cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identified nonspiking local interneurons mediate nonrecurrent, lateral inhibition of crayfish mechanosensory interneurons

1. We have used intracellular neuropil recordings and dye injection to identify a pair of nonspiking, Local, Directionally Selective (LDS) interneurons in the terminal ganglion of the crayfish,Procambarus clarkii. The neurons have bilateral but asymmetric processes connected by a thick (ca. 17 μm) segment in the dorsal neuropil. The processes ipsilateral to the soma are smooth while those on the other side have numerous varicosities (Figs. 1, 2). 2. We found headward water movement to be the best natural stimulus for depolarizing the LDS interneurons (Fig. 3). Neither water movement nor any combination of electrical stimulation of afferents and current injection into the LDS interneurons ever caused them to spike. 3. The receptive field of the LDS interneuron is mainly restricted to the uropods ipsilateral to its cell body, and within that field the afferents from the endopodite provide the strongest excitation. The afferent-produced PSPs are chemically mediated and are probably monosynaptic; they occur with an estimated synaptic delay of approximately 1 ms (Figs. 4, 5). 4. The output of the LDS interneuron is contralateral to the input side and is associated with the processes having varicosities. Thus, although the neuron is nonspiking, it is functionally polarized to receive input on one side of the ganglion and convey it to the other side. 5. All known output connections of the LDS interneuron are inhibitory and highly specific. The LDS interneuron exclusively inhibits projection interneurons excited by headward afferents on the output side. Not all headward projection interneurons are inhibited equally (Fig. 6 and Table 1). 6. The inhibitory effect of the LDS interneuron is mediated postsynaptically by chemical IPSPs (Fig. 7). The LDS cell does not cause inhibition at rest potential, and the threshold for causing inhibition in at least one postsynaptic interneuron was 10 mV of depolarization of the LDS cell. The inhibitory pathway between the LDS interneuron and the postsynaptic neurons is stable (Figs. 8, 9). 7. The LDS interneurons mediate lateral inhibition that is both nonrecurrent and reciprocal. Because the LDS interneurons are nonspiking, once above threshold they deliver a precise but inverted copy of the afference on one side to the projecting interneurons on the other side. These features have many consequences, including the ability to attenuate common signals that arise from ambient water movement, and conversely to accentuate the different afference produced by laterally asymmetric signals.
A new pH catheter for laryngopharyngeal reflux: Normal values.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) represents a challenging field. Therapeutic studies of proton pump inhibitors in LPR have shown mixed results. The Restech pH catheter (Respiratory Technology Corp., San Diego, CA) is a minimally invasive device for detection of oropharyngeal acid reflux. The aim of this study was to provide normative data using this device in both distal esophagus and oropharynx. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Normal volunteers were recruited to undergo pH monitoring. A custom made longer catheter was used to assess distal esophageal pH. Oropharyngeal pH catheter was placed at the level of uvula. The distribution of % time was summarized using the 5th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 95th quantiles for pH < 6, pH < 5, and pH < 4 for both upright and supine positions. Results: A total of 20 normal, healthy volunteers underwent pH monitoring for 14 to 24 hours (median 20.5 hours). The 95th percentile for % total time pH < 4, pH < 5, pH < 6 for the distal esophageal pH catheter were 4.52%, 10.91%, and 42.99%, respectively. For the oropharynx pH probe, the 95th percentile for % total time pH < 4, pH < 5, and pH < 6 were 0.02%, 2.33%, and 21.41% respectively. The 95th percentile for number of reflux events for total pH < 4, pH < 5, and pH < 6 were 1.3, 8.1, and 128.0, respectively. Conclusions: Oropharyngeal acid reflux is an infrequent occurrence in healthy volunteers without LPR. The normative data for Restech pH catheter may now be compared to those with suspected LPR. Laryngoscope, 2009
Structural and geochronologic relations along the western flank of the Coast Mountains batholith : Stikine River to Cape Fanshaw, central southeastern Alaska

Abstract Geologic and U-Pb geochronologic studies in central southeastern Alaska provide constraints on the mid-Cretaceous to mid-Tertiary deformation west of the Coast Mountains batholith. The NE-dipping Sumdum and Fanshaw faults record the W-directed emplacement of the Ruth assemblage (Yukon-Tanana terrane) and Taku terrane over the subjacent Gravina belt and Alexander terrane. Ductile fabrics of the Sumdum-Fanshaw fault system truncate early-formed foliation and thrust faults in Albian and older Gravina belt strata. U-Pb age data from syn- and post-tectonic plutons suggest that deformation was ongoing at 92.9 ± 3.0 Ma but had mostly ceased by 90 Ma. The Sumdum-Fanshaw fault system marks the tectonic boundary between the Alexander-Wrangellia terrane and inboard Yukon-Tanana and Stikine terranes and lies within a thrust belt that extends from southern Alaska to northern Washington. Mid-Cretaceous structures are truncated to the east by NE-dipping ductile fabrics of the Coast shear zone. Sheet-like Paleocene tonalites were emplaced into and deformed within the shear zone. Undeformed mid-Eocene dikes cross-cut the tonalites. Kinematic relations in the Coast shear zone suggest a complex displacement history that includes both east-side-up (reverse) and west-side-up (normal) shear. The shear zone probably accommodated the collapse of overthickened crust developed during mid-Cretaceous shortening.
Octave-spanning supercontinuum generation for an Er-doped fiber laser frequency comb at a 1 GHz repetition rate

