cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential regulation of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the spinal cord of mutant SOD1 (G93A) ALS mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of motor neurons throughout the central nervous system. Mutations of the free radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) are a cause of familial ALS but it is not known how mutations lead to cell death. Free radicals such as nitric oxide (NO) are thought to play a key pathogenic role. NO is synthesized by NO synthases (NOSs) from arginine, which is a rate-limiting factor for NO production. We found that neuronal NOS (nNOS)-positive motor neurons were depleted while inducible NOS (iNOS)-positive activated glial cells were increased in transgenic mtSOD1 (G93A) ALS mice. iNOS expression was up regulated consistent with the increases of motor neuron loss and glial activation and citrulline and NO levels while nNOS expression was decreased in G93A ALS mice. Administration of l-arginine to G93A mice reduced the severity of motor neuron depletion and glial activation. In treated animals, nNOS expression was preserved while citrulline and NO were reduced, possibly due to reduced activation of glia expressing iNOS. Our findings show that high concentrations of NO correlate with iNOS expression rather than nNOS expression in G93A ALS mice. This suggests that therapy focused on iNOS inhibition might be a fruitful direction for future ALS therapeutic trials.
Preferential interactions between small solutes and the protein backbone: a computational analysis.

To improve our understanding of the effects of small solutes on protein stability, we conducted atomistic simulations to quantitatively characterize the interactions between two broadly used small solutes, urea and glycine betaine (GB), and a triglycine peptide, which is a good model for a protein backbone. Multiple solute concentrations were analyzed, and each solute−peptide−water ternary system was studied with ∼200−300 ns of molecular dynamics simulations with the CHARMM force field. The comparison between calculated preferential interaction coefficients (Γ23) and experimentally measured values suggests that semiquantitative agreement with experiments can be obtained if care is exercised to balance interactions among the solute, protein, and water. On the other hand, qualitatively incorrect (i.e., wrong sign in Γ23) results can be obtained if a solute model is constructed by directly taking parameters for chemically similar groups from an existing force field. Such sensitivity suggests that small solut...
Mechanism of graphite hydrogenation catalyzed by ruthenium particles

Abstract Monolayer channeling on the basal plane of graphite is studied for the Ru-catalyzed CH2 reaction (producing CH4). Etch decoration transmission electron microscopy is the principal technique employed in the study. The monolayer channeling action commences at approximately 850 °C and involves the following sequential steps: breakage of two carbon-carbon bonds and dissolution of C in Ru at the { 10 1 l } edge/Ru interface, bulk/surface diffusion of C in Ru, and reaction of C with chemisorbed H on the Ru surface. The surface reaction is the rate-limiting step. Using a lower-bound diffusivity from filament growth data and our experimental value of solubility, the bulk diffusion flux of C in Ru is an order of magnitude higher than the overall rate. Furthermore, it is shown that the contribution of monolayer channeling to the overall carbon gasification rate is at least as important as that by deep-layer channeling.
Modeling, Analysis, and Experimental Validation of a Bifurcation-Based Microsensor

Microelectromechanical chemical and biological sensors have garnered significant interest over the past two decades due to their ability to selectively detect very small amounts of added mass. Today, most resonant mass sensors utilize chemomechanically-induced shifts in the linear natural frequency for detection. In this paper, an alternative, amplitude-based sensing approach, which exploits dynamic transitions across saddle-node bifurcations that exist in a microresonator’s nonlinear frequency response, is investigated. In comparison to their more traditional, linear counterparts, these bifurcation-based sensors have the ability to provide improved sensor metrics, eliminate power-consuming hardware from final sensor implementations, and operate effectively at smaller (e.g. nano) scales. The present work details the ongoing development of a bifurcation-based mass sensor founded upon the near-resonant response of piezoelectrically-actuated microcantilevers. Specifically, the work details the modeling and analysis of these devices, their functionalization, and proof-of-concept mass sensing experiments which not only validate the proposed technique, but allow for the direct evaluation of pertinent sensor metrics.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Flame Sheet Imaging Using CH Chemiluminescence

Abstract The detection of CH chemiiuminescence is demonstrated as a viable technique to obtain data on the falme sheet topology in turbulent reacting flows. Since the CH chemiluminescence signal originates in the flame zone near the stoichiometric surface, the technique also provides a good visualization of the instantaneous isoconcentration contour corresponding to near stoichiometric mixtures of fuel and air. The technique uses two intensified CCD cameras that are gated to provide images of the instantaneous CH chemiluminescence distribution. Advantages of this technique are that no lasers are needed and that it is straightforward to apply, typically requiring only suitable collection optics and a sufficiently sensitive detector. The primary disadvantage is that it provides a line-of-sight measurement so that, in highly turbulent flows where the flame sheet is significantly convoluted, interpretation of the flame sheet structure is difficult. Images are presented in turbulent CH4-jet flames at Reynolds ...
Use of a calibrated force gauge in clear corneal cataract surgery to quantify point-pressure manipulation.

