cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Boundedness and Oscillation in the Retarded Liénard Equation

Abstract Consider the retarded Lienard equation x ″+ f ( x ) x ′+ g ( x ( t − h ))=0, where f , g : R → R are continuous and h ≥0. Using Liapunov's direct method, we give necessary and sufficient conditions to ensure boundedness and oscillation of all solutions and their derivatives.
60 Indications for and Consequences of Intrauterine Transfusions

We performed spectrophotometric analyses (technique of Liley) on 595 amniotic fluid specimens from 310 Rh-sensitized women; 1 or more specimens from 84 women had concentrations of pigment above levels which are generally considered to predict, with 95 % confidence, intrauterine death before 34 weeks gestation; 30 of these 84 fetuses were not transfused and 18 were liveborn (gest. age 34 weeks, SD 1.9,) of whom 9 (30 %) survived. We transfused 54 infants in utero (IUT) on 96 occasions. Of these, 25 had marked ascites at the time of transfusion: 13 died in utero, within 48 h of the procedure; 11 were born alive (gest. age 32.2 weeks, SD 2.1), were hydropic and died of the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the neonatal period; 1 (4 %) was not hydropic at birth and survived. 29 did not have ascites at the time of transfusion: 13 died in utero, 12 within 48 h of the procedure; 6 were borne alive (gest. age 33 weeks; SD 1.3) and were hydropic, of whom 4 survived and 2 died with RDS; 10 were born alive (gest. age 34.6 weeks, SD 1.6) without hydrops, 1 died with RDS and 9 survived (45 %). We conclude that serial spectrophotometric analysis of amniotic fluid is required to adequately establish the need for IUT since single or paired analyses may be misleading, and that an intrauterine transfusion, particularly in an infant with ascites or performed earlier than 26 weeks gestation carriers a high mortality. (Supported by USPHS Grant HE-06285) (APS)
The Apolipoprotein E Antagonistic Pleiotropy Hypothesis: Review and Recommendations

Research on apolipoprotein E (APOE) has consistently revealed a relationship between the gene's e4 allele and risk for development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, research with younger populations of e4 carriers has suggested that the APOE e4 allele may in fact be beneficial in earlier ages and may only confer risk of cognitive decline later in life. Accordingly, we and others have proposed that APOE may represent an example of antagonistic pleiotropy. Antagonistic pleiotropy is an evolutionary biology concept that proposes certain genes or alleles that may differentially impact fitness during different life stages. We critically review this hypothesis in light of new research of the impact of APOE on cognition and neural integrity across the lifespan. We provide recommendations for the revision of the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis of APOE and suggest important avenues for future research in this area.
Connection Vector Fields and Optimized Coordinates for Swimming Systems at Low and High Reynolds Numbers

Several efforts have recently been made to relate the displacement of swimming three-link systems over strokes to geometric quantities of the strokes. While this approach has been successful for finding net rotations, noncommutivity concerns have prevented it from working for net translations. Our recent results on other locomoting systems have shown that the degree of this noncommutivity is dependent on the coordinates used to describe the problem, and that it can be greatly mitigated by an optimal choice of coordinates. Here, we extend the benefits of this optimal-coordinate approach to the analysis of swimming at the extremes of low and high Reynolds numbers.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Differential response of heat shock proteins to hindlimb unloading and reloading in the soleus

Hindlimb unloading (HU) results in oxidative stress, skeletal muscle atrophy, and increased damage upon reloading. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect against oxidative stress. However, it is unknown whether HSPs are depressed with long-term unloading (28 days) or reloading. We tested the hypotheses that long-term HU would depress Hsp70 and Hsp25 pathways, whereas reloading would allow recovery in the soleus. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: controls; HU for 28 days; and HU + 7 days of reloading (HU-R). Soleus mass decreased with HU, and did not recover to control values with reloading. Hsp70 decreased with HU (-78.5%) and did not recover with HU-R (-81.4%). Upstream heat shock factor-1 was depressed with HU and HU-R. Hsp25 was reduced with HU, but recovered with reloading. Downstream of Hsp25, NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase decreased with unloading, but only NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase recovered with HU-R. Lipid peroxidation increased in both HU and HU-R. These data indicate that prolonged unloading and subsequent reloading results in complex, differential regulation of Hsp70 and Hsp25 pathways in the rat soleus muscle. Thus dysregulation and uncoupling of the Hsp70 and Hsp25 pathways may lead not only to muscle atrophy with prolonged unloading, but also impaired recovery of muscle mass during early reloading.
Deposition of diesel exhaust particles in mammalian lungs: a comparison between rodents and man

In establishing the health effect on humans from exposure to diesel exhaust emission, interspecies analogue and data extrapolations are of special significance. In this study, theoretical calculations were made to characterize the regional deposition of diesel exhaust particles in several mammalian lungs: rat, hamster, and human. We found that total and alveolar deposition fractions in a breathing cycle were approximately equal for all species and that deposition patterns along the airway generation were similar, despite significant differences in lung structure and ventilation conditions. However, the surface dose to the airways was found to be several times higher in rodents than in humans.
The effects of phospholipase C (Clostridium perfringens) on purified myelin.

