cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of PROMIS® Computerized Adaptive Testing versus Fixed Short Forms in Juvenile Myositis.

OBJECTIVE Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS® ) measures can be administered via computerized adaptive testing (CAT) or fixed short forms (FSF), but the empirical benefits of CAT versus FSF are unknown in juvenile myositis (JM). This study assesses if PROMIS CAT is feasible, precise, correlated with FSF, and less prone to respondent burden and floor/ceiling effects than FSF in JM. METHODS Patients 8-17 yo (self-report and parent proxy) and parents of patients 5-7 yo (only parent proxy) completed PROMIS Fatigue, Pain Interference, Upper Extremity Function, Mobility, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms measures. Pearson correlations, paired t-tests, and Cohen's D were calculated between PROMIS CAT and FSF. McNemar test assessed floor/ceiling effects between CAT and FSF. Precision and respondent burden were examined across the T-score range. RESULTS Data from 67 patient-parent dyads were analyzed. CAT and FSF mean scores did not significantly differ except in parent proxy Anxiety and Fatigue (effect size: 0.23 and 0.19, respectively). CAT had less pronounced floor/ceiling effects at the less symptomatic extreme in all domains except self-report Anxiety. Increased item burden and higher standard errors were seen in less symptomatic scorers for CAT. Modified stopping rules limiting CAT item administration did not decrease precision. CONCLUSION PROMIS CAT appears to be feasible and correlated with FSF. CAT had less pronounced floor/ceiling effects, allowing detection of individual differences in less symptomatic patients. Modified stopping rules for CAT may decrease respondent burden. CAT can be considered for long-term follow-up of JM patients.
Livestock Disease Surveillance

As a result of the expansion of global trade and travel, livestock disease surveillance has rapidly evolved from a stance of looking at and within our borders for threats to looking more intensively across the globe for threats. The projected intensification of livestock production in developing nations will likely broaden the scale, diversity, and consequences of disease outbreaks. Numerous challenges face the development and implementation of effective global and domestic livestock disease surveillance. Our profession is well-positioned to advocate, develop, and utilize novel technologies, novel strategies, and novel sources of human resources to meet these challenges.
Lesion Genotype Modifies High-Fat Diet Effects on Endometriosis Development in Mice.

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent gynecologic disorder that affects reproductive-aged women and to a lesser extent, post-menopausal women on hormone therapy. The condition is associated with systemic and local immune dysfunctions. While its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, endometriosis has a genetic component and propensity for the disease is subject to environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle influences. Previously, we showed that high-fat diet (HFD) increased ectopic lesion numbers, concurrent with systemic and peritoneal changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress status, in immunocompetent recipient mice ip administered with endometrial fragments null for Kruppel-like factor 9 gene. Herein, we determined whether HFD modifies lesion parameters, when recipient peritoneal environment is challenged with ectopic wild-type (WT) endometrial fragments, the latter simulating retrograde menstruation common in women during the menstrual period. WT endometrium-recipient mice fed HFD (45% kcal from fat) showed reduced lesion incidence, numbers, and volumes, in the absence of changes in systemic ovarian steroid hormone and insulin levels, relative to those fed the control diet (CD, 17% kcal from fat). Lesions from HFD- and CD-fed recipients demonstrated comparable gene expression for steroid hormone receptors (Esr and Pgr) and cytokines (Il-6, Il-8, and CxCL4) and similar levels of DNA oxidative biomarkers. HFD moderately altered serum (3-nitrotyrosine and methionine/homocysteine) and peritoneal (reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione) pro-oxidative status but had no effect on peritoneal inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor α and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) mediators. Results indicate that lesion genotype modifies dietary effects on disease establishment and/or progression and if translated, could be important for provision of nutritional guidelines to women with predisposition to, or affected by endometriosis.
Morphologic and Molecular Characterization of Adrenals and Adrenal Rest Affected by Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Introduction Adrenocortical hyperplasia and adrenal rest tumor (ART) formation are common in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Although driven by excessive corticotropin, much is unknown regarding the morphology and transformation of these tissues. Our study objective was to characterize CAH-affected adrenals and ART and compare with control adrenal and gonadal tissues. Patients/methods CAH adrenals, ART and control tissues were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptome sequencing. We investigated protein expression of the ACTH receptor (MC2R), steroidogenic (CYP11B2, CYP11B1, CYB5A) and immune (CD20, CD3, CD68) biomarkers, and delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1), a membrane bound protein broadly expressed in fetal and many endocrine cells. RNA was isolated and gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by principle component, and unsupervised clustering analyses. Results Based on immunohistochemistry, CAH adrenals and ART demonstrated increased zona reticularis (ZR)-like CYB5A expression, compared to CYP11B1, and CYP11B2, markers of zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa respectively. CYP11B2 was mostly absent in CAH adrenals and absent in ART. DLK1 was present in CAH adrenal, ART, and also control adrenal and testis, but was absent in control ovary. Increased expression of adrenocortical marker MC2R, was observed in CAH adrenals compared to control adrenal. Unlike control tissues, significant nodular lymphocytic infiltration was observed in CAH adrenals and ART, with CD20 (B-cell), CD3 (T-cell) and CD68 (macrophage/monocyte) markers of inflammation. RNA-seq data revealed co-expression of adrenal MC2R, and testis-specific INSL3, HSD17B3 in testicular ART indicating the presence of both gonadal and adrenal features, and high expression of DLK1 in ART, CAH adrenals and control adrenal. Principal component analysis indicated that the ART transcriptome was more similar to CAH adrenals and least similar to control testis tissue. Conclusions CAH-affected adrenal glands and ART have similar expression profiles and morphology, demonstrating increased CYB5A with ZR characteristics and lymphocytic infiltration, suggesting a common origin that is similarly affected by the abnormal hormonal milieu. Immune system modulators may play a role in tumor formation of CAH.
Sexual Assault and Rape in the Military: The Invisible Victims of International Gender Crimes at the Front Lines

