cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the impotence of imputation

Abstract A regulatory policy known as imputation has been recommended and applied in situations where a regulated firm with monopoly power over an essential input faces the threat of entry in one or more of its downstream markets. This policy generally imposes a price floor on the regulated firm's downstream output equal to the price it charges for the input plus the incremental cost of transforming a unit of that input into a unit of the final output. Such a floor is intended to prevent the regulated company from implementing predatory and/or preemptive pricing strategies against its downstream rivals. In this paper, the authors demonstrate the need for an imputation-type policy to safeguard downstream entrants from exclusionary pricing strategies by the vertically integrated incumbent. At the same time, however, the paper also illustrates several strategies available to the vertically integrated firm that can render imputation ineffective against such exclusionary conduct. It concludes, therefore, that imputation is unlikely to (effectively) protect new entrants that attempt to compete at the downstream stage.
Interpersonal coordination in interactions: Evaluations and social skills

Interactional synchrony and behavior matching is a fundamental, and often taken for granted, aspect of communicative situations. The level of interpersonal coordination exhibited during an interaction can vary depending on who is talking to whom. However, little empirical attention has been devoted to determining how people interpret the degree of coordination during interactions and what skills are associated with interactants who are more or less “in‐sync”; with their interaction partners. Using a sample of conversations between members of the same and different cultures, this preliminary study examined how interpersonal coordination is evaluated and the relationship between interpersonal coordination and social skills. The findings suggest that interpersonal coordination is a desirable and positively evaluated characteristic of interactions. The results further indicate that more socially skilled communicators can help facilitate interpersonal coordination in interactions.
Determination of penicillin G, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin and cephapirin by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

Abstract This report contributes to a preliminary investigation of high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC)—mass spectrometric (MS) methods for confirming β-lactam antibiotic residues in bovine milk. Initial work for each antibiotic evaluated the collisional activated dissociation (CAD) spectra that could be generated between the capillary and skimmer in the electrospray (ESP) interface. The drugs show various characteristic fragmentation, mostly within the β-lactam ring and the amide group. Response for a particular compound in a given solvent can vary drastically. Usually, the more organic component in the solvent, the higher the ESP response. In many cases use of acetonitrile also results in slightly better ion currents than for methanol when comparing equal percentages of either organic solvent in water. The ESP response of most of the tested antibiotics can be enhanced by the addition of formic acid or acetic acid to the mobile phase methanol—water (1:1). In general, the negative ion spectra are lower in intensity, exhibiting an [M  H] − ion and producing less fragmentation at higher CAD voltages as compared to positive ion spectra. An isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method for the separation of a mixture of five common β-lactam antibiotics was developed using acetic acid as a mobile phase additive and optimized for detection with a new ESP HPLC-MS interface. A post-column split ratio of 70:1 for the eluent from a 150 × 2 mm I.D. column was chosen to provide the required lower flow-rate (approximately 4 μ1/min). The limit of detection for the simultaneous determination of these antibiotics was estimated to be 100 ppb. Electrospray HPLC-MS could be used to confirm these antibiotics for quantities down to about 100 pg entering the mass spectrometer. Multiresidue analysis with microbore HPLC-ESP-MS has the advantage that no post-column splitting of the eluent is required and all of the analyte (on-column injected) will be transferred into the ESP interface. Preliminary work showed good mass spectrometric sensitivity down to the level of regulatory interest, but chromatographic separation efficiency must be improved.
Contractile State of the Left Ventricle in Man: Instantaneous Tension-Velocity-Length Relations in Patients With And Without Disease of the Left Ventricular Myocardium

The contractile state of the left ventricle in man was analyzed by correlating left ventricular (LV) dimensional changes during contraction determined from cineangiograms, with simultaneous measurements of LV pressure. The mechanical characteristics of ventricular contraction were expressed quantitatively by deriving the extent and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening at the midwall and the time course of LV wall tension (stress); the instantaneous relations between tension, velocity, and length were then examined. In 6 patients without LV disease, wall tension became maximal soon after the onset of ejection, then declined rapidly; in 9 patients with LV disease, tension fell only slightly with continued ejection. The extent of shortening of the minor LV circumference was consistently less in patients with LV disease than in those without such disease. Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening throughout contraction ranged from 0.22 to 1.11 circumferences/sec in patients with LV disease and from 1.66 to 2.71 circumferences/sec in patients without LV disease, at comparable levels of wall tension (137 to 467 g/cm 2 , and 175 to 409 g/cm 2 , respectively). The initial rate of change of velocity of the circumferential fibers at the onset of ejection also was less than in the group without LV disease. The velocity of shortening of the contractile elements at maximum wall tension was 0.11 to 0.87 circumferences/sec in patients with LV disease and 1.46 to 2.04 circumferences/sec in patients without LV disease.
YouTube as an On-line Disability Self-Management Tool in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

