cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Body weight and age as factors determining estrogen responsiveness in the rat feeding system.

The development of estrogenic inhibition over eating and body weight was studied between 30 and 55 days of age in albino female rats of widely divergent body weights. Estradiol benzoate (EB) first depressed body weight in ovariectomized (ovx) rats of low, medium and high body weight at 39, 41 and 37 days of age, respectively. Development of estrogenic restraint over weight gain was more closely linked with chronological age than with body weight. EB first decreased food consumption in ovx rats of medium and high body weight at 45 and 41 days of age, respectively. No significant decrease in eating attributable to EB was observed in low-weight rats. The attainment of a minimum body weight may be of greater importance than chronological age per se for initiating estrogen responsiveness in the feeding system. At 80 days of age ovx rats of high body weight were far more responsive than rats of low body weight to the appetite- and weight-limiting actions of EB. The minimal dosage of EB effective in counteracting increased food intake and weight gain in adult ovx rats was without effect on eating and body weight in hypophysectomized animals. These results were discussed in terms of the hypothesis that estrogens alter the reference point around which body weight is regulated; according to this view alterations in food intake are secondary to changes in the body weight set point.
Barrels in somatic sensory neocortex of the marsupialTrichosurus vulpecula (brush-tailed possum)

Summary Present in the cerebral neocortex of the marsupial Trichosurus vulpecula is a cytoarchitectonic field which is distinguished by the presence of numerous discrete clumps of neural cell bodies within layer IV. In some ways this field is similar to the ‘barrel field’ previously described in the neocortex of the mouse (Mus musculus) and the rat (Rattus norvegicus) . The brains of 3 specimens of Trichosurus vulpecula were prepared for study by formalin fixation, celloidin embedding, serial sectioning in 3 planes, and appropriate staining. From study of Nissl-stained sections of these brains, the size and shape of individual clumps and the extent of the spatial distribution of the entire field were determined. These clumps are roughly cylindrical or barrel-shaped, are oriented approximately perpendicularly to the cortical surface, and are about 100–350 μm in diameter and about 200 μm high (the thickness of layer IV). In 5 of the 21 marsupial species surveyed, barrels were unquestionably observed. The major difference between the barrels of rodents and of marsupials is that those of the former have relatively ‘acellular’ interiors, while those of the latter appear uniformly cell-dense throughout. The barrel field of Trichosurus consists of 132–477 barrels and seems to coincide with the entire somatic sensory cortex. Rodent barrel fields, however, consist of 170–220 barrels and coincide with only that portion of the somatic sensory cortex in which the representation of the head has been localized. Rodent barrels appear to be related functionally to facial vibrissae: a similar suggestion for marsupial barrels is premature. Sufficient anatomical similarities exist between rodent barrels and marsupial barrels to warrant investigation of their physiological similarities; however, close scrutiny of their physiological differences is required as well.
Contributions to muscle force and EMG by combined neural excitation and electrical stimulation.

Objective. Stimulation of muscle for research or clinical interventions is often superimposed on ongoing physiological activity without a quantitative understanding of the impact of the stimulation on the net muscle activity and the physiological response. Experimental studies show that total force during stimulation is less than the sum of the isolated voluntary and stimulated forces, but the occlusion mechanism is not understood. Approach. We develop a model of efferent motor activity elicited by superimposing stimulation during a physiologically activated contraction. The model combines action potential interactions due to collision block, source resetting, and refractory periods with previously published models of physiological motor unit recruitment, rate modulation, force production, and EMG generation in human first dorsal interosseous muscle to investigate the mechanisms and effectiveness of stimulation on the net muscle force and EMG. Main results. Stimulation during a physiological contraction demonstrates partial occlusion of force and the neural component of the EMG, due to action potential interactions in motor units activated by both sources. Depending on neural and stimulation firing rates as well as on force–frequency properties, individual motor unit forces can be greater, smaller, or unchanged by the stimulation. In contrast, voluntary motor unit EMG potentials in simultaneously stimulated motor units show progressive occlusion with increasing stimulus rate. The simulations predict that occlusion would be decreased by a reverse stimulation recruitment order. Significance. The results are consistent with and provide a mechanistic interpretation of previously published experimental evidence of force occlusion. The models also predict two effects that have not been reported previously—voluntary EMG occlusion and the advantages of a proximal stimulation site. This study provides a basis for the rational design of both future experiments and clinical neuroprosthetic interventions involving either motor or sensory stimulation.
The Effect of Line Averaging on Scalar Flux Measurements with a Sonic Anemometer near the Surface