In the past several years in particular, intra-military sexual assault and rape in the U.S. armed forces have been the focus of frequent media attention and intense congressional debate. Despite reforms, the rate of intra-military sexual crimes continues to remain high, as does soldiers’ wariness to report instances of sexual violence to military commanders. These problems and others have invigorated the position taken by some that outside judicial review of intra-military sexual crimes is necessary to provide justice to victims and lower the rate of intra-military sexual assault and rape. This Note argues that one of the primary contributors to intra-military sexual assault and rape is the gendered nature of the military itself. Given the nature of these acts, intra-military sexual assault and rape can be properly qualified as “gender crimes.” This Note also points out that this problem is not unique to the United States, as other militaries around the world struggle with intra-military sexual violence. Due to this widespread occurrence and international human rights laws prohibiting rape and gender-based violence more generally, this Note argues that intra-military sexual assault and rape should be viewed as international gender crimes in violation of international customary law. It is theorized that recognizing intramilitary sexual assault and rape in this manner can bring greater attention to these crimes and help push for independent judicial review of intra-military sexual crimes on the domestic level worldwide. * J.D. 2014, University of Michigan Law School. I would like to thank Professors Mathias Reimann, Monika Hakimi, and Gil Seinfeld for their helpful input. I would also like to thank the members of MJGL who helped edit and advise this Note. I would also like to thank Professors Catharine MacKinnon and Christine Chinkin for providing me with insight and knowledge as to the structure of the international human rights regime and its treatment of gender crimes, but also for the great personal contributions they have made to this field.
Association, Causation, And Marginal Structural Models

Dans le cadre de sa propre theorie formelle de l'inference causale contrefactuelle, l'A. presente quelques methodes et outils statistiques qui permettent de mesurer l'evidence des effets causaux dans les traitements a variables temporelles: l'evaluation du poids inverse a la probabilite du traitement appliquee aux parametres des modeles structurels marginaux. Distinguant les notions d'association et causation dans le contexte d'une progression lineaire ordinaire, l'A. entreprend une analyse de la sensibilite des donnees a la grandeur des facteurs non-mesures.
An ultrareliable integrated digital computer for helicopters

The US Army Fault-Tolerant Architecture (AFTA) has been defined to meet real-time fault-tolerant processing requirements of future Army applications. AFTA is the enabling technology that will allow the Army to configure existing processors and other hardware to provide the high throughput and ultrahigh reliability necessary for terrain-following/terrain-avoidance and nap-of-the-earth flight control and other advanced Army applications. A brief description of AFTA's relevant attributes and theory of operation is given. The systems engineering models which permit the configuration on an AFTA to meet mission requirements as they evolve are presented, along with an example of their use to engineer an AFTA configuration. The resulting AFTA configuration, its predicted throughput, reliability, availability, weight, power, volume, and life-cycle cost impact, and the effects of possible engineering tradeoffs are presented. >
Problems in the Definition, Interpretation, and Evaluation of Genetic Heterogeneity

Suppose that we wish to classify families with multiple cases of disease into one of three categories: those that segregate mutations of a gene of interest, those which segregate mutations of other genes, and those whose disease is due to nonhereditary factors or chance. Among families in the first two categories (the hereditary families), we wish to estimate the proportion, p, of families that segregate mutations of the gene of interest. Although this proportion is a commonly accepted concept, it is well defined only with an unambiguous definition of "family." Even then, extraneous factors such as family sizes and structures can cause p to vary across different populations and, within a population, to be estimated differently by different studies. Restrictive assumptions about the disease are needed, in order to avoid this undesirable variation. The assumptions require that mutations of all disease-causing genes (i) have no effect on family size, (ii) have very low frequencies, and (iii) have penetrances that satisfy certain constraints. Despite the unverifiability of these assumptions, linkage studies often invoke them to estimate p, using the admixture likelihood introduced by Smith and discussed by Ott. We argue against this common practice, because (1) it also requires the stronger assumption of equal penetrances for all etiologically relevant genes; (2) even if all assumptions are met, estimates of p are sensitive to misspecification of the unknown phenocopy rate; (3) even if all the necessary assumptions are met and the phenocopy rate is correctly specified, estimates of p that are obtained by linkage programs such as HOMOG and GENEHUNTER are based on the wrong likelihood and therefore are biased in the presence of phenocopies. We show how to correct these estimates; but, nevertheless, we do not recommend the use of parametric heterogeneity models in linkage analysis, even merely as a tool for increasing the statistical power to detect linkage. This is because the assumptions required by these models cannot be verified, and their violation could actually decrease power. Instead, we suggest that estimation of p be postponed until the relevant genes have been identified. Then their frequencies and penetrances can be estimated on the basis of population-based samples and can be used to obtain more-robust estimates of p for specific populations.
Selective motion compensation in ISAR imagery using time-frequency filtering

