cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative embolization of the external carotid artery branches as an adjunct to superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass

When technically feasible, the preferred revascularization procedure in patients with adult moyamoya disease is a superficial temporal artery–to–middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass. The caliber of the STA has been reported as a prognostic factor for a successful bypass, with smaller-caliber STA being more likely to fail. We describe a novel approach to this circumstance in which preoperative embolization of external carotid artery (ECA) branches is used to augment blood flow through a small STA as a prelude to bypass surgery. We report 2 cases: a 42-year-old female presenting with symptomatic ischemic and radiographically progressive moyamoya disease and a 23-year-old female presenting with advanced moyamoya disease secondary to diabetes. Preoperative angiography demonstrated small-caliber STAs in each case, and primary revascularization was deemed difficult. Preoperative ECA embolization was undertaken to shunt blood toward the STA, thereby increasing its flow and caliber. In both cases, angiography after embolization demonstrated a 20%-45% increase in STA size, and doppler ultrasound indicated a 14%-50% increase in flow. Subsequently, both patients underwent successful STA-MCA bypass combined with encephalomyosynangiosis without complications. Of 167 STA-MCA bypasses performed by the senior author, embolization was performed in 7 unique patients on 9 sides. ECA embolization may be a beneficial adjunct when considering a direct bypass in the setting of a small STA. It can increase blood flow through the STA, making the operation technically easier and enhancing the patency of the bypass.
Laws, Explanation, Governing, and Generation 1

Advocates and opponents of Humean Supervenience (HS) have neglected a crucial feature of nomic explanation: laws can explain by generating descriptions of possibilities. Dretske and Armstrong have opposed HS by arguing that laws construed as Humean regularities cannot explain, but their arguments fail precisely because they neglect to consider this generating role of laws. Humeans have dismissed the intuitive violations of HS manifested by John Carroll's Mirror Worlds as erroneous, but distinguishing the laws' generating role from the non-Humean notion that laws govern undermines such responses, and renews the force of Carroll's critique of HS. However, it also undermines the assumption that HS is constitutive of Humeanism. The generating role of laws readily motivates a non-reductive Humeanism that violates HS. An account is sketched, and is seen to provide a novel explanation of the governing intuition.
Exposure of Americans to polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs, are a class of brominated flame retardants that, like other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been found in humans, wildlife, and biota worldwide. Unlike other POPs, however, the key routes of human exposure are not thought to be food and fish, but rather are from their use in household consumer products, and to the high levels of PBDEs found in house dust. The exposure of Americans to PBDEs was systematically evaluated in this study. First, exposure media data on PBDE congeners were compiled. Then, an adult intake dose was derived using exposure factors in combination with these data. The exposure pathways evaluated included food and water ingestion, inhalation, and ingestion and dermal contact to house dust. These intakes were converted to a body burden using a simple pharmacokinetic (PK) model. The predicted body burdens were compared with representative profiles of PBDEs in blood and milk. The adult intake dose of total PBDEs was estimated to be 7.7 ng/kg body weight/day, and children's estimated intakes were higher at 49.3 ng/kg/day for ages 1–5, 14.4 ng/kg/day for 6–11, and 9.1 ng/kg/day for 12–19. The much higher dose for the child age 1–5 was due to the doubling of dust ingestion from 50 to 100 mg/day. The predicted adult body burden of total PBDEs was 33.8 ng/kg lipid weight (lwt), compared to representative measurements in blood and milk at 64.0 and 93.7 ng/g lwt, respectively Most of this apparent underprediction in total concentration was due to an underprediction of the key congener, BDE 47. The value for BDE 47 half-life in the body was identified as the variable most likely in error in this exercise. Other congener predictions compared well with measurements, suggesting general validity with the approach. An important finding from this assessment is that the food intake estimate of about 1.3 ng/kg/day (of the 7.7 ng/kg/day total) cannot explain current US body burdens; exposures to PBDEs in house dust accounted for 82% of the overall estimated intakes.
Science Advice in the States

