cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shape of porous region to control cooling along curved exit boundary

A cooled porous insert in a curved wall has a specified spatially varying heat flux applied to one side. It is desired to control the distribution of coolant flow out through this curved surface so that the surface will be kept at a desired uniform temperature. The flow regulation is accomplished by shaping the surface through which the coolant enters the region to obtain the required variation of flow resistance within the region. The proper surface shape is found by solving a Cauchy boundary value problem. Analytical solutions are given in two dimensions for various shapes of the heated boundary subjected to different heating distributions.
Selecting the “best” document delivery supplier

The column discusses four criteria for a library to select a document delivery supplier or to become a document supplier: fast turnaround time, expedited delivery options, known fees and payment options, and different methods to submit requests. Reasons why these key criteria are given.
Portfolio turnpike theorems for constant policies

Abstract This paper develops general overtaking techniques for studying the asymptotic properties of portfolio policies optimal with respect to a terminal utility valuation. For a restricted class of utility functions the sequence of optimal constant (non-revised) portfolio policies formed as the horizon recedes into the future is shown to converge. Furthermore, for utility functions unbounded above and below, this turnpike policy need not be the policy associated with the minimal constant relative risk aversion function that bounds the valuation function from above. Finally, an analogy between the portfolio turnpike problem and the turnpike problem of growth theory is studied.
The pathogenesis of herpetic ocular disease in the Guinea pig

A detailed study of the pathogenesis of herpetic eye disease in the Guinea pig was undertaken to further develop this animal model. Several well-known HSV-1 strains were tested for their ability to produce disease and cause acute and latent infections of the trigeminal ganglion: McKrae, KOS, McIntyre, RE, and Shealey. Two HSV-2 strains failed to cause eye infections. The Shealey strain [HSV-1 (Sh)] produced the most severe eye infections, characterized by epithelial and stromal disease, corneal vascularization and ulcerative blepharitis. Consequently, HSV-1 (Sh) was selected as the prototype strain for this study. The frequency and severity of HSV-1 (Sh) eye disease patterns was determined by a semi-quantitative rating scale, which permitted accurate monitoring of the temporal development of the disease patterns cited above. Virus shedding from infected eyes was also quantified. All of the HSV-1 strains tested established trigeminal ganglionic latency with varying frequency, although HSV-1 (Sh) latency approached 100 percent. The kinetics of acute ganglionic infection by HSV-1 (Sh) was determined, and peak virus titers occurred on the third day after corneal inoculation. This study emphasizes the usefulness of the Guinea pig model for investigations on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of herpetic eye infections.
Neuropeptide Y Y1 and Y5 receptors are co-expressed with GRP mRNA in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

A number of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems have been shown to participate in energy homeostasis. We have previously reported that food deprivation time-dependently decreased gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) gene expression in the medial parvocellular portion of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in rats. This region of the hypothalamus receives a dense projection of neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons from the arcuate nucleus and also expresses NPY receptors. Because this neuropeptide system is engaged during times of negative energy balance, we hypothesized that NPY may directly modulate GRP mRNA expression in the PVN during food deprivation. To address this question we examined whether GRP-containing neurons in the PVN expressed Y1 and Y5 receptors, two NPY receptor subtypes that have been implicated in food intake and energy balance. Double label in situ hybridization was accomplished by hybridization with a combination of radiolabeled probes for either Y1 and Y5 receptors and a digoxigenin-labeled probe for GRP. Emulsion autoradiography was used to detect NPY receptors and Cy3 was used for detection of GRP. Our results indicated that both GRP mRNA and Y1 and Y5 receptor mRNA's were co-localized in this hypothalamic region. This finding supports the possibility that the activity of GRP neurons in the PVN is directly linked to NPY signaling and may contribute to changes in GRP gene expression produced by food deprivation. Supported by NIH DK-046448.
Prevalence of hazardous exposures in veterinary practice

All female graduates of a major U.S. veterinary school were surveyed by mailed questionnaire to obtain details of work practice and hazard exposure during the most recent year worked and during all pregnancies. Exposure questions were based on previously implicated occupational hazards which included anesthetic gases, radiation, zoonoses, prostaglandins, vaccines, physical trauma, and pesticides. The response rate was 86% (462/537). We found that practice type and pregnancy status were major determinants of hazard exposure within the veterinary profession. Small-animal practitioners reported the highest rates of exposure to anesthetic gas (94%), X-ray (90%), and pesticides (57%). Large-animal practitioners reported greater rates of trauma (64%) and potential exposure to prostaglandins (92%), Brucella abortus vaccine (23%), and carbon monoxide (18%). Potentially hazardous workplace practices or equipment were common. Forty-one percent of respondents who reported taking X-rays did not wear film badges, and 76% reported physically restraining animals for X-ray procedures. Twenty-seven percent of the respondents exposed to anesthetic gases worked at facilities which did not have waste anesthetic gas scavenging systems. Women who worked as veterinarians during a pregnancy attempted to reduce exposures to X-rays, insecticides, and other potentially hazardous exposures. Some potentially hazardous workplace exposures are common in veterinary practice, and measures to educate workers and to reduce these exposures should not await demonstration of adverse health effects.
The N-terminal region of myelin basic protein reduces fibrillar amyloid-β deposition in Tg-5xFAD mice

