3. Enkephalin reduces the stimulated release of substance P by adult cat trigeminal neurones4 and by cultured embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones5, and it decreases the quantal content of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.ps, transmitter unknown) evoked in cultured rat spinal cord neurones by co-cultured DRG cells6. This peptide also decreases the duration and magnitude of the Ca2+ component of the DRG soma spike5. With the thought that modulation of Ca2+ currents may be a general correlate of presynaptic inhibition, we have studied the effect of several putative neurotransmitters on the soma spike of cultured chick sensory neurones, and report here that they decrease the calcium component of cell body action potentials.
Autoradiographic studies of [3H]-glycine, [3H]-GABA, and [3H]-muscimol uptake in the mudpuppy retina

Autoradiographic studies showed selective accumulation of [3H]-glycine, [3H]-GABA, and the GABA agonist [3H]-muscimol by neurons of the mudpuppy retina. [3H]-Glycine was taken up by bipolar cells, amacrine cells, and displaced amacrine or ganglion cells. Both [3H]-GABA and [3H]-muscimol were also accumulated by bipolar cells, amacrine cells and ganglion layer cells. However, the [3H]-GABA uptake pattern differed from that of [3H]-muscimol in showing labeling of horizontal cells, an increased percentage of cells in the ganglion cell layer, and a band in the most proximal portion of the inner plexiform layer. Variations in grain density suggested the presence of multiple subpopulations of [3H]-glycine- and [3H]-GABA-labeled amacrine cells. The labeled cells may play a role in inhibitory pathways in the inner retina.
Generalized and localized (pretibial) myxedema: effect of thyroid analogues and adrenal glucocorticoids.

ABSTRACT Administration of cortisone or related glucocorticoids resulted in a decrease in the quantity of metachromatic material in the lesions of pretibial and generalized myxedema. In generalized myxedema the rate of disappearance of the mucoprotein was greatest following the use of triiodothyroacetic acid and less rapid in the following order: triiodothyropropionic acid, l-triiodothyronine, and desiccated thyroid. In pretibial myxedema, the local injection or systemic administration of l-triiodothyronine appeared to be less effective than the adrenal glucocorticoids in altering the lesion. THIS report is concerned with the effects of several thyroid analogues and of adrenal glucocorticoids on the lesions observed in generalized and localized (pretibial) myxedema. A previous study from this laboratory described the histogenesis of generalized myxedema and the sequelae of administration and withdrawal of desiccated thyroid in the human myxedematous subject (1–3). The current investigation extends these s...
Perspectives of polarized-neutron reflectometry: magnetic domains and off-specular scattering

Specular reflectometry of polarized-neutrons was developed in the 1980s as a tool for measuring magnetic depth profiles in flat films, which were laterally uniform. When the lateral uniformity breaks down in an assembly of domains, off-specular grazing incidence scattering takes place. This review discusses this new frontier of reflectometry, describing the advances that are taking place in linking the observations of the scattering at grazing incidence with the size, the statistics, and the magnetic orientation of the domains. The article discusses also the progress made in linking the domain distribution thus found with the transport properties of these nanomagnetic systems.
Deglutitive pressure responses in the gastroesophageal sphineters of symptomatic hiatal hernia patients

Resting pressures and pressure changes occurring with deglutition were recorded in each 0.5-cm. segment of the gastroesophageal sphincteric zone of 25 patients who had small, symptom-producing, sliding hiatal hernias. Pressures were detected by a water-filled balloon and laterally notched, water-filled polyethylene tubes attached to extracorporeal transducers and measured at end-expiration and end-inspiration. Mean maximal resting pressures in the sphincter were 10.5 cm. of water above gastric pressure (open-tip) and 21 cm. (balloon). With swallowing, a pressure decline below resting tone, indicating relaxation of subhiatal sphincteric segments, was often less pronounced than in health; slight increases occurred frequently. Contraction exceeded relaxation at the hiatus, a reverse of the findings in health. Contraction was most marked above the hiatus while relaxation became progressively less. Despite low resting sphincteric pressure (which probably predisposes to gastroesophageal reflux), impairment of the ability of the sphincter to relax, in addition to increases above resting tone in its subhiatal segments after deglutition, may produce an element of “functional obstruction” in some symptomatic hiatal hernia patients. Motor dysfunction of the body of the esophagus was frequent: 14 of the 25 patients studied exhibited severe or moderate derangements of contraction.