Abstract Fragments of purified myelin, treated with crude phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3) from Clostridium perfringens, lost an average of 64% of the lipid-P content, comprising 81% of the sphingomyelin, 92% of the choline phosphoglyceride, 71% of the ethanolamine phosphoglyceride and 14% of the serine phosphoglyceride. The enzyme was capable of penetrating the multi-layered membranes of the myelin fragments. Small quantities of the enzyme were detectable in the treated fragments. At 5°, substantial quantities of phospholipase C activity became bound to the myelin without showing any hydrolytic action. Most of this enzyme was released into solution on incubation at 38° for 1 h. The ultrastructural morphology of myelin changed little after phospholipase C treatment, except for the appearance of large globules embedded in the membranes. The serological activity of myelin was not appreciably affected by enzyme treatment.
Modification of human erythrocyte ghosts with transglutaminase.

Abstract Guinea pig liver transglutaminase was shown to catalyze the incorporation of dansylcadaverine and putrescine into two major protein fractions of human erythrocyte ghosts. As judged by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, one of these is a high molecular weight polymer which may contain spectrin. The other corresponds to band 3, an 88, 000 dalton polypeptide. Amine substrates of transglutaminase were synthesized with specific properties to further explore this useful enzymatic technique of covalently labelling proteins in erythrocyte ghosts and in other biological membranes.
Raman scattering of some synthetic polypeptides: Poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate), poly-L-leucine, poly-L-valine, and poly-L-serine

The Raman spectra of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate, poly-L-leucine, poly-L-valine, and poly-L-serine are reported. For the α-helical polymers, the conformationally sensitive amide I, II, and III modes are observed in the Raman as, well as the infrared. For the β form, the Raman effect, supplies the infrared inactive inphase motion which is useful for the determination of a parallel or antiparallel chain alignment. Modes characteristic of the specific polypeptide are also observed which are insensitive to conformation.
Rise and fall of the delta globin gene

This paper examines the molecular basis for the origin and subsequent silencing of the delta globin gene during the evolution of higher primates. We cloned and sequenced the delta gene from representatives of the two most distantly related types of Old World monkeys in which the gene is silent. The silent delta genes of these two monkeys (rhesus and colobus) are highly homologous to each other (97.5%) and to the functional human delta gene (94%). The presumed mutation that silenced the delta gene is therefore unlikely to be obscured by later mutations at the same site. This silencing mutation could have affected transcription since we find no delta transcript in rhesus bone marrow. Furthermore, the delta globin genes from colobus and rhesus monkeys are many times less efficient than the human delta gene in a cell-free transcription assay. The two Old World monkeys share only three nucleotide substitutions in the first 100 base-pairs of the DNA sequence 5' to the site for initiation of transcription when compared to human delta. It is likely that the in vitro silencing of the delta gene was brought about by one (or a combination) of these three substitutions. Three analysis shows how the delta sequences are related to those for other beta-like genes, including the colobus beta gene whose sequence we report. One part of the delta gene appears to be derived from a (pseudo?) beta gene that diverged from beta before the divergence of mice and men. The other part is closely related to the beta gene of higher primates. The mosaic nature of the delta gene is apparently due to a partial conversion which took place between the pseudo beta and the functional beta gene before the divergence of the lineages leading to Old World monkeys and hominoids.
A reliability algebra of four-state safety devices

Abstract A “four-state device” can be exemplified by an electrical relay (two states, “energized” and “de-energized”, for the relay coil, times two states, “open” and “closed”, for the relay contacts). Such a device can be represented, abstractly, by a two-by-two Boolean matrix. By using these matrices as elements and by defining some binary operations by abstract representations of certain circuit configurations, an algebra is constructed. It is shown that this algebra contains Boolean algebra as a special case. A probability metric for a single four-state device is introduced by way of a simple random walk on four lattice points in the plane, which yields Markov transition probabilities. A simple example of a “network” is chosen, and the “reliability” (strictly speaking, the time-dependent probability of being in any of the four possible states) of the network is calculated. It is thus seen to be possible, at least in principle, to calculate the reliability of a relay contact network, taking into account the reliability of the coils which activate those contacts.
Fermi-Compton scattering due to magnetopause surface fluctuations in Jupiter's magnetospheric cavity