Abstract Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by extensive deposition of fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Previously, myelin basic protein (MBP) was identified to be a potent inhibitor to Aβ fibril formation, and this inhibitory activity was localized to the N-terminal residues 1–64, a fragment designated MBP1. Here, we show that the modest neuronal expression of a fusion protein of the biologically active MBP1 fragment and the enhanced green fluorescent protein (MBP1-EGFP) significantly improved the performance of spatial learning memory in Tg-5xFAD mice, a model of pathologic Aβ accumulation in brain. The levels of insoluble Aβ and fibrillar amyloid were significantly reduced in bigenic Tg-5xFAD/Tg-MBP1-EGFP mice. Quantitative stereological analysis revealed that the reduction in amyloid was because of a reduction in the size of fibrillar plaques rather than a decrease in plaque numbers. The current findings support previous studies showing that MBP1 inhibits Aβ fibril formation in vitro and demonstrate the ability of MBP1 to reduce Aβ pathology and improve behavioral performance.
THE IMPACT OF ACHIEVEMENT EXPECTATIONS AND HANDWRITING QUALITY ON SCORING ESSAY TESTS

Since Rosenthal (1966) proposed that teacher expectancies actually influenced children's behavior, the expectancy hypothesis has been tested in a variety of settings. The data are controversial but the basic idea of expectancy's impact on student and teacher behavior remains intriguing. For example, Palardy (1969), Brophy and Good (1970), Entwistle, Cornell, and Epstein (1972), and Seaver (1973) have all reported substantial studies that tend to bear out the expectancy hypothesis in classroom situations. These data suggest that expectancy may indeed play an important role in regulating the classroom activities of students. But expectations appear also to alter the judgments of professional test administrators. Jacobs and DeGraaf (1973) showed that in individual tests, examiners actually gave higher scores to test records associated with high expectancy than they gave to low expectancy records, even though record content for the two groups was identical. The present study was designed to bring the expectancy phenomenon into classroom testing. Specifically the purpose of this study was to see what the effect of an achievement expectancy would be on scores given essay tests which varied in quality of handwriting. Several studies (James, 1927; Sheppard, 1929; Chase, 1968; Marshall & Powers, 1969) have shown that quality of handwriting is related to scores given to essay examinations; that is, students with good handwriting receive higher scores. The purpose of this study was to vary both handwriting quality and achievement expectation (1) to see if expectations are related to scores given essay tests, and (2) to determine how handwriting quality interacts with levels of expectancy.
Comparative analysis of weight gain, hand/wrist maturation, and dental emergence rates in chimpanzees aged 0-24 months from varying captive environments.

Variability during the first 2 years of growth and development is examined in captive chimpanzees. The mixed longitudinal study of 175 animals compares curves of weight, hand/wrist maturation, and dental emergence for groups within the sample which differ in sex, rearing circumstances (mother-reared versus hand-reared), and colony (Primate Foundation of Arizona, White Sands Research Center, and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Veterinary Sciences in Bastrop, Texas). Comparison of LOWESS fits of the curves, using a conservative jack-knife approach, reveals trends toward significant differences between colonies for weight (with 4 comparisons reaching significance) and between rearing groups for maturation (1 reaching significance). Results of a full versus reduced model approach show the same trends, for which significance is reached in a higher number of comparisons. The latter approach also indicates possible effects of sex and environmental differences on dental emergence rate. Difficulties with both approaches are discussed. It is concluded that the results are suggestive of significant sex and environmental effects on the variables monitored, justifying further analysis and continuation of the study. The study is significant in 1) providing norms specific to sex and rearing and colony environments with which individual colony animals may be compared in the assessment of their development and in 2) providing a standard, based upon data from a larger and more varied captive chimpanzee population than previously available, with which the dental emergence status and hand/wrist maturation of fossil apes and hominids may be compared.
Effect of training conditions and extended thermal cycling on nitinol two-way shape memory behavior

Shape memory alloys (SMA) are a class of materials proposed to be used as actuator elements in smart structures. They undergo a reversible martensitic phase transformation during thermal cycling. In this work, 55-nitinol (55% nickel-45% titanium shape memory alloy) was investigated to determine the effect of training conditions, bias stress and extended thermal cycling on the transformational behavior. Thin wires (0.19 mm diameter) were trained using a previously developed methodology to exhibit two-way shape memory (TWSM). The wires were placed in a cryogenically cooled apparatus and heated by electrical resistance while the wire deformation was measured. Several different training schedules were used by varying the amount of prestrain and number of training cycles. The recovery strain and transformation temperatures were measured throughout extended thermal cycling (up to 10000 cycles). A bias stress was also used to enhance the amount of retention of prestrain in the wires. In all cases, stabilization of TWSM behavior occurred within 2000 thermal cycles.
Characterization of the Mouse Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Mutation Pahenu3

