cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexual Assault Victimization Among Female Undergraduates During Study Abroad: A Single Campus Survey Study

Almost all research on sexual assault victimization among undergraduate university students pertains to incidents that occur on domestic college and university campuses. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual assault victimization and related factors among undergraduates in the context of study-abroad programs. Two hundred eight female students (52% response rate) from a small university in the northeastern United States who had recently studied abroad responded to an online survey containing measures of sexual assault, posttraumatic stress responses (PSR), and alcohol consumption. Almost 19% of the respondents indicated one or more types of sexual assault victimization. Approximately 17% reported non-consensual sexual touching, 7% attempted rape, 4% rape, with 9% reporting attempted rape or rape. As in domestic studies, victimization in this sample was related positively to alcohol consumption and PSR. Use of force was the most frequently reported perpetrator tactic. In sum, the high rates of sexual assault victimization reported by this sample during study abroad replicate previous findings. This context requires further attention from sexual assault researchers, especially given the increasing numbers of university students engaging in study abroad, and from campus support personnel who may be unaware of the likelihood of assault in this context.
Improving detection of low-metallic-content land mines using EMI data

EMI sensors are used extensively to detect landmines, and operate by detecting the metal that is present in mines. However, mines vary in their construction form metal-cased varieties with a large mass of metal to plastic-cased varieties with minute amounts of metal. Unfortunately, there is often a significant amount of metallic clutter present in the environment. Consequently, EMI sensors that utilize traditional detection algorithms based solely on metal content suffer form large false alarm rates. We have at least partially mitigated this false alarm problem for high- metal content mines by developing statistical algorithms that exploit phenomenological models of the underlying physics. The Joint UXO Coordination Office (JUXOCU) is sponsoring a series of experiments designed to establish a performance baseline for a variety of sensors. The experiments to dat have focused on detection and discrimination of low-metallic content mines. This baseline will be used to measure the potential improvements in performance offered by advanced signal processing algorithms This paper describes the result of several experiments performed in conjunction with the JUXOCU effort. In our preliminary work, statistical algorithms have been applied specifically to the problem of detection of low-metal mines, and dramatic performance improvements have been observed with respect to the baseline performance. However, these algorithms improvements have been observed with respect to the baseline performance. However, these algorithms were statistical in nature, did not incorporate phenomenological models, and exploited spatial information. The tradeoffs among these various factors are explored in this paper, along with the performance of alternative statistical approaches. In addition, approaches to classification of the mine-type are discussed and the performance of such classifiers is presented.
Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights and Product versus Process Innovations

The incentives of southern governments to protect process and product patents are examined in a game with endogenous research and development and licensing. Patent protection results in the licensing of cost-reducing process innovations to southern firms. By increasing competition, licensing provides an incentive for southern governments to protect process patents. However, optimal patent policy may involve restrictions in the form of licensing contracts. In the case of product innovations, licensing does not occur regardless of whether or not patents are protected. Thus, patent protection serves to reinforce monopoly power without increasing technology diffusion. Southern governments thus have a lower incentive to protect product patents.
Development and training of a learning expert system in an autonomous mobile robot via simulation

The Center for Engineering Systems Advanced Research (CESAR) conducts basic research in the area of intelligent machines. Recently at CESAR a learning expert system was created to operate on board an autonomous robot working at a process control panel. A two- computer simulation system was used to create, evaluate and train this learning system. The simulation system has a graphics display of the current status of the process being simulated, and the same program which does the simulat ing also drives the actual control panel. Simulation results were validated on the actual robot. The speed and safety values of using a computerized simulator to train a learning computer, and future uses of the simula tion system, are discussed.
Heat Flow Analysis of Laser Absorption Calorimetry

The time dependent temperature distribution produced in absorption calorimetry of very transparent ir materials with a laser is calculated using finite Fourier transforms. The solutions are then applied to obtain a function that yields numerical corrections for the constant-temperature assumption used in laser calorimetry. The results show that the corrections become significant for large diameter samples and when measuring the absorption loss of coatings deposited on the surfaces of the bulk material.
RECIPROCAL CAUSATION IN A MODEL OF THE VOTE: Replication and Extension

Page and Jones, and others, have argued that recursive models of the vote fail to take account of the inherent complexity of the decision processes involved and that estimates from these models are prone to errors, which result in understatement of the amount of policy voting. They propose a causal structure, in which reciprocal influences are modeled explicitly, and estimate its parameters with partially independent samples from two presidential elections. Their model, however, is restricted to presidential contests and omits economic issues. Similarly, the literature on economic voting has ignored the presence of potential reciprocal influences on economic policy attitudes. This paper develops a novel measure of economic issue preferences, modifies the earlier model to include both economic and social issues, and tests the model on data from an independent sample of voters in the 1978 congressional elections. Estimates from the elaborated model generally comport well with the results obtained by Page and Jones, and the findings show a higher degree of economic issue voting than most previous studies.
Solubility of TiO2 in BaTiO3

Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe micro-analysis were used to investigate the microstructure of both slow-cooled and quenched polycrystalline BaTiO3 specimens with a small excess of TiO2 (Ba/Ti=0.995 to 0.999) or of BaO (Ba/Ti=1.002 and 1.005). The electron micrographs of polished and etched TiO2-excess BaTiOs samples, and of fracture surfaces of quenched samples, showed a second phase in the grain boundaries and triple-point regions, whereas no second phase was observed in samples having Ba/Ti=1.000. Microprobe analysis of the second phase gave compositions near that of the reported adjacent phase of higher TiO2 content, Ba6Ti17O40. The results indicate that the solubility of TiO2 in BaTiO3 is <0.1 mol%.
Research on the Cognitively Impaired: Lessons and Warnings from the Emergency Research Debate

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that the recent events in emergency research have broad implications for the conduct of human subjects research with the cognitively impaired. This essay illustrates the similarities between the two kinds of research and suggests how understanding these similarities might help to resolve issues in human subjects research on the cognitively impaired. METHODS: A review of pertinent journal articles, books, regulations, and court cases. RESULTS: The emergency research controversy resulted in large part because of conflicting interpretations of arguably inadequate research regulations. The proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations include advance informed consent, a broad role for family in approving a subject's participation, replacement of a threshold of permissible risk, called minimal risk, with a more sensible balancing of risks and benefits, and a role for the community in research approval. The current state of research on the cognitively impaired suggests that many of the same problems exist now that existed in emergency research before the FDA issued its proposed regulations. The ongoing case of T.D. et al. vs N.Y. State Office of Mental Health suggests that unless steps are taken similar to those taken in emergency research, much of clinical research on the cognitively impaired could cease. CONCLUSION: Representatives of the government, medicine, and the public must recognize the unresolved issues and inadequate regulations relating to research on the cognitively impaired. The proposed FDA regulations for emergency research may provide guidance for a settlement of these issues.
A framework for visualization and exploration of events

The expanding deployment of sensor systems that capture location, time, and multiple thematic variables is increasing the need for exploratory spatio-temporal data analysis tools. Geographic information systems (GIS) and time series analysis tools support exploration of spatial and temporal patterns respectively and independently, but tools for the exploration of both dimensions within a single system are relatively rare. The contribution of this research is a framework for the visualization and exploration of spatial, temporal, and thematic dimensions of sensor-based data. The unit of analysis is an event, a spatio-temporal data type extracted from sensor data. The conceptual framework suggests an approach for design layout that can be flexibly modified to explore spatial and temporal trends, temporal relationships among events, periodic temporal patterns, the timing of irregularly repeating events, event-event relationships in terms of thematic attributes, and event patterns at different spatial and temporal granularities. Flexible assignment of spatial, temporal, and thematic categories to a set of graphical interface elements that can be easily rearranged provides exploratory power as well as a generalizable design layout structure. The framework is illustrated with events extracted from Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System data but the approach has broad application to other domains and applications in which time, space, and attributes need to be considered in conjunction.
Iron supplementation improves energetic efficiency in iron-depleted female rowers.

ABSTRACTPurposeStudies in both animals and humans show a relationship between iron depletion without anemia (IDNA) and physical performance. Compared with their sedentary counterparts, female endurance athletes are at greater risk of IDNA, and consequences relevant to endurance athletes include redu
Evaluation of pinewood biochar as a carrier of bacterial strain Enterobacter cloacae UW5 for soil inoculation

Abstract The large-scale production of biochar for carbon sequestration provides an opportunity for using these materials as inoculum carriers to deliver plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) into agricultural soils. Here, we evaluated the suitability of a biochar produced from pinewood pyrolyzed at 300 °C as a carrier for a well-studied PGPR strain, Enterobacter cloacae UW5. This strain was genetically modified to produce a green fluorescent protein marker that enabled tracking of the inoculum. Results from selective plate count assays and quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed that cell survival was slightly improved by addition of bacteria to soil using biochar as a carrier for the inoculant, as compared to soil directly inoculated. Total 16S rRNA genes were quantified using qPCR and DNA templates from the same soil treatments to distinguish the impact of biochar on total bacterial abundance from its influence on inoculum survival. Here total bacterial abundance was not influenced by biochar. All treatments resulted in bacterial colonization of roots at population densities of approximately 105 CFU g−1 root mass. Cucumber plants grown in the biochar amended soils had significantly greater biomass and root development than those planted in un-amended soil, regardless of the presence of inoculum. The ability of bacteria to colonize the plant roots and produce a plant growth hormone was not affected by biochar. However, UW5 inoculum did not promote root development in cucumber in any of the soils tested here. Overall, these experiments suggest that the 300 °C pine biochar is effective for evenly distributing inoculum into soil and promotes cucumber development in sandy loams.
Dose dependent translocations of fluorescent probes of PIP2 hydrolysis in cells exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric fields