The effects of boundary surface fluctuations on a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation trapped in a high Q (quality) cavity are considered. Undulating walls introduce small frequency shifts at reflection to the radiation, and it is argued that the process is entirely analogous to both Fermi (particle) acceleration and inverse Compton scattering. A Fokker-Planck formalism is pursued; it yields a diffusion equation in frequency for which the Green's function and steady-state solutions are found. Applying this analysis to the Jovian continuum radiation discovered by Voyager spacecraft, it is suggested that characteristic diffusion times are greater than 1 year, and that in order to account for the steep frequency spectra observed, an unidentified loss mechanism must operate in the cavity with a decay time constant approximately equal to the characteristic diffusion time divided by 28. A radiator-reactor model of the cavity is investigated to provide an estimate for the intrinsic luminosity of the low frequency (approximately 100 Hz) continuum source whose power is approximately 7 x 10 to the 6th W.
Paranasal Sinus Mucoceles in Cystic Fibrosis

Six patients between the ages of 6 and 22 years old with cystic fibrosis were found to have mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses. Four were male and two were female. They experienced nasal obstructio...
Incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

ObjectiveRecent data regarding the incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in the United States is lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the current day incidence of SSNHL in the United States using data from a medical and pharmaceutical claims database containing informa
Nitrosative Adenine Deamination: Facile Pyrimidine Ring-Opening in the Dediazoniation of Adeninediazonium Ion†

Dediazoniation of adeninediazonium ion, 1, forms the heteroaromatic cation, 2. Ab initio studies at the CCSD(fc)/6-31G**//MP2(full)/6-31G** level now reveal that the cyclic cation 2 is kinetically and thermodynamically unstable with respect to the pyrimidine ring-opened cation, 3. The results suggest that 4-cyano-5-isocyano-imidazole, 4, and 4,5-dicyanoimidazole, 5, might be formed to some extent in nitrosative deaminations of adenine.
Absolute infrared intensifies in CHBr3(1), CHBr3(g) and CCl4(g)

The absolute intensities of the 8.7 μ ν4) and 15·1 μ (ν5) fundamentals of CHBr3 and the 12·5 μ doublet of CCl4 (ν3, ν1 + ν4) have been measured in the gas phase by the Wilson—Wells method. In addition, the refractive index of pure liquid CHBr3 has been measured from 5 to 22 μ using the interferometric method of Kagarise and Mayfield. The absolute intensities of the fundamentals of liquid CHBr3 as deduced from these refractive index data are compared with the corresponding bands in the gas phase. A similar comparison is made for CCl4 using the liquid dispersion data of Kagarise and Mayfield. The results do not agree well with the predictions of the simple dielectric theory (Polo—Wilson equation). Proceeding in the usual manner, the CCl bond dipole derivative in CCl4 is calculated to be 3·1 + 0·5 D/A. The bond dipole moment could not be accurately determined, but it has the same sign as the derivative.
Metabolic consequences of anoxia in the isolated, perfused guinea pig heart: anaerobic metabolism of endogenous amino acids.

The metabolic consequences of anoxia in the isolated, perfused guinea pig heart were examined by 13C NMR spectroscopy of 13C-labeled metabolites in situ. Upon addition of [3-13C]pyruvate to the perfusate during normoxic conditions, label is detected in several metabolites, including alanine (C3), glutamate (C2, C3, and C4), and aspartate (C2 and C3), reaching steady state levels 10–15 min after the labeled precursor reaches the heart. During anoxia, the label in glutamate and aspartate decreases and label appears in C2(3) of succinate. This real-time observation demonstrates that in the isolated intact heart, anaerobic metabolism of the amino acids aspartate and glutamate to succinate occurs. These pathways, which were first noted to occur in skeletal muscle of diving mammals, may provide a mechanism supplemental to glycolysis for the production of nucleoside triphosphates during periods of anoxia. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.
Uniform magnetization transfer in chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging

The development of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) has led to the establishment of new contrast mechanisms in magnetic resonance imaging, which serve as enablers for advanced molecular imaging strategies. Macromolecules in tissues and organs often give rise to broad and asymmetric exchange effects, called magnetization transfer (MT) effects, which can mask the CEST contrast of interest. We show here that the saturation of these macromolecular pools simultaneously at two distinct frequencies can level out the asymmetric MT effects, thus allowing one to isolate the CEST effects in vivo. For the first time, clean CEST contrast for glycosaminoglycans (gagCEST) in cartilage in the human knee joint is presented. In addition, the method allows one to clearly demarcate glycosaminoglycan measurements from cartilage and synovial fluid regions. This uniform-MT CEST methodology has wide applicability in in vivo molecular imaging (such as brain, skeletal muscle, etc).
What does Matthew Say about Divine Recompense? On the Misuse of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (20.1-16)

Discussions of the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Mt. 20.1-16) tend to rely on two key assumptions: (1) the parable eliminates ‘merit’ and replaces it with ‘grace’; (2) the parable is the ...
The influence of husbands' or male partners' support on women's psychosocial adjustment to having an ostomy resulting from colorectal cancer.

