cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Writer Identification by Professional Document Examiners

Reliable data on the capabilities of professional document examiners are scarce, rendering most past characterizations of these capabilities somewhat speculative. We report on a comprehensive test administered to more than 100 professional document examiners, intended to close this data gap in the area of writer identification. Each examiner made 144 pair-wise comparisons of freely-created original handwritten documents. The task was to determine whether or not a “match” was detected, namely whether or not the two documents were written by the same hand. Matching criteria were based on the identification and strong probability definitions of the ASTM standard E1658. The professionals were tested in three groups (in the northeastern, southeastern, and southwestern United States). In addition, we have created a control group of similar educational background. Several individuals training to become professional document examiners were tested as well. Examination of the data and statistical tests show that the answers collected from the professional and nonprofessional groups came from different populations. The trainees' data were shown to have come from a population that is distinct from both professional and nonprofessional groups. Unlike the professional examiners, the nonprofessionals tended to grossly over-associate. They erroneously “matched” many documents that were created by different writers, mismatching almost six times as many unknown documents to database documents as the professionals did (38.3% vs. 6.5% of the documents). The results of our test lay to rest the debate over whether or not professional document examiners possess writer-identification skills absent in the general population. They do.
Breaking Down Walls

Differences in education, socioeconomic status, and experience were overcome and a trust relation was developed between women medical students and the women prisoners with whom they held conversations on health-related topics. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Preliminary airborne imaging spectrometer vegetation data

An airborne, pushbroom-style multispectral (1.2-2.4 micron) imaging sensor system known as Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) has been flown over the Pico Anticline region of the Santa Susana Mountains, California (U.S.A.). Initial interpretation of preliminary data sets suggest that the high spectral resolution data from AIS provide superior vegetation discrimination and mapping capabilities when compared with other imaging systems (MSS, TMS). AIS spectral data may also contain information concerning the state of health of both native and cultivated vegetation. Such capabilities (discrimination, mapping, and assessment of state of health) will be most useful in geobotanical assessment of this and other areas.
Effect of Exhaust Valve Timing on Gasoline Engine Performance and Hydrocarbon Emissions

Despite remarkable progress made over the past 30 years, automobiles continue to be a major source of hydrocarbon emissions. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether variable exhaust valve opening (EVO) and exhaust valve closing (EVC) can be used to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. An automotive gasoline engine was tested with different EVO and EVC timings under steady-state and start-up conditions. The first strategy that was evaluated uses early EVO with standard EVC. Although exhaust gas temperature is increased and catalyst light-off time is reduced, the rapid drop in cylinder temperature increases cylinder-out hydrocarbons to such a degree that a net increase in hydrocarbon emissions results. The second strategy that was evaluated uses early EVO with early EVC. Early EVO reduces catalyst light-off time by increasing exhaust gas temperature and early EVC keeps the hydrocarbon-rich exhaust gas from the piston crevice from leaving the cylinder. The net result is that start-up hydrocarbon emissions are reduced by 27%.
High-speed 6.1 Angstrom InAs HBT devices and circuits

The paper presents high-speed 6.1 Angstrom InAs HBT devices and circuits highlighting areas where HBT compare favorably to other devices as well as pointing out areas where technology requires additional development. The major differences between InAs technology and other HBT technologies is the lack of suitable lattice-matched semi-insulating substrate for InAs. The circuit consist of 62 transistor, sub-collector resistors and two layers of metal interconnect. A key parameter for determining the speed of an HBT is the base resistance. A base sheet resistance of 490 /spl Omega//sq was measured from a 400/spl Aring/ thick InAS layer doped p-type with Be at 1.5/spl times/10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/ and good gain is achieved at this doping level.
PLACE OF BIRTH FOR VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT VLBW (1500 GRAMS) INFANTS: DOES IT MATTER?

To evaluate the effect of place of birth on the morbidity and mortality of VLBW infants, we analyzed data (320 variables from each mother-infant pair collected prospectively) from 25, 120 infants born in our Perinatal network of 3 Level III (L. III) and 9 Level II (L. II) hospitals over an 18 month period. 397 VLBW and 2145 low birth weight infants (<2500 gm, LBW) formed a subset. L. III hospitals have pediatric and OB residencies, and perinatal fellowship programmes: only 3/9 L II hospitals have pediatric and OB residencies. Results. L III centers cared for a greater fraction of mothers on public aid (45% Vs 29%, P<0.0001), and teenage mothers (<16 years, 5% Vs 2%, P<0.001). Total perinatal and neonatal mortality rates (PMR, NMR) were higher in L III than in L II (16.3 and 106 Vs 10.1 and 4.7) which was mainly due to a 150% and 268% higher VLBW and LBW rates. However, for VLBW infants born in L III, 5 minute Apgar score distribution was significantly superior and PMR was better than for those born in L II. These data indicate that for the high risk VLBW infants, availability of supportive services is cruial for good outcome; fetal transfer may be better than high risk neonatal transfer.
Mammalian epidermal and hair root protein synthesis: subcellular localization of the synthetic site.

