cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS IN HILBERTIAN OPERATORS AND APPLICATIONS

In this paper bounded linear operators in Hilbert space satisfying general quadratic equations are characterized. Necessary and sufficient conditions for sets of operators satisfying two such equations to compare relative to a weak ordering are presented. In addition, averaging operators in finite dimensional spaces are determined, and in this case it is shown that they are unitary models for all projections. It is pointed out, by an example, that the latter result does not hold in infinite dimensions. A key application to certain second order random fields of Karhunen type is given. The main purpose is to present the structure of bounded non-self adjoint operators solving quadratic equations, and indicate their use.
Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cytochrome P450 Epoxygenase-Derived Eicosanoids

The epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are products of cytochrome P450 epoxygenases that have vasodilatory properties similar to that of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. The cytochrome P450 isoform CYP2J2 was cloned and identified as a potential source of EETs in human endothelial cells. Physiological concentrations of EETs or overexpression of CYP2J2 decreased cytokine-induced endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression, and EETs prevented leukocyte adhesion to the vascular wall by a mechanism involving inhibition of transcription factor NF-κB and IκB kinase. The inhibitory effects of EETs were independent of their membrane-hyperpolarizing effects, suggesting that these molecules play an important nonvasodilatory role in vascular inflammation.
Synthesis and Properties of Magnetically Operated Nanocomposites Based on Transition Metals Oxides

Technique for synthesis magnetically operated nanocomposites based on transition metals oxides (MeFe2O4, Me = Fe2+, Ni2+, Co2+) with biologically compatible coating (SiO2)x were developed and optimized. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and sodium silicate were used as precursors for formation of SiO2 onto surface of magnetic component. Content of SiO2 in nanocomposite surface layer were adjusted from 0.1 g to 1.0 g for 1.0 g of magnetic component. Structure of the obtained nanocomposites was studied using XRD method, electron microscopy and IR-Fourier spectroscopy. Influence of adsorbents composition on their magnetic properties was studied using vibration magnetometer. It was shown that values of specific magnetization at saturation for nanocomposites containing 0.2 g of non-magnetic component per 1 g of magnetic component corresponds to the typical values of pure magnetic phase. With increasing of content of non-magnetic components a decrease of specific magnetization at saturation was revealed.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.1.3818
The phosphorylation site associated with the oxidation of exogenous donors of electrons to photosystem I.

Abstract 1. The Photosystem I-mediated transfer of electrons from diaminodurene, diaminotoluene and reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol to methylviologen is optimal at pH 8–8.5, where phosphorylation is also maximal. In the presence of superoxide dismutase, the efficiency of phosphorylation rises from ⩽ 0.1 at pH 6.5 to 0.6–0.7 at pH 8–8.5, regardless of the exogenous electron donor used. 2. The apparent Km (at pH 8.1) for diaminodurene is 6·10−4 M and for diaminotoluene is 1.2·10−3 M. The concentrations of diaminodurene and diaminotoluene required to saturate the electron transport processes are > 2 mM and > 5 mM, respectively. At these higher electron donor concentrations the rates of electron transport are markedly increased by phosphorylation (1.5-fold) or by uncoupling conditions (2-fold). 3. Kinetic analysis of the transfer of electrons from reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIPH2) to methylviologen indicates that two reactions with very different apparent Km values for DCIPH2 are involved. The rates of electron flux through both pathways are increased by phosphorylation or uncoupling conditions although only one of the pathways is coupled to ATP formation. No similar complications are observed when diaminodurene or diaminotoluene serves as the electron donor. 4. In the diaminodurene → methylviologen reaction, ATP formation and that part of the electron transport dependent upon ATP formation are partially inhibited by the energy transfer inhibitor HgCl2. This partial inhibition of ATP formation rises to about 50% at less than 1 atom of mercury per 20 molecules of chlorophyll, then does not further increase until very much higher levels of mercury are added. 5. It is suggested that exogenous electron donors such as diaminodurene, diaminotoluene and DCIPH2 can substitute for an endogenous electron carrier in donating electrons to cytochrome f via the mercury-sensitive coupling site (Site I) located on the main electron-transporting chain. If this is so, there would seem to be no reason for postulating yet another coupling site on a side branch of the electron transport chain in order to account for cyclic photophosphorylation.
Biosynthetic compound dressings--management of hand burns.

