cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influences of chorion type on measurements of the corpus callosum in adult monozygotic male twins

MRI imaging was used to estimate volumes of corpus callosum structure in 45 pairs of identical (monozygotic, MZ) twins from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) twin study. Age range of the study subjects was from 68–78 years. Finger, palm, and footprint data (dermatoglyphics) collected at previous examinations of the NHLBI twin study were available for 39 pairs. The dermatoglyphics were scored for an index to retrospectively assess chorion type in MZ twin-pairs. The results indicated an association between variability in various structures of the corpus callosum with some of these dermatoglyphic traits, suggesting greater structural variation within pairs with dichorionic placentas. In contrast, total intracranial volume, which has similar heritability estimates as a result of shared genetic effects with the corpus callosum, was unrelated to the dermatoglyphic traits. The results provide indirect evidence that the intrauterine environment may influence twin-pair similarity of corpus callosum measures in adults. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:338–346, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Laser power measurement standards: A comparison of two scales

A scale intercomparison between a C-series calorimeter and a commercially available, virtually 100-percent quantum-efficient photodiode device has been undertaken.1 The intercomparison has been performed at the helium-neon laser wavelength (632.8 nm) with power levels incident on the photodiode device ranging from 4 μW to 1.4 mW. Results obtained when the photodiode device was reverse biased with 9 and 18 V indicate that the scales of the photodiode device and the C-series calorimeter are linearly related with an average correction factor of 1.0047 and 1.0037, respectively.
Longitudinal control with time delay in platooning

We consider the control design problem of vehicle following systems with actuator delays. An upper bound for the time delays is constructed to guarantee the individual vehicle stability. Several conditions are presented to meet the requirements of eliminating "slinky" effects. They prove that the zero steady state can be achieved using the proposed control. Simulations are used to examine our claims.
DNA intermediates and telomere addition during genome reorganization in euplotes crassus

Summary Three gene-sized molecules cloned intact from macronuclear DNA served as hybridization probes to study excision of these molecules from chromosomes and their processing during macronuclear development in the hypotrich Euplotes crassus. These olecules occur in integrated forms within polytene chromosomal DNA during macronuclear development. After transection of the polytene chromosomes, the three molecules occur in intermediate forms. One of the three molecules first appeared in a large intermediate that was subsequently replaced by a second intermediate, ∼140 by larger than the final molecule. The other two macronuclear molecules were detected only in intermediates ∼140 by larger than the mature form. These penultimate intermediates are larger by virtue of oversized telomeres, which are pared to yield the mature gene-sized molecules.
Assessment Of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction By Radionuclide Angiography Comparison to Echocardiography and Serial Measurements in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Measurements of the left ventricular ejection fraction were compared in patients with previous myocardial infarctions. Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by the radioisotopic method serially in patients early after an acute myocardial infarction and during the convalescence period. Ultrasound recordings were obtained utilizing a commercially available ultrasonoscope and a 1/9 cm transducer focused at 10 cm with a repetition rate of 1000 impulses per second. All recordings were made on a visicorder oscillography.
Identification of an autoinhibitory domain in the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase

We have tested the hypothesis that activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is due to autophosphorylation of tyrosines 1146, 1150 and 1151 within a putative autoinhibitory domain. A synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 1134–1162, with tyrosines substituted by alanine or phenylalanine, of the insulin receptor β subunit was tested for its inhibitory potency and specificity towards the tyrosine kinase activity. This synthetic peptide gave inhibition of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of the exogenous substrate poly(Glu, Tyr) with an approximate IC50 of 100 μM. Inhibition appeared to be independent of the concentrations of insulin or the substrate poly(Glu, Tyr) but was decreased by increasing concentrations of ATP. This same peptide also inhibited the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase but not a serine/threonine protein kinase. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that this autophosphorylation domain contains an autoinhibitory sequence. (Mol Cell Biochem120: 103–110, 1993)
HIV Providers’ Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Care Settings: A Qualitative Study

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce HIV incidence among at-risk persons. However, for PrEP to have an impact in decreasing HIV incidence, clinicians will need to be willing to prescribe PrEP. HIV specialists are experienced in using antiretroviral medications, and could readily provide PrEP, but may not care for HIV-uninfected patients. Six focus groups with 39 Boston area HIV care providers were conducted (May-June 2012) to assess perceived barriers and facilitators to prescribing PrEP. Participants articulated logistical and theoretical barriers, such as concerns about PrEP effectiveness in real-world settings, potential unintended consequences (e.g., risk disinhibition and medication toxicity), and a belief that PrEP provision would be more feasible in primary care clinics. They identified several facilitators to prescribing PrEP, including patient motivation and normative guidelines. Overall, participants reported limited prescribing intentions. Without interventions to address HIV providers' concerns, implementation of PrEP in HIV clinics may be limited.
Probing Multicellular Dynamics in Xenopus Laevis Embryonic Development through Microfluidic Feedback Control