We developed a 1 GHz Er-doped femtosecond fiber laser system providing 2nJ pulses at ∼100fs durations and demonstrated octave-spanning supercontinuum generation from 1µm – 2.4µm that is suitable for 1f–2f stabilizing the frequency comb.
Proliferation of mouse bone marrow-derived lymphocytes in vitro: One mechanism of response to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin

In mixed populations of mouse thymus-derived (T) and bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes, both T and B cells proliferate in response to soluble phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and conconavalin A (Con A). We have investigated one mechanism of the B cell proliferative response in vitro to Con A and PHA. Thymocytes (THY) were mitogen pulsed with Con A or PHA and metabolically poisoned with mitomycin C and cycloheximide. Mitogen-pulsed, inhibitor-poisoned THY were used to stimulate relatively pure preparations of B cells. We have shown that T cell surface-bound mitogen itself directly stimulates B cells to proliferate in vitro . In our system T cell surface-bound mitogen is relatively more important than blastogenic mediator production by mitogen coated THY in the stimulation of B cell proliferation. We propose that, in mixed populations of T and B cells cultured with soluble mitogens, mitogen bound to T cell surfaces plays a major role in the stimulation of B cell proliferation.
Optimum Aspect Ratio for Subsonic Air Vehicles

This fundamental study considers airframes engineered to meet range and/or efficiency goals that span several orders of magnitude in size (from approximately 1000 lb to one million lb maximum flight weights). A simplified, analytical model is used to demonstrate the influence of key constraints (maximum ceiling and desired cruise speed) and design parameters (wing loading, wing aspect ratio, wing sweep, wing technology, and allowable excrescence drag) upon aerodynamic performance and fuel volume. This model illustrates factors that drive the optimum wing loading, technology, and aspect ratio for an airframe engineered to meet improved range and efficiency goals. The performance of airframes over a 200,000 lb flight weight is well represented by classical theory. For many airframes under 100,000 lb,flight at the typicalmission cruise point is dominated by zero-lift drag.A statistical design approach to refine these configurations reveals counterintuitive design insight. To simultaneously improve range and efficiency of a conventionally configured zero-lift–drag-dominated airframe, analysis of a full factorial design exploration suggests changes, such as increasing its service ceiling (though larger engines), increasing its certification ceiling, and revisions to the wing planform, that, in some cases, call for a reduction in aspect ratio and wingspan.
Platelet Activation and Inhibition iN Sickle cell disease (PAINS) study

Platelet activation/aggregation in sickle cell disease (SCD) may promote tissue ischemia, suggesting that antiplatelet therapy may be useful. However, the assessment of platelet function and the effect of antiplatelet therapy in blood from SCD patients may be confounded by hemolysis with the release of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP). Here we evaluate the levels of platelet activation markers in SCD adolescents vs. normal controls and compare, by multiple methods, the effect of in vitro blockade of the platelet ADP receptor P2Y₁₂ by prasugrel's active metabolite, R-138727. Platelet activation markers in blood from SCD adolescents (n = 15) and healthy adults (n = 10), and the effect of R-138727 (0.1-10 µM) added in vitro, were evaluated with and without ADP stimulation. The circulating levels of platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil aggregates were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in SCD patients than in healthy controls. R-138727, in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited platelet function in both SCD patients and healthy subjects as judged by ADP-stimulated light transmission aggregation, VerifyNow P2Y₁₂ assay, multiple electrode aggregometry, and flow cytometric analysis of platelet vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, activated GPIIb-IIIa and P-selectin. The R-138727 IC₅₀s for each assay were not significantly different in SCD vs. healthy subjects. In summary: (1) The high circulating levels of platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil aggregates demonstrate in vivo platelet activation in SCD and may be useful as markers of the in vivo pharmacodynamic efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in SCD. (2) The similar in vitro R-138727 IC50s in SCD and healthy subjects suggest that the prasugrel dose-dependence for platelet inhibition in SCD patients will be similar to that previously observed in healthy subjects.
Titanium‐tungsten contacts to silicon. II. Stability against aluminum penetration

An investigation of the thermal stability and Schottky behavior of Ti‐W thin film contacts to n‐Si in the presence of an Al overlayer is reported. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, glancing‐incidence x‐ray diffraction, and current‐voltage measurements were used to characterize the multilayer contact structures. The low Schottky barrier height, 0.51 eV, of the Al/Ti80W20/n‐Si structure was repeatedly measured after 30‐min anneals up to 500 °C. This stability was improved to 600 °C when a diffusion barrier layer of Ti30W70 alloy was included. The detection and significance of Al penetration in low Schottky barrier height contacts to Si have been discussed.
Understanding Site Performance Differences in Multinational Phase III Clinical Trials