On-line knowledge sharing of disability self-management offers a learning advantage in that it can be individualized to on-line community members’ needs. It also promotes accessibility by removing the geographic, transportation, financial, time, and distance barriers that often accompany face-to-face, patientoriented education. A consumer-focused training project conducted at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Spinal Cord Injury aims to promote self-management skills in persons with SCI in the areas of skin care, cardiometabolic risk reduction, and obesity prevention. The training framework incorporates a YouTube-based, shared video social network that connects participants with community-based resources necessary to achieve independence, stability, and community integration. The purpose of this article is to describe a preliminary analysis of SCI-specific educational videos posted to the YouTube Web site. It is anticipated that findings from the project will enable individuals with SCI to self-manage health
COTORSION MODULES AND PROJECTIVE DIMENSION ONE

If T is a perfect torsion theory for a category of modules over a commutative ring R, a module C is called T—cotorsion provided HomR(QT,C) = 0 = ExtR (QT,C) where QT denotes the T-injective hull of R. Motivated by the now classical results of D. K. Harrison for abelian groups and of E. Matlis for modules over a domain, the theory of T—cotorsion modules is extended. For example, a category equivalence is obtained between the category of T—compact T-cotorsion modules and the category of T-torsion T-reduced modules. The class of T-divisible modules (homomorphic images of T-injective modules) is shown to be closed under formation of extensions if and only if pdRQT ≤ 1, in the case that QT is T—cocritical.
High-fat diet accelerates progression of osteoarthritis after meniscal/ligamentous injury

Increasing obesity and type 2 diabetes, in part due to the high-fat (HF) Western diet, parallels an increased incidence of osteoarthritis (OA). This study was undertaken to establish a causal relation between the HF diet and accelerated OA progression in a mouse model and to determine the relative roles of weight gain and metabolic dysregulation in this progression. Five-week-old C57BL/6 mice were placed on HF (60% kcal) or low-fat (lean, 10% kcal) diets for 8 or 12 weeks before transecting the medial collateral ligament and excising a segment of the medial meniscus of the knee to initiate OA. One group was switched from lean to HF diet at the time of surgery. Body weight of mice on the HF diet peaked at 45.9 ± 2.1 g compared with 29.9 ± 1.8 g for lean diets, with only those on the HF becoming diabetic. Severity of OA was greater in HF mice, evidenced by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histopathology initiative scoring method for mice and articular cartilage thickness and area. To assess the importance of weight gain, short- and long-term HF diets were compared with the lean diet. Short- and long-term HF groups outweighed lean controls by 6.2 g and 20.5 g, respectively. Both HF groups became diabetic, and OA progression, evidenced by increased OARSI score, decreased cartilage thickness, and increased osteophyte diameter, was comparably accelerated relative to those of lean controls. These results demonstrate that the HF diet accelerates progression of OA in a type 2 diabetic mouse model without correlation to weight gain, suggesting that metabolic dysregulation is a comorbid factor in OA-related cartilage degeneration.
Dipolar reversal states of the geomagnetic field and core–mantle dynamics

Palaeomagnetic records from lavas suggest that at least two specific inclined dipolar field configurations have dominated the reversal process for the past ten million years. These long-lived states provide a way to explain directional rebounds, aborted reversals and the recording in sediments of what appear to be preferred longitudinal paths of the virtual geomagnetic pole. The polar orientations correlate with near-radial flux concentrations recognizable when today's field is stripped of its axial dipole, and with lower-mantle seismic anomalies, suggesting a tie to deep-Earth dynamics.
“Repairing” Plan de Sánchez: Reparations and the Subjects of History

: Shannon Speed is contributing editor of “Human Rights Forum,” the AAA Committee for Human Rights column in Anthropology News.
Prognostic indicators for Ewing's sarcoma

Hagan Klieb and colleagues, April 3, p 1224) describe a case of primary maxillary Ewing’s sarcoma. Although they have done a fi ne job at presenting the case, a couple of points mentioned in the discussion might need attention. Klieb and colleagues describe the two most important prognostic indicators of Ewing’s sarcoma to be “metastasis/stage and tumour volume/ resectability”. Although large tumours have typically been associated with a worse prognosis, this attribute could be less important given the more aggressive treatment used over the past decade or so. For example, in the early St Jude studies, tumours greater than 8 cm were associated with a worse prognosis. However, tumour size has disappeared as a prognostic factor in the more intensive EW92 protocol. In the absence of more standardised criteria for assess ment of tumour size (longitudinal vs volumetric measurements), the value of volume as a prognostic factor will be imperfect. The most important prognostic factor remains the presence of metastatic disease at diagnosis; advances in the treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma have resulted in only modest improvement in the outcomes of this subset of patients. A newer prognostic factor gaining interest in recent years has been the degree of histological response to chemotherapy, the signifi cance of which stands across protocols and seems to be independent of the drugs used. Patients with good histological responses have had a signifi cantly better outcome than those with poor responses in con secutive Italian and German studies.
Initial experience with sublingual hyoscyamine sulfate for suppression of duodenal motility during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)

