cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attraction, deformation and contact of membranes induced by low frequency electric fields.

Abstract The force of attraction between erythrocyte ghosts induced by low frequency electric fields (60 Hz) was measured as a function of the intermembrane separation. It varied from 10 −14 N for separation of the order of the cell diameter to 10 −12 N for close approach and contact in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffers (conductivity 260 mS/m, pH 8.5). For large separations the interaction force followed a dependence on separation as predicted for dipole-dipole interactions. For small separation an empirical formula was obtained. The membranes deformed at close approach ( μ m) before making contact. The contact area increased with time until reaching the final equilibrium state. The ghosts separated reversibly after switching off the electric field. The membrane tension induced by the ghost interaction at contact was estimated to be of the order of 0.1 mN/m. These first quantitative measurements of the force/separation dependence for intermembrane interactions induced by low frequency electric fields indicate that attractive forces, membrane deformation and contact area of cells depend strongly on intermembrane separation and field strength. The quantitative relationships between them are important for measuring membrane surface and mechanical properties, intermembrane forces and understanding mechanisms of membrane adhesion, instability and fusion in electric fields and in general.
Mortality and Standing Stocks of Grass Carp Planted in Two Iowa Lakes

Abstract Grass carp (Ctenopharyngoden idella) were stocked at various times in two small Iowa lakes to control the vegetation. Subsequent sampling was done by electrofishing in 1983 to determine population sizes and mortality rates. These fish grew rapidly, were long-lived, and had low annual mortality rates of 2.0-7.7%. The lowest rate occurred with plantings of age-1 fish; even the highest rate was considered low, however, because 2.5-in fingerlings were stocked in the presence of large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Grass carp plantings in Iowa lakes need to be monitored, and supplemental stocking should take place only when additional vegetation control is needed.
Families of seven male-to-female transexuals after 5-7 years: Sociological sexology.

Four black and three white families have a male-to-female transexual member surgically reassigned more than 5 years ago. The black families were more open than the white in declaring the reassignment within the family and community. Thereby they relieved themselves and the transexual member of a need for deception, defiance, or defensiveness, and they were less scheming and manipulative. Without the anxiety of concealment, they could feel more positive about sex reassignment as a form of rehabilitation. A formal public declaration of sex reassignment, analogous to a declared change of citizenship, would be advantageous in transexual rehabilitation.
Low temperature photoluminescence of GaxIn1−xAs/GaAs strained layer superlattices

Abstract The low temperature photoluminescence spectra of several Ga x In 1− x As/GaAs strained layer superlattices have been measured. Excitomic recombination between electrons and holes confined in the ternary layers and conduction band-acceptor transitions have been observed. The excitonic transition energies calculated with a simple model which takes into account both strain and quantization are in good agreement with the measured values provided the additional strain due to the mismatch between the SLS and the buffer layer is taken into account. The hydrogenic acceptor binding energy is smaller in the SLS than in the bulk ternary because the reduction due to the decrease of the hole mass under strain appears to be more important than the two dimensional quantization enhancement in the present samples.
Novel biomarkers of mercury-induced autoimmune dysfunction: a cross-sectional study in Amazonian Brazil.

Abstract Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causing both neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Given its ability to amalgamate gold, mercury is frequently used in small-scale artisanal gold mining. We have previously reported that elevated serum titers of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) are associated with mercury exposures of miners in gold mining. The goal of this project was to identify novel serum biomarkers of mercury-induced immunotoxicity and autoimmune dysregulation. We conducted an analysis of serum samples from a cross-sectional epidemiological study on miners working in Amazonian Brazil. In proteomic screening analyses, samples were stratified based on mercury concentrations and ANA titer and a subset of serum samples ( N =12) were profiled using Immune Response Biomarker Profiling ProtoArray protein microarray for elevated autoantibodies. Of the up-regulated autoantibodies in the mercury-exposed cohort, potential target autoantibodies were selected based on relevance to pro-inflammatory and macrophage activation pathways. ELISAs were developed to test the entire sample cohort ( N =371) for serum titers to the highest of these autoantibodies (anti-glutathione S-transferase alpha, GSTA1) identified in the high mercury/high ANA group. We found positive associations between elevated mercury exposure and up-regulated serum titers of 3760 autoantibodies as identified by ProtoArray. Autoantibodies identified as potential novel biomarkers of mercury-induced immunotoxicity include antibodies to the following proteins: GSTA1, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13, linker for activation of T cells, signal peptide peptidase like 2B, stimulated by retinoic acid 13, and interferon induced transmembrane protein. ELISA analyses confirmed that mercury-exposed gold miners had significantly higher serum titers of anti-GSTA1 autoantibody [unadjusted odds ratio=89.6; 95% confidence interval: 27.2, 294.6] compared to emerald miners (referent population). Mercury exposure was associated with increased titers of several autoantibodies in serum including anti-GSTA1. These proteins play a wide variety of roles, including as antioxidants, in the regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as danger and oxidative stress signaling. Dysregulation of these proteins and pathways is believed to play a role in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren׳s syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Taken together, these results suggest that mercury exposure can induce complex autoimmune dysfunction and the immunotoxic effects of this dysfunction may be measured by serum titers to autoantibodies such as anti-GSTA1.
A comprehensive model for child welfare training evaluation