Abstract We present a theoretical analysis of the effect of line averaging by a sonic anemometer on scalar fluxes and an observational study of this phenomenon in the atmospheric surface layer. The theoretical analysis rests on an axisymmetric model for the cross-spectral tensor of vertical velocity and scalar fluctuations, limiting the validity of the derived transfer function to a constant-flux layer. Observations of temperature flux in the unstable surface layer confirm the theoretical prediction that line averaging does not significantly affect the flux estimate down to heights only several times the sonic path length. However, the observations exhibit large scatter at small height, indicating that problems with the representativity of the measurement and not with line averaging may become a limiting factor. Based on the analysis of the Kansas data and the characteristics of the transfer function, we infer that temperature flux measurements will, in general, be affected by some line averaging under st...
Simplified Model of the Knee as a 2-Dimensional Spring Mechanism

The knee joint is a very complex joint stabilized by two opposing sets of ligaments. A mathematical model of the knee with an appropriate level of complexity and accuracy is needed for valid and useful static or dynamic analysis. Existing work has focused on the knee as either a one degree of freedom pin joint (simple) or based on a more complex sliding motion of two surfaces (complex). In this work, MATLAB and Working Model© were used to design three intermediate level models describing the motion of the knee assuming only movement in the sagittal plane by changing the shape of the tibial plateau (flat, concave, or convex). From these, it was determined that the simple flat model, while not perfect, most appropriately modeled the knee joint.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Gender Politics in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's THE LADY OF SHALOTT

By the end of the nineteenth century, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem “The Lady of Shalott” had inspired fifty portrayals by various artists—John William Waterhouse alone painted three between 1887 an...
Induced Smectic Mesomorphism in Mixtures of p-Cyano-p'-pentylbiphenyl and p-Pentylbenzoic Acid

Abstract The phase diagram of p-cyano-p'-pentylbiphenyl (CPB) and p-pentylbenzoic acid (5BA) shows a maximum value of the nematic-isotropic transition temperature at ∼equimolar concentrations of CPB and the dimer of 5BA (D5BA). Two eutectic points occur at concentrations of D5BA of 8 and 65 mole %, respectively, and an induced smectic phase occurs in the concentration range of 15 to 65 % D5BA. Dielectric properties and the spontaneous homeotropy of some of the mixtures can best be understood by considering the phases to consist primarily of D5BA and CPB, with a small amount of free 5BA modulating the dielectric properties and promoting homeotropic alignment.
Stability of periodic orbits and the theory of ferromagnetic resonances

The linear stability analysis of a periodic orbit, in a dynamical system $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{X}}=\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{F}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{X}})$, is shown to be analogous to the theory of ferromagnetic resonance at high signal powers. A simplification, which allowed the anomalous resonance properties of ferromagnets to be accounted for, is applied to the stability analysis. An analytic solution to the simplified stability equations is obtained for three-mode systems, its properties and consequences are discussed, and it is checked against some rigorous results.
A NOVEL ROUTE FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF SR1-XBAXNB2O6 THIN FILMS

Stoichiometric Sr1−xBaxNb2O6 (SBN) powder and thin films were prepared by a chemical method. The starting materials were niobium ethoxide and the hydroxides of strontium and barium. Powders were obtained by evaporation of the precursor solution, and thin films were deposited by spin coating. Annealing temperature required to obtain complete conversion to the crystalline material was about 700 °C. Stoichiometric polycrystalline films of Sr1−xBaxNb2O6 were deposited on quartz and silicon substrates. Leakage current-voltage and the capacitance-voltage measurements on a metal/SBN/n-silicon structure show a diode-type characteristic.
Multimodal Imaging of Spontaneously Shifting Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.

Purpose: To correlate spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and photographic imaging before and after spontaneous regression of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) lesions. Procedures: We report the case of a 60-year-old female. Results: The patient presented with bilateral creamy deposits under the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and lesions were visible along Bruch's membrane with SD-OCT and suspicious for PVRL. Systemic workup revealed nonspecific areas of enhancement on neuroimaging. The patient was largely asymptomatic and the decision was made to observe her. Three months later, a new lesion pattern had developed. The color fundus photographs and SD-OCT demonstrated spontaneous regression of the largest sub-RPE lesion, leaving areas of RPE atrophy, while a new larger sub-RPE lesion had formed in the other eye. Vitreous biopsy showed lymphocytes and no malignant cells, while sub-RPE biopsy of the newly formed lesion revealed highly atypical cells positive for CD19 and CD20. Conclusions: Multimodal imaging documents that PVRL lesion regression and early RPE changes can develop within a 3-month period. Immune control is an important factor in lesion regression in the eye.
Behavior Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy of Obesity: Is There a Difference?

