cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matrix method for finding sets of contiguous non-zero elements in a 2-dimensional array—II

Abstract We present a quick method of finding sets of contiguous non-zero elements in a two-dimensional array.
Research on education in the developing countries

Abstract Developing countries are in a major educational crisis. Educational opportunity has expanded but quality has been sacrificed. In some instances the quality of education has become so low that one might do well to question whether the costs of expansion do not outweigh the benefits. Research on education has not prepared the developing countries to meet the crisis at hand. The article mentions three examples—in pedagogy, in curriculum and in ‘deschooling’ theory—where educational research has not been helpful. On the other hand, the article points to several areas where there has been useful work, and where new work might make a substantial contribution in the years ahead.
On‐line serials control system in a large biomedical library. Part III: Comparison of on‐line and batch operations and cost analysis

The on-line serials control system in use at the UCLA Biomedical Library is compared with former batch processing and manual procedures. It is evaluated in terms of performance, user satisfaction, and costs. The operation of the on-line system is shown to be superior in these respects. Significant savings are achieved as a result of increased productivity made possible by the interactive system.
Changes in airflow obstruction and oxygen saturation in response to exercise and bronchodilators in cystic fibrosis.

The airway response to exercise and inhaled terbutaline was assessed in 25 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), seeking evidence for the possible deleterious effects of bronchial muscle relaxation. We postulated that “early” and “late” flows, taken from the full maximum expiratory flow volume curve, might move paradoxically in patients with unstable airways. Oxygen saturation was measured continuously; desaturation occurred early in exercise with partial recovery thereafter. This was unrelated to changes in expiratory airflow measurements. Both during and after exercise, and after inhaled bronchodilator, changes in expiratory airflow measurements were strikingly variable. Changes in individual measurements should be interpreted in relationship to the within-subject variability of the test in patients with CF. During exercise, there was a significant increase in mean FEV1; this was most marked in patients with worst lung function. Two patients (both with severe lung disease) showed paradoxical changes in early and late flows. After exercise, only two patients showed the asthmatic pattern of postexercise bronchoconstriction. After inhaled bronchodilator, the group as a whole showed small but statistically significant increases in expiratory airflow measurements. Those with highest baseline FEV1 had the greatest bronchodilator response; this is the opposite of the pattern observed in asthma. Paradox did not occur after bronchodilators and only one patient showed a significant fall in late expiratory airflow. This pattern of expiratory airflow changes is compatible with the concept of airway instability in which any beneficial effects of bronchial tone reduction are canceled out by the effects of compression of damaged airways rendered more compliant by loss of bronchial wall tone. We did not observe any clinically important deleterious effects from this mechanism. Pediatr Pulmonol 1990; 8:4-11.
The hemodynamics of cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis.

Abstract This review of the hemodynamic alterations that accompany cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis describes studies carried out in man and in experimental animals. Both constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade increase pulmonary and systemic venous pressure and decrease cardiac output and stroke volume. In cardiac tamponade, the superior and inferior vena caval pressure record shows a single nadir, the x descent; this pressure event is accompanied by an increase in velocity of blood flow and, by inference, in quantity of blood flow. The y descent is absent from the vena caval and right atrial pressure curves, and no early diastolic dip appears in the right ventricular pressure tracing. During inspiration, blood flow velocity and, by inference, forward flow increase in the superior and inferior venae cavae and in the pulmonary artery. Pulsus paradoxus is almost invariably present. The major factors causing pulsus paradoxus are related to inspiratory augmentation of systemic venous return. The ensuing expansion of right-sided heart volume increases intrapericardial pressure, but does not increase systemic arterial pressure and flow until the subsequent expiration. In constrictive pericarditis a peak of blood flow velocity accompanies the x descent of superior vena caval pressure. A second flow velocity peak accompanies the y descent. Respiration fails to alter superior vena caval pressure or blood flow velocity, but during inspiration the velocity of pulmonary arterial blood flow increases. Pulsus paradoxus occurs much less often than in cardiac tamponade, and its mechanism is not well understood. Atrial fibrillation is common, and myocardial contractility is impaired.
Optimal controller design for inverted pendulum system based on LQR method

This paper proposes design of optimal controller for inverted pendulum system. The main aim is to control angle of the pendulum and position of the cart simultaneously. Jacobian linearization technique has been used to linearize the system. Linear Quadratic Regulator technique is used here to solve the control problem. The solution of the Riccati is obtained by choosing appropriate weight matrix of continuous algebraic Riccati equation (CARE). The proposed controller able to meet the given performance specification minimizing the cost function efficiently. Finally, the performances of the controller have been evaluated with the presence of disturbances and variable initial conditions.
Statistical Analysis of Non-stationary Waves off the Savannah Coast, Georgia, USA

