cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coding of gustatory information in the pontine parabrachial nuclei of the rabbit: magnitude of neural response.

Abstract An electrophysiological analysis was carried out on 82 neurons in the parabrachial nuclei to study coding of gustatory stimuli. The magnitude of neural discharge evoked by two concentrations of each of 4 basic taste stimuli were subjected to two types of analyses to evaluate neuronal specificity and across-element spatial patterning in the coding of taste quality. Results were compared and contrasted to those in rodents. Profiles of taste response of individual neurons were analyzed mathematically by Q-technique principal components analysis and cluster analysis to identify basic neuronal patterns of response. Four distinct patterns emerged which, based on the average profiles of response, were characterized as: NaCl-dominant, NaCl HCl, sucrose-dominant, and nonspecific. Analysis of the NaCl- and sucrose-dominant types of neurons indicated that neurons with the most narrowly tuned patterns of response to the taste stimuli could not effectively code specific taste qualities. Comparison of interstimulus correlations in magnitude of response across neurons between qualitatively different tastants and intrastimulus correlations between intensities of given tastants also revealed difficulties with the spatial pattern model of coding. The discrepant findings raise questions about an assumption utilized in the analysis of the model, viz., that all elements contribute homogeneously to the patterning code.
Vasopressin-induced calcium signaling in cultured hippocampal neurons

We recently demonstrated that the neural peptide vasopressin (AVP) can act as a neurotrophic factor for hippocampal nerve cells in culture. Because the neurotrophic effect of vasopressin is mediated by the V1 receptor [11], we investigated AVP activation of calcium signaling pathways in cultured hippocampal neurons. Results of this investigation demonstrate that exposure of cultured hippocampal neurons prelabeled with [3H]myo-inositol to vasopressin induced a significant accumulation of [3H]inositol-1-phosphate ([3H]IP1). The selective V1 vasopressin receptor agonist, [Phe2, Orn2]vasotocin, induced a significant accumulation of [3H]IP1 whereas a selective V2 vasopressin receptor agonist, [deamino1, D-Arg8]-vasopressin, did not. Moreover, V1 agonist-induced accumulation of [3H]IP1 was blocked by the selective V1 vasopressin receptor antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]-vasopressin. V1 agonist-induced accumulation of [3H]IP1 was concentration dependent and exhibited a steep inverted U-shaped curve that included both stimulation and inhibition of [3H]IP1 accumulation. Time course analysis of V1 agonist-induced accumulation of [3H]IP1 revealed significant increase by 20 min which continued to be significantly elevated for 60 min. Investigation of the effect of closely related peptides on [3H]IP1 accumulation indicated that the vasopressin metabolite peptide AVP4-9 and oxytocin significantly increased [3H]IP1 accumulation whereas the vasopressin metabolite peptide AVP4-8 did not. AVP4-9 and oxytocin induced [3H]IP1 accumulation were blocked by the V1 vasopressin receptor antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]-vasopressin. V1 receptor activation was associated with a pronounced rise in intracellular calcium. Results of calcium fluorometry studies indicated that V1 agonist exposure induced a marked and sustained rise in intracellular calcium that exhibited oscillations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
P-glycoprotein and alloimmune T-cell activation

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the human multidrug resistant (MDR1) gene product and cancer multidrug resistance-associated adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, is physiologically expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but its role in cellular immunity is only beginning to be elucidated. A role of P-gp in the secretion of several T-cell and antigen presenting cell-derived cytokines has been described, and additional functions of the molecule have been identified in lymphocyte survival and antigen presenting cell differentiation. Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence that P-gp serves several distinct functions in the initiation of primary immune responses, and a critical role of the molecule in functional alloimmune responses is now established. Here, we will review the current understanding of P-gp function in alloimmune T-cell activation via both T-cell and antigen presenting cell-dependent mechanisms, which is relevant to the field of clinical transplantation, where P-gp has been found to be a marker of acute and chronic allograft rejection. Indeed, current in vitro findings raise the possibility that P-gp could represent a novel therapeutic target in acute and chronic allograft rejection, the major causes of allograft dysfunction and ultimate graft loss.
Effect of Voice Onset Type on Vocal Attack Time

Vocal attack time (VAT) is the time lag between the growth of sound pressure (SP) and electroglottographic (EGG) signals at vocal initiation. The characteristics of voice initiation are associated with issues of vocal hygiene, efficiency, and quality. Vocal onsets have commonly been qualitatively characterized into three types: hard, simultaneous, and breathy. This study examines the effect of voice onset type on VAT values in normal speakers. SP and EGG recordings were obtained for 55 female and 57 male subjects while producing multiple tokens of three tasks (sustained /ɑ/ and "always" as unaspirated onsets, and "hallways" as an aspirated onset). Results revealed a significant effect of onset type on VAT, with the mean VAT for the "hallways" (aspirated) task greater than the mean VAT for the sustained /ɑ/ and "always" (unaspirated) tasks. There was no significant VAT difference between the sustained /ɑ/ and "always" tasks. Findings confirm the sensitivity of the VAT measure to vocal onset type and suggest its potential application as an objective and quantitative clinical measure of the type of vocal onset.
Acid phosphatase activity in palates of developing normal and chlorcyclizine treated rodents.