Objective Some patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) require a permanent ostomy, which changes bodily function and can create psychosocial distress. However, little is known about the influence of men's support on women's psychosocial adjustment to having an ostomy as a result of CRC. Methods Participants initially completed the City of Hope-CRC Quality of Life questionnaire. We then conducted in-depth interviews with 30 female participants. Interview questions focused on body image, gender, and sexuality. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We used qualitative methods to analyze the interview data and compared global health-related quality of life (HRQOL) quartile scores to the overall ways that women discussed husbands' or partners' support regarding psychosocial adjustments to having ostomies. Results Of 30 participants, 22 were married or partnered at the time of surgery and 8 were single. The nonpartnered respondents are not included in this analysis. Of the 22 married/partnered women, 17 described positive support from husbands being central to their psychosocial adjustment, 3 described a lack or withdrawal of support negatively affecting adjustment, and 2 described support as neither positive nor negative. In 17 cases, women's high or low quantitative HRQOL scores matched the positive or negative qualitative findings. There were 3 cases in which there were positive qualitative data and low HRQOL scores, but in each of these cases, women reported serious current comorbidities. Conclusions These findings suggest that the provision or withdrawal of husbands' or partners' support can have a considerable impact on the psychosocial adjustment of female CRC patients with ostomies. These findings appear to be both short term and long term. Survivorship assessments should include appraisals of women's relationships to their spouses/partners.
I. The relation of mass to energy

(1908). I. The relation of mass to energy. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 15, No. 85, pp. 1-21.
Extraocular motor unit and whole-muscle contractile properties in the squirrel monkey

In order to understand the neural control of movement, many investigations have examined the contractile properties of single motor units contracting in isolation, and a great majority of those studies have been done in the cat. Fewer studies, again primarily in the cat, have examined motor units acting in concert in both hind-limb and extraocular muscles. It has been shown, in general, that when individual motor unit forces are added together they do not always add linearly, which makes our understanding of motor control somewhat more complicated. In addition, complex neuronal firing patterns can yield unexpected force outputs or muscle positions whether those patterns occur naturally or are induced through motoneuron stimulation. The current investigation extends these findings of nonlinearity to the primate extraocular system. In studies of the squirrel monkey lateral rectus muscle and its motor units, we show that individual units lose an average of 45% of their force output when they fire in concert with a small number of other motor units. Also, when individual motor units are stimulated at a constant rate of 100 Hz, the force output is most often dramatically different if that constant 100-Hz stimulation is preceded by brief (25 ms), high-frequency stimulation burst or pulse, as occurs during saccades. The force at 100 Hz is usually significantly higher than when no pulse is delivered. However, we now show that an identical stimulation pattern applied to a number of motor units simultaneously does not always yield these force differences. These "nonlinearities" are addressed in terms of the complex muscle architecture that we show in the squirrel monkey lateral rectus muscle. Muscle fibers do not always run in parallel from tendon to tendon. Instead, they may branch or attach to each other laterally or end to end, serially.
Mixed Lubrication of Coupled Journal-Thrust-Bearing Systems Including Mass Conserving Cavitation

A mixed lubrication model is developed to investigate the lubrication of coupled journal-thrust-bearing systems. The governing equations are mapped into a computational domain with a conformal mapping technique developed in a previous study by Wang et al. (2002). In order to study the influence of the boundary conditions on the performance of the bearing system, either the Reynolds boundary conditions or the JFO's mass conserving conditions are applied to the governing Reynolds equations. The performance of a typical coupled journal-thrust bearing system is numerically investigated and the effects of viscosity, misalignment angle and feeding scheme are discussed.
Electrical prostate morcellator: an alternative to manual morcellation for laparoscopic nephrectomy specimens? An in vitro study.

Abstract Objectives To compare the safety and efficacy of morcellation with the electrical prostate morcellator (EPM) or manual morcellation of the kidney, using an internal view within the morcellation sac. Methods Thirty porcine kidneys, mean renal mass 174.5 g, were divided into three groups of 10. All morcellations were performed inside the LapSac. Groups 1 and 2 underwent morcellation using the EPM, monitored inside the LapSac using the nephroscope and outside the LapSac with the laparoscope, respectively. Group 3 underwent manual morcellation with ring forceps. The groups were assessed for morcellation time, fragment size, and LapSac integrity. Results In group 1, one pinhole perforation occurred; in group 2, nine perforations occurred (five large and four pinhole). No perforations occurred ( P P P P = 0.12). Conclusions Manual morcellation was safe, fast, and superior to morcellation with the EPM monitored either inside or outside the LapSac. The high rate of LapSac perforation precludes the use of EPM after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in the clinical forum.
One-cluster sampling designs for an autocorrelated population

The variance of the sampling distribution of the sample mean is derived for two sampling designs in which a single cluster is randomly drawn from an autocorrelated population. The derivations are motivated by potential applications to statistical quality control, where a "one-cluster" sampling design may often be used because of ease of implementation, and where it is likely that process output is autocorrelated Scenarios in statistical process control for which either non-overlapping or overlapping clusters are appropriate are described The sampling design variance under non-overlapping clusters is related to the sampling design variance under overlapping clusters through the use of a circular population.
Ethics of Electronic Information in the 21st Century: 2003