Abstract The particulate and soluble factors required for cell-free amino acid incorporation have been isolated from mammalian epidermis and hair root cells. A class of ribonucleoprotein particles has been identified which appears bound to the membranes and filaments of the cells, sediments with the 600 × g pellet following homogenization and is associated with the nascent proteins synthesized by both tissues in vivo. Although previously described cell-free amino acid incorporating systems derived from mammalian epithelium have been relatively inactive, isolation of these bound particles with detergents has led to the development and characterization of active cell-free systems from epidermis and hair root cells.
Psychology, History of

The subject matter of psychology captured the human imagination long before psychology became a science. Throughout antiquity, Chinese, Babylonian, Egyptian, Indian, Hebraic, and Persian scholars explored psychological topics ranging from sensation, emotion, and cognition to education, personality, and mental disorders. In ancient Greece, many enduring figures, including Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Heraclitus, Leucippus, and Democritus, made contributions important to Western intellectual history. Rejecting popular supernatural explanations, Hippocrates (c. 460–c. 377 b.c.e.) introduced a naturalistic approach to medicine that encompassed both physical and mental illness. He also formulated the first classification system of mental disorders. Keywords: behaviorism; functionalism; Gestalt psychology; history; structuralism
Truthing the stretch: Non-perturbative cosmological realizations with multiscale spherical collapse

Here we present a simple, parameter-free, non-perturbative algorithm that gives low-redshift cosmological particle realizations accurate to few-Megaparsec scales, called MUSCLE (MUltiscale Spherical ColLapse Evolution). It has virtually the same cost as producing N-body-simulation initial conditions, since it works with the 'stretch' parameter {\psi}, the Lagrangian divergence of the displacement field. It promises to be useful in quickly producing mock catalogs, and to simplify computationally intensive reconstructions of galaxy surveys. MUSCLE applies a spherical-collapse prescription on multiple Gaussian-smoothed scales. It achieves higher accuracy than perturbative schemes (Zel'dovich and 2LPT), and, by including the void-in-cloud process (voids in large-scale collapsing regions), solves problems with a single-scale spherical-collapse scheme. Slight further improvement is possible by mixing in the 2LPT estimate on large scales. Additionally, we show the behavior of {\psi} for different morphologies (voids, walls, filaments, and haloes). A Python code to produce these realizations is available at this http URL.
Lasers in cardiovascular surgery--current status.

Abstract The argon, carbon dioxide and neodymium-YAG lasers have been proposed as effective instruments for surgical procedures of the intact cardiovascular system. While argon and CO2 lasers cause superficial (0 to 1 mm) thermal injury, the Nd:YAG laser is better suited for effecting deep thermal necrosis (3 to 4 mm). Microsurgical vessel anastomoses can be done by “tissue welding” with any of the three clinical lasers. Myocardial revascularization may be accomplished by drilling “neocapillaries” in ischemic myocardium. Endocardial resection for destroying arrhythmic pathways and removing hypertrophied septal muscle has also been successfully accomplished with laser phototherapy. Last, laser-mediated vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries and peripheral circulation may offer a percutaneous approach to the treatment of arterial occlusive disease. Cardiovascular uses of lasers are purely investigational at the current time. Much more needs to be known before widespread clinical use of lasers in the cardiovascular system can occur.
National Revivals and Their Consequences

Nationalism in Eastern Europe: Causes and Consequences of the National Revivals and Conflicts of Late-Twentieth-Century Eastern Europe by Soren Rinder Bollerup and Christian Dons Christensen
Comparison of QTc interval prolongation for patients in methadone versus buprenorphine maintenance treatment: a 5-year follow-up.