In 2006 this column posed the question, “Where are all the state science advisers?” With states challenged to make more decisions about investments in research, science education, and tech-based industry, author Gillian Andres asked, Who is advising the governors? She found that few US states had science advisers within the governor’s office. An informal survey conducted by the AIBS Public Policy Office in July 2006 found that just six states (Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia) had identifiable positions. A handful of other states, including Kansas, had had science advisers in the past, and about half received advice from science and technology advisory boards. Unlike science advisers, however, these boards generally address narrower issues, such as science education and fostering ties between academia and industry. Since 2006, progress has been slow but steady. The governors of Ohio and Wisconsin appointed science advisers. Massachusetts created two advisory bodies to inform science education and ocean management in the state. Two recent reports also drew attention to the issue. A 2008 report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and a 2007 report from the National Governors Association and Pew Center on the States considered the options for providing science advice to states—ranging from science advisers in the governor’s office to state academies of science. These reports concluded that regardless of its structure, scientific expertise should be accessible to state governments in order to help officials foster innovation, make sound investments in public-private partnerships, and formulate public policy. bodies. Idaho Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter (R) disbanded his state’s Science and Technology Advisory Council in 2008. In 2005, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen (D) targeted a quarter of his state’s advisory commissions for termination, including the Science and Technology Advisory Council, to save money and reduce bureaucracy. Science advisers are also susceptible to political influence, especially when appointed by a governor: Science advisers have no job security after an election. However, the 37 gubernatorial elections this November provide an opportunity to increase the number of science advisers in state governments. For better or worse, elections are a chance to elevate the status of science within state governments and to encourage newly elected, or reelected, governors to add science advisers to their administrations. “States, like the federal government, are grappling with many issues where science expertise is crucial,” said Don Waller, professor and chair of the biological aspects of conservation major at the University of Wisconsin. “Scientists are trained to approach problems creatively and objectively—they enjoy looking at problems from many points of view. But states do not have the same staff or resources as the federal government has to respond to demands for scientific expertise. Recruiting a distinguished science adviser, or science advisory committee, represents a very cost-effective way to add that expertise.”
Paleolithic nutrition revisited: a twelve-year retrospective on its nature and implications.

Review Paleolithic nutrition revisited: A twelve-year retrospective on its nature and implications
Noncommutative coordinates invariant under rotations and Lorentz transformations

Dynamics with noncommutative coordinates invariant under three-dimensional rotations or, if time is included, under Lorentz transformations is developed. These coordinates turn out to be the boost operators in $SO(1,3)$ or in $SO(2,3)$, respectively. The noncommutativity is governed by a mass parameter $M$. The principal results are: (i) a modification of the Heisenberg algebra for distances smaller than $1/M$, (ii) a lower limit, $1/M$, on the localizability of wave packets, (iii) discrete eigenvalues of the coordinate operator in timelike directions, and (iv) an upper limit, $M$, on the mass for which free field equations have solutions. Possible restrictions on small black holes are discussed.
Photochemical studies on the tertiary butyl radical isolated in argon matrices

Abstract The t-Bu radical was isolated in an argon matrix and exposed to short wavelenght UV light. Two major phoroproducts were observed using IR spectroscopy: the first, isobutylene, was formed by cleavage of a βCH bond; the second was the i-Bu radical which could have been formed by photoisomerization, or recombination of a H atom with isobutylene.
Field-Dependent Hall Effect in Single-Crystal Heavy-Fermion YbAgGe Below 1 K

We report the results of a low-temperature $(T\ensuremath{\geqslant}50\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK})$ and high-field $(H\ensuremath{\leqslant}180\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kOe})$ study of the Hall resistivity in single crystals of YbAgGe, a heavy-fermion compound that demonstrates field-induced non-Fermi-liquid behavior near its field-induced quantum critical point. Distinct features in the anisotropic, field-dependent Hall resistivity sharpen on cooling down and at the base temperature are close to the respective critical fields for the field-induced quantum critical point. The field range of the non-Fermi-liquid region decreases on cooling but remains finite at the base temperature with no indication of its conversion to a point for $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. At the base temperature, the functional form of the field-dependent Hall coefficient is field-direction-dependent and complex beyond existing simple models, thus reflecting the multicomponent Fermi surface of the material and its nontrivial modification at the quantum critical point.
Some consequences of the strengthened interpretative rules of quantum mechanics

In this paper some consequences of the strengthened interpretative rules of quantum mechanics, which were proposed in an earlier paper, are obtained. It is also seen that, in general, the usual interpretative rules are too weak to obtain these results. For example, it is proved from the strengthened rules that if f:R → R is a Borel function which is also τ‐definable, then for each observable A the procedure ``measure A and compute f(A outcome)'' is an f(A) measurement procedure. It is also shown that there exist Borel f and observables A such that the above procedure is not an f(A) measurement procedure. Two methods of measuring the sum A + B of two observables are then considered: The measurement of A and B on different systems followed by addition of the results and (if A and B commute) the simultaneous measurement of A and B on the same system followed by addition. It is proved from the strengthened rules that the first method is not a valid measurement procedure and the second is valid. Besides these, other processes such as procedures for preparing mixtures of different states, and the empirical generation of probability measures from outcome sequences are considered.
The floral anatomy of Victoria Schomb. (Nymphaeaceae)

