cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracerebroventricular carbachol induces FOS immunoreactivity in lamina terminalis neurons projecting to the supraoptic nucleus.

Central application of the non-selective cholinergic receptor agonist, carbachol, induces water intake, vasopressin (VP) release and an acute increase in arterial blood pressure. Forebrain sites, particularly those located along the lamina terminalis (LT) (i.e. the subfornical organ (SFO), organum vasculosum (OV) and the median preoptic nucleus (MePO)) and in the hypothalamus, have been proposed as the major targets for producing the effects induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) carbachol injections. However, the functional and neuroanatomical relationship among carbachol-activated cells along the LT and hypothalamic areas such as the supraoptic nuclei (SON), is unclear. The present study investigated the i.c.v. carbachol-induced activity of the soma of LT projections which descend from the SFO, OV and MePO and terminate in the region of the SON. Cells along the LT were retrogradely labeled from SON-targeted injections of fluoro-gold, and FOS-immunoreactivity (FOS-ir) was used to assess activation. A significant number of cells in the SFO, OV and MePO were double-labeled for both FOS-ir and fluoro-gold. The FOS labeling in the cells of the LT-associated structures was significantly reduced by pretreatment with the i.c.v. muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Taken together, the results indicate that neurons located in structures located along the LT and projecting to the region of the SON are activated by i.c.v. carbachol and that these receptors are likely to be muscarinic.
Mechanics of void growth and void collapse in crystals

Abstract The mechanics of void deformation in single crystals is studied in a fully three-dimensional setting, taking into account all twelve slip systems for fcc and bcc crystals. The increments of the local field variables are calculated analytically using Eshelby's approach for the three-dimensional inclusion problem. The collapse or growth of voids in three dimensions is investigated when a rate-dependent elastoplastic material is subjected to compression and tension at a high rate. The deformation of an initially spherical cavity is calculated incrementally, and, it is shown that, even under all-around uniform loading, a void deforms into a complicated shape which is defined by the structure and symmetry of the slip systems. An equivalent ellipsoid is used to approximate the deformed void shape at each incremental step, and the procedure is continued until the equivalent ellipsoid collapses into a crack or a needle, or it expands or shrinks in a self-similar manner. Several numerical examples are presented, and the numerical results are compared with the experimental observations, obtaining good correlation. The significant effects of loading rate on the material response are illustrated. It is shown that the material becomes stronger at higher loading rates. The three-dimensional final void geometry under various loading conditions is studied. The difference between void deformation mechanism under tension and compression is illustrated. The possible overall failure mechanism caused by collapse and/or growth of pre-existing cavities is discussed. From the comparison of the corresponding results with those of the two-dimensional case it is shown that the double-slip system in two dimensions can be used effectively to simulate the three-dimensional problem.
Seepage Face Simulation Using PLASM

An unconfined aquifer variation of the Prickett and Lonnquist Aquifer Simulation Model (PLASM) has been modified to simulate the dynamics of seepage face development and compute flow rates therefrom. The modifications, based on hydraulic theory and operating within the framework of the original model, enable the model to simulate zones of seepage contiguous and noncontiguous to streams, lakes, or other points of ground-water discharge. A simplistic overland flow routing procedure to move seepage flow downslope from points of discharge and permitting it to reenter where the water table is below the land surface was also incorporated. To determine the error associated with this discrete solution, the modified numerical model was compared to a series of analytically equivalent Dupuit-Forchheimer-based solutions. The numerical solutions from PLASM compare to the closed-form solutions to within the uncertainty of the model's finite-difference discretization. The comparisons indicate that errors in seepage face prediction result strictly from PLASM's inclusion of the D-F approximations, not from the formulation of the numerical seepage face simulation routine. Finally, the modified PLASM was applied to a hypothetical watershed under dynamic conditions to demonstrate its capabilities. The unconfined aquifer version of PLASM works best in situations where both thickness-to-length ratio of the aquifer and land surface and water-table slopes are relatively small, geometry typical of many real-world watersheds. Under such conditions, the modifications developed are shown to logically and consistently simulate the extent, dynamics, and flow rates of seepage zones with minimum error.
RhoA is required for cortical retraction and rigidity during mitotic cell rounding

Mitotic cell rounding is the process of cell shape change in which a flat interphase cell becomes spherical at the onset of mitosis. Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, de-adhesion, and an increase in cortical rigidity accompany mitotic cell rounding. The molecular mechanisms that contribute to this process have not been defined. We show that RhoA is required for cortical retraction but not de-adhesion during mitotic cell rounding. The mitotic increase in cortical rigidity also requires RhoA, suggesting that increases in cortical rigidity and cortical retraction are linked processes. Rho-kinase is also required for mitotic cortical retraction and rigidity, indicating that the effects of RhoA on cell rounding are mediated through this effector. Consistent with a role for RhoA during mitotic entry, RhoA activity is elevated in rounded, preanaphase mitotic cells. The activity of the RhoA inhibitor p190RhoGAP is decreased due to its serine/threonine phosphorylation at this time. Cumulatively, these results suggest that the mitotic increase in RhoA activity leads to rearrangements of the cortical actin cytoskeleton that promote cortical rigidity, resulting in mitotic cell rounding.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxygen Atom Abstraction from Sulfenatocobalt(III) Complexes by Hydrated Methyldioxorhenium(V)

