cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic versus deterministic variability in simple neuronal circuits: II. Hippocampal slice

Long time series of Schaffer collateral to CA1 pyramidal cell presynaptic volleys (stratum radiatum) and population spikes (stratum pyramidale) were evoked (driven) in rat hippocampal slices. From the driven CA1 region in normal [K+] perfusate, both population spike amplitude and an input-output function consisting of population spike amplitude divided by the presynaptic volley amplitude were analyzed. Raising [K+] in the perfusion medium to 8.5 mM, slices were induced to spontaneously burst fire in CA3 and long time series of inter-burst intervals were recorded. Three tests for determinism were applied to these series: a discrete adaptation of a local flow approach, a local dispersion approach, and nonlinear prediction. Surrogate data were generated to serve as mathematical and statistical controls. All of the population spike (6/6) and input-output (6/6) time series from the normal [K+] driven circuitry were stochastic by all three methods. Although most of the time series (5/6) from the autonomously bursting high [K+] state failed to demonstrate evidence of determinism, one (1/6) of these time series did demonstrate significant determinism. This single instance of predictability could not be accounted for by the linear correlation in these data.
A GUIDE TO ORTHODOX PSYCHOTHERAPY: THE SCIENCE, THEOLOGY, AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE BEHIND IT AND ITS CLINICAL APPLICATION

By Archbishop Chrysostomos. (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2007). 130 pp. $25.95. (paperback). Among the most meaningful pastoral/ecclesiological metaphors currently in vogue, none is mo...
Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor and estrogen receptor crosstalk mediates hormone-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

Abstract Estradiol (E2) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) can act independently or in concert to promote neurite outgrowth in vivo and in cultured neurons. This study examined the role of crosstalk between estrogen receptor (ER)α and the IGF-I receptor as a critical mediator of hormone- and growth factor-dependent neurite outgrowth in a homogenous cell system. We used control PC12 cells and PC12 cells stably transfected with ERα, both of which express IGF-I receptor. Cells were treated for 1 week with vehicle, 1 nM E2 or 100 ng/ml IGF-I alone or with E2 or IGF-I in the presence of either the IGF-I receptor antagonist JB1 or the ER antagonist ICI 182,780. IGF-I significantly increased neurite outgrowth, as measured by the percentage of process-bearing cells, and absolute neurite length per cell in both control and ERα-transfected PC12 cells. In contrast, E2 increased process formation and extension only in PC12 cells that were stably transfected with ERα. ICI 182,780 and JB1 blocked the IGF-I-induced increases in neurite length in both cell types. The efficacy of ICI 182,780 in control PC12 cells may have been due to the upregulation of ERα in these cells by the 7-day treatment with IGF-I. The ER and IGF-I receptor antagonists similarly blocked the E2-induced increase in neurite lengths in ERα-transfected cells. Immunofluorescent analysis of the cellular distribution of an axonal marker, phospho-neurofilament, verified that the processes extended by PC12 cells were neurites. These data suggest that receptor crosstalk between IGF-I receptors and ERα has an important role in neurite formation and extension even in a single-cell system.
Helicopter air resonance modeling and suppression using active control

A coupled rotor/fuselage helicopter analysis with the important effects of blade torsional flexibility, unsteady aerodynamics, and forward flight is presented. Using this mathematical model, a nominal configuration is selected with an air resonance instability throughout most of its flight envelope. A multivariable compensator is then designed using two swashplate inputs and a single-body roll rate measurement. The controller design is based on the linear quadratic Gaussian technique and the loop transfer recovery method. The controller is shown to suppress the air resonance instability throughout a wide range of helicopter loading conditions and forward flight speeds.
On the design of subwavelength waveguiding structures for terahertz Applications

Closing the THz gap would lead to a tremendous of advancement in a wide range of applications such as biomedical imaging, security, and material inspection. The gap refers to the lack of devices for the manipulation of THz radiation as compared to its microwave and optical counterparts. Plasmonic devices based on semiconductors rather than metals allow the realization of efficient and small scale THz devices by utilizing the unique properties of plasmon oscillations. In this paper, we investigate the performance of an InSb-SiO 2 -InSb structure for THz waveguiding. We study the propagation length and the skin depth of the symmetric and antisymmetric transverse magnetic modes of these waveguides. We use numerical techniques to solve for the dispersion relation and derive the propagation length and the skin depth as a function of frequency.
A Late-Medieval Crisis of Superstition?