Abstract The purpose of this research was to develop and test a comprehensive theoretical model for child welfare training evaluation. Drawing upon the theoretical work in training evaluation as well as empirical research in child welfare, this study proposed a model of training evaluation that included individual and organizational predictors of outcomes; training satisfaction, learning and transfer; as well as federally mandated organizational outcomes of safety, permanency, and well-being. The model was tested through an experimental–control group pre- and multiple-post test design with 72 supervisors and 331 case workers in public child welfare. Supervisors and workers in the experimental group participated in a five-day training on skills for effective casework practice and federally mandated outcomes for child welfare. Subjects completed a number of standardized scales to measure the constructs in the model pre-training, immediately post-training, and two months post-training. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results indicate that individual learning readiness, supervisor support of learning, and knowledge gain are predictive of training transfer. Recommendations are provided to enhance the effectiveness of child welfare training delivery systems.
A New Method for Determining Melt Front Velocity Through Temperature Measurement

Online measurement of pressure, temperature, velocity, and viscosity of polymer melt within the injection mold is key to improving process control for quality assurance in injection molding. A multivariate sensing method has been introduced to enable simultaneous determination of the four parameters in injection molding using one single sensor package. Comparing with the method of measuring different physical parameters using separate sensors, the new method is advantageous in terms of system miniaturization and energy efficiency. This paper addresses the aspect of polymer melt velocity sensing based on the melt temperature measured by an Infrared (IR) sensing element integrated within the sensor package. From the Stephan-Boltzmann model, an analytical relationship between the melt front velocity and the ramping rate of the IR detector voltage output has been established. Using a Finite Element (FE) model, the process of polymer melt flowing over the IR sensor lens has been simulated. The result shows that the melt front velocity can be determined within an error of ± 0.25%, under a broad range of melt temperature and IR detector diameters. The result is experimentally confirmed by temperature measurement in a realistic injection molding machine instrumented with a reference IR sensor.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Handicapped Students as Peer Tutors

A peer tutoring format can successfully combine handicapped and nonhandicapped learners in a way that decreases prejudice toward the handicapped learner.
Development of antimicrobial water filtration hybrid material from bio source calcium carbonate and silver nanoparticles

Abstract Biobased calcium carbonate and silver hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple mechanochemical milling technique. The XRD spectrum showed that the hybrid materials is composed of crystalline calcite and silver nanoparticles. The TEM results indicated that the silver nanoparticles are discrete, uncapped and well stabilized in the surface of the eggshell derived calcium carbonate particles. The silver nanoparticles are spherical in shape and 5–20 nm in size. The SEM studies indicated that the eggshells are in micron size with the silver nanoparticle embedded in their surface. The hybrid eggshell/silver nanocomposite exhibited superior inhibition of E. coli growth using the Kirby–Bauer discs diffusion assay and comparing the zone of inhibition around the filter paper disc impregnated with the hybrid particles against pristine silver nanoparticles.
Method for hydrolysis and isolation of plasmalogen-bound fatty aldehydes.

Abstract A rapid method is described using HCl gas for releasing bound aldehydes from plasmalogens for subsequent GLC analysis and/or quantitation. It has been shown that other lipid classes which may be present are not altered. Use of this method offers the advantage of isolating the fatty aldehydes directly without prior conversion to any derivative.
Mutually-Pumped Phase Conjugation In Kerr Media

Mutually-Pumped Phase Conjugation (MPPC) in a transparent Kerr medium is considered. A pair of mutually incoherent light beams pump each other to generate the phase-conjugate replica of the other beam via Nondegenerate Four Wave Mixing (NFWM) in the nonlinear medium.
High resolution laser spectroscopy with minute samples

Abstract A technique is described which enables high resolution measurements to be made, using a c.w. tunable dye laser, with atomic beam fluxes as low as 10 atoms/s, corresponding to a spatial density of about 0.2 atoms/cm 3 . The burst of resonantly scattered light, occuring as each atom crosses the laser beam, is recorded. Detected bursts of 3 photoelectron pulses, or more, show significant improvements in peak to background ratios. Results for Na (5890 A) and Ba (5535 A) are discussed. In both cases, the experimental resolution is determined by the natural linewidths of the transitions.
Ubu et Cyrano