Several methods have been proposed for motion parameter estimation and motion compensation in SAR/ISAR images. Some of the methods work using the information from a prominent scatterer and may require that it be well isolated. In order to extract part of an image for selective motion compensation, a filtering process must take place and in this paper, we propose to filter the range profile information. We apply and extend some concepts and techniques from time-frequency analysis to range profile formation and processing. In particular, we use time-varying filtering to accomplish our goal of selecting and separately processing a component of the image information that represents an object with different motion than other parts of the image. We also consider the option of using a superresolution method that enhances the resolution of the short-time Fourier transform to improve the accuracy of the filtering process. The system that is considered for simulations is a stepped-frequency ISAR. Even though our application is motion compensation, this paper also serves to apply and improve time-frequency processing techniques for use in SAR/ISAR imaging.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Social Correlates of Psychological Distress Among Adult African American Males

This cross-sectional research investigates social determinants of psychological distress among adult males, with a specific emphasis on African Americans. Despite a sizable body of literature indicating that members of the African American community hold less favorable attitudes toward criminal justice, including the police and court system, than do Caucasians, hardly any empirical examinations have investigated the psychological ramifications of this discontent. Utilizing a sample of 377 adult male respondents from the 1998 General Social Survey, results reveal that the effect of being an adult African American male conditions the impact of (1) socioeconomic status and (2) confidence in the courts and legal systems on psychological distress.
Aortic paravalvular leaks: Alternative suture placement strategy for the left coronary cusp

Repair of a left coronary cusp aortic paravalvular leak can be achieved by placing stitches through the main pulmonary artery, right pulmonary artery, and left atrium when removal of the previously inserted valve is contraindicated.
Lipophilic halogenated congeners of 2',3'-dideoxypurine nucleosides active against human immunodeficiency virus in vitro.

Abstract Four 2-amino-6-halo- and four 6-halo-2',3'-dideoxypurine ribofuranosides (ddPs) were synthesized and tested for in vitro activity to suppress the infectivity, cytopathic effect, Gag protein expression, and DNA synthesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The comparative order of in vitro anti-HIV activity of the eight 6-halo-ddPs was as follows: 2-amino-6-fluoro, 2-amino-6-chloro, 6-fluoro greater than 2-amino-6-bromo greater than 2-amino-6-iodo, 6-chloro greater than 6-bromo greater than 6-iodo. 2-Amino-6-fluoro-, 2-amino-6-chloro-, and 6-fluoro-ddPs showed a potent activity against HIV comparable to that of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI) or 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (ddG) and completely blocked the infectivity of HIV without affecting the growth of target cells. The lipophilicity order was as follows: 2-amino-6-iodo greater than 2-amino-6-bromo greater than 2-amino-6-chloro greater than 2-amino-6-fluoro much greater than ddG greater than ddI. All eight 6-halo-ddPs were substrates for adenosine deaminase (ADA; adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4). The relative rates of hydrolysis by ADA were as follows: ddA, 2-amino-6-fluoro much greater than 2-amino-6-chloro, 2-amino-6-bromo greater than 2-amino-6-iodo. Taken together, these compounds may represent an additional class of lipophilic prodrugs for ddI and ddG and may also provide a strategy for endowing therapeutic purine nucleosides with desirable lipophilicity.
Safety and Solidarity After the Boston Marathon Bombing: A Comparison of Three Diverse Boston Neighborhoods†

This article investigates the effect of the Boston Marathon Bombing on city residents— how the tragic incident changed, or did not change, how Bostonians live in and feel about their community and neighborhoods. Unlike prior research that began weeks or months after a terrorist attack and used retrospective reports, this study spans the focal event. An address-based sample of residents from three neighborhoods, distinct in racial and economic makeup was surveyed by mail using a three-contact protocol. About two-thirds of respondents answered a survey of neighborhood sentiments, and health and well-being in the days before the bombing (N = 581) and slightly over a third answered the survey after the bombing (N = 313). Assessments of safety, city and neighborhood satisfaction and solidarity, mental health, and other key measures vary greatly between the three neighborhoods, which are diverse in racial and economic composition, but also vary in proximity to the bomb site. Net of neighborhood differences, the bombing had a strong negative effect on neighborhood cohesion and reduced use of public transit. Strong interactions are also found between timing of survey completion (pre and post bombing) and neighborhood for assessments of neighborhood solidarity.
Time-varying heat transfer from horizontally insulated slab-on-grade floors

