cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatic Plexus Nerve Block for Microwave Ablation of Hepatic Tumors.

Seven patients underwent microwave ablation of hepatic tumors, using hepatic nerve plexus block. Mean visual analog score (VAS; pain on 1-10 scale) was 0.3±0.5 at baseline and 2.5±1.4, 2.6±1.4, and 2.3±0.9 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes during ablation. Two patients reported VAS ≥4 during ablation, which both improved to VAS of 3 after one rescue sedation dose; remaining patients required no additional sedation. No major complication occurred. No patient required conversation to general anesthesia.
High-Resolution Picosecond Modulation Spectrocopy of Near Interband Resonances in Semiconductors

There are many methods of modulation spectroscopy which have been applied with success to the study of interband critical point structure in crystalline semiconductors under equilibrium conditions. We have used the sensitivity afforded by presently available wavelength tunable cw picosecond dye lasers to perform excite-probe spectroscopy of electronic excitations near lowest interband resonances in GaAs, Ga1−xInxP, and the semimagnetic semiconductor Cd1−xMnxTe. From the time resolved optically modulated spectra new information has been obtained about the character and relaxation of free carriers, impurity and exciton states, and electronic spin-polarization.
Global Sea-Level Changes During the Past Century

A novel technique, initially developed for climate studies, is used to reevaluate the estimate of relative sea-level change over the past century. The technique produces a composite regional average sea-level curve from the tide-gage data of individual stations. The effects of glacioisostasy and long-term tectonism are accounted for using late Holocene sea-level indicators. Along the east coast of North America, an apparent maximum sea-level rise is detected in both tide-gage and late Holocene sea-level indicators between Chesapeake Bay and New Jersey. Sea-level changes in western North America reveal greater spatial variations than for the east coast, which can be related to more active tectonism in California and British Columbia and to strong localized isostatic rebound in Alaska.
Bayes sequential design of stock levels

Bayesian determination of optimal stock levels is studied for the case of Poisson distribution of the demand variable, and prior gamma distribution of the expected demand. Bayes sequential procedure is derived, assuming that stock level can be adjusted at the beginning of each period so that a shortage can be immediately replenished and an overstock can be corrected. The Bayes sequential procedure is more difficult to obtain if this assumption is removed. A dynamic programming method for obtaining the general Bayes sequential procedure is outlined. Finally, an empiric Bayes estimation procedure of the optimal Bayesian stock level is presented.
Identification of Nonlinear Nondynamic Systems with Application to a Hot Steel Rolling Mill

Abstract The problem of obtaining information about the structure of an unknown nonlinear system is considered and an algorithm is presented for identifying the structure of a nonlinear nondynamic system from a known set of nonlinear functions. The algorithm selects one or more of these nonlinear functions for the final model. It is shown that for certain categories of functions the algorithm may select a suboptimal model. An analysis of this selection error is presented along with a method for assigning a probability to its occurrence. In addition, the method can be used to reduce the order of an existing nonlinear model. This identification algorithm is used to derive roll force setup models for a hot steel rolling mill.
Hexokinase: the direct link between mitochondrial and glycolytic reactions in rapidly growing cancer cells.

Studies of glycolytic and respiratory activities of a hepatoma cell line (H-91) in culture are consistent with the view that a form of hexokinase concentrated in the mitochondrial fraction provides a “direct link” between mitochondrial and glycolytic reactions. The activity of hexokinase is found to be about 20-fold higher in H-91 cells than in control and regenerating rat liver, and to be insensitive to inhibition by glucose-6-phosphate. Mitochondria isolated from these cells contain about 50% of the total cell hexokinase activity. The mitochondrial fraction is 3-fold enriched in hexokinase activity relative to the homogenate and 4-fold enriched relative to the nuclear and post-mitochondrial fractions. Addition of glucose to respiring H-91 mitochondria (after a burst of ATP synthesis) results in a stimulation of respiration. Oligomycin, a specific inhibitor of ATP synthesis in mitochondria, inhibits respiration stimulated by glucose. Mitochondria isolated from several other rapidly growing tumors are shown to contain bound hexokinase, whereas mitochondria isolated from the two slowly growing Morris hepatomas 44 and 8995 are without detectable activity. It is suggested that an elevated form of mitochondrially-bound hexokinase may promote a high rate of lactic acid production in rapidly growing tumor cells by providing enhanced levels of the glycolytic substrate Glc-6-P and ADP, and/or by reducing the concentration of Pi at the site of oxidative phosphorylation. Consistent in part with the “aberrant ATPase” theory to account for high tumor glycolysis (Racker, E., Am. Sci. 60 (1972) 56), it may be noted that mitochondrially-bound hexokinase functions as a partial ATPase.
Mixed assemblages of drilling predators and the problem of identity in the fossil record: A case study using the muricid gastropod Ecphora