The statistical characteristics of short-term wave records collected from a wave buoy deployed off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, USA are analyzed. The statistical distribution of observed surface elevation is derived and compared with theoretical estimations. The minimum length of time series for stationary conditions is specified using a synthetic approach. A new technique that considers the variability of different dimensionless parameters has been introduced to improve the theoretical distributions of wave crests, troughs and heights. The observed distributions of wave crests and troughs are computed and compared with the Rayleigh distribution as well as the Tayfun distribution. The characteristic wave heights of measured data are compared with those estimated from the Boccotti distribution over different time intervals. The empirical estimation of expected maximum wave heights as a function of the number of waves is examined using a statistical approach, and compared with results from both Boccotti ...
Integrating psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia can no longer be viewed as a chronic, inexorably deteriorating disorder with little chance for rehabilitation or recovery. Felicitous outcomes, however, are achieved only if treatment and rehabilitative services are continuously provided to individuals and their families. Clinicians can no longer be content to rely solely on a biomedical model of treatment that reduces the disorder to the biological correlates of psychotic symptoms. Instead, a biopsychosocial perspective, which emphasizes the interaction of the brain, behavior, and the environment, serves as the foundation for the integration of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. This integration has arisen specifically to develop, evaluate, and disseminate those techniques that improve the social functioning of people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Employing the biopsychosocial approach to comprehensive care—including training in social and independent living skills, family psychoeducation, self-management of medication and symptoms—can amplify the impact of medication in fostering better outcomes and higher levels of personal functioning. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Responses of the squash bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae) and its egg parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to three Cucurbita cultivars

Laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify effects of resistant and susceptible host plants on the preimaginal and adult biologies of the squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer), and its egg parasitoid, Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead). ‘Early Prolific Straightneck’ squash, ‘Green Striped Cushaw’ pumpkin, and ‘Waltham Butternut’ squash served as test plants. Preimaginal development of the squash bug (egg to adult) was similar on all three cultivars (range: 31–35 d). However, survivorship to the adult was significantly lower on ‘Green Striped Cushaw’ and ‘Waltham Butternut’ than on ‘Early Prolific Straightneck’. Statistical differences in survivorship were not observed in second-generation squash bugs, suggesting that some selection may have occurred. Squash bug reproduction and longevity were similar on all three cultivars. However, the reduced juvenile survivorship on ‘Green Striped Cushaw’ and ‘Waltham Butternut’ resulted in significantly lower rmax values on these cultivars than on the more susceptible ‘Early Prolific Straightneck’. The dietary history of adult squash bugs did not significantly affect development, preimaginal survival, or reproduction of G. pennsylvanicum . However, adult longevity of the parasitoid was significantly reduced when its larvae developed in eggs of squash bugs that were reared on the most resistant cultivar (‘Waltham Butternut’).
Zebrafish encoded 3-O-sulfotransferase-2 generated heparan sulfate serves as a receptor during HSV-1 entry and spread

Previously we reported the role of zebrafish (ZF) encoded glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase-3 (3-OST-3) isoform in assisting herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) entry and spread by generating an entry receptor to HSV-1 envelope glycoprotein D (gD). However, the ability of ZF encoded 3-OST-2 isoform to participate in HSV-1 entry has not been determined although it is predominantly expressed in ZF brain, a prime target for HSV-1 to infect and establish lifelong latency. Here we report the expression cloning of ZF encoded 3-OST-2 isoform and demonstrate HSV-1 entry into resistant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells expressing the clone. Additional significance of ZF encoded 3-OST-2 receptor was demonstrated using medically important isolates of HSV-1. In addition, interference to HSV-1 entry was observed upon co-expression of HSV-1 gD and ZF 3-OST-2. Similarly HSV-1 entry was significantly inhibited by the pre-treatment of cells with enzyme HS lyases (heparinase II/III). Finally, ZF-3-OST-2 expressing CHO-K1 was able to fuse with HSV-1 glycoprotein expressing cells suggesting their role in HSV-1 spread. Taken together our result demonstrates a role for ZF 3-OST-2 in HSV-1 pathogenesis.
Dimension variation of classical and p-adic modular forms

A quadratic bound is obtained for a conjecture of Gouvea-Mazur on arithmetic variation of dimensions of classical and p-adic modular forms.
The myth of the trusting culture : A global, empirical assessment

Recent studies suggest that trust is culturally determined and that differentials in trust exist globally between cultures. The trusting culture may be an artifact given that there is little empirical support for such a notion. The results of an international survey of 122 business leaders failed to reveal significant differences in trust between cultures.
The influence of patients' age and tumor grade on the prognosis of carcinoma of the cervix