This paper explores the impact of various factors on completion times in phase III clinical trials; specifically, why some sites are able to complete more patients during the course of the clinical trial than other sites, including those within the same trial. Seven companies provided research data for inclusion in this analysis. The study sample inclusion criteria were the indications of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus or menopausal syndrome; phase III; study completion between 2002 and 2005; a New Chemical Entity for an initial (primary) indication and formulation; adult outpatient subjects; and multinational design, with sites in the US, at least one Western European country, and at least one Eastern or Central European country. The analysis assessed both study-level and site-level variables. This paper analyses the results from 262 phase III studies, involving 2047 sites, meeting the stated inclusion criteria. Unsurprisingly, the number of enrolled patients is a clear predictor of the number of completed patients (standardised beta coefficient 0.877; p=0.001). Better performing sites started enrolling patients earlier than other sites and continued to enrol patients over a longer period of time. The time between when a site enrols its first patient and the time the first site in that study enrols its first patient, is a specific predictor of how well a given site will perform; indeed the relationship is inverse so that the greater the time difference, the poorer the performance. Sites involved in studies using competitive enrolment and milestone payments generally complete a higher number of patients. The same holds for sites in clinical trials using upfront, nonrefundable start-up payments, although the relationship is weaker. Interestingly, higher grant payment levels do not translate into better site performance. Site level variables were consistent with study level variables. In addition, investigators with more recent clinical research experience with that sponsor company perform better and sites using a central institutional review board (IRB) outperform sites using local IRBs or a combination of central and local IRBs. Three major conclusions emerge from the analysis. First, better performing sites begin enrolling quickly, providing more time to enrol patients, and these sites continue to enrol and complete patients over that extended period of time. Second, investigators with overall clinical experience, especially with the sponsor company, are usually the better performers. Third, how much an investigator is paid seems less important than how that investigator is paid. Higher payment levels are not associated with improved site performance. In contrast, the use of competitive enrolment and milestone payments does seem to positively affect performance.
Composite integrated rear suspension

Abstract Fiber reinforced plastics are undergoing extensive studies as potential structural materials for automotive applications. This paper describes the design, fabrication, weight analysis and testing of a composite integrated rear suspension in a Ford Escort vehicle. This suspension utilizes a transverse FRP leaf spring to integrate the functions of the production Escort stamped steel lower arms and coil springs. The spring was designed using previously developed composite design procedures. The results show concept feasibility, a vehicle weight saving of 7 lb, good ride, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. A reduction in roll stiffness points out the need for development in the design of the center clamp attachment to the body structure. This study demonstrates the viability and potential of fiber reinforced composites in automotive suspension systems.
Analytical approximation of effective surface recombination velocity of dielectric-passivated p-type silicon

Abstract New analytical equations are derived to approximate the effective surface recombination velocity ( S eff ) on p-type silicon for three different cases: low-level injection (LLI) with surface hole concentration ( p s ) much greater than surface electron concentration ( n s ) and with silicon charge ( Q Si ) due primarily to ionized acceptors, LLI with n s ≫ p s and Q Si due primarily to ionized acceptors, and high-level injection with n s ≫ p s and Q Si due primarily to mobile electrons. The three new equations predict the dependence of S eff on individual parameters such as injection level ( Δn ), doping level ( N A ), and fixed dielectric charge ( Q f ). The new equations complement a previously derived result (for LLI with n s ≫ p s and Q Si due primarily to mobile electrons) and together allow reasonable explanations to be given for all sections of all S eff vs. Δn and S eff vs. N A curves generated by a quasi-exact numerical method. The analytical approximations are compared with the full numerical solutions. Under appropriate conditions, the analytical approximations agree with the numerical solutions within a factor of 3. Guided by the analytical approximations, numerical solutions are fitted to two sets of experimental data: the injection level dependence of S eff for an oxide-passivated wafer; and the doping dependence of S eff for wafers passivated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited nitride (SiN x ), conventional furnace oxide (CFO), and the SiN x /CFO stack. The SiN x /CFO stack not only provides surface passivation that is superior to either dielectric alone; it is also less doping dependent. The analytical approximations indicate that this suppressed doping dependence could be due to a lower interface state density or a higher fixed dielectric charge ( Q f ).
Regulation of drug-induced liver injury by signal transduction pathways: critical role of mitochondria