Long-term spatiotemporal regulation of chemical environments in and around cells or tissues is critical to understand developmental signaling where dynamic responses to chemical factors control the subsequent coordinated events in development. Although progress has been made in the manipulation of single cell environments, both long-term and high-speed regulation of multicellular stimulation in developmental organisms is still challenging. We have developed a novel microfluidic feedback control system that allows long-term and high-speed manipulation of a laminar flow interface in a microfluidic channel for probing developmental systems. Our approach enabled long-term spatiotemporal manipulation of chemical environments of Animal Cap (AC) explants during the gastrulation stage in Xenopus laevis embryonic development. We present time and frequency responses of AC explants to periodic stimulation of steroid hormone dexamethasone (DEX) by tracking a hormone-activated nuclear-localizing green fluorescent protein tagged glucocorticoid receptor (GR) that can report the localized activity of DEX in the explants. We examine the sensitivity of GR-complex translocation to DEX concentration and frequency of stimulation. Concentration and frequency are critical factors when analyzing multicellular developmental systems such as Xenopus. We believe that our approach will be useful in diverse areas including biophysics, embryonic development, and engineering spatiotemporally integrated biological responses.
Spectral observation of conversion between ionized vs. non-ionized proton-coupled electron transfer interfaces.

Two-point hydrogen bonding between acid and base functionalities provides a convenient method for the modular assembly of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) networks, especially when that interface comprises an amidinium and two-point anionic partner; a system is presented that permits the proton configuration within the interface to be determined when pKa values of the conjugate acids are known.
Existence and uniqueness of the global solution to the Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract A proof is given of the global existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to Navier–Stokes equations in unbounded exterior domains.
Development of the biases toward children with psychological and behavioral disorders scale.

Summary.—Although there have been studies of individual professional disciplines and their attitudes toward children with emotional, behavioral, or educational problems, there has been no systematic determination using a single, psychometrically sound measure that compared different professional groups. The goal was to assess the biases toward children with emotional and behavioral difficulties in samples of professionals who are most likely to have contact with them (86 teachers, 83 psychologists, 47 social workers), as well as other adults (75 undergraduate students). After development from an item pool, the provisional Biases toward Children with Psychological and Behavioral Disorders scale consisted of 21 items in one factor which experts also had assigned to a Biases category. The scale had good internal consistency reliability (α = .84). Validity was supported by a team of experts, factor structure, and known-groups comparisons. Psychologists and social workers scored lower than did teachers and stu...
Behavior of the &#949;-normalized LMS algorithm with Gaussian inputs

The first and second moment behavior of one variation of the normalized LMS (e-NLMS) algorithm is investigated for a white covariance matrix and Gaussian statistics for the data. For this model, it is shown that the e-NLMS algorithm has neither behavior independent of the input data power nor a performance significantly better than the LMS algorithm for which the input power level also must be known a priori. Hence, based upon the results of the analysis, it is recommended that the algorithm not be used in place of the LMS for known input power levels or in place of the NLMS for unknown input power levels.
New directions for the Alaska King crab industry

The Alaska king crab industry historically has been one of the most lucrative fishing industries in the United States. Low 1991 exvessel prices stunned the industry. An econometric model of Alaska king crab price formation is developed in this article to provide insight into potential causes of price movements. Wholesale price formation and allocation for the two largest markets, Japan and the United States, are explicitly modelled. Specific market conditions are shown to have resulted in an unusual market structure encompassing processors' price formation and product allocation. Recent events, including the deterioration of the US wholesale king crab market and economic liberalization in Russia, may have a profound impact on this industry. Model results are used in a discussion of potential ramifications of these events to industry participants.
The potential for using alkaline hydrolysis to study the fine structure of fibres manufactured from a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester

Abstract The possibility of utilizing alkaline hydrolysis for studying changes in the properties of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester fibres is evaluated. The copolyester fibre manufactured from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 2-hydroxy 6-naphthoic acid (HNA) in a molar ratio of 73 27 HBA/HNA was hydrolysed at 21°C with 2.5 M NaOH, 0.1% cetyltrimethylammonium bromide solution. After hydrolysis the shape of the HBA/HNA fibre cross-section changed from round to polygonal, unlike the cross-section of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibre which does not change in shape after a similar treatment. Although heat treatment markedly increased the tenacity of HBA/HNA fibre, the tenacity fell steadily with increasing weight loss by hydrolysis. In contrast, the tenacity of the non-heat-treated fibre remained constant up to a weight loss of 58%, indicating that hydrolysis was occurring at the fibre periphery and leaving its core unaffected. For both the heat-treated and non-heat-treated products the initial modulus of the fibres fell progressively with increasing weight loss. Significant change in brittleness did not appear to occur when either form of HBA/HNA fibre was hydrolysed to a weight loss of 38%.
A comprehensive change detection method for updating the National Land Cover Database to circa 2011

