cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A natureza e o papel da psicologia fenomenológica em Alfred Schutz

The essay reviews how phenomenological psychology can draw on Edmund Husserl’s transcendental phenomenology in order to clarify the foundations of the cultural sciences and then explicates the theory of this psychology implicit in Schutz’s oeuvre. Max Weber has shown that all phenomena of the socio-cultural world originate in social interaction and can be referred to it. According to him, it is the central task of sociology to understand the meaning which the actor bestows on his action (the “subjective meaning” in his terminology). But what is action, what is meaning, and how is the understanding of such meaning by a fellow-man possible, be he a partner of the social interaction, or merely an observer in everyday life, or a social scientist? I submit that any attempt to answer these questions leads immediately to questions with which Husserl was concerned and which he has to a certain extent solved.
Anthropologies of Art

Anthropologies of Art. Mariet Westermann, editor. New Haven, CT: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute and Yale University Press. 2005.
At the frontier of epigenetics of brain sex differences

The notion that epigenetics may play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of sex differences in the brain has garnered great enthusiasm but the reality in terms of actual advances has been slow. Two general approaches include the comparison of a particular epigenetic mark in males vs. females and the inhibition of key epigenetic enzymes or co-factors to determine if this eliminates a particular sex difference in brain or behavior. The majority of emphasis has been on candidate genes such as steroid receptors. Only recently have more generalized survey type approaches been achieved and these promise to open new vistas and accelerate discovery of important roles for DNA methylation, histone modification, genomic imprinting and microRNAs (miRs). Technical challenges abound and, while not unique to this field, will require novel thinking and new approaches by behavioral neuroendocrinologists.
Effects of In Utero Substance Exposure on Infant Neurobehavior

Objective. This study had two objectives: (1) to assess infant behavior by using the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), an assessment designed specifically for prenatally drug-exposed infants; and (2) to control for the effects of polydrug use involving alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes on the neurobehavioral status of the newborn infant. Methods. The subjects and controls in this study were full-term infants of appropriate gestational age with no medical problems. At 1 to 2 days of age, 20 infants exposed to cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes; 17 infants exposed to alcohol and/or marijuana and cigarettes; and 20 drug-free infants were evaluated by using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale. The data were reduced to reflect clinically defined categories of neurobehavioral function and were analyzed by using analysis of variance and X2 statistics. Results. Cocaine-exposed infants showed increased tone and motor activity, more jerky movements, startles, tremors, back arching, and signs of central nervous system and visual stress than unexposed infants. They also showed poorer visual and auditory following. There were no differences in how the examination was administered to cocaine-exposed and nonexposed infants. Reduced birth weight and length were also observed in cocaine-exposed infants. Conclusions. Differences attributable to cocaine-exposed infants were related to muscle tone and motor performance, following during orientation, and signs of stress. However, cocaine-exposed infants were not more difficult to test, nor did they require an alteration in the examination. Both neurobehavioral patterns of excitability and lethargy were observed. Findings may have been due to the synergistic effects of cocaine with alcohol and marijuana.
Social Effects via Olfactory Sensory Stimuli on Reproductive Function and Dysfunction in Cooperative Breeding Marmosets and Tamarins

Most primates are social species whose reproduction is influenced by their social relationships. The cotton-top tamarin, Saguinus oedipus, and the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, are cooperative breeding species where the family structure alters reproductive function in many ways. While primates receive social effects on reproduction via all sensory stimuli, the marmosets and tamarins are particularly influenced by olfactory/chemosensory stimuli. The olfactory sensory processing is the "social glue" that keeps the family together. This review describes a number of studies using the marmosets and tamarins at the University of Wisconsin to demonstrate how odor cues are used for altering reproductive function and dysfunction. Several key studies will be discussed to show the role of odor signaling of the female reproductive state. The suppressive effects of odors are mediated by priming odors and can cause a suppressive influence on ovulation in young females via their mother's scents. Additionally, odor cues from the infant function as priming odors to ensure that fathers and mothers are present and receptive to their parental care duties. Neural pathways occur via the processing of priming odors that consequently stimulate alterations in the behavioral and endocrine response to the stimuli. The dynamics of the cooperative breeding system ensure that offspring have essential needs met and that they develop in a family environment. Olfactory communication plays a key role in maintenance of the social system of Callitrichid monkeys.
A novel digital power controller for fuel cell/ battery hybrid power sources

