cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Source of potassium in shocked ordinary chondrites

Abstract Argon–argon dating (a variation of potassium–argon dating) of ordinary chondrites is being used to reconstruct the collisional impact history of their parent bodies. However, due to the fine-grained, multi-mineral, highly shocked nature of chondrites, the sources of potassium (K) in these meteorites have not been fully identified. By locating and isolating the different sources prior to analysis, better ages can be obtained. To distinguish between possible sources, we have analyzed Chico and Northwest Africa 091 (both L6 chondrites) via K mass balance, Raman spectroscopy, and argon (Ar) diffusion studies. In accordance with previous studies on other ordinary chondrites, the Ar in these two chondrites is nearly equally split between two releases, and the lower temperature release is identified as sodium-rich feldspar. Various scenarios for the higher temperature release are investigated, but no scenario meets all the required criteria. The Ar activation energy of the higher temperature release is the same as pyroxene, but the pyroxene has no detectable K. The K mass balance shows feldspar can account for all the K in the chondrite; hence feldspar must be the ultimate source of the higher temperature release. Raman spectroscopy rules out a high-pressure phase of feldspar. Neither melt veins, nor feldspar inclusions in pyroxene, are abundant enough to account for the higher temperature release in these meteorites.
Development and Evaluation of Automated, Wireless Instrumentation for Geotechnical Monitoring

This extended abstract describes the development of an expandable wireless sensor node to monitor potential landslide hazards in remote locations. The development and evaluation aspects are described in the following order: data transmission, power management, and field evaluation. Brief conclusions are presented, along with a discussion of future and ongoing research.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Androgenic deficiency in male rats treated with perfluorodecanoic acid

Effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA, 20-80 mg/kg, ip) on the androgenic status of sexually mature male rats were investigated 7 days after treatment. PFDA decreased plasma androgen concentrations in a dose-dependent fashion with an ED50 of approximately 30 mg/kg. The highest dose of PFDA decreased plasma testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone concentrations to 12 and 18%, respectively, of ad libitum-fed control (ALC) values. Secondary to the decreased plasma androgen concentrations were dose-related decreases in the weights and epithelial heights of accessory sex organs. Results from pair-fed control (PFC) rats show that hypophagia in PFDA-treated rats was not a major cause of the low plasma androgen concentrations. When rats were castrated and implanted with testosterone-containing capsules, PFDA-treated and ALC rats had similar plasma testosterone concentrations and secondary sex organ weights. Therefore, the androgenic deficiency in intact PFDA-treated rats does not result from increased plasma clearance of androgens. Rather, PFDA must cause the androgenic deficiency by decreasing the secretion of testosterone from the testis. The decrease in testosterone secretion does not appear to result from a decrease in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations, because plasma LH concentrations were not significantly altered by PFDA treatment. This finding suggests that PFDA treatment decreases testicular responsiveness to LH stimulation. The observation that PFDA treatment reduced the secretion of testosterone by testes stimulated in vitro with the LH analog human chorionic gonadotropin demonstrates that this is the case. In addition, since plasma LH concentrations did not increase in response to the low plasma androgen concentrations in PFDA-treated rats, we suggest that PFDA disrupts the normal feedback relationship which exists between plasma androgen and LH concentrations.
Interaction of dislocations with surface notches and protrusions

Abstract Plane strain linear elasticity is utilized to develop expressions for the force on edge and screw dislocations in a half-plane whose stress-free surface is deformed by a protrusion or notch. Representative force fields are portrayed graphically, and the limiting case of a surface crack is investigated in detail. Results indicate that material directly ahead of a notch or crack tends to be depleted of edge dislocations whose Burgers vector is normal to the crack and to accumulate those with Burgers vector parallel to the crack. No stable equilibrium positions in the material where dislocation pile-up may occur are found.
Speech-Language Pathologists' Connotations of Stuttering

In a study to elicit clinicians' connotative meanings regarding stuttering, 206 practicing speech-language pathologists participated. A semantic differential technique was utilized for gathering re...
Measurements of detector nonlinearity at 193 nm

We have developed a measurement system based on a correlation method to characterize the nonlinearity of a detector's response over a large range of laser pulse energy. The system consists of an excimer-laser source, beam-shaping optics, a beam splitter, a monitor detector, a set of optical filters, and the detector under test. Detector nonlinearities as large as 10% or greater over an entire measurement range at an excimer-laser wavelength of 193 nm are observed. The measurement range of the current system is approximately 300 nJ to 50 mJ of laser pulse energy at the detector under test. The typical expanded measurement uncertainty of nonlinearity is 0.6% (k = 2).
Sonographic presentation of uterine sex cord-stromal tumor.