Many factors can influence the prognosis of cancer of the cervix. They range from clinical staging, various histologic cell types, to extensions into the endometrium. Very little is known about the influence of the patients- age and constitutional status of the host (patient) on the prognosis of cervical cancer. Over the past several years, we have been observing that when cancer of the cervix occurs in the relatively young patient, they tend to be more aggressive and inspite of the usual accepted treatment, the majority of them do not survive their disease. From 1969 to 1974, 561 patients with proven invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were treated by irradiation only in the Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Maryland Hospital. Of these, 94 patients were studied and their ages ranged from 23 to 39 years. They were staged following FIGO guidelines and subject to the usual irradiation treatment for cervical cancer. All patients are eligible for a minimum five-year follow-up and the absolute five-year disease-free survival is as follows: Stage I, 70.2%, (33/47); Stage II, 54%, (14/26); Stage III, 17%, (3/18) and Stage IV, 0%, (0/3). One of the most interesting features observed in Stage I and II disease is distant disease; 26% for Stage I and 42% for Stage II. Further analysis of our result for Stage I and II shows that tumor grading may be responsible for poor outcome. Three Grade systems were used for the study and the result clearly shows that Grade III or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had the poorest five-year survival; for example, survival for Stage I disease is 43% and 44% for Stage II. Analysis of the failures following the treatment suggests that about 50% of patients with Grade III disease have already had distant disease by the time the diagnosis was made. Recommendations for futher appropriate treatment is suggested.
Stress wave‐initiated fracture in amorphous thermoplastics

Several brittle thermoplastic materials, including polystyrene, SAN, and PMMA, were tested in tension using a spectrum of testing rates up to 15,000 in./min (630 cm/sec). At test velocities below 7000 in./min (294 cm/sec), the materials behaved “classically” with strength properties increasing, elongation decreasing, and single fractures generally forming. At rates between 7000 and 9000 in./min (294 and 378 cm/sec), a transition from classical to stress wave-initiated fracture was observed. The mechanical properties, the nature of the fracture, and the nature of the crazing preceding fracture were shown to be profoundly affected when the materials were strained at rates sufficient to initiate stress wave fracture. Under these conditions, the apparent load-carrying capabilities of the materials were reduced by an order of magnitude.
Rhetorical question effects on message processing and persuasion: The role of information availability and the elicitation of judgment

Abstract Four experiments were conducted examining the effects of asking rhetorical questions on message processing and persuasion utilizing a radio commercial. Subjects exposed to questions were compared to other subjects exposed to content-equivalent statements across different message positions. The expectations of two different theoretical models of question effects are contrasted and compared. The results of all four experiments are consistent with the view that rhetorical questions elicit judgments on the topic of the request when they are received and that the availability of relevant information when a judgment is first requested is a critical factor determining whether or not message persuasion occurs. The pattern of results predicted by viewing rhetorical questions as elicitors of judgments is differentiated from previous views.
Hardware-independent application characterization

The trend in high-performance computing is to include computational accelerators such as GPUs or Xeon Phis in each node of a large-scale system. Qualitatively, such accelerators tend to favor codes that perform large numbers of floating-point and integer operations per branch; that exhibit high degrees of memory locality; and that are highly data-parallel. The question we address in this work is how to quantify those characteristics. To that end we developed an application-characterization tool called Byfl that provides a set of “software performance counters”. These are analogous to the hardware performance counters provided by most modern processors but are implemented via code instrumentation-the equivalent of adding flops = flops + 1 after every floating-point operation but in fact implemented by modifying the compiler's internal representation of the code.
Symmetries of fermions in the lowest Landau level

Abstract In the first paper we presented a general theory of conformal fields on a complex plane, and in the second paper we wrote down, for the first time, a supersymmetric transformation of the conformal fields. I think I was expected to present a historical talk at the conference. But, since I had already written an essay on the reminiscences of my entire research activities in [3] and furthermore since a part of the article has been printed again in [4], I chose not to talk about my recollections on this matter. Instead, under the title Symmetries of Fermions in the Lowest Landau Level , I discussed the subjects, which may or may not be suited to the theme of this conference, namely (a) the dynamic symmetries of edge excitations and (b) the method of collective coordinates for planar fermions and the bosonization. Since I believe the viewpoint I took on the latter subject is unconventional, in this written report I expanded the discussion and have written it in detail.
High-speed optical modulation based on carrier depletion in a silicon waveguide

We present a high-speed and highly scalable silicon optical modulator based on the free carrier plasma dispersion effect. The fast refractive index modulation of the device is due to electric-field-induced carrier depletion in a Silicon-on-Insulator waveguide containing a reverse biased pn junction. To achieve high-speed performance, a travelling-wave design is used to allow co-propagation of electrical and optical signals along the waveguide. We demonstrate high-frequency modulator optical response with 3 dB bandwidth of ~20 GHz and data transmission up to 30 Gb/s. Such high-speed data transmission capability will enable silicon modulators to be one of the key building blocks for integrated silicon photonic chips for next generation communication networks as well as future high performance computing applications.
A Typology of Organizational and Contractual Arrangements for Purchasing and Delivery of Behavioral Health Care