Cationic sulfenatocobalt(III) complexes, with the remaining ligands amines, are deoxygenated upon reaction with hydrated methyldioxorhenium(V). The reactions of (Am){sub 5}Co-S(O)R{sup 2+} yield the thiolato complexes (Am){sub 5}Co-SR{sup 2+} and methyltrioxorhenium(VII), MTO. A kinetic study of these reactions was carried out, using the known reaction between MTO and hypophosphorous acid to prepare the Re(V) reagent in solution. The second-order rate constants between (Am){sub 5}Co-S(O)R{sup 2+} and MeReO{sub 2}(aq), after correction for protonation, fall in the range 47--455 L mol{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1} in aqueous solution at 25.0 C and 1.0 M ionic strength. In the analysis of the pH effects, allowance was made for the formation of the protonated species (Am){sub 5}Co-S(OH)R{sup 3+} at high [H{sub 3}O{sup +}]. The values of pK{sub a} are in the range 0.49--0.96, as determined from fitting the rate-pH profiles.
Vocal fold paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery: incidence, mechanism, and prevention of injury.

Objective Vocal fold paralysis is the most common otolaryngological complication after anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). However, the frequency and etiology of this injury are not clearly defined. This study was performed to establish the incidence and mechanism of vocal fold paralysis in ACSS and to determine whether controlling for endotracheal tube/laryngeal wall interactions induced by the cervical retraction system could decrease the rate of paralysis. Study Design Retrospective review and complementary cadaver dissection. Methods Data gathered on 900 consecutive patients undergoing ACSS were reviewed for complications and procedural risk factors. After the first 250 cases an intervention consisting of monitoring of endotracheal tube cuff pressure and release of pressure after retractor placement or repositioning was employed. This allowed the endotracheal tube to re-center within the larynx. In addition, anterior approaches to the cervical spine were performed on fresh, intubated cadavers and studied with videofluoroscopy following retractor placement. Results Thirty cases of vocal fold paralysis consistent with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were identified with three patients having permanent paralysis. With this technique temporary paralysis rates decreased from 6.4% to 1.69% (P = .0002). The cadaver studies confirmed that the retractor displaced the larynx against the shaft of the endotracheal tube with impingement on the vulnerable intralaryngeal segment of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Conclusion The study results suggest that the most common cause of vocal fold paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery is compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve within the endolarynx. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure monitoring and release after retractor placement may prevent injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during anterior cervical spine surgery.
Free Trade and Arms Races

To examine the effect of free trade between two potential political rivals on their respective accumulation of weapons, the authors use a model in which utility maximization, the economics of trade and comparative advantage, production of weapons and consumption goods, depreciation of weapons stocks, technological spillover from production to national security, and the accumulation of capital are represented in an infinite horizon setting. In a neoclassical two-goods model of trade, each actor specializes in producing the good of its comparative advantage and engages in trade. Each country derives positive utility from consumption and its own stock of weapons. The impact of the foreign country's weapons stock on the home country's utility is negative (in the case of rivals). The authors use dynamic optimization to show that whether free trade leads to a rise or a decline in each country's stock of weapons relative to no trade depends on the relative marginal utilities of the consumption goods and weapons.
Evaluation of detection in compressed digital mammograms using numerical observers

The objective of this study was to evaluate an image compression technique for digital mammography using a nonprewhitening matched filter with an eye filter (NPWE) and channelized Hotelling numerical observer models. A total of 1024 images were cropped from clinical digital mammograms and used as backgrounds. The images were acquired using a clinical full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system and masses of sizes 30, 40, and 60 pixels (100 μm pixel size) were simulated. In addition, microcalcifications were synthetically extracted from clinical digital mammograms and used in the study. Image compression was achieved using a compression software (JPEG 2000, Aware Inc., Bedford, MA) at compression ratios 1:1, 15:1 and 30:1. The channelized Hotelling observer model was investigated only for the mass type lesions by transforming the images to channel space and computing the Hotelling trace for each compression condition. The NPWE model was investigated for both lesions and micocalcifications at all compression conditions and the detection indices were computed by assuming Gaussian statistics and by the 'percent correct’ detection method. The results of the study indicated a reduction in detection with increased compression for microcalcifications at 30:1 compression while almost no variation in detection index was observed for the simulated masses.
3D Face pose estimation and tracking from a monocular camera