Hybrid power sources composed of fuel cells and batteries provides higher peak power than each component alone while preserving high energy density, which is important and necessary to modern electronic equipment. An appropriately controlled DC/DC power converter handles the power flow shared by the fuel cell and the battery. The power converter needs to be regulated to balance the power flow to satisfy the load requirements while ensuring the various limitations of electro-chemical components such as battery overcharge limit, fuel cell current limit, etc. Digital control technology may be applied in the power electronics controls due to many advantages over analog control such as programmability, less susceptibility to environmental variations, and fewer part counts. This paper presents a novel digital power controller for fuel cell/battery hybrid power sources. The power controller circuit consists primarily of a synchronous buck converter that is controlled by a single-chip PIC microcontroller, and features small size and light weight. The user can set the fuel cell current limit, the battery current limit and the battery voltage limit in the control software. The control software implements multiobjective coordination of the power converter. The digital power controller was first tested through processor-in-the-loop simulation and then validated on the real hardware. Simulation and experiment results are given in the paper.
Nanotribology and nanomechanics of MEMS/NEMS and BioMEMS/BioNEMS materials and devices

The micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) need to be designed to perform expected functions typically in millisecond to picosecond range. Expected life of the devices for high speed contacts can vary from few hundred thousand to many billions of cycles, e.g., over a hundred billion cycles for digital micromirror devices (DMDs), which puts serious requirements on materials. For BioMEMS/BioNEMS, adhesion between biological molecular layers and the substrate, and friction and wear of biological layers may be important. There is a need for development of a fundamental understanding of adhesion, friction/stiction, wear, and the role of surface contamination, and environment. Most mechanical properties are known to be scale dependent. Therefore, the properties of nanoscale structures need to be measured. MEMS/NEMS materials need to exhibit good mechanical and tribological properties on the micro/nanoscale. There is a need to develop lubricants and identify lubrication methods that are suitable for MEMS/NEMS. Methods need to be developed to enhance adhesion between biomolecules and the device substrate. Component-level studies are required to provide a better understanding of the tribological phenomena occurring in MEMS/NEMS. The emergence of micro/nanotribology and atomic force microscopy-based techniques has provided researchers a viable approach to address these problems. This paper presents a review of micro/nanoscale adhesion, friction, and wear studies of materials and lubrication studies for MEMS/NEMS and BioMEMS/BioNEMS, and component-level studies of stiction phenomena in MEMS/NEMS devices.
The use of triazine inhibitors in mapping the active site region of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase.

Abstract A quantitative structure-activity relationship for the inhibition of Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase by 4,6-diamino-1,2-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1-(3- X -phenyl)- s -triazines has been derived: log 1 C = 0.53π 3 − 0.67 log (β·10 π 3 + 1) + 0.79 MR′ + 3.13 where log β = −3.46 and r = 0.949 for 28 congeners. In this expression C is the molar concentration of triazine causing 50% inhibition, π 3 is the hydrophobic constant for the 3- X -phenyl substituent, MR′ is the molar refractivity of certain substituents, β is an iteratively derived coefficient, and r is the multiple least squares correlation coefficient. This correlation is quite different from those found with the same type of inhibitors acting on bovine and rat liver dihydrofolate reductase. The differences are discussed. The correlation equations for the triazines acting on purified enzymes are compared with equations correlating triazines inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli .
An outbreak of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection associated with acupuncture in a private clinic of Zhejiang Province, China, 2012

Summary Background Acupuncture carries the potential risk of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms from the environment to the patient, and from one patient to another. An outbreak of tuberculosis at a private clinic in eastern China was investigated to identify the source of infection, mode of transmission, and risk factors for infection. Methods A probable case was one who had the onset of unexplained pain, swelling, or abscess in the area of invasive treatment between January 1, 2011 and February 23, 2012. A confirmed case was a probable case with positive laboratory test results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Patient history and the frequency of invasive treatment were compared between 56 probable and confirmed cases and 98 controls in a case–control study. Results Fifty-six of 2561 patients (2.2%) who had visited the clinic developed tuberculosis. The odds ratio (OR) of M. tuberculosis infection increased with the frequency of clinic visits (Chi-square for trend=28.943, p =0.000). Multivariate analysis showed that the frequency of acupuncture (Chi-square=24.258, adjusted p -value=0.000) and sharing acupuncture needles (Chi-square=8.936, adjusted p -value=0.003) were risk factors for M. tuberculosis infection. Thirty-two pus sample and nine sputum sample cultures were M. tuberculosis -positive. Conclusions This outbreak was caused by acupuncture and was transmitted through sharing acupuncture needles contaminated with M. tuberculosis .
Videofluoroscopic evaluation of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We reviewed 14 patients with clinically confirmed Guillain-Barre syndrome for swallowing dysfunction. All had swallowing dysfunction varying from mild to severe. Six patients (43%) had equivalent impairment during oral and pharyngeal phases. Seven patients (50%) had more severe functional abnormalities during the pharyngeal phase than during the oral phase. One patient (7%) had moderate disorder during the oral phase and mild disorder during the pharyngeal phase. Thirty-six percent of the patients had moderate-to-severe dysfunction during the oral phase, and 71% had moderate-to-severe dysfunction during the pharyngeal phase. In 5 patients who had multiple sequential examinations, moderate or severe swallowing disorders improved to mildto-moderate disorders within 4–8 weeks after the onset of the symptoms. Residual swallowing disorders may be seen in those who had severe swallowing dysfunction during the later phases of their disease. Further investigations are needed to determine if swallowing abnormalities persist after complete recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Effects of Salesman Faking Instructions on the Contact Personality Factor Test