Purpose To develop and evaluate a calibrated force gauge designed to simulate the effect of patient-induced manipulation of the eye with resultant elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and use the device to determine the stability of cataract incisions. Setting Three private practice study sites. Design Clinical trials. Methods A calibrated force gauge was developed to apply controlled and quantifiable amounts of force to the eye. In study 1, the calibrated force gauge was used to evaluate the change in IOP during application of 1 oz of external force in a group of healthy volunteers. In studies 2 and 3, the calibrated force gauge was used to assess wound leakage of clear corneal incisions that were subjected to stromal hydration or sutures, respectively. Results In study 1, with the application of 1.00 oz of external force, the mean IOP rose from a baseline of 17.49 mm Hg to 43.44 mm Hg. In study 2 (stromal hydration) using up to 1.00 oz of force, the leak rate was 67% for the main incision. The overall leak rate for study 3 (sutures) using up to 1.00 oz of force was 23.8%. No adverse events or serious adverse events occurred during these studies. Conclusions Study 1 confirmed that 1.00 oz of force is a realistic approximation of the amount of force a patient's eye may experience during rubbing. After clear corneal cataract surgery, the application of 1.00 oz of force to the ocular surface for approximately 2 to 3 seconds may simulate the propensity for postoperative wound leak resulting from patient manipulation. Financial Disclosure Drs. Masket, Hovanesian, and Raizman are consultants to Ocular Therapeutix. Dr. Masket is also a medical monitor for Ocular Therapeutix. Drs. Hovanesian and Masket are shareholders in Ocular Therapeutix. Drs. Wee and Fram have no financial disclosures.
Liquid crystal agile photonics: from fiber to the free space domain

Liquid Crystals (LC) are excellent low loss large area programmable materials for smart optical device design leading to agile photonics. This paper describes work by the Riza group to enable intelligent system design from the fiber-optic realm to the freespace optics domain of applications. Specifically, novels works will be described in fiber-optic attenuator design, freespace optical scanners, fiber-optic switches, fiber-optic delay lines, and laser beam profilers. Both theory and experimental demonstrations will be highlighted.
Infant color vision: Temporal contrast sensitivity functions for chromatic (red/green) stimuli in 3-month-olds

In order to investigate the development of temporal contrast sensitivity functions (tCSFs) for chromatic (red/green) stimuli, we obtained chromatic contrast thresholds from 3-month-old infants and adults using behavioral techniques. Stimuli were moving or counterphase-reversing sinusoidal gratings of 0.25 c/deg. Five temporal frequencies were used: 0.7, 2.1, 5.6, 11 and 17 Hz (corresponding speeds = 2.8, 8.4, 22, 44 and 67 deg/sec). In order to compare chromatic results with those obtained under luminance-defined conditions, luminance tCSFs were also obtained from adults, and previously obtained infant luminance tCSFs were used (from Dobkins & Teller, 1996a). In accordance with previous studies, adults exhibited bandpass luminance tCSFs with peaks near 5 Hz and lowpass chromatic tCSFs that declined rapidly at temporal frequencies greater than 2 Hz, and the two curves crossed one another near 4 Hz. By contrast, infants exhibited bandpass rather than lowpass chromatic tCSFs with peaks near 5 Hz. These chromatic curves were quite similar in peak frequency and general shape to previously obtained infant tCSFs for luminance stimuli. Moreover, both chromatic and luminance tCSFs in infants were found to be quite similar in peak and shape to luminance tCSFs observed in adults. These findings point to the possibility that, for 3-month-old infants, both chromatic and luminance stimuli are detected by the same underlying mechanism under these conditions. We propose that such a mechanism is probably a physiological pathway dominated by magnocellular input. Earlier studies of infant color vision are discussed in this context.
UltraScan gateway enhancements: in collaboration with TeraGrid advanced user support

The Ultrascan gateway provides a user friendly web interface for evaluation of experimental analytical ultracentrifuge data using the UltraScan modeling software. The analysis tasks are executed on the TeraGrid and campus computational resources. The gateway is highly successful in providing the service to end users and consistently listed among the top five gateway community account usage. This continued growth and challenges of sustainability needed additional support to revisit the job management architecture.In this paper we describe the enhancements to the Ultrascan gateway middleware infrastructure provided through the TeraGrid Advanced User Support program. The advanced support efforts primarily focused on a) expanding the TeraGrid resources incorporate new machines; b) upgrading UltraScan's job management interfaces to use GRAM5 in place of the deprecated WS-GRAM; c) providing realistic usage scenarios to the GRAM5 and INCA resource testing and monitoring teams; d) creating general-purpose, resource-specific, and UltraScan-specific error handling and fault tolerance strategies; and e) providing forward and backward compatibility for the job management system between UltraScan's version 2 (currently in production) and version 3 (expected to be released mid-2011).
Adsorption of albumin on rabbit sperm membranes