The vasculature and development of the flower of Victoria Schomb. are described. The vasculature is basically similar to that found in other genera of the Nymphaeaceae sensu stricto (e.g. Nymphaea L. and Nuphar Sm.). The early development of the flower is similar to that of a hypogynous flower, but meristematic activity shifts from the apex to the periphery in the form of an intercalary ring meristem. The innermost appendicular organs, including the gynoecium, arise by differentiation of tissues formed by this intercalary ring meristem. Evidence is assembled from the mature vasculature and developmental studies: (a) to refute Troll's interpretation that receptacular strips of tissue occur between the carpels and that the outer ovary wall is totally receptacular; (b) to propose that the occurrence of epeltate carpels in Victoria, as correctly described by Troll, has been phylogenetically ‘read’ in the wrong direction; (c) to propose that the flower of Victoria has evolved by (1) the adnation and connation of the proximal portions of the appendicular organs which now envelop the syncarpous gynoecium and (2) the concomitant condensation from a primitive ranalian floral apex.
Theory of a coherent atomic-beam generator

We present a many-body theory of a driven and damped trapped gas of interacting bosons, and demonstrate that one of the trap levels can become coherently populated, thereby leading to a coherent atomic-beam generator, or ``laser for atoms.'' The specific system we consider consists of a sample of bosonic atoms interacting via the near-resonant dipole-dipole interaction. The transverse center-of-mass motion of the atoms is confined by a two-dimensional potential well created by an array of cooling laser beams, while their longitudinal motion is quantized by a Fabry-P\'erot for atoms. Under appropriate conditions, the dipole-dipole selection rules lead to the simplification that only two quantized levels of atomic motion need to be considered explicitly, the other levels being treated as reservoirs. One of the two levels is the ``pump level,'' while the other is the one where atomic coherence builds up (the ``lasing'' level). The master equation describing the dynamics of these levels can be solved numerically, and its solution exhibits a ``threshold behavior'' with a transition from super-Poissonian to Poissonian atom statistics in the ``lasing mode.'' \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Retinal light adaptation - evidence for a feedback mechanism

Light adaptation is the adjustment of retinal response properties to variations in ambient illumination. It enables the encoding of visual information over a millionfold intensity range, from moonlight to broad daylight, despite the relatively small dynamic range of response of visual neurones. We have studied the effects of light adaptation on the dynamics and sensitivity of visual responses of neurones in the turtle retina, by measuring the responses of horizontal cells in the retina to light which was modulated with a sinusoidal time course around various mean levels. As a quantitative measure of the transduction from light to neural signals, we calculated the gain of response at each frequency. Gain is defined as the amplitude of the modulated response component divided by the amplitude of light modulation. We report here that the gain (mV photon−1) at low temporal frequencies decreased as the mean light level increased. Over a 2 log-unit range of mean light levels, low-frequency gain was inversely proportional to the mean light level, as in Weber's law. However, at high temporal frequencies, the gain was almost independent of mean light level. Our results are reminiscent of Kelly's1 results on human temporal-frequency sensitivity in various states of light adaptation. We found that a family of horizontal-cell temporal frequency responses, measured at various mean light levels, could be accounted for by a negative feedback model in which the feedback strength is proportional to mean light level.
Nssdc Activities With 12-Inch Optical Disk Drives

The development status of optical-disk data transfer and storage technology at the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) is surveyed. The aim of the RD the results of integration and performance tests are summarized; the operating principles of the 12-inch system are explained and illustrated with diagrams; and the need for greater standardization is indicated.
Endothelium-derived nitric oxide production is increased by ATP released from red blood cells incubated with hydroxyurea

Red blood cells (RBCs) release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in response to a variety of stimuli, including flow-induced deformation. Hydroxyurea (HU), a proven therapy for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), is known to improve blood flow. However, the exact mechanism leading to the improved blood flow is incomplete. Here, we report that the incubation of human RBCs with HU enhances ATP release from these cells and that this ATP is capable of stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production in an endothelium. RBCs incubated with HU were pumped through micron-size flow channels in a microfluidic device. The release of ATP from the RBCs was measured using the luciferin-luciferase assay in detection wells on the device that were separated from the flow channels by a porous polycarbonate membrane. NO released from a layer of bovine artery endothelial cells (bPAECs) cultured on the polycarbonate membrane was also measured using the extracellular NO probe DAF-FM. ATP release from human RBCs incubated with 100 μM HU was observed to be 2.06±0.37-fold larger than control samples without HU (p<0.05, N ≥ 3). When HU-incubated RBCs were flowed under a layer of bPAECs, NO released from the bPAEC layer was measured to be 1.34±0.10-fold higher than controls. An antagonist of the P2Y receptor established that this extra 30% increase in NO release is ATP mediated. Furthermore, when RBCs were incubated with L-NAME, a significant decrease in endothelium-derived NO production was observed. Control experiments suggest that RBC-generated NO indirectly affects endothelial NO production via its effects on RBC-derived ATP release.
The effect of reinforcement for global or analytic strategies on the performance of reflective and impulsive children