Summary.-Effects of rwo faking instructions on che Contact Personality Factor Test were investigated. Contact and distortion scores were significantly increased under both faking sets. The instruction which warned that a means existed for detection of faking produced significantly smaller increases in contact and distortion than did the instruction without such warning. Distortion scores showed a moderate degree of effectiveness in discriminating between regular and faked adminisvation protocols. The Contact Personality Factor Test (CPF) is an inventory ". . . developed to answer the need in business and industry for a short, but scientifically sound, test of contact versus non-contact personality in employees. This complex personality trait is often referred to as 'extroversion-introversion' " (CatteU, 1954). The manual suggests that the CPF may also be used for guidance purposes with groups ranging in age from junior high school to college level. Two scores may be derived: "C" (contact score), and "D" (distortion) score. The higher the C score, the more extroverted the individual has indicated himself to be. The higher the D score, the greater the probability that S has faked and may be exaggerating his extroversion. When D is as high as 8, it is suggested that the contact score ". . .should be questioned to some extent-it is possibly one or more ranks higher than it should be" (Cattell, 1954). The manual provides no data on the ability of D scores to differentiate between protocols from regular versus faked administrations nor does it indicate what correlation exists between C and D scores. The present study investigated the effects of salesman faking instructions on the CPF, and in particular, the effectiveness of D scores in detecting faking. The correlations between C and D scores under both regular and faking conditions were also obtained.
Motor variability within a multi-effector system: experimental and analytical studies of multi-finger production of quick force pulses

The purpose of the study was to develop a model of force variability for a fast action performed by a multi-effector system and to verify it for multi-finger quick force production. The experiments involved quick isometric contractions to different target force levels using different finger combinations. Force variance calculated over sets of trials for a multi-finger force production task showed non-monotonic single-peak profiles of force variance with a peak at a time between the times of the maxima of the force rate and of the total force. When analyzed in the four-dimensional space of finger forces, the variance peak was mostly expressed in the direction of the force rate, and was absent in the directions orthogonal to it. The non-monotonic time profile of the force variance could be reproduced by a model of force production, which assumes that each finger force profile is based on a template function scaled in duration and magnitude with two parameters assigned prior to each trial with some variability. The model allows decomposition of the force variance into two fractions related to variability in setting the magnitude and duration scaling parameters. The former fraction changes monotonically with time, while the latter shows a transient peak in the middle of the action. The model was able to reproduce experimental variance time profiles across conditions with the total error of under 8%. The results demonstrate, in particular, that fast multi-finger actions may show transient changes in motor variability in certain directions of the finger force space, particularly in the direction of the first force derivative, without any task-specific coordinating action by the controller. These findings require a reconsideration of some of the conclusions drawn in recent studies on the structure of motor variability in redundant multi-effector systems.
White matter integrity on fractional anisotropy maps in encephalopathic neonates post hypothermia therapy with normal-appearing MR imaging

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a clinically defined neurological syndrome commonly caused by ischemia. We investigated white matter integrity in children with NE using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and examined the hypothesis that white matter insults not visible on conventional MRI may have abnormal fractional anisotropy (FA) on DTI. DTI was performed on 36 term encephalopathic neonates who had hypothermia therapy. Of these, 12 neonates had normal conventional MRI findings (NNE) and 24 neonates had abnormal MRI findings (ANE). Twelve term-equivalent premature neonates with normal clinical neuroimaging and neurological function served as the control group. We found significant reductions in measured FA in white matter in the ANE neonates compared to the control group. There were, however, no significant differences in measured FA in white matter between the NNE and the control group. We did not find white matter changes detectable by DTI in encephalopathic neonates post hypothermia with normal conventional MRI findings. Further studies would be required to determine whether this unexpected finding is a direct result of neuroprotective effects of hypothermia, or more sophisticated measures of FA are required to detect subtle white matter injury.
Gender Bias Trends in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy

The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy for primary prevention in patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular systolic function less than 35 % has a known benefit in preventing sudden cardiac death. Despite evidence-based practice guidelines including class I recommendations from major cardiology associations, many eligible patients are not receiving ICDs. Furthermore, there is an apparent gender-based disparity such that women are receiving ICDs far less than men. This is evident from review of data regarding ICD utilization over the last 10 years. The advent of programs such as GWTG-HF and IMPROVE-HF has improved monitoring and adherence to guideline-based therapy. However, review of recent temporal trends in ICD use in eligible patients has revealed that while overall utilization has improved and the gender gap has been significantly narrowed, a gender-based disparity still persists. This review outlines gender disparities in ICD therapy, temporal trends, and future endeavors to further address the differences.
Angina pectoris in type A and type B cardiac patients

Abstract The type A behavior pattern is characterized by excessive competitive drive, a sense of time urgency, enhanced aggressiveness, hostility and a persistent desire for recognition. Type A behavior is widely recognized as a risk factor in coronary heart disease. This study investigated whether type As and Bs differ in their experience of pain and pain coping efforts. A group of type A (n = 35) and a group of type B (n = 19) cardiac disease patients served as subjects. All subjects underwent diagnostic treadmill testing and were compared on a variety of pain measures. There were no differences between type As and Bs in age, sex, presence of state or trait anxiety or severity of cardiac disease. Type A patients, however, were much more likely than type Bs to be classified on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional angina scale as having more severe pain and functional limitation. Type As were also less likely to use pain coping strategies to deal with their pain. Those who assess pain and functional impairment in cardiac patients using the NYHA scale should be aware that type A personality characteristics may affect their assessments. Type A patients who tend to make little use of pain coping strategies may benefit from systematic training in pain control methods. Additional research is needed to examine whether type A-B differences in pain and pain coping strategies may affect risks of coronary morbidity and mortality.
Lineage-negative bone marrow cells travel bidirectionally in the olfactory migratory stream but maintain hematopoietic phenotype

The mammalian olfactory system is a physiologically plastic region of the brain with the potential to support implanted stem cells. We performed direct injection of lineage-negative (lin-neg), green fluorescent protein-positive (GFP+) bone marrow cells into the olfactory bulb to assess cell survival and motility within the central nervous system (CNS). Before direct injection of 100,000 lin-neg cells, some of the C57/Bl mice received 1,000 cGy brain irradiation with the aim of disabling the endogenous reservoir of periventricular neural progenitor cells. Brain harvest took place up to 2 weeks after cell implantation. Brains were evaluated for presence of GFP positivity via fluorescence microscopy. Many GFP+ cells were identified within the turbinate neuroepithelium, olfactory bulb, and frontal lobe. Most of the cells that had traveled from the implantation site adopted an elongated, arborizing morphology consistent with cellular extensions arrayed in the direction of the rostral migratory stream (RMS). No difference was seen in brain-irradiated versus non-irradiated mice. Antibody staining revealed that these cells did not take on a neural, glial, or endothelial phenotype, while largely retaining their hematopoietic lineage as demonstrated by CD45 positivity.
W-matrices and arbitrary-length nonorthogonal multiresolution analysis (MRA)

Abstract We present an interpretation of multiresolution analysis of signal of anyarbitrary finte length in terms of matrix theory. In particular, we present anew non-orthogonal MRA associated with 4 coefficients that has vanishingmoments up to order 2. A more general theory of this class of transform isalso presented.Keywords : Wavelets , nonorthogonal multiresolution analysis , quadratic B-spline, signal compression. 1 Introduction Wavelet theory and discrete wavelet transforms have had great impact on the field of signal and imageprocessing. For references to the extensive literature on the subject, we refer to the bibliographies foundin [1,2]. In this paper we propose a new class of discrete transforms. It "includes" the classical Haar andDaubechies transforms. Our transforms treat the endpoints of a signal in a different manner from that ofconventional techniques. This new approach allows us efficiently to handle signals of any length; thus, oneis not restricted to work with signal or image sizes that are multiples of a power of 2. A different methodfor dealing with signals of arbitrary length was given earlier by Taswell and McGill [4]. Our method doesnot lengthen the output signal and does not require an additional bookkeeping vector.An exciting result is the uncovering of a new and simple transform (presented in Section 3) that performsvery well for compression purposes. It has compact support of length 4, and so is its inverse. The coefficientsare symmetrical, and the associated scaling function is fairly smooth (it is the quadratic B-spline). Theassociated dual wavelet has vanishing moments up to order 2. Numerical results comparing the performance
Rate Sensitivity and Short-Term Relaxation Behavior of AISI Type 304 Stainless Steel at Room Temperature and at 650°C; Influence of Prior Aging