Reports on the conference, "Ethics of Electronic Information in the 21st Century 20032, held in Tennessee, October 2003.
Bone densitometry: Current assessment

Noninvasive measurements of bone mineral density allow the assessment of skeletal integrity, both centrally and peripherally, with high precision and accuracy and with relatively low radiation dose. When estimating skeletal status, it may be important to measure bone mineral density at more than one site to assess differential skeletal responses related to disease or therapy and to assess differential fracture risk. Due to technical differences between the various methods of bone mineral measurement, the quantitative results are typically expressed with differing calibration standards, such that direct comparisons must be carefully made. SPA measurements have been shown in several prospective studies to aid in the assessment of osteoporotic fracture risk. Limited data to date have shown spinal DPA to be at least comparable to peripheral SPA for fracture risk assessment, and current research with DXA indicates promising results for the X-ray-based bone densitometers. DXA has seen rapid growth in recent years, with current scanners able to measure the spine, hip, forearm and total body bone mineral density with a speed and precision previously unattainable with the isotope-based DPA systems. Longitudinal studies have shown QCT to be highly sensitive for detecting early and rapid bone loss and cross-sectional studies have shown QCT's capacity for separating normal and osteoporotic patient populations. though prospective studies are needed to confirm the latter result. QCT has the disadvantage of higher cost and radiation dose compared with the other methods currently in use, but it is the only noninvasive modality able preferentially to measure trabecular, cortical, or integral bone density at any skeletal site. All of the techniques in current clinical use, specifically SPA, DPA, DXA and QCT, represent major advances for the noninvasive measurement of bone mineral density at radiation doses significantly less than those due to yearly exposure from normal background radiation.
Part III. Reenvisioning Undergraduate Nursing Students as Opinion Leaders to Diffuse Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Settings

Rogers's claims about the importance of social networks to the diffusion of innovations are reviewed in light of efforts to promote evidence-based practice (EBP) among nursing students and practicing nurses. We argue that nursing educators can take more deliberate advantage of the essentially social nature of the diffusion process by devising opportunities for nursing students to form meaningful social interactions with practicing nurses. We recommend curricular reforms that reenvision undergraduate nursing students as opinion leaders throughout the curriculum. Rogers's theory predicts that such ongoing interactions between nursing students and practicing nurses will better integrate EBP among both populations.
A Bayesian view of assessing uncertainty and comparing expert opinion

Abstract A Bayesian approach to the problem of comparing experts or expert systems is presented. The question of who is an expert is considered and comparisons among well-calibrated experts are studied. The concept of refinement, in various equivalent forms, is used in this study. An informative example of the combination of the opinions of well-calibrated experts is described. Total orderings of the class of well-calibrated experts are derived from strictly proper scoring rules.
EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SERVICE CONTRACTS, AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS—A MARKETING OPPORTUNITY?

AB Product warranties, in general, have not been employed by marketers as an important strategic tool, yet the business in extended warranties, service contracts, and maintenance agreements appears to be booming. But why? This article examines current practices, discusses critical issues raised in prior studies and the authors' recent research, and presents suggestions for the marketing of service and maintenance agreements. There is evidence to suggest that the long‐term market potential of many current offerings may be limited; however, careful consideration in defining the prime target markets and designing new types of agreements can help ensure success. The purpose of this article is threefold: first, to offer a brief review of current practices, which profiles the diversity of offerings and corporate philosophies; second, to discuss critical issues raised in prior studies and in our research; and finally, to present suggestions for the marketing of such offerings.
Recognition of some perfectly orderable graph classes

This paper presents new algorithms for recognizing several classes of perfectly orderable graphs. Bipolarizable and P4-simplicial graphs are recognized in O(n3.376) time, improving the previous bounds of O(n4) and O(n5), respectively. Brittle and semi-simplicial graphs are recognized in O(n3) time using a randomized algorithm, and O(n3 log2n) time if a deterministic algorithm is required. The best previous time bound for recognizing these classes of graphs is O(m2). Welsh-Powell opposition graphs are recognized in O(n3) time, improving the previous bound of O(n4). HHP-free graphs and maxibrittle graphs are recognized in O(mn) and O(n3.376) time, respectively.
Effects of d-amphetamine injected into the nucleus accumbens on ethanol reinforced behavior.