Abstract To achieve optimal hand function, wound closure becomes the most important ingredient in hand burns. This study documents the use of a biosynthetic compound dressing (Biobrane) which has been fabricated as a glove for management of hand burns. The glove allowed rapid active motion and minimized the pain of open wounds. Forty-two Biobrane glove applications were evaluated with 50 per cent applied over superficial hand burns and 50 per cent over deep partial thickness or full thickness injuries. In the superficial hand burns, the patients were discharged home after a mean time of 2·8 days. With the deep burns the dressing provided a closed wound after early excision of eschar without the use of an autograft or biological dressing. Based on these studies, we conclude that the biosynthetic compound dressing glove is a useful adjunct to be added to the armamentarium for treatment of the burned hand.
The political logic of dispute settlement: Introduction to the special issue

In the absence of centralized enforcement authority, international institutions have devised a wide range of measures to enforce agreements. At one extreme, states have delegated authority to third party legal bodies to interpret and rule on compliance with authorization of sanctions to punish violations. At the other end of the spectrum, states rely upon peer pressure to encourage compliance and agree to negotiate over any differences of interpretation. Researchers have broadly explored two dimensions of dispute settlement: the variation in design of dispute settlement provisions within institutions and the pattern of state behavior within established dispute processes. This special issue pushes forward research on both dimensions while raising new agenda for probing the political determinants of institutional design and state behavior in dispute settlement. Are judges immune from the influence of power considerations in their rulings? Why do we observe electoral cycles in the pattern of case filings in the WTO? How does sensitivity to interest group pressure shape the structure of dispute settlement? In addition, the articles bring new insights from comparison across issue areas. What explains the variation of dispute design across issue areas? Does legalization of one issue area generate ripple effects that shape behavior for other issue areas? Finally, the articles hone in on critical micro-level differences within dispute settlement. Stepping beyond the issue of why states establish enforcement measures and description of the initiation and disposition of cases, the articles consider details such as the economic stakes at hand and conditions that favor resolving disputes with direct compensation. The challenge to cooperation arises from uncertainty over compliance given incentives for others to cheat or free ride in the face of mixed incentives and collective action problems. This places dispute settlement at the heart of any theory of cooperation. Institutions work to the extent they can provide information that lowers
Disulfide Reduction and Molecular Dissociation Improves the Proteolysis of Soy Glycinin by Pancreatin in vitro

THE EFFECTS of structural modification by urea and dithiothreitol on the in vitro pancreatin proteolysis of soy glycinin was studied. Urea, up to 4.5M, which causes dissociation of glycinin into subunits and some unfolding of the polypeptides progressively increased proteolysis by pancreatin as measured by the pH-stat method. Reduction of the intermolecular disulfide bonds with dithiothreitol doubled the rate of proteolysis and when additional intramolecular disulfide bonds of glycinin were cleaved, the rate of digestibility increased approximately threefold becoming equivalent to casein in its susceptibility to proteolysis by pancreatin.
Induced and remanent magnetic properties of marine sediments as indicators of depositional processes

Abstract Modern, unconsolidated deep-sea sediments acquire a characteristic magnetization during and after deposition. Using results obtained with remanent and induction magnetometers, it is possible in some cases to determine and evaluate: (1) bottom-current flow direction; (2) relative bottom-current flow magnitude; (3) post-sedimentation disturbances such as compaction, biogenic activity, slumping, etc.; (4) factors controlling sediment movement, such as flocculation, and therefore mode of transport, bedload versus sediment suspension; and (5) magnetic grain sizes and therefore possible sediment sources. The magnetization of such sediments, then, provides an indirect indicator of deep-sea depositional processes. The methods are quick, easy, and indirectly testable.
Abstract LB-124: Histone deacetylase 5 stabilizes HIF-1α through Hsp70 deacetylation in cytosol

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Hypoxia is frequently associated with solid tumors and ischemic disorders, which are the top two leading causes of mortality in the world. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 is a major regulator of angiogenesis and cellular adaptation to hypoxia. Accordingly HIF-1 function has been considered a therapeutic target for multiple diseases. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity has been involved in regulating HIF function and some HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs) have been documented to repress HIF-1 function. However, histone deacetylases encompass multiple members, each has different cellular functions. HDACIs in clinical application or under development generally inhibit more than one HDAC. It is unclear which specific member of the HDAC family is required for HIF-1 function. We present data here to show that histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) is required for HIF-1α protein stability. Knockdown of HDAC5 impaired hypoxic accumulation of HIF-1α and HIF-1 function. Furthermore, overexpression of HDAC5 enhanced HIF-1α stability and nuclear accumulation. Specifically, HDAC5 mutant exclusively localized at cytosol is sufficient for this function, stabilizing HIF-1α more efficiently than wild-type HDAC5. We further demonstrate that heat shock 70 kD protein (Hsp70) is a cytosolic substrate of HDAC5; and acetylation of Hsp70 promotes its association with HIF-1α and HIF-1α degradation. Taken together, our data suggest that deacetylation of Hsp70 catalyzed by HDAC5 facilitates the stabilization and hypoxic accumulation of HIF-1α. These findings also suggest that HDAC5 could be a potential target for therapies based on modulating HIF-1 function. Citation Format: Shuyang Chen, Chengqian Yin, Taotao Lao, Dongming Liang, Nianli Sang. Histone deacetylase 5 stabilizes HIF-1α through Hsp70 deacetylation in cytosol. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-124. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-124
How do cancer patients who try to take control of their disease differ from those who do not

