cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A language of dreaming : Dreams of an Amazonian insomniac

The author describes a series of psychoanalytic interviews conducted on the banks of an Amazonian stream, in the course of which a lively old Parintintin woman, wife of a chief, acknowledges and comes to terms with her lifelong insomnia. When she sleeps, she is plagued with anxious dreams; and her dreams take her back to her childhood as the daughter of a prominent chief and to memories of the strife between her parents. The way she talks about her dreams illustrates how cultural beliefs may facilitate the communication of dreams and introspective reflection on them, but may at the same time intensify anxieties. This article explores the cultural context of psychoanalytic understanding of dreams: how are dreams shaped by the dreamer's cultural beliefs about them and ways of interpreting them? How are they affected by the social uses the dreamer makes of them? The work also examines relationships formed in anthropological field-work, especially the separation that occurs when the anthropologist leaves (not unlike termination of an analysis)--an issue inadequately discussed in the anthropological literature and in the psychoanalytic literature on cross-cultural research.
Percolation threshold study of a plastic–elastomeric matrix based composite material for bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Bipolar plate materials play an important role in designing a cost-effective fuel cell. This research aims to develop a polymer matrix based composite bipolar plate material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The polymers investigated are a vinyl ester resin (VER) and two elastomers including polyurethane (PU) and ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM). The VER alone and the blend of VER with either PU or EPDM makes the one-phase, one-phase blend, or two-phase blend matrices. These matrices will be incorporated within the conductive fillers including Cytec DKD carbon fiber (DKD), Asbury synthetic graphite grade 4012 flake (4012), and grade TC 307 high-surface flake (307). A percolation threshold study was conducted and two-phase blend matrix can achieve lower percolation thresholds. The composite material with 65 vol.% of two-phase bend matrix (60 vol.% VER and 40 vol.% EPDM), and 35 vol.% of conductive fillers (21 vol.% DKD, 5 vol.% 4012 and 9 vol.% 307) is found to have low electrical properties ...
Physician burnout A neurologic crisis

The prevalence of burnout is higher in physicians than in other professions and is especially high in neurologists. Physician burnout encompasses 3 domains: (1) emotional exhaustion: the loss of interest and enthusiasm for practice; (2) depersonalization: a poor attitude with cynicism and treating patients as objects; and (3) career dissatisfaction: a diminished sense of personal accomplishment and low self-value. Burnout results in reduced work hours, relocation, depression, and suicide. Burned-out physicians harm patients because they lack empathy and make errors. Studies of motivational factors in the workplace suggest several preventive interventions: (1) Provide counseling for physicians either individually or in groups with a goal of improving adaptive skills to the stress and rapid changes in the health care environment. (2) Identify and eliminate meaningless required hassle factors such as electronic health record "clicks" or insurance mandates. (3) Redesign practice to remove pressure to see patients in limited time slots and shift to team-based care. (4) Create a culture that promotes career advancement, mentoring, and recognition of accomplishments.
In vitro growth and maintenance of two morphologically distinct populations of thymic epithelial cells.

Abstract Cultures of thymic epithelial cells were generated and maintained in valine-free minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 690 mg/liter of d -valine. These cultures have been maintained for 1 year through multiple passages by trypsinization of 60–70% confluent monolayers. Large and small epithelial cells were present in early cultures. They were separated into two stable subpopulations based on (1) their differential growth rates and (2) their differential adherence to the culture substratum. These morphologically distinct cell populations, TEC S and TEC L were 100% keratin positive and contained cells with desmosomes and tonofilaments, all characteristics of epithelial cells. Esterase analysis of both cell populations revealed a 1 and 9% esterase-positive cell population in cultures of keratin-positive small (TEC s ) and large (TEC L cells, respectively. The percentages of esterase-positive cells corresponded to the 2 and 10% populations of TEC s and TEC L , respectively, that contained both desmosomes and phagolysosomes. These results establish conditions for the long-term propagation of pure thymic epithelial cells. Such cultures can be used to study the functional interactions between epithelial cells and lymphoid cells. Morphologic and histochemical analyses have identified subsets of these cells which may prove to have differential effects on thymocyte proliferative and developmental processes.
Cost-effectiveness of five burrow fumigants for managing black-tailed prairie dogs