Abstract The importance of characterizing, quantifying, and monitoring land cover, land use, and their changes has been widely recognized by global and environmental change studies. Since the early 1990s, three U.S. National Land Cover Database (NLCD) products (circa 1992, 2001, and 2006) have been released as free downloads for users. The NLCD 2006 also provides land cover change products between 2001 and 2006. To continue providing updated national land cover and change datasets, a new initiative in developing NLCD 2011 is currently underway. We present a new Comprehensive Change Detection Method (CCDM) designed as a key component for the development of NLCD 2011 and the research results from two exemplar studies. The CCDM integrates spectral-based change detection algorithms including a Multi-Index Integrated Change Analysis (MIICA) model and a novel change model called Zone, which extracts change information from two Landsat image pairs. The MIICA model is the core module of the change detection strategy and uses four spectral indices (CV, RCVMAX, dNBR, and dNDVI) to obtain the changes that occurred between two image dates. The CCDM also includes a knowledge-based system, which uses critical information on historical and current land cover conditions and trends and the likelihood of land cover change, to combine the changes from MIICA and Zone. For NLCD 2011, the improved and enhanced change products obtained from the CCDM provide critical information on location, magnitude, and direction of potential change areas and serve as a basis for further characterizing land cover changes for the nation. An accuracy assessment from the two study areas show 100% agreement between CCDM mapped no-change class with reference dataset, and 18% and 82% disagreement for the change class for WRS path/row p22r39 and p33r33, respectively. The strength of the CCDM is that the method is simple, easy to operate, widely applicable, and capable of capturing a variety of natural and anthropogenic disturbances potentially associated with land cover changes on different landscapes.
Androgen of the human prostate.

The relationship between the concentrations of total and apparent free testosterone in the plasma and the levels of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5 alpha-androstan-3-alpha, 17 beta-diol (DIOL) in 13 benign hypertrophic and 6 car-cinomatous prostates was studied. The androgen concentration within both types of glands was nearly 4-fold that in the blood but bore no direct relationship to the blood level. About 75% of the androgen in the tissue was DHT. The most striking finding was that, in spite of a 25.5% less concentrated pool of apparent free testosterone in the blood, the level of T and its metabolites in the cancer tissue was 29% above that in the samples of benign hypertrophic prostate.
ASICs Do Not Play a Role in Maintaining Hyperalgesia Induced by Repeated Intramuscular Acid Injections

Repeated intramuscular acid injections produce long-lasting mechanical hyperalgesia that depends on activation of ASICs. The present study investigated if pH-activated currents in sensory neurons innervating muscle were altered in response to repeated acid injections, and if blockade of ASICs reverses existing hyperalgesia. In muscle sensory neurons, the mean acid-evoked current amplitudes and the biophysical properties of the ASIC-like currents were unchanged following acidic saline injections when compared to neutral pH saline injections or uninjected controls. Moreover, increased mechanical sensitivity of the muscle and paw after the second acid injection was unaffected by local blockade of ASICs (A-317567) in the muscle. As a control, electron microscopic analysis showed that the tibial nerve was undamaged after acid injections. Our previous studies demonstrated that ASICs are important in the development of hyperalgesia to repeated acid injections. However, the current data suggest that ASICs are not involved in maintaining hyperalgesia to repeated intramuscular acid injections.
Chromatography paper as a low-cost medium for accurate spectrophotometric assessment of blood hemoglobin concentration

Anemia affects a quarter of the world's population, and a lack of appropriate diagnostic tools often prevents treatment in low-resource settings. Though the HemoCue 201+ is an appropriate device for diagnosing anemia in low-resource settings, the high cost of disposables ($0.99 per test in Malawi) limits its availability. We investigated using spectrophotometric measurement of blood spotted on chromatography paper as a low-cost (<$0.01 per test) alternative to HemoCue cuvettes. For this evaluation, donor blood was diluted with plasma to simulate anemia, a micropipette spotted blood on paper, and a bench-top spectrophotometer validated the approach before the development of a low-cost reader. We optimized impregnating paper with chemicals to lyse red blood cells, paper type, drying time, wavelengths measured, and sensitivity to variations in volume of blood, and we validated our approach using patient samples. Lysing the blood cells with sodium deoxycholate dried in Whatman Chr4 chromatography paper gave repeatable results, and the absorbance difference between 528 nm and 656 nm was stable over time in measurements taken up to 10 min after sample preparation. The method was insensitive to the amount of blood spotted on the paper over the range of 5 μL to 25 μL. We created a low-cost, handheld reader to measure the transmission of paper cuvettes at these optimal wavelengths. Training and validating our method with patient samples on both the spectrometer and the handheld reader showed that both devices are accurate to within 2 g dL−1 of the HemoCue device for 98% and 95% of samples, respectively.
Analytic performance analysis based on material properties for electroabsorptive asymmetric Fabry-Perot reflection modulators