Initial experience with sublingual hyoscyamine sulfate for suppression of duodenal motility during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)
Monitoring and guidance of high intensity focused ultrasound exposures in real time using acousto-optic imaging: feasibility and demonstration ex vivo

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a powerful noninvasive tool for targeted tissue ablation. Monitoring of the treatment process and efficacy in real time, however, remains challenging. The tissue necrosis during the HIFU exposure leads to changes in optical absorption and scattering coefficients. In this paper, we explore the use of acousto-optic imaging (AOI), a hybrid technique that combines ultrasound with diffuse light to obtain deep-tissue optical contrast at ultrasound resolution, to sense the changes in optical contrast at depth in tissue associated with the onset formation and development of the necrosed tissue region. In this technique, the tissue to be treated is illuminated with near-infrared light and a continuous, amplitude-modulated focused ultrasound beam is used to induce thermal tissue necrosis as well as the acousto-optic (AO) interaction. The AOI signal is detected via a photorefractive crystal (PRC)-based interferometer, and then fed into a lock-in amplifier tuned to the ultrasound modulation frequency. As a thermal lesion forms in the ultrasound focal zone, which is also the zone of AO interaction, the AOI signal diminishes in amplitude owing to enhanced optical attenuation. It is further shown that the reduction of the AOI signal is correlated with the volume of ensuing lesion. Therefore, the evolution of AOI signal as a function of time provides a means for continuous monitoring of HIFU treatment process as well as exposure guidance.
Finite Differences and Collocation Methods for the Solution of the Two Dimensional Heat Equation

In this paper we combine finite difference approximations (for spatial derivatives) and collocation techniques (for the time component) to numerically solve the two dimensional heat equation. We employ respectively a second-order and a fourth-order schemes for the spatial derivatives and the discretization method gives rise to a linear system of equations. We show that the matrix of the system is non-singular. Numerical experiments carried out on serial computers, show the unconditional stability of the proposed method and the high accuracy achieved by the fourth-order scheme.
Primary popliteal venous aneurysm with recurrent pulmonary emboli

Abstract Primary venous aneurysms are infrequently noted and rarely have clinical significance. An important exception, however, is an aneurysm of the popliteal vein that is known to be a source for pulmonary emboli. We present the case of a previously healthy 57-year-old man with recurrent episodes of occult pulmonary embolism. Initial diagnostic investigations were compatible with multiple pulmonary emboli, but no source was identified. Subsequently, an indium 111—labeled platelet scan confirmed a site of active thrombus formation in the right lower extremity above the knee. Magnetic resonance imaging defined a saccular aneurysm of the popliteal vein, which was confirmed by contrast venography. Thereafter, the patient had resection of the venous aneurysm and tangential venorrhaphy. After operation duplex scanning confirmed patency of the venous repair. This is the eleventh report in the English-language literature of pulmonary emboli suspected of having originated from a popliteal venous aneurysm. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:316-8.)
The stimulus properties of para-methoxyamphetamine: a nonessential serotonergic component.

Abstract A group of six rats was trained to discriminate the effects of paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA; 3 mg/kg, 15 min pretreatment time) and saline in a two-lever choice task using a fixed ratio 10 schedule of water reinforcement. Stimulus control was assumed to be present when 80% or more of the first ten responses were appropriate for the treatment condition on each of five consecutive days. PMA established stimulus control in each of the subjects. The mean number of sessions prior to the onset of criterion performance was 19 (SE=2, range=14−24). A second group of ten rats was similarly trained with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; 0.1 mg/kg, 15 min pretreatment time) and saline. In rats trained with PMA, LSD yielded intermediate results, i.e., significantly different from both training conditions. Likewise, the response distribution was intermediate in nature when LSD-trained subjects were tested with PMA. Pizotyline did not antagonize PMA-induced stimulus control in rats trained with PMA and saline but did antagonize the intermediate responding produced by PMA in LSD-trained subjects. It is concluded that PMA-induced stimulus control does not depend upon activation of serotonergic receptors but that PMA does possess some LSD-like effects which are mediated serotonergically.
Multicluster, mobile, multimedia radio network