Drugs that cause liver injury often 'stress' mitochondria and activate signal transduction pathways important in determining cell survival or death. In most cases, hepatocytes adapt to the drug-induced stress by activating adaptive signaling pathways, such as mitochondrial adaptive responses and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), a transcription factor that upregulates antioxidant defenses. Owing to adaptation, drugs alone rarely cause liver injury, with acetaminophen (APAP) being the notable exception. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) usually involves other extrinsic factors, such as the adaptive immune system, that cause 'stressed' hepatocytes to become injured, leading to idiosyncratic DILI, the rare and unpredictable adverse drug reaction in the liver. Hepatocyte injury, due to drug and extrinsic insult, causes a second wave of signaling changes associated with adaptation, cell death, and repair. If the stress and injury reach a critical threshold, then death signaling pathways such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) become dominant and hepatocytes enter a failsafe mode to undergo self-destruction. DILI can be seen as an active process involving recruitment of death signaling pathways that mediate cell death rather than a passive process due to overwhelming biochemical injury. In this review, we highlight the role of signal transduction pathways, which frequently involve mitochondria, in the development of DILI.
Gas-phase transuranium chemistry: reactions of actinide ions with alcohols and thiols

The laser ablation with prompt reaction and detection method was employed to provide a survey of some gas-phase reactions of actinide (M = U, Np, Pu and Am) and lanthanide (M = Tb and Tm) ions, M(+) and MO(1,2)(+), with alcohols, thiols and ethers. Particular attention was given the changing behavior in progressing across the actinide series beyond uranium. With alcohols, ROH, major products included hydroxides and alkoxides, M(OH)(1,2)(+), M(OR)(1,2)(+), MO(OH)(+) and MO(OR)(+); these products are presumed to have resulted from RObH and RbOH bond cleavage by ablated M(+) and MO(+). The abundance distributions for these elementary products reflected the decrease in stabilities of high oxidation states between U and Am. Other alcohol reaction products included electrostatically bonded adducts, such as HObNp(+)ellipsisC(3)H(7)OH, sigma-bonded organometallics, such as HObPu(+)bC(2)H(5), and pi-bonded organometallics, such as Np(+)beta(3)-?C(3)H(5)?. In view of the inability of actinide and lanthanide ions to dehydrogenate alkanes, the exhibition of dehydrogenation of the alkyl chain of alcohols, as in HO-Pu(+)-C(3)H(5)O from propanol, suggests a non-insertion mechanism involving complexation of the reactant ion to the alcohol. Whereas O abstraction products from ROH were obfuscated by directly ablated MO(1,2)(+), S abstraction from thiols, RSH, was manifested by the appearance of MS(+), MS(2)(+) and MOS(+). In analogy with OH abstraction from alcohols to produce metal hydroxides, SH abstraction from thiols resulted in hydrosulfides, including Am(SH)(+) and Np(SH)(2)(+). In addition to several other reaction pathways with the thiol reagents, products presumed to be thiolates included Am(C(3)H(7)S)(+) and NpO(C(3)H(7)S) from propanethiol. A primary product of reaction with dimethyl ether were methoxides resulting from C--O bond cleavage, including Am(OCH(3))(+) and Np(OCH(3))(2)(+). With methyl vinyl ether, more complex pathways were exhibited, most of which corresponded to the elimination of stable organic molecules. An ancillary result was the discovery of several small oxide clusters, Am(2)O(n)(+), Np(2)O(n)(+) and AmNpO(n)(+). The compositions and abundance distributions of these clusters reflected the propensity of Np to exist in higher oxidation states than Am; the dominant binary clusters were Am(2)O(2)(+) and Np(2)O(3)(+).
Control of the interrenal gland of the freshwater turtle Chrysemys picta in vivo and in vitro.

Interrenal function was studied in the freshwater turtle Chrysemys picta by competitive protein-binding analysis of plasma corticosterone in vivo and corticosterone synthesis by interrenal cell suspensions in vitro. Although circulating levels of corticosterone in intact, unanesthetized turtles (0.22 μg/100 ml) are lower than in other vertebrates, hypophysectomy reduced and ACTH increased these levels. Synthetic ACTH1–24 was more potent in vivo than pACTH, and in vitro 10–1000 pg/ml gave a log dose increase in corticosterone production. Interrenal cell suspensions were also responsive to crude homogenates of turtle pituitary. Bleeding was a potent stimulus to interrenal secretion in vivo mediated in part via endogenous corticotropin release.
Variation and systematics in the colubrid snakes of the genus Hydromorphus

Newly collected material (26 specimens) of the snake genus Hydromorphus substantially extends the known variation in cephalic plates, chin shields, mental groove development, segmental counts and colouration. Variation in head shield seems to be associated with the semi-aquatic habits of these snakes. Variation in chin shields and a tendency for reduction of the mental groove may reflect a shift in diet from large to small prey items. Hydromorphus clarki Dunn, 1942, is placed in the synonymy of Hydromorphus concolor Peters, 1859; Hydromorphus dunni Slevin, 1942, from southwestern Panama is considered a valid species; H. concolor is recorded from Guatemala for the first time and ranges from there southward through Central America to central Panama. The latter species is oviparous.
Linearization techniques for capacitive sensors