The objective of this study was to compare patients who do and do not describe their coping strategies as attempts to control their cancer. This was a cross-sectional study of adult, oncology outpatients from an urban medical centre diagnosed 6-24 months previously. Using open-ended questions, we asked participants if they tried to 'control' their cancer or situation. If 'yes', how? If 'no', how had they 'dealt with' it? The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) measured anxiety and depression. The Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC) assessed six coping styles. Of the 44 participants, 57% were female. The mean age was 57 years. Eighteen (41%) said they used control strategies (control-yes), 11 (25%) said they did not (control-no), and 15 (34%) gave unclear responses (control-unclear). Participants cited 97 different coping strategies that were grouped into proactive (e.g. lifestyle changes) and reactive strategies (e.g. stoic behaviour). In comparing these groups, the control-yes group was more likely to be younger (P = 0.0001), live with other(s) (P = 0.003), be confident of being cured (P = 0.006), have greater 'fighting spirit' on the MAC (P = 0.04) and use more proactive strategies (P = 0.0001). The conclusion of this study is that cancer patients use many coping strategies, but those who think of them as methods of control are younger and more confident of being cured, and use more proactive strategies.
Nucleation of superconductivity at a tunneling barrier

Abstract We extend our earlier calculation [1] of the parallel critical field of a tunneling barrier (valid for T near T c ) to all temperatures T in the dirty limit. The critical field is intermediate between H c2 and H c3 when the barrier resistance R n is in the range ϱξ( T ) to 10 ϱξ( T ).
Sensitivity of Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Sperm from Normospermic versus Teratospermic Donors to Cold-Induced Acrosomal Damage

Freeze-thawing cat sperm in cryoprotectant results in extensive membrane damage. To determine whether cooling alone influences sperm structure and viability, we compared the effect of cooling rate on sperm from normospermic (N; > 60% normal sperm per ejaculate) and teratospermic (T; 0.05) immediately after exposure to low temperatures and after warming to 25 degrees C. However, the proportion of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes declined (p 0.05) a high proportion of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes (N, 75.5%; T, 68.3%), which also remained similar (p > 0.05) between cat populations (N, 64.7%; T, 56.8%) through continued cooling to 0 degrees C. Results demonstrate that 1) rapid cooling of domestic cat sperm induces significant acrosomal damage without altering sperm motility, 2) spermatozoa from teratospermic males are more susceptible to cold-induced acrosomal damage than normospermic counterparts, and 3) reducing the rate of initial cooling markedly decreases sperm structural damage.
Angular Dispersion and its Relationship with Other Magnetic Parameters in Permalloy Films

An experimental investigation has been made of the dispersion of the easy axis in Permalloy films deposited in an orienting field. The dispersion was studied as a function of the following parameters: reversible rotation limit H tr ; easy direction coercive force H c ; anisotropy field H k ; and hard direction hysteresis loop squareness ratio (M r /M s ) d , and coercive force (H cd ). Observations were made with a Kerr magneto-optic apparatus and with a 1000-cycle hysteresigraph. Angular dispersion of the easy axis, measured by the hysteresigraphic method, was found to increase with H c /H k . Reversible rotation limit was not found to decrease with increasing angular dispersion as predicted by theory, but rather to decrease more rapidly initially with increasing dispersion and then to increase again at larger dispersion. The initial effect is believed to be due to the influence of local variation of H k on the reversible rotation measurement. There is some indication that hard direction coercive force increases with increasing dispersion, but there seems to be no simple correlation between dispersion and hard direction hysteretic properties. Reversible rotation limit was found to be roughly proportional to coercive force in most films, except those which exhibit an unusual type of wall motion switching behavior.
Fever of unknown origin and pancytopenia caused by culture-proven delayed onset disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection after intravesical instillation

A 78-year-old man was diagnosed with bladder carcinoma in situ and was successfully treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillations. At 6 months after the last dose, he developed fever, weight loss and malaise. He had an extensive negative workup at an outside hospital and was treated empirically with ciprofloxacin for 2 weeks. The fever resolved but returned months later and he was readmitted with pancytopenia, elevated alkaline phosphatase and ground glass opacities on the chest CT. Bone marrow and liver biopsies showed non-caseating granulomas and were negative for acid-fast bacillus (AFB) and fungal stains. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex PCR of the bone marrow was negative. Owing to the high clinical suspicion of disseminated BCG infection, the patient was treated empirically. After 9 weeks of incubation, the bone marrow AFB culture grew Mycobacterium bovis. Within 2 months of treatment his symptoms resolved and his laboratory results normalised.
A Theoretical Discussion of the Comparative Performances of Dispersion and Fourier-Transform Interferometric Spectrometers for the Infrared Region