The authors investigated whether patients receiving buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) will have corrected QT (QTc) prolongation after taking buprenorphine for an extended period of time. They also compared QTc prolongation for patients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) versus BMT to determine which medication is the better option for patients with heart disease. A retrospective chart review study of 73 patients in BMT and 55 patients in MMT was performed. A linear regression model with a one-sided P value was used for data analysis. The MMT group had statistically significant prolongation of QTc compared with the BMT group (F = 3.94, P = .0001). Being diagnosed with congestive heart failure and taking methadone were the only individual variables that showed a statistically significant association with a QTc prolongation > 500 ms. The model as a whole showed statistical significance (F = 5.203, P = .007). Being diagnosed with congestive heart failure was the only individual variable that sho...
Overcoming memory T-cell responses for induction of delayed tolerance in nonhuman primates.

The presence of alloreactive memory T cells is a major barrier for induction of tolerance in primates. In theory, delaying conditioning for tolerance induction until after organ transplantation could further decrease the efficacy of the regimen, since pre-existing alloreactive memory T cells might be stimulated by the transplanted organ. Here, we show that such “delayed tolerance” can be induced in nonhuman primates through the mixed chimerism approach, if specific modifications to overcome/avoid donor-specific memory T cell responses are provided. These modifications include adequate depletion of CD8+ memory T cells and timing of donor bone marrow administration to minimize levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using this modified approach, mixed chimerism was induced successfully in 11 of 13 recipients of previously placed renal allografts and long-term survival without immunosuppression could be achieved in at least 6 of these 11 animals.
Laser Protective Eyewear

The most desirable laser hazard control measure is the complete enclosure of the laser or laser system; however, this may not always be practical, and laser eye protection generally offers the best alternative. Although most industrial laser applications do not require the use of eye protection, this is not usually true for laser applications in the research laboratory. For a constantly changing experimental arrangement, eye protection provides the simplest solution to the laser safety problem.
Photochemical Oxidant Formation: Overview of Current Knowledge and Emerging Issues

Abstract Despite 1-1/2 decades of control effort, the photochemical ozone problem continues to plague human society and ecology in the US. One reason alleged for the difficulty in achieving the established ozone air quality standard is that current understanding of the science underlying the problem is still insufficient. Scrutiny of existing empirical and theoretical/experimental evidence revealed imperfections in ozone air quality models and model application procedures. Latest chemical mechanism developments established the CBM and CALL mechanisms as superior to others but still lacking 1n some respects. Precursorrelated uncertainties are of consequence both for models requiring emission rate input and for models requiring ambient concentration input. Other factors affecting model predictions are the composition of VOC emissions and the amount and makeup of pollutants transported into the modeled atmosphere. Regional ozone air quality models are now available and procedures are being developed for use of such models in formulating regional ozone control strategies. The relative importances of “hydrocarbons” (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (N0X) differ in the urban and the regional ozone formation phenomena.
Indigenous Knowledge of Biological Resources and Intellectual Property Rights: The Role of Anthropology

Rappelant l'origine et la nature des droits de la propriete intellectuelle, les droits moraux et l'efficacite economique, l'A. s'interroge sur la connaissance biologique en tant qu'heritage commun, sur la comprehension de la connaissance indigene et ses contributions. Les problemes de la connaissance generale, de l'identite du groupe, du statut legal et du marche genent la realisation de tels droits mais l'anthropologie permettrait de mieux comprendre l'importance de l'extension du debat des droits de la propriete intellectuelle a la connaissance indigene.
On the stability of conjugated hydrocarbon ions

We consider the question of predicting the stability of hypothetical structures that are too large for ab initio calculations, too complex for simple MO calculations, and too few for reliable semiempirical SCFMO schemes. The problem is illustrated on a polycyclic conjugated cation having 21 carbon atoms. The analysis is general and applies to conjugated hydrocarbons and their ions for which it is not apparent whether they exhibit aromatic characteristics (and, if they do, to what extent). For the investigated polycyclic cation we find that to a large extent its aromatic components are cancelled by its antiaromatic components resulting in an essentially nonaromatic system. The analysis, which is based on close examination of various contributing conjugated circuits, allows one to examine the partial role of the individual Kekule valence structures as well as to foretell the nature of both the positively and the negatively charged system. We conclude that the particular cation should be stable but represents a challenge as it would be a cation with a rather small resonance energy. In contrast, the corresponding anion is relatively stable and, at least from a theoretical point of view, is less interesting.
Deposition of Copper by the H2-Assisted Reduction of Cu(tmod)2 in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Kinetics and Reaction Mechanism