Les annees 1896-1897 marquent un tournant dans l’histoire du theâtre en France. Deux spectacles importants sont alors produits : d’une part, la presentation d’Ubu roi au Theâtre de l’Oeuvre; d’autre part, celle de Cyrano de Bergerac au Theâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin. La premiere representation est porteuse d’avenir, autant dans l’esthetique de la mise en scene que dans l’ecriture dramatique; la seconde marque le triomphe du theâtre romantique, presque un demi-siecle apres la fin de ce mouvement litteraire. En analysant en detail ces deux productions contemporaines, on parvient non seulement a opposer le desordre de la premiere a l’ordre de la seconde; on met egalement au jour deux types de spectacle : le spectacle de rupture et le spectacle de reconciliation. C’est dans la tension entre rupture et reconciliation que se deroulera la vie theâtrale francaise pendant tout le XXe siecle.
First and second order periodic error measurement for non-constant velocity motions

This paper describes a digital algorithm that can be applied in real time to measure and compensate first and second order periodic error in heterodyne displacement measuring interferometers. Comparisons are made between the new algorithm and the traditional frequency domain measurement approach, where the error signal is Fourier transformed into the frequency domain to identify periodic error magnitudes. Experimental results are provided for both constant velocity and non-constant velocity conditions.
Transactivation by Rtg1p, a Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Protein That Functions in Communication between Mitochondria and the Nucleus in Yeast

Rtg1p is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is required for basal and regulated expression of CIT2, the gene encoding a peroxisomal isoform of citrate synthase. In respiratory incompetent ρρ° petite cells, CIT2 transcription is elevated as much as 30-fold compared with respiratory competent ρ+ cells. Here we provide evidence that Rtg1p interacts directly with a CIT2 upstream activation site (UASr) and that the ρ°/ρ+ regulation is not due to a change in the levels of Rtg1p. A fusion protein consisting of the DNA binding domain of Gal4p fused to the NH2 terminus of the full-length wild-type Rtg1p was able to transactivate an integrated LacZ reporter under control of the Gal4p-responsive GAL1 UASG in a ρ°/ρ+-dependent manner. Other Gal4p fusions to deletions or mutations of Rtg1p indicate that the helix-loop-helix domain is essential for transactivation. Regulated expression of CIT2 also requires the RTG2 gene product. The Gal4-Rtg1p fusion was unable to transactivate the LacZ reporter gene in a strain deleted for RTG2, suggesting that the RTG2 product does not act independently of Rtg1p in the ρ°/ρ+ transcriptional response.
Easing into the Academy: Using Technology to Foster Cross-Institutional Critical Friendships

This article addresses the ways in which early career teacher educators can support each other as they enter the academic community. By utilizing technology as an instrument to engage in a cross-country critical friendship, the authors were able to engage in a dialogue that grew out of mutual interests and concerns. Through critical reflection, they were able to address the question: How can we, two early-career teacher educators, push ourselves and one another to more critically examine our teaching practices? In doing so, each “new educator” grew more confident in claiming one's voice as a sustainable critical friendship emerged.
Cardiac troponin T variants produced by aberrant splicing of multiple exons in animals with high instances of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adult cardiac muscle normally expresses a single cardiac troponin T (cTnT). As a potential pathogenic mechanism for turkey dilated cardiomyopathy, the splice-out of a normally constitutive exon generates an additional low molecular weight cTnT with altered conformation and function. We further found that aberrant splicing of cTnT also occurs in several mammals correlating to dilated cardiomyopathy. Skipping of the same exon as that in the turkey was found in the canine cTnT. Splice-out of the adjacent exon 6 occurred in the guinea pig cTnT. Retention of the embryonic exon 5 was found in the cTnT of cat, dog, and guinea pig. These aberrant splicing variants significantly altered the structure of cTnT to sustain functional effects as that in the myopathic turkey cTnT. The genomic sequence of canine cTnT gene shows no specific alterations. However, the alternative splicing patterns of canine cTnT are different in developing cardiac and skeletal muscles, suggesting abnormality oftrans-regulatory factors. Transgenic expression of the aberrant cTnT variants resulted in contractile changes in mouse cardiomyocytes. The findings support the hypothesis that thin filament heterogeneity due to the co-expression of alternatively spliced cTnT variants may desynchronize myocardial contraction and contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
No pain, no gain. Perspectives on cost containment.

THERE is a widespread belief in the United States that expenditures for health care are too high and growing too rapidly. This belief has stimulated numerous policy proposals for "cost containment," including such diverse approaches as managed care, managed competition, insurance company regulation, diagnosis related group reimbursement, global budgets, and expenditure caps. The pros and cons of alternative approaches to cost containment have been debated extensively; I have no intention of proposing still another plan. Instead, I shall offer a framework for thinking about cost containment that is applicable to all possible proposals. In developing this framework I will first consider why public policy should pay any special attention to health expenditures. Two popular explanations—share of GNP (gross national product) and effect on global competitiveness—will be examined and rejected; then three valid explanations will be discussed. Finally, I will show why every approach to cost containment requires pain if there
Psychiatric Consultation: Part I. A General Systems Approach:

A number of concepts fundamental to a general systems model are reviewed and illustrated. The problems and issues of psychiatric consultation in the general hospital are then discussed in the light of a general systems approach. It is argued that such a model has useful application for the consultant psychiatrist who typically concerns himself with multiple sources of data in his clinical tasks.
The vitamin D-responsive element in the rat bone Gla protein gene is an imperfect direct repeat that cooperates with other cis-elements in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3- mediated transcriptional activation.