Abstract Rats, initiated to self-administer 10% (v/v) ethanol in an operant situation using the sucrose-fading procedure, received bilateral n. accumbens microinjections of d-amphetamine prior to operant sessions. Doses of 4 μg, 10 μg and 20 μg/brain were administered and some animals also received a 4 μg/brain dose of LY171555. Three different effects were observed: increased, decreased and no change in total session responding. There was no clear relation between injection area in the n. accumbens and type of effect observed. For either an increase or decrease in total session responding, momentary response rates were decreased. Both d-amphetamine and LY171555 produced similar results. The data support the hypothesis that dopamine in the n. accumbens is involved with ethanol reinforced operant responding but in a complex manner.
Enhanced creativity in bipolar disorder patients: A controlled study

Abstract Objective Associations between eminent creativity and bipolar disorders have been reported, but there are few data relating non-eminent creativity to bipolar disorders in clinical samples. We assessed non-eminent creativity in euthymic bipolar (BP) and unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, creative discipline controls (CC), and healthy controls (HC). Methods 49 BP, 25 MDD, 32 CC, and 47 HC (all euthymic) completed four creativity measures yielding six parameters: the Barron–Welsh Art Scale (BWAS-Total, and two subscales, BWAS-Dislike and BWAS-Like), the Adjective Check List Creative Personality Scale (ACL-CPS), and the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking – Figural (TTCT-F) and Verbal (TTCT-V) versions. Mean scores on these instruments were compared across groups. Results BP and CC (but not MDD) compared to HC scored significantly higher on BWAS-Total (45% and 48% higher, respectively) and BWAS-Dislike (90% and 88% higher, respectively), but not on BWAS-Like. CC compared to MDD scored significantly higher (12% higher) on TTCT-F. For all other comparisons, creativity scores did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions We found BP and CC (but not MDD) had similarly enhanced creativity on the BWAS-Total (driven by an increase on the BWAS-Dislike) compared to HC. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of enhanced creativity and how it relates to clinical (e.g. temperament, mood, and medication status) and preclinical (e.g. visual and affective processing substrates) parameters.
MODEST TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN TIMBER MANAGEMENT AND FIRE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A BOLIVIAN SEMI-DECIDUOUS FOREST

Fire threatens to undermine the conservation potential of tropical production forests. Expecting seasonally deciduous forests that require intensive silviculture to secure sustained yields of commercial species to be especially fire prone, I assessed fire susceptibility in a Bolivian semi-deciduous forest subjected to four management intensities: no logging control; selective harvest only; and two harvest treatments with additional silviculture. I quantified treatment effects on fuel loads, vegetative cover, dry-down rates of 10-h fuels, and fire spread in 4-m2 test plots. With these data and daily rainfall records, I estimated the number of fire-prone days per month associated with each treatment. Fuel loads increased with management intensity, but principally in the 1000-h size class. Treatment impacts on vegetative cover were modest, in part because only 30% of the control forest comprised mature stands with closed canopies >16 m high. Fuels dried enough to ignite in 3–5 days in sites with sparse cover, but within 11 days in sites with dense cover. Given that rainless periods of 20 days are common throughout the dry season, fuels are dry enough to burn for long periods in this forest. In the late dry season in forest logged 2–4 months previously, total cover had little effect on whether test plots burned. Plots in recently logged forest burned more readily than those in forest logged one and three years previously. The model developed for calculating fire-prone days indicated that, unlike intact evergreen Amazon forests that typically remain fire resistant, this forest is very fire prone during most dry seasons. The similar number of fire-prone days among treatments suggests that forest managers need not worry about elevating fire susceptibility with their silviculture. These results suggest that timber management and fire susceptibility trade-offs are modest in this forest because it is already fire prone and because the intensity of silvicultural treatments applied was low compared to other tropical production forests. Fire severity, however, would likely increase with management intensity due to increases in 1000-h fuels. Fire prevention efforts must complement silviculture treatments to achieve sustained yields if these and similar forests are to serve both production and conservation goals.
A feature scale model for chemical mechanical planarization of damascene structures

A physically based feature-scale model for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of damascene structures is presented. The model incorporates important process parameters such as slurry hydrodynamics, pad properties and the wafer-pad contact. Both chemical and mechanical components of CMP are captured in the present model and are described by separate kinetic parameters. Abrasive effects can be incorporated empirically in the kinetic parameters. The model simplifies the wafer-pad contact problem by assuming effective pad properties, dominated by contributions from pad asperities, rather than those of the bulk pad material. Model results justify this assumption and are compatible with step height evolution, dishing and erosion measured with single-level copper-oxide test structures. Dishing is found to be strongly dependent on line width, while erosion depends mainly on the slurry properties. The framework presented in this paper can be utilized for modeling polishing a variety of materials, with different CMP process conditions.
Magnetic order and paramagnetic resonance in K3Nd2(NO3)9