A 24-year-old woman presented with continuous vaginal bleeding and anemia. Pelvic sonography demonstrated an enlarged uterus measuring 8.9 × 4.9 × 4.7 cm and a mass within the endometrial cavity measuring 3.0 × 1.8 cm. The mass appeared to be polypoid and echogenic, contained a small cyst, and was suggestive of a polyp. The patient underwent total vaginal hysterectomy. Pathologic examination revealed a uterine sex cord–stromal tumor. To our knowledge, the sonographic features of uterine sex cord–stromal tumor have not been previously reported. The sonographic appearance mimicked that of a polyp. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 27:199–201, 1999.
Ethnocentrism, Social Theory and Non-Western Sociologies of Religion: Toward a Confucian Alternative

The sociology of religion claims to possess a cross-culturally valid objectivity that is belied by its paradigm shifts in both classical and recent times. Its sequential emphasis on such issues as the changing bases of religious authority, secularization and rational choice depends in large part on Western models of religion, of the relationship between the individual and society, and on key Western values. These are not shared by other traditions. Classical Confucianism provides sociological models, core concepts and values that are distinctly different from those of the West. It has the potential to generate a sociology of religion altogether unlike the one to which we are accustomed. This article begins the task of outlining such a potential sociology.
The physics of thermal instability in two dimensions

Previous studies of a thermal (radiative) instability in a sheared magnetic field have shown that, under solar coronal conditions, cool condensations can form in a small neighborhood about the shear layer. Such results have served to model the formation of solar filaments (or prominences) observed to occur above photospheric magnetic polarity-inversion lines. A surprising conclusion of these studies is that the width of the condensation does not depend on the thermal conductivity. By examining the mass-flow patterns of two-dimensional condensations in the absence of thermal conduction, it is demonstrated that local plasma dynamics and the constraints imposed by boundary conditions are together sufficient to explain the size of the condensation width. In addition the results of a series of numerical calculations are presented which illustrate the characteristic mode structure of sheared-field condensations.
Surgical Evaluation of Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty and Valvuloplasty in Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies

Percutaneous transluminal bal loon angioplasty and valvuloplasty procedures for treatment of congeni tal cardiovascular anomalies were performed in 109 consecutive pa tients. Forty-two patients had balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: the mean peak systolic gradient was reduced from 80 ± 35 mmHg to 23 ± 15 mmHg (p < 0.01). Thirty-seven pa tients had balloon aortic valvulo plasty : the mean gradient was re duced from 105 ± 43 mmHg to 28 ± 15 mmHg (p < 0.01). Thirty pa tients had balloon aortic coarctation angioplasty: the mean gradient was reduced from 47 ± 3.9 mmHg to 9.2 ± 1.3 mmHg (p < 0.01). Follow-ups of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty results in 15 patients (mean of 9.1 ± 1.2 months), of per cutaneous balloon aortic valvulo plasty in 17 patients (mean of 11.6 ± 1.9 months), and of percutaneous balloon aortic coarctation angio plasty in 14 patients (mean of 13 ± 4 months) revealed that gradients re mained significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in all groups. Elective op eration was performed upon 1...
Tc-99m sestamibi uptake in the chest mimicking a malignant lesion of the breast.

Summary The use of nuclear medicine imaging of the breast has resulted in the improved diagnosis of breast cancer (Radiology 196 (1995) 421; J. Nucl. Med. 36 (1995) 1758). It's use is becoming more widespread, particularly as breast optimized scintigraphy with a high-resolution, breast-specific gamma camera has been developed (J. Nucl. Med. 43 (2002) 909; J. Nucl. Med. 45 (2004) 553). With the increasing use of breast-optimized scintigraphy, pitfalls in the interpretation of breast-optimized scintigraphy are being recognized. This report describes a previously unrecognized cause for a false positive interpretation of scintimammography due to tumor uptake of the radiotracer in the chest as a result of physiologic activity in the auricular aspect of the right atrium.
Substrate recognition strategy for botulinum neurotoxin serotype A

Clostridal neurotoxins (CNTs) are the causative agents of the neuroparalytic diseases botulism and tetanus1,2. CNTs impair neuronal exocytosis through specific proteolysis of essential proteins called SNAREs3. SNARE assembly into a low-energy ternary complex is believed to catalyse membrane fusion, precipitating neurotransmitter release; this process is attenuated in response to SNARE proteolysis4,5,6,7. Site-specific SNARE hydrolysis is catalysed by the CNT light chains, a unique group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases3. The means by which a CNT properly identifies and cleaves its target SNARE has been a subject of much speculation; it is thought to use one or more regions of enzyme–substrate interaction remote from the active site (exosites)8,9,10. Here we report the first structure of a CNT endopeptidase in complex with its target SNARE at a resolution of 2.1 A: botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) protease bound to human SNAP-25. The structure, together with enzyme kinetic data, reveals an array of exosites that determine substrate specificity. Substrate orientation is similar to that of the general zinc-dependent metalloprotease thermolysin11. We observe significant structural changes near the toxin's catalytic pocket upon substrate binding, probably serving to render the protease competent for catalysis. The novel structures of the substrate-recognition exosites could be used for designing inhibitors specific to BoNT/A.
An object-oriented framework for distributed hydrologic and geomorphic modeling using triangulated irregular networks