Abstract In this paper, we describe a new approach for estimating and tracking three-dimensional (3D) pose of a human face from the face images obtained from a single monocular view with full perspective projection. We assume that the shape of a 3D face can be approximated by an ellipse and that the aspect ratio of 3D face ellipse is given. Given a monocular image of a face, we first perform an ellipse detection to locate the face in the image and the 3D position and orientation of the face are then estimated from the detected image face. The face detection is greatly facilitated by exploring the physiological properties of eyes under a special IR illumination and some geometric constraints. The detected initial face ellipse is then tracked in subsequent frames, allowing to track 3D face pose from frame to frame. Compared with the existing feature-based approaches for face pose estimation, our approach is more robust, since ellipse can be more reliably and robustly detected and tracked. Experimental study using a large number of synthetic and real images demonstrates the accuracy and robustness of the proposed approach.
Family of noble metal nitrides: First principles calculations of the elastic stability

By calculating the elastic stability using the full-potential linearized augmented plane waves (FLAPW) method, three noble metal nitrides ($\mathrm{Ir}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, $\mathrm{Ag}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, and $\mathrm{Au}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$) were found to be stable with the fluorite structure. Together with $\mathrm{Pt}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, they form a new family of transition metal nitrides, where nitrogen atoms occupy all the tetrahedral interstitials of the metal sublattice, instead of larger octahedral interstitials. Using the topological analysis of charge density (atoms in molecules theory), it was shown that the stability of the new nitrides can be understood based on the simple size effect. The filling of all the small tetrahedral interstitials makes the phases difficult to compress, resulting in large bulk moduli. The frequencies of the Raman-active phonon modes were also given.
The solution and transport of gases in poly(N-butyl methacrylate) in the glass transition region. I. Absorption-desorption measurements

Solubility coefficients, S, and diffusion coefficients, D, have been determined for ethane and n-butane in poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) by the microbalance technique in the temperature range from −14 to 50°C, which encompasses the glass transition of the polymer (22–35°C). S and D for ethane were found to be independent of penetrant pressure and concentration at all temperatures studied No transition to “dual-mode” sorption behavior, as reported for a number of penetrants in glassy polymers, was observed with ethane, even at the lowest experimental temperature. Plots of log S and log D versus 1-T, the reciprocal absolute temperature, were linear for the ethane-PnBMA system and did not exhibit discontinuities in the glass transition region. The above results suggest that the same mechanism of solution and transport of ethane in PnBMA is operative both above and below the glass transition of the polymer under the experimental conditions. This behavior is attributed to the low “excess” free volume of glassy PnBMA, as indicated by the small difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of this polymer in its rubbery and glassy states. Possible conditions for the appearance of dual-mode gas sorption are discussed. A similar study with the n-butane-PnBMA system showed that the polymer was plasticized by the penetrant below 20°C, due to the higher solubility of n-butane compared with that of ethane in PnBMA.
RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY OF ORCHIDECTOMY VS LONG-ACTING D-TRP-6-LHRH MICROCAPSULES IN ADVANCED PROSTATIC CARCINOMA

Safety and efficacy of a slow-release formulation of D-Trp-6-luteinising-hormone-releasing-hormone (D-Trp-6-LHRH) microcapsules were compared with orchidectomy in the initial treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma. 41 patients were randomly assigned to D-Trp-6-LHRH and 38 to orchidectomy. Suppression of testosterone and reduction in prostatic acid phosphatase levels were similar in both groups. 87% of patients in the D-Trp-6-LHRH group and 81% in the orchidectomy group responded to treatment or showed no deterioration. Side-effects related to the decrease in testosterone were similar in both groups. 3 patients given D-Trp-6-LHRH had a disease "flare" in the first ten days of treatment which resolved completely when testosterone fell to castrate levels. Results of psychological assessment were similar in both groups before treatment, and on follow-up there was a weak trend towards decreased psychological morbidity in the hormone group. The slow-release preparation of D-Trp-6-LHRH microcapsules offers an important alternative in the management of advanced prostatic carcinoma.
Brain distribution of cytokine mRNA induced by systemic administration of interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor α

Brain cytokine mRNA levels are impacted by systemic cytokines. For example, systemic interleukin-1beta (IL1beta) increases brain IL1beta mRNA; subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocks this effect. To localize which brain regions respond to intraperitoneal cytokines, we measured mRNA levels in selected brain regions for a variety of cytokines and growth factors, IL1beta, TNFalpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL10), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Relative to saline administration, IL1beta increased IL1beta, TNFalpha and IL6 mRNAs in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), hypothalamus, hippocampus and somatosensory cortex (SSctx), but did not induce any changes in IL10. TNFalpha also increased TNFalpha and IL1beta mRNAs in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and SSctx. TNFalpha increased TNFalpha, IL1beta and IL10 mRNAs in the NTS, but did not induce any changes in IL-6 mRNA. In the amygdala, IL1beta enhanced IL6 mRNA and TNFalpha increased IL1beta mRNAs. In the insular cortex, IL1beta enhanced IL6 mRNA and TNFalpha increased IL1beta mRNA. TNFalpha administration increased NGF mRNA in the SSctx but decreased NGF and BDNF mRNA levels in the insular cortex. Both IL1beta and TNFalpha decreased BDNF mRNA in the amygdala. We also verified the IL1beta-induced increases in TNFalpha mRNA within the NTS using in situ hybridization. These results support the hypothesis that somnogenic doses of IL1beta and TNFalpha enhance their own mRNA levels as well as affect mRNA levels for other sleep-promoting substances.
An Efficient and Expressive Access Control Architecture for Content-Based Networks