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism that is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It arises from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is responsible for converting phenylalanine to tyrosine and thereby hastening its catabolism. To produce mouse models for the study of PKU, male mice were mutagenized with ethylnitrosourea and their progeny were screened for the elevated phenylalanine levels characteristic of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. Of three mutant alleles recovered, two (Pah(enu1) and Pah(enu2)) were characterized previously and shown to be missense mutations. Sequencing of phenylalanine hydroxylase cDNA from the third mutant allele, Pah(enu3), revealed that two differently sized transcripts were being produced. These transcripts contained either a 5-nucleotide insertion or a 5-nucleotide deletion and both of these modifications occurred at the same location, the exon 11-exon 12 junction. Sequencing of the exon 11-intron 11 boundary revealed a T --> G transversion in the invariant GT dinucleotide of the wild-type 5' splice donor site. The analogous human Pah mutation would be called c.1199 + 2T > G. Sequence analysis also revealed two cryptic splice donor sites, upstream and downstream of the wild-type splice site, that appear to be used when the wild type is ablated and to thereby yield the observed differently sized transcripts. The 5-nucleotide insertion and the 5-nucleotide deletion are both predicted to cause frame shifting in exon 12 and exon 13, leading to premature termination.
Regulation of nitrate uptake by amino acids in maize cell suspension Culture and intact roots.

The effect of amino acids on nitrate transport was studied in Zea mays cell suspension cultures and in Zea mays excised roots. The inclusion of aspartic acid, arginine, glutamine and glycine (15 mM total amino acids) in a complete cell-culture media containing 1.0 mM NO3 strongly inhibited nitrate uptake and the induction of accelerated uptake rates. The nitrate uptake rate increased sharply once solution amino acid levels fell below detection limits. Glutamine alone inhibited induction in the cell suspension culture. Maize seedlings germinated and grown for 7 days in a 15 mM mixture of amino acids also had lower nitrate uptake rates than seedlings grown in 0.5 mM Ca(NO3)2 or 1 mM CaCl2. As amino acids are the end product of nitrate assimilation, the results suggest an end-product feed-back mechanism for the regulation of nitrate uptake.
Effects of prolactin on the water and sodium content of larval tissues from neotenic and metamorphosing Ambystoma tigrinum.

Neotenic tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) were injected with ovine prolactin (PL) or saline for 20 days. PL-treated animals had significantly greater gill lengths, tail heights, and wet body weights than controls. Analysis of the tail revealed that PL increased the content of water and sodium ion in that tissue. Serum sodium was unaffected by PL. Similarly, PL failed to alter the water content, sodium level, or dry weight of liver tissue. In neotenes induced to metamorphose with a single injection of thyroxine (T4), the simultaneous injection of a single dose of PL was able to slow gill and tail fin resorption. This effect could be correlated with reduced water loss by gill and tail tissue from animals receiving PL along with T4. In contrast, liver water content was not affected by PL during metamorphosis. These results are discussed with regard to the action of PL on growth, development, and osmoregulation in larval amphibians.
Compensated Signature Embedding for Multimedia Content Authentication

One of the main goals of digital content authentication and preservation techniques is to guarantee the originality and quality of the information. In this article, robust watermarking is used to embed content-based fragile signatures in multimedia signals to achieve efficient authentication without requiring any third-party reference or side information. To overcome the signature alteration caused by the embedding perturbation and other possible encoding operations, a closed-form compensation technique is proposed for ensuring signature consistency by employing a Lagrangian-based approach. A minimum distortion criterion is used to ensure signal quality. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is investigated with simulations of examples of image authentication in which signatures are designed to reveal tamper localization. Results using quantitative performance criteria show successful authentication over a range of robustness in embedding watermarks using both QIM-DM and spread-spectrum techniques. A comparison with two iterative compensation schemes is also presented.
Viscoelastic analysis of irradiated graphite with variable creep coefficient

Abstract This paper provides a refined analysis of a previous study concerning a method of stress analysis for irradiated graphite which may be used for molten salt breeder reactor (MSBR) core design. The present method includes the effect of a variable creep coefficient which is caused by the non-uniform temperature distribution. To facilitate a simple formulation, it is assumed that the temperature dependence of the elastic response of the material is approximated to be inversely proportional to the creep rate. It is shown that the problem reduces to the solution of several associated (fictitious) elastic problems which have a common elastic modulus inversely proportional to the creep rate of the irradiated graphite. Numerical examples in the previous paper were recalculated on the basis of the present theory. It shows, for large dose values, some small differences compared with the previous calculation. This method is expected to be more effective for higher dose values and more sensitive creep coefficients.
Do we need to expand our field of view for imaging of atherosclerosis