Abstract Acid phosphatase-positive granules were demonstrated in normal palatal processes of developing A/Jax mice and Sprague-Dawley rats during the time of palatal fusion and epithelial degeneration. This hydrolytic enzyme was also found in the degenerating glossopalatal epithelium of embryos obtained from pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats that had been treated with chlorcyclizine during the period of palatal development.
Comparing Estimated and Actual Visual Acuity at High and Low Luminance

How much insight do individuals have into their own visual abilities? This study investigated the extent to which individuals from 18 to 78 years old can accurately predict their own acuity under a broad range of luminances. New psychophysically based methods were developed to facilitate direct comparisons between individuals' estimates of their own visual acuity and their actual acuity. While all age groups appreciate that reductions in luminance have negative consequences on acuity, both younger and middle-age adults underestimated their ability to see in dim conditions. Older adults, however, overestimated their ability to see. These results fail to support the hypothesis that seniors would be the most aware of their limited visual abilities at night. Future research should explore why some seniors are comfortable driving at night while others are not.
Model-independent refinement of interproton distances generated from 1H NMR overhauser intensities

A recursive method to refine interproton distances compatible with two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOESY) experiments has been tested. Convergence does not depend on the initial estimate of the parameters. Hence, no approximate initial structure of the molecule is required: the iterative process can be started from the experimentally measured NOESY cross-peak volumes, supplemented with arbitrary cross-peak and autopeak values to obtain an initial NOESY matrix. The relaxation matrix is calculated from the NOESY matrix, and its diagonal elements (ϱi) are adjusted at each iteration until the difference between theoretical and experimental cross peaks is a minimum. The improvement comes from using interproton distances calculated from the off-diagonal (σij) elements to generate ϱi values. The method was applied to alumichrome, a rigid cyclohexapeptide of virtually identical solution and crystallographic structures. The experimental data consisted of the integrated volumes of NOESY cross peaks at 500 MHz. Convergence was tested by resorting to different initial conditions, one of them being a NOESY matrix in which the experimentally unobserved off diagonal elements were set equal to zero and the diagonal elements to 0.5. The iterations rapidly converge, in all cases, to a set of distances whose root-mean-squares deviation (rmsd) from the crystallographic distances is < 0.05 A. The acronym MIDGE (model-independent distance generation) for the procedure is proposed.
Distinct Domains of Complexins Bind SNARE Complexes and Clamp Fusion in Vitro

In regulated exocytosis, the core membrane fusion machinery proteins, the SNARE proteins, are assisted by a group of regulatory factors in order to couple membrane fusion to an increase of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. Complexin-I and synaptotagmin-I have been shown to be key elements for this tightly regulated process. Many studies suggest that complexin-I can arrest the fusion reaction and that synaptotagmin-I can release the complexin-I blockage in a calcium-dependent manner. Although the actual molecular mechanism by which they exert their function is still unknown, recent in vivo experiments postulate that domains of complexin-I produce different effects on neurotransmitter release. Herein, by using an in vitro flipped SNARE cell fusion assay, we have identified and characterized the minimal functional domains of complexin-I necessary to couple calcium and synaptotagmin-I to membrane fusion. Moreover, we provide evidence that other isoforms of complexin, complexin-II, -III, and -IV, can also be functionally coupled to synaptotagmin-I and calcium. These correspond closely to results from in vivo experiments, providing further validation of the physiological relevance of the flipped SNARE system.
A Dempster-Shafer approach for recognizing machine features from CAD models

Abstract This paper introduces an evidential reasoning-based approach for recognizing and extracting manufacturing features from solid model description of objects. A major difficulty faced by previously proposed methods for feature extraction has been the interaction between features due to non-uniqueness and ambiguousness in feature representation. To overcome this difficulty, we introduce a Dempster–Shafer approach for generating and combining geometric and topologic evidences to identify and extract interacting features. The main contributions of this research include introducing different classes of evidences based on the geometric and topologic relationships at different abstraction levels for effective evidential reasoning and developing the principle of association to overcome the mutual exclusiveness assumption of the Dempster–Shafer theory. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in extracting interacting machine features.
Numerical investigation of thinning of the intercellular bridge during cell cytokinesis

This paper develops a numerical model for intercellular bridge dynamics during the final stages of cell division known as cell cytokinesis. The aim of this research is to provide understanding as well as a quantitative description of transport processes during formation and thinning of the intercellular bridge. From a microfluidic standpoint, intercellular bridge is a squeezing microchannel or a squeezing pump. The rate of pumping based on squeezing increases with increased squeezing tension, which is determined by the number of myosin-II molecular motors recruited into the intercellular bridge region.
Content delivery performance of world wide web sites of US tour operators focusing on destinations in China