A multi-cluster, multi-hop packet radio network architecture for wireless adaptive mobile information systems is presented. The proposed network supports multimedia traffic and relies on both time division and code division access schemes. This radio network is not supported by a wired infrastructure as conventional cellular systems are. Thus, it can be instantly deployed in areas with no infrastructure at all. By using a distributed clustering algorithm, nodes are organized into clusters. The clusterheads act as local coordinators to resolve channel scheduling, perform power measurement/control, maintain time division frame synchronization, and enhance the spatial reuse of time slots and codes. Moreover, to guarantee bandwidth for real time traffic, the architecture supports virtual circuits and allocates bandwidth to circuits at call setup time. The network is scalable to large numbers of nodes, and can handle mobility. Simulation experiments evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme in static and mobile environments.
GALL BLADDER DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD

SYNOPSIS A retrospective study of 18 children with gall bladder disease reveals some differences in the clinical features in childhood and suggests that the condition may be more common than generally believed. A higher index of suspicion might lead to earlier diagnosis in children with undiagnosed pain.
Electrochemical deposition of iridium (IV) oxide from alkaline solutions of iridium(III) oxide

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry is used to deposit films of hydrous iridium oxide onto glassy carbon electrodes from a basic solution of saturated iridium(III) oxide. An acidic solution of Ir(OH2)2Cl4− is first prepared from either IrCl63 or IrCl62−. When this solution is made basic, iridium (IV) oxide is deposited by oxygen generated from oxidation of hydroxide. A strongly adherent, bright blue deposit of iridium oxide is formed after 10 to 20 scans between −0.3 and +1.0 V vs. Ag|AgCl. The modified electrodes exhibit a super-Nernstian response to pH similar to that observed for iridium oxide grown electrochemically on iridium substrates. The ph response is reproducible and remains stable over a period of several days.
Distinguishing and understanding thermogenic and biogenic sources of methane using multiply substituted isotopologues

Sources of methane to sedimentary environments are commonly identified and quantified using the stable-isotopic compositions of methane. The methane “clumped-isotope geothermometer”, based on the measurement of multiply substituted methane isotopologues (^(13)CH_3D and ^(12)CH_2D_2), shows promise in adding new constraints to the sources and formational environments of both biogenic and thermogenic methane. However, questions remain about how this geothermometer behaves in systems with mixtures of biogenic and thermogenic gases and different biogenic environments. We have applied the methane clumped-isotope thermometer to a mixed biogenic-thermogenic system (Antrim Shale, USA) and to biogenic gas from gas seeps (Santa Barbara and Santa Monica Basin, USA), a pond on the Caltech campus, and methanogens grown in pure-culture. We demonstrate that clumped-isotope based temperatures add new quantitative constraints to the relative amounts of biogenic vs. thermogenic gases in the Antrim Shale indicating a larger proportion (∼50%) of thermogenic gas in the system than previously thought. Additionally, we find that the clumped-isotope temperature of biogenic methane appears related to the environmental settings in which the gas forms. In systems where methane generation rates appear to be slow (e.g., the Antrim Shale and gas seeps), microbial methane forms in or near both internal isotopic equilibrium and hydrogen-isotope equilibrium with environmental waters. In systems where methane forms rapidly, microbial methane is neither in internal isotopic equilibrium nor hydrogen-isotope equilibrium with environmental waters. A quantitative model of microbial methanogenesis that incorporates isotopes is proposed to explain these results.
The nature of the "deletion" mutants in the rII region of phage T4.

Certain r II mutants of phage T4 behave as if a sizable segment of the genetic structure has been affected. Experiments were done to determine whether this segment is deleted or is still present in some altered form. The results of genetic crosses, showing a shrinkage of the distance between outside markers, indicate that the deletion hypothesis is correct.
Understanding how pre-service English teachers adopt stance toward academic teaching inquiry tasks

Abstract While teacher education literature views teachers’ stances toward teaching inquiry as important to teachers’ commitment to classroom improvement, little research has analyzed teachers’ use of stance markers. This project builds on Biber's (2006) framework to study stances taken by three high school English pre-service teachers (PSTs) in oral teaching-inquiry presentations completed during preparation coursework. This study considers: How do English PSTs enrolled in a teacher education program reveal stances through completion of oral presentations of teaching inquiry projects? The study employs methodology combining grammatical analysis with analysis of observational data from an in-depth study of PSTs’ experiences in their preparation. Findings reveal PSTs take varied, nuanced stances toward inquiry presentations, focal students, and project findings. Implications include that (1) studying how teachers formally discuss teaching activities can provide unique perspectives on teachers’ stance and (2) linguists can gain depth of understanding about participants’ stance by combining grammatical and observational analysis.
Sequence-dependent denaturation energetics: A major determinant in amyloid disease diversity.