Noninvasive imaging plays a central role in the management of the patient with atherosclerosis. It provides key pieces of information regarding disease detection, severity, progression, and regression. Indeed, the importance of noninvasive imaging is highlighted by the continued refinement and
Nanoporous polymer ring resonators for biosensing

Optically resonant devices are promising as label-free biomolecular sensors due to their ability to concentrate electromagnetic energy into small mode volumes and their capacity for multiplexed detection. A fundamental limitation of current optical biosensor technology is that the biomolecular interactions are limited to the surface of the resonant device, while the highest intensity of electromagnetic energy is trapped within the core. In this paper, we present nanoporous polymer optofluidic devices consisting of ring resonators coupled to bus waveguides. We report a 40% increase in polymer device sensitivity attributed to the addition of core energy- bioanalyte interactions.
Smooth Asymmetric Two-Dimensional Indentation of a Finite Elastic Beam

Standard methods of beam indentation analysis use a beam theory solution to obtain the load-displacement relationship and a Hertz solution to calculate local stresses. However, when the contact length exceeds the thickness of the beam point contact can no longer be assumed and Hertzian relations are no longer valid. This paper presents an improved superposition solution technique that uses a true elasticity solution to obtain the load-displacement relationship in non-Hertzian indentation problems.
Defining and Comparing the Reading Comprehension Construct: A Cognitive-Psychometric Modeling Approach

As a construct definition, the current study develops a cognitive model describing the knowledge, skills, and abilities measured by critical reading test items on a high-stakes assessment used for selection decisions in the United States. Additionally, in order to establish generalizability of the construct meaning to other similarly structured tests designed for international populations and distinct uses, the skills invoked during a reading comprehension test for English learners from a previous study are contrasted to those in the present study. The results obtained using rule-space methodology suggest that the most difficult skills on reading comprehension items pertain to complex cognitive processes (e.g., understanding implicit ideas), while skills tapping into basic cognitive processes (e.g., word meaning) are mastered with ease by both populations. However, variations across tests in the impact of various cognitive skills on test scores suggest that the differences in construct meaning be consider...
Nutrient concentration-stream discharge relationships during storm events in a first-order stream

The relationship between nutrient element concentration and stream discharge during storm events was studied in a nutrient-rich first order stream. Stream concentrations of NO3-N, phosphate-P, Ca, and Mg were determined during the course of and following thunderstorms. Nutrient element trajectories were constructed for the elements monitored and some recognizable and reproducible patterns in nutrient concentrations emerged. NO3-N and phosphate-P generally increased in concentration during the early stages of increasing stream discharge resulting in a general clockwise trajectory. Ca and Mg consistently showed decreases in concentration during rising water, but the pattern of the trajectories was less constant. The patterns seen for NO3-N and phosphate-P suggest surface run-off as their origin while the patterns for Ca and Mg reflect their primary origin in groundwater. The ability to detect these differences from the analysis of nutrient trajectories suggests the use of this technique for determining the source of other elements in streams.
Self‐Concepts, Domain Values, and Self‐Esteem: Relations and Changes at Early Adolescence

We assessed how children's self-concepts of ability for mathematics, English, social, and physical skills activities, ratings of the importance of these activities, and general self-esteem change across the transition to junior high school. Three types of change were assessed: change in mean levels, change in stability, and change in relationships. Twice each year during the sixth and seventh grades, 1,450 children completed questionnaires. Mean levels of children's self-esteem were lowest immediately after the transition, but recovered during seventh grade. Self-concept of ability and importance ratings for math and sports activities showed linear declines. Self-concept of ability for social activities showed a cubic trend, but importance ratings for social activities declined in a linear fashion. Children's self-concepts of ability for math and English became less stable across the junior high transition, whereas beliefs about other activities and general self-esteem were more stable in seventh grade.
Crystallization kinetics during regional metamorphism of porphyroblastic rocks