Previously, it was demonstrated that small nanometer-sized pores (nanopores) are preferentially formed after exposure to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF). We have reported that nanoporation of the plasma membrane directly affects the phospholipids of the cell membrane, ultimately culminating in phosphatidylinositol 4,5 - bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) intracellular signaling. PIP 2 , located within the internal layer of the plasma membrane, plays a critical role as a regulator of ion transport proteins, a source of second messenger compounds, and an anchor for cytoskeletal elements. In this proceeding, we present data that demonstrates that nsPEFs initiate electric field dose-dependent PIP 2 hydrolysis and/or depletion from the plasma membrane through the observation of the accumulation of inositol 1,4,5 -trisphosphate (IP3) in the cytoplasm and the increase of diacylglycerol (DAG) on the inner surface of the plasma membrane. The phosphoinositide signaling cascade presented here involves activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC), which are responsible for a multitude of biological effects after nsPEF exposure. These results expand our current knowledge of nsPEF induced physiological effects, and serve as a basis for development of novel tools for drug independent stimulation or modulation of different cellular functions.
The Iranians: Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation

In "The Iranians," eminent Middle East expert Sandra Mackey brings us invaluable understanding of a complex, contradictory, and sometimes volatile people. Beginning with the ancient Persian empires that ruled from India to Greece and later humbled mighty Rome, and tracking the waves of invasions that culminated in the triumph of the Arabs under the banner of Islam, she delineates the opposing poles of identity and power that have vied for the Iranian state and the Iranian soul. On the one hand, there is the Persian concept of kingship, in which the nation is guided toward its destiny by a single strong ruler. On the other, there is the Islamic concept of a community of believers in which the faith of Muhammad reigns supreme over every facet of life. This dramatic conflict has played itself out over centuries, intensifying in the twentieth century when Iranians also confronted the issue of modernization in the mode of the West. In the last decades, the Iranians' intertwined destinies of Persia and Islam resulted in the violent shift of leadership and policy from the imperious "King of Kings, " Muhammad Reza Shah, to the zealous Ayatollah Khomeini. Without a current icon of culture and authority, the Iranians now struggle with their present and search for their future in the decaying Iranian Revolution. The author's personal knowledge of Iran gives her book a superbly human dimension. Sandra Mackey has more unrestricted movement within the Iranian Islamic Republic than any other American journalist. Her eyewitness account gives the reader a uniquely authentic present-day picture of Iran and the Iranians from the cities to the countryside and from humble mosques to the chaotic politicalarena governed by the clerics of Shia Islam, as pressures build for a new definition of revolutionary Iran that may well shake the region and the world.
Selective proteolytic dissociation of rabbit reticulocyte single ribosomes not attached to messenger RNA.

Abstract Free and mRNA-bound ribosomes differ markedly in their susceptibility to mild proteolysis. Free ribosomes are dissociated into 60-S and 40-S subunits, while mRNA-bound ribosomes are completely protected. This protection can be reversed by removing ribosomes from mRNA, and can be re-instated by allowing them to attach again. The resistance to proteolysis does not appear to be dependent upon the presence of nascent chains on the ribosome. This method has practical value as a means of determining if ribosomes have attached to mRNA and initiated globin chain synthesis.
Some Experiments on Rice's Blue Material : Colours on Jupiter

Clarke and McTurk1 have recently claimed that Rice's blue material can be prepared by passing ammonia through an electrical discharge tube and partially freezing out the decomposition products on a cold finger, placed about 2 cm. from the nearest electrode.
STUDIES ON THE GLANDULAR APPARATUS AND SECRETIONS OF VIRGULATE XIPHIDIOCERCARIAE. I. INTRAVITAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL DATA.

Abstract Histochemical techniques were used to characterize the glandular contents and secretions of three species of virgulate xiphidiocercariae. Acid mucopolysaccharide, lipid material, and a substance or substances resembling elastin were detected in the mucoid glands and in the outer mucoid body coats and virgula organs. The more dorsally located cephalic glands contained protein and carbohydrate and shared staining properties with both collagen and elastin. Secretions induced by the India ink-saline technique emanated from the cephalic glands and from the mucoid glands by way of the virgula organ and outer mucoid body coat.
SYNDROMIC IMMUNODEFICIENCES WITH HUMORAL DEFECTS