Abstract Current practice guidelines for management of overweight and obesity recommend a program of diet, exercise, and behavior therapy for all persons with a body mass index (calculated as kg/m 2 ) of at least 30 (and those with body mass index ≥25 plus two weight-related comorbidities). In this tripartite treatment—often referred to as lifestyle modification—behavior therapy provides a structure that facilitates meeting goals for energy intake and expenditure. Although standard behavior therapy reliably induces mean weight losses of approximately 10% of initial weight, these reductions are difficult to maintain. Some authors argue that a shift in focus from behavior change to cognitive change will improve long-term results of lifestyle modification programs. This review describes, in detail, the standard behavioral treatment of obesity and compares it with an alternative treatment model that is based in a cognitive conceptualization of weight control. A review of the literature suggests that the differences between standard behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy of obesity lie more in their underlying theories than in their implementation. Empirical comparisons of the long-term effects of these approaches are needed.
Hippias and a lost canon of rhetoric

(1926). Hippias and a lost canon of rhetoric. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 129-145.
DEAMINATED CHITIN AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY: A METHOD FOR THE ISOLATION, PURIFICATION AND CONCENTRATION OF LYSOZYME

A relatively simple and efficient chromatographic method utilizing deaminated chitin (Dech), rather than chitin, has been developed and is described for the isolation, purification and concentration of lysozyme from food or biological tissues prior to quantification. It is shown that deaminated chitin has a high specificity and capacity for lysozyme (squid Dech more so than crab Dech), along with good stability and allowing fast flow rates. Studies with fresh egg white, human blood, human milk, goat milk and a commercial hen egg white lysozyme preparation showed recoveries of lysozyme greater than 99%. The various isolated lysozymes were considered to be adequately pure as determined by amino acid analysis and disc gel electrophoresis.
Detection and quantification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in environmental samples by real‐time PCR

A . M . I B E K W E A N D C . M . G R I E V E 2003. Aims: To apply the real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect and quantify Escherichia coli O157:H7 in soil, manure, faeces and dairy waste washwater. Methods and Results: Soil samples were spiked with E. coli O157:H7 and subjected to a single enrichment step prior to multiplex PCR. Other environmental samples suspected of harbouring E.coli O157:H7 were also analysed. The sensitivity of the primers was confirmed with DNA from E.coli O157:H7 strain 3081 spiked into soil by multiplex PCR assay. A linear relationship was measured between the fluorescence threshold cycle (CT) value and colony counts (CFU ml )1 ) in spiked soil and other environmental samples. The detection limit for E.coli O157:H7 in the real-time PCR assay was 3AE5 · 10 3 CFU ml )1 in pure culture and 2AE6 · 10 4 CFU g )1 in the environmental samples. Use of a 16-h enrichment step for spiked samples enabled detection of <10 CFU g )1 soil. E. coli colony counts as determined by the real-time PCR assay, were in the range of 2AE0 · 10 2 to 6AE0 · 10 5 CFU PCR )1 in manure, faeces and waste washwater. Conclusions: The real-time PCR-based assay enabled sensitive and rapid quantification of E. coli O157:H7 in soil and other environmental samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: The ability to quantitatively determine cell counts of E.coli O157:H7 in large numbers of environmental samples, represents considerable advancement in the area of pathogen quantification for risk assessment and transport studies.
Hydrothermal Dehydration of Aqueous Fructose Solutions in a Closed System

Aqueous monosaccharide solutions including glucose or fructose have been hydrothermally treated in a closed system to form colloidal carbon spheres. In-situ Raman and 13C NMR have been used to quantify the intramolecular dehydration moiety, HMF, as an intermediate. An aqueous glucose solution forms a carbon sphere via an intermolecular dehydration route without forming HMF during initial hydrothermal treatment and followed by carbonization at 170−180 °C. However, an aqueous fructose solution initially forms HMF by intramolecular dehydration at 120−140 °C. Upon subsequent polymerization, microscopic carbon-containing spheres assemble to larger spheres, thereby generating a grain-like surface morphology. The carbon sphere contains a dense hydrophobic carbon core and a hydrophilic shell.
Feedback control of nonlinear differential difference equation systems

This paper proposes a methodology for the synthesis of nonlinear output feedback controllers for single-input single-output nonlinear differential difference equation (DDE) systems which include time delays in the states, the control actuator and the measurement sensor. Initially, DDE systems which only include state delays are considered and a novel combination of geometric and Lyapunov-based techniques is employed for the synthesis of nonlinear state feedback controllers that guarantee stability and enforce output tracking in the closed-loop system, independently of the size of the state delays. Then, the problem of designing nonlinear distributed state observers, which reconstruct the state of the DDE system while guaranteeing that the discrepancy between the actual and the estimated state tends exponentially to zero, is addressed and solved by using spectral decomposition techniques for DDE systems. The state feedback controllers and the distributed state observers are combined to yield distributed output feedback controllers that enforce stability and output tracking in the closed-loop system, independently of the size of the state delays. For DDE systems with state, control actuator and measurement delays, distributed output feedback controllers are synthesized on the basis of an auxiliary output constructed within a Smith-predictor framework. The proposed control method is successfully applied to a reactor-separator process with recycle and a fluidized catalytic cracker and is shown to outperform nonlinear controller designs that do not account for the presence of dead time associated with the recycle loop and the pipes transferring material from the reactor to the regenerator and vice versa, respectively.
Annular hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: a novel ringed variant

Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) is a relatively uncommon variant of cutaneous lymphoma that is mostly seen in darker skin types. We present a novel and unique clinical presentation in an African-American female patient, consisting of regular hypopigmented annular rings in areas of normal skin and in more typical hypopigmented patches of MF. The lesions appeared diffusely on all extremities, anterior chest and back. Histopathologic examination showed an atypical lymphocytic infiltrate at the dermal–epidermal junction with epidermotropism and few Pautrier's collections. The patient was otherwise healthy and improved with narrowband ultraviolet (UV)-B. This case represents a presentation of a most unusual variant of hypopigmented MF, for which we propose the name ‘annular hypopigmented MF’. Uhlenhake EE, Mehregan DM. Annular hypopigmented mycosis fungoides: a novel ringed variant.
A simple technique for obtaining Pap smears of the esophagus.

Abstract A simple method for obtaining Papanicolaou smears of the esophagus is described. The procedure is easy to perform, does not require specialized equipment, and is a useful adjuvant to direct esophageal biopsy.
Evolution of a phase separated gravity independent bioreactor.

The evolution of a phase-separated gravity-independent bioreactor is described. The initial prototype, a zero head-space manifold silicone membrane based reactor, maintained large diffusional resistances. Obtaining oxygen transfer rates needed to support carbon-recycling aerobic microbes is impossible if large resistances are maintained. Next generation designs (Mark I and II) mimic heat exchanger design to promote turbulence at the tubing-liquid interface, thereby reducing liquid and gas side diffusional resistances. While oxygen transfer rates increased by a factor of ten, liquid channeling prevented further increases. To overcome these problems, a Mark III reactor was developed which maintains inverted phases, i.e., media flows inside the silicone tubing, oxygen gas is applied external to the tubing. This enhances design through changes in gas side driving force concentration and liquid side turbulence levels. Combining an applied external pressure of 4 atm with increased Reynolds numbers resulted in oxygen transfer intensities of 232 mmol O2/l per hr (1000 times greater than the first prototype and comparable to a conventional fermenter). A 1.0 liter Mark III reactor can potentially deliver oxygen supplies necessary to support cell cultures needed to recycle a 10-astronaut carbon load continuously.
Electrorheology Improves E85 Engine Efficiency and Performance

E85 is an alternative fuel with 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. However, it is widely reported that E85 vehicles have difficulties to start in winter and have poor performance. Here, the authors report that with proper application of electrorheology, the authors can solve these issues. E85 vehicles all have port-injected engines. The fuel is injected into cylinders as droplets. Before the ignition, the fuel evaporates. Because E85 is more viscous than gasoline, the injected E85 droplet size is not small. Especially, in winter the cold weather makes the viscosity even higher, leading to the E85 droplets being even bigger. Since evaporation starts from the droplet surfaces, large droplets are difficult to be evaporated before the ignition comes. When there are no enough fuel vapors, the engine cannot start. To solve this problem, the authors introduce a small device just before the fuel injection, which produces a strong electric field to reduce the fuel viscosity, leading to much smaller fuel droplets in ato...
Phylogenetic Diversity of Bacteria Isolated from Sick Dogs Using the BAPGM Enrichment Culture Platform

Background Bartonella alpha-Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment culture has proven useful for documenting Bartonella species infection and has facilitated growth of other fastidious bacteria from human samples. Purpose To report non-Bartonella bacterial isolates obtained from canine samples cultured using BAPGM enrichment culture. Animals Between 2004 and 2008, 695 specimens from 513 dogs were tested by the NCSU-IPRL using the BAPGM enrichment culture. Over the same period of time, blood samples from 270 dogs were cultured by the NCSU-CML using Bactec-Plus Aerobic/F media. Methods BAPGM isolates were characterized using Bartonella genus primers and 16S rDNA primers followed by DNA sequencing. NCSU medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Blood culture results from the NCSU-CML were compared with BAPGM blood culture results. Results Seventy-nine non-Bartonella isolates were obtained from 69/513 dogs. The most commonly isolated phylum was Proteobacteria (48.1%) with alpha-Proteobacteria being the most commonly isolated class. Staphylococcus and Sphingomonas were the most commonly isolated genera. The majority of the remaining isolates were bacteria that are rarely isolated from canine samples. Comparison of NCSU-CML and IPRL (BAPGM) blood culture isolates showed alpha-Proteobacteria were isolated more often from BAPGM. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Use of insect cell culture enrichment medium, such as BAPGM, appears to enhance the growth of alpha-Proteobacteria, but also results in isolation of non-alpha-Proteobacteria from sick dogs. Future studies are needed to elucidate the utility of BAPGM and other “nonconventional” growth media and methods for isolation of fastidious organisms and to determine if these organisms play a causal role in disease development.
Wind turbine fault detection and isolation using support vector machine and a residual-based method