We describe a newset of data structures and algorithms for dynamic terrain modeling using a triangulated irregular network (TINs). The framework provides an efficient method for storing, accessing, and updating a Delaunay triangulation and its associated Voronoi diagram. The basic data structure consists of three interconnected data objects: triangles, nodes, and directed edges. Encapsulating each of these geometric elements within a data object makes it possible to essentially decouple the TIN representation from the modeling applications that make use of it. Both the triangulation and its corresponding Voronoi diagram can be rapidly retrieved or updated, making these methods well suited to adaptive remeshing schemes. We develop a set of algorithms for defining drainage networks and identifying closed depressions (e.g., lakes) for hydrologic and geomorphic modeling applications. We also outline simple numerical algorithms for solving network routing and 2D transport equations within the TIN framework. The methods are illustrated with two example applications, a landscape evolution model and a distributed rainfall-runoff model. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Characterization of acute N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) action on the central serotonergic system

The effect of N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) on the central serotonergic system was studied. Within 1 hr after administration of MDE (10 mg/kg), the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) had declined significantly in the hippocampus but returned to control within 12 hr. Hippocampal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) content decreased within 2 hr, rebounded to 22% above control by 12 hr, and returned to control by 24 hr. Blockade of the 5-HT uptake carrier with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) prevented or attenuated the MDE-induced changes in 5-HT content and TPH activity, except for neostriatal TPH activity which remained unresponsive to the fluoxetine treatment. The MDE-induced decline in TPH activity could be reversed by incubating the TPH preparation with dithiothreitol and Fe2+ under nitrogen for 24 hr. This suggests that the loss in TPH activity induced by MDE results from an alteration of the oxidation-reduction state of a sulfhydryl group located on the enzyme. The inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by the administration of pargyline (75 mg/kg) failed to protect the neostriatal TPH activity from the MDE-induced decline while potentiating the MDE-induced decrease in cortical TPH activity. This suggests that H2O2 generated by MAO in vivo is not responsible for oxidation of the sulfhydryl site located on TPH during the MDE treatment.
Wordsworth and "A New Condition of Philosophy"

L'A. analyse dans l'oeuvre litteraire de Wordsworth ce qui releve stricto sensu de la philosophie: sa conception de l'homme et du monde, l'egotisme, la transcendance et la beaute
Novel Locomotion via Biological Inspiration

Animal behavioral, physiological and neurobiological studies are providing a wealth of inspirational data for robot design and control. Several very different biologically inspired mobile robots will be reviewed. A robot called DIGbot is being developed that moves independent of the direction of gravity using Distributed Inward Gripping (DIG) as a rapid and robust attachment mechanism observed in climbing animals. DIGbot is an 18 degree of freedom hexapod with onboard power and control systems. Passive compliance in its feet, which is inspired by the flexible tarsus of the cockroach, increases the robustness of the adhesion strategy and enables DIGbot to execute large steps and stationary turns while walking on mesh screens. A Whegs™ robot, inspired by insect locomotion principles, is being developed that can be rapidly reconfigured between tracks and wheel-legs and carry GeoSystems Zipper Mast. The mechanisms that cause it to passively change its gait on irregular terrain have been integrated into its hubs for a compact and modular design. The robot is designed to move smoothly on moderately rugged terrain using its tracks and run on irregular terrain and stairs using its wheel-legs. We are also developing soft bodied robots that use peristalsis, the same method of locomotion earthworms use. We present a technique of using a braided mesh exterior to produce fluid waves of motion along the body of the robot that increase the robot's speed relative to previous designs. The concept is highly scalable, for endoscopes to water, oil or gas line inspection.
Compression modes and the nuclear matter incompressibility coefficient

We review the current status of the nuclear matter (N=Z and no Coulomb interaction) incompressibility coefficient, K nm , and describe the theoretical and the experimental methods used to determine K nm from properties of compression modes in nuclei. In particular we consider the long standing problem of the conflicting results obtained for K nm , deduced from experimental data on excitation cross sections for the isoscalar giant monopole resonance (ISGMR) and data for the isoscalar giant dipole resonance (ISGDR).
Improved success of antegrade ureteral catheterization via the lower pole calix using a Chuang reverse curve catheter: technical note.