Tactical content-based networks provide high military utility in dynamic mobile networks with intermittent connectivity and inherent disruption. Protecting the confidentiality of information exchanges (content and metadata) in such networks is particularly challenging since the publisher of information does not know who the subscribers are, yet the publisher wants fine-grained control over who has access to the information. Cipher text Policy Attribute Based Encryption (CP-ABE) is a widely accepted cryptographic solution to this 1-many access control problem. This paper presents an efficient and expressive access control architecture for content-based networks based on CP-ABE. A key contribution of the paper is the efficiency of the proposed cryptographic solution which makes it practical in a resource constrained tactical network. We demonstrate our secure and efficient solution over a state-of-the-art tactical content based network, and we quantify its performance overhead.
Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants in patients with cancer-associated acute venous thromboembolism

SummaryIntroduction Treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients is challenging, owing to a high risk of recurrent VTE and bleeding complications. The anticoagulants of choice are low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), because of a proven higher efficacy than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and a similar bleeding profile. The recently introduced new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have the potential to be alternative options for these patients, as these drugs share practical advantages with LMWH, are administered orally, and had similar efficacy to VKAs but a lower bleeding risk in phase 3 studies in the general VTE population. Methods A systematic literature search was performed to identify phase 3 trials investigating NOACs for the treatment of VTE. The efficacy outcome was recurrent VTE, and the safety outcome was major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding. Pooled incidence rates and risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for cancer patients and non-cancer patients separately. Results and discussion Five studies were included, with 19 060 patients, of whom 973 (5.1%) had active cancer. The pooled incidence rates of recurrent VTE were 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6–6.0) in cancer patients treated with NOACs, and 6.1% (95% CI 4.1–8.5) in patients treated with VKAs (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38–1.2). The pooled incidence rates of major or non-major clinically relevant bleeding were 15% (95% CI 12–18) in cancer patients treated with NOACs, and 16% (95% CI 9.9–22) in patients treated with VKAs (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.70–1.3). These results form a solid basis for the initiation of a head-to-head comparison of NOACs with LMWH in cancer patients.
GROWTH HORMONES IN THE STYLES AND OVARIES OF TOBACCO RESPONSIBLE FOR FRUIT DEVELOPMENT

WITHIN THE past few decades the responsible role of auxins in initiation and development of fruits has been demonstrated (Laibach, 1932; Gustafson, 1936; Muir, 1942). The question which remains unresolved in regards to fruit development is that of the source of the growth hormone responsible for this growth response. Following the time of pollination there is an increased amount of auxin in the pistil of the flower (Muir, 1942). During ovary enlargement, there must be a continual supply or synthesis of this substance in order to effect the amount of growth that takes place. This synthesis may be controlled exclusively by the ovules following fertilization or it may be controlled by the pollen tubes which grow through the style and into the ovary, or it may be a combination of the two. That the ovules are a site of synthesis receives much support from the research of such workers as Miiller-Thurgau (1898), Dollfus (1936), Tukey (1936), Gustafson (1939), Wittwer (1943), Luckwill (1948), and Nitsch (1950). Early investigators indicated that an active substance in the pollen itself may be contributory in the growth response of the ovary (Massart. 1902; Fitting 1909; Laibach, 1932; Yasuda, 1934; Gustafson, 1937). Other workers have found auxin to be present in pollen (Laibach and Maschmann, 1933; Thimann, 1934; Muir, 1947; Larsen and Tung, 1952), but it proves to be in insufficient amounts (Van Overbeek et al., 1941). However, the role of the developing pollen tubes may be more than as the carriers of sperm nuclei. They may indeed have a potential for hormone synthesis. This was demonstrated in vivo by Muir (1942). In his experiments there seemed to be a correlation between the position of the pollen tubes in the pistil and the amount of auxin diffusing from those tissues. In in-vitro studies Nitsch (1952) indicated that pollen tubes possess tryptophan-IAA converting enzymes. Yasuda (1933, 1934) found upon crossing incompatible species of plants that parthenocarpic fruits developed when the pollen tubes grew a considerable distance in the style, yet not resulting in fertilization of the egg. These latter experiments performed by Yasuda and Muir convinced the author of this publication that the pollen tubes must synthesize hormone as they grow through the style and ovary. Therefore,
Brain effects of chronic IBD in areas abnormal in autism and treatment by single neuropeptides secretin and oxytocin.