The gene for rat bone gla protein (BGP) was isolated and 1250 basepairs (bp), including 1100 bp of 5′ flanking DNA, were placed up-stream of the human GH reporter gene. After transient transfection into the osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line ROS 17/2.8, the BGP promoter demonstrated a low level of basal activity that was increased approximately 10-fold by the addition of 10−8 m 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. A single 250-bp fragment (−523 to −274) was sufficient to confer hormone inducibility upon both heterologous and homologous promoters. Deletion studies, complemented by evaluation with synthetic oligomers, enabled localization of the 1,25-(OH)2D3 response element to within 19 bp (−456 to −438), containing an element with an imperfect direct repeat [GGTGA(N4)GGACA] and homology to other steroid-responsive elements. Gel retardation assays demonstrated that partially purified chick intestinal 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor bound specifically and with high affinity to a DNA fragment containing th...
The prediction of direct containment heating

Abstract A simple analytical model is proposed and shown to capture the essence of the direct containment heating phenomenon. The model is based on assuming thermal/chemical equilibrium in the melt dispersal (flow) process, and separation of the melt out of this ‘equilibrium steam’ in the intermediate compartment. The model reveals a natural scale (hence named the ‘DCH scale’) for the DCH phenomenon, and the results are in very good agreement with the Integral Effects Tests series. On this basis, reactor predictions can be made quite simply, provided that the DCH scale for the particular condition of interest is known. This prediction of DCH scale is also addressed by a scaling approach that is shown to be consistent with the experimental data. Finally, reactor predictions (of DCH loads) are also included in generalized terms convenient for use under a wide variety of conditions. In general, the results appear to be well within the structural capability of large dry containments.
DEFECTIVE DNA-RECEPTOR FUNCTION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND RELATED DISEASES: EVIDENCE FOR AN AUTOANTIBODY INFLUENCING CELL PHYSIOLOGY

The receptor for DNA was functionally defective in the majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 91% of 35 studied) and allied rheumatic disorders. This functional defect was manifest by impaired binding of exogenous DNA to the cell surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and an inability of cells to internalise and degrade DNA. The receptor defect was not constitutive, since it could be reversed by overnight incubation of cells; this process was sensitive to cycloheximide, suggesting a requirement for active receptor regeneration. The DNA-receptor defect could be induced in healthy controls, by incubating their cells with the serum of patients with SLE. The humoral factor inducing the defect was an autoantibody.
Wide-field radiation therapy plus simultaneous chemotherapy for refractory Hodgkin's disease.

Nine male patients with disseminated Hodgkin's disease who had relapsed and/or were refractory to two or more non-“cross-resistant” programs of combination chemotherapy (range, two to five previous programs; median, three) were admitted into a study of treatment with wide-field low-dose radiation therapy (2,000 cGy), to all lymph node bearing areas, the liver, the spleen, and in selected cases the lungs (1,000 cGy). Simultaneous with each course of radiation therapy, chemotherapy with BCNU and procarbazine given at 50% doses of a known program of chemotherapy (BOPP) with vincristine and prednisone was given. Treatment was completed in five patients. Three of these achieved a complete remission; the other two had a partial response. Of the other four, two died during treatment with interstitial pneumonitis (probably radiation induced), and two failed to respond. Remission durations were 18+, 38, and 44+ months. Pulmonary toxicity was severe; however, hematologic and other toxicities were acceptable. The incorporation of wide-field low-dose radiation should be considered in programs of rescue for patients with Hodgkin's disease who relapse or are refractory to standard combination chemotherapy.
Curricular options and services for youth with disabilities

The purpose of this research was to identify and discuss the curricular options, modes of delivering services, and related instructional matters for youth with disabilities. To carry out that we gathered data in six high schools of various sizes and types. Based on a conceptual framework designed by Goodlad, we identified 12 research questions. Data of four types (observations, interviews, surveys, and documents) were gathered from all six sites in response to those questions. Reports were written for each of the high schools that included several recommendations. These recommendations were explained to individuals at the schools and researchers were apprised of the extent which the suggestions were either considered or put into practice. Results from the six schools with respect to the 12 research questions are summarized.
The DNA binding domain of the rat liver nuclear protein, C/EBP, is bipartite