Capacitive sensors are essential elements in many instrumentation circuits. The widespread use of these instruments and the need for integrating sensors on the same chip as the signal processing circuitry has motivated the developement of linearization techniques for the sensor output. Presented here are four methods which can be used to 'linearize' the essentially nonlinear nature of capacitive transducers. Described first is the polynomial linearization scheme, in which the Taylor series expansion of the sensor output is linearized by Khachab's method. An improvement in accuracy is obtained by the direct linearization scheme which scales the sensor output by the nonlinear denominator. Though this scheme is useful in cases where the signal processing circuitry must be separated from the interface circuitry, the hardware requirements are pretty intense. An alternative approach is the Summer-Divide scheme, wherein the difference and the sum of the top and bottom capacitances are ratioed to yield the linearized output. The last method is the constant charge injection scheme. Here a constant charge is put on top of the top of the plates and the subsequent voltages are differenced to yield a linear output. Nonlinearity associated with parasitic capacitances can be easily removed by feedback schemes.
Athelstan Frederick Spilhaus (1911–1998)

Athelstan Frederick Spilhaus, who died on March 30 at the age of 86, lived a full and varied life. His obituary in the New York Times gave prominence to his world famous collection of some 3000 antique children's toys. The Economist referred to him as the “inventor of aliens,” noting that it was the remains of one of his instrumented balloons found scattered in the sands of Roswell, New Mexico, in June 1947 that triggered the cult of believers in visitors from outer space. Robert Abel noted in a funeral eulogy that as a meteorological observer in China's Yenan Province during World War II, Spilhaus came to know and respect Mao Zedong many years before Chairman Mao came to power.
Interference identification and resource management in OFDMA femtocell networks

Inter-femtocell interference significantly limits the achievable throughput of an OFDMA femtocell system, which calls for interference management tailored for femtocell net-works. A typical approach to mitigate inter-femtocell interference is known as resource isolation, which aims at assigning nonoverlapping resources to interfering femtocells. One of the main challenges for interference mitigation in femtocell networks is that the femtocells are often installed by end-consumers without any pre-planning. Very limited information about the femtocells is available, making it hard to decipher the inter-femtocell interference. In this paper, we propose an efficient method to identify inter-femtocell interference by analyzing the received patterns observed by mobile stations. We conducted experiments to demonstrate that the proposed interference identification method can successfully identify real interferers while excluding non-interfering femtocells from suspicious interferers. Based on the proposed interference identification, we propose a weighted vertex-coloring based resource assignment algorithm to allocate resources with better fairness and achieve higher throughput.
A linear shock cell model for non-circular jets using conformal mapping with a pseudo-spectral hybrid scheme

The shock structure in non-circular supersonic jets is predicted using a linear model. This model includes the effects of the finite thickness of the mixing layer and the turbulence in the jet shear layer. A numerical solution is obtained using a conformal mapping grid generation scheme with a hybrid pseudo-spectral discretization method. The uniform pressure perturbation at the jet exit is approximated by a Fourier-Mathieu series. The pressure at downstream locations is obtained from an eigenfunction expansion that is matched to the pressure perturbation at the jet exit. Results are presented for a circular jet and for an elliptic jet of aspect ratio 2.0. Comparisons are made with experimental data.
THE IMPACT OF VARVES ON SOLAR PHYSICS

The discovery of 680-million year old varves by George Williams in South Australia, recording several millennia of fossil solar cycles, is a most exciting development that is bound to make an impact on solar physics. Already new problems of physical understanding have been posed by the 315-year Elatina cycle and the separate 350-year cycle, or undulation (Williams, 1985, 1986; Williams and Sonett, 1985). The Elatina cycle evidences itself multiplicatively in the form of amplitude modulation with a distinctive nonsinusoidal envelope, while the undulation is additive and quasisinusoidal (Bracewell and Williams, 1986). Both of these periodic phenomena are present in historical records of sunspots, but would not have been discerned from modern solar observations, which do not date back far enough. The explanation of two such sharply defined periods, in addition to the less sharply defined 22-year magnetic cycle, will require an understanding of solar physics that we do not yet have. Examples of the impact that the varve discovery is beginning to make are given, and a previously proposed mechanism for driving the activity cycle is extended in terms of a magnetic wave propagated radially outward from a deep torsional oscillator.
Dynamics of correlated forces in lattice model of granular solids near jamming.