Abstract China has experienced tremendous growth as an international travel destination and the growth is expected to continue over the next 20 years. US tour operators focusing on tours to China are in an increasingly promising market but successfully marketing their products challenged the financial resources of operators until the advent of the Internet. The Internet now offers tour operators an effective and cost saving method for promoting tours to China. To gain insight into how US tour operators focusing on tours to China are embracing the Internet, the researchers evaluated Web sites of 20 tour operators. Results indicated that the content delivery performance of the Web sites was low, meaning Web sites did not include important features necessary for operators to remain viable in such a competitive market.
Regulation of squalene epoxidase activity by membrane fatty acid composition in yeast.

DeprivingSaccharomyces cerevisiae strain GL7 of exogenous unsaturated fatty acid supplements causes this sterol biosynthetic mutant to accumulate squalene at the expense of squalene epoxide and squalene diepoxide. To further characterize the apparent relationship between squalene epoxidase activity and membrane fatty acid composition, a variety of unsaturated fatty acids differing in their chain lengths and in the positions and orientation (cis ortrans) of their double bonds were tested for their ability to promote turnover of endogenous squalene in cells previously deprived of olefinic supplements. All of the unsaturated fatty acids tested were found to restore squalene epoxidase activity but there were marked differences in their efficacies that best were correlated with the extent to which they reduced the medium chain (C-10+C-12) saturated fatty acid content of cellular phospholipids. Additional studies demonstrated that de novo protein synthesis was required for the restoration of squalene epoxidase activity in unsaturated fatty aciddeprived cells.
The pH dependence of lipid peroxidation using water-soluble azo initiators.

Abstract We report here the pH dependence of the rate of lipid peroxidation of methyl linoleate/Triton mixed micelles using a series of water-soluble azo initiators. The cationic initiators 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (ABAP) and 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] (ABIP) exhibit similar behavior, in which increased pH results in dramatically enhanced rates of peroxidation. Rate data for ABAP and ABIP were fitted to a single proton equilibrium, which yielded apparent kinetic pKa values for the rate of approximately 7 and 6, respectively. The azo initiator 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (ABCPA), which yields a negatively charged radical upon thermolysis at neutral pH, was also studied. In contrast to the effects observed with ABAP and ABIP, peroxidation rates with ABCPA exhibit an inverse pH dependence, in which the rates of peroxidation increase with decreasing pH, with an apparent pKa of approximately 5. By comparison, methyl linoleate oxidation rates with 2,2′-azobis(2-cyanopropane) (ABCP) display minimal changes over the pH range 5 to 7.5. Two alternatives can be advanced to account for this behavior, including either a buffer effect which is specific to the cationic initiators or an altered amidinium pKa (∼ 6 to 7) in either the initial carbon-centered radical or the subsequent peroxyl radical generated upon thermolysis of ABAP or ABIP. In the latter case, the kinetic pH dependence could thus reflect an enhanced competence of neutral radicals over charged radicals to partition into the micelles and initiate peroxidation.
Accurate Band Gaps for Semiconductors from Density Functional Theory

An essential issue in developing semiconductor devices for photovoltaics and thermoelectrics is to design materials with appropriate band gaps plus the proper positioning of dopant levels relative to the bands. Local density (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) density functionals generally underestimate band gaps for semiconductors and sometimes incorrectly predict a metal. Hybrid functionals that include some exact Hartree−Fock exchange are known to be better. We show here for CuInSe2, the parent compound of the promising CIGS Cu(InxGa1−x)Se2 solar devices, that LDA and GGA obtain gaps of 0.0−0.01 eV (experiment is 1.04 eV), while the historically first global hybrid functional, B3PW91, is surprisingly better than B3LYP with band gaps of 1.07 and 0.95 eV, respectively. Furthermore, we show that for 27 related binary and ternary semiconductors, B3PW91 predicts gaps with a mean average deviation (MAD) of only 0.09 eV, which is substantially better than all modern hybrid functionals.
Endoscopic Resection of Sinonasal Cancers

Sinonasal malignancies, a rare group of tumors, are characterized by histological heterogeneity and poor survival. As improvements in image-guidance and endoscopic technologies became incorporated into head and neck oncologic and neurosurgical practice, the application of these technologies and techniques to the surgical management of sinonasal malignancy began. Over the past decade, there has been increasing evidence regarding the safety and oncological effectiveness of these techniques. Several institutions have reported their experience with endoscopic surgery and have shown reduced morbidity, better quality of life, and survival outcomes equivalent to those of open surgery in carefully selected patients. Endoscopic cranial base surgery is a rapidly evolving field. We review the literature on oncological outcomes, safety, quality of life, and recent technological advances.
A confirmatory analysis of the factor stability hypothesis