C/EBP is a rat liver nuclear protein capable of sequence-specific interaction with DNA. The DNA sequences to which C/EBP binds in vitro have been implicated in the control of messenger RNA synthesis. It has therefore been predicted that C/EBP will play a role in regulating gene expression in mammalian cells. The region of the C/EBP polypeptide required for direct interaction with DNA has been identified and shown to bear amino acid sequence relatedness with the product of the myc, fos, and jun proto-oncogenes. The arrangement of these related amino acid sequences led to the prediction of a new structural motif, termed the "leucine zipper," that plays a role in facilitating sequence-specific interaction between protein and DNA. Experimental tests now provide support for the leucine zipper hypothesis.
Distributed Diagnosis and Home Healthcare, its Opportunities and Challenges

Distributed Diagnosis and Home Healthcare (D2H2) has been proposed as a new healthcare delivery framework in the 21st century. The goal of D2H2 is to improve quality of care and patient wellness and outcomes by transforming the delivery of healthcare from a central, hospital-based system to one that is more distributed, patient-centered and home-based. D2H2 has potentials to benefit patients by improving the quality and convenience of care, controlling healthcare cost, and preventing medical errors, thus leading to increased access to affordable and effective healthcare. In the 1st Transdisciplinary Conference on D2H2 in 2006, leaders from industry, academia and government participated in active discussion with more than 200 participants to exchange ideas and to discuss various aspects of issues and opportunities associated with realization of the D2H2, including the current status, important components/ingredients, their enabling technologies, and policies. Also, it is important to understand how this transformation might take place as well as the technical and non-technical challenges involved. Due to the complexity and scope of D2H2, collaboration between researchers, engineers, and providers from many traditional disciplines will be essential in order to overcome the potential obstacles and realize the full potential benefits of D2H2. We believe that the D2H2 paradigm, with all the stakeholders working together toward the common and societal good, will aid in developing a sustainable 21st-century healthcare system with the potential to improve accessibility to healthcare, increase care quality, and control healthcare costs, not only in the developed countries but also in the developing countries. This presentation will summarize the opportunities and challenges in D2H2.
Diatom‐diatom reactive scattering in hypercylindrical coordinates

We present a combination of hyperspherical and cylindrical coordinates to describe diatom–diatom reactions in which one diatom bond is nonreactive. This hybrid system of coordinates is termed hypercylindrical. It naturally leads to a description of the reaction as an atom–diatom reaction embedded within a larger polyatomic framework. The kinematics, coordinate transformations, Hamiltonians, etc. are given in detail for collinear systems, and then generalized in several ways with the same condition that one diatomic bond is nonreactive. In one generalization the nonreactive diatom is allowed to rotate; however, with its center of mass collinear with the other two atoms. The generalization to 3-dimensional reactions is briefly considered, and finally some remarks are made generalizing to polyatom-polyatom reactions in which only one bond is broken and a new one formed.
Hyperactivity and deficits in problem solving following superior colliculus lesions in the rat

Abstract Animals with bilateral superior colliculus lesions or control operations were tested for problem solving ability in a Hebb-Williams closed field and for locomotor activity and emotionality in an open field. Experimental animals were significantly both hyperactive and deficient in maze performance. Activity and maze performances were significantly related in the experimental animals but not in controls. The 2 groups did not differ in emotionality as measured by defecation. The results were interpreted as supporting the current theory that the superior colliculus is functionally involved in attention and orientation.
Situated Learning and Education

This paper provides a review of the claims of situated learning that are having an increasing influence on education generally and mathematics education particularly. We review the four central claims of situated learning with respect to education: (1) action is grounded in the concrete situation in which it occurs; (2) knowledge does not transfer between tasks; (3) training by abstraction is of little use; and (4) instruction must be done in complex, social environments. In each case, we cite empirical literature to show that the claims are overstated and that some of the educational implications that have been taken from these claims are misguided.
Determination of phosphorus:glycerol:acyl ratios in phospholipids

Phospholipids (1–5 mg) are mixed with methyl heptadecanoate as an internal standard. One part of the sample is reduced with Vitride in tetrahydrofuran in a sealed tube at 50 †C for 1 hr. The reaction products are acetylated in the same tube by treatment with acetic acid-acetic anhydride at 140 °C. After 1 hr total O-acyl and after 16 additional hours glycerol are determined as the fully acetylated compounds by gas-liquid chromatography. Another part of the sample is subjected to acidic hydrolysis and total O-acyl and N-acyl groups are determined by GLC as fatty-acid methyl esters. The aqueous phase is heated to 100 °C with 6 N HCl for 72 hr and phosphorus is measured colorimetrically.
Finite element model for turbulent spray combustion

A finite element model for the prediction of spray flame field is presented. An Eulerian-Lagrangian approach is employed to model the reacting flow field of a spray combustor. The unsteady axisymmetric gas-phase equations are presented in Eulerian coordinates and the liquid-phase equations are formulated in Lagrangian coordinates. Turbulence is represented by the k-sigma model, and the reaction rate is determined by the modified eddy break-up model. Numerical results for the droplet trajectories and the effects of the evaporation models are discussed. 20 refs.
Effects of carbamazepine and anti-depressant drugs on endogenous catecholamine levels in the cerebroventricular compartment of the rat.