The evolution of behavioral health care financing and delivery has led to a wide variety of arrangements connecting consumers to behavioral health services. In this paper, we present a typology based on three distinguishing features of behavioral health arrangements along which there is a high degree of variability and this variability has been shown to affect the cost and quality of behavioral health care: (1) the extent to which sponsor oversight over care is outsourced by way of contracts rather than performed directly; (2) whether financing for behavioral health is partitioned from health care financing overall; and (3) the amount of financial risk shared by the sponsor with third parties.
Low Permittivity SiO2/Void Nanocomposite Films

A novel approach for preparing porous SiO2 thin films by sputter deposi-tion is being developed. The porosity is introduced to reduce the dielectric permittivity of the film to less than 3 for potential use in packaging high speed VLSIs. In the first approach, amorphous silicon is initially deposited to produce a columnar structure with a thickness of 25µm, followed by etching and thermal oxidation to result in closely spaced SiO2 pillars. Capping the structure by a thin film (0.1µm), silica gel layer provides the support for strip line traces. In the second approach, porous SiO2 films are prepared by reactive sputtering. The dielectric properties of the sputter deposited SiO2 films are presented.
Enteric entry of microcrystals.

SummaryMicron- and submicron-sized crystals of tricalcium phosphate, of sand and of barium sulfate ingested by rats entered the intestinal epithelium. They then were distributed and deposited in various organs where tricalcium phosphate and sand incited inflammation and granulomas. Crystals of tricalcium phosphate had caused similar changes in a patient. Particles of these and of other supposedly inert, insoluble substances contained in widely used products enter the body by way of the enteric and respiratory tracts after inadvertent exposure to them or by their deliberate use.
The education of an academic surgeon.

Today, I want to talk about “The Education of an Academic Surgeon.” I am not a professional educator. I have not taken special courses in theory or in the practice of education. It was not until I became a director of student clerkships that I was even offered such organized instruction. But the desire to teach was, and remains, my fundamental motivation for choosing an academic career. I chose the field of surgery, in large part, because it was where I thought I would be the best teacher I could be. I do not want to be misunderstood. I love solving the problems we general surgeons are asked to confront at the bedside and in the operating room. I get much pleasure from my research and I am continually fascinated with the cellular processes of gastric acid secretion and the pathophysiology of gastric mucosal injury. But if it were not for the students, residents, and research fellows, the practice of surgery and the pursuit of research would be stimulating and rewarding— but not more so than other good jobs. For me, academic surgery is a joy. And my joy comes from sharing moments of learning with students, structuring the environment that leads to maturation of residents, and guiding the processes of discovery and innovation by research fellows. For me personally, it is teaching that makes academic surgery a calling. So much for my personal passion for teaching. Is it important? I take it, almost as an article of faith, that educating the next generation of young academic surgeons is the most important thing that we, as the community of academic surgeons, do. But this is a proposition, not an argument; it is not, by itself, a call for action or change. Today, I want to take a good look at the process by which we educate younger people to become academic
Novel polarization scrambling OSNR monitor

A novel polarization scrambling optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) monitor has been proposed and demonstrated. The OSNR monitor consists of a polarization scrambler, a polarizer and a photodetector. When the channel signal input to the polarizer is a linear polarization state aligned parallel (orthogonal) to the polarizer the output reaches its maximum (minimum). The OSNR can be obtained from the measured maximum and minimum of the output power if the sampling time is long enough to ensure a good coverage on Poincare sphere. The new OSNR monitor is polarization mode dispersion insensitive. The effect of polarizer extinction ratio and sampling time on the accuracy has been discussed.
Actinic keratosis: from the skin to the lip.

Purpose Actinic keratoses are commonly the result of intense sun damage to the skin and lips of susceptible patients. The purposes of this 2-section article are to familiarize the surgeon with options for care and to suggest methods of incorporation into practice as a true benefit to patients. Patients and Methods The first section discusses the options chosen for patients who were referred to the Facial Lesion Clinic in a county hospital for precancerous or cancerous facial lesions; the second section reviews ramifications for precancerous sun-damaged lips with clinical leukoplakia. Results Methods are available to aid patients with precancerous facial and lip lesions. Choices have been presented with patient examples. Conclusion Patients with precancerous facial and lip lesions should receive therapy that diagnoses or treats these lesions. Long-term avoidance or mere observation of these lesions will portend future cancer.
Detection of Heart Disease in Children 1919-1967

Since 1959, auscultation by physicians in screening 49,496 school children has yielded 4.5 cases of heart disease/1,000 students screened. Sensitivity by analysis of "inserted" cases averages 64%, but varies with capabilities of examining physicians. X-ray and ECG evaluations on smaller populations have yielded, respectively, 2.7 and 2.8 cases/1,000 children screened, and sensitivity results average 30 to 40%. The tape-recorded heart sounds technique has yielded 2.9 cases/1,000 in screening 188,925 children. Sensitivity by analysis of "inserted" cases averages 75% and, in the population of "naturally occurring" heart disease, 56%. In 23,148 school children, an analog-digital device (PhonoCardioScan) has yielded 4.8 cases/1,000 children screened. Of "inserted" cases, 69% have been detected. Sixtyfour to 80% of "naturally occurring" cases have been detected. With each technique, approximately 40% of the heart disease detected had been previously unknown. The specificity of these methods ranges from 95 to 99%. For primary screening the analog-digital device is the most effective currently available alternative to examination by cardiologists.
Light-Emitting Diodes with Voltage-Switchable Colors from Semiconducting Polymer/Polymer Heterojunctions