A number of genetic syndromes associated with malformations of several organ systems also have abnormalities of the immune system. In these conditions, the immune abnormalities frequently are identified after the syndrome has been diagnosed. The immunodeficiency may not represent the major clinical problem, and the immune defects may not be present in all cases. These disorders are labeled syndromic immunodeficiencies . In contrast, in primary immunodeficiencies, 85 the immune defects are well characterized with undue susceptiblity to infection the predominant manifestation. Many of these conditions are inherited. Most have no phenotypic abnormalities except for the immunologic defects. Several genetic disorders may fit into both primary and syndromic immunodeficiencies because they often have characteristic organ dysfunction, dysmorphology unrelated to the immune system, and a consistent, well-defined immune deficiency. Conditions such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and ataxia–telangiectasia could be considered as fitting both categories. The authors have recently reviewed syndromic immunodeficiency in depth, including syndromes with all types of immune defects and those described in single case reports. 73 In this article, syndromic immunodeficiencies are reviewed that have an antibody defect as all or part of the immunodeficiency, particularly those conditions that are relatively more common, and several of which have had recent studies concerning their genetic basis and origin. Recognition of the association of immune defects with other organ system involvement is critical for optimal clinical care. For a child with a recognizable syndrome that is associated with immune deficiency, it is important to establish if the immune defect is present so appropriate treatment can be undertaken. Alternatively, for a child with an immune defect and other anomalies, it is vital to determine if the other malformations fit into a recognizable pattern. This aids in giving accurate prognosis for the immune deficiency and other involved organ systems, including motor and cognitive development. The diagnosis also may have implications for other family members or for future pregnancies. Those disorders in which there is significant organ system involvement in which chromosome studies generally are normal are first discussed. Conditions involving abnormalities of chromosome stability, structure, or number are then examined. Mendelian Inheritance in Man (MIM) 80 numbers are indicated.
What counts as a nudge

Coining a term can be an important part of humanities and social sciences research. Unfortunately, new vocabulary can become poorly applied buzzwords akin to the inkblots that people perceive diffe...
Symmetrical Retroauricular Papules

REPORT OF A CASE A 73-year-old man presented to the outpatient clinic of the dermatology department with a 1-year history of retroauricular papules bilaterally. The skin lesions were essentially asymptomatic except when traumatized, whereupon there was occasional bleeding and draining of serous fluid from the lesion on the right side. The patient had no personal or family history of cutaneous neoplasm. The examination revealed 1-cm slightly erythematous papules symmetrically located in both the left and right retroauricular folds (Figs 1 and 2). The papules occurred where the tips of spectacle ear pieces came in contact with the skin. The right-side papule had a central ulceration and slight telangiectasia (Fig 2). Findings from his waist-up examination were otherwise normal. Because the lesions were symmetrical and occurred at the sites of spectacle contact, they were considered to be benign reactive processes secondary to the trauma induced by the spectacle. However, the central
A nanoparticle delivery vehicle for S-nitroso-N-acetyl cysteine: Sustained vascular response

Interest in the development of nitric oxide (NO) based therapeutics has grown exponentially due to its well elucidated and established biological functions. In line with this surge, S-nitroso thiol (RSNO) therapeutics are also receiving more attention in recent years both as potential stable sources of NO as well as for their ability to serve as S-nitrosating agents; S-nitrosation of protein thiols is implicated in many physiological processes. We describe two hydrogel based RSNO containing nanoparticle platforms. In one platform the SNO groups are covalently attached to the particles (SNO-np) and the other contains S-nitroso-N-acetyl cysteine encapsulated within the particles (NAC-SNO-np). Both platforms function as vehicles for sustained activity as trans-S-nitrosating agents. NAC-SNO-np exhibited higher efficiency for generating GSNO from GSH and maintained higher levels of GSNO concentration for longer time (24 h) as compared to SNO-np as well as a previously characterized nitric oxide releasing platform, NO-np (nitric oxide releasing nanoparticles). In vivo, intravenous infusion of the NAC-SNO-np and NO-np resulted in sustained decreases in mean arterial pressure, though NAC-SNO-np induced longer vasodilatory effects as compared to the NO-np. Serum chemistries following infusion demonstrated no toxicity in both treatment groups. Together, these data suggest that the NAC-SNO-np represents a novel means to both study the biologic effects of nitrosothiols and effectively capitalize on its therapeutic potential.
Metabolic activation of 1-nitropyrene to a mammalian cell mutagen and a carcinogen.