Concentrations of endogenous norepinephrine, dopamine and epinephrine in cerebroventricular perfusates were used to evaluate the effects of drugs on the availability of extracellular catecholamines in the intact rat brain. Administration of the antidepressant drugs imipramine, desmethylimipramine or tranylcypromine resulted in marked increases of both norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations while epinephrine levels were not affected. Treatment with a similar dose of carbamazepine — an anticonvulsant drug with antidepressant activity — resulted in a significant increase in dopamine concentrations without apparent effect on either norepinephrine or epinephrine. It is suggested that at the applied dose, carbamazepine may act to modify the uptake, release or metabolism of dopamine in brain areas adjacent to the cerebroventricular space without affecting the other catecholamines.
A crowdsourcing method to develop virtual human conversational agents

Educators in medicine, psychology, and the military want to provide their students with interpersonal skills practice. Virtual humans offer structured learning of interview skills, can facilitate learning about unusual conditions, and are always available. However, the creation of virtual humans with the ability to understand and respond to natural language requires costly engineering by conversation knowledge engineers (generally computer scientists), and incurs logistical cost for acquiring domain knowledge from domain experts (educators). We address these problems using a novel crowdsourcing method entitled Human-centered Distributed Conversational Modeling. This method facilitates collaborative development of virtual humans by two groups of end-users: domain experts (educators) and domain novices (students). We implemented this method in a web-based authoring tool called Virtual People Factory. Using Virtual People Factory, medical and pharmacy educators are now creating natural language virtual patient interactions on their own. This article presents the theoretical background for Human-centered Distributed Conversational Modeling, the implementation of the Virtual People Factory authoring tool, and five case studies showing that Human-centered Distributed Conversational Modeling has addressed the logistical cost for acquiring knowledge.
Seasonal cycles, business cycles, and monetary policy

Abstract This paper presents a dynamic general equilibrium model that is consistent with both seasonal and business cycle facts in the U.S. economy. The model features consumption durability and a transaction technology, both crucial in accounting for seasonal patterns of nominal variables. A calibrated version of the model is used to quantitatively evaluate welfare consequences of three alternative monetary policy rules: (1) the Fed's historical policy that smooths nominal interest rates at the seasonal frequency, but not at the business cycle frequency; (2) a constant-money-growth rule; and (3) a constant-interest-rate rule. We find that the historical policy is associated with higher welfare than both alternatives.
Patterns of Poststroke Brain Damage That Predict Speech Production Errors in Apraxia of Speech and Aphasia Dissociate

Background and Purpose—Acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder caused by brain damage. AOS often co-occurs with aphasia, a language disorder in which patients may also demonstrate speech production errors. The overlap of speech production deficits in both disorders has raised questions on whether AOS emerges from a unique pattern of brain damage or as a subelement of the aphasic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine whether speech production errors in AOS and aphasia are associated with distinctive patterns of brain injury. Methods—Forty-three patients with history of a single left-hemisphere stroke underwent comprehensive speech and language testing. The AOS Rating Scale was used to rate speech errors specific to AOS versus speech errors that can also be associated with both AOS and aphasia. Localized brain damage was identified using structural magnetic resonance imaging, and voxel-based lesion-impairment mapping was used to evaluate the relationship between speech err...
Insulin stimulates active sodium transport in toad bladder by two mechanisms.

INSULIN has been shown to increase sodium and potassium fluxes in a series of tissues including muscle1, and colon2 and the isolated perfused kidney3. Attempts to define the exact mechanisms by which insulin stimulates ion transport in these tissues have been hindered by their anatomical complexity and heterogeneous cell populations. Tracer flux studies, using 22Na, in frog muscle1 and toad bladder4 have suggested a direct stimulatory action of insulin on the sodium pump. Preincubation of intact frog muscle with insulin for 1 h has been shown to increase the amount of ouabain binding by this tissue suggesting that insulin unmasks latent sodium pumps in this structure5. The urinary bladder of the toad (Bufo marinus) has been shown to transport sodium actively from the urinary (mucosal) side to the blood (serosal) side and has been used extensively to study cation transport and the effects and mode of action of numerous hormones and drugs6–8. We have now examined the mechanisms by which insulin increases short circuit current (a measure of active sodium transport) in the toad bladder.
Understanding magma evolution at Campi Flegrei (Campania, Italy) volcanic complex using melt inclusions and phase equilibria