When mammalian sperm cells are exposed to solutions of albumin there are changes in the membranes of some species that resemble those that normally occur in the uterus prior to fertilization. We have shown that albumin molecules adsorb on to the membranes of ejaculated rabbit sperm cells, and that the equilibrium binding constant,K, (1) varies inversely with the albumin concentration, (2) is independent of the sperm cell concentration in the range 106–107 per ml, (3) is independent of the time of exposure of the sperm cells to the albumin solution, and (4) decreases in the presence of Ca++ and Mg++ ions. An unusual aspect of the adsorption is that if the albumin concentration is given the symbol [A],K[A] is a constant in our measurements. This means that for virtually the entire range of [A] studied, the sperm cells bind albumin so that half of the available surface is coated and half remains uncoated. This situation is rather remarkable and it suggests a role that adsorption could play in the physical processes preceding fertilization. In purely physical systems, the optimum for the bridging and flocculation of particles that are coated with adsorbed macromolecular films occurs when half of the available surface is covered. The sperm cell appears to provide the optimal situation for interacting with itself or with another surface.
The nature of emotional blunting: a factor-analytic study.

Abstract To investigate the components of emotional blunting, we factor-analyzed an emotional blunting scale, and examined the relationships between the derived factors and several clinical variables in two patient samples. Two factors were identified, corresponding to “lack of emotional expression” and “avolition.” The “avolition” factor was strongly related to clinical improvement after treatment. Discriminant analyses indicated that schizophrenics could be differentiated from manics by emotional expression and from depressives by avolition. Scores on two shorter scales derived from the factors were also highly predictive of clinical improvement and diagnosis. These results indicate that emotional blunting can be differentiated into two easily measured components which may have different clinical significance.
Navier-Stokes solutions for mixed compression axisymmetric inlet flow with terminal shock

AN inlet flow with mixed external/internal compressions was simulated numerically for an axisymmetric supersonic inlet model by solving the three-dimensional, unsteady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations. A study was focused on the critical flow condition with the terminal shock positioned at the inlet throat. The computed results compared favorably with available wind-tunnel data. Contents For advanced supersonic aircraft, integrated design procedures capable of handling both the external and internal flowfields are required to treat a complete inlet system such as those shown in Fig. 1. The inviscid flow analysis of Ref. 1 indicates that viscous effects must be accounted for in the computation to achieve reasonable agreement with experimental data. For the critical flow condition, in particular, the treatment of boundary-layer bleed is needed to reduce the flow separation and to stabilize the terminal shock in the inlet throat. The present study extends the inviscid inlet flow analysis of Ref. 1 but focuses on the viscous effects on the inlet flow in the critical mode of operation and on the treatment of the boundary-layer bleed condition. A combined implicit (alternating direction scheme in the streamwise and radial directions) and explicit (in the azimuthal direction) approach of Ref. 1 is adopted to solve the unsteady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations enclosed by the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model.2 The grid is divided into two zones of the H type covering the external (freestream) and internal (inlet) flowfields (Fig. 1). The computations were carried out in each zone interchangeably. The two zones are coupled on a common boundary along a line extending from the cowl lip to the upstream boundary. The no-slip condition for the viscous flow was imposed on the inlet surfaces. During the initial stage of time-iterativ e computation, the pressure at the inlet exit and the pressure differential across the bleed slot between the inlet and the plenum were raised gradually until the experimentally measured engine face pressure and inlet bleed-mass flow ratio were attained. The porous bleed holes of the experimental model were modeled geometrically by a single slot (Fig. 2) of the same length as the extent of the bleed holes. For the purpose of simulating the actual bleed through the porous holes, the gradient of pressure differential in the streamwise direction over the bleed slot was prescribed as the boundary condition and set equal to the experimental data.
Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of urinary acidic metabolites of cortisol

Abstract A method is described suitable for the analysis of the urinary acidic metabolites of cortisol which are amongst the major metabolites of this hormone (5–25% of secretion). Following hydrolysis of the urinary glucuronide conjugates and extraction of the freed steroids, methyl ester-trimethylsilyl ethers were prepared for gas chromatographic analysis. This analysis was carried out on open tubular columns coated with Carbowax stationary phase. The polar phase column permitted the complete resolution of the four acidic metabolites: α-cortolonic, β-cortolonic, α-cortolic and β-cortolic acids. ∗
Molybdopterin biosynthesis: trapping an unusual purine ribose adduct in the MoaA-catalyzed reaction.