Numerical simulations of diffusion-controlled nucleation and growth of garnet porphyroblasts in regionally metamorphosed rocks constrain interfacial energy and rates of nucleation and Al inter- granular diffusion. The 13 rocks analysed in this study were collected from seven localities exhibiting a diverse range of crystallization conditions. Kinetic parameters governing nucleation and intergranu- lar diffusion were adjusted iteratively to achieve fits between simulated and natural porphyroblastic textures. Model fits were assessed primarily from textural characteristics precisely measured by high- resolution X-ray computed tomography. Interfacial energy for heterogeneous nucleation ranges from 0.007 to 0.255 J m � 2 for the sample suite, assuming shape factors in the range 0.01-1.0. Nucleation rates change through space and time due to growth and impingement of Al depletion zones surround- ing porphyroblasts. In some models, the overall rock-wide nucleation rate rises steeply, achieves a steady state, and then falls rapidly as reactants are consumed; in others, the steady state is not achieved, but instead the rate simply peaks before falling. Maximum rock-wide nucleation rates range from 10 � 14.7 to 10 � 10.7 nuclei cm � 3 s � 1 , and maximum local rates range from 10 � 13.7 to 10 � 9.7 nuclei∙cm � 3 s � 1 depending on Al supersaturation. Diffusive fluxes of Al are well constrained by the simulated textures, but rates of intergranular diffusion are subject to uncertainties in Al solubility and interconnected porosity. Best estimates of Al diffusivities at 600 °C span 10 � 12.3 to 10 � 10.5 m 2 s � 1 for the sample suite, a narrow range considering natural variability and the uncertainties in solubility and porosity. Eliminating some models suspected of higher uncertainty for these quantities yields dif- fusivities at 600 °C near 10 � 11.0 m 2 s � 1 , with dispersion of less than half an order of magnitude. These simulations, which are among the first attempted for regionally metamorphosed rocks, empha- size that: (i) nucleation rates vary markedly in time and space during crystallization; (ii) nucleation extends well beyond equilibrium conditions; (iii) Al diffusivity likely varies over only a narrow range across common metamorphic circumstances; and (iv) better determinations of both Al solubility and interconnected porosity are needed to constrain rates of Al intergranular diffusion more precisely.
Parameter estimation of labial movements in speech production: implications for speech motor control.

Central to theories of speech motor control are estimates on magnitudes of lip activity expressed in terms of central tendency, variability, and interrelatedness. In fact, the tenability of each of...
Exceptional Lability of a Genomic Complex in Rice and its Close Relatives Revealed by Interspecific and Intraspecific Comparison and Population Analysis

Extensive DNA rearrangement of genic colinearity, as revealed by comparison of orthologous genomic regions, has been shown to be a general concept describing evolutionary dynamics of plant genomes. However, the nature, timing, lineages and adaptation of local genomic rearrangement in closely related species (e.g., within a genus) and haplotype variation of genomic rearrangement within populations have not been well documented. We previously identified a hotspot for genic rearrangement and transposon accumulation in the Orp region of Asian rice (Oryza sativa, AA) by comparison with its orthologous region in sorghum. Here, we report the comparative analysis of this region with its orthologous regions in the wild progenitor species (O. nivara, AA) of Asian rice and African rice (O. glaberrima) using the BB genome Oryza species (O. punctata) as an outgroup, and investigation of transposon insertion sites and a segmental inversion event in the AA genomes at the population level. We found that Orp region was primarily and recently expanded in the Asian rice species O. sativa and O. nivara. LTR-retrotransposons shared by the three AA-genomic regions have been fixed in all the 94 varieties that represent different populations of the AA-genome species/subspecies, indicating their adaptive role in genome differentiation. However, LTR-retrotransposons unique to either O. nivara or O. sativa regions exhibited dramatic haplotype variation regarding their presence or absence between or within populations/subpopulations. The LTR-retrotransposon insertion hotspot in the Orp region was formed recently, independently and concurrently in different AA-genome species, and that the genic rearrangements detected in different species appear to be differentially triggered by transposable elements. This region is located near the end of the short arm of chromosome 8 and contains a high proportion of LTR-retrotransposons similar to observed in the centromeric region of this same chromosome, and thus may represent a genomic region that has recently switched from euchromatic to heterochromatic states. The haplotype variation of LTR-retrotransposon insertions within this region reveals substantial admixture among various subpopulations as established by molecular markers at the whole genome level, and can be used to develop retrotransposon junction markers for simple and rapid classification of O. sativa germplasm.
Regulation of human B lymphocyte activation by opioid peptide hormones. Inhibition of IgG production by opioid receptor class ( μ-, κ-, and δ-) selective agonists

Abstract Opioid peptides have been reported by many laboratories to modulate in vitro and in vivo cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. However, less attention has been afforded to the class or classes of opioid receptors involved in these immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies by this laboratory indicated that β-endorphin and methionine-enkephalin were potent inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus , Cowen strain I (SAC)-induced IgG production by human B lymphocytes. Results obtained from the present studies indicate that, at pharmacological concentrations, μ-, δ-, and κ-receptor-selective agonists arc potent inhibitors of SAC-induced IgG-secreting cells (IgG-ISC) by human B lymphocytes. Moreover, the suppression of IgG-ISC formation was reversed by μ-, δ-, and κ-receptor class-selective antagonists, [ d Tic]cTAP, ICI 174,864, and nor-BNI, respectively. These findings are in ag showing that more than one class of receptors are involved in opioid peptide-mediated immunoregulation. Additional studies indicated that all three class-selective receptor agonists were found to suppress SAC-induced IL-6 production in intact PBMC cultures. As observed for suppression of IgG-ISC formation, inhibition of IL-6 production was found to be reversed by the appropriate receptor class-selective antagonist. These results support the hypothesis that one mechanism of opioid peptide-mediated inhibition of antibody production is via the down regulation of cytokine synthesis.
Multiple vibrissae sensory regions in rat cerebellum: A (14C) 2-deoxyglucose study