Abstract A general solution for the steady-periodic heat conduction problem under a slab-on-grade floor with horizontal insulation is presented. The soil temperature field, and the total slab heat loss are obtained and analyzed using the Interzone Temperature Profile Estimation (ITPE) technique. The derived solution addresses all the common configurations for horizontal insulation of slab-on-grade floors. A parametric analysis is conducted to determine the effect of thermal insulation U-value and length on the mean, amplitude, and phase lag of total slab heat loss.
Scanning mutagenesis of a Janus-faced atracotoxin reveals a bipartite surface patch that is essential for neurotoxic function

The Janus-faced atracotoxins (J-ACTXs) are a family of insect-specific excitatory neurotoxins isolated from the venom of Australian funnel web spiders. In addition to a strikingly asymmetric distribution of charged residues, from which their name is derived, these toxins contain an extremely rare vicinal disulfide bond. To shed light on the mechanism of action of these toxins and to enhance their utility as lead compounds for insecticide development, we developed a recombinant expression system for the prototypic family member, J-ACTX-Hv1c, and mapped the key functional residues using site-directed mutagenesis. An alanine scan using a panel of 24 mutants provided the first complete map of the bioactive surface of a spider toxin and revealed that the entire J-ACTX-Hv1c pharmacophore is restricted to seven residues that form a bipartite surface patch on one face of the toxin. However, the primary pharmacophore, or hot spot, is formed by just five residues (Arg8, Pro9, Tyr31, and the Cys13-Cys14 vicinal disulfide). The Arg8–Tyr31 diad in J-ACTX-Hv1c superimposes closely on the Lys–(Tyr/Phe) diad that is spatially conserved across a range of structurally dissimilar K+channel blockers, which leads us to speculate that the J-ACTXs might target an invertebrate K+ channel.
Places going viral: Twitter usage patterns in destination marketing and place branding

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how Twitter is utilized by five prominent American destination marketing projects (Illinois, San Francisco, Idaho, Texas, and Milwaukee) to understand the overall trends and usage patterns of microblogging, and the relation of social media ecology and place branding. Design/methodology/approach – This is a comparative study of five Twitter accounts belonging to five destination marketing offices (@enjoyillinois, @onlyinsf, @visitidaho, @texastourism, and @visitmilwaukee). This research looks at two different types of communication activities on Twitter: one-way communication (i.e. broadcasting messages), and two-way communication (i.e. conversing with other users). A total of 5,582 tweets created between October 10, 2011 and October 10, 2012 were analyzed in terms of main topics and subjects covered, and main communication activities engaged. Findings – The research found that destination marketing projects tend to use Twitter pre-dominantly to share about...
High-Grade Gliomas in Children

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are malignant tumors and typically include glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma subtypes. Brainstem gliomas and ependymomas are separate entities with respect to clinical presentation, treatment, prognosis, and outcome in comparison with supratentorial HGGs. In children, these tumors account for 3% to 7% of newly diagnosed brain tumors and 20% of all diagnoses of pediatric supratentorial brain tumors. These neoplasms are highly proliferative and mitotically active and of glial origin. This article reviews clinical, diagnostic, and pathologic features of HGG and current treatments and potential future therapies specific to pediatric patients with HGGs.
The relationship between depression and pain language in cancer and chronic non-cancer pain patients

The present study investigated the relationship between depression and pain description among cancer and chronic non-cancer pain patients in a large outpatient sample. Participants consisted of 312 patients (158 men and 154 women) attending a pain management clinic at a comprehensive cancer institute. Sixty-one percent of the patients (190/312) were experiencing pain related to cancer and 39% (122/312) were experiencing chronic nonmalignant pain. Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to assess differences in the sensory and affective indices of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) associated with depression and type of pain. Current pain intensity was the covariate. The results indicated that the MPQ affective and sensory intensity scales did not significantly differ among patients with cancer and chronic non-cancer pain. There were also no significant differences in the percentage of affective and sensory pain descriptors chosen by these patients. However, depression significantly influenced MPQ pain description. Depressed patients with pain scored higher on the affective pain intensity dimension of the MPQ than non-depressed patients with pain (P < 0.001). Depressed patients also chose more affective pain descriptors than non-depressed patients (P < 0.001). Chi-square analyses revealed that depressed and non-depressed pain patients made significantly different choices on four of the five MPQ affective adjective lists. There were no differences in the sensory pain index or the percentage of sensory pain descriptors based on depression. These findings are discussed in terms of their clinical implications and their relationship to the existing literature.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of methyl, ethyl and isopropyl alcohol adsorbed on the (110) surface of Cu☆