MoaA/MoaC catalyze a remarkable rearrangement reaction in which guanosine-5′-triphosphate (GTP) is converted to cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP). In this reaction, the C8 of GTP is inserted between the C2′ and the C3′ carbons of the GTP ribose. Previous experiments with GTP isotopomers demonstrated that the ribose C3′ hydrogen atom is abstracted by the adenosyl radical. This led to a novel mechanistic proposal involving an intermediate with a bond between the C8 of guanine and C3′ of the ribose. This paper describes the use of 2′,3′-dideoxyGTP to trap this intermediate.
L-methionine suppresses pathological sequelae of cis-platinum in the rat.

Abstract The pathological changes characteristically observed in the kidney, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and duodenum of the rat given 12.2 mg/kg of cis-platinum (CDDP) ip are reduced or eliminated when a CDDP solution containing a 20-fold excess of l -methionine to cis-platinum is administered. l -Methionine was also effective in reducing the renal toxicity induced by CDDP when given orally 20 min before the iv administration of 7.5 mg CDDP/kg. l -Methionine did not compromise the efficacy of CDDP when the antitumor activity of the combination of l -methionine and CDDP was measured against the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma in the rat. No significant reduction in the antitumor activity of the CDDP resulted from the parenteral administration of l -Methionine when evaluated against the L1210 murine leukemia. The oral administration of l -methionine (500 mg/kg) 30 min after the administration of CDDP has no significant effect on the antitumor activity of CDDP in mice bearing the L1210 murine leukemia. The results suggest that l -methionine may have some practical utility in the control of certain aspects of CDDP toxicity.
Assessment of echocardiography in clinical practice

Abstract Echocardiography should be viewed as a technique that can be very useful in certain specific situations. It is important for the clinician to know which patients can profit most from this examination. Because the technique is apparently harmless, there will be an obvious tendency to use echocardiography to screen all patients with heart disease or suspected heart disease. Such an approach would be improper. The referring physician should have a specific reason for obtaining each examination. The cost of the test is not insignificant, and with the development of newer, more expensive echocardiographic equipment, future costs will probably be even higher. Thus, indiscriminate use of any diagnostic examination, including echocardiography, should be avoided. The echocardiographic examination should also be considered as evolving. Improvements are constantly being made, and the current examination is certainly not perfected. There are many technical details involved in doing this examination. This fact is the basis for the problem in training people to provide echocardiographic services. Although the examination may be reasonably harmless and painless for the patient, the technique is by no means simple. Because of the intricacies of the examination, the subtleties of the interpretation, and the knowledge explosion in the field, an increasing amount of training and experience is necessary to perform and interpret echocardiograms. Despite its many problems and limitations, the popularity of echocardiography testifies to the fact that this tool can be extremely helpful in many patients. This examination can provide information which is most difficult to obtain in any other manner. Unlike many other noninvasive cardiologic tests that provide graphic recordings of physical findings, echocardiography gives information that cannot be obtained at the bedside. In some respects, the use of ultrasound to examine the heart is more natural than any other imaging technique that relies on the interpretation of radiographic or isotopic shadows or silhouettes. Echocardiography is not dissimilar to sonar used by several animals, such as bats and dolphins. Anyone who has seen these animals use their sonar must be impressed with the fact that ultrasound can be very effective in sensing one's environment. Although we will probably never approach the skill with which these animals use ultrasound, there will undoubtedly be important improvements and advances in echocardiographic technology. Thus, from all indications, echocardiography should play an increasingly important role as a diagnostic tool in cardiology.
Cortisol increases in plasma of Holstein heifer calves from handling and method of electrical dehorning.

Abstract Changes in cortisol in plasma were used to assess stress when calves were restrained and then dehorned. Thirteen Holstein heifer calves between 3 and 4 wk of age were used over 4 d; each calf served as its own control. On d 1, 2, and 4, blood was sampled initially while calves were in a pen, 5min after being placed in a restraint chute, and then at 5, 15, 30, and 45min and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12h after simulated or actual dehorning. On d 1, dehorning was simulated. On d 2 and 4, one horn bud of each calf was cauterized, respectively; sequence of horns (right, left) and dehorning instruments (conventional electrical, Buddex™) were alternated for all calves. Day or previous dehorning procedures had no effect on initial concentrations of cortisol in plasma. However, after calves were placed in a chute, cortisol in plasma increased with each entrance. Cortisol in plasma peaked at 5min posthandling (d 1, 11.3ng/ml) or 15min postdehorning (electrical, 21.9ng/ml; Buddex™, 20.7ng/ml). These data suggest that both dehorning procedures resulted in similar rates of synthesis and secretion of cortisol.
Structure of the high affinity complex of inositol trisphosphate with a phospholipase C pleckstrin homology domain