Repetitive tactile sensory stimulation of the right mystacial vibrissae (whiskers) was performed in awake, adult rats. Regions of increased (14C) 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) uptake were mapped autoradiographically in cerebellum. Predominantly ipsilateral activation of multiple discrete granule cell regions occurred in paramedian lobule, crus 2, crus 1, lobulus simplex, and anterior lobe hemisphere. Bilateral and contralateral activation of cerebellum did occur. Multiple small patches, as well as large granule cell regions, were activated. Mossy fiber afferents from the spinal trigeminal nuclei (particularly interpolates), principal trigeminal sensory nucleus, and superior colliculus could account for metabolic activation of the granular layer. The slight metabolic activation of the molecular layer could have occurred from climbing or parallel fibers. Comparisons of the paramedian lobule granule cell regions activated during repetitive sensory stimulation of the vibrissae (RSSV) to those activated during vibrissae motor cortex stimulation (VMIS) showed regions only activated by RSSV, regions only activated by VMIS, and regions activated by both RSSV and VMIS. The granule cell regions activated during RSSV and VMIS were usually adjacent to or overlapping each other. Regions only activated during RSSV or only during VMIS could represent technical problems in trying to compare vibrissae motor and sensory pathways in two different groups of animals. Alternatively, cerebellar regions activated only during RSSV could process vibrissae tactile inputs. Regions activated only during VMIS could process vibrissae motor and perhaps proprioceptive sensory input. Regions activated during both RSSV and VMIS might process vibrissae proprioceptive sensory input and/or might represent loci where vibrissae motor, proprioceptive sensory, and tactile sensory convergence occur. The results raise the possibility that vibrissae motor, proprioceptive sensory, and tactile sensory pathways could be processed in separate granule cell patches in p arts of cerebellum and in the same granule cell patches in other parts of cerebellum.
Effects of Premature Beats on Repolarization of Postextrasystolic Beats

Background A short-long-short sequence of cycle lengths predisposes to reentrant tachyarrhythmias. There is limited information about the effects of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on repolarization of postextrasystolic depolarizations (PEDs). Such information would contribute to understanding the mechanism for facilitating reentry with short-long-short cycle lengths. Methods and Results We introduced PVCs, over a range of coupling intervals and during a range of basic drive cycle lengths (BCLs), and determined PED repolarization. Our results from whole-animal experiments, isolated cell studies, and computer simulations are reported. In the whole-animal experiments, PED refractory periods (RPs) were longer than RPBCL. The greatest difference between RPPED and RPBCL (ΔRPmax) occurred after short coupling interval PVCs and was 4.3±0.8, 4.2±0.8, and 2.1±0.5 ms (mean±SEM) during drives with short, intermediate, and long BCLs, respectively. The diastolic interval preceding the PED (DIPED) was inverse...
The total solar eclipse of 23 October 1976 observed at VLF

Abstract VLF transmissions at 13.6 and 22.3 kHz from Omega Reunion, Omega Japan and NWC, were monitored at Melbourne during the total solar eclipse of 23 October 1976. The solar obscuration function for each path was calculated and compared with the phase deviation observed experimentally. The phase response was found to be a non-linear function of solar obscuration with a maximum phase deviation which was less than expected when compared with the normal diurnal phase variation. A differential equation was developed to model the observations. The effective time constant of ionospheric response was found to be four minutes and independent of reflection height.
Ethanol tolerance in bacteria.

(1989). Ethanol Tolerance in Bacteria. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 305-319.
Minimal multiplexer realization of logic functions

It is well known that any n-variable logic function can be realized by a multiplexer (selector) with no additional external logic. Thus multiplexers have come to be known as universal logic modules. This approach to logic function realization requires the use of a 2n-input multiplexer with constant data inputs, or a 2n-1-input multiplexer whose data inputs are constants and single-variable functions; that is, each input is 0, 1, x, or x' for some variable x. The paper deals with conditions and algorithms for realizing some logic functions using smaller multiplexers. More precisely, a computationally simple condition is formulated to determine whether a given n-variable logic function is realizable by a multiplexer having 2n-2 or fewer inputs, and an algorithm is presented for finding the smallest subset of variables, containing n-2 or fewer members, to be used as control inputs in a minimal multiplexer realization. Once the control inputs are known, the data input functions can be readily computed.
Membrane ionic currents and properties of freshly dissociated rat brainstem neurons.