The procedures recently developed by Joreskog for studying similarities and differences in factor structures between different groups were applied to data from a study designed by Thurstone to investigate the sampling stability of a hypothesized isolated configuration. The hypothesis of an isolated configuration was rejected but not by much. The results represent a restricted and unique simple structure solution with the factor loadings and uniqueness values invariant over the two samples.
Stimulated wave of polarization in a one-dimensional Ising chain

It is demonstrated that in a one-dimensional Ising chain with nearest-neighbor interactions, irradiated by a weak resonant transverse field, a stimulated wave of flipped spins can be triggered by a flip of a single spin. This analytically solvable model illustrates mechanisms of quantum amplification and quantum measurement.
Errors in Mean Vertical Velocities Measured by Boundary Layer Wind Profilers

Abstract The accuracy of vertical velocities measured by UHF wind-profiling radars has been a matter of discussion for some time. This paper shows that there are significant errors in mean vertical velocities measured by the vertical beam of 915-MHz wind profilers. The erroneous velocities are 0.1–0.3 m s−1 downward in daytime convective boundary layers over two sites, flat farmland in Illinois and rolling forest in Wisconsin. Velocities at night are not affected, and different days have different erroneous velocities. The directly measured velocities are compared to vertical velocities calculated from the divergence of the horizontal wind to show that they are indeed in error. The erroneous velocities are not caused by detectable rain, by an error in the beam pointing direction, or by the skewness of the vertical velocity distribution. They are probably due to small targets (particulate scatterers) that have a small fall velocity and are detected by the radar. An online algorithm for removing intermitten...
New Patterns of Intracortical Projections after Focal Cortical Stroke

Cortical strokes alter functional maps but associated changes in connections have not been documented. The neuroanatomical tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was injected into cortex bordering infarcts 3 weeks after focal strokes in rat whisker barrel (somatosensory) cortex. The mirror locus in the opposite hemisphere was injected as a control. After 1 week of survival, brains were processed for cytochrome oxidase (CO)-, Nissl-, and BDA-labeled neurons. Cortex bordering the infarct (peri-infarct cortex) had abnormal CO and Nissl structure. BDA-labeled neurons were plotted and projections were analyzed quantitatively. Animals with small strokes had intracortical projections, arising from peri-infarct cortex, not seen in normal hemispheres: the overall orientation was statistically significantly different from and rotated 157 degrees relative to the controls. Compared to the controls, significantly fewer cells were labeled in the thalamus. Thus, after focal cortical stroke, the peri-infarct cortex is structurally abnormal, loses thalamic connections, and develops new horizontal cortical connections by axonal sprouting.
Triplex forming ability of a c-myc promoter element predicts promoter strength.

Abstract Most transcription factors are believed to bind promoter elements in the B-DNA conformation, wherein linear sequence determines specificity. However, there are promoter elements that can form complex structures such as intramolecular triplexes, and these structures may participate in the activity of these promoter elements. We have previously shown that a c- myc promoter element, termed the nuclease-sensitive element or NSE, can form tandem intramolecular triplexes of the H-DNA type and has a repeating sequence motif (ACCCTCCCC) 4 . The NSE was mutated and examined for transcriptional activity and for intra- and intermolecular triplex forming ability. The transcriptional activity of mutant NSEs can be predicted by the element′s ability to form H-DNA and not by repeat number, position, or the number of mutant base pairs. DNA may therefore be a dynamic participant in the transcription of the c- myc gene.
Evolution of cold shock-bounded slabs

Abstract The stability and evolution of cold, shock-bounded slabs is studied using numerical hydrodynamic simulations. We confirm the analysis of Vishniac (1994) [ApJ, 428, 186], who showed that such slabs are unstable if they are perturbed by a displacement larger than their width. The growth rate of this nonlinear thin shell instability (NTSI) is found to increase with decreasing wavelength, in qualitative agreement with Vishniac's analysis. The NTSI saturates when the bending angle becomes large and the growth in the width of the slab pinches off the perturbation. After saturation, the slab remains greatly extended with an average density much less than the original slab density, supported primarily by supersonic turbulence within the slab. Linear perturbations are also found to be unstable in that they can lead to turbulent flow within the slab, although this response to linear perturbations is distinct from, and much less violent than the NTSI. Richard McCray
Orthogonal Eigenstructure Control with Non-collocated Actuators and Sensors

An orthogonal eigenstructure control method with collocated actuators and sensors was recently developed by the authors. In this paper the application of the method is extended beyond the collocation of the actuators and sensors, including the cases that different numbers of actuators and sensors are used. Orthogonal eigenstructure control is an output feedback control for multi-input multi-output linear systems. This method uses singular value decomposition to find the matrix that spans the null space of the closed-loop eigenvectors. This method regenerates the open-loop system while simultaneously determines a set of eigenvectors that are orthogonal to the open-loop eigenvectors. This method does not attempt to place the eigenvalues of the closed-loop system, nor does it require defining a set of closed-loop eigenvectors. The closed-loop eigenvectors will be within the achievable eigenvector set and the closed-loop poles will be consistent with them. As a result, no extra constraints have been imposed t...
The metabolic response of the canine neonate to twenty-four hours of fasting.