Although antegrade ureteral catheterization is best approached from a middle or upper middle calix for the most favorable force vector. it is occasionally necessary to use a lower pole caliceal approach. A catheter technique is described for completing antegrade ureteral catheterization via the lower pole calix when conventional catheterguidewire combinations fail.
Delivery of Noncommitted Shocks for Nonsustained Ventricular Arrhythmias by a New Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator with Abortive Shock Capability

Shock Delivery Despite Abortive Shock Capability. Introduction: To describe the delivery of noncommitted implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks despite self-termination of ventricular arrhythmias. Abortive shock capability should eliminate the delivery of shocks for self-terminating ventricular arrhythmias. The delivery of noncommitted shocks despite abortive shock capability is, therefore, unexpected and previously unreported. Methods and Results: Among 118 patients who received the Transvene nonthoracotomy lead system and the Jewel ICD (model 7219D), three patients (1.7%) experienced spurious, noncommitted shocks for self-terminating arrhythmias. Only one detection zone (i.e., ventricular fibrillation) had been programmed in the defibrillator in each patient. In all three patients, the ventricular arrhythmias self-terminated during the charging period. One patient received seven shocks during periods of asystole, and the other two patients received one shock each. Two different mechanisms for shock delivery in this setting were identified: one occurring in the absence of electrical activity at the end of the bradycardia escape interval (i.e., associated with bradyarrhytbmias), and the other when two sensed electrical events (i.e., escape beats) occurred during the so-called “synchronization” window of the defibrillator. Conclusions: In rare patients with the Jewel defibrillator, shocks may be delivered for self-terminating arrhythmias despite abortive shock capability. Patients who are dependent upon pacing from their implanted defibrillator are at particular risk for shock in the aftermath of self-terminating ventricular arrhythmias. Defibrillator programming strategies aimed at eliminating or diminishing the incidence of this problem are discussed.
Intentions to use drugs among adolescents: a longitudinal analysis

Data on the actual and intended use of psychoactive substances were used to predict substance use 1 year later for 1,177 adolescents. A confirmatory methodology tested whether the information contained in intentions to use drugs provided a sufficient increment over behavioral data in predicting future drug use. While the increment was statistically significant, the strength of the additional information was minimal. The results are interpreted as showing that little variance in adolescent substance use can be attributed to long-term cognitively purposeful behavior unique from previous drug-taking experience.
LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF RECOMBINANT GROWTH HORMONE (rGH) IMPROVES GROWTH IN CARBONIC ANHYDRASE II-DEFICIENT (CAD) MICE DESPITE CHRONIC METABOLIC ACIDOSIS (CMA). • 391

LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF RECOMBINANT GROWTH HORMONE (rGH) IMPROVES GROWTH IN CARBONIC ANHYDRASE II-DEFICIENT (CAD) MICE DESPITE CHRONIC METABOLIC ACIDOSIS (CMA). • 391
Simulation of Simultaneous Events in Regular Expressions for Run-Time Verification

When specifying system requirements, we want a language that can express the requirements in the simplest and most intuitive form. Although the MaC system provides an expressive language, called MEDL, it is generally awkward to express certain features like temporal ordering of complex events, timing constraints, and frequencies of events which are inherent in safety properties. MEDL-RE extends the MEDL language to include regular expressions to easily specify timing dependencies and timing constraints. Due to simultaneous events generated by the MaC system, monitoring regular expressions by simulating DFAs would result in a potential problem. The DFA simulations would involve concurrent multi-path simulations and result in exponential running time. To handle simultaneous events inexpensively, we generate a dependency graph to identify possible simultaneous events. Further, we augment the original DFAs with alternative transitions, which will substitute for multi-path simulations.
Non-Enzymatic Production of Nitric Oxide (NO) from NO Synthase Inhibitors

Abstract The gaseous signal molecule, nitric oxide (NO•), is generated enzymatically by NO synthase (NOS) from L-arginine. Overproduction of NO contributes to cell and tissue damage assequelaeof infection and stroke. Strategies to suppress NO synthesis rely heavily on guanidino-substituted L-arginine analogs (L-NAME, L-NA, L-NMMA, L-NIO) as competitive inhibitors of NOS, which are often used in high doses to compete with millimolar concentrations of intracellular arginine. We show that these analogs are also a source for non-enzymatically produced NO. Enzyme-independent NO release occurs in the presence of NADPH, glutathione, L-cysteine, dithiothreitol and ascorbate. This non-enzymatic synthesis of NO can produce potentially toxic, micromolar concentrations of NO and can oppose the effects of NOS inhibition. NO production driven by NOS inhibitors was demonstratedex vivoin the central nervous and peripheral tissues of gastropod molluscsAplysiaandPleurobranchaeausing electron paramagnetic resonance and spin-trapping techniques. These results have important implications for therapeutic regulation of NO homeostasis.
Online Polls and Registration-Based Sampling: A New Method for Pre-Election Polling

This article outlines a new method for surveys to study elections and voter attitudes. Pre-election surveys often suffer from an inability to identify and survey the likely electorate for the upcoming election. We propose a new and inexpensive method to conduct representative surveys of the electorate. We demonstrate the performance of our method in producing a representative sample of the future electorate that can be used to study campaign dynamics and many other issues. We compare pre-election outcome forecasts to election outcomes in seven primary and general election surveys conducted prior to the 2008 and 2010 primary and general elections in three states. The results indicate that the methodology produces representative samples, including in low-turnout elections such as primaries where traditional methods have difficulty consistently sampling the electorate. This new methodology combines Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling, mailed invitation letters, and online administration of the questionnaire. The PPS sample is drawn based on a model employing variables from the publicly available voter file to produce a probability of voting score for each individual voter. The proposed method provides researchers a valuable tool to study the attitudes of the voting public.
Nephrosis: A long-term study of children treated with corticosteroids