We investigate the dynamics of a simple lattice model of granular solids near jamming, using a Monte Carlo simulation that samples the ensemble of force networks consistent with a given average stress and distance from the isostatic point J. The Hamiltonian is simply the number of nearest-neighbor pairs that bear no force (“zero bonds”); as the simulation “temperature” decreases, the system is depleted of force-bearing contacts. We find that as point J approaches, various measures of the dynamics become extremely slow, with power-law divergences of characteristic times. We also observe dynamic heterogeneity, with a growing length scale defined by the spatial correlations of the persistence function for zero bonds. The model appears to approach point J at a finite temperature, at which various timescales diverge without an obvious corresponding divergence in the correlation length of some static order parameter, suggesting that this lattice model exhibits a hallmark of a dynamical glass transition.
Cyclopropane chemistry related to the alkaloid CC-1065

Abstract Aspects of cylcopropane chemistry relative to the subunits of CC-1065 are discussed.
Solutions of boundary-value problems on automatic computing equipment

THIS investigation is primarily concerned with the solution of boundary-value problems by means of automatic computing equipment. Specifically, it is concerned with the solution of ordinary differential equations in which certain conditions (boundary values) are specified at two or more values of the independent variable. Such problems are generally called boundary-value problems; however, it must be emphasized that this report is restricted to the solution of ordinary differential equations, and not to the solution of partial differential equations.
Renal cortical microabscesses as cause of reversible acute renal failure

We report a case of renal cortical microabscesses which presented as oliguric acute renal failure. Prior to the biopsy the patient was suspected of having acute pyelonephritis with acute tubular necrosis. Biopsy was performed to rule out rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis as a cause of his renal failure. To our surprise, we found multiple small microabscesses in the renal cortiex. Renal cortical microabscesses should be considered as a reversible acute renal failure.
INITIATING AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE IN APPLIED ETHICS

ABSTRACT This article describes an experimental course in undergraduate applied ethics at the University of Arizona. The course had a dual emphasis of individual moral reasoning and organizational strategies to encourage honesty. The moral reasoning section concentrated on the difference between teleological and deontological thinking. The organization part of the course used Cooper's 4-part typology of individual attributes, external structure, organizational culture and societal expectations. The course was well received by the students and one of the group projects made specific, creative recommendations for the next iteration of the course. Another group proposed an Honor Pledge for the students and faculty of the School of Public Administration and Policy. In all, the pedagogical style of facilitator was found to be most helpful by the instructor.
Abnormal biochemistry in myocardial failure.

The important subcellular systems involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium were studied in normal and in diseased heart muscle. These include mitochondria, fragments of sarcoplasmic reticulum, sodium, potassium adenosine triphosphatase and the tropomyosin-troponin system. Normal and pathologic tissues were obtained from human and animal models. In all specimens taken from areas in which a significant diminution of contractility was measured, one of the earliest defects was found in isolated fragments of sarcoplasmic reticulum. The rate of calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum was decreased, compared to that in control preparations. When the severity of failing process increased, the rate of calcium binding by isolated fragments of sarcoplasmic reticulum was also attenuated. Alterations of intracellular pH may play a role in these early aberrations. Mitochondria isolated from severely failing hearts were defective with respect to respiration control and calcium accumulation. During “nonfailing” compensatory cardiac hypertrophy, mitochondria exhibited increased rates of respiration and no defect in oxidative phosphorylation. Another significant, albeit preliminary observation of an early defect in “pump failure” involved the tropomyosin-troponin system. Isolated, purified actomyosin from cardiac muscle exhibited a significant diminution in calcium sensitivity due to a defect in the tropomyosin-troponin system.
Effect of thin GaAs interface layer on InAs quantum dots grown on InGaAs/InP using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

InAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) embedded within an InGaAs quantum well have been grown on InP substrate by low-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. We find out that the underlying InGaAs layer could affect the dot growth dramatically in terms of size distribution and luminescence efficiency. After inserting a thin GaAs interface layer between the underlying InGaAs and the InAs QD layer, improved dot size uniformity and strong room temperature photoluminescence (PL) up to 2 μm were observed. In the case of InAs QDs with no GaAs layer, one has to reduce InAs QD layer thickness in order to obtain room temperature PL. These results suggest that InAs from the underlying InGaAs layer contribute to the InAs QD formation, and cause the InAs QDs to be non-uniform, but a thin GaAs interface layer could effectively block the migration of In atoms from the InGaAs layer toward InAs QDs, and therefore lead to more uniform QD formation with better luminescence efficiency.
A structural signature of liquid fragility

Glass fragility characterises the rate of change in viscosity as a liquid is cooled towards the glass transition temperature. Here, the authors demonstrate via neutron diffraction that the rate at which structural ordering occurs within the melt correlates with kinetic fragility in a range of metallic glass samples.
Organizational Support and Contract Fulfillment as Moderators of the Relationship Between Preferred Work Status and Performance

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine organizational context variables as moderators of the relationship between preferred work status and job performance. The moderators were perceived organizational support (POS) and psychological contract fulfillment.
A comparison of memory for verbal and non-verbal material in schizophrenia