ties became obsessed with it. Authors from Iberia to the Low Countries and from Paris to Vienna turned their attention to this topic, and particularly in the first half of the 1400s a wave of tracts and treatises explicitly de superstitionibus issued from their pens.1 For these men, superstition was a serious error, not the typically harmless foolishness that modern use of the term tends to convey.2 In the theology of the age, superstitio meant most basically an excess of religion, literally "religion observed beyond proper measure."3 Since human beings could not possibly offer a superabundance of proper worship beyond what God, in his perfection, deserved, this excess necessarily implied improper religious rites and observances. Superstition meant either performing elements of the divine cult incorrectly or, worse still, offering worship to entities other than the Deity.4 Such sweeping definitions could encompass a multitude of practices, and had done so in the long course of Christian history.5 For the authors of the early This article was largely written during a semester at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica. For providing an unparalleled working environment and access to unmatched resources, I thank the MGH and the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek. For financial support, I am grateful to the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung. An early version of the article was presented at the University of Mannheim, and my thanks go to PD Dr. Sabine von Heusinger for the opportunity to speak there. A later version was presented at the Newberry Library Medieval Intellectual History Colloquium, and I thank the organizers and participants for many useful suggestions. Finally, I thank the anonymous readers for Speculum, whose comments greatly improved the clarity and style of this article.
The Effect of Renal Scarring on Spontaneous Resolution and Breakthrough Infection in Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux

Purpose: Primary treatment of children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is antibiotic prophylaxis until the reflux resolves. But, it is not easy to determine in which patients the reflux resolves. We sought to determine whether renal scarring could help to predict the prognosis of reflux regarding reflux resolution and breakthrough infection. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 children, 54 boys and 36 girls, mean age 15.1 (range: 1-98) months, with VUR were analyzed retrospectively. Eighty-six presented with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) and 4 with prenatal hydronephrosis. Technetium Tc 99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans were performed at 4 months after resolution of a febrile UTI. All children were initially treated with antibiotic prophylaxis (BactrimR; TMX-SMX 2 mg/kg/day) and 40 underwent antireflux surgery. Median follow-up was 26.1 (range: 6-52) months. Reflux grade was defined by use of the International Classification System. We analyzed the incidence of renal scarring according to reflux grade, reflux resolution, and reason for antireflux surgery. Results: Normal DMSA scans were documented in 63 (70%) children and renal scarring in 27 (30%). Children with renal scarring presented high grade (III-V) VUR. VUR with renal scarring was not resolved spontaneously and increased the risk for breakthrough UTI. Renal scarring could help to predict the prognosis of reflux regarding reflux resolution and breakthrough infection. VUR grade, however, did not help to predict the prognosis of reflux. Conclusions: We conclude that VUR with renal scarring has a low spontaneous resolution rate and a high risk for breakthrough UTI. This information would be helpful when counseling the families of patients with VUR. (Korean J Urol 2009;50:699-703) 󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏
IQGAPs choreograph cellular signaling from the membrane to the nucleus

Since its discovery in 1994, recognized cellular functions for the scaffold protein IQGAP1 have expanded immensely. Over 100 unique IQGAP1-interacting proteins have been identified, implicating IQGAP1 as a critical integrator of cellular signaling pathways. Initial research established functions for IQGAP1 in cell–cell adhesion, cell migration, and cell signaling. Recent studies have revealed additional IQGAP1 binding partners, expanding the biological roles of IQGAP1. These include crosstalk between signaling cascades, regulation of nuclear function, and Wnt pathway potentiation. Investigation of the IQGAP2 and IQGAP3 homologs demonstrates unique functions, some of which differ from those of IQGAP1. Summarized here are recent observations that enhance our understanding of IQGAP proteins in the integration of diverse signaling pathways.
Applications of neural networks in manufacturing management systems

Abstract Abstract. The inherent complexities of modern manufacturing require more sophisticated systems for their management. Neural networks, which are massively parallel interconnected networks, have been shown to have extensive applications in various systems that can be used in manufacturing management. An extensive amount of literature has been published on the applications of neural networks in manufacturing, yet no comprehensive review of this literature to date has been offered. In this paper, we review the concepts and applications of neural networks as they relate to various aspects of manufacturing management.
Interrater Reliability of the Record of Driving Errors (RODE)

The Record of Driving Errors (RODE) is a novel standardized tool designed to quantitatively document the specific types of driving errors that occur during a standardized performance-based road test. The purpose of this study was to determine interrater reliability between two occupational therapy driver rehabilitation specialists who quantitatively scored specific driving errors using the RODE in a sample of older adults diagnosed with dementia (n=24). Intraclass correlation coefficients of major driving error and intervention categories indicated almost perfect agreement between raters. Using raters with adequate training and similar professional backgrounds, it is possible to have good interrater reliability using the RODE on a standardized road test.
The Development of Dose-Dense Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Dose-dense chemotherapy has made a significant contribution to the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. One way of achieving dose-density is through the use of sequential therapy with noncross resistant therapies to cause cell kill in tumors composed of heterogeneous cells. Another way to achieve this is to shorten the inter-treatment interval to minimize the re-growth of tumor cells, thus allowing for more effective cell killing. Several trials have tested this concept with the majority demonstrating improved efficacy with a dose-density when compared with the traditional schedule. One such notable trial was CALGB 9741 that showed that when dose size and cycle numbers were kept constant, shortening the interval between each chemotherapy dose, with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor support, significantly improved disease-free and overall survival. This important and practice-changing trial led to the wide adoption of dose-dense chemotherapy and formed the basis of many subsequent studies, including allowing for the addition of biologic and targeted agents with excellent safety profile.
Numerical and experimental analysis of McKibben actuators and dielectric elastomer sensors