A summary is given of the theoretical factors that determine the performances of dispersion and Fourier-transform (interferometric) infrared spectrometers in terms of the signal/noise ratio obtainable in relation to the time spent in signal measurement for a given spectral resolution. It is assumed that, as is normal in the infrared region of the spectrum, the performances of the spectrometers are limited by detector noise. "Trading rules" are given relating the spectral resolution to the time of spectral measurement or the signal/noise ratio for each type of instrument. It is shown that, for a given pair of dispersion and interferometric spectrometers, the latter operating with matched-throughput, the relative performance of the interferometer improves by a factor of √2 in signal/noise ratio (or 2 in time) when the resolution interval, Δ,− is halved.
The Use of Abstract Trait Knowledge and Behavioral Exemplars in Causal Explanations of Behavior

Both classic and contemporary models of causal reasoning suggest that we retrieve examples of an actor's past behavior from memory when explaining his or her current behavior. A variety of other research suggests that we rely on abstract trait knowledge rather than on behavioral exemplars when making such judgments. The authors conducted three experiments that examined which type of information (abstract trait knowledge or behavioral exemplars) was spontaneously used during causal reasoning when both types of information were available. Results indicated that although abstract trait knowledge generally served as the basis for causal judgments, behavioral exemplars were used if they were easily accessible and participants were motivated to engage in effortful processing. The authors discuss how the use of abstract traits versus behavioral exemplars may serve to maintain or alter existing person impressions.
The Nature of Science: Normal science is succeeded by a creative phase of revolution out of which new concepts emerge

It is not for a historian of science to pass judgment on the central critique of Kuhn9s essay, since that is directed to science itself. A few reservations may be ventured, however, of a sort which the author of so searching a discussion will certainly expect, the more so since, in his own terms, he proposes nothing less than a revolution in our concept of science, if not of nature. But it is not clear to me that anyone really holds the view of science which he would demolish. I for one find a great deal more in this book to agree with than might be expected in an exponent of a counterrevolutionary school. The argument depends very heavily on the viability of the terms—paradigm, normal science, revolution, anomaly, crisis, and the like. So it has been with many a philosophy of history from Comte to Toynbee. So it has been with many a chapter in the history of science—phlogiston, calorie, ether—and the student of either of these genres (which Kuhn, like Comte, combines) will have learned to be wary of mistaking the terms he gives his subject for its elements, the definitions for the happenings. The argument sometimes comes perilously close to circularity: that is, normal science does not aim at novelty, ergo what is novel is not normal science but an anomaly. On strictly historical grounds, moreover, strong cases might be made for considering books like Newton9s Principia and Lavoisier9s Traite elementaire as summaries of a heritage rather than as models shaping the future. The reader may be referred, for example, to E. J. Dikjsterhuis9s treatment of Newton in his recently translated Mechanization of the World Picture, where it appears that Newton himself did not adumbrate the laws of motion in the sense in which they were fundamental to classical physics. For example, the proportionality of force to the product of mass into acceleration was imported into the second law in the development of analytical mechanics, not forced upon a school by a revolutionary law-giver. Newton was thinking of impact. Still, there are not many books which find one making eager jottings in the margin, nor fortunately need one act on these; one may instead, and indeed in candor must, await the full development that Kuhn intends to provide. Mean-while there can be only admiration for the erudition, the scholarship, the fidelity, and the seriousness that the enterprise reflects on every page. One is safe in predicting that whatever the final success, there will be no petty faults to find. Every historian, moreover, will surely applaud one recurrent and fundamental emphasis, which is that the development of science must be set into the context of a Darwinian historiography and treated as a circumstantial evolution from primitive beginnings rather than the ever closer approach to the telos of a right and perfect science. It is odd, and Kuhn is absolutely right about this, that by instinct scientists tend to see it the latter way. At least their students do, and who else could be responsible for that?.
Vibration studies on completely free shallow shells having triangular and trapezoidal planforms

Abstract The first known vibration study on completely free shallow shells having triangular and trapezoidal planforms is conducted. The Ritz method with algebraic polynomials is used. Detailed convergence studies are made and showed that relatively accurate results can be obtained. The lowest six natural frequencies for completely free shallow shells with triangular and trapezoidal planforms are listed. Both right and symmetrical triangular and trapezoidal shell configurations are considered. The methods can be used for generally shaped planforms.
The NEIL glycosylases remove oxidized guanine lesions from telomeric and promoter quadruplex DNA structures