Abstract We present measurements of the magnetic susceptibility and paramagnetic resonance of K3Nd2(NO3)9, a cubic system containing four nonequivalent Nd3+ sites having threefold rotational symmetry along (111) and equivalent axes. Paramagnetic resonance reveals g factors very similar to those of Nd2Mg3(NO3)12×24H2O, indicating that the ion ground state, and hence the crystal field, is very similar in the two cases. The magnetic susceptibility indicates that exchange is antiferromagnetic, and exhibits an antiferromagnetic ordering feature near T=40 mK.
Fenofibrate reduces fasting and postprandial inflammatory responses among hypertriglyceridemia patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Abstract Objective To examine the effects of fenofibrate (160mg/d) therapy on fasting and postprandial cytokine production in subjects with metabolic syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia. Research design and methods Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial that compared the effects of 3-month therapy with placebo and fenofibrate on fasting and postprandial cytokine production in 55 subjects with metabolic syndrome and elevated fasting triglycerides (≥1.7 and Results Fenofibrate treatment reduced concentrations of monohydroxy fatty acids (OH-FA) by 15.5% ( p =0.001), lipopolysaccharide activated monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) production in fasting blood samples by 3.4% ( p =0.01 vs. placebo), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α/CCL3) by 3.5% ( p =0.01), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by 2.5% ( p =0.04). After a standardized fat load (50kg/m 2 ), OH-FA were reduced by 31.0% ( p p =0.002), MIP-1α/CCL3 by 3.9% ( p =0.007), and IL-1β by 3.4% ( p =0.02). Reductions in MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3, and IL-1β production correlated with changes in fasting and postprandial large very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (all p p p =0.042), MIP-1α/CCL3 ( p =0.003), and IL-1β ( p =0.02). Conclusions This study reports that fenofibrate reduces whole blood production of inflammatory cytokines and hepatic-synthesized inflammatory proteins, and the anti-inflammatory effects of fenofibrate therapy involve VLDL- and LDL-mediated pathways.
Lactobacillus crispatus capsules: single-use safety study in the Macaca nemestrina model.

Background: Lactobacillus crispatus is a part of the normal vaginal microflora of humans. Goal: The goal of this study was to assess whether a capsule containing an H 2 O 2 -producing strain of L crispatus (CTV-05) would alter the vaginal microflora and/or epithelial tissues when applied intravaginally in the pig-tailed macaque model. Study Design: Ten sexually mature female Macaca nemestrina were assessed at baseline for quantitative vaginal microbiology and vaginal pH and with colposcopy. One capsule containing 10 8 colony forming units of desiccated L crispatus CTV-05 was inserted into the vaginal fornix of each animal. Vaginal assessments were repeated on days 1 and 2 after capsule insertion. The L crispatus CTV-05 strain was identified with use of a DNA fingerprinting method. Results: Before product use, four of 10 animals had detectable levels of H 2 O 2 -producing lactobacilli. L crispatus CTV-05 was detected in 1 of 10 animals on day 1 and in 3 of 10 animals on day 2 following insertion of the capsule. There were no tissue changes observed by colposcopy. Vaginal pH decreased in two animals colonized by CTV-05, from 7.0 at baseline to 4.5 ± 0.5 on days 1 and 2 after product use. Conclusions: A single intravaginal application of capsules containing 10 8 L crispatus CTV-05 resulted in vaginal colonization in three of 10 animals 2 days after use. The absence of colposcopic changes in the vagina/cervical tissues indicates that L crispatus capsules are well tolerated.
Anomalous grain refinement trends during mechanical milling of Bi2Te3

United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Basic Energy Sciences (Award Number DE-SC0001299)
Moving innovations into treatment: A stage-based approach to program change

Treatment programs are expected to change their clients. To adopt evidence-based practices to improve their therapeutic effectiveness in dealing with drug-related problems of clients, they also are expected to change themselves. The process of innovation adoption and implementation is the focus of studies included in this special journal issue. Collectively, this volume examines staff perceptions of program needs, organizational readiness for change (based on pressures, resources, staff attributes, and organizational climate), quality of workshop training, subsequent utilization of training materials, and client self-report of treatment engagement. Approximately 800 treatment programs nationwide contributed data for these studies. A standardized assessment of organizational functioning captured attributes that describe environments, settings, and staffs, and the findings are interpreted in the context of a stage-based approach to program changes. A conceptual model is used to help organize and summarize longitudinal results within the organizational context and according to implementation influences related to qualities of the innovations.
A Personnel Radiation Dosimeter with Storage for Preset Alarm and Continuous Readout

The circuit design of a gamma radiation dosimeter is described which permits continuous monitoring of accumulated radiation dosage. An electro-chemical integrating and storage device permits continuous readout in Roentgens followed by a preset audible alarm with an exponential horn tuned for maximum audio output with minimum power input. Any radiation dose rate can be monitored by selecting a G-M detector that gives the desired range. The unit described has a readout range of 200 R and will operate in a radiation field up to 1000 R/hr with an accuracy to within ±5% in an operating temperature range from 0° to 60 °C. The unit weighs less than one pound and has the capability to be clipped to the user's belt, allowing freedom of activity during emergency rescue operations or other hazardous assignment.
How to Create a Technical Services Team

Abstract During the last two years, technical services operations at Western Maryland College have undergone changes in personnel, technology, workflow, and departmental organization. The Technical Services department, created by a 1997 merger of two separate departments, has survived and flourished amidst such change. The secret is teamwork. By planning together, clarifying responsibilities, re-thinking procedures and by sometimes taking a break from work together, staff have preserved and strengthened their team identity and have increased departmental productivity by 57 percent.
Median model for background subtraction in intelligent transportation system