Simple and accurate analytic expressions are provided for the maximum reflectivity and tolerances of an impedance-matched asymmetric Fabry-Perot used as a high-contrast spatial light modulator when electroabsorptive quantum wells provide loss modulation. When the device geometry is optimized, these expressions depend only on material properties. The maximum reflectivity depends only on the fractional absorption change and is independent of the front-mirror reflectivity. The most important tolerance is on the flatness of crystal growth; the fractional-length tolerance is proportional to the absorption coefficient. These formulas agree with experimentally reported results from multiple-quantum-well modulators and previous numerical analyses; they are useful for quickly predicting optimized performance of possible new materials. The normally on and normally off geometries are compared. The effect of finite back-mirror reflectivity is clarified. Deviations from impedance match enable increased reflectance difference at the expense of contrast ratio, an approach which is evaluated as a function of material parameters.
Quantum Dynamical Studies of the Decomposition of Energetic Materials

We present a theoretical approach aimed at elucidating the microscopic dynamics of energetic materials fragmentation. Two interdependent components are combined to bridge the atomic and bulk realms. A hierarchy of quantal multiple-scattering expansions is first introduced to decompose the complex reaction dynamics into coupled sequences of fewatom interactions, each of which is more amenable to calculation. This microscopic component is complemented by a continuum-mechanical process to account for energy flow into the as yet unreacted bulk material. Such a dual approach allows for quantum-mechanical treatment of coupled atomic-bulk dynamics in a self-consistent way that incorporates large thermal gradients. The analysis, in terms of coupled few-atom interactions, also yields additional insight into the various pathways for reactivity and energy transfer.
Disorder scattering in solid solutions of III–V semiconducting compounds

Abstract Calculations of the disorder scattering contribution to the electron mobilities have been made for a number of III–V compound alloys at room temperature, using an expression originally derived by Brooks. These calculations are in excellent agreement with the measurements in the InAs??z.sbnd;InP system, and predict a small contribution to the mobility in other compound systems. For the Ga-rich GaAs??z.sbnd;InAs alloys, the mobilities observed cannot be explained in terms of alloy scattering involving only intravalley transitions.
Small-angle X-ray scattering of catalysts: recent research

Des recherches recentes de modeles appropries et des applications experimentales de la diffusion centrale de rayons X aux catalyseurs heterogenes sont presentees sous forme d'un article de synthese. Discussion sur les catalyseurs supportes par du carbone ou par des oxydes
Saving energy the easy way: An analysis of thermostat management

Abstract One of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing household energy use is to maintain low indoor temperatures during the winter and high indoor temperatures during the summer. We examine the determinants of self-reported winter and summer thermostat settings and control strategies. Thermostat management (especially during the summer) was found not to be fixed, but varied and sensitive to some conditions. Certain groups (younger people, better educated individuals, audited households, multi-family households, and residents of warmer climates) reduced energy use at a greater rate than their counterparts. Households lowered and raised their thermostats during the day and during different seasons and also shut off their heating and air conditioning systems when their home was unoccupied. In fact, many households reported settings below 68° in the winter and above 78° in the summer, the standard temperatures used in many energy models and programs. This study raised a number of interesting questions for future work that should lead to improvements in the study of thermostat management, design and marketing of energy conservation programs, and the design of utility surveys. Larger sample sizes, uniform sampling designs and instruments, the collection of engineering, social, behavioral, and attitudinal data, multivariate analysis, and longterm studies should produce more consistent results. In addition, metering of temperature and thermostat setting data should provide a more reliable and accurate measure of indoor temperatures and thermostat management and allow researchers to make appropriate adjustments for self-reported thermostat data.
Pathophysiology of valvular heart disease: implications for nuclear imaging.

In general, the echocardiogram has become the mainstay of diagnosis in patients with valvular heart disease. Its strength is that it provides information about valve pathoanatomy and about the severity of stenosis and regurgitation not available by other techniques. However, radionuclide studies offer a more precise gauge of left and right ventricular ejection performance, which is useful in the timing of surgery. Because, at present, most cardiac catheterization procedures in patients with valve disease are performed to evaluate coronary anatomy, a noninvasive technique for detecting coronary disease could obviate the need for invasive studies prior to surgery. The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy especially in aortic stenosis has made myocardial imaging less than perfect in this preoperative evaluation, but clearly this is an area of potential fruitfulness in the use of radionuclide techniques. Additional studies regarding the utility of exercise RNA seem warranted and might be of particular interest in mitral regurgitation, in which little is known about the ability of such studies to help time mitral valve surgery. The addition of estimates of loading during exercise studies is an attractive pathophysiologic adjunct and should be helpful in the interpretation of such studies. The potential role for targeted “hot spot” imaging of ischemia, apoptosis, and necrosis in patients with valvular heart disease remains undefined, although such imaging represents another potential area of investigation that warrants further evaluation.
Sex-selective effects of neonatal isolation on fear conditioning and foot shock sensitivity.