Drillholes made by naticid and muricid gastropods are frequently used in evolutionary and ecological studies because they provide direct, preservable evidence of predation. The muricid Ecphora is common in many Neogene Atlantic Coastal Plain assemblages in the United States, but is frequently ignored in studies of naticid predation. We used a combination of Pliocene fossil, modern beach, and experimentally derived samples to evaluate the hypothesis that Ecphora was an important source of drillholes in infaunal bivalve prey shared with naticids. We focused on the large, thick-shelled venerid, Mercenaria, which is commonly drilled by naticids today. Laboratory experiments, modern beach samples, and the published literature confirm that naticids preferentially drill near the umbo (significant clumping of holes), show a significant correlation between prey size and predator size (estimated by outer borehole diameter), and prefer Mercenaria <50 mm antero-posterior width when other prey are present. Fossil samples containing Ecphora (with or without other large muricids) show no drillhole site stereotypy (no significant clumping, greater variability in placement), no significant predator: prey size correlation, drilled prey shells larger than the largest modern naticids could produce in an experimental setting, and drillholes larger in diameter than those estimated for the largest Pliocene naticids, thus supporting our hypothesis. Substantial overlap in the placement of holes drilled by naticids and muricids, however, made identifying predators from drillhole position problematic. The lack of overlapping ranges of prey shell thickness between fossil and other samples precluded the use of drillhole morphology to establish predator identity (e.g., ratio of inner borehole diameter to outer borehole diameter, drillhole angle). Whereas the difficulty in determining predator identity from drillholes limits the types of analyses that can be reliably performed in mixed-predator assemblages, recognizing Ecphora as a prominent drilling predator creates the opportunity to investigate previously unrecognized questions.
Labour force behaviour of older men the USA: an analysis of recent trends

This paper presents a summary of ongoing research on the labour force behaviour of older men in the USA. Our empirical analysis is based on the matched and unmatched March Current Population Survey (CPS). The matched CPS is a new and potentially very rich source of information on dynamic labour force behaviour, and consists of a long sequence of short panels constructed by matching individual records across adjacent-year files of the March CPS. We use these data to describe what we believe are the most salient trends in participation and labour force transitions of older men during the last two decades.
Overexpression of cytoplasmic dynein's globular head causes a collapse of the interphase microtubule network in Dictyostelium.

Abstract Cytoplasmic dynein is a minus-end directed microtubule-based motor. Using a molecular genetic approach, we have begun to dissect structure-function relationships of dynein in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium. Expression of a carboxy-terminal 380-kDa fragment of the heavy chain produces a protein that approximates the size and shape of the globular, mechanochemical head of dynein. This polypeptide cosediments with microtubules in an ATP-sensitive fashion and undergoes a UV-vanadate cleavage reaction. The deleted amino-terminal region appears to participate in dimerization of the native protein and in binding the intermediate and light chains. Overexpression of the 380-kDa carboxy-terminal construct in Dictyostelium produces a distinct phenotype in which the interphase radial microtubule array appears collapsed. In many cells, the microtubules form loose bundles that are whorled around the nucleus. Similar expression of a central 107-kDa fragment of the heavy chain does not produce this result. The data presented here suggest that dynein may participate in maintaining the spatial pattern of the interphase microtubule network.
Statocyst hair cell activation of identified interneurons and foot contraction motor neurons in Hermissenda.

Pavlovian conditioning of Hermissenda produces both light-elicited inhibition of normal positive phototactic behavior and conditioned stimulus (CS)-elicited foot-shortening. Rotation, the unconditi...
Dynamic opening device for mandibular trismus.

Abstract Where pathologic conditions restrict mandibular opening, an elastic-loaded, dynamic opening device can often aid in improving limited jaw opening. The application of pressure is derived by elastic tension on rods that are attached to occlusal stents. The positioning of the elastic tension is critical to the direction of the opening force and to the stabilization of the stents. The dynamic opening device can provide improvement to impaired jaw opening and has definite clinical value for some patients.
Detection of HIV-1 in injection paraphernalia: risk in an era of heightened awareness.

Links between AIDS and self-injection of drugs were first recognized more than 20 years ago, but identification of a specific pathogen and ways to neutralize it has not led to complete success in preventing transmission of HIV-1 infection among injecting drug users (IDUs). A street ethnographer identified active risk locales (places where IDUs go to inject drugs) and recruited their proprietors into a study of contaminated injection paraphernalia. Collected paraphernalia from locales were analyzed for contamination by HIV-1 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Proprietors and clientele of 16 risk locales participated by contributing used paraphernalia and/or agreeing to a blood test (0.5–1 mL drawn by finger stick). Realtime PCR was the primary measure used to determine contamination of injection paraphernalia and blood samples with HIV-1. Of 130 samples collected at baseline, a total of 8 were found to have evidence of HIV-1 contamination by detection of either HIV-1 RNA or DNA. The most seri...
A system for multiple single unit recording and real-time analysis