Abstract Second and sixth grade impulsive and reflective children were administered a conceptual style task with a modification that children were reinforced specifically for either global or analytic processing. Results indicated that both reflectives and impulsives were capable of offering either a global or analytic hypothesis under appropriate reinforcement. Results were interpreted as indicating the relevance of motivational factors to reflection/impulsivity and cognitive style.
Nonequilibrium Kondo impurity: Perturbation about an exactly solvable point

We perturb about an exactly solvable point for the nonequilibrium Kondo problem. In each of the three independent directions in parameter space, the differential conductance evolves smoothly as one goes away from the solvable point, and the lowest-order correction contains the logarithm of the band width, or cutoff. Perturbing towards physically realistic exchange couplings yields differential-conductance curves which more closely resemble experimental data than at the solvable point. The leading coefficient which describes the low-temperature and low-voltage scaling changes as one perturbs away from the solvable point, indicating nonuniversal behavior; however, it is restored to the solvable-point value in the limit of an infinite band width.
Korteweg stresses and admissibility criteria for shear banded flows

Abstract Nonmonotone constitutive behavior leading to shear banding occurs in a number of fluids, such as wormlike micelles and clay suspensions. In general, shear banded flows are not unique. Higher order terms in the governing equations are often introduced to distinguish a preferred solution that arises as a steady state in the long term. In the literature on wormlike micelles, stress diffusion has been widely considered for this purpose. In this paper, we discuss a different physical mechanism, based on interfacial energies and Korteweg stresses associated with them. It is shown how this criterion leads to a form of “equal area” rule.
Perceived or actual overlap between the scope of prosthodontics and other recognized dental specialties.

Abstract Prosthodontics does not overlap with other specialties but is integrated with them. This essential difference between "overlap" and "integration" should be made abundantly clear. No one denies that most of the population's dental needs must be served by the general practitioner, and no specialist can be completely capable within even his or her own specialty. Nevertheless, the prosthodontist, as all specialists, must assume the role of treating patients who require unusual care. It is the prosthodontist who most frequently assumes the primary role in the management of patients who require complex, demanding restorative care, and it is the prosthodontist who has the most intimate understanding of the proper diagnosis, treatment planning, integration of therapy, patient management, and aftercare for these patients.
Bank-based and market-based financial systems: Time-series evidence

Abstract In this paper, we reexamine the relative merits of bank-based and market-based financial systems in promoting long-run economic growth, which has been debated since the 19th century. We find that in the U.S., the U.K., and Japan, the stock market played an important role in financing economic growth, whereas the banking sector played a more important role in Germany, France, and Korea. A more detailed subsample analysis shows that for all countries, the banking sector played an important role in the early years of economic growth. Regarding the causal relation between financial systems and economic growth, except for Korea, all countries show that the financial system leads economic growth. A further analysis shows that the banking sector and the stock market in each country were complementary to each other in each country in the process of economic growth except for the U.S., where the two sectors were mildly substitutable.
High-throughput fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of affinity of peptides displayed on bacteriophage.

Abstract Fluorescence spectroscopy titrations, although widely used to analyze binding affinity, are not an efficient screening method for detecting high-affinity binding among a large number of available ligands, such as during bacteriophage display selections. We hypothesize that a miniaturized, high-throughput fluorescence spectroscopy assay can be used to efficiently analyze selection results by applying the Langmuir equation to the binding data to estimate affinity constants for a large number of ligands, either as synthesized molecules or as displayed on bacteriophage. Here, bacteriophage-display-derived peptides specific for the Thomsen–Friedenreich disaccharide are used to develop a high-throughput fluorescence spectroscopy screening method, which uses one binding partner labeled with a fluorescent dye and different concentrations of a second partner to analyze binding affinity in bacteriophage display selections. The affinity constants derived from binding isotherms prepared using the new system accurately replicate those derived from standard spectroscopy titrations. Furthermore, the technique correctly defined the affinity constant describing binding of a cognate epitope peptide by a monoclonal antibody. Finally, we have applied the technique to analysis of binding affinity by ligands displayed on bacteriophage, which suggests that this technique could be used to monitor bacteriophage enrichment during selections.
Production of D(-)-lactate from sucrose and molasses.

Escherichia coli W3110 derivatives, strains SZ63 and SZ85, were previously engineered to produce optically pure d(−) and l(+)-lactate from hexose and pentose sugars. To expand the substrate range, a cluster of sucrose genes (cscR′ cscA cscKB) was cloned and characterized from E. coli KO11. The resulting plasmid was functionally expressed in SZ63 but was unstable in SZ85. Over 500 mm d(−)-lactate was produced from sucrose and from molasses by SZ63(pLOI3501).
I only like the idea of you: Narcissists tolerate others’ narcissistic traits but not their corresponding behaviors