Abstract : Reversible electroluminescence color changes with applied voltage have been observed in light-emitting diodes fabricated from semiconducting polymer heterojunctions consisting of an electron transporting polybenzobisthiazole and hole transporting poly(p-phenylene-vinylene) when layer thicknesses are less than 60-100 nm. Enhanced device performances such as lower turn-on voltage and higher efficiency and luminance were also obtained compared to single-layer devices. The observed voltage-switchable emission colors in these nanoscale heterojunction light sources can be understood in terms of spatial confinement effects which are related to field-dependent charge transport and trapping processes in the materials. These results also demonstrate the use of new high temperature rigid-rod polymers as electron transport and emissive layers in electroluminescent devices.
DMR3D: dynamic memory relocation in 3D multicore systems

Three-dimensional Multicore Systems present unique opportunities for proximity driven data placement in the memory banks. Coupled with distributed memory controllers, a design trend seen in recent systems, we propose a Dynamic Memory Relocator for 3D Multicores (DMR3D) to dynamically migrate physical pages among different memory controllers. Our proposed technique avoids long interconnect delays, and increases the use of vertical interconnect, thereby substantially reducing memory access latency and communication energy. Our techniques show 30% and 25% average performance and communication energy improvement on real world applications.
The Dynamics of Metals in the American Oyster, Crassostrea virginica. II. Environmental Effects'

The dynamics of Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Cd in the shell and soft tissues of the American oyster,Crassostrea virginica, were observed in oysters exposedin situ to a metal-contaiminated environment from September, 1972 until August, 1973. Zn and Cu accumulated in soft tissues of exposed oysters reaching levels of 4100 μg Zn/gm and 450 μg Cu/gm compared to 1700 μg Zn/gm and 60 μg Cu/gm for controls (dry weight basis). The relative enhancement of metals in oyster soft tissues exposed to the contaminated environment over controls reflected the pattern of metal contamination in sediments. Although growth of the oysters, as measured by soft tissue dry weight and shell dimension, was identical, shells of exposed oysters were significantly thinner than controls (16%). Trace metal incorporation into shell was affected with Mn deposition surpressed and Fe, Zn and Cu slightly increased. Uptake of metals by oyster soft tissues was seasonally dependent with rapid uptake occurring in the summer and fall but delayed uptake occurring in the early spring.
Spironolactone and cytochrome P-450: impairment of steroid hydroxylation in the adrenal cortex.

Abstract The effect of spironolactone administration on the content of adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450 and on the activity of adrenal 17α-hydroxylase was examined in male cortisol and corticosterone-producing animals. Decreases in the content of microsomal cytochrome P-450 and in the activity of the 17α-hydroxylase after spironolactone treatment occur only in those animals which predominantly produce cortisol rather than corticosterone and which have a high activity of adrenal steroid 17α-hydroxylase. The administration of spironolactone to cortisol-producing animals, namely the guinea pig and the dog, caused a 50 to 80% loss of microsomal cytochrome P-450 with a concomitant decrease in the activity of the microsomal 17α-hydroxylase. In contrast to its effect in cortisol-producing animals, the administration of spironolactone caused either an increase or slight alteration in the concentration of adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450 in corticosterone-producing animals such as the rat and the rabbit.
Chemisorption of hydrogen on ultrathin Pd films on Mo (100)

Abstract The H 2 adsorption properties of ultrathin Pd films deposited on Mo(100) have been studied with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The pseudomorphic monolayer of Pd on Mo(100) has a greatly reduced H 2 uptake capacity at 150 K compared to bulk Pd. Desorption from the Pd monolayer occurs from a chemisorption state with a desorption temperature of about 290 K. Thicker Pd films also have a reduced H 2 uptake, until θ Pd ≥5.5. H 2 desorption from the low-temperature hydride state that is characteristic of bulk Pd only occurs for Pd films with θ Pd ≥5.5.
Mitochondrial Aβ A potential cause of metabolic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

Deficits in mitochondrial function are a characteristic finding in Alzheimer's disease (AD), though the mechanism remains to be clarified. Recent studies revealed that amyloid β peptide (Aβ) gains access into mitochondrial matrix, which was much more pronounced in both AD brain and transgenic mutant APP mice than in normal controls. Aβ progressively accumulates in mitochondria and mediates mitochondrial toxicity. Interaction of mitochondrial Aβ with mitochondrial enzymes such as amyloid β binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) exaggerates mitochondrial stress by inhibiting the enzyme activity, releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and affecting glycolytic, Krebs cycle and/or the respiratory chain pathways through the accumulation of deleterious intermediate metabolites. The pathways proposed may play a key role in the pathogenesis of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease. iubmb Life, 58: 686-694, 2006
High-brightness quantum cascade laser spectrometers based on master-oscillator-power-amplifier arrays