We have developed a system for the recording and analysis of extracellular data acquired through a single micro-electrode. The system was build in a modular fashion in order to be easily configured to virtually any possible arrangement of multi-electrode array. Real time analysis of acquired data including calculations of statistical measures of spike trains is feasible, given a short pre-processing time. Reliable separation of activity of up to five units is possible, depending on the characteristics of the microelectrode used [1]. Therefore, application of the system to any recording apparatus will enhance its power by a factor of two to five.
Nanostructured Metal Oxide and Composite Electrodes for Use in Ultracapacitors

Maximizing power and energy densities of ultracapacitors requires configuring redox-active materials in specific architectures that: 1) maximize electrolyte-electrode contact area, 2) minimize transport distances for both electrons and charge compensating species, and 3) minimize transport barriers. We have developed a simple solution-based method, using an organic template, that enables us to introduce hierarchical porosity in ruthenium oxide down to the nano-scale by controlling the oxidative crystal growth of RuO2. The high capacitances of the resulting nanostructured electrodes were found to be comparable to hydrous ruthenium oxide formed under dramatically different conditions. Materials characterization reveals that the organic template directs structure formation and promotes hydroxyl retention.
Offshoring of Services from Developing Countries: The New Wave of Emerging Offshorers

Offshore outsourcing of services accelerated at the end of 1990s in developed countries. Recently developing countries have also increasingly offshored services, not only to developed countries but also to other developing countries. Yet, to date little attention has been paid to the emergence of this reverse offshoring. This paper examines the determinants of offshoring of services from developing countries; as such the authors investigate what location factors drive these firms from developing countries to offshore services. Using data on service offshoring projects during 2001-2007 originating from developing countries, the authors found that the determinants of offshoring of services from developing countries followed similar patterns of conventional offshoring yet for different reasons. In addition, the authors also found that services offshoring from developing countries in some sectors appeared to occur because of the desire to be closer to customers.
Synaptic and regenerative responses of cardiac muscle fibres in the crab,Portunus sanguinolentus

1. The activation of cardiac muscle fibres by the motor axons from the cardiac ganglion of the crab,Portunus sanguinolentus, is described here (Fig. 1). 2. Each cardiac muscle fibre receives polyneuronal innervation, and the synaptic potentials recorded in the fibres of spontaneously active hearts are in part compound excitatory junctional potentials (EJP's) resulting from simultaneous synaptic input from several axons terminating close to one another on the muscle fibre (Fig. 2). 3. In situ recording from spontaneously beating whole hearts shows that the compound EJP's normally summate to form an irregular, depolarised plateau potential (Fig. 3). 4. Portunus cardiac muscle fibres show a regenerative response to synaptic excitation in addition to the summated, compound EJP's. In freshly exposed, whole hearts, this response takes the form of an overshooting action potential much shorter in duration than an EJP. More than one action potential can occur in response to a single burst of input from the spontaneously active cardiac ganglion (Fig. 3). 5. These observations suggest that the normal electrical activity in the cardiac muscle fibres of the living animal consists of an overshooting action potential rising from resting potential and followed by a slowly declining, irregular plateau of summated, compound EJP's (Fig. 3). 6. Bath- and iontophoretically-applied glutamate (10−4 M) transiently depolarises the cardiac muscle fibres and abolishes their response to synaptic input (Fig. 4). 7. In response to intracellular current injection via a microelectrode, the fibre membrane I-V relation is linear in the depolarising direction at least as far as 18mV(Fig. 5). 8. Replacement of the Ca2+ ions in the bathing medium with Sr2+ ions results in spontaneous, rhythmic, long-duration action potentials in the muscle fibres of deganglionated hearts (Fig. 6).
The Dirichlet problem for a quasilinear singularly perturbed second order system

We study an equivalent form of the Dirichlet problem for a quasilinear singularly perturbed second order system, which is a singular singularly perturbed boundary value problem. In this way, we have not only eliminated the usual assumption of the existence of a vector potential function, but also proved the existence and uniqueness of the exact solution of the studied problem. Meanwhile, an asymptotic analysis and a remainder estimate of the solution are also presented.
Iron deficiency alters auditory recognition memory in newborn infants of diabetic mothers.

Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) are at risk for perinatal brain iron deficiency that may target the developing hippocampus. The objective of this study was to evaluate hippocampally based recognition memory and infant development in IDMs with suspected brain iron deficiency (BID; cord ferritin ≤34 μg/L) compared with IDMs with sufficient brain iron stores (BIS; cord ferritin >34 μg/L) using event-related potentials (ERPs). ERPs assessed neonatal auditory cortical responses to sounds and auditory recognition memory in response to the mother's voice compared with a stranger's voice. Thirty-two newborn IDMs had cord serum ferritin concentrations and provided neonatal ERP data (n = 23) and/or blinded 1 y developmental assessments (n = 28). Auditory cortical responses to speech and nonspeech sounds were similar in the BID and BIS groups. In the maternal voice recognition paradigm, peak latencies were shorter in the BID group than in the BIS group. Infants in the BIS group displayed a significant negative slow wave for the strangers' voices compared with the mothers' voices, whereas the BID group did not. Higher cord ferritin concentrations were correlated with larger negative slow waves at the right temporal (T4) electrode site. At 1 y of age, motor development was slower in the BID group than in the BIS group. IDMs suspected to have BID demonstrated impaired neonatal auditory recognition memory and lower psychomotor developmental scores at 1 y of age than IDMs with BIS. These impairments map onto areas of the developing brain known to be vulnerable to iron deficiency.
Effect of Boundary Conditions on Free Vibration of Thick Isotropic Spherical Shells