The kinetics and reaction mechanism for copper deposition by the hydrogen-assisted reduction of bis(2,2,7-trimethyloctane-3,5-dionato)copper(II), [Cu(tmod)2], in supercritical carbon dioxide was studied using a differential cold wall reactor. At substrate temperatures between 220 and 270 °C, the measured film growth rate ranged between 5 and 35 nm/min. The overall apparent activation energy was 51.9 kJ/mol. Film growth rate exhibited zero-order dependence on the precursor at precursor concentrations between 0.02 and 0.5 wt % Cu (tmod)2 in CO2 and a zero-order dependence on hydrogen at hydrogen concentrations greater than 0.06 wt % in CO2. Zero-order precursor dependence over large concentration ranges promotes exceptional step coverage. At lower concentrations of either reagent a 1/2-order dependence was observed. Film growth rate was negative order with respect to excess quantities of the hydrogenated ligand byproduct, (tmod)H, and film growth could be suppressed completely at (tmod)H concentrations abov...
Two-stage framework for visualization of clustered high dimensional data

In this paper, we discuss dimension reduction methods for 2D visualization of high dimensional clustered data. We propose a twostage framework for visualizing such data based on dimension reduction methods. In the first stage, we obtain the reduced dimensional data by applying a supervised dimension reduction method such as linear discriminant analysis which preserves the original cluster structure in terms of its criteria. The resulting optimal reduced dimension depends on the optimization criteria and is often larger than 2. In the second stage, the dimension is further reduced to 2 for visualization purposes by another dimension reduction method such as principal component analysis. The role of the second-stage is to minimize the loss of information due to reducing the dimension all the way to 2. Using this framework, we propose several two-stage methods, and present their theoretical characteristics as well as experimental comparisons on both artificial and real-world text data sets.
Exploring the neurodevelopment of visual statistical learning using event-related brain potentials

Abstract Implicit statistical learning (ISL) allows for the learning of environmental patterns and is thought to be important for many aspects of perception, cognition, and language development. However, very little is known about the development of the underlying neural mechanisms that support ISL. To explore the neurodevelopment of ISL, we investigated the event-related potential (ERP) correlates of learning in adults, older children (aged 9–12), and younger children (aged 6–9) using a novel predictor-target paradigm. In this task, which was a modification of the standard oddball paradigm, participants were instructed to view a serial input stream of visual stimuli and to respond with a button press when a particular target appeared. Unbeknownst to the participants, covert statistical probabilities were embedded in the task such that the target was predicted to varying degrees by different predictor stimuli. The results were similar across all three age groups: a P300 component that was elicited by the high predictor stimulus after sufficient exposure to the statistical probabilities. These neurophysiological findings provide evidence for developmental invariance in ISL, with adult-like competence reached by at least age 6.
Management of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma presenting within a thyroglossal duct cyst.

Background and Objective Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC) is diagnosed in approximately 1.5% of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC). No clear consensus exists regarding further management after adequate excision of the cyst, especially the role of total thyroidectomy and postoperative radioactive iodine therapy. The current review was undertaken in an attempt to clarify these issues. Methods Demographic, clinical, tumor, treatment, pathology, and outcome data on 57 eligible patients reported in recent literature were pooled together with 5 patients treated at our institution for this analysis. Results A Sistrunk operation was performed for resection of the thyroglossal duct cyst in the majority (90%) of patients. Histologic examination of the tumor in the cyst revealed that papillary carcinoma was the most frequent (92%) histologic type. A total thyroidectomy was performed consequent to the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma in approximately half of the 62 patients. A malignant tumor was reported in 27% of the thyroidectomy specimens. Postoperative radioactive iodine therapy was administered in 16 (26%) patients. With a median follow-up of 71 months (range 1–456 months), the 5- and 10-year Kaplan–Meier overall survival was 100 and 95.6%, respectively. There were no disease-related deaths reported in any of the patients. Univariate analysis revealed that the only significant predictor of overall survival was the extent of primary surgery for the thyroglossal cyst. The addition of total thyroidectomy to Sistrunk operation did not have a significant impact on outcome (P = 0.1). Patients treated with postoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) fared significantly worse than those that did not need RAI, which may be explained by the fact that this modality would generally be used in patients with higher risk tumors. Conclusions The Sistrunk operation is adequate for most patients with incidentally diagnosed TGDC carcinoma in the presence of a clinically and radiologically normal thyroid gland. Results of adequate excision using the Sistrunk operation are excellent and the concept of risk-groups should be used to identify patients, who would benefit from more aggressive treatment. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;79:134–139. © 2002 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
A meta‐analytic review of findings from national samples on psychological correlates of child sexual abuse