G-quadruplex is a four-stranded G-rich DNA structure that is highly susceptible to oxidation. Despite the important roles that G-quadruplexes play in telomere biology and gene transcription, neither the impact of guanine lesions on the stability of quadruplexes nor their repair are well understood. Here, we show that the oxidized guanine lesions 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), guanidinohydantoin (Gh) and spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) reduce the thermostability and alter the folding of telomeric quadruplexes in a location-dependent manner. Also, the NEIL1 and NEIL3 DNA glycosylases can remove hydantoin lesions but none of the glycosylases, including OGG1, are able to remove 8-oxoG from telomeric quadruplexes. Interestingly, a hydantoin lesion at the site most prone to oxidation in quadruplex DNA is not efficiently removed by NEIL1 or NEIL3. However, NEIL1, NEIL2 and NEIL3 remove hydantoins from telomeric quadruplexes formed by five TTAGGG repeats much more rapidly than the commonly studied four-repeat quadruplex structures. We also show that APE1 cleaves furan in selected positions in Na(+)-coordinated telomeric quadruplexes. In promoter G-quadruplex DNA, the NEIL glycosylases primarily remove Gh from Na(+)-coordinated antiparallel quadruplexes but not K(+)-coordinated parallel quadruplexes containing VEGF or c-MYC promoter sequences. Thus, the NEIL DNA glycosylases may be involved in both telomere maintenance and in gene regulation.
Changing a Field of Change

School Psychology: A Blueprint for Training and Practice III (Ysseldyke et al., 2006) continues an over 20-year tradition of reenvisioning school psychology. This latest edition focuses with great clarity on school psychology as, ideally, a profession devoted to the prevention of school-based difficulties for children and capacity building for educational professionals. A reflection on Blueprint III is presented in this article using a brief overview of the history of consultation research as a backdrop to argue for more research attention to implementation realities in schools. These contexts, which change regularly based on characteristics of students, schools, teachers, and federal and state policy, may play a primary role in dictating service delivery patterns. Contextual forces may overwhelm even consultation models found to be effective in clinical trials—especially if school psychologists are not practicing skills that might ready systems for consultation. Further, school psychology training models...
Primula tschuktschorum and Primula eximia (Primulaceae: Section Crystallophlomis): A distylous species and its homostylous derivative from the Bering Strait region, Alaska

Primula tschuktschorum Kjellman s. lat., known from Alaska and northeastern Siberia, has been the subject of many nomenclatural combinations. This paper argues the case for treating it as two species on the basis of morphology and reproductive biology.Primula tschuktschorum Kjellman s. str. is a distylous species endemic to the Bering Strait region andP. eximia Greene is a more widely distributed homostylous species. The polymorphism seen inP. eximia is attributed to ecological and phenological factors and a high degree of self-fertilization. In contrast to its distylous relative, the ability of this homostylous species to self-fertilize has enabled it to colonize recently deglaciated areas in Alaska. Because of the intramorph incompatibility system associated with distyly,P. tschuktschorum is an obligate outcrosser. Its apparent rarity may be due to a dependence on inefficient pollinators. The species deserves further study to determine if there is a need for protected status in Alaska.
Mass-radius relationships in icy satellites

Using published laboratory data for H2O ice, a modeling technique was developed by which the bulk density, density and temperature profile, rotational moment of inertia, central pressure, and location of the rock-ice interface can all be obtained as a function of the radius, the heliocentric distance, and the silicate composition. Models of the interiors of Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, Rhea, and Titan are given, consistent with present mass and radius data. The radius and mass of spheres of ice under self-gravitation for two different temperature classes are given (103 and 77 deg K). Measurements of mass, radius and I/MR2 by spacecraft can be interpreted by this model to yield substantial information about the internal structure and the ice/rock ratio of the icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.
Simple, polarisation-independent, and dispersion-insensitive SCM signal extraction technique for optical switching systems applications

A dispersion- and polarisation-insensitive all-optical method for transmitting and extracting a subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) signal using a fibre Bragg grating filter without a conventional SCM circuitry is demonstrated. Fibre transmission experiments conducted on standard singlemode fibres of varying lengths up to 80 km showed excellent sensitivity with no apparent fading effects.
Stimulation of protein kinase a activity in the rat amygdala enhances reward-related learning.

Abstract Background: Drug addiction in humans is associated with abnormal metabolic activity within the amygdala and heightened control of behavior by drugs and drug-related (conditioned) stimuli. Drug-induced neuroadaptations, including activation of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), within the amygdala may contribute to the synaptic plasticity and reward-related learning that underlies pathologic behavior in addicted individuals. Methods: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that stimulation of PKA activity within the rat amygdala would facilitate the acquisition of Pavlovian approach behavior, a measure of reward-related learning. Results: Intraamygdala infusions of Sp-cAMPS (which activates PKA) produced concentration-dependent enhancements of the acquisition of approach to a conditioned stimulus that predicted water availability; intraamygdala infusions of cholera toxin (which elevates cAMP levels) produced a similar effect. Conversely, intraamygdala infusions of Rp-cAMPS, an inhibitor of PKA, impaired acquisition of approach behavior. Conclusions: Together, these data demonstrate that stimulation of PKA activity in the amygdala can facilitate reward-related learning and suggest that neuroadaptative changes in the PKA pathway within this brain region may be a mechanism by which chronic drug abuse alters the control of behavior by drug-associated stimuli.
High Fidelity Haptic Rendering of Frictional Contact with Deformable Objects in Virtual Environments using Multi-rate Simulation