The metabolic effects of 24 hours of neonatal fasting in unanesthetized dogs were compared to fasting for three hours during the first day of life. Blood glucose, lactate, and ketones were unaltered while FFA (0.94 ± 0.07 v 0.70 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P < .001), glycerol (0.21 ± 0.01 v 0.12 ± 0.01 mmol/L, P < .01), and triglycerides (0.41 ± 0.03 v 0.23 ± 0.03 mmol/L, P < .01) were lower at 24 hours. Glucose production and lactate and alanine turnover were unaffected while palmitate turnover declined (8.8 ± 0.7 v 5.1 ± 0.5 μmol/kg/min, P < .01). Oxygen consumption decreased (6.9 ± 0.4 v 6.0 ± 0.3 mL/kg/min, P < .02) while RQ increased (0.79 ± 0.02 v 0.86 ± 0.03, P < 0.05) at 24 hours. Hepatic glycogen content declined (575 ± 37 to 266 ± 32 μmol/g, P < .001) and could account for a GP of 12 μmol/kg/min between 3 and 24 hours of age. Both gluconeogenesis from lactate and alanine increased, together accounting for 7% and 21% of glucose production at 3 and 24 hours. The increment in gluconeogenesis may be facilitated by augmented hepatic cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase at 24 hours (1.8 ± 0.2 v 14.1 ± 0.8 nmol/min mg protein, P < .01). Despite the decline in VO2, hepatic ATP and energy charge were unaltered by 24 hours of fasting. These data suggest that FFA availability diminishes during a prolonged neonatal canine fast resulting in lower VO2. Furthermore, as FFA availability declines, glucose utilization becomes the predominant precursor for energy production. As hepatic glycogen becomes depleted, gluconeogenesis must now constitute a greater proportion of systemic glucose production. Nevertheless, VO2 is not maintained. The paradoxical stability of hepatic ATP with lower VO2 suggests that hepatic ATP utilization may have also declined.
Solitary brain metastases. Radiation, resection, or radiosurgery?

Management of a single intracranial metastasis is changing dramatically with the modalities and therapeutic techniques currently available. Surgery remains an important modality, but stereotactic radiosurgery can be considered if the metastases are small. Ultimately, however, the final management decision must carefully weigh the life expectancy of the patient, and recognize that quality of life is as important as the amount of time gained.
Clausewitz: Toward a theory of applied strategy

(1995). Clausewitz: Toward a theory of applied strategy. Defense Analysis: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 229-240.
The effect of combined androgen ablation on the expression of alpha1A-adrenergic receptor in the human prostate.

Background This study was designed to determine whether androgen ablation (AA) affects expression of alpha1A-adrenergic receptors (AR) in the human prostate. Methods Concentrations of alpha1A-AR mRNA were determined in benign prostatic tissue from patients undergoing surgery after a 3-month course of combined androgen ablation (CAD) therapy with leuprolide and flutamide, and a matched group of untreated patients with clinical BPH. Results Mean concentration of alpha1A-AR in the AA group was 0.53 ± 0.53 SD (range 0.026–1.55) attomol/mg. Control mean was 0.29 ± 0.22 SD (range 0.02–0.69; P = 0.3, two tailed t-test). Tissue composition did not statistically differ between the two groups. Expression of alpha1A-AR correlated with concentration of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) (r = 0.84, P = 0.001). No significant differences were observed after adjusting for SMMHC content. Conclusions A 3-month course of CAD does not appear to have a significant effect on alpha1A-AR mRNA expression in the human prostate. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Observations on the Radiation of Lobe-Finned Fishes, Ray-Finned Fishes, and Cartilaginous Fishes: Phylogeny of the opioid/orphanin Gene Family and the 2R Hypothesis

At the close of the Devonian Period the rapid decline in the diversity of the lobe-finned fishes was countered by the emergence and diversification of the ray-finned fishes and the cartilaginous fishes that now dominate marine and freshwater ecosystems. All of these jawed vertebrates were derived from the ancestral gnathostomes; a chordate lineage that had experienced two genome duplication events during the evolution of the phylum. This review analyzes trends in the phylogeny of the opioid/orphanin gene family (four prohormone/neuropeptide precursor-coding genes) in the major classes of gnathostomes that survived the extinction events at the close of the Devonian Period and focuses on some features of this gene family that appear to set the cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes) apart from class Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes and tetrapods) and class Actinopterygii (the ray-finned fishes).
Laboratory Assessment of Fumes Generated by Bituminous Mixtures and Bitumen