A nine-node Lagrangian finite element is formulated in spherical coordinates and used to study the vibration of thick isotropic spherical shells. The accuracy of the proposed analysis is verified by way of comparison with existing solutions. A comparative study of frequencies of vibration for thick spherical shells for several definitions of a simple support is presented in both tabular and graphical format. The analysis is expanded by including additional results for both free and fixed boundary conditions. An important conclusion is that the manner in which the boundary condition is defined can modify and possibly control the frequency of free vibration.
Multichannel Compression: Effects of Reduced Spectral Contrast on Vowel Identification.

Purpose To clarify if large numbers of wide dynamic range compression channels provide advantages for vowel identification and to measure its acoustic effects. Methods Eight vowels produced by 12 t...
Current Trends in the Management of the Upper Limb in Spinal Cord Injury

There are nearly 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury each year. About half of those involve some part of the arm and hand, representing significant disability and dependence for those patients. Restoration of upper limb function remains a high priority in rehabilitation; however, treatment protocols are widely variable and poorly defined. Recent research efforts fall into three main categories: therapeutic interventions, surgical reconstruction, and robotic developments. Therapeutic interventions involving high repetitions of motor and sensory input are under investigation but have limited support in the literature. Patients with incomplete injuries have a better prognosis. Surgical reconstruction techniques are evolving from advances in treatment of brachial plexopathy. Although these hold great potential for return of function, they are also high-risk techniques for which complications and inconsistent results have been reported. Finally, robotic developments, including exoskeletons and implants, show great promise but still have practical constraints. Management of the upper limb remains a complicated problem and more research efforts should be devoted to defining strategies for intervention.
An approach for developing an integrated modelling environment: a case investigation

Recent research on software development environments (SDE) and computer-aided software engineering (CASE) have not addressed the issue of multiple environments. This paper presents an approach for developing an integrated modelling environment (IME) that supports the maintenance of software environment models in software engineering. The approach uses the notion of a composite software development environment maintaining multiple software development environments. The composite is specified by analysing and identifying common features from other environments. These other environments include various government-supported efforts. The idea of a common software development environment may be supported in part by several different international standards or technical approaches (e.g. CAIS, CAIS-A, PCTE, ALMA/metasystems, object-oriented systems, and so forth). Some of these ways are outlined in the paper. An analysis of them in case study form is presented.
Simplifying mobile phone food diaries: design and evaluation of a food index-based nutrition diary

We describe the design and evaluation of POND, a Pattern-Oriented Nutrition Diary. POND is a mobile-phone food diary designed using a theory-driven approach to address a common challenge users report when using food diaries on mobile phones: the amount of effort required to create food entries in relation to the perceived self-benefit of self-monitoring food intake. The design allows users to create food entries either via a traditional database lookup or a streamlined '+1' approach. 24 people used POND to create predefined food entries. We found people preferred different approaches to creating entries, which reflected their self-reported nutrition concerns. This supports an argument for rethinking traditional approaches to designing food diaries.
Extensions of learning-based model predictive control for real-time application to a quadrotor helicopter

A new technique called learning-based model predictive control (LBMPC) rigorously combines statistics and learning with control engineering, while providing levels of guarantees about safety, robustness, and convergence. This paper describes modifications of LBMPC that enable its realtime implementation on an ultra-low-voltage processor that is onboard a quadrotor helicopter testbed, and it also discusses the numerical algorithms used to implement the control scheme on the quadrotor. Experimental results are provided that demonstrate the improvement to dynamic response that the learning in LBMPC provides, as well as the robustness of LBMPC to mis-learning.
Carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of N‐substituted 2‐amino‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐ones and 3‐substituted 2,4‐(1H,3H)quinazolinediones

13C chemical shifts of nine N-substituted 2-amino-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones, the isomeric 3-substituted 2,4-(1H,3H)quinazolinediones, and the parent compounds of the two series are reported. Support is provided for the endocyclic position of the C=N bond in the former series of compounds.
Metabolic rates and thermal tolerances of chemoautotrophic symbioses from Lau Basin hydrothermal vents and their implications for species distributions