Abstract Do narcissists really like other narcissists? Although some research suggests that the answer is ‘yes,’ the current study demonstrates that the answer to this question is not so simple. In this study, participants ( N = 370) completed a survey in which they responded on a measure of trait narcissism and then were randomly assigned to rate the likability of people who were described by either 13 narcissistic traits (abstract-trait description condition) or 13 behavioral manifestations of these traits (concrete-behavior description condition). Results showed that narcissists (vs. non-narcissists) rated narcissistic others significantly more positively in the abstract-trait description condition, whereas this effect was non-significant (and slightly reversed) in the concrete-behavior description condition. Interestingly, this interaction effect was not modified by the contextual salience of one’s own (non)narcissistic identity. In sum, the present research presents a case of ‘narcissistic hypocrisy’ – narcissists claim to be more forgiving of narcissistic traits but do not follow through with this claim when led to confront manifestations of these traits. This finding adds to a growing body of work examining narcissists’ attitudes toward narcissism.
Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy

Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy (TOP) is a rare yet perhaps under-reported condition that has affected otherwise healthy pregnancies throughout the world. The condition presents suddenly in the third trimester of a usually uneventful pregnancy and progressively immobilizes the mother. Radiographic studies detect drastic loss of bone mass, elevated rates of turnover in the bone, and oedema in the affected portion. Weakness of the bone can lead to fractures during delivery and other complications for the mother. Then, within weeks of labour, symptoms and radiological findings resolve. Aetiology is currently unknown, although neural, vascular, haematological, endocrine, nutrient-deficiency, and other etiologies have been proposed. Several treatments have also been explored, including simple bed rest, steroids, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, induced termination of pregnancy, and surgical intervention. The orthopedist plays an essential role in monitoring the condition (and potential complications) as well as ensuring satisfactory outcomes for both the mother and newborn.
Chloral hydrate anesthesia blocks the excitatory response of dorsal raphe neurons to phasic auditory and visual stimuli in cats.

Abstract Serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus were driven, with similar temporal characteristics, by phasic auditory and visual stimuli in freely moving cats. Chloral hydrate (300–350 mg/kg, i.p) produced little change in the spontaneous activity of raphe neurons (−18.7%), but completely blocked the responsiveness of these units to sensory stimulation. Based on these and other data, we hypothesized that the anesthetic inactivates a general excitatory input to the dorsal raphe nucleus.
Using need validation to design an intelligent tangible learning environment

Tangible learning environments may be improved if combined with another successful educational technology, intelligent tutoring systems. However, design principles for tangible environments and intelligent support are often at odds. To reconcile these differences, we employ a need validation methodology to understand student needs in an intelligent tangible learning environment. We found that students seek activities that provide them with feelings of discovery, inter-group competition, and an appropriate level of challenge. In addition, students value physical movement, interactivity, and perceived relevance to their learning objectives. We discuss design implications of these findings for combining the benefits of tangible learning and intelligent support systems.
Arts-based interventions to reduce anxiety levels among college students

The current study examined the therapeutic utility of creative endeavors for the reduction of anxiety among undergraduate college students enrolled in a public university in the United States. Students were randomly assigned to participate in one of three conditions: an individual art project (n = 30), a group art project (n = 30), or a non-art control project (n = 30). An overall within-subjects effect of anxiety was noted in which participants reported reduced anxiety levels following intervention. A statistical interaction showed that anxiety was reduced by both individual and group arts interventions, but not by the control condition in which participants completed puzzles. The extent of anxiety reduction did not differ between the individual and group conditions. In conclusion, although presently underutilized, arts interventions may be a viable form of anxiety-reduction among college students.
Collision-Induced Dissociation of Branched Oligosaccharide Ions with Analysis and Calculation of Relative Dissociation Thresholds

Collision-induced dissociation (CID) is used in an external source Fourier transform mass spectrometer (FTMS) equipped with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) to study a number of complex, branched oligosaccharides. The relative dissociation thresholds for various oligosaccharide fragmentation pathways have been calculated in terms of kinetic and center-of-mass frame energy. For two isomers of difucosyllacto-N-hexaose, the loss of the fucose sugar is always the lowest energy fragment observed and occurs at the same energy for both isomers when the oligosaccharide is coordinated to a sodium ion. When the oligosaccharide is complexed to cesium, the threshold for the removal of the fucose moiety increases, indicating that the cesium is involved in a coordination complex that stabilizes the sugar. MS/MS/MS is performed on a sugar, mannose core, which does not readily fragment during MALDI. In all the sugars examined, CID produces additional structural information relative to MALDI/FTMS.
Multiscale optimization using hybrid PDE/kMC process systems with application to thin film growth