Fiber-reinforced pneumatic actuators have the potential to enable the continually evolving technological fields of flexible control surfaces for aircrafts or aquatic vehicles, compliant limbs and graspers for robots, prosthetics, orthotics, and other human-augmenting systems. The McKibben actuator is a pneumatically actuated cylindrical construct consisting of a flexible rubber bladder sheathed in a fiber network, which garners its impressive contracting force from the inextensible fibers that prevent axial extension when an inflation pressure is applied to the internal bladder. The relationship between the axial deformation and contraction force can be accurately modeled using a large deformation continuum model. Our approach is based on the work of Kydoniefs and Matsikoudi-Iliopoulou. Specifically, numerical solutions are obtained by assuming an Ogden strain energy function for the actuator. The deformed shape of the membrane, the fiber angle and the stress components of the membrane and the fibers are predicted by using the initial shape and elastic material parameters. In this paper, a comparison between experimental and numerical modeling results are compared for various actuator geometries. Furthermore, placing a cylindrical dielectric elastomer sensor in direct contact with the inner surface of the McKibben actuator could facilitate in situ monitoring of actuator strains. To illustrate this principle, an experimental setup was developed to measure the changing capacitance of a cylindrical dielectric elastomer sensor as a function of axial extension. A comparison of the predicted and the measured response provides validation of a proposed numerical model. The effects of the dimensions of the sensor on the sensitivity of capacitance measurements are investigated in this paper.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Dairy augmentation of weight and fat loss

In his letter, Kalman1 has raised some interesting points in response to our recent publication of yogurt augmenting total and central fat loss secondary to energy. However, the concern regarding compliance as a confounding variable appears to be unfounded. As indicated in the article, 'all subjects maintained complete diet diaries, and compliance was assessed by weekly subject interview and review of the diet diary and product return (analogous to pill counts)'. To expand upon this, subjects were judged to be compliant only if their diet diaries indicated they maintained a total calcium intake of 600 mg/day exclusive of the yogurt or gelatin desert, consumed 80–100% of the product provided (based on product return) and maintained an energy intake within 200 kcal of the daily energy prescription. Using these criteria, 13 of the 18 subjects on the yogurt diet and 10 of the 16 subjects on the control diet met all criteria for compliance. Separate analysis of the compliant subjects yielded comparable data to that found in the analysis of all subjects completing the trial, although the statistical significance achieved was stronger in the compliant group.
Bivalve diets in a midwestern U.S. stream: A stable isotope enrichment study

This study examined a community of stream bivalves (unionids and fingernail clams) in a second-order woodland stream in southern Michigan using both the natural abundance of 15 N and a 6-week whole-stream 15 N enrichment experiment, as part of the Lotic Intersite Nitrogen eXperiment (LINX). Objectives included addressing what made up the diet of these bivalves and whether suspended algae consumed by bivalves were derived from pelagic phytoplankton imported from an upstream lake or attached algae sloughed from instream surfaces. Within the examination of bivalve diets, we considered whether suspension- and/or deposit-feeding modes were employed and whether bivalves selectively assimilated the algal and microbial portions of bulk material they ingested. All 12 unionid species reached a level of 15 N enrichment greater than the bulk suspended organic matter. Sphaerium striatinum (Sphaeriidae) were enriched to levels greater than all presumed food sources. Suspended algae were derived both from sloughed epilithon and pelagic phytoplankton originating from lentic waters upstream. A mixing model suggested that unionids were consuming 80% deposited and 20% suspended material. Alternatively, these bivalves were preferentially assimilating the highly enriched living component of suspended and/or benthic organic matter rather than assimilating the bulk material. These results advance our understanding of freshwater bivalve-feeding ecology, which is necessary if conservation efforts of these increasingly threatened organisms are to succeed. Freshwater bivalves were originally ubiquitous in North American rivers and streams, but they have increasingly fallen victim to anthropogenic pressures such as overharvesting, waterway impoundment, pollution, and exotic species infestation (Ricciardi and Rasmussen 1999). Bivalve conservation efforts have included translocation, but mortality rates have averaged ;50% (Cope and Waller 1995). Captive rearing programs show highly variable mussel survival rates (Dunn and Layzer 1997). Incomplete understanding of the feeding ecology of freshwater bivalves impedes successful conservation efforts. There are several ways to better understand the diet of organisms, including direct observation of feeding behavior, gut contents analysis, and examination of chemical constituents such as stable isotopes or nutrients within the tissues of organisms compared with their potential food sources. Direct observation of the feeding behavior of bivalves has
Political Parties in a Critical Era