1. The mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene metabolites in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, in the absence of rat liver S9, decreased in the order 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene > 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide > 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide ∼ 3-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene ∼ 8-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene > 1-nitropyrene. The order of mutagenicity with rat liver S9 was 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide ∼ 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene ∼ 1-nitropyrene 9,10-oxide > 3-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene ∼ 1-nitropyrene > 8-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene.2. 1-Nitropyrene 4,5-oxide reacted with calf thymus DNA to give one or several closely related adducts. The same adducts were detected in CHO cells incubated with 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide. Inclusion of a nitroreductase, xanthine oxidase, in the incubations with calf thymus DNA resulted in the formation of an additional adduct identified as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-1-aminopyrene (dG-C8-AP).3. 1-Nitropyrene 9,10-oxide reacted with calf thymus DNA to give an adduct pattern similar to that observed with 1-nitropyrene 4,5-oxide. Incubation o...
Probabilistic risk assessment for comparative evaluation of security features

A systematic approach for comparing the effectiveness of counterfeit deterrence features in banknotes, credit cards, digital media, etc. was previously presented. That approach built a probabilistic model around the expert identification of the most efficient process by which a counterfeiter can gain sufficient information to replicate a particular feature. We have extended the scope and functionality of that approach to encompass the entire counterfeiting process from the learning phase to the production of counterfeits. The extended approach makes determining the probabilities more straightforward by representing a more detailed model of the counterfeiting process, including many probable counterfeiting scenarios rather than just representing the least costly successful scenario. It uses the counterfeiter's probability of succeeding and level of effort as metrics to perform feature comparisons. As before, these metrics are evaluated for a security feature and presented in a way that facilitates comparison with other security features similarly evaluated. Based on this representation, the cost and laboratory procedures necessary for succeeding may be recovered by a dynamic programming technique. This information may be useful in forensic profiling of potential counterfeiters.
Asymmetric headturning to speech and nonspeech in human newborns.

Functional asymmetries were examined in 59 newborns by recording headturns from midline to bin-aurally equivalent sounds. Results showed that robust, asymmetric pattern of headturning occurred in most newborns' responses to binaurally presented unfiltered female speech sounds, with increased rightward orientation demonstrated in five replications. Female speech that was modified by attenuation of frequencies above 500 Hz, as well as speech attenuated below 1500 Hz and above 3000 Hz, resulted in a significant rightward bias in headturning. In contrast, female speech attenuated below 3500 Hz, and continuous, repetitive stimuli such as heartbeat sounds and phrases of speech repeated at the rate of heartbeat (termed heartspeech), failed to generate the rightward orientation bias. These results suggest that female speech sounds, particularly low-frequency sounds related to the naturally occurring prosodic characteristics of speech, are a salient class of stimuli for the organization of lateral biases in orienting in newborns. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Americanization of The Office: A Comparison of the Offbeat NBC Sitcom and Its British Predecessor

One dimension of the globalization of television is the remaking of fictional series in countries beyond their country of origin. This study examines how the quintessentially British comedy The Office was adapted for an American audience. U.S. networks have aired numerous remakes of popular British dramas and sitcoms in recent seasons. Although most have had markedly short runs, NBC's version of The Office has forged its own identity and achieved notable success. In dissecting the Americanization of The Office, the author compares the remake with the original, considering how such elements as setting, character portrayal, dialogue, and plot underscore the remake's American identity.
Accessing ubiquitous services using smart phones

The integration of Bluetooth service discovery protocol (SDP), and GPRS Internet connectivity into phones provides a simple yet powerful infrastructure for accessing services in nomadic environments. In this paper, we discuss the design and implementation of SDIPP, a protocol for provisioning services on smart phones. Although several service discovery protocols have been proposed earlier, such as SLP, Jini, UPnP, Salutation, they all have their own infrastructure requirements and target audiences, Bluetooth SDP is an on-the-fly service discovery protocol. However, it is not nearly as powerful as its counterparts. SDIPP works by augmenting Bluetooth SDP with Web access and personalization. Payment of services has been overlooked in the protocols proposed earlier. SDIPP provides a novel protocol for anonymous payment, based on the idea of Millicent scrips. We have implemented a few services to illustrate our protocol. We report on our experiences and experimental results. In particular, we analyze and provide an application level solution to the Bluetooth inquiry clash problem that was discovered in the process.
Role of nutrition and environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals during the perinatal period on the aetiology of obesity

The basis for the current obesity epidemic remains controversial. However, the simplistic idea that obesity can be explained by two factors: energy intake and energy expenditure, is now being challenged due to the lack of success in decreasing obesity based on a focus on only these two factors. In this article we propose an emerging hypothesis that the recent dramatic increase in obesity could be due to developmental nutrition, developmental exposure to environmental chemicals or the interaction of nutrition and environmental chemical exposures during development. Indeed, developmental exposure to environmental chemicals in animal studies has been shown to increase the susceptibility to a number of diseases including obesity. Obesity is thus one of many diseases shown to have a developmental origin. We show that factors that impact growth during fetal and neonatal life, such as placental blood flow and nutrient transport to fetuses, as well as components of the maternal and infant diets, can influence weight gain later in life. In addition, we show that developmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can create abnormalities in homeostatic control systems required to maintain a normal body weight throughout life. Eliminating exposures to these chemicals and improving nutrition during development offer the potential for reducing obesity and associated diseases.
Neuromodulatory changes in short-term synaptic dynamics may be mediated by two distinct mechanisms of presynaptic calcium entry.