Abstract Metabolic rates and thermal tolerances of three species of mobile symbiotic molluscs (two provannid gastropods Alviniconcha sp. and Ifremeria nautilei; and the mussel Bathymodiolus brevior) from Lau Basin hydrothermal vents were measured. Thermal tolerances of the two gastropods were similar and well in excess of temperatures observed in situ, although Alviniconcha sp. appeared to have slightly higher tolerances. B. brevior had lower thermal limits that could exclude it from central areas of active venting. High-pressure respirometry experiments revealed that Alviniconcha sp. has very high potential growth rates; its uptake of carbon for its endosymbionts being among the highest recorded. Uptake rates of metabolites in I. nautilei and B. brevior were an order of magnitude lower than those observed in Alviniconcha sp. Taken together, these thermal tolerances and metabolite uptake rates help to explain the zonation patterns seen in situ, where Alviniconcha sp. is found closest to the source of vent fluid, followed by I. nautilei, and then B. brevior.
Trimethylsilylated Allyl Complexes of the Heavy Alkali Metals, M[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3](thf)n (M = K, Cs)

Reaction of elemental cesium with 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)propene produces the corresponding substituted allyl derivative. The complex and its previously prepared potassium counterpart form the THF solvates K[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3](thf)3/2 and Cs[1,3-(SiMe3)2C3H3](thf), respectively, which crystallize as coordination polymers in the solid state. In the case of the cesium complex, the packing is polymeric in two dimensions. As was previously found for the potassium complex, the cesium compound is an initiator for methyl methacrylate polymerization.
Inelastic neutron scattering and periodic DFT studies of crystalline aromatic materials: Azulene. A test of ab initio methods

Abstract The inelastic neutron scattering spectrum of crystalline azulene has been measured and compared with the results of isolated molecule ab initio and periodic DFT calculations. The comparison infers that the molecular geometry in the solid state retains the C 2v symmetry, and likely the geometry, of the isolated molecule. The disordered nature of crystalline azulene which prevents determination of molecular structure is investigated by consideration of two limiting packing arrangements.
Vasomodulation of tumor blood flow: Effect on perfusion and thermal ablation size

Blood flow is a key factor in the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation treatment of solid tumors. We hypothesized that vasoactive drugs can modulate tumor blood flow and thereby improve the outcome of this thermal ablation approach. To verify this hypothesis, we measured the tumor perfusion changes in response to phenylephrine (PE) and hydralazine (HYZ) using a CT perfusion method in a rat subcutaneous tumor model. The coagulation sizes induced by RF ablation alone, RF ablation with PE and RF ablation with HYZ were compared. Results demonstrated that HYZ produced a marked decrease in entire tumor and tumor rim blood flow of 31.1 and 29.1%; while PE insignificantly change tumor blood flow (5.1% decrease in whole tumor and 6.0% decrease in tumor rim). A markedly greater coagulation area (0.59 cm2 ± 0.24) was observed when HYZ was administered before RF ablation. No difference was noted in the coagulation area induced by RF ablation alone or the combination of PE injection followed by RF ablation (0.29 cm2 ± 0.13 vs. 0.30 cm2 ± 0.18). Results suggest that HYZ decreases subcutaneous tumor blood flow and enhances the coagulation size induced by RF ablation. PE has little influence on tumor blood flow and does not improve ablation.
A novel flow cytometric technique for Drug cytotoxicity gives results comparable to colony-forming assays

Background Drug sensitivity is commonly determined by assays that utilize colony formation to discriminate between surviving and lethally treated cells. These assays require cells with high plating efficiency that form discernible colonies, are time-consuming and laborious, and require manual counting of large numbers of colonies. To overcome these drawbacks, we developed a flow cytometric technique that assays survival of proliferative capacity in cultured cells. Methods Labeling with bromodeoxyuridine for 72 h followed by bivariate Hoechst 33258/ethidium bromide flow cytometry allows discrimination of nonproliferating cells from those that have undergone one to three divisions. Addition of an internal standard, chicken erythrocyte nuclei, permits determination of total cell number. To validate our assay, we used flow and colony-forming assays to determine the sensitivity of cell lines derived from Werner syndrome patients and unaffected individuals to 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) and camptothecin. Results The flow and colony-forming assays yielded comparable sensitivity for each drug and essentially identical increases in drug sensitivity exhibited by Werner syndrome cells. Conclusion Our results indicate that the flow assay is a less laborious surrogate for colony-forming assays. The flow technique will also facilitate the analysis of drug sensitivity in cells that are not amenable to colony-forming assays. Cytometry 48:1–5, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cyclic GMP modulators and excitotoxic injury in cerebral cortical cultures

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation generates nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) and produces 'excitotoxic' neuronal injury. To examine the possible role of cGMP in excitotoxicity, we evaluated the effects of agents that stimulate or inhibit cGMP activity on the release of lactate dehydrogenase from neuron-enriched cortical cultures. cGMP analogs exhibited no toxicity, and inhibitors of guanylate cyclase or of cGMP-dependent enzymes failed to protect cultures from the toxic effects of NMDA or the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. These findings argue against a role for cGMP in the pathogenesis of excitotoxic neuronal injury.
Separation and biological effects of CNS factors affecting water balance in the decapod crustacean Thalamita crenata.