The X-ray crystal structure of the high affinity complex between the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain from rat phospholipase C-delta 1 (PLC-delta 1) and inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) has been refined to 1.9 A resolution. The domain fold is similar to others of known structure. Ins(1,4,5)P3 binds on the positively charged face of the electrostatically polarized domain, interacting predominantly with the beta 1/beta 2 and beta 3/beta 4 loops. The 4- and 5-phosphate groups of Ins(1,4,5)P3 interact much more extensively than the 1-phosphate. Two amino acids in the PLC-delta 1 PH domain that contact Ins(1,4,5)P3 have counterparts in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) PH domain, where mutational changes cause inherited agammaglobulinemia, suggesting a mechanism for loss of function in Btk mutants. Using electrostatics and varying levels of head-group specificity, PH domains may localize and orient signaling proteins, providing a general membrane targeting and regulatory function.
Über die Lagebestimmung der Kutikularzonen innerhalb eines Segmentes von Galleria mellonella

Abstract Previous investigations led to the assumption of a concentration gradient of an unknown diffusible substance between the anterior and the posterior margin of each segment in Galleria ( Stumpf, 1966 ). Since it is possible to calculate the patterns of lines of equal concentration (isomixes), one can test whether a particular concentration level is responsible for a particular structure of the segment. The last abdominal segments of the pupa are each axially subdivided in three regions of different cuticular structure. The middle region consists of a narrow ridge of thickened cuticle. In last instar larvae, skin pieces at different distances from the anterior margin have been rotated by 180 degrees. The resulting ridge patterns in the pupae are compared with the calculated patterns of the isomix corresponding to the ridge. The shape of this isomix depends upon the relative location of the presumptive ridge in the transplant. The transplants have been cut so that in some experiments the presumptive ridge was in the middle, in others in the anterior, and in a third group in the posterior part of the transplant (Fig. 4). In each experiment the experimental ridge pattern resembles the calculated isomix pattern. Thus it can be assumed that the location and formation of the ridge depends upon one particular concentration of the gradient substance.
Reversible avascular necrosis of the femoral head in tumor-induced osteomalacia.

Objective: To document the course and reversal of avascular necrosis of the femoral heads (ANFH) in a 27-year-old woman with tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO). Methods: We describe clinical, biochem...
Bakeable UHV gate valve for microwave tube experimentation

The performance characteristics and design of an ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) gate valve intended for experiments on high-power microwave tubes are described. Tests run on the valve indicate open/close cycles can run into the hundreds or thousands without trouble. The valve was baked at 450 C or higher for at least 4 h. Applications of the valve include evaluation of NASA-design multistage depressed collectors for high-power PPM focused helix-type traveling-wave tubes.
An outer membrane enzyme encoded by Salmonella typhimurium lpxR that removes the 3'-acyloxyacyl moiety of lipid A.

The Salmonella and related bacteria modify the structure of the lipid A portion of their lipopolysaccharide in response to environmental stimuli. Some lipid A modifications are required for virulence and resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. We now demonstrate that membranes of Salmonella typhimurium contain a novel hydrolase that removes the 3′-acyloxyacyl residue of lipid A in the presence of 5 mm Ca2+. We have identified the gene encoding the S. typhimurium lipid A 3′-O-deacylase, designated lpxR, by screening an ordered S. typhimurium genomic DNA library, harbored in Escherichia coli K-12, for expression of Ca2+-dependent 3′-O-deacylase activity in membranes. LpxR is synthesized with an N-terminal type I signal peptide and is localized to the outer membrane. Mass spectrometry was used to confirm the position of lipid A deacylation in vitro and the release of the intact 3′-acyloxyacyl group. Heterologous expression of lpxR in the E. coli K-12 W3110, which lacks lpxR, resulted in production of significant amounts of 3′-O-deacylated lipid A in growing cultures. Orthologues of LpxR are present in the genomes of E. coli 0157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica, Helicobacter pylori, and Vibrio cholerae. The function of LpxR is unknown, but it could play a role in pathogenesis because it might modulate the cytokine response of an infected animal.
Communication Processes That Mediate Family Communication Patterns and Mental Well‐Being: A Mean and Covariance Structures Analysis of Young Adults From Divorced and Nondivorced Families

In this study, demand/withdraw patterns and feeling caught were tested as mediators of family communication patterns and young adults' mental well-being. Participants included 567 young adults from divorced and nondivorced families. For young adults in nondivorced families, family conversation orientations had both a positive, direct effect on mental well-being and an indirect effect on well-being through witnessing marital demand/withdraw patterns and feeling caught. For young adults in divorced families, however, conversation orientations had only a direct, positive effect on well-being, whereas conformity orientations had a negative, indirect effect through witnessing demand/withdraw patterns. Interestingly, respondents from divorced families reported more feelings of being caught between their parents, yet such feelings predicted diminished well-being only for respondents from nondivorced families.
Comparison of Laboratory and Field Calibration of a Soil-Moisture Capacitance Probe for Various Soils