The strain rate sensitivity and short term relaxation behavior of Type 304 Stainless Steel were investigated in the uniaxial strain rate jump tests with intermittent periods of relaxation at room temperature and at 650/degree/C. At room temperature material exhibited conventional strain rate sensitivity and no strain rate history effect. The high-temperature experimental results revealed a complex and dramatically different material behavior. At 650/degree/C the pattern of strain rate sensitivity was not set as soon as the plastic flow was fully established, but continued to evolve with the further straining in the plastic range. Test results indicate that at 650/degree/C the material may exhibit a strain rate history effect. Both at room temperature and at 650/degree/C the relaxation behavior was independent of the stress and/or strain level at the beginning of the relaxation, but depended nonlinearly on the strain rate preceding the relaxation test. Prior aging had no significant influence on the rate-dependent material response. The irregular material behavior at 650/degree/C is attributed to dynamic strain aging as indicated by serrated stress-strain curves (the Portevin-LeChatelier effect). 20 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.
Experience with CANDID: Comparison algorithm for navigating digital image databases

This paper presents results from our experience with CANDID (comparison algorithm for navigating digital image databases), which was designed to facilitate image retrieval by content using a query-by-example methodology. A global signature describing the texture, shape, or color content is first computed for every image stored in a database, and a normalized similarity measure between probability density functions of feature vectors is used to match signatures. This method can be used to retrieve images from a database that are similar to a user-provided example image. Results for three test applications are included.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Shielding against noise interfering with quantitation of insect infestations by acoustic detection systems in grain elevators

Abstract Acoustic devices used to detect hidden insect infestations must be shielded from noise in most practical applications. One device developed specifically for use in a noisy environment, the Acoustic Location ‘Fingerprinting’ Insect Detector (ALFID), counts the numbers of insects present in grain samples from shipments being graded for export at commercial grain elevators. This report considers the performance of ALFID's noise-shielding components, which include an enclosure for passive reduction of ambient noise, and an electronic system for active detection and masking of sounds originating outside the grain sample container. Sound pressure levels (SPLs) of ambient noise are reduced inside the enclosure by 60–90 dB at frequencies between 1 and 10 kHz, with a reduction of ~6.5 dB per octave (frequency doubling). The active noise-masking system protects ALFID from loud ambient sounds not sufficiently attenuated by the enclosure. If the output from one of four sensors mounted on the outside of the grain sample container rises above a preset amplitude threshold, a signal is triggered that inhibits acquisition of insect sound data from sensors inside the container. In tests of the complete ALFID system at a grain elevator with ambient noise of 73 ± W dB re 20 μPa SPL, the mean rate of noise-mask triggering was 5.5 s −1 , inhibiting acquisition of insect sounds for only 3.9% of the total testing period. This level of performance is sufficient to enable successful operation of ALFID under such noise conditions.
Interaction of Moist Convection with Zonal Jets on Jupiter and Saturn

Observations suggest that moist convection plays an important role in the large-scale dynamics of Jupiter's and Saturn's atmospheres. Here we use a reduced-gravity quasigeostrophic model, with a parameterization of moist convection that is based on observations, to study the interaction between moist convection and zonal jets on Jupiter and Saturn. Stable jets with approximately the same width and strength as observations are generated in the model. The observed zonal jets violate the barotropic stability criterion but the modeled jets do so only if the flow in the deep underlying layer is westward. The model results suggest that a length scale and a velocity scale associated with moist convection control the width and strength of the jets. The length scale and velocity scale offer a possible explanation of why the jets of Saturn are stronger and wider than those of Jupiter.
Green primary explosives: 5-nitrotetrazolato-N2-ferrate hierarchies.

The sensitive explosives used in initiating devices like primers and detonators are called primary explosives. Successful detonations of secondary explosives are accomplished by suitable sources of initiation energy that is transmitted directly from the primaries or through secondary explosive boosters. Reliable initiating mechanisms are available in numerous forms of primers and detonators depending upon the nature of the secondary explosives. The technology of initiation devices used for military and civilian purposes continues to expand owing to variations in initiating method, chemical composition, quantity, sensitivity, explosive performance, and other necessary built-in mechanisms. Although the most widely used primaries contain toxic lead azide and lead styphnate, mixtures of thermally unstable primaries, like diazodinitrophenol and tetracene, or poisonous agents, like antimony sulfide and barium nitrate, are also used. Novel environmentally friendly primary explosives are expanded here to include cat[FeII(NT)3(H2O)3], cat2[FeII(NT)4(H2O)2], cat3[FeII(NT)5(H2O)], and cat4[FeII(NT)6] with cat = cation and NT− = 5-nitrotetrazolato-N2. With available alkaline, alkaline earth, and organic cations as partners, four series of 5-nitrotetrazolato-N2-ferrate hierarchies have been prepared that provide a plethora of green primaries with diverse initiating sensitivity and explosive performance. They hold great promise for replacing not only toxic lead primaries but also thermally unstable primaries and poisonous agents. Strategies are also described for the systematic preparation of coordination complex green primaries based on appropriate selection of ligands, metals, and synthetic procedures. These strategies allow for maximum versatility in initiating sensitivity and explosive performance while retaining properties required for green primaries.
Factor Xa Binding to Phosphatidylserine-Containing Membranes Produces an Inactive Membrane-Bound Dimer