In response to the availability of a growing literature on the psychological correlates of child sexual abuse (CSA), numerous researchers have conducted literature reviews of these correlates. These reviewers have generally reported that CSA is associated with a wide variety of adjustment problems, and many have additionally implied or concluded that, in the population of persons with CSA experiences, (a) CSA causes psychological harm, (b) this harm is pervasive, (c) this harm is intense, and (d) boys and girls experience CSA equivalently. However, with few exceptions, these reviewers have included in their reviews mostly studies using clinical and legal samples; these samples cannot be assumed to be representative of the general population. To evaluate the implications and conclusions of these reviewers, we conducted a literature review of seven studies using national probability samples, which are more appropriate for making population inferences. We found that, contrary to the implications and conclusi...
Modeling of two-stage coal coprocessing process

Coal coprocessing can be done either in a single-stage or in a multistage process. It has been found that multistage processing offers some advantages over single-stage processing. In this study, a two-stage process was selected for coal liquefaction. In the first stage (solvent production stage), the waste materials were liquefied at milder conditions to obtain a suitable solvent for the coal liquefaction. In the second stage, the liquid product obtained from the first stage was used as solvent for coal. The two-stage liquefaction process was carried out in the absence of externally added catalysts. The reactions were carried out in a tubing bomb microreactor at temperatures of 350−450 °C and 1250 psig of cold hydrogen pressure for reaction times of 15−120 min at 10% coal loading. Total conversion, and conversion to asphaltenes, oils, etc., were monitored. A model for coal liquefaction has been developed as part of this study. A rigorous parameter estimation method was used to estimate the model paramete...
AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy for Thrombotic Myocardial Injury in a 15-Year-Old Cystic Fibrosis Patient During Lung Transplantation

We report on an acute myocardial injury caused by thrombotic emboli during off-pump bilateral sequential lung transplantation in a 15-year-old female patient with end-stage cystic fibrosis. A few minutes after reperfusion of the right (second sequential) allograft, the patient developed hemodynamic collapse, including hypotension, acute akinesis of the anterior and lateral myocardial walls, and severe mitral regurgitation. Thrombus was noted within the left atrium and ventricle on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram. After emergent cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, the patient underwent left cardiac catheterization with AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy and removal of the clot from the distal left anterior descending coronary artery. Reperfusion was established without the need for stent placement or further intervention. The patient required short-term life support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Demonstration of improved beam quality in an image-rotating optical parametric oscillator

We performed laboratory and numerical modeling studies of an optical parametric oscillator with 90° intracavity image rotation. We found that the signal beam was more symmetric than that from comparable cavities without image rotation, and it had low values of the beam quality factor, M2. Oscillator performance agreed well with our numerical model.
Monte Carlo algorithms for QCD

Abstract We present a classification of the Monte Carlo algorithms which have been suggested for QCD including the full effect of fermions, and discuss which of these are likely to be the most efficient.
An Old Approach to Finite Population Sampling Theory

Abstract The main objective of this work is to relate classical inference and sampling theory (and current sampling practice) to recent advances toward formalizing and unifying the theory of sampling from finite populations. It is pointed out that the use of definitions which coincide with what seem to be the traditional notions of simple random sampling, and post-stratification (stratification after sampling) leads to the solution of such riddles which appear in the more recent theory as the failure of the likelihood principle to sanction any non-trivial inference whatever. In particular, a general method of maximum likelihood is shown to lead to new estimates for the population mean when the three aforementioned sampling plans are employed. Thus objective likelihood inference from sample to population is seen in these instances to be possible if and only if randomization is employed in the selection of the sample. Finally, completeness theorems are proved which imply that in the simplest common sampling...
Primary photoinduced processes in bimetallic dyads with extended aromatic bridges. tetraazatetrapyridopentacene complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II).