Recent research points to the connection between behavioral and gut disorders. Early adverse events are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In animal models, maternal deprivation and social isolation predispose to gastric erosion and brain pathology. This study examined (1) brain effects of chronic gastrointestinal inflammation in a rat model of acquired IBD and (2) whether such changes are resolved by individual secretin (S) or oxytocin (OT) peptide treatment. Neurological manifestations of IBD were mapped by c-fos gene expression in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10) with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced IBD vs controls (n=11). IBD was characterized by moderate/severe infiltration of inflammatory cells 10 d after TNBS infusion. Age-matched pairs were processed for immunocytochemical detection of Fos, expressed when neurons are stimulated. S or OT (100 µg/250 µL saline) or equivolume saline was administered iv by Alzet pump for 20 d after disease onset. Degree of resolution of colitis-induced brain activation was assessed by c-fos expression, and mean numbers of Fos-immunoreactive nuclei for each group were compared using Independent Samples T-test. Chronic IBD activated periventricular gray, hypothalamic/visceral thalamic stress axes and cortical domains, and septal/preoptic/amygdala, brain areas abnormal in autism. Single peptide treatment with S or OT did not alter the effects of inflammation on the brain. Brain areas concomitantly activated by visceral inflammation are those often abnormal in autism, suggesting that IBD could be a model for testing treatments of autism. Other single and combined peptide treatments of IBD should be tested. The clinical implications for treating autism, IBD, and concomitant sickness behaviors with peptide therapy, with or without maternal nurturing as a natural equivalent, are presented.
Rapid Microwave Processing of Winter Cereals for Histology Allows Identification of Separate Zones of Freezing Injury in the Crown

In histological studies, microwave processing of tissue considerably shortens the time required to prepare samples for observation under light and electron microscopy. However, plant tissues from different species and different regions of the plant respond differently to microwave processing, making it impossible to use a single protocol for all plant tissue. The crown of winter cereals such as rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and oats (Avena sativa L.) is the below-ground portion of the stem that overwinters. It is composed of numerous types of cells with an organizational pattern that is similar to other grasses. When we used microwave protocols that were developed for other plant tissues, winter cereal crown tissue shattered and crumbled when sectioned. This study reports a procedure developed to process winter cereal crowns for histological observations. Using this microwave protocol, samples were prepared in 1 d as compared to 2 wk using traditional protocols. This enabled many more samples to be processed and allowed us to identify four overlapping zones of response to freezing within the crown. Results of varying time, temperature, and microwave wattage during fi xing, dehydrating, and embedding in paraffi n are described. High quality sections from the crowns of oat, barley, wheat, and rye indicate that this procedure is valid for all winter cereals. Since crown tissue is similar across all grass species, we predict that the protocol will be useful for other grasses as well.
Quantification of Soil-to-Plant Transport of Recombinant Nucleopolyhedrovirus: Effects of Soil Type and Moisture, Air Currents, and Precipitation

Significantly more occlusion bodies (OB) of DuPont viral construct HzSNPV-LqhIT2, expressing a scorpion toxin, were transported by artificial rainfall to cotton plants from sandy soil (70:15:15 sand-silt-clay) than from silt (15:70:15) and significantly more from silt than from clay (15:15:70). The amounts transported by 5 versus 50 mm of precipitation were the same, and transport was zero when there was no precipitation. In treatments that included precipitation, the mean number of viable OB transported to entire, 25- to 35-cm-tall cotton plants ranged from 56 (clay soil, 5 mm of rain) to 226 (sandy soil, 50 mm of rain) OB/plant. In a second experiment, viral transport increased with increasing wind velocity (0, 16, and 31 km/h) and was greater in dry (−1.0 bar of matric potential) than in moist (−0.5 bar) soil. Wind transport was greater for virus in a clay soil than in silt or sand. Only 3.3 × 10−7 (clay soil, 5 mm rain) to 1.3 × 10−6 (sandy soil, 50 mm rain) of the OB in surrounding soil in experiment 1 or 1.1 × 10−7 (−0.5 bar sandy soil, 16-km/h wind) to 1.3 × 10−6 (−1.0 bar clay soil, 31-km/h wind) in experiment 2 were transported by rainfall or wind to cotton plants. This reduces the risk of environmental release of a recombinant nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), because only a very small proportion of recombinant virus in the soil reservoir is transported to vegetation, where it can be ingested by and replicate in new host insects.
Specific Transcranial Doppler Flow Findings Related to the Presence and Site of Arterial Occlusion

Background and Purpose—Transcranial Doppler (TCD) can localize arterial occlusion in stroke patients. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of specific TCD flow findings with different sites of arterial occlusion. Methods—Using a standard insonation protocol, we prospectively evaluated the frequency of specific TCD findings in patients with or without proximal extracranial or intracranial occlusion determined by digital subtraction or MR angiography. Results—Of 190 consecutive patients studied, angiography showed occlusion in 48 patients. With proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, TCD showed abnormal middle cerebral artery (MCA) waveforms (AMCAW) in 66.7%, reversed ophthalmic artery (OA) in 70.6%, anterior cross-filling via anterior communicating artery (ACoA) in 78.6%, posterior communicating artery (PCoA) in 71.4%, and contralateral compensatory velocity increase (CVI) in 84.6% of patients. With distal ICA occlusion, TCD showed AMCAW in 88.9%, OA in 16.7%, ACoA in 50%, PCoA in 60%, and CVI i...
Which On-field Signs/Symptoms Predict Protracted Recovery From Sport-Related Concussion Among High School Football Players?