Factor Xa (FXa) has a prominent role in amplifying both inflammation and the coagulation cascade. In the coagulation cascade, its main role is catalyzing the proteolytic activation of prothrombin to thrombin. Efficient proteolysis is well known to require phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing membranes that are provided by platelets in vivo. However, soluble, short-chain PS also triggers efficient proteolytic activity and formation of an inactive FXa dimer in solution. In this work, we ask whether PS-containing membranes also trigger formation of an inactive FXa dimer. We determined the proteolytic activity of human FXa toward human Pre2 as a substrate both at fixed membrane concentration (increasing FXa concentration) and at fixed FXa concentration (increasing membrane concentration). Neither of these experiments showed the expected behavior of an increase in activity as FXa bound to membranes, but instead suggested the existence of a membrane-bound inactive form of FXa. We found also that the fluorescence of fluorescein attached to FXa's active site serine was depolarized in a FXa concentration-dependent fashion in the presence of membranes. The fluorescence lifetime of FXa labeled in its active sites with a dansyl fluorophore showed a similar concentration dependence. We explained all these observations in terms of a quantitative model that takes into account dimerization of FXa after binding to a membrane, which yielded estimates of the FXa dimerization constant on a membrane as well as the kinetic constants of the dimer, showing that the dimer is effectively inactive.
Extinction coefficients of chlorine monoxide and chlorine heptoxide

The ultraviolet and visible extinction coefficients of Cl2O and Cl2O7 were measured from 180 to 800 nm. The results are comparable in shape with literature values, but different in magnitude. The approximate extinction coefficients at the peaks of infrared absorption lines are also given.
Stochastic spatial routing for reconfigurable networks

FPGA placement and routing is time consuming, often serving as the major obstacle inhibiting a fast edit-compile-test loop in prototyping and development and the major obstacle preventing late-bound hardware and design mapping for reconfigurable systems. We introduce a stochastic search scheme which can achieve comparable route quality to traditional, software-based routers while being amenable to parallel, spatial implementation. We quantify the quality and performance of this route scheme using the Toronto Place-andRoute Challenge benchmarks. We sketch hardware implementations ranging from a minimal hardware-search assistance scheme which provides two orders of magnitude speedup, to FPGA-based schemes which provide greater speedup, to full hardware schemes which provide over three orders of magnitude routing acceleration. For coarse-grained devices with wide-word datapaths, the area overhead for integrating this hardware support into the network can be below 30%; for conventional FPGAs, a collection of hundreds of FPGAs can be configured to route one FPGA rapidly. With parallel path searches, the time required for the spatial solution scales sublinearly in network size for the typical, limited-bisection networks used for practical reconfigurable systems. � 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Alternative, Complementary, and Conventional Medicine: Is Integration Upon Us?

In attempts to improve their health and/or combat illness, approximately 4 in 10 Americans will use a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy this year. CAM therapies vary widely, with acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, and homeopathy among the more prominent modalities. CAM therapies are used in addition to and/or instead of the more conventional forms of medical care available in U.S. hospitals or licensed physicians' offices. A rapidly increasing interest in CAM has led to a nascent movement aimed at integrating various CAM therapies with the conventional health care system. In Washington State, for example, health insurance coverage for CAM therapies has been mandated, and a number of "integrated" delivery systems have been born. Although the political and economic forces leading to adoption and integration of CAM therapies vary widely by geographic locale, it is likely that some degree of integration will occur throughout much of the United States. Similar processes are occurrin...
A rapid protocol to identify and exclude acute myocardial infarction: continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring with 2-hour delta CK-MB.