When adrenocortical steroids were first used in the treatment of childhood nephrosis in the early 1950's, the prompt and impressive diuretic response led to enthusiastic claims regarding the effects of such treatment on the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Toward the end of the decade, however, more cautious reports began to appear. In the present study a case fatality rate of fifteen per cent was noted at the time of the five year evaluation, a marked improvement over that recorded in the precorticosteroid and preantibiotic eras. However, deaths from the disease have continued to occur in subsequent years and, at the time of the eight to ten year follow-up, the case fatality rate approached twenty-five per cent.
Field of Broken Dreams: How Damaged Trust and Failed Induction Weakens the Change Process

Olympia School District, located in a fast growing suburb, attempts to transform Field School, an intermediate school for seven years, into a primary school. As a result, changes in grade level, staff, material resources, and the physical structure must be made. The administration promises assistance with the transition yet the teachers are faced with a lack of materials as well as personal support. The absence of adequate induction to their new position creates a strain in the socialization of the Field School staff. This case presents a multi-faceted dilemma faced by both central office and building level administrators. Professors and students of educational administration can use this case to supplement analysis and discussion of issues related to educational change, trust, and employee induction.
An Explanation for Why Final Political Authority is Necessary

Hanna Pitkin's recent two-part essay in this R eview , “Obligation and Consent”, raises a vital problem worth discussing at greater length, the question of why a final authority—a “last word”—proves necessary in political matters or at least why we seem predisposed to think in terms of a final authority even though one may not actually exist. The following remarks constitute a response to this question. Professor Pitkin's approach is influenced by Oxford philosophy's accent on studying the role of language in moral judgments. She adds to this linguistic interest a complementary concern for “life” as well. Thus, she says, “What is ultimately needed here [on the questions of obligation and consent] is a better understanding of the role played in our language and our lives by assessments like ‘he was right’, ‘he made a bad decision,’ ‘he betrayed the cause,’ and the like.” But who is to say, she asks? Her answer is: “each person who cares to, will say …. No one has the last word because there is no last word. But in order to make that clear, one would have to say a great deal more about how language functions, and why we are so persistently inclined to suppose that there must be a last word.” Let us first take the question, who is to say? Then we shall move to the second, connected issue, why there must be a last word. Finally, we shall explore briefly the idea that we must know more about how language functions in order to solve certain conundrums concerning obligation and consent.
High-Speed Videography Overview

The field of high-speed videography (HSV) has continued to mature in recent years, due to the introduction of a mixture of new technology and extensions of existing technology. Recent low frame-rate innovations have the potential to dramatically expand the areas of information gathering and motion analysis at all frame-rates. Progress at the 0 - rate is bringing the battle of film versus video to the field of still photography. The pressure to push intermediate frame rates higher continues, although the maximum achievable frame rate has remained stable for several years. Higher maximum recording rates appear technologically practical, but economic factors impose severe limitations to development. The application of diverse photographic techniques to video-based systems is under-exploited. The basics of HSV apply to other fields, such as machine vision and robotics. Present motion analysis systems continue to function mainly as an instant replay replacement for high-speed movie film cameras. The interrelationship among lighting, shuttering and spatial resolution is examined.
Influence of chorioamnionitis on developmental outcome in very low birth weight infants.

Abstract Objective: To determine the effect of exposure to chorioamnionitis on developmental outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Five hundred four maternal charts (97% of all VLBW infants delivered from 1990 to 1994) were reviewed. A historical cohort study of the 330 infants delivered secondary to preterm premature rupture of membranes or preterm labor was performed. Case subjects (71) were delivered of mothers with chorioamnionitis by clinical criteria; control subjects (259) were delivered of mothers without chorioamnionitis. Bayley index scores at 7 months’ corrected age and special care nursery outcomes were compared. One hundred seventy-three subjects were necessary to reject the two-sided null hypothesis with 80% power with a difference in mean Bayley index scores of at least 8. Results: Neonatal sepsis (8.5% compared with 1.9%; odds ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 15.9, P = .015) and a low 5-minute Apgar (72% compared with 55%; OR = 2.1, CI 1.2, 3.8, P = .012) occurred more frequently in the chorioamnionitis group. One hundred eighty-seven (68%) of 273 surviving neonates had follow-up. Cases and controls were similar in mean Bayley mental developmental index (91.2 compared with 91.8, P = .84), Bayley psychomotor developmental index (89.8 compared with 89.1, P = .82), and number of infants developmentally delayed. Duration of exposure to chorioamnionitis did not affect neonatal outcome. Conclusion: Despite higher rates of sepsis and low Apgar scores, no difference in outcome at 7 months of corrected age was detected in VLBW infants exposed to chorioamnionitis. Contemporary neonatal management may reduce the adverse effects of this exposure.
Bond-quality characterization of silicon-glass anodic bonding