Abstract Our previous work demonstrates enduring effects of the early life stress of neonatal isolation (ISO). ISO facilitates appetitive response learning in adult female, but not male rats, and enhances corticosterone levels and stress responsivity in infant and juvenile rats of both sexes. Corticosterone acts at brain areas such as hippocampus that are rich in glucocorticoid receptors, differentiate postnatally, are sexually dimorphic, and involved in learning. Thus, ISO is hypothesized to alter aversive learning in adult rats in a sex-specific manner. This study tests this hypothesis using context and cue fear conditioning. Pups were isolated for 1 h a day on postnatal (PN) days 2–9 or were non-handled and were then tested in adulthood (PN70-90). In Experiment 1, context- and cue-elicited freezing and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs; 22 kHz range) were measured. Experiments 2–4, respectively, examined three unconditioned foot shock responses (flinch, jump, vocalization), unconditioned fear (time in center of an open, novel arena), and appetitive (stroking-induced; 50 kHz range) USVs. ISO had a sex-selective effect on context-induced USVs that may reflect changes in foot shock sensitivity. ISO increases foot shock sensitivity and tends to enhance context-induced fear in female rats, whereas ISO tends to impair context-induced fear in male rats. Overall, male rats show greater conditioned fear, and female rats show greater unconditioned fear as well as enhanced responses to the aversive and appetitive stimuli. The sex-specific effect of ISO on context fear may reflect neuronal reorganization in stress responsive areas and/or sex differences in some unconditioned responses.
Transition from bare metal to drug eluting stenting in contemporary US practice: Effect on incidence and predictors of clinically driven target lesion revascularization

Background: The performance of drug eluting stents (DES) and impact on every day practice in the USA, where complex, nonselective cases are the rule, remain unknown. Methods: The Brigham and Women's Hospital interventional experience in the bare metal stents (BMS) (6/2002 to 2/2003) and after abrupt and near universal adoption of DES (4/2003 to 9/2004) were compared. Demographic, procedural and in-hospital outcomes for all consecutive cases where investigated. Predictors and angiographic characteristics of patients returning for clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) in both eras were analyzed. Results: Of 2,555 DES cases (3,061 lesions, 87.9% Cypher, 12.1% Taxus), 47 underwent TLR during follow-up (68 lesions, 2.2%). Of the 1,731 BMS cases (1,798 lesions), 162 underwent clinically indicated TLR (209 lesions, 11.6%), representing an 81% DES era TLR risk reduction. Multivariate predictors of TLR in the DES era: left main lesion (LM) (odds ratio (OR) 7.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.33–17.53, P < 0.01, treatment of restenosis (OR 5.96, CI 3.21–11.08, P < 0.01), and diabetes (OR 1.68, CI 0.92–3.04, P = 0.07). Predictors of restenosis in the BMS era included additional clinical, lesion, and stent characteristics, while LM lesion was absent. Angiographic patterns of stent restenosis differed in the DES (focal) and BMS (diffuse) era. Conclusions: The transition from BMS to DES in the setting of a large USA hospital practice is safe and associated with significant reduction in clinically driven TLR. Treatment of specific lesions types (repeat restenosis, distal LM) and diabetic patients remain suboptimal and warrant further investigation. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Surface modification of cellulose fibers by starch grafting with crosslinkers

Polymer grafting is a widely used technique in modifying the properties of cellulose fibers. Many methods, such as free radical, esterification reactions and layer-by-layer adsorption, have been applied for grafting polymer on different substrates. In this study, a facile method to graft biodegradable starch on fiber surface through the hydrogen bond formation among cellulose, starch, and ammonium zirconium (IV) carbonate (AZC) was developed. The effects of grafting conditions, including pH, temperature, fiber consistency, crosslinker, starch dosage, and mechanical agitation on the grafting yield were systematically investigated. Optical and electron microscopes clearly revealed that, after grafting, the fiber surface was covered by hydrogel of starch. The significant improvements of water retention value (WRV) of fibers with starch grafting were also demonstrated in this study. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Cue Competition in Causality Judgments: The Role of Nonpresentation of Compound Stimulus Elements