Abstract A prospective observational study was performed in 706 chest pain patients who underwent our chest pain evaluation protocol which consists of continuous 12-lead ST-segment monitoring with automated serial ECG (SECG) and a 2-hour delta (Δ) CK-MB level determination before ED physician making final disposition decision to determine the incremental value of our 2-hour protocol for identifying myocardial infarction (MI) as compared with the initial ECG in combination with a baseline CK-MB. The initial ECG was obtained on presentation and considered positive if it revealed injury or ischemia. SECGs were obtained at least every 10 minutes and considered positive if it revealed new injury or ischemia. The baseline CK-MB value was considered positive if it was ≥12 ng/mL and index ≥4%. ΔCK-MB was defined as a difference between the 2 hour and baseline CK-MB and was considered positive if the value was ≥+1.5 ng/mL. MI was defined as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or recent AMI (ie, AMI patients presenting on falling curve of CK-MB). The incremental value of the 2 hour protocol (ie, SECG in conjunction with ΔCK-MB) was more sensitive for identification of MI than the baseline protocol (ie, initial ECG in conjunction with the baseline CK-MB) (94.0% versus 55.4%; P
Optical anisotropy measurements of TRISO nuclear fuel particle cross-sections: The method

The analysis of two-modulator generalized ellipsometry microscope (2-MGEM) data to extract information on the optical anisotropy of coated particle fuel layers is discussed. Using a high resolution modification to the 2-MGEM, it is possible to obtain generalized ellipsometry images of coating layer cross-sections with a pixel size of 2.5 μm and an optical resolution of ∼4 μm. The most important parameter that can be extracted from these ellipsometry images is the diattenuation, which can be directly related to the optical anisotropy factor (OAF or OPTAF) used in previous characterization studies of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated particles. Because high resolution images can be obtained, the data for each coating layer contains >6000 points, allowing considerable statistical analysis. This analysis has revealed that the diattenuation of the inner pyrocarbon (IPyC) and outer pyrocarbon (OPyC) coatings varies significantly throughout the layer. The 2-MGEM data can also be used to determine the principal axis angle of the pyrocarbon layers, which is nearly perpendicular to the TRISO radius (i.e., growth direction) and corresponds to the average orientation of the graphene planes.
Heterocyclic analogues of N-(4-(4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)arylcarboxamides with functionalized linking chains as novel dopamine D3 receptor ligands: potential substance abuse therapeutic agents.

Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists and partial agonists have been shown to modulate drug-seeking effects induced by cocaine and other abused substances. Compound 6 [PG01037, (N-(4-(4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)-trans-but-2-enyl)-4-pyridine-2-ylbenzamide)] and related analogues are currently being evaluated in animal models of drug addiction. In these studies, a discrepancy between in vitro binding affinity, in vivo occupancy, and behavioral potency has been observed. The purpose of this study was to examine (1) modifications of the 2-pyridylphenyl moiety of 6 and (2) hydroxyl, acetyl, and cyclopropyl substitutions on the butylamide linking chain systematically coupled with 2-fluorenylamide or 2-pyridylphenylamide and 2-methoxy- or 2,3-dichloro-substituted phenylpiperazines to measure the impact on binding affinity, D2/D3 selectivity, lipophilicity, and function. In general, these modifications were well tolerated at the human dopamine D3 (hD3) receptor (Ki = 1−5 nM) as measured in competition bindin...
Association Between Maternal Infections and Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review of Epidemiologic Studies

Objectives A growing body of evidence suggests an association between maternal infection and preeclampsia. To examine the strength of this association, we conducted a comprehensive review of studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Academic Transitions in Education: A Developmental Perspective of Women Faculty Experiences.

Becoming and being a faculty is a dynamic journey defined by various career transitions, such as moving up through promotion and tenure, moving on to other institutions, and sometimes moving out of the academy altogether. This longitudinal qualitative study explored women faculty experiences of academic transitions and their impact on faculty identity development and transformation. Using the constant comparative method, the authors analyzed multiple interviews with 23 female faculty members in education, focusing on their transition experiences across their early career. Academic transitions are described in terms of provisional professional identity (transient or resilient) and transition responses (professional equilibrium, professional advancement, and professional integration). Transition patterns are discussed as both social and developmental; implications for career counseling, faculty preparation, and development are noted. The findings and discussion highlight professional growth across the acade...
Temperature-Dependent Evolution of Chemisorbed Digermane in Ge Thin Film Growth

The formation and evolution of chemisorbed digermane layers in context with germanium thin film growth was investigated by time-resolved surface reflectometry. Modulation of the source gas supply made possible the separation and independent study of the temperature dependence of the adsorption and desorption processes. The regeneration of active sites by molecular hydrogen desorption was identified as the rate-limiting step at low substrate temperatures. A dynamic method of thin film growth was demonstrated by repetitively replenishing the active film growth sites regenerated between two successive source gas pulses. The film growth rate was shown to be related to the substrate temperature and the delay time between successive source gas pulses.
Philosophy and tinkering

I characterize Wimsatt’s approach to philosophy of science as philosophy for science and then briefly consider a theme emerging from his work that informs just one of the many current developments in philosophy of biology that he inspired: scaffolding as a problem of mechanistic explanation for functionalists.
Conference Papers and Journal Papers

This PDF file contains the editorial “Conference Papers and Journal Papers” for OE Vol. 50 Issue 04
On the teaching of Ada in an undergraduate computer science curriculum

Traditionally beginning undergraduate computer science students are taught a high level programming language. Since the early 1970's Pascal has become the de facto standard introductory programming language. With the creation of Ada, its standardization, and the availability of validated compilers, there is considerable discussion concerning the introduction of Ada into the computer science curriculum. This paper discusses the approach taken by the Computer Science Department at Harvey Mudd College.
Determinants of head and neck cancer survival by race.