This research is generally divided into two phases: the first phase deals with background image generation and vehicle detection, the second phase deals with vehicle tracking and video handoff. In the first phase we view the image as a mixture of three data distributions: vehicle, background and shadow. Thus the problem is modeled as a mixture of Gaussian problem and our goal is to separate the background data from other data distributions. We proposed a median model and an improved median model to separate the background data from mixture data and to generate background reference images. In median model we keep track of deviation between the median and its neighbors in a reordered pixel sequence. When sample size is big enough, the reordered pixel sequence is in what we called balanced-median model. This model is indicated by a very small deviation value. In this case the median of the pixel sequence falls in background set and could be used for background estimation. When sample size is not big enough, the reordered pixel sequence is in what we called shifted-median model. This model is indicated by a much bigger deviation value. In this case the median falls out of background set and are excluded for background estimation. This median model has an impressive performance to handle slow moving or even stationary vehicles. But the time complexity is still expensive for real time image processing. The improved median model is proposed to reduce the time complexity to a reasonable level. In improved median model, we take samples in a bigger time interval to make it capable of dealing with slow moving and stationary vehicles. The sample size from experimentation is obtained as a small constant value between 5 and 20. This small sample constant size could dramatically reduce the time complexity. As a complementary to this improved median model, a mask-classified updating method is introduced to update the background image in a short term and only classified background pixels are being used for updating. Threshold, erosion, dilation and connected components labeling are used for noise removing and object labeling. After the first phase, the vehicle information is separated from image and input to the second phase for video hand-off and vehicle tracking. In the second phase, the weighted intensity information and shape information for each vehicle is scored and minimum-distance classification method is used for vehicle match. More than 400 vehicles are tested. An overall detection rate of 100% and tracking rate of 74% are obtained in this system.
A Methodology to Estimate Capacity Impact due to Connected Vehicle Technology

Recent development in connected vehicle technology or equivalently vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) has stimulated tremendous interests among decision makers, practitioners, and researchers due to the potential safety and mobility benefits provided by these technologies. A primary concern regarding the deployment of connected vehicle technology is the degree of market penetration required for effectiveness. This paper proposes a methodology to analyze the benefit of highway capacity gained from connected vehicle technology. To fulfill this purpose, a model incorporating the effects of connected vehicle technology on car following is formulated, building on which a rough estimate of the resulting capacity gain is derived. A simulation study is conducted to verify the model, and an illustrative example is provided to show the application of the methodology. This work provides decision makers and practitioners with a basic tool to understand the mobility benefit obtained from connected vehicle technology and how such benefit varies as market penetration changes.
The narrow vagina, the antecedent for irradiation injury

Abstract The narrow vagina may result in an overirradiation of the normal pelvic organs. This inadequate spatial relationship cannot be avoided by packing or choosing another applicator. Since this problem often occurs in the elderly patient, surgery is not seriously considered as an alternative. The prediction of radionecrotic complications is important for both the radiation therapist and the gynecologic oncologist. The narrow vagina can be defined in terms of the ratio of Point A dose to that of the bladder and/or rectum. It is important that a poor therapeutic ratio be recognized in order to prevent excessive radiation to the normal structures. Alternates to the "routine" intracavity Curie therapy will be presented. The role of the colpostats, the protruding source, and the tandem will be discussed in a manner which will yield better communication between the radiation therapist and the gynecologic oncologist. The deliverance of overtolerance radiation in order to gain cancer cure in select patients must be a combined radiotherapeutic surgical decision. Guidelines for management will be presented.
The characteristics and evolution of large‐scale structures in compressible mixing layers

Single‐ and double‐pulsed visualizations were employed to study the characteristics and evolution of large‐scale structures in compressible mixing layers with convective Mach numbers (Mc) of 0.51 and 0.86. Instantaneous images and spatial correlations based on large ensembles of images show that large‐scale structures which span the entire mixing layer thickness are a more dominant feature at Mc=0.51 than at Mc=0.86. Double‐pulsed images in the Mc=0.51 developing region show the structures’ formation to proceed as the roll‐up of a wavy mixing region, in agreement with the Kelvin–Helmholtz picture of structure formation derived from studies of incompressible mixing layers. However, little indication of roll‐up was present for Mc=0.86. In the Mc=0.51 fully developed region, the large‐scale structures evolve similarly to those of incompressible mixing layers, even undergoing pairing processes. Similar structure evolution processes were not encountered in Mc=0.86; instead, it was more difficult to even track large‐scale motions between the initial and delayed images. Convective velocities derived from space‐time correlations of ensembles of double‐pulsed images are in good agreement with the theoretical convective velocity at the center of the mixing layer, but are higher than the theoretical value toward the high‐speed side of the mixing layer and lower toward the low‐speed side.