This paper proposes a novel scheme combining support vector machines (SVM) and a residual-based method for wind turbine fault detection and isolation (FDI). SVMs with radius basis function kernels are used for detecting and identifying sensor stuck and offset faults, where binary codes of fault types are used as the outputs of the SVMs to minimize the number of SVMs being used. The same output of a SVM may correspond to different types of faults and the final decision is made by all SVMs instead of one SVM. Moreover, a residual-based fault detection method using a time-variant threshold is developed to identify the abrupt change and scaling faults. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out in MATLAB to test the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed FDI methods using a wind turbine FDI benchmark model. Results show that the proposed methods can always detect the faults successfully within the required time limits.
A comprehensive review of surface modification for neural cell adhesion and patterning

This comprehensive literature review covers recent studies on patterning neuronal cells by topographical modifications on material surfaces targeted for neural prostheses. We explore different materials that are used as the candidate surface for neuronal cell adhesion. Cell–material interactions are identified in both cases where the material surface was in direct contact with cells and where the materials were coated to facilitate cell adhesion. Commonly used coating materials and coating methods are discussed. The existing hypotheses behind mechanism of the response of neuronal cells to a specific topography are presented briefly. A few selected important studies have been presented to show the range of techniques employed and the extent of the research area. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
Identification of NY-ESO-1, MAGE-1, and MAGE-3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Certain tumor antigens have been identified that stimulate an immune response, thus making them targets for immunotherapy. NY-ESO-1, MAGE-1, and MAGE-3 are such antigens. This study was undertaken to determine their presence or absence in head and neck squamous cell cancers and to correlate this with patient characteristics. Methods. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IH) were used to identify NY-ESO-1, MAGE-1, and MAGE-3 in surgical specimens. Patient data (previous treatment, gender, age, primary site, metastasis, tumor grade, tumor stage, smoking history, and alcohol history) were collected by chart review and examined for correlation with presence or absence of antigen. Results. Three tumors were found to be positive for NY-ESO-1 by RT-PCR. All of these tumors were also positive for MAGE-1 and MAGE-3. IH was only positive for NY-ESO-1 in one patient. Eighteen of the 45 tumors (40%) were positive for MAGE-1 by RT-PCR. By IH, only six tumors were positive for MAGE-1. Five (83.3%) of those that were positive by IH were positive by RT-PCR. Twenty of the 45 tumors (44.4%) were positive for MAGE-3 by RT-PCR. By IH, 12 tumors were positive for MAGE-3. Nine (75%) of those positive by IH were also positive by RT-PCR. Overall, of the 45 tumors, 27 (60%) were positive by RT-PCR for at least one of the antigens. None of the patient characteristics correlated with the presence or absence of antigen. Conclusions. There is high expression of MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 antigens in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, whereas NY-ESO-1 is not significantly expressed. IH correlates but is not as sensitive as RT-PCR for detection of these antigens. There is no correlation between antigen expression and patient data. On the basis of the high levels of MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 expression, use of these antigens may serve as a potential approach to immunotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma from head and neck sources. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 457–463, 2003
The missing censoring indicator model and the smoothed bootstrap

For right censored data with missing censoring indicators, sub-density function kernel estimators play a significant role for estimating a survival function. Data-driven bandwidths for computing these kernel estimators are proposed. The bandwidths are obtained as minimizers of certain estimates of the mean integrated squared error (MISE). It is shown that the smoothed bootstrap offers a motivation for choosing the proposed MISE estimates for minimization. The efficacy of the proposed procedures is investigated through simulation studies and some illustrations are provided.
Multiple-index approach to multiple autoregressive time series model

Time series which have more than one time dependent variable require building an appropriate model in which the variables not only have relationships with each other, but also depend on previous values in time. Based on developments for a sufficient dimension reduction, we investigate a new class of multiple time series models without parametric assumptions. First, for the dependent and independent time series, we simply use a univariate time series central subspace to estimate the autoregressive lags of the series. Secondly, we extract the successive directions to estimate the time series central subspace for regressors which include past lags of dependent and independent series in a mutual information multiple-index time series. Lastly, we estimate a multiple time series model for the reduced directions. In this article, we propose a unified estimation method of minimal dimension using an Akaike information criterion, for situations in which the dimension for multiple regressors is unknown. We present an analysis using real data from the housing price index showing that our approach is an alternative for multiple time series modeling. In addition, we check the accuracy for the multiple time series central subspace method using three simulated data sets.
Composite piezoelectric sensors