Background: There has been increasing attention and understanding of sport-related concussions. Recent studies show that neurocognitive testing and symptom clusters may predict protracted recovery in concussed athletes. On-field signs and symptoms have not been examined empirically as possible predictors of protracted recovery.Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine which on-field signs and symptoms were predictive of a protracted (≥21 days) versus rapid (≤7 days) recovery after a sports-related concussion. On-field signs and symptoms included confusion, loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, retrograde amnesia, imbalance, dizziness, visual problems, personality changes, fatigue, sensitivity to light/noise, numbness, and vomiting.Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.Methods: The sample included 107 male high school football athletes who completed computerized neurocognitive testing within an average 2.4 days after injury, and who were followed until returned to play ...
Spike: AI scheduling for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope

The Spike scheduling system, developed for scheduling astronomical observations for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST), is described. Spike is an activity-based AI scheduler which incorporates innovative approaches to constraint representation and reasoning and scheduling search. Although developed for space telescope scheduling, the Spike system was designed around a general scheduling-constraint framework that can be applied to other domains. Techniques for machine reasoning about scheduling constraints and goals, especially in cases where uncertainty is an important scheduling consideration and where resolving conflicts between competing preferences is essential, have been developed. These techniques have been used in the Spike system. Graphical displays of activities, constraints, and schedules are an important feature of the system. High-level scheduling strategies using both rule-based and neural network approaches have been developed. While the specific constraints implemented are those most relevant to the HST, the Spike framework is more general and could handle other kinds of scheduling problems. >
Platelets of Female Mice Are Intrinsically More Sensitive to Agonists Than Are Platelets of Males

Objective— It has been reported that women fare worse after ischemic coronary events, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Because platelets play a central role in the formation of occlusive thrombi at sites of ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, we studied male/female paired mouse littermates for sex differences in platelet function. Methods and Results— We compared platelet reactivity in male/female mouse littermates by monitoring agonist-induced fibrinogen (FGN) binding and platelet aggregation. Compared with the platelets from males, platelets from females bound more FGN in response to low concentrations of thrombin and collagen-related peptide. Female platelets also demonstrated greater aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate and collagen-related peptide. Platelet protein tyrosine phosphorylation on activation also showed small differences between sexes. These differences are independent of platelet size and surface expression of αIIbβ3 and GPIb-IX-V, and they were not blocked by apyrase or aspirin. The sex differences we observed were intrinsic to platelets, because they were observed in washed platelets, but not when platelets were in plasma. Conclusions— The platelets of female mice were more reactive than those of males in a manner independent of COX-1 and secreted ADP.
A first experimental limit on in-matter torsion from neutron spin rotation in liquid 4He

Abstract We report the first experimental upper bound to our knowledge on possible in-matter torsion interactions of the neutron from a recent search for parity violation in neutron spin rotation in liquid 4 He. Our experiment constrains a coefficient ζ consisting of a linear combination of parameters involving the time components of the torsion fields T μ and A μ from the nucleons and electrons in helium which violates parity. We report an upper bound of | ζ | 5.4 × 10 − 16 GeV at 68% confidence level and indicate other physical processes that could be analyzed to constrain in-matter torsion.
Copper Deficiency Increases the Virulence of Amyocarditic and Myocarditic Strains of Coxsackievirus B3 in Mice

Deficiency in several trace elements, including copper and selenium, is associated with increased levels of oxidative stress. Copper deficiency also has been shown to impair immune function. Previous work by others demonstrated that passage of an amyocarditic or myocarditic strain of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) through selenium- or vitamin E-deficient mice led to increased cardiac pathology. To determine whether a copper deficiency would similarly alter the pathogenesis of CVB3 infections, Swiss outbred dams and their litters were fed copper-deficient diets from birth and received either deionized water or water with 0.315 mmol/L copper as copper sulfate. At 4 wk of age, copper-adequate or -deficient male and female offspring were infected with an amyocarditic or myocarditic strain of CVB3. Heart titers were elevated at d 3 and 7 postinfection in copper-deficient mice infected with the myocarditic CVB3 strain (CVB3/20) but only at d 7 in deficient mice infected with the amyocarditic CVB3 strain (CVB3/0) compared with copper-adequate controls. Copper-deficient mice infected with either strain of CVB3 had increased cardiac pathology compared with copper-adequate controls. Genomic sequences of viruses isolated from copper-adequate and -deficient mice were identical. Heart cytokine expression was elevated in copper-deficient CVB3-infected mice compared with infected controls. Circulating CVB3specific IgG2a but not IgM levels were decreased in copper-deficient mice. Thus, copper deficiency is associated with an increased inflammatory response but decreased acquired immune response to CVB3 infection that results in increased cardiac pathology, presumably due to increased viral load. J. Nutr. 138: 849‐855, 2008.
Isolation of human plasma-inducible, growth phase- and temperature-regulated gene fusions in Streptococcus pyogenes using a Tn917-lacZ transposon.