The photophysics of the binuclear complexes [(phen)2M(tatpp)M(phen)2]4+, where M = Ru or Os, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and tatpp = 9,11,20,22-tetraazatetrapyrido[3,2-a:2‘3‘-c:3‘ ‘,2‘ ‘-l:2‘ ‘‘,3‘ ‘‘]pentacene, has been studied in acetonitrile and dichloromethane by femtosecond and nanosecond time-resolved techniques. The results demonstrate that complexes of different metals have different types of lowest excited state: a tatpp ligand-centered (LC) triplet in the case of Ru(II); a metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) triplet state in the case of Os(II). The excited-state kinetics is strongly solvent-dependent. In the Ru(II) system, the formation and decay of the LC state take place, respectively, in 25 ps and ca. 5 ns in CH3CN and in 0.5 ps and 1.3 μs in CH2Cl2. These solvent effects can be rationalized on the basis of a thermally activated decay of the LC state through the upper MLCT state. In the Os(II) system, the formation and decay of the MLCT state take place, respectively, in 3.8 and 60 ps in ...
Geology and geophysics of the West Nubian Paleolake and the Northern Darfur Megalake (WNPL–NDML): Implication for groundwater resources in Darfur, northwestern Sudan

Abstract The recent delineation of a vastly expanded Holocene paleo-lake (the Northern Darfur Megalake which was originally mapped as the West Nubian Paleolake and here will be referred to as WNPL–NDML) in Darfur in northwestern Sudan has renewed hopes for the presence of an appreciable groundwater resource in this hyper-arid region of Eastern Sahara. This paleolake which existed within a closed basin paleo-drainage system might have allowed for the collection of surface water which was subsequently infiltrated to recharge the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Nubian Aquifer. However, the presence of surface exposures of Precambrian crystalline rocks in the vicinity of the paleolake has been taken as indicating the absence of a thick Paleozoic–Mesozoic sedimentary section capable of holding any meaningful quantity of groundwater. This work integrates surface geology and gravity data to show that WNPL–NDML is underlain by NE-trending grabens forming potential local Paleozoic–Mesozoic aquifers that can hold as much as 1120 km3 of groundwater if the sedimentary rocks are completely saturated. Nevertheless, it is advised here that recharge of the Nubian aquifer under WNPL–NDML is insignificant and that much of the groundwater is fossil water which was accumulated during different geological times much wetter than today’s hyper-arid climate in Eastern Sahara. Excessive extraction will lead to quick depletion of this groundwater resource. This will result in lowering of the water table which in turn might lead to the drying out of the oases in the region which provide important habitats for humans, animals and plants in northern Darfur.
Neuregulins and ErbB receptors in cultured neonatal astrocytes.

Neuregulins (NRGs) are a family of growth factors involved in signaling between neurons and glial cells of the peripheral and central nervous system. NRGs are synthesized and secreted by a number of cell types including Schwann cells, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. NRG transduction signals are mediated by the erbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. These NRGs may be important for paracrine or autocrine signaling during development, injury, and the normal functioning of the central nervous system. In this study, we characterize the NRGs and erbB receptors expressed by cultured neonatal rat astrocytes. Using immunoblotting protocols with pan-specific antibodies, we identified eleven NRG molecular weight isoforms from approximately 16 kDa to 105 kDa in cultured neonatal rat astrocytes. Immunocyotchemistry with isoformspecific antibodies revealed the expression of both major isoform families (NRGa, NRGb). Additionally, astrocyte-conditioned media contained two molecular weight isoforms of NRGs. We detected mRNA expression of NRGa and NRGb in astrocytes by amplifying mRNA transcripts with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we confirm that cultured astrocytes express all four erbB receptors as detected by immunocytochemical and immunoblotting techniques. These data indicate that astrocytes contain and secrete NRGs. J. Neurosci. Res. 57:487‐ 494, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Rationale for Combined Therapy with a Calcium Channel Blocker and a Statin: Evaluation of Basic and Clinical Evidence

Calcium channel blockers and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are widely used for the management of hypertension and dyslipidemia, respectively. The use of these agents in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease remains largely based on their actions in lowering blood pressure and lipids. Recent clinical trials, however, indicate that certain members of these two drug classes may slow progression of disease to an extent that cannot be solely attributed to risk factor reduction. The proposed mechanisms for such pleiotropic actions include enhancement of endothelial-dependent nitric oxide bioavailability, anti-inflammatory activity, and inhibition of oxidative stress. To understand the basis for such effects, along with potential synergies, we will review the basic and clinical evidence that indicate a broader opportunity for treatment and protection of cardiovascular events by atheroprotection with these agents beyond risk factor management.
Weighted waypoint mobility model and its impact on ad hoc networks

To realistically evaluate performance of ad hoc networks we propose a generic framework called the Weighted Way Point (WWP) mobility model. WWP model captures preferences in choosing destinations of pedestrian mobility patterns in a campus environment. We estimate the parameters of this model using mobility survey data for the USC campus. We further compare WWP model with widely used Random Waypoint (RWP) model and demonstrate that in the WWP model mobile nodes display uneven (clustering), time-varying spatial distribution. WWP model is also less mobile than RWP model with typical parameter settings. The clustering effect can cause lower success rate of route discovery in ad hoc networks.
Identification of a quantitative trait locus on rat chromosome 4 that is strongly linked to femoral neck structure and strength