A hydrophone is an underwater microphone or transducer used to detect underwater sound. The sensitivity of a hydrophone is determined by the voltage that is produced by a hydrostatic pressure wave. The hydrostatic voltage coefficient, gh, relates the electric field appearing across a transducer to the applied hydrostatic stress, and is therefore a useful parameter for evaluating piezoelectric materials for use in hydrophones. Another piezoelectric coefficient frequently used is the hydrostatic strain coefficient, dh, which describes the polarization resulting from a change in hydrostatic stress. The gh coefficient is related to the dh coefficient by the relative permittivity (K): gh = dh/ɛoK, where ɛo is the permittivity of free space.
Experimental evaluation of candidate graphical microburst alert displays

The topics addressed are: (1) experimental evaluation of candidate graphical microburst displays; (2) microburst detection and alerting; (3) previous part-task simulator experiment-comparison of presentation modes; (4) presentation mode comparison-results; (5) advantages of graphical mode of presentation; (6) graphical microburst alert experiment-objectives; and graphical microburst alert experiment-overview; and (7) candidate display design.
Designing a sleep disorders curriculum for psychiatry residents

The fields of sleep medicine and psychiatry have been linked since the beginnings of scientific sleep research. From psychoanalytic theories addressing the causes and meaning of dreams at the turn ...
APTIMA assay on SurePath liquid-based cervical samples compared to endocervical swab samples facilitated by a real time database.

Background: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) cervical samples are increasingly being used to test for pathogens, including: HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) using nucleic acid amplification tests. Several reports have shown the accuracy of such testing on ThinPrep (TP) LBC samples. Fewer studies have evaluated SurePath (SP) LBC samples, which utilize a different specimen preservative. This study was undertaken to assess the performance of the Aptima Combo 2 Assay (AC2) for CT and GC on SP versus endocervical swab samples in our laboratory. Materials and Methods: The live pathology database of Montefiore Medical Center was searched for patients with AC2 endocervical swab specimens and SP Paps taken the same day. SP samples from CT- and/or GC-positive endocervical swab patients and randomly selected negative patients were studied. In each case, 1.5 ml of the residual SP vial sample, which was in SP preservative and stored at room temperature, was transferred within seven days of collection to APTIMA specimen transfer tubes without any sample or patient identifiers. Blind testing with the AC2 assay was performed on the Tigris DTS System (Gen-probe, San Diego, CA). Finalized SP results were compared with the previously reported endocervical swab results for the entire group and separately for patients 25 years and younger and patients over 25 years. Results: SP specimens from 300 patients were tested. This included 181 swab CT-positive, 12 swab GC-positive, 7 CT and GC positive and 100 randomly selected swab CT and GC negative patients. Using the endocervical swab results as the patient's infection status, AC2 assay of the SP samples showed: CT sensitivity 89.3%, CT specificity 100.0%; GC sensitivity and specificity 100.0%. CT sensitivity for patients 25 years or younger was 93.1%, versus 80.7% for patients over 25 years, a statistically significant difference (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Our results show that AC2 assay of 1.5 ml SP samples transferred to APTIMA specimen transfer medium within seven days is sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used to screen for CT and GC. CT sensitivity may be somewhat reduced in samples from patients over 25 years. SP specimens retained in the original SP fixative for longer time intervals also may have decreased sensitivity, due to deterioration of RNA, but this was not assessed in this study. The ability to tap the live pathology database is a valuable tool that can useful to conduct clinical studies without a costly prospective clinical trial.
Cognitive mediators of treatment outcomes in pediatric functional abdominal pain.

Objectives Cognitive-behavioral (CB) interventions improve outcomes for many pediatric health conditions, but little is known about which mechanisms mediate these outcomes. The goal of this study was to identify whether changes in targeted process variables from baseline to 1 week posttreatment mediate improvement in outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of a brief CB intervention for idiopathic childhood abdominal pain. Materials and methods Two hundred children with persistent functional abdominal pain and their parents were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions: a 3-session social learning and CB treatment (N=100), or a 3-session educational intervention controlling for time and attention (N=100). Outcomes were assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The intervention focused on altering parental responses to pain and on increasing adaptive cognitions and coping strategies related to pain in both parents and children. Results Multiple mediation analyses were applied to examine the extent to which the effects of the social learning and CB treatment condition on child gastrointestinal (GI) symptom severity and pain as reported by children and their parents were mediated by changes in targeted cognitive process variables and parents' solicitous responses to their child's pain symptoms. Reductions in parents' perceived threat regarding their child's pain mediated reductions in both parent-reported and child-reported GI symptom severity and pain. Reductions in children's catastrophic cognitions mediated reductions in child-reported GI symptom severity but no other outcomes. Reductions in parental solicitousness did not mediate outcomes. Discussion Results suggest that reductions in reports of children's pain and GI symptoms after a social learning and CB intervention were mediated at least in part by decreasing maladaptive parent and child cognitions.
Natural History of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is a prospective in-depth study of patients with sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. We found that 65% recover completely to functional hearing levels spontaneously and independent of any type of medical treatment. The majority do so within 14 days and many within the first few days. Prognosis can be predicted according to the slope of the initial audiogram (low-frequency losses do better than high-frequency losses), hearing at 8 kHz, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, in some select instances spatial disorientation symptoms, and speech discrimination scores. There was a very poor correlation between hearing and vestibular test abnormalities, except hypoactive calories. There were no correlations with age (excepting the very elderly), with antecedent respiratory infections, hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic diseases. We conclude that there is a fundamental difference in the behavior of apical and basal cochlea losses, that hearing recovery is always better at low than at high frequencies, that because of the high spontaneous recovery rates, tympanotomies seeking peri-lymph fistulas should be delayed ten days unless there is a progressive hearing loss, and that none of the current recommended treatments, especially histamine, have any effect on the outcome.
Antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin e for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the evidence of the supplements vitamin C and vitamin E for treatment and prevention of cancer.
Communication with the uncommunicable: proceedings of the Ethics Committee.