Abstract Two active factors have been separated from the CNS of the crab that produce opposite affects on rates of water influx in crustaceans. The two factors are differentially soluble in water and acetone, and the water-soluble factor was partly purified by column chromatography and found to be a low molecular weight compound. When injected into crabs and crayfish held in hypotonic medium, the water-soluble fraction caused a decrease in 3H2O influx, while the acetone-soluble fraction increased the influx rate. Neither of these factors affected sodium influx rates. It is suggested that these active factors play a role in influencing crustacean osmoregulation, and their neuroendocrine significance is discussed.
Uncertainty Management for Diagnostics and Prognostics of Batteries using Bayesian Techniques

Uncertainty management has always been the key hurdle faced by diagnostics and prognostics algorithms. A Bayesian treatment of this problem provides an elegant and theoretically sound approach to the modern Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM)/Prognostic Health Management (PHM) paradigm. The application of the Bayesian techniques to regression and classification in the form of Relevance Vector Machine (RVM), and to state estimation as in Particle Filters (PF), provides a powerful tool to integrate the diagnosis and prognosis of battery health. The RVM, which is a Bayesian treatment of the Support Vector Machine (SVM), is used for model identification, while the PF framework uses the learnt model, statistical estimates of noise and anticipated operational conditions to provide estimates of remaining useful life (RUL) in the form of a probability density function (PDF). This type of prognostics generates a significant value addition to the management of any operation involving electrical systems.
Neurotensin-induced polydipsia: a structure-activity study.

Abstract Neurotensin (NT) and equimolar concentrations of NT fragments were microinjected into the lateral cerebral ventricle of water-deprived rats. NT (10μg) increased water intake 146% in the first 15 min following injection. While NT 1–11 and NT 10–13 had no effect on water intake, NT 8–13 increased water intake 101%. The polydipsia produced by NT 8–13 was statistically equivalent to that produced by NT. The results are discussed in relation to a proposed model of the NT receptor.
Effects of drying and rewetting on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in soils and incorporated residues

An understanding of nitrogen mineralization from residues and soil organic matter is important to understand the quantity of N available from the soil for crop production. The objective of this study was to determine effects of repeated wetting and drying of soils on rates of N mineralization. The study compared mineralization rates in three kaolinitic, low organic matter soils, utilizing cotton leaves or compost as residues. One set of treatments was subjected to repeated drying and rewetting, whereas the other was kept at constant moisture content. Mineralized N was measured by leaching with 0.01 M CaCl2 periodically, for 185 days. Rates of C mineralization were measured in the treatment containers by periodic measurement of CO2 respiration rates. In constant moisture conditions, soils with cotton leaf residue mineralized between 25% and 40% of N applied as residue, whereas soils with compost mineralized between 3.8% and 9.3%. In fluctuating moisture conditions, soils with cotton leaf residue mineralized between −1.3% and 6.9%, whereas soils with compost mineralized from 1.6% to 3.3%. Moisture effect was not significant in soils without residue, with soils mineralizing between 16 and 47 mg N kg–1. Carbon mineralization rates were not significantly affected by moisture. Both residue and soil type affected rates of C mineralization.
Calcein Inhibits Vesicle Release

Charged fluorescent dyes are frequently used as fluid phase makers to detect vesicle fusion events with the cell membrane by means of transient omega-like indentations. We used calcein (300 μM) to image vesicle fusion from nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12 cells, a model secretory cell line. We stimulated the cells with either high K+ saline or 100 μM nicotine to evoke calcium-dependent vesicle secretion. However, when the cells were stimulated in the presence of calcein, they showed a reduction in the number of vesicles that were released and/or endocytosed compared to cells that were stimulated in the absence of calcein. This observation from imaging experiments led us to hypothesize that calcein was inhibiting vesicle release from NGF-treated PC12 cells. In order to understand whether calcein was having an inhibitory affect on vesicle secretion and/or reuptake of vesicle membranes, we utilized amperometry to analyze vesicle release of catecholamine transmitter content from NGF-treated PC12 cells. Amperometry is an electrochemical detection method used routinely to measure release of vesicle contents from individual cells with a carbon fiber electrode. Analysis of amperometric spikes provides information as to the number of catecholamine molecules released and the kinetics of release. Our results show that calcein caused a reduction in the number of released amperometric spike events from 106 ± 13 events measured from control nicotine-stimulated cells, to 60 ± 11 events (p<0.05) in the presence of calcein. Peak amplitude, half-width, quantal content, or kinetics of rising or falling phase were unaffected by calcein. These data indicate that calcein has an inhibitory effect on vesicle fusion with the cellular membrane resulting in reduced amperometry events and a subsequent reduction in uptake of the fluid phase marker when used to track vesicles while imaging.
Inelastic light scattering in α-Fe2O3: phonon VS magnon scattering

Abstract Raman scattering measurements of α-Fe2O3 at temperatures between 300 and 1175 K and of Fe2−xCrxO3 mixed oxides at 300 K have been performed. The temperature dependence of the frequency, width, and intensity of the 1320 cm−1 peak near and above the Neel temperature (960 K) of α-Fe2O3 establishes that this peak arises from phonon scattering and not from two-magnon scattering as previously reported in the literature. The 1320 cm-1 peak is shown to be an overtone of a phonon which is forbidden and unobserved in α-Fe2O3 but is observed in Fe2O3-Cr2O3 solid solutions.
Vibrational spectra of coadsorbed CO and H on Ni(100) and Ni(111)