Background Several factors contribute to the documented racial disparity in head and neck cancer (HNSCC), among which are socioeconomic status, access to care and biologic factors.
Selection of portfolios with risky and riskless assets: Experimental tests of two expected utility models

Two expected utility models are considered for a multi-period portfolio selection task of a special nature: the generalized logarithmic and negative exponential models. A weak version of the models is formulated in which the single parameter of each of the models is allowed to vary freely from one period to another in order to account for observed individual differences between subjects as well as trial-to-trial variations within subjects. Employing parameter-free predictions, the models are tested experimentally with individual data from six different groups varying from one another in the savings or return rates. The experimental results refute the two models conclusively. Alternative approaches to model portfolio selection behavior are mentioned briefly.
Frequency stability performance of a laser pumped rubidium vapor cell atomic frequency standard

The AC Stark shift (the light shift) is very important in the performance of laser-pumped vapor cell atomic frequency standards. The frequency stability of a compact rubidium vapor cell atomic frequency standard with an AC Stark shift suppression laser pumping method was evaluated. The applications of such a device include serving as primary reference clocks in communication systems such as Stratum 1 reference clocks.
Individual behavioral responses to hypothalamic stimulation persist despite destruction of tissue surrounding electrode tip.

Abstract Behavior evoked by hypothalamic stimulation differs among animals, although their electrode placements appear histologically to be identical. These differences have been attributed to selective activation of functionally discrete neural circuits that are in close proximity. We report here, however, that in rats initially exhibiting “stimulus-bound” drinking, this behavior persists following either a series of progressively larger lesions, or a single large lesion, around the electrode tips. Similar results were obtained in rats afforded minimal stimulation experience prior to the lesions. These results suggest that individual differences in response to hypothalamic stimulation cannot be attributed solely to variations in the neuroanatomical locus of stimulation.
The nuclear matrix: three-dimensional architecture and protein composition

The structural filament network of the nucleus is prepared while still connected to the cytoskeleton. The relatively gentle procedure removes about 98% of the DNA and at least 86% of the histones. The matrix is bounded by an outer nuclear lamina connected to the cytoskeletal framework, as well as the inner filaments. The filaments range in diameter from 3 to 22 nm, and are organized in a three-dimensional anastomosing network in which nucleoli are enmeshed. The nuclear matrix is separated from the cytoskeletal framework by a double detergent and then partitioned into a chromatin fraction and a matrix fraction by nuclease and high salt. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis shows that the proteins of the cytoskeleton, chromatin and nuclear matrix are very different. A major protein found in all fractions cofocuses with actin. Vimentin is largely associated with the nuclear matrix, probably as a corona external of filaments.
Attenuation of traumatic brain injury-induced cognitive impairment in mice by targeting increased cytokine levels with a small molecule experimental therapeutic

Evidence from clinical studies and preclinical animal models suggests that proinflammatory cytokine overproduction is a potential driving force for pathology progression in traumatic brain injury (TBI). This raises the possibility that selective targeting of the overactive cytokine response, a component of the neuroinflammation that contributes to neuronal dysfunction, may be a useful therapeutic approach. MW151 is a CNS-penetrant, small molecule experimental therapeutic that selectively restores injury- or disease-induced overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines towards homeostasis. We previously reported that MW151 administered post-injury (p.i.) is efficacious in a closed head injury (CHI) model of diffuse TBI in mice. Here we test dose dependence of MW151 to suppress the target mechanism (proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation), and explore the therapeutic window for MW151 efficacy. We examined suppression of the acute cytokine surge when MW151 was administered at different times post-injury and the dose-dependence of cytokine suppression. We also tested a more prolonged treatment with MW151 over the first 7 days post-injury and measured the effects on cognitive impairment and glial activation. MW151 administered up to 6 h post-injury suppressed the acute cytokine surge, in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of MW151 over the first 7 days post-injury rescues the CHI-induced cognitive impairment and reduces glial activation in the focus area of the CHI. Our results identify a clinically relevant time window post-CHI during which MW151 effectively restores cytokine production back towards normal, with a resultant attenuation of downstream cognitive impairment.