Although synaptic output is known to be modulated by changes in presynaptic calcium channels, additional pathways for calcium entry into the presynaptic terminal, such as non-selective channels, could contribute to modulation of short term synaptic dynamics. We address this issue using computational modeling. The neuropeptide proctolin modulates the inhibitory synapse from the lateral pyloric (LP) to the pyloric dilator (PD) neuron, two slow-wave bursting neurons in the pyloric network of the crab Cancer borealis. Proctolin enhances the strength of this synapse and also changes its dynamics. Whereas in control saline the synapse shows depression independent of the amplitude of the presynaptic LP signal, in proctolin, with high-amplitude presynaptic LP stimulation the synapse remains depressing while low-amplitude stimulation causes facilitation. We use simple calcium-dependent release models to explore two alternative mechanisms underlying these modulatory effects. In the first model, proctolin directly targets calcium channels by changing their activation kinetics which results in gradual accumulation of calcium with low-amplitude presynaptic stimulation, leading to facilitation. The second model uses the fact that proctolin is known to activate a non-specific cation current IMI. In this model, we assume that the MI channels have some permeability to calcium, modeled to be a result of slow conformation change after binding calcium. This generates a gradual increase in calcium influx into the presynaptic terminals through the modulatory channel similar to that described in the first model. Each of these models can explain the modulation of the synapse by proctolin but with different consequences for network activity.
Vascular injury following disc surgery

The case of a patient who suffered a vascular injury following lumbar disk surgery is presented. She presented to the emergency department for evaluation of hypotension and congestive heart failure, which occurred acutely several days after her surgery. At angiography, a large A:V fistula was demonstrated between the aorta and vena cava. The diagnosis and pathophysiology of this complication of lumbar disc surgery is discussed.
PET-MRI hybrid imaging scanner - an emerging new tool for molecular neuroimaging

Summary form only given. Increased interest in molecular imaging encouraged us to develop high resolution-high sensitivity PET (Positron Emission Tomograph) scanners as well as high field MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), especially in the area of brain imaging. In the field of neuroimaging, both high molecular specificity and high spatial resolution are the essential requirements to meet the brain's delicate structures and neurochemical activities. In spite of these high molecular specificity and spatial resolution requirements of neuroimaging, actual molecular imaging have been limited in resolution due to several factors, such as the physical limitations involved in PET scanner design, i.e., spatial and temporal resolution and poor sensitivity of currently available low or intermediate field MRI. In the area of MRI, high spatial and temporal resolution have been the limited, especially for the low and intermediate high field MRI systems. More recent developments in this area are the emergence of the ultra high field (UHF) MRI such as 7.0 T. Unique features of these ultra high field MRI are the improved sensitivity which enable us to improve either temporal resolution or spatial resolution. For example, with 7.0 T MRI, one can improve spatial resolution as high as 200 /spl square/m or better so that neuroscientists can examine even the cortical laminae in the human brain in-vivo. In the field of PET development, recent developments include the brain dedicated high resolution PET scanner such as the HRRT (High Resolution Research Tomograph). This brain dedicated PET (HRRT) scanner is designed to meet the resolution requirement of human brain imaging with molecular specificity, that is as good as 2.5 mm fwhm. First time in history, together with the appearance of these new developments, i.e., UHF-MRI and HRRT-PET scanners, neuroscientists began to search for a brain dedicated high resolution-high sensitivity imaging scanner that can be used for the simultaneous imaging of both the morphological and molecular or neurochemical activities with substantially increased temporal and spatial resolution than what is available today, that is the molecular neuro-images of spatial resolution as high as 200 /spl square/m, the resolution that can be obtained only with the ultra high resolution MRI. This new hybrid PET-MRI scanner with HRRT-PET and UHF-MRI will provide us a fused PET-MRI image, the molecular specific high resolution image, that is a truly integrated image, both in space and time. Physical design concepts and potentials of this hybrid PET-MRI scanner in neuroscience applications will be discussed and some of the preliminary results will be presented.
Effects of Breathing Frequency and Flow Rate on the Total Inward Leakage of an Elastomeric Half-Mask Donned on an Advanced Manikin Headform