Abstract We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of two solid form burrow fumigants (aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges) and three pressurized gas–liquid burrow fumigants (methyl bromide, chloropicrin, and a methyl bromide–chloropicrin mixture) for managing black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ). Fifty-two variable-sized plots, including 25 treatment and 25 control burrows, were established within 13 prairie dog colonies in central Nebraska during spring 1989. Each group of 25 treatment burrows was fumigated with one of the five fumigants according to label directions or manufacturer recommendations. All five fumigants reduced burrow activity 95–98%, as measured by a plugged burrow technique. No significant differences in efficacy ( P =0.453) were detected among the five treatments. Total costs for materials and labor for the aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges, excluding application equipment, were twice ($75.00 to $96.88 ha −1 ) the cost of the pressurized gas–liquid fumigants ($37.67 to $41.76 ha −1 ). Costs for the application equipment were considerably higher for the pressurized materials. Each treatment required labor for burrow plugging, which accounted for 50–75% of the total cost. None of the products tested met all requirements of a proposed selection criteria for fumigants.
With J: image processing 1: smoothing filters

Image processing includes techniques that are used to correct defects in images and to enhance the visibility of features of interest. In this note we will look at several different methods for smoothing images in order to remove specks of dust and artifacts from scanning. In future notes we plan to discuss other techniques for enhancing images in the spatial domain including the removal of orientation and lighting defects. Previous discussions [6,7] considered the removal of motion blur in frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transforms.
Summarization- and learning-based approaches to information distillation

Information distillation is the task that aims to extract relevant passages of text from massive volumes of textual and audio sources, given a query. In this paper, we investigate two perspectives that use shallow language processing for answering open-ended distillation queries, such as “List me facts about [event]”. The first approach is a summarization-based approach that uses the unsupervised maximum marginal relevance (MMR) technique to successfully capture relevant but not redundant information. The second approach is based on supervised classification and trains support vector machines (SVMs) to discriminate relevant snippets from irrelevant snippets using a variety of features. Furthermore, we investigate the merit of using the ROUGE metric for its ability to evaluate redundancy alongside the conventionally used F-measure for evaluating distillation systems. Our experimental results with textual data indicate that SVM and MMR perform similarly in terms of ROUGE-2 scores while SVM is better than MMR in terms of F1 measure. Moreover, when speech recognizer output is used, SVM outperforms MMR in terms of both scores.
Multiscale nonrigid data registration using adaptive basis functions

When performing registrations, it is often crucial to maintain certain structure of the template data T - the data being deformed into the subject data S - as well as to keep the deformation field smooth. Current approaches to registration often impose smoothness through heuristic means, but building it into the model has proven to be more difficult due mainly to computational constraints.
Velocity Distribution of Electrons in Hydrogen at High Densities

In this paper we extend numerical solutions of the Boltzmann equation for the electron-velocity distribution function in hydrogen to higher electron densities. The numerical solutions take into account all the electron-molecule types of collisions. A Fokker-Planck-type electron-electron collision term is introduced into the equation for the isotropic part of the distribution function. The term is approximated in such a way as to linearize the equation and produce an upper limit on the tendency introduced towards the Maxwell distribution. The results of numerical calculations show that Coulomb collisions increase the ionization frequency and decrease the average energy. The maximum changes occur at the lowest effective field considered (30 V per cm per mm Hg). The ionization frequency is increased by at most a factor of 2 and the maximum decrease in average energy is 20%.
Development of a quantitative assay to measure expression of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) and evaluation of potential pitfalls in use with field-collected samples

The Nature Conservancy is in the process of restoring the Williamson River Delta in an attempt to recreate important juvenile habitat for the endangered shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris and the endangered Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus. Measurement of TGF-β mRNA expression level was one of the indicators chosen to evaluate juvenile sucker health during the restoration process. TGF-β mRNA expression level has been correlated with disease status in several laboratory studies and TGF-β mRNA expression level has been used as a species-specific indicator of immune status in field-based fish health assessments. We describe here the identification of TGF-β and a possible splice variant from shortnose sucker and from Lost River sucker. The performance of a quantitative RT-PCR assay to measure TGF-β mRNA expression level was evaluated in field-collected spleen and kidney tissue samples. The quality of extracted RNA was higher in tissues harvested in September compared to July and higher in tissues harvested at lower temperature compared to higher temperature. In addition, the expression level of both TGF-β and 18S as assessed by qRT-PCR was higher in samples with higher quality RNA. TGF-β mRNA expression was lower in kidney than in spleen in both Lost River sucker and shortnose sucker.
Can't We Just Live Together?: New Evidence on the Effect of Relationship Status on Health