Haptics is an increasingly common modality in human-computer interfacing. The focus of this paper is the problem arising from the difference between the high sampling rate requirements of haptic interfaces and the significantly lower update rates for physical models simulated in virtual environments. This is a critical problem, especially for applications involving haptic manipulation of deformable objects simulated in virtual environments, such as in surgical simulation. In this paper, a multi-rate simulation approach was developed to address this problem. The proposed method employs linear low-order approximations to model the inter-sample behavior of the high-order non-linear deformable object models. The basic method is also extended to achieve high-fidelity rendering of haptic manipulations involving sliding-type frictional contact. The proposed approach uses a local geometric model in addition to the local dynamic model, and performs collision detection and response as part of the high update rate haptic loop. Experimental results that validate the proposed methods are also presented.
Assignment of absolute configurations of the enantiomeric spiroiminodihydantoin nucleobases by experimental and computational optical rotatory dispersion methods.

The diastereomeric spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) lesions are oxidation products of guanine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) and have generated considerable interest because of their stereochemistry-dependent mutagenic properties in vivo (Henderson, P. T., et al. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 9257−9262). However, the absolute configurations of the two diastereomers have not yet been elucidated, and such information may prove valuable for understanding relationships between biological function and structure at the DNA level (Jia, L., Shafirovich, V., Shapiro, R., Geacintov, N. E., and Broyde, S. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 13342−13353). We have synthesized the two chiral Sp nucleobases by hydrolysis of the nucleosides denoted by dSp1 and dSp2 according to their elution order in HPLC experiments using a Hypercarb column, and determined their absolute configurations using a combination of experimentally measured optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra in aqueous solutions and computed ORD specific rotations using d...
Acetabular Paralabral Cyst: An Unusual Cause of Femoral Vein Compression

Acetabular labral tears are a known cause of hip pain in the young, active patient. Labral tears can be due to trauma, femoroacetabular impingement, capsular laxity, dysplasia, and degenerative pathology. Paralabral cysts are relatively common in association with labral tears of the hip, with cysts seen on magnetic resonance imaging studies in as many as 50% to 70% of patients with labral tears. In some cases the cysts can become sizeable and cause neurovascular compression. Nonoperative interventions for the management of paralabral cysts in the shoulder and knee have shown high recurrence rates. In the shoulder and knee, arthroscopic debridement of paralabral cysts has shown good results with lower recurrence rates and resolution of neurovascular function. In the hip there is limited literature regarding surgical management of paralabral cysts. We present a surgical technique for arthroscopic decompression of acetabular paralabral cysts combined with labral repair.
Dynamic model for radiotracer determination of solute residence time distribution in counter-current, pulse column solvent extraction processes

A radiotracer method for the measurement of the mass holdup of a solute being processed in a counter-current pulse column using the average residence time distribution is presented and investigated by mathematical modelling. Typical solutions to the model for impulse tracer injections of the solute at the inlet show that while the number and volume of stages have a significant effect on the response of the system, the amount of backmixing has little effect, particularly for small systems. The system response to impulse tracer injections under various conditions was simulated with this model and model parameters were extracted from these simulated results by using a nonlinear least squares method to demonstrate the approach.
On the interaction between plan recognition and intelligent interfaces

Plan recognition is an active research area in automatic reasoning, as well as a promising approach to engineering interfaces that can exploit models of user's plans and goals. Much research in the field has focused on the development of plan recognition algorithms to support particular user/system interactions, such as found in naturally occurring dialogues. However, two questions have typically remained unexamined: 1) exactly what kind of interface tasks can knowledge of a user's plans be used to support across communication modalities, and 2) how can such tasks in turn constrain development of plan recognition algorithms? In this paper we present a concrete exploration of these issues. In particular, we provide an assessment of plan recognition, with respect to the use of plan recognition in enhancing user interfaces. We clarify how use of a user model containing plans makes interfaces more intelligent and interactive (by providing an intelligent assistant that supports such tasks as advice generation, task completion, context-sensitive responses, error detection and recovery). We then show how interface tasks in turn provide constraints that must be satisfied in order for any plan recognizer to construct and represent a plan in ways that efficiently support these tasks. Finally, we survey how interfaces are fundamentally limited by current plan recognition approaches, and use these limitations to identify and motivate current research. Our research is developed in the context of CHECS, a plan-based design interface.
Effect of storage duration on the mechanical behavior of mouse carotid artery.