Abstract Methyl, ethyl and isopropyl alcohol were allowed to adsorb on a clean (110) face of a copper crystal at room temperature, and photoelectron spectra were obtained using He(I) (21.2 eV) radiation. The spectra of the adsorbed species differed sufficiently from those of the free molecules to indicate a chemical change on adsorption. In accordance with studies in the literature using flash-desorption and energy-loss spectroscopy, it is suggested that the observed spectra are those of the corresponding alkoxy radicals formed as a result of dehydrogenation. In the case of the methoxy radical, calculations were carried out for a cluster of nine copper atoms and the results shown to be consistent with the experimental data. Results were also obtained on the rates of adsorption and desorption and on the dependence of the spectra on the polar angle between the normal to the surface and the photoelectron direction. Finally, results were obtained on the extent of adsorption by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Characterization of a voltage-gated K+ channel beta subunit expressed in human heart

Voltage-gated K+ channels are important modulators of the cardiac action potential. However, the correlation of endogenous myocyte currents with K+ channels cloned from human heart is complicated by the possibility that heterotetrameric alpha-subunit combinations and function-altering beta subunits exist in native tissue. Therefore, a variety of subunit interactions may generate cardiac K+ channel diversity. We report here the cloning of a voltage-gated K+ channel beta subunit, hKv beta 3, from adult human left ventricle that shows 84% and 74% amino acid sequence identity with the previously cloned rat Kv beta 1 and Kv beta 2 subunits, respectively. Together these three Kv beta subunits share > 82% identity in the carboxyl-terminal 329 aa and show low identity in the amino-terminal 79 aa. RNA analysis indicated that hKv beta 3 message is 2-fold more abundant in human ventricle than in atrium and is expressed in both healthy and diseased human hearts. Coinjection of hKv beta 3 with a human cardiac delayed rectifier, hKv1.5, in Xenopus oocytes increased inactivation, induced an 18-mV hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve, and slowed deactivation (tau = 8.0 msec vs. 35.4 msec at -50 mV). hKv beta 3 was localized to human chromosome 3 by using a human/rodent cell hybrid mapping panel. These data confirm the presence of functionally important K+ channel beta subunits in human heart and indicate that beta-subunit composition must be accounted for when comparing cloned channels with endogenous cardiac currents.
A COUPLED FDM/BEM SOLUTION FOR THE CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER PROBLEM

Abstract The conjugate heat transfer problem with Poiseuille-Couette flow within a thick-waited parallel-plate channel is solved using a coupled finite-difference method / boundary-element method (FDM/BEM) iteration scheme. The convective heat transfer in the fluid is solved using the FDM, and the conduction heat transfer in the solid is solved using the BEM. The two solutions are coupled to solve the conjugate problem iteratively by enforcing continuity of temperature and heat flux at the fluid-solid interfaces. Numerical results are in good agreement with available experimental data. A parametric study was performed to determine the influence of conductivity ratio of solid to fluid, dimensionless solid wall thickness, channel aspect ratio, and the ratio of free surface velocity to mean fluid velocity on the interfacial temperature and Nusselt number distributions
An Unusual Pleomorphic Sarcoma in a Hybrid Mallard

An unusual pleomorphic sarcoma from a hybrid mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is described. Rhabdomyosarcoma was considered in the original differential diagnoses but rejected due to lack of specific characteristics generally seen in these tumors. The histologic characteristics described are consistent with mammalian sarcomas recorded in the literature as malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
Simulation models for drug disposition and drug interactions

Abstract To cope with increasing numbers of compounds and much higher demand on early ADME data, higher-throughput absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) in vitro screens have been developed. However, the realisation that screening is a costly business urged pharma and biotech companies to investigate in silico prediction and simulation of pharmacokinetic data and processes. Good progress has been made in simulating the extent and rate of absorption, plasma concentration–time profiles, the site of metabolism within the compound and formed metabolites, and the effect of drug–drug interactions. Further development of robust in silico tools, in combination with high-throughput in vitro screening, will lead to an in combo approach towards drug discovery.
Tunnel-barrier-enhanced dc voltage signals induced by magnetization dynamics in magnetic tunnel junctions

We theoretically study the recently observed tunnel-barrier-enhanced dc voltage signals generated by magnetization precession in magnetic tunnel junctions. While the spin pumping is suppressed by the high tunneling impedance, two complementary processes are predicted to result in a sizable voltage generation in ferromagnet $(\text{F})|\text{insulator}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}(\text{I})|\text{normal}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{metal}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}(\text{N})$ and $\text{F}|\text{I}|\text{F}$ junctions with one ferromagnet being resonantly excited. Magnetic dynamics in $\text{F}|\text{I}|\text{F}$ systems induce a robust charge pumping, translating into voltage in open circuits. In addition, dynamics in a single ferromagnetic layer develop longitudinal spin accumulation inside the ferromagnet. A tunnel barrier then acts as a nonintrusive probe that converts the spin accumulation into a measurable voltage. Neither of the proposed mechanisms suffers from spin relaxation, which is typically fast on the scale of the exponentially slow tunneling rates. The longitudinal spin-accumulation buildup, however, is very sensitive to the phenomenological ingredients of the spin-relaxation picture.
Silicon oxycarbide glasses: Part II. Structure and properties