An extensive literature suggests that marriage confers health benefits to men and women. However, several econometric issues raise doubts about this prevalent conclusion. First, the evolution of health is a strongly persistent dynamic process; yet extant research relies almost exclusively on static mean-differenced fixed effects estimators. Second, measures of morbidity vary across studies making comparisons difficult, and the often used categorical measure of self-assessed health raises difficult interpretation and econometric issues associated with non-linear models. Finally, existing research has not confirmed whether these benefits accrue to couples who cohabit. We employ the Blundell and Bond dynamic panel data estimator to control for selection into marriage and a multiple correspondence analysis to identify weights for a continuous health index that reflects the multiple facets of morbidity and alleviates the econometric issues associated with a discrete dependent variable. Contrary to extant literature, our analysis using a balanced panel of nearly 2,430 individuals over 17 waves of the British Household Panel Survey finds that the effect of cohabitation on health is not statistically different from the effect of marriage on health after controlling for both health dynamics and selection.
Discrete-basis-set method for electron-molecule continuum wave functions

We present a method for calculating the continuum wave function in electron-molecule scattering for an N×N discrete-basis-set representation of the potential. The method is based on the T-matrix method introduced by Rescigno, McCurdy, and McKoy. In this work, the wave function is used in a prescription for the variationally corrected partial-wave K matrix analogous to Kohn's variational formula for the scattering amplitude in three dimensions. Results presented for e--H2 scattering in the static-exchange approximation are in good agreement with other accurate calculations.
Repression of Heat Shock Transcription Factor HSF1 Activation by HSP90 (HSP90 Complex) that Forms a Stress-Sensitive Complex with HSF1

Heat shock and other proteotoxic stresses cause accumulation of nonnative proteins that trigger activation of heat shock protein (Hsp) genes. A chaperone/Hsp functioning as repressor of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) could make activation of hsp genes dependent on protein unfolding. In a novel in vitro system, in which human HSF1 can be activated by nonnative protein, heat, and geldanamycin, addition of Hsp90 inhibits activation. Reduction of the level of Hsp90 but not of Hsp/c70, Hop, Hip, p23, CyP40, or Hsp40 dramatically activates HSF1. In vivo, geldanamycin activates HSF1 under conditions in which it is an Hsp90-specific reagent. Hsp90-containing HSF1 complex is present in the unstressed cell and dissociates during stress. We conclude that Hsp90, by itself and/or associated with multichaperone complexes, is a major repressor of HSF1.
Three Phase Interfaces at Electrified Metal−Solid Electrolyte Systems 1. Study of the Pt(hkl)−Nafion Interface

A voltammetric fingerprinting approach has been used to probe the nature of Pt−Nafion three phase interfaces for Pt(hkl) and polycrystalline platinum surfaces. Nature of adsorbing species is identified as the sulfonate anions via CO charge displacement technique. The affinity for the sulfonate anions to adsorb on the electrode surface is investigated. Adsorption strength of the sulfonate anions with the electrode surface is compared with other strongly adsorbing anions such as (bi) sulfates and chlorides. Various factors that influence the adsorption properties of the sulfonate anions are studied. Nature and strength of the anion interaction with various surface geometries is also discussed. A physical model is presented to describe the observed phenomena.
Treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: looking to the past to register the future.

Objective The outcomes reported in the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT), a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial to directly compare surgical clipping with endovascular coiling as treatments for ruptured intracranial aneurysms, have been misinterpreted by many to indicate the superiority of coiling to surgical clipping in all instances. To better understand the results of ISAT and their implications for practice patterns, we compared the ISAT results with the results of other published studies regarding the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods Data from 19 published studies were compared with each other and with ISAT results. Outcomes examined were overall rates of mortality, rebleeding, poor outcome (disability and death), procedural complication rates, and rates of reoperation and nontotal occlusion. Results In the 19 published studies, mean procedural complication rates were similar (surgical clipping, 11%; endovascular coiling, 9%); ISAT did not report procedural complications. ISAT rates were within the range of the other studies for overall mortality, total rebleeding, and poor outcome. Reoperation rates in the other studies were similar to those of ISAT (endovascular coiling, 12.5%; surgical clipping, 3.4%). The ISAT rate for less than 100% occlusion for endovascular coiling (6%) was below the range in the other studies (8.3-70.4%). Conclusion Discrepancies with the results of other published studies, procedural limitations in study design, and lack of some data endpoints and subgroup analysis raise concerns regarding extracting generalizations from the conclusions of ISAT. We think that the creation of a national registry would further the study of treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
The postnatal maternal environment influences diabetes development in nonobese diabetic mice