It is well known that neuronal firing properties are determined by synaptic inputs and inherent membrane functions such as specific ionic currents. To characterize the ionic currents of brainstem cardio-respiratory neurons, cells from the hypoglossal (XII) nucleus and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMX) were freshly dissociated and membrane ionic currents were studied under whole-cell voltage and current clamp. Both of these neurons showed a TTX-sensitive Na+ current with a much larger current density in XII than DMX neurons. This Na+ current had two (fast and slow) distinct inactivation decay components. The ratio of the magnitudes of the fast to slow component was roughly two-fold greater in DMX than in XII cells. Both DMX and XII neurons also showed a high voltage-activated Ca2+ current, but this current density was significantly greater (three-fold) in DMX than XII neurons. A relatively small amount of low-voltage activated Ca2+ current was also observed in DMX neurons, but not in the majority of XII cells. A transient and a sustained outward current components were observed in DMX cells, but only sustained currents were present in XII neurons. These outward currents had a reversal potential of about -70 mV with 3 mM external K+ and -30mV with 25 mM K+, and substitution of K+ with cesium and tetraethylammonium suppressed more than 90% the outward currents, indicating that most outward currents were carried by K+. The transient outward current consisted of two components with one sensitive to 4-aminopyridine and the other to intracellular Ca2+. In XII neurons, BRL 38227 (lemakalim), an ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel activator, increased the sustained K+ currents by 10% of control, and glibenclamide, a KATP channel blocker, decreased the sustained K+ currents by 20%. Evidence for the presence of an inward rectifier K+ current was also obtained from both XII and DMX neurons. These results on XII and DMX neurons indicate that (1) the methods used to dissociate neurons provide a useful means to overcome voltage clamp technical difficulties; (2) ion channel characteristics such as density and biophysical properties of DMX neurons are very different from those of XII neurons; and (3) several newly discovered membrane ionic currents are present in these cells.
The effect of heparin upon differentiation of ventral halves of frog gastrulae.

Culture of ventral halves of frog early gastrulae in heparin results in differentiation of dorsal tissues, e.g., brain, muscle, nephric tubules, and heparin stimulates the accumulation of labeled DNA and RNA.
Analysis of current data on the use of intravenous immunoglobulins in management of pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract Background: Systemic corticosteroids, with or without the addition of immunosuppressive adjuvant agents, are frequently used in treating patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). The severe, catastrophic, and potentially fatal side effects of these agents highlight the need for the development of safe alternatives for PV therapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has recently been reported to be effective in the treatment of PV. Objective: Our purpose was to do a retrospective analysis of the available literature on the use of IVIG in the treatment of PV. We also wished to determine whether the cumulative evidence permits making preliminary conclusions regarding the potential role of IVIG in the overall management of PV. Methods: A review of the English-language, peer-reviewed literature was conducted for reports on IVIG use in treatment of PV. The available information on 21 patients was used to assess different dimensions of clinical efficacy. Results: A minimum dose of 2 g/kg per cycle given at regular monthly intervals for a minimum of 3 cycles seems be effective in inducing a rapid clinical remission in patients with severe, recalcitrant PV. However, this should not be perceived as a "standard" dose. Tapering and eventual discontinuation of other agents were possible in many patients. Long-term follow-up was not provided to examine the influence of IVIG on the clinical course of disease, its efficacy as monotherapy, and the benefit of using it as maintenance therapy to keep the patient in prolonged clinical remission. In 4 of the 21 patients (19%), use of IVIG was of no clinical benefit. This failure of efficacy was primarily due to inadequate use. IVIG demonstrated beneficial effect in 17 of 21 patients (81%). Conclusion: IVIG may be a safe and effective agent in the management of severe, recalcitrant PV. Multicenter controlled studies, using different dose regimens, with lengthy follow-up periods are necessary to clearly define the emerging beneficial role of IVIG. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:1049-57.)
Venous changes occurring during the valsalva maneuver: Evaluation by intravascular ultrasound

Abstract The Valsalva maneuver, originally described in 1704, is a widely used physiologic technique for the non-invasive evaluation of heart murmurs and ventricular function.1–3 The maneuver consists of forceful expiration against a closed glottis, resulting in an increase in intrathoracic pressure and a decrease in venous return to the heart. Although the hemodynamic changes occurring during the various stages of the maneuver have been well documented, the associated venous changes have not been precisely described. Intravascular ultrasound allows for the accurate evaluation of the dimensions of vascular structures.4,5 In this study, we assessed the changes in area and circumference that occurred in an intrathoracic vein, the superior vena cava, and an extrathoracic vein, the right internal jugular, during the strain phase (phase 2) of the Valsalva maneuver. From these measurements, we wished to determine whether the decrease in venous flow to the heart during the Valsalva maneuver was due to the elevated pressure in the right atrium secondary to the elevated intrathoracic pressure, or to direct external compression of the superior vena cava by the elevated intrathoracic pressure.
Reply: Effect of Prophylaxis on Fungal Infection and Costs for High-Risk Liver Transplant Recipients

to determine the efﬁcacy of pro-phylactic amphotericin B (AMPH) in high-risk livertransplantrecipients.Intheirstudy,fungiwereisolatedfrom 37 anatomic sites in 31 patients deﬁned to havefungal infections (28 in the no-prophylaxis group and 3in the AMPH group). The authors concluded that “fail-ure to offer prophylaxis conferred a 4-fold greater risk offungal infection.” However, their deﬁnition of fungalinfection may have overestimated the number of truefungal infections (particularly in the no-prophylaxisgroup) by potentially using the isolation of
Young people's cartographies of school choice: the urban imaginary and moral panic