Silicon oxycarbide glass is formed by the pyrolysis of silicone resins and contains only silicon, oxygen, and carbon. The glass remains amorphous in x-ray diffraction to 1400 °C and shows no features in transmission electron micrographs (TEM) after heating to this temperature. After heating at higher temperature (1500–1650 °C) silicon carbide lines develop in x-ray diffraction, and fine crystalline regions of silicon carbide and graphite are found in TEM and electron diffraction. XPS shows that silicon-oxygen bonds in the glass are similar to those in amorphous and crystalline silicates; some silicons are bonded to both oxygen and carbon. Carbon is bonded to either silicon or carbon; there are no carbon-oxygen bonds in the glass. Infrared spectra are consistent with these conclusions and show silicon-oxygen and silicon-carbon vibrations, but none from carbon-oxygen bonds. 29Si-NMR shows evidence for four different bonding groups around silicon. The silicon oxycarbide structure deduced from these results is a random network of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, with some silicons bonded to one or two carbons substituted for oxygen; these carbons are in turn tetrahedrally bonded to other silicon atoms. There are very small regions of carbon-carbon bonds only, which are not bonded in the network. This “free” carbon colors the glass black. When the glass is heated above 1400 °C this network composite rearranges in tiny regions to graphite and silicon carbide crystals. The density, coefficient of thermal expansion, hardness, elastic modulus, index of refraction, and viscosity of the silicon oxycarbide glasses are all somewhat higher than these properties in vitreous silica, probably because the silicon-carbide bonds in the network of the oxycarbide lead to a tighter, more closely packed structure. The oxycarbide glass is highly stable to temperatures up to 1600 °C and higher, because oxygen and water diffuse slowly in it.
Lumped-Element Models for On-Wafer Calibration

We examine electrical models for lumped-element impedance standards used in on-wafer network-analyzer calibrations. We illustrate the advantages of using models that are complicated enough to replicate the actual electrical behavior of the lumped standards, but do not have more degrees of freedom than absolutely necessary.
Decay Rates of Interactive Hyperbolic-Parabolic PDE Models with Thermal Effects on the Interface

We consider coupled PDE systems comprising of a hyperbolic and a parabolic-like equation with an interface on a portion of the boundary. These models are motivated by structural acoustic problems. A specific prototype consists of a wave equation defined on a three-dimensional bounded domain Ω coupled with a thermoelastic plate equation defined on Γ 0—a flat surface of the boundary \partial Ω . Thus, the coupling between the wave and the plate takes place on the interface Γ 0. The main issue studied here is that of uniform stability of the overall interactive model. Since the original (uncontrolled) model is only strongly stable, but not uniformly stable, the question becomes: what is the ``minimal amount'' of dissipation necessary to obtain uniform decay rates for the energy of the overall system? Our main result states that boundary nonlinear dissipation placed only on a suitable portion of the part of the boundary which is complementary to Γ 0, suffices for the stabilization of the entire structure. This result is new with respect to the literature on several accounts: (i) thermoelasticity is accounted for in the plate model; (ii) the plate model does not account for any type of mechanical damping, including the structural damping most often considered in the literature; (iii) there is no mechanical damping placed on the interface Γ 0; (iv) the boundary damping is nonlinear without a prescribed growth rate at the origin; (v) the undamped portions of the boundary \partial Ω are subject to Neumann (rather than Dirichlet) boundary conditions, which is a recognized difficulty in the context of stabilization of wave equations, due to the fact that the strong Lopatinski condition does not hold. The main mathematical challenge is to show how the thermal energy is propagated onto the hyperbolic component of the structure. This is achieved by using a recently developed sharp theory of boundary traces corresponding to wave and plate equations, along with the analytic estimates recently established for the co-continuous semigroup associated with thermal plates subject to free boundary conditions. These trace inequalities along with the analyticity of the thermoelastic plate component allow one to establish appropriate inverse/ recovery type estimates which are critical for uniform stabilization. Our main result provides ``optimal'' uniform decay rates for the energy function corresponding to the full structure. These rates are described by a suitable nonlinear ordinary differential equation, whose coefficients depend on the growth of the nonlinear dissipation at the origin. \par
A reply to Woodward and Markman

Abstract Woodward and Markman (1991) argue that the Mutual Exclusivity constraint is an inborn bias, rather than a fixed limitation, and that its expression during early childhood may be weak and incomplete. By couching their position in these terms, Woodward and Markman have made falsification of the alleged inborn basis of the Mutual Exclusivity constraint extremely difficult. In particular, it will be hard to distinguish the late expression of a weak inborn bias from the acquisition of a cognitive strategy designed to deal with increased competition arising from lexical learning.
Different effects of intracellular and extracellular TEA on voltage-dependent K currents of acutely isolated hippocampal CA1 neurons