Abstract College students rated the causal efficacy of Elements X, A, and B of food compounds AX and BX in producing the allergic reaction of a hypothetical patient. The results of a 16-day allergy test were presented to subjects in a serial, trial-by-trial manner. The response format used was a running estimate, in which subjects were asked to rate all of the three foods after each of the 16 trials. Ratings of distinctive Elements A and B diverged and ratings of common Element X decreased as the difference in the correlation of AX and BX with the occurrence and nonoccurrence of the allergic reaction increased. These human causal judgments closely correspond with stimulus selection effects observed in the conditioned responses of animals in associative learning studies. The experiment also directly demonstrated the fact that significant changes in the causal ratings of a stimulus occur on trials in which the cue is not presented. Associative theories such as that of Rescorla and Wagner (1972) predict changes in associative strength only for those stimulus elements that are presented on a particular trial. A modification of the Rescorla-Wagner model is described that correctly predicts immediate changes in the associative strengths of all relevant cues on each trial—whether presented or not.
Affine differential geometry of surfaces in ℝ4

Employing the method of moving frames, i.e. Cartan's algorithm, we find a complete set of invariants for nondegenerate oriented surfacesM2 in ℝ4 relative to the action of the general affine group on ℝ4. The invariants found include a normal bundle, a quadratic form onM2 with values in the normal bundle, a symmetric connection onM2 and a connection on the normal bundle. Integrability conditions for these invariants are also determined. Geometric interpretations are given for the successive reductions to the bundle of affine frames overM2, obtained by using the method of moving frames, that lead to the aforementioned invariants. As applications of these results we study a class of surfaces known as harmonic surfaces, finding for them a complete set of invariants and their integrability conditions. Further applications involve the study of homogeneous surfaces; these are surfaces which are fixed by a group of affine transformations that act transitively on the surface. All homogeneous harmonic surfaces are determined.
Metabolism: Host and microbes in a pickle

Metabolic disorders such as obesity are characterized by long-term, low-grade inflammation. Under certain conditions, the resident microorganisms of the gut might contribute to this inflammation, resulting in disease.
The nature of order: from security patterns to a pattern language

We present a pattern language containing all security patterns that have been published in various venues. Ours is the first pattern language that covers an entire problem domain; to our best knowledge, it is also the largest in software.
Inhibition of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Release Reduces Myocardial Stunning

Recent findings indicate that ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is associated with phospholipase C (PLC)-induced inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production, as well as abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release. Therefore, we hypothesized that increased SR Ca2+ release may contribute to Ca2+ overload and myocardial stunning. Neomycin (NEO) was used to inhibit PLC, and sodium dantrolene (DAN) was used to inhibit myocardial SR Ca2+ release. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if PLC inhibition would reduce IR-induced ventricular dysfunction, (2) to examine ventricular function during inhibition of SR Ca2+ release prior to ischemia, and (3) to examine the influence of SR Ca2+ release inhibition on post-IR ventricular function. Left ventricular developed pressure (DP) and ±dP/dt of isolated crystalloid perfused rat heart (Langendorff apparatus) paced at 350 bpm were compared before and after global IR (38°C, 20 min I, 40 min R) to assess functional recovery. PLC was inhibited with NEO (10 μM × 5 min prior to ischemia), and SR Ca2+ release was retarded with DAN (12.5 μM) in 0.05% DMSO (vehicle) infused for 3 min via the aortic canula 13 min prior to ischemia. No effect on DP was observed during NEO or DAN infusion. NEO and DAN pretreatment each improved recovery of DP (% recovery ± SEM) following IR: control, 46.5 ± 5.1%; NEO + IR, 71.0 ± 6.3%,* vehicle + IR, 44.4 ± 2.9%; DAN + IR, 71.0 ± 4.7%,*,† (*P < 0.05 vs control IR, †P < 0.05 vs vehicle + IR, ANOVA, Scheffe F test, n = 5 all groups). We conclude that SR Ca2+ release during IR contributes to myocardial stunning.
Kinetics of reduction of hexavalent neptunium by nitrous acid in solutions of nitric acid

Nitrous acid is a key redox controlling factor, affecting the speciation of neptunium in the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel by solvent extraction. The kinetics of the reduction of neptunium(VI) by nitrous acid in solutions of nitric acid was investigated spectrophotometrically by the method of initial rates. The reaction is of first order with respect to Np(VI) while the order with respect to HNO2 is 1.20 ± 0.04. The reaction rate is almost inversely proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration (reaction order −0.92 ± 0.06), indicating that the reaction proceeds primarily through the reaction of neptunium(VI) with the nitrate anion. The experimental value of the rate constant k for the rate law −d[Np(VI)]/dt = k·[Np(VI)]·[HNO2]1.2/[H+] is of (0.159 ± 0.014) M−0.2 s−1 in I = 4 M and at 20 °C. The activation energy is (−57.3 ± 1.6) kJ/mol, which is in agreement with previous data on this reaction in perchloric acid.
A computational approach for understanding immune response to multiple epitopes based on optimal control formulation