Determining arterial mechanical properties is important for understanding the work done by the heart and how it changes with cardiovascular disease. Ex vivo tests are necessary to apply various loads to the artery and obtain data to model and predict the behavior under any load. Most ex vivo tests are performed within 24 hours of dissection, so the tissue is still “alive”. For large elastic arteries, however, the passive mechanical behavior is attributed mostly to the very stable proteins, elastin and collagen. If the testing equipment fails, is in use, or is located at another facility, it would be useful to store the vessels and postpone the tests until the equipment is available. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of storage time on the mechanical behavior of the common carotid artery from adult mice. Each artery was tested after storage for 1–28 days in physiologic saline at 4°C. There were no significant effects of storage time on the arterial diameter or force at each pressure, but there were significant effects on the stretch ratio and stress at each pressure. The significant effects on the stretch ratio and stress were due to decreases in the unloaded dimensions with storage time, when measured from cut arterial rings. When the unloaded dimensions were measured instead from histology sections, there were no significant changes with storage time. We conclude that histology sections yield a more consistent measurement of the unloaded dimensions and that there are no significant changes in the mechanical behavior of mouse carotid artery with storage up to 28 days.
Comparison of the strengths and microstructures of Cu-20% Ta and Cu-20% Nb in situ composites

Comparison of the strengths of wire drawn Cu-20% Ta and Cu-20% Nb in situ composites showed that Ta filaments were more effective obstacles than Nb filaments to plastic deformation. Strengthening in both Cu-Ta and Cu-Nb composites correlated with Ta and Nb filament spacing, respectively, according to a Hall-Petch relationship with the Hall-Petch slope being about 20% greater in the Cu-Ta composites. Analysis of strengthening in these composites showed that the degree of strengthening was most affected by increasing draw ratio, followed by decreasing initial dendrite size in the Cu-Ta and Cu-Nb arc melted castings and increasing elastic modulus of the composite.
Antihypertensive and Metabolic Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide, Amiloride—Hydrochlorothiazide, and Timolol

: The antihypertensive and metabolic effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide combination, alone and in combination with timolol, were studied in 26 patients with mild to moderately severe uncomplicated essential hypertension. All drugs were given in single daily doses as follows: hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/day, amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide 5/50 mg/day (5 mg amiloride and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide), timolol 20 mg/day. After six weeks of placebo treatment, the 26 patients were equally randomized into a double—blind HCTZ and HCTZ-amiloride treatment period (weeks 7–18). Timolol was added to both groups of patients if the supine diastolic pressure at week 10 was higher than 90 mm Hg. Drug washout effects were observed for two weeks (weeks 19–20). Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide significantly lowered systolic and diastolic arterial pressure with the patient in the supine and upright position; the addition of timolol reduced the pressure further, and its effect was smooth and sustained. The heart rate was not affected by hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide but was significantly decreased with the addition of timolol. The most common clinical and metabolic side effects observed, although not serious, were bradycardia from timolol and hypokalemia from hydrochlorothiazde. No hyperkalemia was noted with the combination of amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. The results of the present study indicate that (1) the combination of timolol with either hydrochlorothiazide or amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide has equivalent antihypertensive actions; (2) the drugs can be effectively given in single daily doses; and (3) the combination of timolol with amiloride—hydrochlorothiazide has the additional advantage of preventing hypokalemia.
Decentralized Power Control with Implementation for RFID Networks

In radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, the detection range and read rates will suffer from interference among high power reading devices. This problem grows severely and degrades system performance in dense RFID networks. In this paper, we investigate a suite of feasible power control schemes to ensure overall coverage area of the system while maintaining a desired read rate. The power control scheme and MAC protocol dynamically adjusts the RFID reader power output in response to the interference level seen locally during tag reading for an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We present novel distributed adaptive power control (DAPC) and probabilistic power control (PPC) as two possible solutions. A generic UHF wireless testbed is built using UMR/SLU GEN4-SSN for implementing the protocol. Simulation and hardware results are included
State-of-the art report: the use of damage classification systems for concrete structures

On examine ici quelques-unes des nombreuses methodes qui permettent d’appliquer les systemes de classification des dommages aux evaluations globales a partir desquelles on peut entreprendre les travaux de maintenance et de reparation. On considere tout a la fois la nature objective et subjective des informations. Ce rapport a ete prepare au sein de la Commission de la RILEM 104-DCC. Toute discussion de ce rapport serait bienvenue.
Correlates of Individual Physical Activities in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Although physical activity facilitates successful aging, involvement in such activity declines with age. Factors that correlate with physical activities may be used for targeting individuals for interventions and developing interventions that promote such activity in older adults. The current investigation used data from 158 community-dwelling older adults from the Accelerate study, who were administered several cognitive, health, and lifestyle measures, including a physical activity questionnaire. Participants indicated how often they engaged in ten distinct physical activities such as walking or biking. Exploratory step-wise regressions were used to determine which factors were associated with activity participation levels. Factors that repeatedly emerged were age, social networks, alcohol use, and number of medical conditions. However, it was also found that no one set of factors were consistently associated with involvement in all the physical activities. This indicates that interventions des...
Syntheses and structures of the first heavy-alkali-metal tris(trimethylsilyl)germanides.