AbstractThroughout the American west, irrigated agriculture has been targeted to increase water-use efficiency because of increased urban demands. Soil-moisture sensors offer a method to achieve efficiency improvements, but have found limited use primarily because of high cost and lack of soil-specific calibration equations. In this paper, the Decagon EC-20 soil-moisture sensor (a low-cost capacitance sensor) has been examined and a unique laboratory-calibration method has been developed. Field-and laboratory-calibration equations were developed for six soil types (sand, sandy loam, silt loam, loam, clay loam, and clay) in the Middle Rio Grande Valley for alfalfa and grass hay fields. The average absolute error in volumetric water content for field calibration was 0.430 m3/m3, and 0.012 m3/m3 for the laboratory calibration. The factory-calibration equation for the EC-20 was also evaluated and found to yield an average absolute error of 0.049 m3/m3. In this study, it was found that the EC-20 is a reliab...
Fabrication and characterization of high temperature superconductor Josephson junctions with a novel device design

A unique normal-metal (N) layer construction was used to fabricate high temperature superconducting (S) YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// SNS Josephson junctions. The normal-metal included a gradient Pr-doped Y/sub 1-x/Pr/sub x/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// layer which was composed of a light doping (x=0.1) next to both YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// electrodes, a slightly higher doping (x=0.3) towards the center, and a doping concentration of x=0.5 in the middle of the N-layer. A gradient of the doping profile of the N-layer instead of an abrupt one provides good thermal, structural, and chemical compatibility between adjacent regions. The multilayer configuration of the gradient Pr-doped N-layers on YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// showed good growth structure as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering channeling tests. The SNS junctions fabricated in such a way showed resistively shunted junction current vs voltage characteristics above 77 K. Microwave induced Shapiro steps above 77 K and voltage modulation of dc SQUIDs at 77 K were both demonstrated with this technology. >
Darwin's mistake: Explaining the discontinuity between human and nonhuman minds

Over the last quarter century, the dominant tendency in comparative cognitive psychology has been to emphasize the similarities between human and nonhuman minds and to downplay the differences as "one of degree and not of kind" (Darwin 1871). In the present target article, we argue that Darwin was mistaken: the profound biological continuity between human and nonhuman animals masks an equally profound discontinuity between human and nonhuman minds. To wit, there is a significant discontinuity in the degree to which human and nonhuman animals are able to approximate the higher-order, systematic, relational capabilities of a physical symbol system (PSS) (Newell 1980). We show that this symbolic-relational discontinuity pervades nearly every domain of cognition and runs much deeper than even the spectacular scaffolding provided by language or culture alone can explain. We propose a representational-level specification as to where human and nonhuman animals' abilities to approximate a PSS are similar and where they differ. We conclude by suggesting that recent symbolic- connectionist models of cognition shed new light on the mechanisms that underlie the gap between human and nonhuman minds.
Clinical evaluation of the enhanced Gen-Probe Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in prison inmates.

The reliability of the enhanced Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (E-MTD; Gen-Probe, Inc., San Diego, Calif.) for rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was evaluated by testing 1,004 respiratory specimens from 489 Texas prison inmates. Results were compared to those of mycobacterial culture (BACTEC TB 460 and Middlebrook 7H11 biplates), smear for acid-fast bacilli (AFB; auramine O), and clinical course. After chart review, three patients (nine specimens) who were on antituberculosis therapy before the study began were excluded from final analysis. Of the remaining 995 specimens, 21 were AFB smear positive: 13 grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), 6 grew nontuberculous mycobacteria, and 2 (from two patients diagnosed with TB and started on therapy after the study began) were culture negative. Twenty-eight specimens (20 patients) were positive for MTBC by culture and E-MTD. Seven specimens (seven patients) were positive by culture alone; three were from patients who had other E-MTD-positive specimens, two were false-positive cultures, and two were false-negative E-MTD results. Eight specimens were positive by E-MTD only; four specimens (four patients) were false-positive E-MTD results, and four specimens were from two patients with earlier E-MTD-positive specimens that grew MTBC. Thus, there were 22 patients with TB (10 smear positive and 12 smear negative). The sensitivity and specificity of the AFB smear for diagnosis of TB, by patient, were 45.5 and 98.9%, respectively. After resolving discrepancies, these same values for E-MTD were 90.9 and 99.1% overall, 100 and 100% for the smear-positive patients, and 83.3 and 99.1% for the smear-negative patients. Excluding the one smear-negative patient whose E-MTD-negative, MTBC culture-positive specimen contained inhibitory substances, the sensitivity of E-MTD was 95.2% overall and 90.9% in smear-negative patients. The specificity and positive predictive value of E-MTD can be improved, without altering other performance characteristics, by modifying the equivocal zone recommended by the manufacturer. These data suggest that E-MTD is a reliable method for rapid diagnosis of pulmonary TB, irrespective of the AFB smear result. Guidelines for the most appropriate use of E-MTD with smear-negative patients are needed.
Threat assessment using context-based tracking in a maritime environment