American political history is ordinarily divided into categories called party systems. Each system contains within it a broad similarity, an apparent “equilibrium” or “politics as usual” that distinguish it from all others. The generational regularity of the transition from one party system to the next is remarkable. Or, at least it was until the critical era expected in the 1960s apparently failed to materialize. Richard Niemi and I earlier argued that, in fact, there was a critical era in the 1960s, but it failed to be noticed because it was not a partisan realignment, bringing a new voting majority to power. Nonetheless, the change in public opinion, leadership, institutional structure, and policy agenda and coalition were pervasive. In this paper, I build on the argument that the 1960s was a critical era. If it was, then we should be reaching the end of the consequent sixth party system, moving toward (or actually being in) a new critical era, leading toward the seventh party system. The dramatic elec...
Reduction of epileptic seizures through EEG biofeedback training

Abstract Biofeedback training of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) was carried out in three male and three female adolescent epileptics and in two normal controls. The patients represented a cross-section of epilepsies including grand mal, myoclonic, afocal and psychomotor types. Three of the cases were mentally retarded. 12–14 Hz (SMR) activity was detected by a combination of sharp analog filtering and digital processing. The patients were provided with feed-back whenever they produced 0.5 sec of 12–14 Hz activity of a specified amplitude. Additional feedback was provided for epileptiform activity slow waves or movement. Furthermore, feedback for SMR production was inhibited by digital logic circuitry when movement, slow waves or spikes were present. Seizure reduction was obtained in five of the six epileptics. Several patients showed increased percentage of SMR when feedback was provided and varying degrees of normalization in their EEG as demonstrated by fast Fourier, crossed power spectral density and coherence analyses.
Some oceanographic results of the Carnegie's work in the Pacific—The Peruvian Current

The surface-currents of the Pacific are fairly well known, and are represented schematically in Figure 1. It is seen that the surface circulation is approximately symmetrical on both sides of the thermal equator, which is found in latitude 6° to 8° north. The equatorial counter-current runs towards the east along the thermal equator and north and south of this line we find two enormous vortices. The southern part of the vortex on the southern hemisphere is formed by the west wind-drift, which when striking the coast of South America is deflected to the north following the coast as the conspicuous Peruvian Current.
SOME ECONOMIC DECISION PROBLEMS IN WARRANTY PLANNING

ABSTRACT Total product quality is multidimensional and includes customer acceptance as well as the usual quantitative elements for conformance, performance and reliability. Also included are broad ranges of operational expectations that are specific to the particular product. Thus to assess overall quality requires analysis of a multi-attribute vector of quality measures, some of which are subjective but cannot be ignored in making quality-related decisions. Warranty costs reflect the overall effect of these elements and can serve as an overall measure for making economic decisions. In this paper, we will summarize warranty cost models and describe two warranty planning problems that are important in engineering economic decision making.
Environmental factors accounting for benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage structure at the sample scale in streams subjected to a gradient of cattle grazing

Macroinvertebrate assemblages were related to environmental factors that were quantified at the sample scale in streams subjected to a gradient of cattle grazing. Environmental factors and macroinvertebrates were concurrently collected so assemblage structure could be directly related to environmental factors and the relative importance of stressors associated with cattle grazing in structuring assemblages could be assessed. Based on multivariate and inferential statistics, measures of physical habitat (% fines and substrate homogeneity) had the strongest relationships with macroinvertebrate assemblage structure. Detrital food variables (coarse benthic and fine benthic organic matter) were also associated with assemblage structure, but the relationships were never as strong as those with physical habitat measures, while autochthonous food variables (chlorophyll a and epilithic biomass) appeared to have no association with assemblage structure. The amount of variation explained in taxa composition and macroinvertebrate metrics is within values reported from studies that have examined macroinvertebrate metric–sediment relationships. The % Coleoptera and % crawlers had consistent relationships with % fines during this study, which suggests they may be useful metrics when sediment is a suspected stressor to macroinvertebrate assemblages in Blue Ridge streams. Findings from this study also demonstrate the importance of quantitative sampling through time when research goals are to identify relationships between macroinvertebrates and environmental factors.
The effect of geochemical factors on prevalences of dental diseases for prehistoric inhabitants of the state of Missouri.