Abstract Tetraethylammonium (TEA) effects on K currents were examined on either side of the membrane of hippocampal CA1 neurons by means of whole-cell voltage-clamp recording and intracellular perfusion. Recording media contained ion channel blockers to allow the selective activation of voltage-dependent K currents which consisted of a rapidly decaying component (A-current) and a delayed component. Voltage protocols were applied to separate the A-current from the delayed component. Results show that 10 mM extracellular TEA suppressed50 ± 11% (S.D.,n = 4) of the delayed current at different levels of depolarization but had little effect on the A-current. In contrast 10 mM TEA applied by intracellular perfusion suppressed the A-current by42 ± 10% (S.D.,n = 4) in addition to inhibiting the delayed current by55 ± 15% (S.D.,n = 4). Both the intracellular and extracellular actions of TEA on K currents showed no voltage- nor time-dependency. The results suggest that voltage-dependent transient current (A-current) is mediated through a separate group of ionic channels distinct from those that sustained the delayed current. Furthermore, the asymmetrical effects of intracellular and extracellular TEA on the transient current are similar to those described for the A-current in molluscan neurons. This observation supports the notion that the structure of the ion channel mediating the A-current is closely conserved across different species.
Effects of sex hormones on sleep patterns of male rats gonadectomized in adulthood and in the neonatal period.

Abstract Sleep-wakefulness cycles were recorded following the administration of estrogen and progesterone to adult male rats castrated at birth or in adulthood. For the neonatal male castrates, two daily injections of estrogen followed by progesterone resulted in significant reductions in the percentages of time spent in both REM and NREM stages of sleep during the night following the progesterone injection. That response to female hormones was similar to the response previously reported for similarly treated gonadectomized female rats. The adult male castrates did not show the modification of sleep patterns in response to hormone treatment. The data represent evidence of sexual differentiation of the brain mechanisms regulating sleep that is comparable in certain respects to the differentiation of mechanisms regulating sexual behavior in rats.
Intracellular pH and cell-to-cell transmission in sheep Purkinje fibers

Intracellular pH (pHi) is a significant modifier of cell-to-cell communication in some tissues but its role is uncertain in heart tissue. The present studies examined the effect of cytosolic protons on electrotonic spread and conduction velocity in cardiac Purkinje fibers. Cable analysis provided values for internal longitudinal resistance (ri) and pH-selective microelectrodes monitored pHi during CO2 and HCO3- alterations. Resting fibers developed changes in ri that were proportional to intracellular free proton concentration ([H+]i) during CO2 changes at constant [HCO3-]. However, the effects on ri were small between pHi 6.9-7.8 and predicted only a 2.2% increase in ri per 10 nM increase in [H+]i. Other findings suggested that titration of cytosolic protons may not directly produce the changes in ri: (a) For an equal change in [H+]i, the effects on ri were roughly three times greater (6.8% increase per 10 nM rise in [H+]i) if bicarbonate was lost during CO2 changes. (b) pH-associated changes in ri were preceded by a time delay (1-5 min) producing hysteresis in the [H+]i-ri relation during successive perturbations. (c) The same CO2 variations modified the direction and magnitude of ri differently during pacing than at rest. The cumulative results suggest that the action of protons on ri in the heart may be subordinate to another regulator or mediated by another pH-dependent substance or reaction.
Chronic abdominal pain: a psychological approach for the clinician

Abstract This paper is the result of collaborative work carried out with a small group of families over the past 6 years. The approach has evolved as we have worked together with challenging presentations of highly debilitating chronic abdominal pain. We present here a summary of a pragmatic approach yet to be formally evaluated, which has developed out of our struggle to engage families who present with high levels of distress about symptoms for which a medical explanation is being sought. We have focussed on close liaison between psychologist and clinician; in many centres access to a clinical psychologist can be problematic so the key messages in this paper are to help clinicians develop a psychosocial approach to management of chronic abdominal pain. The main themes in this paper are creating a working alliance with family, child and clinician, understanding and containing anxiety, the role of investigations, how to understand and educate about pain, solution-focussed therapy, maintaining the intervention and supporting the family.
The application of uterine and umbilical artery velocimetry to the antenatal supervision of pregnancies complicated by maternal sickle hemoglobinopathies.

To assess the efficacy of Doppler flow velocimetry in predicting fetal compromise and neonatal outcome in pregnant women with sickle cell hemoglobinopathies, a prospective study was conducted of 96 patients, 48 with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy (8 with SS and 40 with AS hemoglobin) and 48 low-risk AA hemoglobin controls. All subjects were followed biweekly from the third trimester of pregnancy through delivery with uterine and umbilical artery velocimetry, nonstress, tests, and hematocrit and blood pressure measurements. An abnormal systolic/ diastolic ratio was defined as a value ≥ 3. The incidence of abnormal systolic/ diastolic ratios for uterine or umbilical arteries was significantly higher in pregnant women with SS hemoglobin (88%) when compared with patients with AS (7%) and AA (4%) hemoglobin. In addition, the abnormal systolic/ diastolic ratios for both umbilical and uterine arteries are correlated with abnormal nonstress test results. The nonstress test results became abnormal on average 3 weeks after the systolic/diastolic ratios did. The presence of abnormal systolic/ diastolic ratios for umbilical and uterine arteries is predictive of fetal distress and infants small for gestational age. The high incidence of concordant uterine and umbilical artery abnormal systolic/ diastolic ratios in pregnant women with SS hemoglobinopathy, which were identified earlier than were abnormal nonstress results, suggests an important parameter in the monitoring of these high-risk pregnancies.
Postprandial lipoprotein responses in hypertriglyceridemic subjects with and without cardiovascular disease