When nonobese-diabetic (NOD) mouse embryos were implanted into pseudopregnant mothers of a nonautoimmune mouse strain, the progeny had a reduced type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence, suggesting that transmission of maternal autoantibodies is important for T1D development. Whether eliminating islet autoantibody transmission in utero, or postnatally (through milk), prevented T1D is unknown. Herein, we show that fostering newborn NOD mice on B-cell deficient NOD.Igmu-/- dams does not prevent T1D, demonstrating that postnatally transmitted islet autoantibodies are not required for disease pathogenesis. Additionally, NOD.Igmu-/- mice reared on NOD dams did not develop T1D, indicating that autoantibody transmission to B-cell deficient NOD neonates is insufficient to trigger T1D. Interestingly, newborn NOD mice that were reared by ICR (but not NOD or C57BL/6) dams had reduced T1D incidence, although not as reduced as that reported after embryo transfer to ICR mice, suggesting that both prenatal and postnatal factors contribute to the observed reduction in T1D incidence. Thus, NOD mice have different risks for developing T1D depending on the strain of their foster mother, and both prenatal and postnatal maternal factors, other than islet autoantibodies, influence their T1D incidence. The results may be relevant for understanding the increasing incidence of T1D and designing interventions.
Utility of Projection Network for Diagnosis of High Pressure Air Compressor Faults

The utility of a dynamic neural network, i.e., projection network, was established to diagnose the condition of a 4-stage high pressure air compressor. Network structure and parameter initialization and training methods were developed. Using measurements of the compressor’s four stages’ discharge temperatures and pressures collected under different baseline conditons, 3rd stage suction and exhaust value faults, and an unanticipated 3rd stage cylinder pittings as training data, a 99+% of correct classification rate was accomplished with testing data.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Electroless deposition of brushite (CaHPO4 · 2H2O) crystals on Ti–6Al–4V at room temperature

Abstract An electroless, room temperature solution growth method of depositing 50 to 150 μm thick, well-crystallized brushite (CaHPO4 · 2H2O, DCPD, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) layers on the surf...
An endogenous sodium current may mediate wound healing in Xenopus neurulae.

Abstract We have studied healing of Xenopus neurulae in order to investigate the role of endogenous sodium-carried electric currents in wound closure. Transected embryos healed completely within 7 hr in an artificial pond water medium. Wound closure was biphasic, with a rapid purse string-like contraction that was independent of sodium concentration followed by a slower sodium-dependent phase. The initial contraction was reversibly inhibited by cytochalasin B. Healing was prevented when neurulae were wounded and left to heal in sodium-free medium. Healing was also prevented in the presence of amiloride, benzamil, or ouabain, drugs that inhibit sodium flux through the epithelium. The transepithelial potential measured in intact neurulae fell rapidly and reversibly by 70% in response to 10 μM amiloride. Currents measured leaving the wound also decreased by 70% following amiloride addition. Our results indicate that at least one phase of wound healing in Xenopus neurulae is dependent upon an endogenous sodium-carried electric current. We hypothesize that the current may act by guiding epithelial cells to the wound site.
A low-cost, 3 channel neural stimulator

An inexpensive design using minimal components is generally described. A choice is provided for the behaving animal between 2 primary channels that are disabled once the choice is made. A third channel acts as the reset and must be activated after each choice is made of the primary channels. Each channel is capable of providing independent control over pulse train duration, frequency and voltage. The reset channel may be electrically silent if desired. An innovative use is made of high output impedance solid state analog switches to isolate the outputs of the 3 channels as they are connected together to the single ICS electrode.
Solving black box computation problems using expert knowledge theory and methods

The challenge problems for the Epistemic Uncertainty Workshop at Sandia National Laboratories provide common ground for comparing different mathematical theories of uncertainty, referred to as General Information Theories (GITs). These problems also present the opportunity to discuss the use of expert knowledge as an important constituent of uncertainty quantification. More specifically, how do the principles and methods of eliciting and analyzing expert knowledge apply to these problems and similar ones encountered in complex technical problem solving and decision making? We will address this question, demonstrating how the elicitation issues and the knowledge that experts provide can be used to assess the uncertainty in outputs that emerge from a black box model or computational code represented by the challenge problems. In our experience, the rich collection of GITs provides an opportunity to capture the experts' knowledge and associated uncertainties consistent with their thinking, problem solving, and problem representation. The elicitation process is rightly treated as part of an overall analytical approach, and the information elicited is not simply a source of data. In this paper, we detail how the elicitation process itself impacts the analyst's ability to represent, aggregate, and propagate uncertainty, as well as how to interpret uncertainties in outputs. While this approach does not advocate a specific GIT, answers under uncertainty do result from the elicitation.
First-principles determination of molecular conformations of indolizidine (−)-235B′ in solution