The problem of optimal time-constant and time-varying operation for transport-reaction processes is considered, when the cost functional and/or equality constraints necessitate the consideration of phenomena that occur over disparate length scales. Multiscale process models are initially developed, linking continuum conservation laws with microscopic scale simulators. Subsequently, order reduction techniques for dissipative partial-differential equations are combined with adaptive tabulation of microscopic simulation data to reduce the computational requirements of the optimization problem, which is then solved using standard search algorithms. The method is applied to a conceptual thin film deposition process to compute optimal substrate-surface temperature profiles that simultaneously maximize film-deposition-rate uniformity (macroscale objective) and minimize surface roughness (microscale objective) across the film surface for a steady-state process operation. Subsequently, optimal time-varying policies of substrate temperature and precursor inlet concentrations are computed under the assumption of quasi-steady-state process operation.
A low cost amplifier/discriminator/limiter for proportional mode wire chambers

Abstract A low cost, compact, and versatile circuit utilizes commercial integrated circuits with peripheral passive components to amplify, discriminate and limit signals from proportional mode wire chambers. Designed to duplicate input/output characteristics within ±5% without adjustment or component selection, the circuits have been successfully used in a design facility to evaluate wire chamber performance on-line to a computer. Large numbers of circuits may be ganged for precision remote discrimination level adjustment. Recovery from large overloads is instantaneous. The circuit is described, with its performance illustrated and discussed for various applications.
Stress singularities in classical elasticity–I: Removal, interpretation, and analysis

This review article has two parts, published in separate issues of this journal, which consider the stress singularities that occur in linear elastostatics. In the present Part I, after a brief review of the singularities that attend concentrated loads, attention is focused on the singularities that occur away from such loading, and primarily on 2D configurations. A number of examples of these singularities are given in the Introduction. For all of these examples, it is absolutely essential that the presence of singularities at least be recognized if the stress fields are to be used in attempts to ensure structural integrity. Given an appreciation of a stress singularity’s occurrence, there are two options open to the stress analyst if the stress analysis is to actually be used. First, to try and improve the modeling so that the singularity is removed and physically sensible stresses result. Second, to try and interpret singularities that persist in a physically meaningful way. Section 2 of the paper reviews avenues available for the removal of stress singularities. At this time, further research is needed to effect the removal of all singularities. Section 3 of the paper reviews possible interpretations of singularities. At this time, interpretations using the singularity coefficient, or stress intensity factor, would appear to be the best available. To implement an approach using stress intensity factors in a general context, two types of companion analysis are usually required: analytical asymptotics to characterize local singular fields; and numerical analysis to capture participation in global configurations. Section 4 of the paper reviews both types of analysis. At this time, methods for both are fairly well developed. Studies in the literature which actually effect asymptotic analyses of specific singular configurations will be considered in Part II of this review article. The present Part I has 182 references. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1762503#
Familial Influences on Poverty Among Young Children in Black Immigrant, U.S.-born Black, and Nonblack Immigrant Families

This study examines how familial contexts affect poverty disparities between the children of immigrant and U.S.-born blacks, and among black and nonblack children of immigrants. Despite lower gross child poverty rates in immigrant than in U.S.-born black families, accounting for differences in family structure reveals that child poverty risks among blacks are highest in single-parent black immigrant families. In addition, within two-parent immigrant families, child poverty declines associated with increasing assimilation are greater than the respective declines in single-parent families. The heads of black immigrant households have more schooling than those of native-black households. However, increased schooling has a weaker negative association with child poverty among the former than among the latter. In terms of racial disparities among the children of immigrants, poverty rates are higher among black than nonblack children. This black disadvantage is, however, driven by the outcomes of first-generation children of African and Hispanic-black immigrants. The results also show that although children in refugee families face elevated poverty risks, these risks are higher among black than among nonblack children of refugees. In addition, the poverty-reducing impact associated with having an English-proficient household head is about three times lower among black children of immigrants than among non-Hispanic white children of immigrants.
Domain structures in thin-film discrete magnetic tracks

The magnetic domain structure and recording characteristics of thin-film discrete tracks, physically etched in Co-alloy thin-film disks, have been studied. The micromagnetic characteristics of recorded transitions written on tracks with widths in the range of 0.5 to 10 mu m at bit densities of 200 to 1000 fc/mm were imaged using Lorentz electron microscopy. Previous work has shown that signal and media noise scale linearly with discrete track width to submicron dimensions. This scaling behavior is explained by the uniformity of the domain wall structure across the track width, revealed by Lorentz microscopy. No unusual domain structures are found at the edges, in contrast to conventional recording on continuous films where complex domain structures have been observed at the edges of the written tracks. Interpretation of the images provides information about the bit definition, transition zones, and the fringing fields. >
Incorporation of cholesterol into high density lipoprotein recombinants.