Several misfolding diseases commence when a secreted folded protein encounters a partially denaturing microenvironment, enabling its self assembly into amyloid. Although amyloidosis is modulated by numerous environmental and genetic factors, single point mutations within the amyloidogenic protein can dramatically influence disease phenotype. Mutations that destabilize the native state predispose an individual to disease; however, thermodynamic stability alone does not reliably predict disease severity. Here we show that the rate of transthyretin (TTR) tetramer dissociation required for amyloid formation is strongly influenced by mutation (V30M, L55P, T119M, V122I), with rapid rates exacerbating and slow rates reducing amyloidogenicity. Although these rates are difficult to predict a priori, they notably influence disease penetrance and age of onset. L55P TTR exhibits severe pathology because the tetramer both dissociates quickly and is highly destabilized. Even though V30M and L55P TTR are similarly destabilized, the V30M disease phenotype is milder because V30M dissociates more slowly, even slower than wild type (WT). Although WT and V122I TTR have nearly equivalent tetramer stabilities, V122I cardiomyopathy, unlike WT cardiomyopathy, has nearly complete penetrance—presumably because of its 2-fold increase in dissociation rate. We show that the T119M homotetramer exhibits kinetic stabilization and therefore dissociates exceedingly slowly, likely explaining how it functions to protect V30M/T119M compound heterozygotes from disease. An understanding of how mutations influence both the kinetics and thermodynamics of misfolding allows us to rationalize the phenotypic diversity of amyloid diseases, especially when considered in concert with other genetic and environmental data.
Nonverbal Interactional Behavior in the Families of Persons with Schizophrenic and Bipolar Disorders

Whereas verbal interactional behaviors have been repeatedly found to distinguish the families of persons with and without major psychiatric disorders, there has been comparatively little examination of the discriminative value of nonverbal interactional behaviors. We developed the Nonverbal Interactional Coding System to measure "affiliative" and "distancing" nonverbal behaviors in 18 schizophrenic and 18 bipolar patients and their parents during 10-minute interactions conducted during a posthospital period. Bipolar patients and their parents displayed affiliative nonverbal behaviors ("illustrator gestures" or "prosocial behaviors") for longer durations than schizophrenic patients and their parents. In contrast, parents of schizophrenic patients displayed distancing nonverbal behaviors (looking away) for longer durations than those of bipolar patients. The nonverbal interactional data added to the statistical strength of patients' and parents' verbal interactional data in distinguishing between these diagnostic groups. Nonverbal interactional behaviors are important variables to consider in interventions aimed at improving the communication skills of families coping with psychiatric disorders.
In denial: Misperceptions of weight change among adults in the United States☆

Abstract Objective Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions, increased medical costs, and premature death. Proper assessment of changes in body weight is crucial to control the spread of obesity. We used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to explore how adults in the United States recall their weight change and to identify characteristics associated with weight changes. Methods Data from two cross-sections of adults aged ≥ 18 years from the 2008 (n = 385,416) and 2009 (n = 394,700) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Self-reported estimates of weight 1 year prior to the interview were used to calculate changes in weight and obesity status between 2008 and 2009. Results If self-reported changes in weight between 2008 and 2009 are to be believed, the obesity prevalence among men and women in the United States would have declined by 2.0% and 0.9% respectively. Yet, obesity prevalence increased 0.4%, overall, during this tim'e period. In general, American adults overestimated their previous weight and reported weight losses even though they had gained weight. Conclusion Public health and medical professionals should interpret self-reported weight changes with caution when developing, implementing, and evaluating programs to control and prevent weight gain.
Comparative analysis of image-based phenotypes of mammographic density and parenchymal patterns in distinguishing between BRCA1/2 cases, unilateral cancer cases, and controls