Abstract The immune system does not response in equal probability to every epitope of an invader. We investigate the immune system’s decision making process using optimal control principles. Mathematically, this formulation requires the solution of a two-point boundary-value problem, which is a challenging task especially when the control variables are bounded. In this work, we develop a computational approach based on the shooting technique for bounded optimal control problems. We then utilize the computational approach to carry out extensive numerical studies on a simple immune response model of two competing controls. Numerical solutions demonstrate that the results of optimal control depend on the objective function, the limitations on control inputs, as well as the amounts of peptides. Moreover, the state space of peptides can be divided into different regions according the properties of the solutions. The developed algorithm not only provides a useful tool for understanding decision making strategies of the immune system but can also be utilized to solve other complex optimal control problems.
Perimetric scale-shape coordinates for triatomic molecules

Perimetric nuclear coordinates of a triatomic molecule treat all three nuclei equivalently and are not subject to the triangle conditions. Through an appropriate orthogonal transformation they can be separated into one scale coordinate, viz., the circumference, and two shape coordinates, which are determined by the angles. The parameter space of the shape coordinates is an equilateral triangle. The basic formulas are given and the relationship between points in coordinate space and molecular shapes are elucidated.
Molecular cloud cores and bimodal star formation

The phenomenon of bimodal star formation is reviewed in the context of supercritical and subcritical states for molecular clouds that are supported against their self-gravitation by magnetic fields. The governing set of equations is derived subject to the quasi-static and axisymmetric approximations. The method of numerical solution and tests of the resultant computer code are outlined. The results of the evolutionary calculations are discussed, emphasizing time scales, masses, and typical sizes of modeled cores that can be compared with observations. For a fixed mass, it is found that the level or turbulent support determines whether a dense core forms or not. This is used to generalize the concept of a critical mass to account for the contributions of turbulence and thermal pressures to the support of a cloud.
Alternating priority versus FCFS scheduling in a two-class queueing system

Abstract For the single-server two-class queueing system studied in the classical text of Conway et al. (1967) [2] , we compare the mean flow times for First-Come, First-Served (FCFS) and Alternating Priority (AP) scheduling rules assuming zero setup costs for switching between classes. We show that the condition for the superiority of AP over FCFS stated in that text is incorrect, provide the correct conditions, and establish a lower bound on the difference between the mean flow times under the two rules.
Malignant synaptic growth and Alzheimer’s disease

In this article, we will describe the malignant synaptic growth hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Originally presented in 1994, the hypothesis remains a viable model of the functional and biophysical mechanisms underlying the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In this article, we will refresh the model with references to relevant empirical support that has been generated in the intervening two decades since it’s original presentation. We will include discussion of its relationship, in terms of points of alignment and points of contention, to other models of Alzheimer’s disease, including the cholinergic hypothesis and the tau and β-amyloid models of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, we propose several falsifiable predictions made by the malignant synaptic growth hypothesis and describe the avenues of treatment that hold the greatest promise under this hypothesis.
Effect of pH on adsorption of chromium from landfill‐leachate by clay minerals

Abstract Adsorption of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species by kaolinite and montmorillonite clay minerals was found to be highly dependent upon the pH of the clay suspensions and the physical‐chemical properties of the clay minerals. Adsorption of Cr(VI) decreased as pH increased and the HCrO4 ‐ ion was the Cr(VI) species predominantly adsorbed. More Cr(VI) was adsorbed from leachate solutions than from pure K2CrO4 solutions. The adsorption of Cr(III) increased as the pH of the suspensions increased. About 30 to 300 times more Cr(III) than Cr(VI) was adsorbed by both clays and the amounts of Cr(III) adsorbed corresponded to cation exchange‐adsorption of hydrolyzed Cr(III) species. The adsorption of Cr(III) is 3% to 14% lower in leachate than in pure Cr(NO3)3 solutions. The results of the study suggest that landfill disposal of Cr(VI) wastes represents a potential pollution hazard due to its high mobility in earth materials and that safe disposal may require conversion of Cr(VI) in the wastes to Cr(III).
Spectroscopic raman nanometrology of graphene and graphene multilayers on arbitrary substrates

Raman spectroscopy is known to be an effective tool for characterization of graphene and graphene multilayers on the standard Si/SiO2 (300 nm) substrates, which allows one to determine non-destructively the number of the graphene layers and assess their quality. The Raman phonon peaks undergo modification when graphene is placed on other substrates due to changes in the nature and density of the defects, surface charges and different strength of the graphene – substrate bonding. We show that despite the spectrum variations the deconvolution of the double-resonant 2D band allows one to identify the number of graphene layers even on amorphous glass substrates. The results extend the application of Raman spectroscopy as nanometrology tool for graphene and graphene-based devices.
Measurement of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether and tert-Butyl Alcohol in Human Blood by Purge-and-Trap Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Using an Isotope-Dilution Method