Abstract High resolution electron energy loss spectra are reported for coadsorbed hydrogen and carbon monoxide on Ni(100) and Ni(111). On neither surface was there any evidence for either C-H or O-H bonds. On Ni(111) one CO stretching frequency is observed and it does not change significantly in the presence of coadsorbed hydrogen. This is consistent with segregation of CO and H into islands. On Ni(100) the situation is much different; one frequency is observed in the absence of H(a) while three CO stretching frequencies are observed for the coadsorbed layers. These are attributed to on-top, two-fold bridged and four-fold binding of CO to the Ni(100) surface. These results demonstrate significant structure sensitivity for the organization of these coadsorbed species.
Shindigs, brunches, and rodeos: The neural basis of event words

Events (e.g., “running” or “eating”) constitute a basic type within human cognition and human language. We asked whether thinking about events, as compared to other conceptual categories, depends on partially independent neural circuits. Indirect evidence for this hypothesis comes from previous studies showing elevated posterior temporal responses to verbs, which typically label events. Neural responses to verbs could, however, be driven either by their grammatical or by their semantic properties. In the present experiment, we separated the effects of grammatical class (verb vs. noun) and semantic category (event vs. object) by measuring neural responses to event nouns (e.g., “the hurricane”). Participants rated the semantic relatedness of event nouns, as well as of two categories of object nouns—animals (e.g., “the alligator”) and plants (e.g., “the acorn”)—and three categories of verbs—manner of motion (e.g., “to roll”), emission (e.g., “to sparkle”), and perception (e.g., “to gaze”). As has previously been observed, we found larger responses to verbs than to object nouns in the left posterior middle (LMTG) and superior (LSTG) temporal gyri. Crucially, we also found that the LMTG responds more to event than to object nouns. These data suggest that part of the posterior lateral temporal response to verbs is driven by their semantic properties. By contrast, a more superior region, at the junction of the temporal and parietal cortices, responded more to verbs than to all nouns, irrespective of their semantic category. We concluded that the neural mechanisms engaged when thinking about event and object categories are partially dissociable.
Empirical-Bias Bandwidths for Local Polynomial Nonparametric Regression and Density Estimation

Abstract A data-based local bandwidth selector is proposed for nonparametric regression by local fitting of polynomials. The estimator, called the empirical-bias bandwidth selector (EBBS), is rather simple and easily allows multivariate predictor variables and estimation of any order derivative of the regression function. EBBS minimizes an estimate of mean squared error consisting of a squared bias term plus a variance term. The variance term used is exact, not asymptotic, though it involves the conditional variance of the response given the predictors that must be estimated. The bias term is estimated empirically, not from an asymptotic expression. Thus EBBS is similar to the “double smoothing” approach of Hardle, Hall, and Marron and a local bandwidth selector of Schucany, but is developed here for a far wider class of estimation problems than what those authors considered. EBBS is tested on simulated data, and its performance seems quite satisfactory. Local polynomial smoothing of a histogram is a high...
Variations in glomerular ultrastructure in rat kidneys fixed by perfusion.

Variations in glomerular ultrastructure were studied in normal rat kidneys fixed by perfusion with glutaraldehyde in order to establish criteria for good fixation and to determine the range of variations to expect in less well fixed glomeruli as a basis for studies of experimental renal disease. The glomeruli in well perfused and well fixed areas of kidneys showed only mild focal endothelial and epithelial swelling and no mesangial swelling. Glomeruli from poorly perfused and poorly fixed areas of kidneys showed prominent endothelial, epithelial, and mesangial swelling similar to that seen in immersion fixation or early autolysis. All cell types in poorly fixed glomeruli showed focal swelling of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and increased numbers of myelinlike figures. It is concluded that mesangial swelling serves as a major index of poorer fixation in glomeruli, corresponding to the rapid swelling of proximal tubular epithelial cells. Swelling of glomerular cells as noted with poor fixation can also occur as a result of disease processes or experimental manipulations. Such changes must be interpreted as probable fixation artifacts unless they are present in portions of kidneys that exhibit criteria for good fixation established with good perfusion or dripping techniques.
Receptor-mediated inactivation of early B lymphocytes.