Abstract A simple testing method is presented that allows the comparison of the bond quality for anodically bonded wafers. An array of parallel metal lines of predetermined thickness is formed on a glass wafer. The estimation of the bond quality can be performed by visual inspection after the bonding. This method enables comparison of the anodic-bonding process performance for different glasses, for intermediate layers and various bonding conditions. The optimization of silicon-glass anodic bonding with an intermediate phosphosilicate glass (PSG) layer is shown using this technique.
Microglia Mediate the Clearance of Soluble Aβ through Fluid Phase Macropinocytosis

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the progressive deposition of beta-amyloid (Abeta) within the brain parenchyma and its subsequent accumulation into senile plaques. Pathogenesis of the disease is associated with perturbations in Abeta homeostasis and the inefficient clearance of these soluble and insoluble peptides from the brain. Microglia have been reported to mediate the clearance of fibrillar Abeta (fAbeta) through receptor-mediated phagocytosis; however, their participation in clearance of soluble Abeta peptides (sAbeta) is largely unknown. We report that microglia internalize sAbeta from the extracellular milieu through a nonsaturable, fluid phase macropinocytic mechanism that is distinct from phagocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis both in vitro and in vivo. The uptake of sAbeta is dependent on both actin and tubulin dynamics and does not involve clathrin assembly, coated vesicles or membrane cholesterol. Upon internalization, fluorescently labeled sAbeta colocalizes to pinocytic vesicles. Microglia rapidly traffic these soluble peptides into late endolysosomal compartments where they are subject to degradation. Additionally, we demonstrate that the uptake of sAbeta and fAbeta occurs largely through distinct mechanisms and upon internalization are segregated into separate subcellular vesicular compartments. Significantly, we found that upon proteolytic degradation of fluorescently labeled sAbeta, the fluorescent chromophore is retained by the microglial cell. These studies identify an important mechanism through which microglial cells participate in the maintenance of Abeta homeostasis, through their capacity to constitutively clear sAbeta peptides from the brain.
Isolation and characterization of a novel facultatively alkaliphilic bacterium, Corynebacterium sp., grown on n-alkanes

A novel facultatively alkaliphilic bacterium that grows on a chemically defined medium containing n-alkanes as the sole carbon source was isolated from soil. The isolate was obligately aerobic, non-motile, gram-positive, and formed metachromatic granules. It was not acidfast and did not form endospores. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, and galactose; the glycan moiety of the cell wall contained acetyl residues. The bacterium was catalase-positive, oxidasenegative, and the G+C content of DNA was 70.8 mol%. According to these tests, the isolate was assigned to the genus Corynebacterium. The bacterium grew well between pH 6.2 to 10.2 and the doubling time in this pH range was 4–6 h. For the growth of the isolate, added Na+ in the culture medium stimulated growth, but was not indispensable at both pH 7.2 and pH 10.2. In addition to hydrocarbons, the isolate was able to grow on a chemically defined medium containing acetate, glucose, or fructose as the sole carbon source. Analysis of reduced minus oxidized difference spectra of whole cells showed that the bacterium only possessed less than one tenth the amount of total cytochromes as compared with Bacillus alcalophilus. The above results sugest that the bacterium has characteristics different than those of the alkaliphilic Bacillus previously described.
Kinetics of release of serotonin from isolated secretory granules. II. Ion exchange determines the diffusivity of serotonin

We measured the efflux of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) from an intact secretory granule extracted from the mast cell of the beige mouse. The efflux was measured with amperometry after rupture of the granule membrane was triggered by electroporation. We determined the diffusivity of 5-HT within the secretory granule to be 2.0 x 10(-8) cm2 s(-1) when the granule is in contact with a physiological saline and found that this diffusivity depends on the valence of the cation in the external electrolyte. There is a fivefold increase in the diffusion coefficient of 5-HT determined in CsCl (150 mM, pH 7.2) at 3.7 x 10(-8) cm2 s(-1) compared to that determined in histamine dihydrochloride (Hi, 100 mM at pH 4.5) at 0.7 x 10(-8) cm2 s(-1). We found that the rate of expansion of the granule matrix observed in physiological medium correlates with the efflux of 5-HT, and that the rate of swelling of the matrix and the efflux depend on the microviscosity within the granule matrix and not the bulk viscosity of the external solution. The low diffusivity of 5-HT (approximately 500-fold less than in the bulk), the observation that the valence of the counterion affects this diffusivity, and the relationship between the volume changes of the matrix and the efflux suggest that 5-HT is released from the granule by ion exchange. We discuss the implications of this result for exocytotic release in mast cells and propose that an ion exchange mechanism could control the rate of release in other secretory systems.
Reliability of Recall of Physical Activity in the Distant Past