The talk will focus on advances in high brightness single longitudinal/transverse mode master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) QCls and MOPA QCL arrays capable of broadband tuning, as well as on low-divergence high brightness QCLs with plasmonic collimators. Specifically we will report on multi-wavelength arrays of master-oscillator power-amplifier quantum cascade lasers operating at wavelengths between 9.2 and 9.8 μm. All elements of the high-performance array feature longitudinal (spectral) as well as transverse single-mode emission at peak powers between 2.7 and 10 W at room temperature. High output power and excellent beam quality render the arrays highly suitable for stand-off spectroscopy applications. I will also discuss our approach to reduce the divergence and improve beam quality of high power QCLs using plasmonic collimators. High peak power in excess of 3.5 Watt with divergence angles not exceeding 2.5 deg in the vertical and 5 deg in the horizontal direction has been achieved in an 8 micron wavelength QCL by integrating a one dimensional plasmonic collimator on the facet of a device with a narrow 0.5 mm straight section and a 2.5 mm long 1 degree tapered adiabatic beam expansion section. Importantly the fabrication of collimator on the 10 micron wide facet does not produce any deterioration in output power. I will discuss plans to integrate our novel collimator designs on the facet of QCL MOPAs.
Exploring the energy landscape in proteins.

Abstract We present two methods to probe the energy landscape and motions of proteins in the context of molecular dynamics simulations of the helix-forming S-peptide of RNase A and the RNase A-3'-UMP enzyme-product complex. The first method uses the generalized ergodic measure to compute the rate of conformational space sampling. Using the dynamics of nonbonded forces as a means of probing the time scale for ergodicity to be obtained, we argue that even in a relatively short time (< 10 psec) several different conformational substrates are sampled. At longer times, barriers on the order of a few kcal/mol (1 cal = 4.184 J) are involved in the large-scale motion of proteins. We also present an approximate method for evaluating the distribution of barrier heights g(EB) using the instantaneous normal-mode spectra of a protein. For the S-peptide, we show that g(EB) is adequately represented by a Poisson distribution. By comparing with previous work on other systems, we suggest that the statistical characteristics of the energy landscape may be a "universal" feature of all proteins.
The effects of muscle relaxation and stress on the blood pressure levels of normotensives

Abstract Shoemaker and Tasto (1975) found that progressive muscle relaxation lowers the blood pressure levels of essential hypertensives to within a normal range under laboratory conditions. As a sequel to this study the effects of muscle relaxation and stress on the blood pressure levels of normotensives were studied. One group was taught relaxation, one group was stressed, one group read, and one group did nothing. Blood pressure measurements taken immediately after the completion of these tasks indicated that muscle relaxation does not lower the blood pressure levels of normotensives but that stress significantly raises both the systolic and diastolic levels. Level of arousal can, at least in one sense, be viewed as occurring on a dimension defined by extreme anxiety at one end and extreme relaxation at the other. Research on the physiological correlates and/or defining properties of arousal has produced inconsistent and equivocal results. Little work has been done relating blood pressure levels to arousal, however. Shoemaker and Tasto (1975) found a consistent and predictable drop in the blood pressure levels of essential hypertensives as a result of progressive muscle relaxation. In their study those subjects with the highest blood pressure levels showed the greatest drop while those with moderately high levels showed moderate drops and those with the lowest levels (yet still above normal) showed the least amount of change. The amount by which blood pressure dropped as a result of progressive relaxation was positively correlated with the pretreatment level of blood pressure. The result of progressive relaxation was to lower blood pressure levels to within a normal range, with all subjects appearing to approach a lower asymptotic level. Because of the consistent picture which began to emerge, the question arose as to whether blood pressure might be a reliable physiological correlate of the relaxation-anxiety dimension. The more specific questions emanating from this issue were: what effect does progressive relaxation have on the blood pressure levels of normotensives; what effect does stress have on the blood pressure levels of normotensives; and, what effect does stress have on the blood pressure levels of essential hypertensives? Since we could not immediately foresee the benefits that would outweigh the potential harm that might arise by placing hypertensives under stress, this study was limited to addressing the first two questions. Since the blood pressure levels of normotensives are probably at an optimal level for the physiological functioning of the organism, lower levels would be physiologically nonadaptive. and thus progressive relaxation should not lower the blood pressure levels of normotensives as it does those of essential hypertensives. On the other hand, if the elevated blood pressure levels of essential hypertensives are at least in part the result of a stress reaction, it would be expected that the blood pressure levels of normotensives might rise under stress conditions.
730-4 Vessel Size and the Outcome of DCA