ABSTRACT More and more demanding health and environmental criteria are involved in the construction field and thus in road construction and maintenance domain. This requires a better understanding of the fumes generated during the manufacturing of hydrocarbon based material. In this study, laboratory devices allowing the collection of fumes from bituminous mixtures and bitumen itself have been developed. The analysis of emitted Total Organic Compounds is continuously carried out during mixing, using a flame ionization detector type TOC analyser. Firstly, feasibility measurements are performed to establish a reliable test protocol and to determine the test repeatability. Then, the evolution of the organic emissions from asphalt with time is studied. The results obtained highlight the influence of mixing conditions on the quantity of the emitted total organic compounds. This study shows also the stirring process influence on TOC emissions from bitumen as well as their progressive exhaustion during long-term...
Functional optical brain imaging: Toward noninvasive cognitive prosthetics

When Licklider published Man-Computer Symbiosis in 1960, he stated that “It seems entirely possible that, in due course, electronic or chemical “machines” will outdo the human brain in most of the functions we now consider exclusively within its province. (p.2)” The brain-machine interface Licklider envisioned has been extended beyond his initial conceptions by noninvasive and portable technologies, such as EEG and near-infrared based optical brain imaging devices. These noninvasive neuroimaging tools facilitate better interfacing with the brain by providing the underlying principles that govern the brain's ability to adapt to and utilize new interface paradigms. Moreover, these enabling technologies can guide the development of prosthetics to compensate for cognitive deficits within impaired populations, as well as enhance cognitive performance for healthy populations. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR), an emerging optical brain imaging system, will be introduced along with an illustration of its potential role in the development of cognitive prostheses. fNIR is a wearable neuroimaging device that enables the continuous, non-invasive, and portable monitoring of NIR light absorbance of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in blood. Hemodynamics measured by fNIR is similar to functional MRI and provides information about ongoing brain activity. Drexel's Optical Brain Imaging Lab, comprised of an interdisciplinary team of engineers, cognitive and motor neuroscientists, and neurorehabilitation scientists have developed and integrated fNIR imaging techniques into an array of research paradigms to assess cognitive and motor activities of individuals with and without impairments. Applications of fNIR include cognitive workload and human performance assessments, credibility assessments, learning during performance of a gripping task with an electromyographically controlled exoskeleton gripper with haptic feedback, assessment of recovery from anesthesia, and brain-machine interface for communication and control. This talk will briefly address current developments of cognitive prostheses as well as the future direction of the field.
Unraveling the antecedent-consequence conditions in maternal depression and adolescent functioning.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine the sequential relationship between maternal depression and adolescent functioning. Maternal depression scores and eight measures of adolescent functioning, representing four areas (internalizing problems, externalizing problems, prosocial behavior and cognitive functioning), were collected at two points in time, separated by 1 yr. Adolescent functioning was assessed by teacher-completed measures and behavioral observations. Ninety-nine mothers and adolescents participated in Year 1 and 83 of these participated in Year 2. Using partial correlations, the relationship between maternal depression at Year 1 and adolescent functioning at Year 2 was examined, with adolescent functioning at Year 1 partialed out. Similarly, the relationship between adolescent functioning at Year 1 and maternal depression at Year 2 was examined, with maternal depression at Year l partialed out. The results indicated that, when maternal depression scores were collected at Year 1 and adolescent functioning was assessed at Year 2, seven of eight partial correlations were significant whereas only two of eight partial correlations were significant and in the expected direction when adolescent functioning was assessed at Year 1 and maternal depression was examined at Year 2. Furthermore, for five of the eight measures the correlations were significantly different between maternal depression serving as the antecedent and adolescent functioning serving as the antecedent. Maternal depression appears to serve as an antecedent for adolescent functioning rather than vice versa. Explanations for the findings are discussed and implications for behavior therapists are considered.
THE SCANNING FLOW DMA

A new method of DMA operation has been implemented in which the flow rates are continuously changed in conjunction with the applied voltage. By optimizing the flow and voltage ramps, improvements can be made in the DMA's measurable size range, counting statistics, resolution, or a partial combination of each of these. Detailed modeling of this technique suggests that errors on the order of 2 to 5% result from incorrect assumptions concerning the flow profile within the DMA. The experimental system enabled accurate control of flows that were varied by an order of magnitude in as little as 30 s. Excellent agreement was obtained between mobility distributions recovered from a voltage ramp, a flow ramp, and a combined voltage and flow ramp. Slight deviations were apparent in the recovered data as the flow scan time was reduced from 60 to 30 s.
A Distribution-Free Normal Scores Test for Ordered Alternatives in the Randomized Block Design.