C in ) and outside ( C out ) of the respirator ( C in /C out ) measured with a nanoparticle spectrometer operating in the particle size range of 20–200 nm. The testing was performed under three cyclic breathing flows [mean inspiratory flow (MIF) of 30, 55, and 85 l/min] and five breathing frequencies (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 breaths/min). A completely randomized factorial study design was chosen with four replicates for each combination of breathing flow rate and frequency. Results: particle size, MIF, and combustion material had significant ( P < 0.001) effects on TIL regardless of breathing frequency. Increasing breathing flow decreased TIL. Testing with plastic aerosol produced higher mean TIL values than wood and paper aerosols. The effect of the breathing frequency was complex. When analyzed using all combustion aerosols and MIFs (pooled data), breathing frequency did not significantly ( P = 0.08) affect TIL. However, once the data were stratified according to combustion aerosol and MIF, the effect of breathing frequency became significant ( P < 0.05) for all MIFs challenged with wood and paper combustion aerosols, and for MIF = 30 l/min only when challenged with plastic combustion aerosol. conclusions: The effect of breathing frequency on TIL is less significant than the effects of combustion aerosol and breathing flow rate for the tested elastomeric half-mask respirator. The greatest TIL occurred when challenged with plastic aerosol at 30 l/min and at a breathing fre quency of 30 breaths/min.
Acute cardiac ischemia in patients with cocaine-associated complaints: results of a multicenter trial.

Abstract Study Objective: To describe the characteristics of a large group of patients who presented to emergency departments with cocaine-associated symptoms consistent with acute cardiac ischemia (ACI) and to determine the incidence of confirmed ACI including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in this population. Methods: We performed a substudy on all patients in a multicenter prospective clinical trial (the Acute Cardiac Ischemia–Time Insensitive Predictive Instrument [ACI-TIPI] Clinical Trial) that enrolled ED patients with chest pain or other symptoms consistent with ACI including subjects with identified cocaine use. Demographic and clinical features, including initial and follow-up clinical data, ECGs, and tests to determine serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB subunit concentrations, were analyzed. Diagnoses of AMI followed the World Health Organization criteria for AMI and of angina pectoris, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification. Results: Of the 10,689 patients enrolled in the trial, 293 (2.7%) had cocaine-associated complaints. Among the 10 participating hospitals, the incidence of patients with cocaine-associated symptoms varied from 0.3% to 8.4%. Only 6 patients (2.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76% to 4.4%) had a diagnosis of ACI; 4 (1.4%, 95% CI 0.37% to 3.5%) had unstable angina, and 2 (0.7%, 95% CI 0.08% to 2.4%) had AMI. Although patients with cocaine-induced complaints were as likely to be admitted to the coronary care unit compared with all study patients without cocaine use (14% versus 18%, P =.14, difference not significant), these patients were much less likely to have confirmed unstable angina (1.4% versus 9.3%, P P P =.0018) but less likely to have confirmed AMI (0.7% versus 2.8%, P =.033). Conclusion: Patients presenting to EDs with cocaine-associated chest pain or related symptoms infrequently had ACI, and even less so, AMI. This suggests the need for selectivity in the hospitalization of patients with such cocaine-associated symptoms. [Feldman JA, Fish SS, Beshansky JR, Griffith JL, Woolard RH, Selker HP. Acute cardiac ischemia in patients with cocaine-associated complaints: results of a multicenter trial. Ann Emerg Med. November 2000;36:469-476.]
Ambiguities of Violence in Beethoven's Ninth through the Eyes of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange

As the result of its beleaguered political baggage, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony has drawn so much critique that the author Anthony Burgess proclaimed it to be a “damnable hybrid.” This essay argues that the choral symphony owes its ambiguities to Schiller's intrinsically flawed ode, which at once celebrates unity and wholeness and adumbrates disunity and exclusion, as Freud has outlined in some of his writings. Moreover, the essay makes the case that Kubrick's film adaptation (1971) of Burgess's dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange (1962) is the work that to date most keenly lays out the tools for uncovering the mechanisms at work when we address the ambiguities in Schiller's exalted poem and the reception of Beethoven's last symphony—firstly, because this film abundantly exhibits acoustic and visual representations of Beethoven, and especially of his Ninth, and secondly, because it unveils the links of both to the ambiguities, and in some cases, certainties, of violence.
In Vivo Penetration Mechanics and Mechanical Properties of Mouse Brain Tissue at Micrometer Scales

Substantial advancement in the understanding of the neuronal basis of behavior and the treatment of neurological disorders has been achieved via the implantation of various devices into the brain. To design and optimize the next generation of neuronal implants while striving to minimize tissue damage, it is necessary to understand the mechanics of probe insertion at relevant length scales. Unfortunately, a broad-based understanding of brain-implant interactions at the necessary micrometer scales is largely missing. This paper presents a generalizable description of the micrometer-scale penetration mechanics and material properties of mouse brain tissue in vivo. Cylindrical stainless steel probes were inserted into the cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb of mice. The effects of probe size, probe geometry, insertion rate, insertion location, animal age, and the presence of the dura and pia on the resulting forces were measured continuously throughout probe insertion and removal. Material properties (modulus, cutting force, and frictional force) were extracted using mechanical analysis. The use of rigid, incompressible, cylindrical probes allows for a general understanding of how probe design and insertion methods influence the penetration mechanics of brain tissue in vivo that can be applied to the quantitative design of most future implantable devices.
Multi-unit auctions with unknown supply