The first heavy-alkali-metal [M(donor),,Ge(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] (M=K, pounds are highly sensitive towards hytris(trimethylsilyl)germanides were ob- donor=[18]crown-6, n=1, 1; Rb, drolysis, use of the tridentate nitrogen tained in high yield and purity by a donor=[18]crown-6, n=1, 4; and M= donor PMDTA (PMDTA= simple one-pot reaction involving the K, donor=TMEDA, n=2, 6). The sili- N,N,N,N",N"-pentamethyldiethylene-treatment of tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)ger- con analogue of 6, [K(tmeda) 2 - triamine) afforded even more reactive mane, Ge(SiMe 3 ) 4 , with various alkali Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] (7) is also included to pro- species of the composition [K(pmdta) 2 -metal tert-butoxides. The addition of vide a point of reference. The second Ge(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] (8). We also include the sidifferent sizes of crown ethers or the group of compounds consists of sepa- lanide analogue [K(pmdta) 2 Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] bidentate TMEDA (TMEDA= rated ions with the general formula (9) for sake of comparison. The comN,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) [M(donor) 2 ][Ge(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] (M=K, pounds were typically characterized by provided either contact or separated donor=[15]crown-5, 2; M=K, donor= X-ray crystallography, and 1 H, 1 3 C, and species in the solid state, whereas in ar- [12]crown-4, 3; and M=Cs, donor = 2 9 Si NMR and IR spectroscopy, unless omatic solvents the germanides dissoci- [18]crown-6, 5). While all target com- extremely high reactivity, as observed ate into separated ions, as shown by for the PMDTA adducts 8 and 9, pre 2 9 Si NMR spectroscopic studies. Here vented a more detailed characterizawe report on two series of germanides. tion. one displaying M-Ge bonds in the solid state with the general formula.
Effects of central or peripheral leptin administration on norepinephrine turnover in defined fat depots

Leptin preserves lean tissue but decreases adipose tissue by increasing lipolysis and/or inhibiting lipogenesis. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a primary regulator of lipolysis, but it is ...
Variations in lava composition associated with flow of asthenosphere beneath southern Central America

Existing trace element and isotopic data, as well as new U-series data for Nicaragua and Costa Rica, are examined in light of the recent suggestion that asthenospheric mantle is flowing northward behind the subducting Nazca plate around the northwest corner of South America. Lavas from central Nicaragua have trace element and isotopic compositions suggesting that they are derived from relatively depleted mantle with a long history of interaction with the subducting Cocos plate. Lavas from northern and central Costa Rica have compositions indicating a more enriched mantle source that has been influenced little by the subducting slab. These compositional traits vary irregularly between the two regions, suggesting that mantle compositions and subduction influences intermingle in a complex manner beneath northern Costa Rica. The dip of the subducting slab decreases abruptly southward, and accretion of sediment begins in this same vicinity. These changes in composition and physical parameters may all be induced or influenced by an influx of asthenospheric material from behind the retreating Nazca plate.
The Effect of the Homoeotic Mutation, Spineless-Aristapedia, on Female Receptivity to Male Courtship in Drosophila Melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster females expressing the homoeotic mutation, spineless-aristapedia (SSa), were tested for their ability to hear the song of courting males. Since courtship song increases a females' receptivity to copulation, the frequency of mating within a short observation period was used as a measure of the ability of mutant females to distinguish between singing males and males that were unable to sing. These results show that SSa females, although lacking aristae, could distinguish between the two types of males in that they mated more readily with males that sang. Furthermore, the homoeotic legs of SSa females are not required to be present for the detection of courtship song, since females whose homoeotic legs were removed could still distinguish between singing and non-singing males.
Biomass byproducts for the remediation of wastewaters contaminated with toxic metals

Pollution of the environment with toxic metals is widespread and often involves large volumes of wastewater. Remediation strategies must be designed to support high throughput while keeping costs to a minimum. Biosorption is presented as an alternative to traditional physicochemical means for removing toxic metals from wastewater. We have investigated the metal binding qualities of two biomass byproducts that are commercially available in quantity and at low cost, namely “spillage”, a dried yeast and plant mixture from the production of ethanol from corn, and ground corn cobs used in animal feeds. The biomass materials effectively removed toxic metals, such as Cu, Cs, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn, even in the presence of competing metals likely to be found in sulfide mine tailing ponds. The effectiveness of these biosorbents was demonstrated using samples from the Berkeley Pit in Montana. Investigations included column chromatography and slurry systems, and linear distribution coefficients are presented. X-ray spec...