Abstract We introduce a normal scores test for ordered alternatives among k treatments in the randomized block design. For k = 2 or 3, the test is equivalent to a standard test due to Page [5]. For k ≥ 4, the test differs from Page's and is often more efficient. As k→ ∞, the Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency of the normal scores test compared to Page's test tends to ∞ for uniform and exponential populations. For normal, uniform and exponential populations, this efficiency exceeds 1 for k ≥ 4. We present a table of .01, .05, and .10 critical values for k = 4, n = 1(1)10 and k = 5, n = 1(1)5.
Introduction: new and emerging implications for the field of vascular biology.

I 1980, Furchgott and Zawedzki1 reported that an intact endothelium is required for vascular relaxation. Over the next 2 decades, many other studies followed this pioneering study of vascular wall biology, reshaping conceptual thinking in cardiovascular medicine. In particular, we learned that the coronary vessels were not merely passive conduits but were active organs controlling many of the processes that mediate cardiovascular outcomes. Studies demonstrated that the endothelium synthesizes and releases a number of vasoactive molecules that modulate vascular smooth muscle cell function and structure.2 Endothelial function replaced endothelial injury in discourse on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.3 Effects of cardiovascular drugs on the vascular wall were recognized as playing an important role in prevention of events.4 In 1998, Furchgott, Ignarro, and Murad received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on nitric oxide, an endothelial-derived signaling molecule. However, although nitric oxide is a particularly important signaling molecule in the vascular wall, many others whose roles are only now being elucidated are important as well. For example, at the American College of Cardiology 51st Annual Scientific Session in 2002, there were 17 special sessions devoted to vascular topics. Many other advances remain to be made, and need to be made, if we are to meet the continuing challenge of cardiovascular disease.
Dendritic cell trafficking and antigen presentation in the human immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an extraordinarily successful human pathogen, one of the major causes of death by infectious disease worldwide. A key issue for the study of tuberculosis is to understand why individuals infected with Mtb experience different clinical outcomes. To better understand the dynamics of Mtb infection and immunity, we coupled nonhuman primate experiments with a mathematical model we previously developed that qualitatively and quantitatively captures important processes of cellular priming and activation. These processes occur between the lung and the nearest draining lymph node where the key cells mediating this process are the dendritic cells (DC). The nonhuman primate experiments consist of bacteria and cell numbers from tissues of 17 adult cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that were infected with Mtb strain Erdman (∼25 CFU/animal via bronchoscope). The main result of this work is that delays in either DC migration to the draining lymph node or T cell trafficking to the site of infection can alter the outcome of Mtb infection, defining progression to primary disease or latent infection and reactivated tuberculosis. Our results also support the idea that the development of a new generation of treatment against Mtb should optimally elicit a fast DC turnover at the site of infection, as well as strong activation of DCs for maximal Ag presentation and production of key cytokines. This will induce the most protective T cell response.
Magic Angle Rotating Field NMR/MRI Magnet for In Vivo Monitoring of Tissue

A magic angle rotating field (MARF) NMR/MRI magnet has been designed and built, demonstrating future potential to realize vivo measurement of the chemical composition of specific biological tissues and organs, This proof of principle prototype opens the possibility for in situ magic angle scanning of stationary, living, biological specimens. Magnetic design strategy and performance capability are described.
The Structured Employment Interview: Narrative and Quantitative Review of the Research Literature

In the 20 years since frameworks of employment interview structure have been developed, a considerable body of empirical research has accumulated. We summarize and critically examine this literature by focusing on the 8 main topics that have been the focus of attention: (a) the definition of structure; (b) reducing bias through structure; (c) impression management in structured interviews; (d) measuring personality via structured interviews; (e) comparing situational versus past-behavior questions; (f) developing rating scales; (g) probing, follow-up, prompting, and elaboration on questions; and (h) reactions to structure. For each topic, we review and critique research and identify promising directions for future research. When possible, we augment the traditional narrative review with meta-analytic review and content analysis. We concluded that much is known about structured interviews, but there are still many unanswered questions. We provide 12 propositions and 19 research questions to stimulate further research on this important topic.
Toxicology of Poinsettia

1. The acute oral LD50 of poinsettia in Sprague Dawley rats were greater than 25 gm/kg for all plant parts tested. 2. Exaggerated oral dosing over a five-day period with as much as 125 gm/kg total dose did not produce any gross or microscopic pathology in Sprague Dawley rats. 3. A five-day total diet study of poinsettia produced no gross pathology in Sprague Dawley rats. 4. Poinsettia latex induced no local toxicity when instilled into the buccal cavity of Sprague Dawley rats. 5. Poinsettia latex induced no damage when instilled into the eyes of albino rabbits. 6. Upon repeated exposures poinsettia exhibited mild skin irritation in the albino rabbit. It is not considered to be a primary irritant. 7. Poinsettia induced skin photosensitivity in albino rabbits.
Application of Particle Swarm Optimization for Traveling Salesman Problem to lossless compression of color palette images

This paper investigates optimal color indexing for the compression of color palette images. This work enhances the recent traveling salesman problem (TSP) based re-indexing technique with particle swarm optimization (PSO). In this work, color re-indexing is done by solving the problem as a TSP using PSO. The proposed technique, yields better compression gains than the recent work that used a cross entropy (CE) based TSP for re-indexing.
The antifungal activity of human parotid secretion is species-specific.