Verbal memory impairment has been well explored in schizophrenia, but it is unclear whether findings relate to the type of material to be learned or the component process required by the memory task. Also, sparse data on non-verbal memory also open the question of how well schizophrenia patients encode this material. We tested whether episodic memory performance in schizophrenia varies as a function of stimulus material (verbal/non-verbal) and determined the integrity of various component memory processes. Memory tests that differ in stimulus material (words, California Verbal Learning Test, CVLT; designs, Biber Figure Learning Test-Extended, BFLT-E) yet produce similar memory component measures were used. Subjects were 28 neuroleptic-medicated inpatients with a diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia. Results showed that both verbal and non-verbal memory performance was impaired relative to age-matched controls. Learning and recall measures were most severely impaired, with memory storage problems and impairment in recognition memory evident. On the verbal task, the relative sparing of recognition memory suggested retrieval processes, in addition to encoding processes, were disrupted. On the non-verbal task, the deficits appeared more limited to encoding. Therefore, while the operational integrity of components such as encoding were compromised regardless of material, retrieval processes showed material-specific effects. To the degree verbal and non-verbal memory functions can be lateralized in the brain, these data support the possibility of deficits in both right and left hemisphere declarative memory systems in schizophrenia.
Academic and clinical education in fluency disorders: an update

Abstract This paper presents a survey of the academic and clinical education in fluency disorders provided by American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA)-accredited training programs. Respondents were 159 programs (out of 256, return rate=67.4%) that completed a questionnaire seeking information about the courses and clinical experiences they require, the expertise of their faculty and supervisors, changes following the 1993 modification of training requirements for the ASHA certificate of clinical competence (CCC), and preliminary plans for changes in preparation for the 2005 standards. Results, which supplement findings from an earlier survey distributed in 1997 ( Yaruss, 1999 ), indicated that nearly one-quarter of programs allow students to graduate without coursework in fluency disorders, and nearly two-thirds allow students to graduate without clinical practicum experiences. Findings suggest a trend toward fewer required classes taught by less experienced faculty, fewer clinical hours guided by less experienced supervisors, and a greater likelihood that students will graduate without any academic or clinical education in fluency disorders. Given the repeated finding that many speech–language pathologists are uncomfortable working with people who stutter, as well as ASHA’s apparent de-emphasis of fluency disorders within the increasing scope of practice in the field of speech–language pathology, these results are a cause for concern about the future of fluency disorders. Educational objectives: The reader will learn about (1) the coursework and clinical practicum experiences that are currently required for students in ASHA-accredited training programs; (2) trends indicating a reduction in training requirements for fluency disorders; and (3) ways of improving these requirements.
A physical design tool for built-in self-repairable static RAMs

A novel physical design tool, BISRAMGEN, that generates layout geometries of parametrized built-in self-repairable SRAM modules, producing significant improvement in testability, reliability, production yield and manufacturing cost of ASICs and microprocessors with embedded RAMs, is presented.
Hypertension and hypertensive heart disease

THE HEALTH Examination Survey (HES) found an estimated 17.0 million American adults to have definite hypertension and 10.5 million to have dei%rite hypertensive heart disease (Table 1). These are very large numbers. How much faith can we put in them? The Survey was organized to obtain health information about the population of the United States by use of direct examination [l]. Between 1959 and 1962 a series of examinations were conducted by the Survey of a probability sample
A Review of the Genus Eulonchus Gerstaecker. Part I. The Species of the Smaragdinus Group (Diptera: Acroceridae)

This species group includes only Eulonchus smaragdinus Gerstaecker (the generic type) and E . halli . The latter occurs in southern California, the former ranges from Lake County southward through California into northern Baja California; though sympatric, the two species do not appear synchronously. A subspecies, E. smaragdinus pilosus , also occurs in southern California but has not been found together with the nominate form E. s. smaragdinus . The egg and first-instar larva of E. halli are the first to be described for any Eulonchus , and are similar to these stages in species of Ogcodes Latr. that are parasites of spiders. An apparent case of mutualism is noted between E. halli and its nectar source, the plant Cryptantha intermedia Greene (Boraginaceae).
Preliminary evaluation of hemostasis in neonatal foals using a viscoelastic coagulation and platelet function analyzer.

Objectives – To compare coagulation and platelet function parameters measured using a viscoelastic analyzer in 3 groups: foals presenting to a neonatal intensive care unit with presumed sepsis, normal foals, and adult horses. Design – Preliminary prospective trial. Setting – Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals – Ten clinically healthy foals, 13 clinically healthy adult horses, and 17 foals sequentially admitted for suspected sepsis. Intervention – A single citrated (3.8%) blood sample collected at admission was submitted for coagulation evaluation using a viscoelastic analyzer. Measurements and Main Results – Time to initial clot formation (ACT), clot rate (CR), platelet function, and time to peak parameters were collected from the signature generated with the associated software. Peak clot strength was collected manually from signature tracings. Signalment, presenting complaint, blood culture results, clinical progression, and outcome were collected from the medical record. Kruskal-Wallis testing was used to determine differences in coagulation parameters between groups, as well as to identify any associations between coagulation variables, foal variables, and outcome. Normal foals were more likely to have increased platelet function (P 50.04) compared with normal adult horses. Prolonged ACT (P 50.004) and decreased CR (P 50.03) were associated with foals with positive blood culture. There was a trend toward prolonged ACT and increased likelihood of death (P 50.06). Conclusions – Healthy foals differ in values measured by the viscoelastic coagulation and platelet function analyzer compared with healthy adult horses. ACT and CR abnormalities were more likely to be observed in foals with positive blood cultures. The viscoelastic coagulation and platelet function analyzer may be useful in identifying early hemostasic and platelet dysfunction in critically ill foals, particularly those that are septic.
The distribution of and the biochemical and serological relationships between the I/i and ABH blood group antigens of the human erythrocyte membrane as determined by immunoelectrophoretic techniques