In previous epidemiological studies, it has been suggested that geochemical factors besides fluoride may affect the prevalences of dental diseases. Our objective in this study was to determine whether the prevalences of periodontal diseases, coronal caries, and root caries for prehistoric inhabitants vary between geochemical regions of the state of Missouri. Burial sites were located on unique maps that depict geochemical variation among regions of the state. Data on dental caries and alveolar bone loss were gathered from 179 of the best preserved skeletal remains of the Late Woodland (A.D. 400-900) and Mississippian (A.D. 900-1700) periods. Mean caries scores and proportions of individuals with caries were calculated for these geochemical regions. Average alveolar bone loss was regressed on age for the individuals of these regions. Significant differences in caries and bone loss were found between several regions. These differences cannot be adequately explained by fluoride concentrations or by diet. It is suggested that geochemical factors, in addition to fluoride, may have affected the prevalences of dental diseases.
Carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and conformations of cis,cis‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene monoepoxide and cis, syn,cis‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene diepoxide

The natural-abundance 13C NMR spectra of cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene monoepoxide and cis,syn,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene diepoxide have been investigated over the temperature range of – 10 to – 180°C. Whereas the spectra of the former showed no dynamic NMR effect, two different conformations in the ratio of 3:1 were observed at low temperatures for the latter. The free-energy barrier (ΔG≠) for conversion of the major conformation to the minor conformation is calculated to be 5.9°0.2 kcal mol−1 from a line-shape analysis of spectra obtained at intermediate temperatures. It is shown that cis,syn,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene diepoxide exists in solution in chair (major) and in twist-boat (minor) conformations of slightly different energies. Interconversion paths between these conformations are discussed. The monoepoxide is suggested to have a twist-boat conformation that is rapidly pseudorotating via a boat conformation even at – 180°C.
Legionnaires' disease: nickel levels.

Nickel concentrations in lung tissues of nine deceased Legionnaire victims average nine times that of controls. There is a significant correlation between the nickel levels in the lungs of the Legionnaire victims and the weights of the lung specimens. No similar correlation is evident in the study of the victims9 kidney tissues or tissues from the controls.
Universal logic circuits and their modular realizations

In order to achieve the great economic advantage of utilizing integrated circuits in computer circuitry, it is desirable to design a circuit which can realize any logic function of a fixed number of variables by simply varying its input terminal connections. Such a circuit is called a universal logic circuit (ULC). When the number of variables becomes large, a ULC may be too complex to be built in a single package economically. Hence, it is preferred to use ULC's of a small number of variables as the modules to build a ULC of a large number of variables. Such modules are called universal logic modules (ULM's). In this paper, we shall first present a three-variable ULC, which has a fan-in for each logic gate not exceeding four, and consists of only 7 I/O pins. Then, we shall extend the ULC's to four or more variables. There are 12 I/O pins in a ULC of four variables, and several models with different fan-in limitations will be given. The logic gates in the ULC's may be all NAND or all NOR gates. Then, a simple technique for designing a ULC of any large number of variables using the ULC's of a small number of variables, say three variables, as the ULM's will be established. It will be seen that the ULC obtained by this technique will require a small number of ULM's. Moreover, the fault-detection tests for ULM's and a diagnostic procedure for locating all the faulty ULM's in the modular realization of a ULC realizing a given logic function will be presented. Finally, a method for improving the reliability of a ULC using an error-correcting code will be demonstrated.
Quantile Regression For Longitudinal Biomarker Data Subject to Left Censoring and Dropouts

Quantile regression is increasingly used in biomarker analysis to handle nonnormal or heteroscedastic data. However, in some biomedical studies, the biomarker data can be censored by detection limits of the bioassay or missing when the subjects drop out from the study. Inappropriate handling of these two issues leads to biased estimation results. We consider the censored quantile regression approach to account for the censoring data and apply the inverse weighting technique to adjust for dropouts. In particular, we develop a weighted estimating equation for censored quantile regression, where an individual’s contribution is weighted by the inverse probability of dropout at the given occasion. We conduct simulation studies to evaluate the properties of the proposed estimators and demonstrate our method with a real data set from Genetic and Inflammatory Marker of Sepsis (GenIMS) study.
Vascular endothelial-cadherin stimulates syndecan-1-coupled insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and cross-talk between αVβ3 integrin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 at the onset of endothelial cell dissemination during angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated angiogenesis depends on a cross-talk mechanism involving VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and the αVβ3 integrin. Because we have shown that αVβ3 integrin activation is dependent on its incorporation, along with the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) kinase, into a ternary receptor complex organized by the matrix receptor syndecan-1 (Sdc1), we questioned the role of this core complex in VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis. We find that the Sdc1-coupled ternary receptor complex is required for VEGF signalling and for stimulation of vascular endothelial cell migration by vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) engagement. VE-cadherin binding to Fc/VE-cadherin extracellular domain chimera activates Sdc1-coupled IGF1R and αvβ3 integrin; this depends on VEGFR2 and c-Src activated by the cadherin. Blocking homotypic VE-cadherin engagement disrupts VEGF-stimulated cell migration, which is restored by clustering the cadherin in the absence of cell-cell adhesion. This cadherin-dependent stimulation requires VEGFR2 and IGF1R and is blocked by synstatin (SSTN)(92-119), a peptide that competitively disrupts the Sdc1-coupled ternary complex and prevents the αVβ3 integrin activation required for VEGFR2 activation. VEGFR2-stimulated angiogenesis in the mouse aortic ring explant assay is disrupted by SSTN, although only early in the process, suggesting that IGF1R coupling to Sdc1 and αVβ3 integrin comprises a core activation mechanism activated by VE-cadherin that is necessary for VEGFR2 and integrin activation in the initial stages of endothelial cell dissemination during angiogenesis.
Insights derived from the structures of the Ser/Thr phosphatases calcineurin and protein phosphatase 1