The magmatic evolution of two eruptive episodes at Campi Flegrei (Italy) has been investigated using phase equilibria modeling (MELTS) and data from melt inclusions (MIs) in phenocrysts from the Fondo Riccio and Minopoli 1 eruptions. Assuming that isobaric fractional crystallization of a mantle-derived parental magma is the dominant petrogenetic process, major element evolution and corresponding changes in the physical and thermodynamic properties of the magma bodies from which Fondo Riccio and Minopoli1 magmas were erupted can be tracked. Fondo Riccio parental magma was trachyandesitic, approximated by the composition of FR-C1-O2-M1, which evolved mainly through fractional crystallization at low pressure (P ≈ 0.15 GPa, ≈ 7 km depth), along the QFM, QFM + 1 oxygen buffer with an initial dissolved H2O content of ∼3 wt%. Minopoli1 parental magma was trachyandesitic, approximated by the chemistry of Mi1-C1-O5-M1, evolved through fractional crystallization at P ≈ 0.3 GPa (≈ 12 km depth), with oxygen fugacity along QFM + 1buffer and initial H2O content of ∼ 2 wt%. The relationship between melt fraction and T reveals for Fondo Riccio the presence of a pseudo-invariant temperature at which the physical properties of melt change abruptly. The net effect of these changes is to drive the system towards dynamic instability, which it is suggested to be the trigger mechanism for the eruptions.
Personality and drug abstention in adolescents.

Summay.-Personahry and drug abstention in adolescents were investigated in a sample of 292 high school seniors. A significant difference was found benveen abstention and low scores for novelty-seeking behavior based on responses to the Tridimensional Personahty Questionnaire. Those who reported abstaining from alcohol had significantly higher grade point averages, attended religious services signdicantly more frequently, and considered rehgion signlficandy niore important than those who reported drug use and abuse. Research on adolescent substance abuse suggests there is a continuum of involvement with drugs from abstention, occasional use, to abuse, and that the extreme behaviors of abstention and abuse are signals of underlying emotional problems, whde occasional use is apparently a manifestation of developmentally appropriate experimentation (Jones, 1968, 1971; Jessor & Jessor, 1977; Newcomb & Bender, 1988; Shedler & Block, 1990). Although abstention has been identified as a factor in a broader profile of psychosocia1 maladjustment, it has not been the focus of research attention. Rather, information on abstention has been largely treated as a byproduct of investigating substance use and abuse. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis regarding a possible relationship between abstention and a personality profile low in novelty seelung and h~gh m reward dependence and harm avoidance behaviors as suggested by Clon~nger, Sigvardsson, and Bohman (1988). Ln their research, Cloninger, et al. found the opposite profile of high novelty seelung, and low reward dependence and harm avoidance to be associated with an early onset of alcohol abuse.
Reply to 'Counterexample and correction to a recent result on robust stability of a diamond of complex polynomials' by H. I. Kang et al. (Nov. 1991 1370-3)

The authors show how a modification of their approach (see ibid., vol.36, p.1168-74, 1989) leads to the stability edges, correctly identified in the above-named work (see ibid., vol.38, p.1370-3, 1991) by K.I. Kang et al., for a diamond of complex polynomials. The feasibility of reduction from 32 to 16 distinguished edges is facilitated via use of Foster's (complex) reactance theorem in network theory. >
Robotic Ureterocalicostomy in the Pediatric Population

Purpose: Ureterocalicostomy is a potential option in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and significant lower pole calicectasis. It is often reserved for patients with a failed pyeloplasty and a minimal pelvis, or patients with an exaggerated intrarenal pelvis. We present our technique of robotic ureterocalicostomy in the pediatric population as a primary modality for an exaggerated intrarenal collecting system not amenable to standard dismembered pyeloplasty, and for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction.Materials and Methods: Nine patients 3 to 15 years old (mean age 6.5) underwent transperitoneal robotic ureterocalicostomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Six of the patients had recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after primary pyeloplasty performed elsewhere. The remaining 3 patients had an exaggerated intrarenal collecting system with minimal or no appreciable renal pelvis for reconstruction. Outcome measures included operative time, length of hospital stay and po...
Collagen hydrogel characterization: multi-scale and multi-modality approach

The complex supramolecular architecture of collagen biopolymer plays an important role in tissue development and integrity. Developing methods to report on collagen structures assembled in vitro would accelerate the pace of utilizing it in biomedical applications. Employing imaging techniques and turbidity measurements, we mapped the light scattering properties of 3D collagen hydrogels formed at initial concentrations of 1 mg ml−1 to about 5 mg ml−1 and several incubation temperatures. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that collagen scattering features consist of both native-like fibrils and filamentous structures that do not have the characteristic fibrillar striation observed in this protein. Spindle-shaped fibrils appear at the concentrations of 1, 2, 2.5 and 4 mg ml−1 and the spiral-shaped fibrils are formed at the concentrations of 2 and 2.5 mg ml−1. The multiphoton microscopy (MPM) images reveal that in the 3D collagen hydrogels a unified relationship between second harmonic generation (SHG) signal directionality and fibril morphology and/or sizes is not likely. The MPM images, however, showed important micro-structural details. These details lead us to conclude that the dependence of SHG signals on the number of interfaces created upon assembly of 3D collagen hydrogels can account for the strength of the detected backscattered signals.
Path-integral analysis of the exchange-correlation energy and potential in density-functional theory: Unpolarized systems