We study multi-unit auctions for perishable goods, in a setting where the supply arrives online. This is motivated by its application in advertisement auctions on the internet. We give a 14 -competitive algorithm for computing the optimal single price auction assuming that all the agents report their bids truthfully. We use that algorithm to develop a truthful auction with a constant competitive ratio compared to the optimum offline single-price auction.
A novel low-voltage low-power 5.8 GHz CMOS down-conversion mixer design

This paper presents a 5.8 GHz low voltage and low power down-conversion mixer design integrated in a TSMC 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The proposed method features that an RF input stage converts the RF input voltage to current, which is coupled to the core of Gilbert Cell using current source transistor at bottom and furthermore reduces the supply voltage. The LO frequency is at 5.6 GHz. The designed mixer requires only a 1.5 V supply voltage and consumes 6.89 mW DC power. At 5.8 GHz, this mixer has single-sideband noise figure (SSB NF) of 14.3 dB, with input return loss of -18.6 dB, third-order input intercept point (IIP3) of -2.94 dBm, and conversion gain of 7 dB.
10x10: A General-purpose Architectural Approach to Heterogeneity and Energy Efficiency

Abstract Two decades of microprocessor architecture driven by quantitative 90/10 optimization has delivered an extraordinary 1000-fold improvement in microprocessor performance, enabled by transistor scaling which improved density, speed, and energy. Recent generations of technology have produced limited benefits in transistor speed and power, so as a result the industry has turned to multicore parallelism for performance scaling. Long-range studies [1] , [2] indicate that radical approaches are needed in the coming decade – extreme parallelism, near-threshold voltage scaling (and resulting poor single-thread performance), and tolerance of extreme variability – are required to maximize energy efficiency and compute density. These changes create major new challenges in architecture and software. As a result, the performance and energy-efficiency advantages of heterogeneous architectures are increasingly attractive. However, computing has lacked an optimization paradigm in which to systematically analyze, assess, and implement heterogeneous computing. We propose a new paradigm, “10x10”, which clusters applications into a set of less frequent cases (ie. 10% cases), and creates customized architecture, implementation, and software solutions for each of these clusters, achieving significantly better energy efficiency and performance. We call this approach “10x10” because the approach is exemplified by optimizing ten different 10% cases, reflecting a shift away from the 90/10 optimization paradigm framed by Amdahl's law [3] . We describe the 10x10 approach, explain how it solves the major obstacles to widespread adoption of heterogeneous architectures, and present a preliminary 10x10 clustering, strawman architecture, and software tool chain approach.
Rasmussen's syndrome and new-onset narcolepsy, cataplexy, and epilepsy in an adult

We report a case of new-onset seizures and narcolepsy in a previously healthy 40-year-old man. He developed severe daytime somnolence and cataplexy over the course of a few months. Brain MRI was normal, and polysomnography with multiple sleep latency testing confirmed a diagnosis of narcolepsy. His HLA haplotype is DQB1*0602 and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed no detectable hypocretin. Approximately 18 months later, he developed complex partial seizures. Further MRI showed a progressively enlarging lesion involving the left frontotemporal and insular areas. Pathology from a partial resection was consistent with Rasmussen's syndrome. Evaluation for tumor, infectious, and paraneoplastic etiologies was negative. There was no further progression of the residual lesion on serial MRI. Although the pathophysiologic bases of narcolepsy and Rasmussen's syndrome are unknown, they may have an autoimmune basis. This unique case of both disorders in a single patient suggests the possibility of a common underlying disease process.
Measurement and modeling of McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles

This paper reports mechanical testing the modeling results for the McKibben artificial muscle pneumatic actuator. This device contains an expanding tube surrounded by braided cords. We report static and dynamic length-tension testing results and derive a linearized model of these properties for three different models. The results are briefly compared with human muscle properties to evaluate the suitability of McKibben actuators for human muscle emulation in biologically based robot arms.
MULTIPLE SCATTERING BY DEEP PERTURBED GRATINGS

We present measurements of the far-field scattered intensity for gratings consisting of uniform, regularly spaced, wavelength-scale grooves that have randomly fluctuating depths. The complete polarization dependence of the scattering is determined, and particular attention is given to measurements that isolate multiple scattering. For both perturbed and unperturbed gratings, effects similar to backscattering enhancement seen for randomly rough surfaces are observed, and these effects are linked to the coherent interference of reciprocal pairs of waves multiply scattered within the grooves.