We statistically compare the contributions of parenchymal phenotypes to mammographic density in distinguishing between high-risk cases and low-risk controls. The age-matched evaluation included computerized mammographic assessment of breast percent density (PD) and parenchymal patterns (phenotypes of coarseness and contrast) from radiographic texture analysis (RTA) of the full-field digital mammograms from 456 cases: 53 women with BRCA1/2 gene mutations, 75 with unilateral cancer, and 328 at low risk of developing breast cancer. Image-based phenotypes of parenchymal pattern coarseness and contrast were each found to significantly discriminate between the groups; however, PD did not. From ROC analysis, PD alone yielded area under the fitted ROC curve (AUC) values of 0.53 (SE=0.05) and 0.57 (SE=0.04) in the classification task between BRCA1/2 gene-mutation carriers and low-risk women, and between unilateral cancer and low-risk women, respectively. In a round-robin evaluation with Bayesian artificial neural network (BANN) analysis, RTA yielded AUC values of 0.81 (95% confidence interval [0.71, 0.89]) and 0.70 (95% confidence interval [0.63, 0.77]) between the BRCA1/2 gene-mutation carriers and low-risk women, and between unilateral cancer and low-risk women, respectively. These results show that high-risk and low-risk women have different mammographic parenchymal patterns with significantly higher discrimination resulting from characteristics of the parenchymal patterns than just the breast PD.
Applying data mining methods to blast-related mild traumatic brain injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussion, is one of the most common forms of injury sustained throughout Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Diagnosis is difficult for many of the symptoms are very common and may not manifest themselves immediately after the injury. Many studies on blast-related mTBI have been published from research regarding the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Continuous work is underway to more accurately determine its causes and symptoms, as mTBI is considered difficult to diagnose. Using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed data mining software Piranha, an integrative literature analysis was conducted to assist and facilitate possible research on the processes of mTBI. Data were collected from academic databases as well as Piranha's internet search function. The Piranha categories feature was employed to visualize the areas of overlapping research regarding manifestations of mTBI relating to the biological processes and behavioral changes. Piranha was also used to review current research on mTBI, including animal testing on mice and swine. The integrated results from these data mining analyses revealed areas that could be studied further, as well as a clearer indication of the specific processes of mTBI. This research provides a fresh perspective on one of the war's most common and yet least understood injuries.
Plasma corticosterone response to acute and chronic voluntary exercise in female house mice.

Plasma levels of corticosterone (B) respond acutely to exercise in all mammals that have been studied, but the literature contains conflicting reports regarding how chronic activity alters this res...
Real-time behaviour in a heterogeneous environment?

Because of the availability of cheap network technology and computing power, people and business are becoming increasingly dependent on computing systems. Timeliness and correctness, therefore, become the most urgently requested system properties, often subsumed in the notion of quality of service. Real-time computing is becoming an enabling technology for many important applications such as flexible manufacturing, multimedia, robotics and process control. Traditionally, real-time systems have been realized as isolated, embedded systems, dedicated to provide the requested service for single, dedicated applications like automatic brake systems in vehicles or control systems for nuclear plants. Unfortunately, the solutions provided there no longer suffice for more complex systems as they are encountered in many of the above mentioned applications. Their most distinguishing requirement is the need of the computing system to dynamically adapt to changing conditions. Little work has been done on (operating) system mechanisms and algorithms, flexible enough to cope with the new requirements.
A 100 Kilovolt Phase Control Thyristor Switch Stack

A 100 kilovolt phase control thyristor switch stack has been successfully developed and tested at the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) plasma physics research facility. A set of eighteen thyristors were connected in series and a special gate driver circuit was developed to fire all eighteen thyristors simultaneously. Tests were performed by charging a capacitor to 100 kilovolts and discharging it through the thyristors into a resistive load. Initial tests were successfully performed at an energy of 10 kilojoules. A second device was constructed using twenty four thyristors that is fully operational at 100 kilovolts and 70 kilojoules. These devices are for pulsed power applications and general switching of high voltages up to 100 kilovolts.
MdmX Protects p53 from Mdm2-Mediated Degradation

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is stabilized in response to cellular stress, resulting in activation of genes responsible for either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. The cellular pathway for releasing normal cells from p53-dependent cell cycle arrest involves the Mdm2 protein. Recently, a p53-binding protein with homology to Mdm2 was identified and called MdmX. Like Mdm2, MdmX is able to bind p53 and inhibit p53 transactivation; however, the ability of MdmX to degrade p53 has yet to be examined. We report here that MdmX is capable of associating with p53 yet is unable to facilitate nuclear export or induce p53 degradation. In addition, expression of MdmX can reverse Mdm2-targeted degradation of p53 while maintaining suppression of p53 transactivation. Using a series of MdmX deletions, we have determined that there are two distinct domains of the MdmX protein that can stabilize p53 in the presence of Mdm2. One domain requires MdmX interaction with p53 and results in the retention of both proteins within the nucleus and repression of p53 transactivation. The second domain involves the MdmX ring finger and results in stabilization of p53 and an increase in p53 transactivation. The potential basis for stabilization and increased p53 transactivation by the MdmX ring finger domain is discussed. Based on these observations, we propose that the MdmX protein may function to maintain a nuclear pool of p53 protein in undamaged cells.
Inextensional approximations in cylindrical shells.