Macromolecules isolated from human erythrocyte membranes which expressed I/i and ABH blood group activities were analyzed by quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques in order to determine the distribution of and the relationship between these two blood group systems. To help in these studies a rocket immunoelectrophoretic assay, with a maximum sensitivity of 10 ng, was developed which could detect and quantitate erythrocyte macromolecules which expressed I/i and A and B blood group determinants. In addition, a modification of the tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis technique was also used to elucidate the structural relationship between determinants of these systems on one of the isolated macromolecular species. Serological and other immunological data are presented which throughly support the immunoelectrophoretic results. From these studies we have concluded that I and most likely i antigenic determinants are primarily expressed on poly(glycosyl)ceramides (i. e. macroglycolipids) and possibly to a lesser extent on Band 3. I active poly(glycosyl)ceramide could be isolated in equal quantity from any adult ABH type erythrocyte; i activity was found in similar quantity in the same fraction isolated from one i adult erythrocyte population. Besides expressing I/i activity the various poly(glycosyl)ceramide fractions also exhibited A, B or H activity as well, dependent upon the ABH cell type from which they were isolated. Unlike the equal distribution of I, however, ABH activity was type-specific in that the poly(glycosyl)ceramide isolated from type A (either A or Ai), B or 0 cells could react only with anti-A, anti-B, or Ulex anti-H lectin, respectively. Using the modified tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) technique, it was established that the same glycolipid molecules which carry I blood group activity express the A and B determinants as well. Band 3 material isolated from 0 erythrocytes exhibited I, i and H activities. From CIE analysis the I activity of Band 3 appeared to reside in a subpopulation of this material.
The Conrad Discontinuity in the Midcontinent (USA)

Abstract The Conrad discontinuity is identified in the U.S. Midcontinent Precambrian crust as a prominent seismic velocity change from about 6.1 to 6.7 km/sec at a depth of between 7.5 and 13.7 km (4.7 and 8.6 mi) in Kansas. There is some discussion, however, as to whether the discontinuity really exists, and if it does, what it represents. It is at this depth that numerous intermediate-depth microearthquakes occur suggesting that these quakes define the discontinuity. Mapping the depth of the microquakes gives a configuration of the discontinuity consistent with the relation of the fault-bounded Midcontinent Rift System to the overall Precambrian basement-rock pattern.
Complete and safe resection of challenging retroperitoneal tumors: anticipation of multi-organ and major vascular resection and use of adjunct procedures

Retroperitoneal tumors are often massive and can involve adjacent organs and/or vital structures, making them difficult to resect. Completeness of resection is within the surgeon's control and critical for long-term survival, particularly for malignant disease. Few studies directly address strategies for complete and safe resection of challenging retroperitoneal tumors. Fifty-six patients representing 63 cases of primary or recurrent retroperitoneal tumor resection between 2004-2009 were identified and a retrospective chart review was performed. Rates of complete resection, use of adjunct procedures, and perioperative complications were recorded. In 95% of cases, complete resection was achieved. Fifty-eight percent of these cases required en bloc multi-organ resection, and 8% required major vascular resection. Complete resection rates were higher for primary versus recurrent disease. Adjunct procedures (ureteral stents, femoral nerve monitoring, posterior laminotomy, etc.) were used in 54% of cases. Major postoperative complications occurred in 16% of cases, and one patient died (2% mortality). Complete resection of challenging retroperitoneal tumors is feasible and can be done safely with important pre- and intraoperative considerations in mind.
Passive Network Performance Estimation for Large-Scale, Data-Intensive Computing

Distributed computing applications are increasingly utilizing distributed data sources. However, the unpredictable cost of data access in large-scale computing infrastructures can lead to severe performance bottlenecks. Providing predictability in data access is, thus, essential to accommodate the large set of newly emerging large-scale, data-intensive computing applications. In this regard, accurate estimation of network performance is crucial to meeting the performance goals of such applications. Passive estimation based on past measurements is attractive for its relatively small overhead compared to relying on explicit probing. In this paper, we take a passive approach for network performance estimation. Our approach is different from existing passive techniques that rely either on past direct measurements of pairs of nodes or on topological similarities. Instead, we exploit secondhand measurements collected by other nodes without any topological restrictions. In this paper, we present Overlay Passive Estimation of Network performance (OPEN), a scalable framework providing end-to-end network performance estimation based on secondhand measurements, and discuss how OPEN achieves cost-effective estimation in a large-scale infrastructure. Our extensive experimental results show that OPEN estimation can be applicable for replica and resource selections commonly used in distributed computing.