Risk factors for osteoporotic hip fracture include reduced bone mineral density and poor structure of the femoral neck, both of which are heritable traits. Previously, we showed that despite similar body size, Fischer 344 (F344) rats have significantly different skeletal traits compared with Lewis (LEW) rats. To identify a gene or genes regulating fracture risk at the femoral neck, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) for femoral neck density and structure phenotypes using a 595 F2 progeny derived from the inbred F344 and LEW strains of rats. Femoral neck phenotypes included volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), neck width, femoral neck cross-sectional area and polar moment of inertia (Ip). A 20-cM genome-wide scan was performed using 118 microsatellite markers and linkage analysis was conducted to identify chromosomal regions harbor QTL for femoral neck phenotypes. Strong evidence of linkage (P < 0.01) to femoral neck vBMD was observed on chromosomes (Chrs) 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 15. QTL affecting femoral neck structure and biomechanical properties were detected only on Chr 4 where the F344 alleles were shown to improve femoral neck structure, whereas these alleles had no effect on bone measurements at the lumbar spine and only modest effects at the femoral midshaft. In contrast, QTL on Chrs 1, 2 and 10 affected multiple skeletal sites. Several QTL regions in this study are homologous to human chromosomal regions, where linkage to femoral neck and related phenotypes has been reported previously. These findings represent an important first step in localizing and identifying genes that influence hip fragility.
Using nonlinear dynamics to test for market efficiency among the major U.S. stock exchanges

Abstract The existing evidence on the influence of low dimensional chaotic dynamics in U.S. stock market returns is spotty and inconclusive. This study contributes to the existing evidence by examining the returns in the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, and the Over-the-Counter Market. Moreover, in light of the significance of the “size effect,” which recently has received renewed attention in the literature, this study examines portfolios categorized by firm size. The results suggest that the NYSE large-firm portfolio is driven by a low-dimensional deterministic influence, making it potentially predictable.
High potency zinc modulation of human P2X2 receptors and low potency zinc modulation of rat P2X2 receptors share a common molecular mechanism

Human P2X2 receptors (hP2X2) are strongly inhibited by zinc over the range of 2–100 μm, whereas rat P2X2 receptors (rP2X2) are strongly potentiated over the same range, and then inhibited by zinc over 100 μm. However, the biological role of zinc modulation is unknown in either species. To identify candidate regions controlling zinc inhibition in hP2X2 a homology model based on the crystal structure of zebrafish P2X4.1 was made. In this model, His-204 and His-209 of one subunit were near His-330 of the adjacent subunit. Cross-linking studies confirmed that these residues are within 8 Å of each other. Simultaneous mutation of these three histidines to alanines decreased the zinc potency of hP2X2 nearly 100-fold. In rP2X2, one of these histidines is replaced by a lysine, and in a background in which zinc potentiation was eliminated, mutation of Lys-197 to histidine converted rP2X2 from low potency to high potency inhibition. We explored whether the zinc-binding site lies within the vestibules running down the central axis of the receptor. Elimination of all negatively charged residues from the upper vestibule had no effect on zinc inhibition. In contrast, mutation of several residues in the hP2X2 middle vestibule resulted in dramatic changes in the potency of zinc inhibition. In particular, the zinc potency of P206C could be reversibly shifted from extremely high (∼10 nm) to very low (>100 μm) by binding and unbinding MTSET. These results suggest that the cluster of histidines at the subunit interface controls access of zinc to its binding site.
Postweaning exposure to a high-fat diet is associated with alterations to the hepatic histone code in Japanese macaques

Postweaning exposure to a high-fat diet is associated with alterations to the hepatic histone code in Japanese macaques
Second Life in the Psychology Classroom: Teaching and Research Possibilities

This article focuses on the advantages of using online virtual environments such as Second Life SL to assist in teaching and research. Although instructors have used SL to supplement the in-class experience in various fields including Information Technology, Communication, and English, few have used it widely for the teaching of psychology. The authors first present a best practices guide for teachers looking to incorporate SL into the psychology classroom. Next, an easily adaptable and readily modifiable class activity for illustrating research methods in an Introduction to Psychology classroom is introduced. The study demonstrates how this activity can generate research data to further students' and instructors' research agendas and enhance learning.
Femtosecond-pulse-driven, electron-excited XUV lasers in eight-times-ionized noble gases