Indolizidine (−)-235B′ is a particularly interesting natural product, as it is the currently known, most potent and subtype-selective open-channel blocker of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). In the current study, extensive first-principles electronic structure calculations have been carried out in order to determine the stable molecular conformations and their relative free energies of the protonated and deprotonated states of (−)-235B′ in the gas phase, in chloroform, and in aqueous solution. The 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts calculated using the computationally determined dominant molecular conformation of the deprotonated state are all consistent with available experimental NMR spectra of (−)-235B′ in chloroform, which suggests that the computationally determined molecular conformations are reasonable. Our computational results reveal for the first time that two geminal H atoms on carbon-3 (C3) of (−)-235B′ have remarkably different chemical shifts (i.e., 3.24 and 2.03 ppm). The computational results help one to better understand and analyze the experimental 1H NMR spectra of (−)-235B′. The finding of remarkably different chemical shifts of two C3 geminal H atoms in a certain molecular conformation of (−)-235B′ may also be valuable in analysis of NMR spectra of other related ring-containing compounds. In addition, the pK a of (−)-235B′ in aqueous solution is predicted to be ~9.7. All of the computational results provide a solid basis for future studies of the microscopic and phenomenological binding of various receptor proteins with the protonated and deprotonated structures of this unique open-channel blocker of α4β2 nAChRs. This computational study also demonstrates how one can appropriately use computational modeling and spectroscopic analysis to address the structural and spectroscopic problems that cannot be addressed by experiments alone.
Simultaneous Testing of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein: Increased Expenditure without Demonstrable Benefit

We analyzed the practice of paired erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein testing when evaluating fever or inflammation. In our hospital, this resulted in additional charges of $250 000-$400 000/year without demonstrable added benefit to patient care. Extrapolating our results, we estimate reducing this practice could save up to $300 000 000 nationally.
Accidental 5‐Fluorouracil Exposure in a Dog

objective:To demonstrate the range of toxicities with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Case Summary:A one-year-old male castrated Labrador Retriever presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital Emergency Service following accidental ingestion of a 5% 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) topical antineoplastic cream. The animal presented with status epilepticus and later demonstrated additional clinical signs consistent with 5-FU toxicosis including mucositis and diarrhea, profound but transient leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. New Information Provided:The calculated ingested dosage was 46 mg/kg. The dog responded well to intensive therapy, recovering uneventfully.
The heat/capsaicin sensitization model: A methodologic study

The heat/capsaicin sensitization model induces cutaneous sensitization by using a combination of heat and topical capsaicin. It has been suggested that the stability and duration of the cutaneous sensitization are due to a synergistic effect between heat and capsaicin. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible synergistic effect between heat and capsaicin in inducing cutaneous sensitization. Twenty healthy male volunteers completed this random order, 4-session study. Three different stimulation combinations were used to induce cutaneous sensitization: day A, heat and capsaicin; day B, heat alone; day C, capsaicin alone. Combination A was repeated on day D to determine between day reproducibility. Rekindling was performed 3 times at 40-minute intervals to maintain stable areas of secondary hyperalgesia. Brief thermal sensitization (45 degrees C for 3 minutes) was induced at each session. Within and between day reproducibility was calculated. There was no difference between the size of areas of secondary hyperalgesia after stimulation with heat/capsaicin compared to heat and capsaicin stimulation alone. The within day reproducibility was better with heat/capsaicin than with either stimulation alone. There was no synergistic or additive effect between heat and capsaicin in inducing cutaneous sensitization. Rekindling seems to be the important factor in maintaining stable and long-lasting cutaneous sensitization.
Continuous Affinity–Recycle Extraction: A Novel Protein Separation Technique

A novel method for using affinity purification and membrane filtration for the continuous separation of proteins is described. Continuous affinity–recycle extraction (CARE) is an efficient, easily controlled, scaleable purification scheme, which may offer substantial cost savings in fermentation downstream processing. The feasibility of the CARE process was tested using β–galactosidase produced by E. coli and PABTG–agarose affinity gel. The resolving power and the physical configuration of this system allows its use as both a final and a front end purification step.
Curability of Poor-Risk Metastatic Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma with the Combination of Gemcitabine, 5-Fluorouracil, and Interferon-Alfa: A Case Report of a 55-Year-Old Man with a 10-Year Complete Remission

Introduction Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy of the kidney, with about 4% of patients having sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. Sarcomatoid features can develop in conjunction with all subtypes of RCC, including clear cell renal carcinoma (8%), papillary renal carcinoma (3%), chromophobe renal carcinoma (9%), and collecting duct carcinoma (29%). As a morphologic diagnosis, saromatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is defined by the spindled orphologic features of cells, resembling a sarcoma, among a backround of the primary histologic renal carcinoma type. Despite the pindled appearance, SRCC does not routinely express mesenchymal arkers, so epithelial-mesenchymal transition has been proposed as a mechanism for SRCC evolution. Regardless of the percentage of arcomatoid cells present in the tumor, sarcomatoid dedifferentiaion has been associated with a significantly worse prognosis inde-
Newborn rat retinal cells transplanted into a retinal lesion site in adult host eyes.