Substantial data exist supporting the role of physical activity in the etiology of several chronic diseases. Many chronic diseases begin developing 20-30 years before they become clinically evident. Since researchers often must rely on recall to characterize the long term habits of study participants, the accuracy of recall of physical activity is an important methodological issue in etiologic studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of recall of physical activity in the distant past in a cohort of western New York residents followed since 1960. Paired t tests and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to compare "original" (1960) and "recalled" (1992-1996) reports of weekday (occupational) and free-day (leisure time) physical activity. Results showed that the recalled reports underestimated past weekday activities when overall activity was examined; estimates closer to the originals were found when levels of activity were examined. Recall was best for weekday light (ICC = 0.43) and weekday moderate (ICC = 0.45) activity in both sexes and free-day hard activity in females (ICC = 0.45). Most participants underestimated past free-day activity, but males overestimated free-day hard activity. Correlations for free-day activity were highest for summer sports in females (ICC = 0.29) and winter sports in both sexes (ICC = 0.39) and were low for walking and "other activity." Considering the length of time between the original interviews and the recall interviews, the correlations found here are remarkable and close to those found in other studies where recall intervals were 10 years or less.
A Method of Static Security Analysis Based on Section Topology Relation

In this paper, a calculation method of static security analysis based on section topology relation is proposed. When topological structure of current data section is the same as that of the basecase section, it fully utilizes the factor tables of Jacobian matrix, and inverse matrix information of the basecase data section in rapid filtration of DC power flow. On the contrary, If topology changes compared with the basecase section, it adopts substation partial topological analysis technology as well as the method of partial factor table correction to increase the speed of calculation. Case studies with a practical power system indicate that the proposed method is correct and reasonable.
Direct HDR capture of the sun and sky

We present a technique for capturing the extreme dynamic range of natural illumination environments that include the sun and sky, which has presented a challenge for traditional high dynamic range photography processes. We find that through careful selection of exposure times, aperture, and neutral density filters that this full range can be covered in seven exposures with a standard digital camera. We discuss the particular calibration issues such as lens vignetting, infrared sensitivity, and spectral transmission of neutral density filters which must be addressed. We present an adaptive exposure range adjustment technique for minimizing the number of exposures necessary. We demonstrate our results by showing time-lapse renderings of a complex scene illuminated by high-resolution, high dynamic range natural illumination environments.
A secondary-electron time pickoff for pulsed charged-particle beams

Abstract A channel electron multiplier that detects secondary electrons emitted from a thin carbon foil is the basis of a time pickoff system used for pulsed charged-particle beams in the MeV region. This system provides reliable timing reference signals for beams of a wide range of intensities.
Processing of form stimuli presented unilaterally in humans, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Visual forms were unilaterally presented using a video-task paradigm to ten humans, chimpanzees, and two rhesus monkeys to determine whether hemispheric advantages existed in the processing of these stimuli. Both accuracy and reaction time served as dependent measures. For the chimpanzees, a significant right hemisphere advantage was found within the first three test sessions. The humans and monkeys failed to show a hemispheric advantage as determined by accuracy scores. Analysis of reaction time data revealed a significant left hemisphere advantage for the monkeys. A visual half-field x block interaction was found for the chimpanzees, with a significant left visual field advantage in block two, whereas a right visual field advantage was found in block four. In the human subjects, a left visual field advantage was found in block three when they used their right hands to respond. The results are discussed in relation to recent reports of hemispheric advantages for nonhuman primates.
Chronic desipramine treatment increases activity of noradrenergic postsynaptic cells

Abstract Chronic administration of tricyclic antidepressant drugs has been shown to exert multiple influences on various mechanisms of noradrenergic nervous systems. To determine the overall effect of these influences, this study examined the effect of long-term desipramine administration on the firing rate of noradrenergic postsynaptic neurons, specifically, those in the rat hippocampus that were inhibited by the nucleus locus coeruleus. Daily injections for 3 weeks of 5 or 10 mg/kg desipramine resulted in a 32% or 49% increase, respectively, of hippocampal cell activity, suggesting that long-term desipramine treatment is antagonistic to noradrenergic functions.
Strassen's Matrix Multiplication on GPUs

We provide efficient single-precision and integer GPU implementations of Strassen's algorithm as well as of Winograd's variant. On an NVIDIA C1060 GPU, a speedup of 32% (35%) is obtained for Strassen's 4-level implementation and 33% (36%) for Winograd's variant relative to the sgemm (integer version of sgemm) code in CUBLAS 3.0 when multiplying 16384×16384 matrices. The maximum numerical error for the single-precision implementations is about 2 orders of magnitude higher than those for sgemm when n = 16384 and is zero for the integer implementations.
4D cone beam CT via spatiotemporal tensor framelet.