A critical geography of school choice illuminates how parental school choice reproduces unequal urban conditions. This paper contributes to this scholarship by arguing that the reproduction of urban spaces is reinforced by the ways the dominant urban imaginary shapes how youths imagine and organise their school options. I draw from the fields of critical geography, school choice, and sociology of moral panic to theorise how children's geographies are informed by the dominant urban imaginary and reconstituted reiteratively by moral anxiety. Through this lens, I analyse ethnographic data collected on school choice policy, along with interviews with 59 youth (ages 11–19) in Vancouver, Canada. My analysis demonstrates that the dominant forms of classed stigmatisation of marginalised urban schools are important to young people's rejection of those schools. My analysis also shows that moral panic and rising fears of violence underwrite the spatial patterns of youth participation in school choice.
High-performance InP-based midinfrared quantum cascade lasers at Northwestern University

We present recent performance highlights of midinfrared quan- tum cascade lasers (QCLs) based on an InP material system. At a repre- sentative wavelength around 4.7 μm, a number of breakthroughs have been achieved with concentrated effort. These breakthroughs include watt-level continuous wave operation at room temperature, greater than 50% peak wall plug efficiency at low temperatures, 100-W-level pulsed mode operation at room temperature, and 10-W-level pulsed mode oper- ation of photonic crystal distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers at room temperature. Since the QCL technology is wavelength adaptive in nature, these demonstrations promise significant room for improvement across a wide range of mid-IR wavelengths. C 2010 Society of Photo-Optical
Evaluating the Factors Influencing the Number of Visits to Farmers’ Markets

The primary objective of this article was to determine key factors affecting the frequency of consumer visits to farmers’ markets. Data were obtained from in-person surveys administered in two farmers’ markets locations in Texas, and used to determine consumer factors, market factors, and socio-demographic characteristics of shoppers influencing frequency of visits. The results of the model showed that travel distance, number of adults in the household, market promotional activities such as entertainment and education, food events, and, to a lesser degree, some demographic variables were all determinants of frequency of visits to farmers’ markets. The negative effect of the distance to the market highlights the importance of farmers’ market location and influences the demographic profile of buyers as most visitors tend to shop in nearby markets. Thus, results also suggest that demographics characteristics are a weak predictor of farmers’ markets interest.
The Innocents Abroad: S Club 7's America

(2004). The Innocents Abroad: S Club 7's America. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 291-305.
Interstitial irradiation of brain tumors, using a miniature radiosurgery device: initial experience.

OBJECTIVE:This report describes the clinical evaluation of a novel stereotactic radiosurgical device for interstitial irradiation of malignant brain tumors.METHODS:Fourteen patients with cerebral lesions less than 3.5 cm in greatest diameter were treated with a single fraction of stereotactic inters
ES cells do not activate p53-dependent stress responses and undergo p53-independent apoptosis in response to DNA damage

Abstract Background: Embryonic stem (ES) cells can contribute precursors to all adult cell lineages. Consequently, damage to ES cell genomes may cause serious developmental malfunctions. In somatic cells, cell-cycle checkpoints limit DNA damage by preventing DNA replication under conditions that may produce chromosomal aberrations. The tumor suppressor p53 is involved in such checkpoint controls and is also required to avoid a high rate of embryonic malformations. We characterized the cell-cycle and DNA-damage responses of ES cells to elucidate the mechanisms that prevent accumulation or transmission of damaged genomes during development. Results: ES cells derived from wild-type mice did not undergo cell-cycle arrest in response to DNA damage or nucleotide depletion, although they synthesized abundant quantities of p53. The p53 protein in ES cells was cytoplasmic and translocated inefficiently to the nucleus upon nucleotide depletion. Expression of high levels of active p53 from an adenovirus vector could not trigger cell cycle arrest. Instead, ES cells that sustained DNA damage underwent p53-independent apoptosis. The antimetabolite-induced p53-dependent arrest response was restored in ES cells upon differentiation. Conclusions: Cell-cycle regulatory pathways in early embryos differ significantly from those in differentiated somatic cells. In undifferentiated ES cells, p53 checkpoint pathways are compromised by factors that affect the nuclear localization of p53 and by the loss of downstream factors that are necessary to induce cell-cycle arrest. A p53-independent programmed cell death pathway is effectively employed to prevent cells with damaged genomes from contributing to the developing organism. The p53-mediated checkpoint controls become important when differentiation occurs.