Abstract Three groups of age- and weight-matched men (aged 40 to 70 years) without diabetes were studied: controls (n = 10), plasma triglycerides (TG) less than 180 mg/dL and no cardiovascular disease (CVD); HTG — CVD (n = 11), hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) (TG > 240 mg/dL) without CVD; and HTG + CVD (n = 10), HTG (TG > 240 mg/dL) with documented CVD. HTG + CVD subjects had higher fasting and post-oral glucose tolerance test insulin levels than the other two groups, respectively. Very—low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) + chylomicrons (CMs), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and three high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions (HDL-L, HDL-M, and HDL-D, from least to most dense) were isolated by gradient ultracentrifugation. Fasting lipoproteins were similar in HTG groups, except for higher VLDL lipid to apolipoprotein (apo) B ratios ( P P = .038) at 3 hours than the HTG + CVD group. This diminished amount of surface lipid per VLDL particle may account for the late decrease in the HDL-D PI. to apo A-I ratio seen in HTG + CVD patients. There were no other postprandial lipid or apolipoprotein differences between the two HTG groups. We conclude therefore that the major postprandial lipoprotein abnormality in these HTG + CVD patients was a failure to increase the PL content per particle in VLDL + CM, HDL-M, and HDL-D. This abnormality could prevent the usual increase in reverse cholesterol transport seen in postprandial plasma and therefore contribute to their increased incidence of CVD. The greater insulin resistance seen in these patients also appears to contribute significantly to their CVD.
Quantitative characterization of two types of line-spread function near the fovea

Abstract Line-spread functions for the human visual system may be psychophysically measured using spatial patterns consisting of a central line flanked on either side by a line of lower contrast. It is shown that two different line-spread functions may be measured at a given eccentricity by using two different forms of temporal modulation in presenting the three line patterns. One of these linespread functions is relatively sustained, while the other has a more transient nature. The properties of both types of line-spread function have been measured as a function of eccentricity near the fovea. Using a mathematical description of these line-spread functions and spatial probability summation, it is possible to predict thresholds for cosine gratings of appropriate spatial frequencies as a function of the number of cycles viewed. The results also indicate that there must be both broader and narrower line-spread functions at each eccentricity with properties that cannot be directly measured using the three-line stimulus configuration.
Molecular Dissection of Subunit Interfaces in the Acetylcholine Receptor IDENTIFICATION OF RESIDUES THAT DETERMINE AGONIST SELECTIVITY

Agonists and antagonists select between the αγ and αδ binding sites of the fetal muscle acetylcholine receptor owing to different contributions by the γ and δ subunits. To identify determinants of selectivity for agonists, we constructed a panel of γ-δ subunit chimeras, co-expressed them with the α subunit in 293 HEK cells, and measured carbamylcholine binding affinity of intracellular complexes. Wild-type αδ complexes bind carbamylcholine about 30-fold more tightly than αγ complexes. This degree of selectivity is similar to that of the resting state of the receptor determined by kinetic analysis of single-channel events. We identify a primary set of determinants of selectivity, Lysγ34/Serδ36 and Pheγ172/Ileδ178, and a secondary set, Gluγ57/Aspδ59 and Cysγ115/Tyrδ117. The contributions of all four determinants are subunit-dependent and are modified by interaction with one another. Coexpression of point mutant subunits with complementary wild-type subunits to form cell surface pentamers shows that Lysγ34/Serδ36 and Pheγ172/Ileδ178 contribute in a manner consistent with affecting selectivity of the resting state of the receptor, while Gluγ57 appears to contribute to the affinity of the desensitized state. The four determinants either coincide with or are close to residues known to contribute to the acetylcholine binding site. These results suggest that a minimum of four loops in the γ and δ subunits contribute to the agonist binding site.
Search for Transits of a Short-Period, Sub-Saturn Extrasolar Planet Orbiting HD 46375

Precise brightness measurements of HD 46375 have been acquired with an automatic telescope to search for transits of its short-period, sub-Saturn extrasolar planet. Transits of the companion do not occur, indicating that the inclination of the orbit i is less than 83° and sin i is less than 0.992. This upper limit on sin i still preserves the possibility that the mass of the planet is less than Saturn's. Analysis of the photometry for HD 46375 reveals no photometric variability larger than 0.0001 ± 0.0002 mag at the orbital period of the planet. This effectively eliminates starspots and stellar pulsations as the cause of the radial velocity variations used to infer the planet's existence.