Abstract We report the successful grafting of embryonic (newborn) rat retina into a lesion site (die-back zone) of an adult retina with a corresponding 90–100% survival rate. A penetrating lesion was made through the sclera, choroid and retina on the superior surface of the host eye and closed with microsutures. The lesion site was either allowed to stabilize for 5 weeks or immediately received a retinal graft. Retinas were removed from 1-day-old neonate donors, drawn through a small gauge needle and injected into the fresh or stabilized lesion site. Host animals were sacrificed and the eyes processed for light, scanning- and transmission-electron microscopic analysis at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after grafting. Analysis of sections through grafted tissue within the lesion site revealed that the neonatal cells not only survived at all times examined but also continued their development reminiscent of normal littermate controls. Examination of 4-week grafts revealed a laminar pattern similar to adult ganglion cell, inner plexiform, inner nuclear, and outer plexiform layers as well as developing photoreceptor neurons. The grafted tissue could easily be delivered into the retinal lesion site where it established a pattern of retinal layers within the die-back zone. In addition, the plexiform areas of the graft appeared to integrate with those of the host. The age of the adult retina lesion transplantation site had little effect on the graft/host integrative phenomenon. These studies show for the first time a method utilizing immature retinal grafts to fill and/or bridge the wound area of the lesioned adult mammalian retina. These observations also demonstrate the utility of using this model for the study of numerous retinal developmental phenomena.
Hopf algebras and identities in free partially commutative monoids

Abstract We define a Hopf algebra structure on the algebra of polynomials over a partially commutative alphabet. By considering formulas for the antipodes of this Hopf algebra and its dual, we obtain several new identities on partially commutative words.
Performance characterization of decentralized algorithms for replica selection in distributed object systems

Designers of distributed systems often rely on replicas for increased robustness, scalability, and performance. Replicated server architectures require some technique to select a target replica for each client transaction. In this paper, we use simulation to characterize performance (response time, selection error, probability of server overload) for four common replica-selection algorithms (random, greedy, partitioned, weighted) when applied in a decentralized form to client queries in a distributed object system deployed on a local network. We introduce two new selection algorithms (balanced and balanced-partitioned) that give improved performance over the more common algorithms. We find the weighted algorithm performs best among the common algorithms and the balanced algorithm performs best among all those we considered. Our findings should help designers of distributed object systems to make informed decisions when choosing among available replica-selection algorithms.
Thermochemistry and structure of glasses along the join NaAlSi3O8-NaBSi3O8

Abstract Glasses along the join NaAlSi3O8-NaBSi3O8 and the end-member crystalline phases albite and reedmergnerite were investigated using 11B, 23Na, 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy and oxide-melt solution calorimetry. The glasses have substantial positive enthalpies of mixing described by the equation ΔH mix (kcal · mol t 1 ) = 4.4(±1.0)X(1 − X) , where X is the mole fraction Rd component. 11B MAS NMR spectra show that boron occurs in both trigonal and tetrahedral coordination in the glasses, with the percentage of B in trigonal coordination decreasing from about 60% at Rd20Ab80 to about 29% at Rd100. Thus, the glasses are structurally more complex than the end-member crystals which are tetrahedral framework minerals. The NMR data suggest that all or most of the Si, Al and tetrahedral B occur in Q4 (framework) sites. They are also consistent with the ideas that most of the tetrahedral B does not extensively copolymerize with trigonal boron, that at least some of the non-bridging oxygens formed by the presence of trigonal boron are located on SiO4 tetrahedra, and that Si and trigonal B do not occur as next-nearest neighbors. Both the NMR and the ΔHmix results indicate the presence of clustering. Such clustering might involve separation into framework regions and regions dominated by trigonal boron and/or into B-rich and Al-rich framework regions.
The Journal of Neurosurgery in the computer era

✓ The fourth Editor of the Journal of Neurosurgery offers short vignettes on the Editors who preceded and succeeded him. He recounts some of the challenges that were faced and changes that were made during his time as Editor. One of the major changes was production of the Journal via computer.
Effect of interedge Coulomb interactions on the transport between quantum Hall edge states.