Introduction I is well-known that the deformation in many thin shells with unsupported edges may be characterized as inextensional. (For example, see Refs. 2 or 3.) Recently, Williams' presented a number of comparisons between the homogeneous Donnell equations and the inextensional theory for the radial deformation in open end cylindrical shells. Williams showed that for certain cylindrical shell geometries subjected to the boundary conditions u = 1.0, v = w = dw/dx — 0 at x = 0 and Tx = Sx = Nx — Mx = 0 at x = /,t the inextensional theory and the solution to the homogeneous Donnell equations are within 95% agreement. It was shown that the 95% demarcation lines could be represented by (l/a) = (CSIn*)(alh) (1) for some geometries, and
Imaging of stroke: Part 2, Pathophysiology at the molecular and cellular levels and corresponding imaging changes.

OBJECTIVE. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of severe disability. During the ???decade of the brain??? in the 1990s, the most promising development was the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. It is thought to result from a cascade of events from energy depletion to cell death. In the initial minutes to hour, clinical deficit does not necessarily reflect irreversible damage. The final outcome and residual deficit will be decided by how fast reperfusion is achieved, which in turn depends on how early the diagnosis is made. This article explains the pathophysiology of stroke at the molecular and cellular levels with corresponding changes on various imaging techniques. CONCLUSION. The pathophysiology of stroke has several complex mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is essential to derive neuroprotective agents that limit neuronal damage after ischemia. Imaging and clinical strategies aimed at extending the therapeutic window for reperfusion treatment with mechanical and ...
A Pattern-Theoretic Characterization of Biological Growth

Mathematical and statistical modeling of biological growth is an important problem in medical diagnostics. Here, we seek tools to analyze changes in anatomical parts using images collected over time. We introduce a structured model, called Growth by Random Iterated Diffeomorphisms (GRID), that treats a cumulative growth deformation as a composition of several elementary deformations. Each elementary deformation applies to a small region by capturing deformation local to that region and is characterized by a seed and a radial deformation pattern around that seed. These GRID variables-seed locations and radial deformation patterns-are estimated from observed images in two steps: 1) estimate a cumulative deformation over an observation interval; 2) estimate GRID variables using maximum-likelihood criterion from this estimated cumulative deformation. We demonstrate this framework using an MRI image data of a rat's brain growth. For future statistical analysis, we propose a time-varying Poisson process for the seed placements and a random drawing from a predetermined catalog of deformations for the radial deformation patterns
Solvation of Fluorinated Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Alcohol Solvents

Highly purified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were fluorinated to form “fluorotubes”, which were then solvated as individual tubes in various alcohol solvents via ultrasonication. The solvation of individual fluorotubes was verified by dispersing the tubes on a mica substrate and examining them with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elemental analysis of the tubes reveals that light sonication in alcohol solvents does not remove significant amounts of the fluorine. While these solutions are metastable, they will persist long enough (over a week) to permit solution-phase chemistry to be carried out on the fluorotubes. For example, the solvated fluorotubes can be precipitated out of solution with hydrazine to yield normal, unfluorinated SWNTs, or they can be reacted with sodium methoxide to yield what are apparently methoxylated SWNTs. These reaction products have been examined with elemental analysis and a variety of spectroscopies and microscopies.
Allometric scaling predicts preferences for burned patches in a guild of East African grazers

The high herbivore diversity in savanna systems has been attributed to the inherent spatial and temporal heterogeneity related to the quantity and quality of food resources. Allometric scaling predicts that smaller-bodied grazers rely on higher quality forage than larger-bodied grazers. We replicated burns at varying scales in an East African savanna and measured visitation by an entire guild of larger grazers ranging in size from hare to elephant. We found a strong negative relationship between burn preference and body mass with foregut fermenters preferring burns to a greater degree than hindgut fermenters. Burns with higher quality forage were preferred more than burns with lower quality forage by small-bodied grazers, while the opposite was true for large-bodied grazers. Our results represent some of the first experimental evidence demonstrating the importance of body size in predicting how large herbivores respond to fire-induced changes in plant quality and quantity.
Single-cell analysis of siRNA-mediated gene silencing using multiparameter flow cytometry