THE interaction of surface immunoglobulin (sIg), the antigen receptor of B lymphocytes, with ligands—whether antigen or anti-Ig antibodies—initiates a series of surface and cytoplasmic events which, depending on the nature of the ligand and the presence or absence of cooperative signals from other cells, has various outcomes (reviewed in ref. 1). Immediately on the binding of a polyvalent ligand to sIg, the complexes redistribute on the cell surface, a contractile event occurs, the complexes are endocytosed and shed from the membrane and eventually new receptors appear on the cell surface1. This in vitro cycle, in the absence of cooperative interactions, does not lead to B cell differentiation into secreting plasma cells, whereas it does so when induced in the proper conditions involving helper cells1,2.
Specificity of Cleavage of Chitotriose by Lysozyme

AFTER the recent determination of the structure of lysozyme in the crystalline state1 we have become interested in chemical and kinetic approaches to the study of its mechanism of action in solution.
Launching astronauts: 50 years of electronic checkout and launch systems at the Kennedy Space Center

When NASA was created in 1958 one of the elements incorporated into this new agency was the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) in Huntsville, Alabama and its subordinate Missile Firing Laboratory (MFL) in Cape Canaveral. Under NASA, the MFL became the Launch Operations Directorate of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, but expanding operations in the build-up to Apollo dictated that it be given the status of a full-fledged center in July, 1962 [1]. The next year it was renamed the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) after the president whose vision transformed its first decade of operation. The ABMA was under the technical leadership of Dr. Wernher von Braun. The MFL was run by his deputy Dr. Kurt Dehus, an electrical engineer whose experience in the field began in the early days of V-2 testing in war-time Germany. In 1952, a group led by Dehus arrived in Cape Canaveral to begin, test launches of the new Redstone missile [2]. During the 1950s, the MFL built several launch complexes and tested the Redstone, Jupiter, and Jupiter C missiles. This small experienced team of engineers and technicians formed the seed from which has grown the KSC team of today. This briefly reviews the evolution, successes, and setbacks of KSC electronic technologies for integration, checkout, and launch of space vehicles and payloads. We show that this very successful technology development was driven by greater vehicle complexity and heavily influenced and constrained by the commercial state-of-the-art in electronics.
Circulating cytotoxic immune components in dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome

Activated T cells, measured repeatedly in the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (CMT; hereditary motor sensory neuropathy), might participate in myelin loss by a destructive inflammatory autoimmune process. To explore this possibility, plasma proportions of hydroxyleukotrienes, their fatty acid precursor, arachidonic acid, and lymphocyte epitopes associated with immune cell activation expression were measured in 18 adults with dominant, Type I CMT. Compared to age-matched normal controls, CMT I patients showed eicosanoid-linked immunoactivation by an elevated content of 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) in parallel with a decreased plasma percentage of its fatty acid precursor, arachidonic acid. CMT patients also had increased numbers of peripheral lymphocytes expressing activation-related epitopes, CD25+, CD26+, CD4+, and CD4/CD45RO+ primed memory cells, with enhanced CD8+ cytotoxic cells and soluble CD8 protein content. Therefore, endogenously stimulated CMT I lymphocytes include functional cytotoxic cells which appear to deplete the plasma fatty acid precursor of prostenoid agents during the secretion of potentially destructive cytokines.
Airport, Airspace, and NAS System Capacity Studies

"As we handle more operations and passengers in the air, we must make certain we have the capacity to handle increased traffic on the ground." Jane Garvey, FAA Administrator (4/20/98) The FAA Technical Center (Aviation System Analysis and Modeling Branch, ACT-520) has been responsive to the FAA Airport Capacity Program customers for the past 22 years, developing, testing, and applying airfield and airspace simulation models. More than 90 capacity studies have been completed with ACT-520 personnel contributing their technical expertise to the Airport Design Teams. The teams are comprised of FAA personnel, airport operators, air carriers, other airport users and aviation industry representatives at major airports throughout the US. Initial studies focused on modeling airport operations from final approach, taxi, gate operations and departure processing. Later in the program, local airspace studies were included in some airport study efforts. Both airport and airspace studies include either a full scale design team study or a less detailed tactical initiative. Recently, National Airspace System (MAS) modeling personnel joined the group providing system modeling expertise in the NAS Architecture and Flight 2000 programs. An arsenal of analysis tools and computer simulation programs has been developed and tested to accomplish each task. The group has experience using the models they have developed or improved upon (ADSIM, RDSIM, RQSIM, etc.), have obtained from other FAA entities (SIMMOD, NASPAC, RAAM, etc.) and have acquired under contract or agreements (The Airport Machine, TAAM, MIT Delays Model, etc.). This modeling capability permitted the group to perform simulations of improvements in the categories of airfield, facilities and equipment, ATC operational, and airport policy improvements. The delay effects of aircraft demand (schedules), fleet mix, runway configurations, weather, aircraft separation standards, etc., were measured in the studies. Future studies will require new model development particularly in the arena of system wide impacts measured on an annual basis. The requirement for an analyst to know both the model inputs and the working of the model's code will continue to apply for a successful study. As in the past, no universal model will answer every question and existing models will require enhancements to reflect unique requirements. Because of the increases in computing speed and memory, the fidelity of simulations can be enhanced in the near future through new hardware acquisitions. ACT 520's past participation in this enterprise has generated an understanding of the interrelationships of various airport and airline systems. Our seven senior analysts and eight junior analysts combined with their professional expertise are ready to address the FAA Administrator's concerns about capacity.