This is a special session of the Ethics Committee to consider the situation of Mr. R, a patient in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Mr. R is no longer able to make medical decisions for himself, and Mrs. R has decision-making authority under the Family Health Care Decisions Act of New York. However, because of the complexity of the situation and the differing views onhow to proceed, we thought we should meet today. The medical student on the team caring for Mr. R will present the case.
Functional differences between dominant grasses drive divergent responses to large herbivore loss in mesic savanna grasslands of North America and South Africa

Summary 1. Grazing and fire are disturbances integral to the evolution and maintenance of savanna grasslands. Humans are altering or completely eliminating these disturbance regimes at a global scale, with important consequences for savanna ecosystem structure and function. It is unknown whether the alteration of these disturbance regimes will have similar effects on grass communities of savanna grasslands in different geographic regions that vary in their biogeographic and evolutionary histories, as well as in the diversity of extant grazers. 2. Here, we examined the effects of large herbivore loss on different aspects of grass community structure – taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional – across a range of fire frequencies in C4-dominated mesic savanna grassland sites of North America (Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, USA) and South Africa (Kruger National Park). The goal of the study was to determine whether the loss of large herbivores exerted a consistent effect on the grass communities of two physiognomically similar grasslands with different biogeographic and grazing histories. 3. The removal of large herbivores resulted in divergent responses in the grass communities at Konza and Kruger that was consistent across fire treatments. At Konza, there was a rapid and significant response to grazing exclusion while the response was muted and transient at Kruger. Functional syndromes associated with grazing resistance were generally conserved across sites, and it was the functional strategies of the dominant species at each site that drove the divergent responses. Further, our study supports the hypothesis that grazing and aridity may be selective forces that act in parallel as those species that were grazing resistant also occupied drier niches. 4. Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that savanna grassland communities with different biogeographic and grazing histories respond differently to the removal of large herbivores and that climate, fire and grazing are interactive forces in maintaining savanna grassland diversity and function. We show that the functional attributes of the dominant grasses, which are in part driven by the biogeographic and grazing history experienced, are the most relevant in predicting the response of savanna ecosystems to the loss of large herbivores.
Coping with the Limits of Freedom of Expression: The Zündel Trials and the Rights of Holocaust Deniers

In the 1980s and 1990s, free speech scholars all over the world are witnessing a resurgence of public interest in Holocaust denial literature. While some critics argue that the best way to cope with this challenge is to encourage counter speech with maximum protection for the rights of these deniers, other commentators argue that freedom of expression is simply one of many cultural values, and that Holocaust denial threatens the search for truth, self-esteem, ethnic harmony, and social equality. An analysis of the Zundel trials provides researchers with an excellent test case with which to compare the theories and practices of these various approaches to Holocaust denial.
Humean Moral Knowledge

I develop resources from Hume to account for moral knowledge in the qualified sense developed by Bernard Williams, according to which the proper application of thick ethical terms constitutes moral knowledge. By applying to moral discernment the criteria of the good aesthetic critic, as explained in Hume's “Of the Standard of Taste”, we can see how Humean moral knowledge might be possible. For each of these criteria, an analogous trait would contribute to moral discernment. These traits would enable moral judges to distinguish valid from invalid uses of thick moral terms. The deliverances of such judgments constitute mitigated moral knowledge, as opposed to knowledge in the stricter sense that Hume clearly says cannot be had of moral distinctions. This account has the potential to explain how moral judgments may be valid or invalid without appealing to unique operations of the understanding and how moral knowledge might escape the threat, identified by Williams, of reflective destruction.
A neurotensin analog, NT69L, attenuates intravenous nicotine self-administration in rats