The crystal structures of serine/threonine phosphatases provide the basis for understanding their inhibition by physiologically relevant compounds such as microcystin, cyclosporin and FK506. The structures also highlight the importance of a common sequence motif found in a large family of metal-containing enzymes involved in phosphate ester hydrolysis.
North Carolina Physician-Based Preventive Oral Health Services Improve Access And Use Among Young Medicaid Enrollees

To combat disparities in oral health and access to dental care among infants and toddlers, most state Medicaid programs now reimburse physician-based preventive oral health services such as fluoride varnish applications. We used geospatial data to examine the distribution of dental and medical Medicaid providers of pediatric oral health services throughout North Carolina to determine if these services have improved access to care for Medicaid enrollees younger than age three. We then used claims data to examine the association between distance from these practices and use of dental services for a cohort of approximately 1,000 young children. Among one hundred counties, four counties had no physician-based preventive oral health services, and nine counties had no dental practice. While children who lived farther from the nearest dental practice were less likely to make dental visits, distance from physician-based preventive oral health services did not predict utilization. For young Medicaid enrollees, ora...
A biopharmaceutic approach in designing a controlled release tablet of sodium monofluorophosphate: 1. in vitro and in vivo studies in beagle dogs

The purpose of this study was to develop a controlled release tablet (CRT) of sodium monofluorophosphate (NaMFP) based on biopharmaceutic and pharmacokinetic principles. NaMFP was introduced in the early eighties to treat osteoporosis. The required dose size (200 mg of NaMFP) and time of drug delivery (8.3 h) were theoretically determined based on the pharmacokinetic parameters of fluoride (F-). A CRT was formulated with ethyl cellulose (EC) by the direct compression method. The ratio of drug to polymer was adjusted 1:1, after studying the in vitro release profiles. The release mechanism from the developed dosage form followed the square root of time relationship. This dosage form was evaluated for its in vivo performance in dogs. The pharmacokinetics of F-, after the IV and PO administration of NaMFP, was determined to standardize the animal model. F- followed a two-compartment model and no significant differences were found between the two routes of administration. The bioavailability in dogs was only 60%. The reason for this poor bioavailability was postulated to be the delivery of drug extended beyond the principal sites of absorption of the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, we decided to characterize the absorption sites of NaMFP and to modify the CRT.
Decision making in a low probability, high risk setting: The case of computer viruses

Abstract Computer viruses pose a real threat to businesses in terms of their potential for wreaking havoc with one of a company's most valuable resources, its information. The responses of firms to this threat have varied widely from doing almost nothing to greatly enhancing their computer security measures. Most people view the probability of a computer virus attack as very low; however, many also recognize that the risk is very high. This study explores how managers make decisions regarding how to protect the company's information resource from a computer virus attack. A behavioral model of decision making is presented and tested through an empirical study of managers. Four major findings include (1) awareness of the computer virus problem in general is most influenced by experience with a computer virus attack (either in one's company or in a friend's firm) and by attendance at a conference concerning computer viruses; (2) awareness of protective options varies according to position of the individual within the firm; (3) awareness of curative measures that have been implemented within the firm is relatively low for managers; and (4) a major influence on the decision to take protective action comes from colleagues, supervisors and friends. Policy implications are discussed regarding what steps should be taken based on these results to help businesses protect themselves from the extensive damage that could result from a computer virus attack.
Correlations between leukocyte count and absolute granulocyte count in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy

The absolute granulocyte count (AGC) has been considered the best index for estimating the risk of infection in patients receiving myelosuppressive therapy. However, many investigators and cooperative oncology groups use the leukocyte count and extrapolate concurrent AGC values from an arbitrary conversion scale. Our review of the literature revealed no analysis of the relationship between the leukocyte count and the AGC in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. It also failed to provide a method for converting toxicity criteria from one scale to the other. To explore the possible relationship of the leukocyte count to the AGC, we have completed a retrospective analysis of leukocyte count and accompanying AGC in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. The leukocyte count and the AGC are shown to be linearly related over the entire population, enabling predictable cross-indexing from leukocyte count to AGC by the use of the formula: AGC = -0.7 + 0.8 (leukocyte count). This provides a rational basis for the development of guidelines for drug dosing and toxicity. In the patient group with leukocyte count less than or equal to 4500, however, the magnitude of random variability decreased predictive ability. Numerous patients in this group received differing toxicity scale scores when classified according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scales for AGC and leukocyte count. In some cases, as much as 46% disagreement occurred. New toxicity scales for AGC and leukocyte count, which were developed based upon the linear relationship above, reduced this disagreement substantially. These scales result in a greater agreement of toxicity ratings, and may provide a more accurate method of classifying toxicity and regulating dosages of chemotherapeutic agents.
Vibrational spectra of cyclopropene and cyclopropene-1,2-d2