The present work is a demonstration of how the exchange and correlation in density-functional theory can be studied using path-integral techniques. Compact and formally exact expressions for the exchange-correlation functional and potential are derived in terms of the functional integrals. The local density approximation is obtained in the limit of slowly varying density. A perturbative analysis of the exchange-correlation energy and potential via the semiclassical expansion of the effective action is presented. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Interfacial fracture toughness measurement using indentation

Recent models have been developed for relating fracture toughness to indentation strengths for brittle monolithic materials. Thus, indentation may provide a simple and non-destructive means to measure fracture toughness. The indentation technique is further explored to evaluate the interfacial toughness in this work. When microindentations at loads ranging from 50 g to 4 kg were placed close to the interface of an aluminium/aluminum composite laminate, the interface stayed intact. In contrast, the interface of a niobium silicide/niobium laminate indented under similar conditions was found to debond, indicating a weaker interface. However, a Rockwell indenter at loads ranging from 60 to 150 kg were sufficient to debond the interfaces of two of the aluminum composite/aluminum laminates. Finally, the interfacial toughness is correlated to the indenter load and the delamination length along the interface. A power-law relationship was found between the load and the delamination length.
Moderate mitral regurgitation in aortic root replacement surgery: comparing mitral repair with no mitral repair.

Objectives Patients often present for aortic root replacement surgery with concomitant mitral valve pathology. Moderate mitral regurgitation is the point of clinical equipoise where the benefits of intervention compared with observation are currently unknown. This study compares outcomes in patients undergoing aortic root replacement surgery who did or did not receive a mitral valve repair for their preoperative moderate mitral regurgitation. Methods A total of 1316 patients who underwent aortic root replacement surgery between 2000 and 2011 were evaluated, with 104 patients meeting the inclusion criteria by presenting with moderate preoperative mitral regurgitation. A total of 73 patients (70%) received no mitral intervention, and 31 patients (30%) received a mitral repair. Patients underwent preoperative, postoperative, and greater than 6-month follow-up echocardiograms. Average clinical follow-up was 6.5 years. Results The mitral repair group had increased preoperative New York Heart Association III/IV and heart failure, longer crossclamp times, and more postoperative renal failure ( P = .0003, P = .04, P P = .03, respectively). The improvement in mitral regurgitation was greater for the mitral repair group (−2.1 ± 0.3 vs −1.1 ± 0.8, P P = .002). A significantly greater percentage of patients undergoing mitral repair compared with patients with no repair had improvement of at least 1 grade in mitral regurgitation postoperatively (100% vs 70%, P = .001) and on follow-up at 6 months or more (90% vs 61%, P = .006). There was no difference in long-term survival, freedom from 2+ or greater mitral regurgitation, or mitral reinterventions. Conclusions Mitral repair along with aortic root replacement has acceptable operative risk. Aortic root replacement surgery alone improved mitral regurgitation, but the addition of mitral repair further reduced mitral regurgitation, suggesting that repairing moderate mitral regurgitation should generally be considered along with aortic root replacement.
Losslessness, feedback equivalence, and the global stabilization of discrete-time nonlinear systems

In this paper a necessary and sufficient condition for a nonlinear system of the form /spl Sigma/, given by x(k+1)=f(x(k))+g(x(k))u(k), y(k)=h(x(k))+J(x(k))u(k), to be lossless is given, and it is shown that a lossless system can be globally asymptotically stabilized by output feedback if and only if the system is zero-state observable. Then, we investigate conditions under which /spl Sigma/ can be rendered lossless via smooth state feedback. In particular, we show that this is possible if and only if the system in question has relative degree /spl lcub/0,...,0/spl rcub/ and has lossless zero dynamics. Under suitable controllability-like rank conditions, we prove that nonlinear systems having relative degree /spl lcub/0,...,0/spl rcub/ and lossless zero dynamics can be globally stabilized by smooth state feedback. As a consequence, we obtain sufficient conditions for a class of cascaded systems to be globally stabilizable. The global stabilization problem of the nonlinear system /spl Sigma/ without output is also investigated in this paper by means of feedback equivalence. Some of the results are parallel to analogous ones in continuous-time, but in many respects the theory is substantially different and many new phenomena appear. >
Transmission Switching Characteristics of PLZT Shutters.

The ON-OFF ratio, insertion loss, and switching speed of polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic PLZT electrooptic shutters fabricated with a zirconium to titanium ratio of 65 to 35 and a lanthanum concentration of ≈8% were investigated as functions of voltage amplitude and duration. Larger ON-OFF ratios (33 dB for dc mode) were observed for the chemically prepared material than for the mixed oxide material (18 dB). Similar results were observed in the pulsed mode. The relatively low insertion losses (4.5 dB) and fast half-wave retardation switching (≈1 μsec) are acceptable for many shutter applications. Observed variations of these characteristics with number of switching cycles are undesirable.