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between vessel size and outcome of directional coronary atherectomy (DCA). Patients who underwent DCA for lesions in native coronary arteries were included. Reference vessel size was quantitatively measured using a computer assisted system. Based on reference vessel size (VS), lesions were categorized in 5 groups: VS 2.0(l2.25 mm). VS 2.5 (2.25–2.75 mm), VS 3.0 (2.75–3.25 mm), VS 35 (3.25–3.75 mm) and VS 4.0 (≥3.75 mm). The outcome of DCA was as follows: VS 2.0 VS 25 VS 3.0 VS 35 VS4.0 p Lesions 242 357 303 187 146 Acute outcome VDR 0.96 1.20 1.39 1.58 1.88 l 0.009 DCA success 93% 92% 93% 91% 95% n.s. Perforation 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0% 0.7% n.s. CABG 1.2% 2.8% 3.0% 4.3% 1.4% n.s. Tissue (mg) 12.5 13.9 14.2 18.0 14.7 l 0.001 % residual 14% 14% 14% 19% 19% l 0.001 Restenosis (6 month) Primary 53% 47% 38% 24% 20% l 0.001 Restenosed 57% 49% 39% 34% 28% 0.03 VDR: Vessel device ratio In conclusion, the outcome of DCA was not significantly influenced by vessel size in selected cases. Despite a trend toward a higher residual stenosis, the restenosis rate was significantly lower in groups with a larger vessel size.
Exposure to an aggressive model and apparent probability of retaliation from the victim as determinants of adult aggressive behavior

Abstract Sixty undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to examine the effects of exposure to an aggressive model and apparent probability of retaliation from the victim, on adult aggressive behavior. It was hypothesized that exposure to the model would be effective in raising the level of aggression directed against an anger instigator by S s under conditions where the apparent probability of retaliation from this individual was low, but would fail to raise the level of aggression shown by S s under conditions where the apparent probability of retaliation was high. The dependent measures of aggression were the intensity and duration of electric shocks ostensibly delivered to the anger instigator by S s. Results indicated that shock intensity was significantly influenced by both exposure to the model and apparent probability of retaliation. However, shock duration was significantly influenced only by exposure to the model. Contrary to the hypothesis, even a high apparent probability of retaliation failed to elimimate the influence of the model on S s' behavior.
Depolarized light scattering by amides and peptides

The Rayleigh ratios RH have been measured for the depolarized scattering dilute solutions of N-ethylacetamide (EA), N-methylpropionamide (MP), and N-acetyl-pyrrolidine (AP) in P-dioxane, and dilute aqueous solutions of N-methylacetamide (MA), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), EA, and MP. Squares of the optical anisot-ropies γ of the amides are obtained through extrapolation of these mesurements to infinite dilution. Values of γ2 found for EA and MP in dioxane are in good agreement with calculations based principally on the previously evaluated polarizability tensor of the amide group in conjunction with CC and CH bond polarizabilities. The calculations also involve averaging over all conformations, each being weighted according to the estimated conformational energy. The mean-squared optical anisotropies (γ2) of the oligoglycines and oligoalanines are calculated by similarly averaging over all skeletal conformations. The anistropic polarizability tensor for the prolyl structural unit is derived for γ2 for AP. The much larger optical anisotropies exhibited by the amides when dissolved in water as compared with those observed in dixane are discussed.
Modeling the effects of fast-neutron irradiation on the subsequent mechanical behaviour of type 316 stainless steel

Abstract A model describing the subsequent mechanical behaviour of type 316 stainless steel exposed to a fast reactor environment is presented. A constitutive law for the flow stress, based on the Voce equation, is introduced. The strain-rate and temperature-dependence of the flow stress is formulated in this equation; and it is assumed that all contributions to changes in the flow stress, at a given temperature and strain-rate, are manifested in a single hardness parameter. Physically-based models for work hardening, irradiation hardening, and irradiation softening are presented. By combining the constitutive law with the relations describing the hardness, a system of equations is presented which describes the mechanical response of the material after specified neutron irradiation and thermal exposure. When the model is used to analyze flow stress data on unirradiated material as well as material irradiated over a wide range of fluence and temperature, agreement between predicted and observed behaviour is shown, supporting the assumption of a single flow law incorporating a single hardness parameter.
Newly Characterized Forms of Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) comprises a group of brain iron deposition syndromes that lead to mixed extrapyramidal features and progressive dementia. Historically, there has not been a clearly identifiable molecular cause for many patients with clinical and radiologic features of NBIA. Recent discoveries have shown that mutations in C19orf12 or WDR45 can lead to NBIA. C19orf12 mutations are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and lead to a syndrome similar to that caused by mutations in PANK2 or PLA2G6. In contrast, WDR45 mutations lead to a distinct form of NBIA characterized by spasticity and intellectual disability in childhood followed by the subacute onset of dystonia-parkinsonism in adulthood. WDR45 mutations act in an X-linked dominant manner. Although the function of C19orf12 is largely unknown, WDR45 plays a key role in autophagy. Each of these new forms of NBIA thus leads to a distinct clinical syndrome, and together they implicate new cellular pathways in the pathogenesis of these disorders.
The increase in glucose-6-phosphate content of the heart after the administration of inotropic catecholamines, calcium, and aminophylline.