We developed an isotope-dilution method for measuring methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in whole human blood using a purge-and-trap gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. The labeled analogues for MTBE and TBA were [~Ht2]methyl tert-butyl ether and [2Hg]-tert-butyl alcohol, respectively. Volatiles were removed from the blood by direct helium purging of the liquid; were trapped on a Tenax trap; and were desorbed, cryofocused, and cbromatograpbed on a DB-624 capillary column that was connected directly to the ion source of a mass spectrometer. Detection was by mass analysis using a doublefocusing magnetic-sector mass spectrometer operating in the fullscan mode at the medium mass resolution of 3000. For the isotopedilution method, the minimum detection limits in blood (5-10 mL) are 0.01 pg/L for MTBE and 0.06 pg/L for TBA. The isotope-dilution method proved to be a big improvement in recovery, reproducibility, and sensitivity over our previous analytical method, which used the labeled ketone, [4-2H3]-2-butanone, as the internal standard for both
Some causes of interstate differences in community bank performance

This study assesses the relationship between the performance of community banks and conditions in their marketplaces over the 1994–2008 period. A panel model is used, in which the states serve as the panels, and focuses on banks termed community financial institutions (CFIs). Bank performance is measured by the return on assets (ROA). The ROAs are averaged for all CFIs in each state. Statewide ROAs are related to each state’s economic, demographic, and market structure characteristics. These state-level characteristics explain some of the variations in the performance of each state’s CFIs over time, and results are economically and financially reasonable. Fixed effects play a role, linking each state’s performance to unidentified factors unique to each state. The mild (but statistically significant) explanatory power of the economic/demographic variables suggests that CFI managers can effectively deal with economic/demographic changes in their marketplace, in contrast to the troubles of big banks.
Regulation of sigma activity by the amino-terminus of substance P in the mouse spinal cord: Involvement of phencyclidine (PCP) sites not linked to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) activity

Behavioral responses to kainic acid (KA) injected intrathecally in mice are enhanced by N-but not C-terminal fragments of substance P (SP). Repeated injections of KA result in sensitization to KA-induced activity, an effect that appears to be mediated by SP N-terminal activity and inhibited by PCP ligands. The present study was initiated to determine whether the ability of SP N-terminal fragments to enhance KA activity is also sensitive to PCP ligands. We compared the effect of a PCP ligand, dizocilpine (MK-801), to that of haloperidol, a sigma ligand and dopamine antagonist. MK-801 (1 nmol) failed to alter the enhancement of behavioral responses to KA (25 pmol) produced by SP(1-7) (22.5 pmol, 30 min). However, pretreatment with 1 nmol of either haloperidol or the N-terminal SP antagonist, [D-Pro2-D-Phe7]SP(1-7) [D-SP(1-7)], prevented potentiation of KA by SP(1-7). Like SP(1-7), 5 nmol of the sigma ligand 1,3-di(2-tolyl)guanidine (DTG) also enhanced behaviors elicited by KA, and this effect was also blocked by haloperidol or D-SP(1-7), but not spiperone (2.5 nmol), a dopamine antagonist. Together these data suggest that sigma receptors are involved in the potentiation of KA. A large dose of SP(1-7) (10 nmol) or DTG (20 nmol) did not alter the response to KA 24 hr later, yet further potentiated responses to KA 30 min after SP(1-7) (22.5 pmol) or DTG (5 nmol), suggesting sensitization to the effects of these compounds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sunn Pest Control Policies and Effect of Sunn Pest Damage on Wheat Quality and Price in Turkey

Wheat is a very strategic crop for Turkey as well as many other countries. Sunn pest is one of the most important pests of cereals particularly for wheat and barley in Turkey. Turkish governments have conducted sunn pest management (SPM) program, mainly based on chemical control since 1927. Neither farmers nor technical consultants have been satisfied with the SPM program conducted by the government. Therefore, the government purpose is to transfer SPM program to the farmers by providing technical information and equipments gradually. In this paper, effect of sunn pest damage on wheat price in Turkey is analyzed by using hedonic price function. The results show that sunn pest damage is the most effective factor and causes a significant decrease in wheat prices.
Developmental Disability in the Young and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in the Elderly After Anesthesia and Surgery: Do Data Justify Changing Clinical Practice?

The assumption that anesthesia has no serious, long-term, adverse central nervous system consequences may be true for most patients between 6 months and 60 years of age. However, for patients younger than 6 months or older than 60 years, that status quo assumption is under challenge from a growing body of evidence. Fetuses and newborns appear to be at risk because systems that would enable them to fully recover from the effects of more than 2 hours of anesthesia are still in development. In distinction, the elderly appear to be at risk because systems that once enabled them to fully recover have ever-diminishing capacity. Even for those between the age of 6 months and 60 years, full recovery may require replacing apoptosed neurons and pruning overabundant dendritic spines…perhaps leaving patients not quite the same person that they were before they were anesthetized.