Abstract The vapor and solid phase infrared spectra and the Raman spectrum of cyclopropene and the vapor and solid phase infrared spectra of cyclopropene-1,2- d 2 have been obtained. All fundamentals have been assigned for cyclopropene from observed frequency shifts in the cyclopropene-1,2- d 2 spectrum, band contours, group frequencies, and polarization measurements (Raman) for cyclopropene.
Wound infection after elective colorectal resection.

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a potentially morbid and costly complication following major colorectal resection. In recent years, there has been growing attention placed on the accurate identification and monitoring of such surgical complications and their costs, measured in terms of increased morbidity to patients and increased financial costs to society. We hypothesize that incisional SSIs following elective colorectal resection are more frequent than is generally reported in the literature, that they can be predicated by measurable perioperative factors, and that they carry substantial morbidity and cost.
Unsuccessful in vitro fertilization: a follow-up study.

Results from a follow-up questionnaire completed by 28 women who had unsuccessfully completed one or more trials of in vitro fertilization (IVF) are reported. The mean time lapse since completing IVF was 8.4 months. During that period, 33% of the respondents had applied for adoption and 11% had secured an adoptive child. More than half the respondents had abandoned biological attempts to conceive and 52% felt as though they had “resolved” the infertility crisis. Nevertheless, 93% of the respondents indicated that they would participate in any new reproductive options that would enhance the likelihood of a biological pregnancy! The results and implications of this study are discussed.
Magnetism of linear chains

Abstract Accurate self-consistent local spin density electronic structure calculations for linear chains of Ni and Fe atoms are presented which realistically treat three-dimensional nature. The one-dimensional character of the bands manifests itself in high density of states arising from van Hove singularities. Both transition metals are “strong” Stoner ferromagnets with large magnetic moments (3.3 and 1.1μ B for Fe and Ni, respectively) and have large s- and d-exchange splittings. From fits of our results to simple tight-binding models, we find that the d-d effective exchange interaction is similar to that in bulk. However, the use of standard bulk tight-binding parameters is found to be inappropriate since they qualitatively change the results by, for example, misplacing the Fermi level with respect to the band edges. Moreover, in contrast to the bulk, the linear chains also show a rather large s-exchange interaction and hence a large and positive valence contribution to the contract hyperfine field; for Fe this results in a positive contact hyperfine field of the same magnitude as in the bulk. The unique signatures of these linear systems should make their characterization experimentally feasible.
Application of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter (ECSWL) in orthopedics. I. Foundations and overview.

In this paper we have reviewed the feasibility of using a shock wave lithotripter to loosen the interface between the bone and acrylic bone cement for revision arthroplasty. We have reviewed the physics of shock wave and its applications in medicine, especially its interaction with tissues. The calculations show that the energy is greatly reduced at the interface both in the soft tissue–bone interface and cement–bone interface. On the other hand, a tensile and compressive pressure can be operated at the cement–bone interface that can cause the interface to break if the pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the cement–bone interface. Subsequent papers will deal with in vitro and in vivo application of the shock wave in the treatment of the cement-bone interface in order to weaken it and consequently for easier extraction of bone cement from the intramedullary canal.
Macrobenthos-sediment relationships on the continental shelf off cape hatteras, North Carolina

Abstract The complex current regime associated with Cape Hatteras, North Carolina results in an unusually broad range of sediment textures for open shelf areas of comparable spatial extent. The median grain size ranged from coarse to very fine sand, while the percentage of silt and clay ranged from 0 to 27%. Four assemblages of macrobenthic species were recognized, separable on the basis of sediment characteristics: (1) a muddy, very fine sand assemblage dominated by the polychaetous annelid Lumbrineris impatiens ; (2) a fine to medium sand assemblage dominated by the archiannelid Polygordius sp.; (3) a well-sorted, fine sand assemblage dominated by the amphipod Protohaustorius cf. deichmannae ; and (4) a medium to coarse sand assemblage characterized by the polychaetes Hemipodus roseus and Hesionura elongata . Multiple discriminant analysis and detrended correspondence analysis, a linear ordination technique, were used to identify which of eight sediment parameters were most useful in interpreting faunal patterns. Sediment sorting, as reflective of sediment mobility, was important in determining the dominance of fossorial species. The percentage of very fine sand and the combined percentage of silt and clay were found to be of greatest value in differentiating biotic assemblages. This conclusion is supported by similar results from previous estuarine studies, and is probably a result of surface area-related control of the type and quantity of food resources for deposit feeders.
Multiple bus network with overlapping connectivity