Streptococcus pyogenes is capable of causing a variety of human diseases ranging from superficial or deep tissue infections to non-infectious post-streptococcal infection sequelae. In this paper, we report the use of a Tn917–lacZ transposon to isolate random lacZ transcription fusions in the S. pyogenes chromosome. Libraries of random Tn917–lacZ mutants were generated in a representative opacity factor positive strain CS101 (M49) and an opacity factor negative strain 1881 (M1). Several different mutant phenotypes were isolated. These included: temperature-regulated promoters, growth phase/cell density-regulated promoters and a human plasma-inducible promoter. Expression of the temperature-regulated fusions was 5–10-fold higher when grown at 30°C compared to growth at 37°C. The growth phase-regulated fusions were induced 30-fold at late exponential phase and were repressed by a diffusible S. pyogenes factor(s). Expression of the human plasma-inducible fusion was induced 10–15-fold by human plasma or sera, 4-fold by rabbit sera and was repressed by horse and mouse sera. In addition, hemolysin negative and capsule over expression mutants were isolated. These results demonstrate the utility of Tn917–lacZ mutagenesis for the identification of S. pyogenes promoters.
Genetic structure of Pallas pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) populations renewed under extreme conditions

The intensive reforestation of Pallas pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) in postfire sites in the native mountainous Crimean populations and at ore-mining dumps of the Krivoi Rog region around previously planted seed-producing trees has been demonstrated. Self-sown progeny that grows in the dump is characterized by better growth and arrives at the reproductive development phase earlier than that growing in a postfire forest. Allele variability at 20 allozyme loci is less in self-sown progeny than in native populations, whereas its level of heterozygosity is similar. The genetic distance (DN) between self-sown progenies in postfire sites and ore-mining dumps is comparable to that of natural populations.
Magnetic structure of CaMnSiO4

Abstract CaMnSiO4 crystallizes in the olivine structure and is antiferromagnetic below 9°K; magnetic-susceptibility measurements gave θ = 26°K and peff = 5.77 microB. The cation distribution and magnetic spin structure were established by neutron diffraction. Divalent manganese occupies the inversion centers with calcium in mirror plane positions, isostructural with CaMgSiO4. At low temperatures the Mn moments align in antiferromagnetic chains along b with spin directions collinear to c.
Model-Based Analysis and Classification of Driver Distraction Under Secondary Tasks

It is well established in the literature that secondary tasks adversely affect driving behavior. Previous research has focused on discovering the general trends by analyzing the average effects of secondary tasks on a population of drivers. This paper conjectures that there may also be individual effects, i.e., different effects of secondary tasks on individual drivers, which may be obscured within the average behavior of the population, and proposes a model-based approach to analyze them. Specifically, a radial-basis neural-network-based modeling framework is developed to characterize the normal driving behavior of a driver when driving without secondary tasks. The model is then used in a scenario of driving with a secondary task to predict the hypothetical actions of the driver, had there been no secondary tasks. The difference between the predicted normal behavior and the actual distracted behavior gives individual insight into how the secondary tasks affect the driver. It is shown that this framework can help uncover the different effects of secondary tasks on each driver, and when used together with support vector machines, it can help systematically classify normal and distracted driving conditions for each driver.
Scatter diagram analysis of Cr segregation in Co-Cr based recording media

The segregation of Cr in Co-Cr based thin film recording media was measured using energy-filtered TEM images and quantitatively evaluated by the scatter diagram (SD) method. Following a description of such SD analysis it is applied to the measurement of Cr segregation in two CoCrPtB thin film recording media with different Cr contents. Taking the entire data sets into account, the two dimensional distribution of the nonmagnetic, high Cr phase can be visualized and determined quantitatively. Cr segregates to the intergranular regions and the sample with the higher Cr content shows a significantly higher and more uniform distribution of the nonmagnetic phase at the boundaries. This leads to better magnetic isolation between the grains and correlates with the better recording performance observed in the same sample.
Synthesis and electrochemical properties of high capacity V2O5-δ cathodes