Abstract NT69L is a neurotensin analog that blocks nicotine-induced locomotor activity and has sustained efficacy in a rat model of nicotine-induced sensitization when administered peripherally. Additionally, NT69L attenuates food-reinforcement in rats. The present study tested the effect of acute administration of NT69L on nicotine self-infusion in Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were trained to self-infuse nicotine intravenously (0.03 mg/kg per infusion) following operant training. Once the rats acquired stable responding to nicotine self-infusion they were pretreated with NT69L (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline 30 min before being assessed for nicotine self-infusion. Pretreatment with NT69L significantly attenuated nicotine self-infusion under FR1 (fixed ratio of 1) and FR5 schedule of reinforcement as compared to saline pretreatment. Control rats that were response-independent “yoked” as well as rats that self-infused saline or NT69L showed minimal responses, indicating that nicotine served as a reinforcer. Additionally, NT69L modulated serum corticosterone; brain norepinephrine serotonin; and dopamine receptors mRNA levels altered in the nicotine self-infused rats after a 24 h withdrawal period. Pretreatment with NT69L significantly decreased the nicotine-induced increase in serum corticosterone levels and striatal norepinephrine and increased the nicotine-induced reduction in serotonin in both the striatum and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). NT69L might modulate dopamine neurotransmission implicated in the reinforcing effects of nicotine by modulating tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine receptor mRNA levels in the PFC and striatum. These data support further study of the effects of NT analogs on attenuating the reinforcing effects of psychostimulants.
Soluble Mediators of Diabetic Macular Edema: The Diagnostic Role of Aqueous VEGF and Cytokine Levels in Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss and represents an important clinical and public health problem. It is characterized by breakdown of the blood retinal barrier with fluid accumulation in the sub-retinal and intra-retinal spaces. Although several hypotheses exist for the causes of diabetic macular edema, specific molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Current thinking includes the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inflammatory cytokines in vascular permeability. We review studies showing a relationship between elevated aqueous VEGF, monocyte chemoattractant protein -1, interleukin 6, or interleukin 8 in association with DME and as predictors of DME. The presence of mediators in both the angiogenesis and inflammatory pathways data suggest a multifactorial model for the development of DME. Further studies targeting individual cytokine activity will be important to our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment.
(+/-)-5-(4-methoxyphenylaminocarbonyl)-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-2-one benzene solvate.

The title trans prolyl amide exists as a benzene solvate, C(15)H(18)N(2)O(3).C(6)H(6), with positional disorder of the prolyl ring. The molecular structure is influenced by a close intramolecular N-H...N contact that provides structural support for the intramolecular catalysis of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization.
Lipids of the oligodendroglial fraction in methylnitrosourea induced encephalopathy.

Summary The investigations were performed on oligodendroglial cells isolated from the cerebral white matter of Wistar rats treated intravenously with a 3% solution of MNU at a dose of 60 mg/ kg body weight. The oligodendroglial fraction showed a decrease of the sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine and phosphoinositides content. The observed changes correlated with alterations of the lipid spectrum found in the myelin fraction of MNU intoxicated rats. This would indicate that MNU acting in the central nervous system affects in a similar way the lipid metabolism of both components of the oligodendroglia-myelin system.
Aberrant adrenal function.

THERE are probably three general types of hormones produced by the adrenal cortex; 1) those controlling electrolyte metabolism (electrocortin or aldosterone), 2) the glucocorticoids (cortisone or hydrocortisone), and 3) the androgenic substances which are excreted as 17- ketosteroids. Normally, ACTH controls the rate of production of the glucocorticoids and the 17-ketosteroids but has little effect on the production of electrocortin. The glucocorticoids are produced quickly and profusely upon administration of ACTH, whereas the 17-ketosteroid response is slower and of smaller magnitude. Deviations from the normal are usually quantitative in nature. Some of the steroids may be produced in such grossly disproportionate amounts that metabolites, which usually appear only in traces, become the major excretory components. In the adrenogenital syndrome the androgenic substances are predominant, whereas in Cushing'ss disease the glucocorticoids are in excess.
XENON IN CHONDRULES AND MATRIX MATERIAL OF CHONDRITES.

Abstract Analyses of xenon in two olivine-hypersthene chondrites show that radiogenic xenon-129 resides in both the chondrules and in the matrix material. Radiogenic xenon-129 is more prominent in the chondrules, but the nonradiogenic xenon is more abundant in the matrix material.
Double-vacancy excitations in the L atomic levels of neodymium

The x-ray absorption spectrum of neodymium exhibits discontinuities which are the results of multielectronic excitations in the $L$ atomic shells of the elements. The observed discontinuities were identified as being the results of $2{s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}+2{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, $2{s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}+2{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, $2{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}+2{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, $2{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, and $2{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ double excitations. Two discontinuities which correspond in energy to the simultaneous creation of three electronic vacancies were noted. The measured energies and the results of relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater calculations for double-vacancy excitations are in good agreement. The magnitude of these discontinuities is difficult to determine with reasonable certainty, but it is only a few percent of the discontinuity and the ${L}_{3}$ absorption edge of the element.