The main objective of this work is to model and exploit available maritime contextual information to provide a hypothesis on suspicious vessel maneuvers. This concept involves utilizing the L1 tracking to perform L2/L3 data fusion, i.e. refinement and assessment for situations and threats. A new context-based tracker known as the ConTracker is developed. The purpose of the ConTracker is to incorporate the contextual information into a traditional α - β tracker in such a way so that it provides a repeller or an attractor characteristics to a specific region of interest. Any behavior of the vessel that is inconsistent with the repeller or the attractor characteristics of the current vessel location would be classified as suspicious. Such an inconsistent vessel behavior would be directly indicated by a high measurement residual which may be used to estimate an accurate process noise covariance using a multiple-model adaptive estimator. Based on the rate of change of the estimated process noise covariance values, an L2/L3 hypothesis generator red-flags the target vessel. Simulation results indicate that the context based tracking enhances the reliability of erratic maneuver detection.
Radiation-hardened phototransistor

A radiation-hardened, monolithic, silicon bipolar phototransistor has been developed and produced. Common emitter current gain at 2 mA collector current is 225 and remains above 140 after irradiation of 1 E13 n/sq cm or 1 Mrad(Si). Device photoresponse to 820 nm light decreases about 30% after 1 Mrad(Si) exposure and 55% after 1 E13 n/sq cm irradiation for typical input light levels. This phototransistor is ideal for applications requiring a radiation-hardened optocoupler. >
Behavioral Treatment of Pulsatile Tinnitus and Headache Following Traumatic Head Injury Objective Polygraphic Assessment of Change

Pulsatile tinnitus is a disorder that can be extremely disabling. Nonetheless, it has not been well-researched in the fields of psychology or behavioral therapy. This article describes the evaluation and behavioral treatment of a gentleman with pulsatile tinnitus. The evaluation included polygraphic assessment of vasomotor and electromyographic function both before and after treatment. The results show that the combination of lifestyle modifications and specific behavioral interventions were successful in modifying not only self-report indices of functioning, but also the underlying physiology related to the disorder. The potential role of the various treatment components and the value of including polygraphic assessment for informing treatment and evaluating outcome are discussed.
Boundary predictive control of parabolic PDEs

This work focuses on predictive control of linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) with boundary control actuation subject to input and state constraints. Under the assumption that measurements of the PDE state are available, various finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional predictive control formulations are presented and their ability to enforce stability and constraint satisfaction in the infinite-dimensional closed-loop system is analyzed. A numerical example of a linear parabolic PDE with unstable steady state and flux boundary control subject to state and control constraints is used to demonstrate the implementation and effectiveness of the predictive controllers.
Hispanic Mothers' Perceptions of Self-Determination:

Limited research has explored the perceptions of self-determination held by diverse families. In this study, seven mothers of transition-age youth with severe disabilities who were Hispanic were in...
Ureterocalicostomy: a contemporary experience.

Abstract Objectives To report our contemporary experience with ureterocalicostomy to determine whether the indications or results have changed in modern practice. Ureterocalicostomy is a well-established treatment for patients with complicated ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and other forms of proximal ureteral obstruction. Although both retrograde and antegrade endourologic interventions have become accepted forms of management, the success rates do not approach those of open or even laparoscopic interventions, potentially leading to a greater number of patients with treatment failure and the need for more complicated reconstruction. Methods Between July 1991 and February 2004, 11 patients (4 women and 7 men), aged 19 to 68 years (mean 38), underwent open surgical ureterocalicostomy. The indications for surgery were primary UPJ obstruction in 4, failed cutting balloon incision for UPJ obstruction in 3, proximal ureteral stricture after ureteroscopic stone removal in 2, and obliterated UPJ after percutaneous nephrolithotomy and failed antegrade endopyelotomy in 1 patient each. Results Hospitalization ranged from 4 to 7 days (mean 5.1). No patient experienced a significant perioperative complication. With follow-up ranging from 5 to 32 months (mean 10.1), relief of obstruction was evident in all patients as documented by intravenous urography or nuclear renography. Furthermore, differential function on the involved side improved from a mean of 54.6% preoperatively to 60.1% postoperatively ( P Conclusions The spectrum of indications for ureterocalicostomy has changed, although excellent results can still be achieved. Although laparoscopic approaches are currently being evaluated, most patients currently undergoing this reconstructive procedure still require open operative intervention.
Nonmyeloablative Conditioning with Busulfan before Matched Littermate Bone Marrow Transplantation Results in Reversal of the Disease Phenotype in Canine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency

Abstract Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD)–1, a primary immunodeficiency disease caused by molecular defects in the leukocyte integrin CD18 molecule, is characterized by recurrent, life-threatening bacterial infections. Myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for LAD-1. Recently, canine LAD (CLAD) has been shown to be a valuable animal model for the preclinical testing of nonmyeloablative transplantation regimens for the treatment of children with LAD-1. To develop new allogeneic transplantation approaches for LAD-1, we assessed a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen consisting of busulfan as a single agent before matched littermate allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in CLAD. Three CLAD dogs received busulfan 10 mg/kg intravenously before infusion of matched littermate bone marrow, and all dogs received posttransplantation immunosuppression with cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil. Initially, all 3 dogs became mixed chimeras, and levels of donor chimerism sufficient to reverse the CLAD phenotype persisted in 2 animals. The third dog maintained donor microchimerism with an attenuated CLAD phenotype. These 3 dogs have all been followed up for at least 1 year after transplantation. These results indicate that a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen with chemotherapy alone is capable of generating stable mixed chimerism and reversal of the disease phenotype in CLAD.
The power of being heard: The benefits of ‘perspective-giving’ in the context of intergroup conflict

Although hundreds of dialogue programs geared towards conflict resolution are offered every year, there have been few scientific studies of their effectiveness. Across 2 studies we examined the effect of controlled, dyadic interactions on attitudes towards the ‘other’ in members of groups involved in ideological conflict. Study 1 involved Mexican immigrants and White Americans in Arizona, and Study 2 involved Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East. Cross-group dyads interacted via video and text in a brief, structured, face-to-face exchange: one person was assigned to write about the difficulties of life in their society (‘perspective-giving’), and the second person was assigned to accurately summarize the statement of the first person (‘perspective-taking’). Positive changes in attitudes towards the outgroup were greater for Mexican immigrants and Palestinians after perspective-giving and for White Americans and Israelis after perspective-taking. For Palestinians, perspective-giving to an Israeli effectively changed attitudes towards Israelis, while a control condition in which they wrote an essay on the same topic without interacting had no effect on attitudes, illustrating the critical role of being heard. Thus, the effects of dialogue for conflict resolution depend on an interaction between dialogue condition and participants' group membership, which may reflect power asymmetries.
Adolescent nicotine exposure sensitizes cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats bred for high and low saccharin intake.

Abstract Background Environmental factors such as early drug exposure influence drug abuse vulnerability, and evidence also suggests that drug abuse is highly heritable. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether environmental and genetic factors interact to produce additive drug abuse vulnerability. Methods An animal model of relapse was used to examine the effects of adolescent nicotine exposure on adult cocaine seeking in rats bred for high (HiS) and low (LoS) saccharin intake. Rats from HiS and LoS progenitor lines received s.c. injections of nicotine for 10 days (postnatal days 22–31). Rats were then allowed to reach adulthood and were trained to lever press for cocaine infusions. During each self-administration session, the house light (HL) was illuminated and each lever press activated a set of lights adjacent to the lever (LL). Following cocaine self-administration, the HL and LL were deactivated, cocaine solutions were replaced with saline, and rats extinguished lever pressing. Subsequently, rats were tested under a multi-component reinstatement procedure consisting of: (1) cue-induced reinstatement with LL alone and the HL presented alone, (2) cocaine-induced reinstatement without LL and HL present, (3) and cocaine-induced reinstatement with LL present. Results The results indicated that adolescent nicotine exposure sensitized the reinstatement of cocaine seeking during adulthood in HiS (but not LoS) rats when lever pressing resulted in LL cue presentations. In addition, following administration of the cocaine priming injection, rats exposed to nicotine (vs. saline) during adolescence (LoS and HiS) engaged in more cocaine seeking under the cocaine-primed reinstatement condition when lever pressing illuminated the LL. Conclusion These results suggest that drug abuse vulnerability may be a function of early life exposure to drugs of abuse in addition to genetic influences.
“Magic” revisited: Children's responses to apparent violations of conservation

Abstract Using a procedure adapted from E. Mermelstein and L. S. Shulman (1967, Child Development, 37, 39–52), kindergarten and third-grade children were exposed to one of two apparent violations of conservation or to a transformation in which conservation was preserved. In the violation conditions, water attained either the same or a higher level in a wider container than it had in a narrower container. The dependent measures were children's (a) predictions of the outcome of the transformation, (b) spontaneous reactions and verbal explanations of the actual outcome, and (c) responses to conventional conservation questions. The findings suggest that children very gradually progress from a stage at which they expect the water level to remain constant and base judgments of quantitative relations on water level alone to a stage at which they view reciprocal compensation and conservation as logically necessary. The findings indicate that, although some third-grade children may have attained the latter stage, many have not.