A multiple bus multiprocessor network with overlapping connectivity is presented. An overlapping connectivity network allows each processor to directly reach a group of memory modules. The groups of memory modules of adjacent processors overlap. Using simulation, it is demonstrated that the bandwidth of the overlapping connectivity multiple bus network significantly exceeds that of a conventional multiple bus network when the memory modules requested are close. >
Leaf reddening in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum in relation to anthocyanins, seagrass physiology and morphology, and plant protection

Numerous seagrass species growing in high-light environments develop red coloration in otherwise green leaves, yet the ecophysiology of leaf reddening in seagrasses is poorly understood. To increase our understanding of the process of leaf reddening in Thalassia testudinum found in the lower Florida Keys (USA), we identified the molecules responsible for red coloration in leaves and compared physiological, morphological, and growth attributes of entirely red-leafed shoots to entirely green-leafed shoots. We determined that four anthocyanin molecules are responsible for red coloration in leaves. In addition, we found that red leaves had higher concentrations of photoprotective pigments (anthocyanins and UV-absorbing compounds), higher effective quantum yields (ΔF/Fm′) at midday, and were shorter, narrower, and weighed less than green leaves. No significant difference in growth rates was observed between red- and green-leafed shoots, but patches of red-leafed shoots had shorter canopy heights and smaller LAI compared to patches of green-leafed shoots. Our results demonstrate that leaf reddening in T. testudinum is caused by high concentrations of anthocyanins, is associated with physiological and morphological attributes, and acts as a sunscreen since red leaves were able to maintain high effective quantum yields at high light intensities.
CLINICAL AND ANATOMICAL STUDIES ON TWO CATS WITHOUT NEOCORTEX

Two cats without neocortex are described clinically and anatomically. In the first both cerebral hemispheres were removed anterior to the thalamus; this animal lived for nine days after the second operation. It exhibited states of waking and sleep, and when awake it made purposeless circus movements. It did not eat spontaneously. In the other animal the rhinencephalon and striatum were left intact; this animal was kept alive for five months after the second operation. Immediately after the second operation it showed much more activity and a greater variety of movements and of reactivity than the thalamus cat. It reached and ate its food spontaneously, and for a time it had polydypsia, polyphagia and polyuria, which were probably due to destruction of the right nucleus filiformis. Immediately after the operation the animal developed a well-marked shaking reflex of the extremities; this was shown to be an exaggeration of the normal shaking reflex which serves to clean or dry the paws. The animal cleaned its fur spontaneously. Its motor activity, when recorded in an “activity cage,” was found to be much greater than that of a normal cat. This excessive activity was excited by noise, and increased during infection by nematodes and mange. Rotational nystagmus and after-nystagmus were studied on a rotating wheel, and were shown to follow the same rules as in intact animals and in man. As long as the speed and the amount of rotation were kept within physiological limits, the number of jerks depended chiefly on the degree of rotation. On longer rotation the after-nystagmus assumed the characters of a reaction to acceleration. Electrical stimulation, immediately before the animal was killed, of those portions of the brain which remained revealed two points which were definitely excitable. The first proved to be the anterior commissure; stimulation of this produced movements relating to smelling and eating, as puckering of the nose, licking, moving the whiskers and chewing. The second point lay above a small comma-shaped nucleus in the velum medullare; stimulation of it gave rise to urination and changes in the respiratory rhythm. The anatomical examination showed that, on the whole, the aim of the operations had been attained; the few portions of the neocortex which had been left had no fibre connections with the brain-stem. The anterior and lateral parts of the thalami had undergone severe atrophy. This atrophy was more marked on the left side on which the striatum had been damaged.
Positron annihilation in the doubly excited states of positronium negative ions.

The two-photon-annihilation rates for some $^{1}\mathrm{S}^{\mathrm{e}}$ doubly excited states of positronium negative ions are calculated. Hylleraas-type wave functions are used to represent the system. The doubly excited wave functions are obtained by use of a stabilization method. In comparing the annihilation lifetimes with the autoionization lifetimes (related to the inverse of the resonance widths that were obtained previously by using the method of complex-coordinate rotation), it is concluded that the decay mode of these lower-lying doubly excited $^{1}\mathrm{S}^{\mathrm{e}}$ states is dominated by autoionization processes.
Box products and Hurewicz spaces

Abstract If X is a Hurewicz space, then X × □ ω (ω + 1) is consistently paracompact. If X is a separable Lindelof space which is not a Hurewicz space, then X × □ ω (ω + 1) is nonnormal. Assuming Martin's axiom, there is a Hurewicz subset X of the real line such that X × □ ω (ω + 1) is paracompact but X 2 × □ ω (ω + 1) is not normal.