Metastable vanadium oxides V 2 O 5 δ with 0.02? δ? 0.23 hale been synthesized by decomposing ammonium metavanadate under vacuum at 280-350°C. The samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy. wet-chemical analyses. and scanning electron microscopy. An evaluation of the V 2 O 5 - δ oxides in lithium cells reveals that these oxides exhibit high capacities of over 300 mAh/g at 3.8-1.5 V. Although the total capacity occurs over a wide voltage range, moderate capacities of around 200 mAh/g could be readily realized in a narrow practical voltage window of 3.8-2.4 V. The V 2 O 5 - δ cathodes exhibit good cyclability over a wide range of temperatures ( - 30 to 60°C) with excellent safety characteristics as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry.
Modeling, design and implementation of discrete sliding mode control for an engine idle speed control system

A nonlinear model for the idle speed control (ISC) system of a 4-cylinder, 2.4-litre DaimlerChrysler car engine has been developed in this paper based on analytical methods and actual operational data. Through nonlinear state transformation and local linearization, the system model is then changed into a suitable form for which different control techniques and schemes can be applied. A discrete sliding mode (DSM) controller has been designed based on a reachability condition proposed in this paper. The resulting DSM control system was implemented into the DaimlerChrysler engine. The experimental results show that DSM control system has superior performance characteristics on tracking the desired idle speed and rejecting the system disturbances when compared with the existing controller.
Does post-identification feedback affect evaluations of eyewitness testimony and identification procedures?

Two experiments were conducted to test whether post-identification feedback affects evaluations of eyewitnesses. In Experiment 1 (N = 156), evaluators viewed eyewitness testimony. They evaluated witnesses who received confirming post-identification feedback as more accurate and more confident, among other judgments, compared with witnesses who received disconfirming post-identification feedback or no feedback. This pattern persisted regardless of whether the witness’s confidence statement was included in the testimony. In Experiment 2 (N = 161), witness evaluators viewed the actual identification procedure in which feedback was delivered. Instructions to disregard the feedback were manipulated. Again, witnesses who received confirming feedback were assessed more positively. This pattern occurred even when witness evaluators received instructions to disregard the feedback. These experiments are the first to confirm researchers’ assumptions that feedback effects on witnesses translate to changes in judgments of those witnesses.
Reduction of duty cycle distortion through bandpass filtering

Band-pass filtering is shown to attenuate duty cycle distortion in digital signals. Duty cycle distortion is separated into low and high frequency components in order to identify multiple methods of suppression. Frequency and time domain approaches are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed band-pass filter. Power spectral estimation and eye diagrams are compared as two means for observing the condition of the signal at various points in the signaling link. The advantages of the power spectral density approach are demonstrated through simulation.
Fourth-order finite-difference P-SV seismograms

I describe the properties of a fourth-order accurate space, second-order accurate time two-dimensional P-Sk’ finite-difference scheme based on the MadariagaVirieux staggered-grid formulation. The numerical scheme is developed from the first-order system of hyperbolic elastic equations of motion and constitutive laws expressed in particle velocities and stresses. The Madariaga-Virieux staggered-grid scheme has the desirable quality that it can correctly model any variation in material properties, including both large and small Poisson’s ratio materials, with minimal numerical dispersion and numerical anisotropy. Dispersion analysis indicates that the shortest wavelengths in the model need to be sampled at 5 gridpoints/wavelength. The scheme can be used to accurately simulate wave propagation in mixed acoustic-elastic media, making it ideal for modeling marine problems. Explicitly calculating both velocities and stresses makes it relatively simple to initiate a source at the free-surface or within a layer and to satisfy free-surface boundary conditions. Benchmark comparisons of finite-difference and analytical solutions to Lamb’s problem are almost identical, as are comparisons of finite-difference and reflectivity solutions for elastic-elastic and acoustic-elastic layered models.
Unknown primary cancer presenting as an adrenal mass: Frequency and implications for diagnostic evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas

Abstract Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy to identify adrenal metastasis from an occult primary malignancy has been recommended as part of the evaluation of the patient who presents with an incidentally discovered adrenal mass. This recommendation was assessed by examining the frequency of adrenal involvement in patients with suspected unknown primary cancer. Methods: Data from 1715 patients referred for evaluation of suspected unknown primary cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of 1639 patients found to have cancer, the adrenal gland was identified as a site of involvement at presentation in 95 (5.8%). Involvement was limited to the adrenal gland in 4 patients (0.2%). All 4 patients had large (≥6 cm) adrenal tumors, 3 of 4 had bilateral involvement, and all had symptoms that otherwise mandated evaluation for an occult malignancy; none had a true adrenal incidentaloma. Conclusions: Although cancer of an unknown primary site occasionally involves the adrenal gland, metastatic cancer presenting as a true adrenal incidentaloma is extremely rare. Therefore, in the absence of a history of prior malignancy or symptoms, physical examination findings, radiographic findings, or laboratory findings suggestive of an occult malignancy, we do not recommend fine-needle aspiration biopsy as part of the diagnostic evaluation of the patient who presents with a unilateral adrenal mass. (Surgery 1998;124:1115-22.)