Abstract Apo-A-1, the principal apoprotein of high density lipoprotein, was incubated with cholesterol containing liposomes of dimyristoyl lecithin, lecithin from high density lipoprotein or sphingomyelin. Conditions were chosen to give 100% conversion of cholesterol-free liposomes into recombinants which were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation. For all phospholipids, there was a progressive decrease in incorporation of lipid into recombinants with increasing cholesterol/phospholipid ratio. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of recombinants was ∼ 45% of unreacted liposomes, for all initial cholesterol/phospholipid ratios. The reduced cholesterol content suggests exclusion of cholesterol from a fraction of recombinant phospholipid, probably a boundary layer in contact with apo A-1.
Effects of beta-2 agonist on hepatic glycogen metabolism in the fetal lamb.

ABSTRACT: To determine the effects of fetal β-2 agonist exposure on fetal hepatic glycogen metabolism, we infused ritodrine at a rate of 1.3 ± 0.4 μg/kg/min (mean ± SD) for 24 h into six chronically catheterized twin fetal lambs starting between 128 and 134 days gestation. The control twins received 0.9% saline at 1.2 ± 0.12 ml/kg/h. In addition, 15 uncatheterized fetuses were killed between 115 and 148 days gestation as unoperated controls. Ritodrine infusion produced a 1.7-fold elevation in fetal serum glucose level, from 23 ± 5 to 42 ± 15 mg/dl, and a 2-fold elevation in serum insulin level, from 16 ± 5 to 34 ± 8 mg/ml, p < 0.01. Hepatic glycogen content increased 7-fold in the uncatheterized controls between 115 and 148 days gestation (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). Ritodrine infusion reduced hepatic glycogen content by 50% from 179 ± 19 μg/mg in twin controls to 90 ± 25 μg/mg in the ritodrine-infused twins, p < 0.001. Hepatic glycogen phosphorylase kinase activity was elevated 1.3-fold from 0.149 ± 0.100 mU/mg protein in control twins to 0.186 ± 0.007 mU/mg protein in the ritodrine infused twins, p < 0.001. Glycogen phosphorylase a activity was also increased 1.4-fold from 8.60 ± 0.76 nM NADPH/min/mg protein in control twins to 11.85 ± 0.68 nM NADPH/min/mg protein in the ritodrine infused twins, p < 0.001. There were no significant differences in hepatic total glycogen phosphorylase (a + b) activity, active (I) or total I + D) glycogen synthase activity, protein, or DNA content between the ritodrine treated and control twins or between the control twins and the uncatheterized control fetuses. We conclude that β-2 agonist depletes hepatic glycogen in fetal lambs through activation of glycogen phosphorylase by glycogen phosphorylase kinase. Depletion of hepatic glycogen may be an unrecognized side effect of fetal β-2 agonist exposure.
Relationship between correlation dimension and indices of linear analysis in both respiratory movement and electroencephalogram

Abstract Objective : We investigate the relationships between signals from the electroencephalogram (EEG) and those from respiratory movement using the correlation dimension ( D 2 ). Methods : Respiratory movement and EEG were recorded for 7.5h from 7 clinically healthy men. D 2 was calculated by applying an algorithm slightly modified from that proposed by Grassberger and Procaccia (Phys Rev Lett 50 (1983) 346). Non-linearity in respiratory movement and EEG was tested by comparing D 2 for the original data with that for surrogate data. Results : A statistically significant positive correlation between D 2 of the EEG and D 2 of the respiratory movement was observed for the original data, but not for the surrogate data. Conclusions : A reduced D 2 of the EEG may be associated with an increased regularity of breathing in deep sleep (stage IV). Likewise, the increased D 2 of respiratory movement during rapid eye movement may be associated with increased complexity of the signals. Whether there is a direct coordination between brain and lungs or whether brainstem systems, including that of the cholinergic system, affect both respiration and cortex requires further investigation.
Reaction characterization by flow NMR: quantitation and monitoring of dissolved H2via flow NMR at high pressure

This communication describes an in situ method for direct observation and quantitation of dissolved H2 at high pressure with concurrent monitoring and characterization of organic reactions. This capability also allows for direct measurement of kLa values and provides insight into reactions that was not previously attainable.
Distribution of TMV movement protein in single living protoplasts immobilized in agarose

Recent studies of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) P30 movement protein (MP) fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) during TMV infection described the involvement of elements of the cytoskeleton and components of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the intracellular trafficking of MP:GFP from the sites of synthesis in the cytoplasm to plasmodesmata. To examine in real-time the pattern of synthesis, accumulation and degradation of MP:GFP, we developed a method to immobilize protoplasts in agarose such that they are maintained alive for extended periods of time. The pattern of MP:GFP accumulation in single living protoplasts visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was parallel to that previously described in a population of protoplasts harvested at different times post-infection. Additionally, a network of weakly fluorescent filaments, which are apparently different from microtubules, was observed to surround the nucleus and these filaments were associated with fluorescent bodies (previously identified as ER-derived structures). Later in infection, the fluorescent bodies increased in size and coalesced to form larger structures that accumulated near the periphery of the cells while highly fluorescent non-cortical filaments were observed distributed in the cytoplasm. The putative involvement of these filaments in targeting the fluorescent bodies to the periphery of the cell is discussed. Studies of single, embedded protoplasts make it possible to observe changes in amount and subcellular localization of viral and other proteins.
Sulfur segregation on nickel