Abstract Content of glucose-6-phosphate in heart was determined after treatment of intact cats with cardiotonic agents. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and isoproterenol significantly increase the amount of glucose-6-phosphate in the right and left ventricles. Isoproterenol also increases the content of glucose-6-phosphate in the auricles. The biochemical order of potency closely parallels the known inotropic activities of the catecholamines; i.e. isoproterenol > epinephrine = norepinephrine. Controlled rate experiments indicate that increases in glucose-6-phosphate produced by epinephrine are related to increased force of contraction. Present studies on the isolated and intact rat heart further support the observations pertaining to epinephrine. In the intact cat, calcium and aminophylline also produce significant elevations in the content of glucose-6-phosphate in the right and left ventricles and left auricle concomitant with their eardiotonic action.
Investigation of the effects of phosphorylation of rabbit striated muscle αα‐tropomyosin and rabbit skeletal muscle troponin‐T

FPLC has been employed to prepare the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of rabbit striated muscle alpha alpha-tropomyosin (TM), and the major isoform of rabbit fast-skeletal-muscle troponin-T (Tn-T2f) and corresponding chymotryptic fragment T1 (residues 1-158), in order to investigate the effects which these in vivo modifications have on thin filament function. In all instances, no significance could be attributed to the presence of a phosphate moiety on acetyl serine 1 of Tn-T (or fragment T1). As expected, fragment T1 increased the relative viscosities of solutions of unphosphorylated alpha alpha-TM, but this induction was noticeably lower for phosphorylated alpha alpha-TM. In affinity chromatography experiments, fragment T1 bound equally well to either form of alpha alpha-TM, but the interaction between fragment T2 (residues 159-259) and phosphorylated alpha alpha-TM was strengthened relative to the control. In the presence of alpha alpha-TM (unphosphorylated), fragment T1 was found to down regulate the actin-activated myosin-S1 MgATPase activity, indicating that this portion of Tn-T possesses modulatory properties. Under the same conditions, less inhibition was observed with phosphorylated alpha alpha-TM. When the two different forms of alpha alpha-TM were reconstituted into a complete regulatory system, the activation of myosin-S1 was double for those thin filaments containing the phosphorylated molecule. Dephosphorylation of the phospho alpha alpha-TM reduced the rates to control values. In ATPase Ca2+ titrations, these systems exhibited no difference in the co-operativity of activation and little or no difference in the pCa2+ 1/2 value. Developmentally linked changes in the steady-state phosphorylation of alpha alpha-TM could be a mechanism to increase the activating propensity of thin filaments, by modifying the functional properties of the T1 section of Tn-T.
How development assistance can spur lasting markets for renewably-generated electricity

This article draws lessons from past development assistance for renewable electric power technologies and recommends ways that assistance agencies can more effectively overcome existing market and policy barriers to greater use of renewables. The lessons are extracted from a general review of past multilateral and bilateral assistance for renewable projects and, more generally, for developing-country power sectors, as well as from examining a set of individual assistance projects to determine the extent to which they have stimulated markets for renewable technologies. The diversity of renewable technologies and applications, as well as developing-country needs, makes broad generalizations difficult; nonetheless, this article identifies overall changes needed in development assistance if the large potential of renewably-generated electric power is to be realized.
Immunoglobulin A subclasses in infants' saliva and in saliva and milk from their mothers.

We sought to determine (1) the ontogeny of secretory IgA subclasses in saliva of breast-and formula-fed infants and (2) the influence of breast-feeding on the maturation of secretory salivary IgA subclasses. Secretory IgA and subclasses 1 and 2 concentrations were determined in saliva from 40 healthy, term infants from birth to age 18 months, and in parallel milk samples from the infants' mothers who were breast-feeding during the first 6 months after birth. Secretory IgA was detected in the neonates' saliva as early as 3 days after birth, increased rapidly during the next 6 months, but then stabilized at a level approximately one-sixth that of the mothers' salivary secretory IgA. Secretory IgA2 represented less than 15% of secretory IgA in saliva collected 2 weeks after birth but by 6 months represented 24.4% of secretory IgA, a value approaching that of the mothers' salivary secretory IgA2 (30.4%). This increase in the proportion of secretory IgA2 was temporally related to a reduction in the proportion of secretory IgA2 in milk throughout lactation. The secretory IgA concentration increased more rapidly during the first 6 months after birth in infants exclusively breast fed than in those exclusively bottle fed. We conclude that although secretory immunity is immature in infants, breast-feeding may aid in protection against pathogenic microorganisms by increasing the rate of mucosal IgA maturation.