Purpose: On-board 4D cone beam CT (4DCBCT) offers respiratory phase-resolved volumetric imaging, and improves the accuracy of target localization in image guided radiation therapy. However, the clinical utility of this technique has been greatly impeded by its degraded image quality, prolonged imaging time, and increased imaging dose. The purpose of this letter is to develop a novel iterative 4DCBCT reconstruction method for improved image quality, increased imaging speed, and reduced imaging dose. Methods: The essence of this work is to introduce the spatiotemporal tensor framelet (STF), a high-dimensional tensor generalization of the 1D framelet for 4DCBCT, to effectively take into account of highly correlated and redundant features of the patient anatomy during respiration, in a multilevel fashion with multibasis sparsifying transform. The STF-based algorithm is implemented on a GPU platform for improved computational efficiency. To evaluate the method, 4DCBCT full-fan scans were acquired within 30 s, with a gantry rotation of 200°; STF is also compared with a state-of-art reconstruction method via spatiotemporal total variation regularization. Results: Both the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that STF-based reconstruction achieved superior image quality. The reconstruction of 20 respiratory phases took less than 10 min on an NVIDIA Tesla C2070 GPU card. The STF codes are available at https://sites.google.com/site/spatiotemporaltensorframelet. Conclusions: By effectively utilizing the spatiotemporal coherence of the patient anatomy among different respiratory phases in a multilevel fashion with multibasis sparsifying transform, the proposed STF method potentially enables fast and low-dose 4DCBCT with improved image quality.
Early Life Metabolism of Bisphenol A: A Systematic Review of the Literature

When a comprehensive report on BPA was published in 2008, few data were available to assess the extent to which known poor glucuronidation capacity impacts BPA internal dose in infants and young children. In this paper, evidence that has emerged since the 2008 report is summarized, including: 1) human biomarker studies in children aged 0-5 years; 2) animal studies of neonatal toxicokinetics; and 3) physically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. To address limitations in these studies, we recommend more human biomonitoring studies in children aged 0-5 years in which unmetabolized (free) BPA and BPA metabolites are separately quantified and detailed quality-control data are reported, investigation of metabolic differences between humans and animal species used for the study of BPA metabolism, and enzyme ontogeny studies, which along with biomonitoring studies would reduce uncertainty in PBPK models of early-life BPA metabolism.
Effects of atmospheric CO2 concentration on wheat yield: review of results from experiments using various approaches to control CO2 concentration

Abstract Fifty studies (156 experiments) of effects of CO2 concentration ([CO2]) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield (grain mass at maturity) were analyzed (24 were out-of-doors studies). Only studies controlling [CO2] during all (or most) of the wheat life cycle were considered. Studies were divided into five categories based on the method of controlling [CO2]: laboratory-chamber, glasshouse (greenhouse), closed-top field chamber, open-top field chamber (OTC), and a free-air (chamberless) field CO2 enrichment (FACE) system. Only three studies, all conducted in glasshouses, included subambient-[CO2] treatments ([ CO 2 ] ppm ) , with yield positively related to [CO2] in all three. In superambient-[CO2] experiments with ample water and nutrients and with favorable temperature, [CO2] up to about 2000 ppm increased yield, with a maximum effect (+37%) at about 890 ppm CO2 (according to curve fitting with data from all methods pooled). On average, doubling [CO2] from 350 to 700 ppm increased yield about 31%. Differences in effects of [CO2] on yield between methods of controlling [CO2] could not be judged (or did not exist) because of large variation in yield across chamber (including glasshouse) experiments and too few FACE experiments. Side-by-side comparisons of different methods of controlling [CO2] in which yield was measured were notably lacking. The large variation in effect of [CO2] on yield, even with ample water and nutrients, probably reflected interactions between [CO2] and other factors. With mineral nutrient limitations, effects of [CO2] on yield were small, and with severe nutrient limitations increased [CO2] sometimes reduced yield. With ample nutrients and [CO2] greater than 2000 ppm, yield was also reduced, but this may be of limited significance to field crops for at least the next 100 years. Elevated [CO2] stimulated yield of water-stressed wheat, but usually did not fully compensate for water shortage, though few data were available. Elevated [O3] sometimes reduced positive effects of elevated [CO2] on yield, though again, few data were available. Usually, modest warming (1–4°C) counteracted positive effects of doubled [CO2] on yield. Combinations of rising temperature, [CO2], and [O3] may result in positive or negative effects on wheat yield, though the [CO2]-effect per se will normally be positive. Predictions of effects of rising [CO2] on wheat yield carry with them intrinsic uncertainty.
Juxtaposition of the Atrial Appendages A Report of Six Necropsied Cases

Six cases of juxtaposition of the atrial appendages are documented by necropsied specimens and analyzed. A high incidence of conotruncal anomalies, especially transposition of the great arteries, further A-V valve abnormalities, and pulmonary valve atresia, is found. The recognition of juxtaposition of the atrial appendages during cardiac catheterization should alert the investigator to the presence of a complex cardiac anomaly. A case with a rare type of right juxtaposition of the atrial appendages and bizarre spatial orientation of the atria, ventricles, and great arteries is presented.