Abstract The concentration of sulfur on the surface of Ni was determined as a function of temperature using A.E.S. techniques. Saturation coverage (θ ≈ 0.5) was observed below about 1250 K and equilibrium coverage was observed above that temperature. Analysis of the results yielded an enthalpy of segregation of S relative to the solid solution of −135 kJ mole−1 (−1.4 eV) and an enthalpy of adsorption of S of −189 kJ mole−1 (−1.96 eV) relative to 1 2 S2(g).
A remark on invertibility of Hammerstein-type operators

Abstract It is well known that if A, B are square matrices of the same order such that I + AB is nonsingular, then I + BA is also nonsingular. In this note we show that this assertion can be generalized for the case that A or B is a (not necessarily linear) operator on a linear space.
Polypeptide folding using Monte Carlo sampling, concerted rotation, and continuum solvation.

An efficient concerted rotation algorithm for use in Monte Carlo statistical mechanics simulations is applied to fold three polypeptides, U(1-17)T9D, R1, and trpzip2, which exhibit native ‚-hairpin and R-helix folds. The method includes flexible bond and dihedral angles, and a Gaussian bias is applied with driver bond and dihedral angles to optimize the sampling efficiency. Solvation in water is implemented with the generalized Born (GBSA) model. The computed lowest-energy manifolds for the folded structures of the two ‚-hairpins agree closely with the corresponding NMR structures. In the case of the R1 peptide, the folded R-helical state, which is observed as oligomers in concentrated solution and crystals, is not stable in isolation. The computed preference for random coil structures is in agreement with NMR experiments at low concentration. The fact that native states can be located on high dimensional energy surfaces starting from extended conformations shows that the present methodology samples all relevant parts of the conformational space. The OPLS-AA force field with the GBSA solvent model was also found to perform well in leading to clear energetic separation of the correctly folded structures from misfolded structures for the two peptides that form ‚-turns.
Naltrexone treatment for opioid dependence: Does its effectiveness depend on testing the blockade?

Abstract Background FDA approval of long-acting injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol) for opioid dependence highlights the relevance of understanding mechanisms of antagonist treatment. Principles of learning suggest an antagonist works through extinguishing drug-seeking behavior, as episodes of drug use (“testing the blockade”) fail to produce reinforcement. We hypothesized that opiate use would moderate the effect of naltrexone, specifically, that opiate-positive urines precede dropout in the placebo group, but not in the active-medication groups. Methods An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial ( N = 57), compared the efficacy of low (192 mg) and high (384 mg) doses of a long-acting injectable naltrexone (Depotrex) with placebo ( Comer et al., 2006 ). A Cox proportional hazard model was fit, modeling time-to-dropout as a function of treatment assignment and urine toxicology during treatment. Results Interaction of opiate urines with treatment group was significant. Opiate-positive urines predicted dropout on placebo and low-dose, but less so on high-dose naltrexone, where positive urines were more likely followed by sustained abstinence. Among patients with no opiate-positive urines, retention was higher in both low- and high-dose naltrexone conditions, compared to placebo. Conclusions Findings confirm that injection naltrexone produces extinction of drug-seeking behavior after episodes of opiate use. Adequate dosage appears important, as low-dose naltrexone resembled the placebo group; opiate positive urines were likely to be followed by dropout from treatment. The observation of high treatment retention among naltrexone-treated patients who do not test the blockade, suggests naltrexone may also exert direct effects on opiate-taking behavior that do not depend on extinction, perhaps by attenuating craving or normalizing dysregulated hedonic or neuroendocrine systems.
Some non-perturbative semi-classical methods in quantum field theory (a pedagogical review)☆

Abstract A pedagogical introduction is given to non-perturbative semi-classical methods for finding solutions to quantum field theories. Both the weak coupling method based on a time-independent classical solution, and the WKB method based on all periodic orbits are developed in detail, proceeding ffrom elementary quantum mechanics to field theory in stages. Both methods are then illustrated in model field theories. The [λo4]2 theory to which the weak coupling method is applied yields a new family of “kink” states whose properties are discussed. The WKB method is illustrated by quantizing “soliton” and “doublet” solutions of the two-dimensional sine-Gordon theory. The results are compared to consequences of Coleman's equivalence proof relating this system to the massive Thirring model. The speculation that solitons may be fermions is discussed, along with indications that the WKB method may ne yielding exact mass ratios for this theory. A final section is devoted to solutions of more realistic four-dimensional models containing fermions, internal symmetry etc. Some quark-confinement models and vortex type solutions come under this category. General remarks are made on this family of solutions, and illustrated using 't Hooft's monopole solution.