In a recent experiment, Milliken et al. demonstrated possible evidence for a Luttinger liquid through measurements of the tunneling conductance between edge states in the \ensuremath{\nu}=1/3 quantum Hall plateau. However, at low temperatures, a discrepancy exists between the theoretical predictions based on Luttinger liquid theory and experiment. We consider the possibility that this is due to long-range Coulomb interactions, which become dominant at low temperatures. Using renormalization-group methods, we calculate the crossover behavior from Luttinger liquid to the Coulomb interaction dominated regime. The crossover behavior thus obtained seems to resolve one of the discrepancies, yielding good agreement with experiment. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Insulin secretion abnormalities in exocrine pancreatic sufficient cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to assess insulin secretion in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with exocrine pancreatic sufficiency. Methods Glucose and insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured in 146 CF patients. Patients were divided into exocrine sufficient (CF-PS) and insufficient (CF-PI) groups based on pancreatic enzyme usage and fecal elastase. A reference group included healthy, non-diabetic subjects. Results All CF groups showed reduced insulin secretion as measured by insulinogenic index. The CF-PS patients had normal glucose tolerance. There was a direct correlation between BMI z -score and insulin area under the curve. Conclusion Patients with CF have reduced insulin secretion during an OGTT regardless of exocrine pancreatic status. The abnormal insulin secretion in all CF patients may predispose them for glucose intolerance, particularly when challenged by inflammation, infection, or nutritional deficiency. In addition, the diminished insulin secretion may contribute to increased catabolism. Lastly, the CF-related diabetes (CFRD) screening guidelines should be followed by all CF patients regardless of pancreatic status.
Surgically placed gastro-jejunostomy tubes have fewer complications compared to feeding jejunostomy tubes.

During laparotomy, jejunostomy tubes (J tubes) are often placed to provide access for enteral nutrition in the immediate postoperative period. However, the placement of such tubes may be associated with potentially devastating intra-abdominal complications possibly related to the tenuous security of a tube through the small bowel wall. An alternative method for enteral nutrition access is to surgically place a “PEG-J” tube (i.e., surgical G/J tube) thus providing for jejunal feedings via a gastrotomy without a jejunotomy. The purpose of this study is to assess whether surgically placed G/J tubes reduce the postoperative complications in comparison to feeding J tubes.Over the past 18 months, 92 J tubes and 56 G/J tubes were placed during laparotomy at a single institution and the method chosen by surgeons' preference. The frequency of complications associated with each tube was determined by review of the postoperative medical records.There was no enteric leakage in those patient given G/J tubes (p < 0.05)...
Pleasant and unpleasant slides: Their effects on pain tolerance

Pleasant imagery and focusing on pleasant slides have been found to be effective in increasing pain tolerance during noxious stimulation. However, since studies have not systematically varied the affective quality of the imagery or slides, there has been no way of determining whether the affective quality of the techniques is critical to their effectiveness. This study intended to examine the role of the affective quality of slides by using both pleasant and unpleasant scenes. One-half of the subjects also received a recall task that demanded added concentration, and thus increased the amount of distraction offered by the slides. The experiment consisted of a 2 ×2 design: pleasant versus unpleasant slides, recall versus no recall. There was also a control group, which received no slides or task. Subjects were 64 females recruited through undergraduate psychology courses and the university newspaper. The noxious stimulation was a cold pressor consisting of an enameled metal pan filled with ice water. The dependent variable was the length of time a subject kept her hand in the water. Chi-square tests corrected for continuity found that the unpleasant slides significantly increased the number of subjects who could tolerate the cold pressor test for the maximum time of 300 seconds as compared to the number of subjects in the pleasant slide conditions (χ 2 =10.15, p <.005) and the control group (χ 2 =5.076, p <.025).
Paradoxes of Political Ethics: From Dirty Hands to the Invisible Hand

One of the thorniest dilemmas faced by those who are interested in political ethics is what Michael Walzer has called “the problem of dirty hands”: in politics, it often seems necessary to engage i...
Reconfigurable angle selective emitters in the near-IR based on phase change materials

Metamaterials have been previously studied for their ability to tailor the IR emissivity dispersion, pattern, and polarization of a surface. Here, we investigate a reconfigurable metamaterial structure based on dielectric resonators composed of phase-change material for use as near-IR emitters with custom angle selectivity. A genetic algorithm is successfully employed to optimize the metamaterial structures to have minimum emissivity in the normal direction and high emissivity at desired off-normal angles specified by the designer.
Manometric Studies of the Human Pylorus