Background: Use of synthetic short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to study gene function has been limited by an inability to selectively analyze subsets of cells in complex populations, low and variable transfection efficiencies, and semiquantitative assays for measuring protein downregulation. Intracellular flow cytometry can overcome these limitations by analyzing populations at the singlecell level in a high-throughput and quantitative fashion. Individual cells displaying a knockdown phenotype can be selectively interrogated for functional responses using multiparameter analysis. Methods: Lck-specific siRNA was delivered into Jurkat T cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to suppress endogenous Lck expression. Transfected cells were fluorescently stained for intracellular Lck and analyzed using multiparameter flow cytometry. The Lck lo Jurkat subpopulation was selectively analyzed for CD69 upregulation and phospho-states of signaling proteins following T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Surface expression levels of CD4 and CD8 on transfected CD3 1 gated PBMCs were correlated with intracellular Lck levels. Results: A subpopulation of Jurkat cells with reduced levels of Lck was clearly resolved from cells with wildtype levels of Lck. Both CD69 up-regulation and ZAP70 phosphorylation were suppressed in Lck lo cells when compared with those in Lck hi cells upon TCR stimulation. Knockdown of intracellular Lck in primary T lymphocytes reduced surface expression of CD4 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Multiparameter flow cytometry is a powerful technique for the quantitative analysis of siRNAmediated protein knockdown in complex hard-to-transfect cell populations. q 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Mass-priming Aphytis: behavioral improvement of insectary-reared biological control agents.

Abstract The introduced parasitoid,Aphytis melinusDeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), is used for augmentative biological control of California red scale,Aonidiella aurantii(Maskell) (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Commercially reared wasps are reared on oleander scale,Aspidiotus neriiBouche (Homoptera: Diaspididae). Oleander scale covers lack the chemical,O-caffeoyltyrosine, a kairomone mediating host selection byA. melinus.Wasps reared on oleander scale but individually exposed, or primed, toO-caffeoyltyrosine more readily accepted California red scale for probing in laboratory bioassays and parasitized a greater proportion of available California red scale in the field than wasps reared similarly but not exposed toO-caffeoyltyrosine. Thus, it may be possible to improve host recognition of commercial, insectary-rearedA. melinusby exposing them toO-caffeoyltyrosine prior to release. The goal of this study was to develop an inexpensive but effective means of priming thousands of wasps simultaneously toO-caffeoyltyrosine. The most effective method, but potentially the most expensive, was simply to spray parasitized oleander scale on their host plant with diluteO-caffeoyltyrosine prior to wasp emergence. In additional experiments, using controlled doses of syntheticO-caffeoyltyrosine applied to scale covers, we showed that primed wasps require both a lower minimum dose ofO-caffeoyltyrosine for recognition and also respond to measuredO-caffeoyltyrosine doses more consistently than unprimed wasps. The ability to mass-prime thousands of wasps prior to release is a crucial step toward realizing the concept of behavioral improvement of host selection of parasitoids on a commercial scale.
Differences in Attitudes, Fishing Motives, and Demographic Characteristics between Tournament and Nontournament Black Bass Anglers in Texas

Abstract We tested for differences between tournament and nontournament black bass anglers in their motives for fishing, attitudes, and demographic characteristics. Fewer than one-fifth (17.8%) of black bass anglers in Texas participated in black bass fishing tournaments. Tournament anglers were younger, fished more frequently, and were more likely to be male and belong to fishing clubs than nontournament anglers. Tournament anglers viewed themselves as more skilled than nontournament anglers. Also, tournament anglers differed significantly from nontournament anglers on each of 7 catch-related motives studied and on 2 of 10 noncatch motives (“experience adventure and excitement” and “experience new and different things”). Tournament anglers differed significantly from nontournament anglers on 11 of 15 attitudinal statements regarding catch. Our results were generally consistent with those from two previous studies of saltwater tournament anglers. Differences between tournament and nontournament anglers al...
Ellipticity dependence of high harmonics from 400 nm driving pulses

First experimental measurement of ellipticity dependence of high harmonics produced from 400 nm driving pulses is reported and compared with harmonics produced from 800 nm driving pulses in an argon filled gas cell.
The Anthropocene and Transdisciplinarity

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Predictors of Heterosexual Siblings’ Acceptance of Their Lesbian Sister or Gay Brother

Research has shown that lesbian and gay (LG) individuals are coming out not only to their parents, but also to their siblings. Eighty percent of individuals in the United States are raised with one or more siblings; however, researchers have frequently underestimated the importance of the sibling bond. This study examined potential correlates of heterosexual siblings’ acceptance of their LG sister or brother using an online survey format (N = 189). In addition, psychometric properties for the Acceptance of Sibling Sexual Orientation Scale are provided. Results revealed that greater sibling relationship quality in adulthood, more contact with LG individuals, greater knowledge of LG communities, more support for LG civil rights, and various demographics (being female, having higher educational levels, not having an orthodox/fundamentalist religious orientation, less church attendance, and more liberal political ideology) are related to heterosexual siblings’ acceptance of their LG sister or brother. However...
I Want It All and I Want It Now: How a Neural Circuit Encodes Odor with Speed and Accuracy

A study by Jeanne and Wilson (2015) describes a circuit and determines the distinct neural circuit mechanisms that allow a signal to be represented with both speed and accuracy in the Drosophila olfactory system.