Candida albicans is the major fungal colonizer of the oral cavity and causes oral candidiasis in immunocompromised patient populations. While antifungal proteins in saliva have been identified and the virulence factors of C. albicans have been well studied, little is known about the role saliva plays in the preferential colonization of the oral cavity by C. albicans. We report that the fungistatic activity of human parotid secretion toward six C. albicans strains is considerably lower than towards nine non-C. albicans fungal species (average IC50 values >1000 mg/l and <70 mg/l, respectively). The species-specific activity of parotid secretion suggests that saliva may play a determining role in oral fungal colonization patterns.
On circulant low density parity check codes

This paper presents three classes of low density parity check codes constructed based on the cyclic structure of lines in finite geometries. Codes in these classes are either cyclic or quasi-cyclic, and they perform well with iterative decoding.
Clustering of very late antigen-4 integrins modulates K+ currents to alter Ca2+-mediated monocyte function

Endothelial cell vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) activates adherent monocytes by clustering their very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) receptors, resulting in the modulation of the inwardly recti...
Radiation Tolerance Techniques for a 1.6 Gb/s, 8 K and 4 K Low-Density Parity-Check Encoder

A multiple node upset tolerant, 1.6 Gb/s (8158, 7136) and (4088, 3360) low-density parity-check encoder was implemented in a five-metal, 0.25 mum CMOS process. Temporal separation coupled with single-event radiation tolerant flip-flops was used to harden the data path. A reduced sensitive cross-section combinational logic structure was used to harden the custom multiply accumulate blocks. This circuit structure is composed of a dual-rail NMOS-only pass-transistor network driving a cross coupled output buffer. By adding the output buffer section, only a small region of the buffer itself is vulnerable for propagation of a single-event transient. Single-event upset immunity with a linear energy transfer threshold of greater than 33 MeVldrcm2/mg and a saturation cross-section of just 0.075 mum2/bit was achieved for the 4 K encoder. A linear energy transfer threshold of greater than 17 MeVldrcm2/mg with a saturation cross-section of just 0.3 mu m2/bit was achieved for the 8 K encoder. This results in a CREME96 expected mean time between failure of 1700 years for a geosynchronous orbit. Multiple node upsets as a problem increases as smaller geometry processes are used for space electronics. A mathematical basis for this reduced cross-section, multiple upset combinational logic design method is presented.
On superlinear lower bounds in complexity theory

The paper first surveys the near-total lack of superlinear lower bounds in complexity theory, for "natural" computational problems with respect to many models of computation. We note that the dividing line between models where such bounds are known and those where none are known comes when the model allows non-local communication with memory at unit cost. We study a model that imposes a "fair cost" for non-local communication, and obtain modest superlinear lower bounds for some problems via a Kolmogorov-complexity argument. Then we look to the larger picture of what it takes to prove really striking lower bounds, and pull from ours and others' work a concept of information vicinity that may offer new tools and modes of analysis to a young field that rather lacks them.
In-situ luminescence monitoring of ion-induced damage evolution in SiO2 and Al2O3

Abstract Real-time, in-situ ionoluminescence measurements provide information of evolution of emission bands with ion fluence, and thereby establish a correlation between point defect kinetics and phase stability. Using fast light ions (2 MeV H and 3.5 He MeV) and medium mass-high energy ions (8 MeV O, E=0.5 MeV/amu), scintillation materials of a-SiO2, crystalline quartz, and Al2O3 are comparatively investigated at room temperature with the aim of obtaining a further insight on the structural defects induced by ion irradiation and understand the role of electronic energy loss on the damage processes. For more energetic heavy ions, the electronic energy deposition pattern offers higher rates of excitation deeper into the material and allows to evaluate the competing mechanisms between the radiative and non-radiative de-excitation processes. Irradiations with 8 MeV O ions have been selected corresponding to the electronic stopping regime, where the electronic stopping power is dominant, and above the critical amorphization threshold for quartz. The usefulness of IBIL and its specific capabilities as a sensitive tool to investigate the material characterization and evaluation of radiation effects are demonstrated.
Transporter-Based Drug–Drug Interactions and Their Effect on Distribution Volumes

Recently, drug transporters have emerged as significant modifiers of a patient’s pharmacokinetics. In cases where the functioning of drug transporters is altered, such as by drug–drug interactions, the resulting change in volume of distribution can lead to a significant change in drug effect or likelihood of toxicity, as well as a change in half-life independent of a change in clearance. Here, we discuss pharmacokinetic interactions at the transporter level that have been investigated in animals and humans and reported in literature, with a focus on the changes in distribution volume. Trends are discussed as they may be used to predict volume changes given the function of a transporter and the primary location of the interaction.