The human gastroduodenal junction was investigated by means of simultaneous measurements of pressure and potential difference between skin and mucosa. An accurate and circumferentially sensitive miniature transducer assembly failed to reveal a zone of elevated pressure at the gastroduodenal junction of 8 fasting, healthy, young subjects. Additional studies were carried out with a six-lumen perfused catheter system, in which three of the pressure-transmitting catheters had openings arranged circumferentially at the same axial level. Measurements of pressure and potential difference were obtained basally during intraduodenal infusion of hydrochloric acid and after intraduodenal instillation of olive oil. In only 1 of 10 subjects was a tonic elevation in pressure recorded simultaneously by all three leads at the gastroduodenal junction. The normal human pylorus, therefore, is not reliably demonstrable as a high pressure zone.
Improving PEM fuel cell catalyst activity and durability using nitrogen-doped carbon supports: observations from model Pt/HOPG systems

This study presents clear and compelling experimental evidence for the significant beneficial effects of nitrogen-doping on the activity of Pt/C catalyst systems for the methanol oxidation reaction. This evidence is obtained through the deployment of geometrically well-defined model catalytic systems consisting of tunable assemblies of Pt catalyst nanoparticles deposited onto undoped, Ar-doped, and N-doped highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrates. Both Ar- and N-doping were achieved via ion beam implantation, and Pt was electrodeposited from solutions of H2PtCl6 in aqueous HClO4. Morphology from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and aqueous electrochemical analysis of catalytic activity was utilized to examine the effect of N-doping compared to the undoped and Ar-doped control samples. The results strongly support the theory that doping nitrogen into a graphite support significantly affects both the morphology and the behavior of the overlying Pt nanoparticles. In particular, nitrogen-doping was observed to cause a significant decrease in the average Pt nanoparticle size, an increase in the Pt nanoparticle dispersion, and a significant increase in catalytic activity and durability for methanol oxidation. The model catalytic systems demonstrated here represent a versatile platform to study catalyst-support interactions in electrocatalytically relevant nanoparticle systems.
Review of the effect of music interventions on symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults with mild dementia.

Background:Treatment of anxiety and depression, the most common psychiatric symptoms in older adults with mild dementia, requires innovative approaches due to the high cost and significant side effects associated with traditional pharmacological interventions. Alternative non-pharmacological therapies, such as music, when used in conjunction with pharmacological treatment, have the potential to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults diagnosed with mild dementia. The purpose of this review was to examine the evidence of music's efficacy in improving symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults with mild dementia.Methods:Four databases (Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, PubMed) were searched using the terms “music,” “music therapy,” “music intervention,” “singing,” “dementia,” “anxiety,” and/or “depression,” identifying ten studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results:The poor methodological rigor of the studies precluded reaching consensus on the efficacy of a music intervention in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults with mild dementia.Conclusions:There was inconclusive evidence as to whether music interventions are effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults with mild dementia due to the poor methodological rigor. However, with improved designs guided by a deeper understanding of how music engages the aging brain, music may emerge as an important adjunct therapy to improving the lives of older adults with mild dementia.
OPEN-CHANNEL CAPACITY DETERMINATION USING HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE GRAPH

A method for determining the flow carrying capacity of a channel system, capable of accounting for the interacting backwater effect among channel reaches and incoming lateral flow, is presented here. The method makes use of hydraulic performance graphs—a new tool for dealing with open-channel-flow problems. The hydraulic performance graph summarizes all the backwater profile information for a channel reach. As an illustration, the method is applied to evaluate the channel capacities of a portion of Boneyard Creek in the city of Urbana, Ill. The example demonstrates that the channel flow capacity is a function of the exit water level, of which the maximum normal flow capacity and the absolute maximum carrying capacity are special cases.
Argon and nitrogen isotopes of trapped air in the GISP2 ice core during the Holocene epoch (0-11,500 B.P.): Methodology and implications for gas loss processes

Argon and nitrogen isotopes of air in polar ice cores provide constraints on past temperature and firn thickness, with relevance to past climate. We developed a method to simultaneously measure nitrogen and argon isotopes in trapped air from the same sample of polar ice. This method reduces the time required for analysis, allowing large numbers of measurements. We applied this method to the entire Holocene sequence of the GISP2 ice core (82.37–1692.22 m) with a 10–20 year sampling interval (670 depths). d 40 Ar and d 15 N show elevated values in the oldest part of the dataset, consistent with a thicker firn layer and increased temperature gradient in the firn due to the legacy of the abrupt warming at the end of the Younger Dryas interval and the gradual warming during the Preboreal interval (11.5–10.0 ka). The Preboreal Oscillation and the 8.2k event are clearly recorded. The data show remarkable stability after the 8.2k event. Available data suggests that post-coring gas loss involves two distinct types of fractionation. First, smaller molecules with less than a certain threshold size leak through the ice lattice with little isotopic fractionation. Second, gas composition changes via gas loss through microcracks, which induces isotopic fractionation. These two gas loss processes can explain most trends in our data and in other ice core records. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.