We propose three XUV laser schemes in the 30-50-nm wavelength region that can be driven by 10-Hz ultrashort-pulse terawatt laser systems. Tunneling ionization by circularly polarized radiation produces both the ions and hot electrons necessary to excite the upper laser level.
Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be one of the dietary causes of metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Therefore, substituting sugar with low-calorie sweeteners may be an efficacious weight management strategy. We tested the effect of preloads containing stevia, aspartame, or sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Design: 19 healthy lean (BMI = 20.0 – 24.9) and 12 obese (BMI = 30.0 – 39.9) individuals 18 to 50 years old completed three separate food test days during which they received preloads containing stevia (290 kcal), aspartame (290 kcal), or sucrose (493 kcal) before the lunch and dinner meal. The preload order was balanced, and food intake (kcal) was directly calculated. Hunger and satiety levels were reported before and after meals, and every hour throughout the afternoon. Participants provided blood samples immediately before and 20 minutes after the lunch preload. Despite the caloric difference in preloads (290 vs. 493 kcals), participants did not compensate by eating more at their lunch and dinner meals when they consumed stevia and aspartame versus sucrose in preloads (mean differences in food intake over entire day between sucrose and stevia = 301 kcal, p < .01; aspartame = 330 kcal, p < .01). Selfreported hunger and satiety levels did not differ by condition. Stevia preloads significantly lowered postprandial glucose levels compared to sucrose preloads (p < .01), and postprandial insulin levels compared to both aspartame and sucrose preloads (p < .05). When consuming stevia and aspartame preloads, participants did not compensate by eating more at either their lunch or dinner meal and reported similar levels of satiety compared to when they consumed the higher calorie sucrose preload.
Paediatric testicular cancer: an updated review of incidence and conditional survival from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database

OBJECTIVES To determine, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based database, the epidemiological variables and update the understanding of testicular tumours in children, as knowledge of their incidence and survival is predicated upon multi-institutional cooperation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using the SEER database, we ascertained the incidence rate, 5-year survival by disease stage at diagnosis, and 5-year conditional survival after surviving for 1-3 years for cases recorded between 1973 and 2005. We stratified the incidence rate by race and histology to examine if these factors affect disease characteristics. RESULTS We identified 195 cases of testicular tumours in children from birth to age 14 years, and 785 for children aged 15-18 years. Yolk sac tumour was the most common testicular tumour, and overall, Caucasian children were most at risk and four times more likely to be affected than African-American children. The incidence rate of testicular tumour overall has not increased significantly since 1973. Conditional survival is excellent for all testicular malignancies, with a 1-year conditional survival (chance of surviving 5-years after having survived the first year) of 99.6%. CONCLUSIONS We present an updated analysis of the SEER database for the incidence and survival of testicular tumours, and revisit the issue of whether the incidence of testicular tumours in children is increasing. We also present to our knowledge, the first calculation of conditional survival in children for this malignancy. There has been no significant increase in the incidence of testicular tumours for children aged <14 years. By contrast, the postpubertal group aged 15-18 years showed a reversal in this trend.
A database manager for cell based VLSI circuits

Abstract CELLMAN, an object-oriented database manager for cell-based VLSI circuits is presented. With m constraints and n cells in the working set, the tool is capable of finding matching cells in O ( m In n ) time which is a significant speed up from the conventional relational database systems. An effective and efficient object-oriented database schema is developed for the cell based design environment. Efficient objective functions are developed to guide the search process. For function queries, technologies for Boolean matching is proposed with a constant time complexity, i.e., independent of the size of library. Techniques are developed to find closest misses when no cell satisfies the constraints provided by circuit designers. The tool has a user-friendly interface and is capable to be used in various environments. In addition, CELLMAN has inherited all advantages of object-oriented systems, including high performance, easy maintenance, inheritance, data abstraction, and has laid down an important foundation for designing extremely complicated circuits and systems. In fact, currently CELLMAN is being used in designing Intel's most advanced microprocessors.
Nucleation and growth of YBa2Cu3O7−x thick films processed on YSZ, Al2O3, MgO and BaZrO3 substrates

Abstract The substrate material in the processing of superconducting thick films not only performs an important role in supporting the film but is also seen to be a significant factor in the microstructural development of the film. The characterisation of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x (YBCO) thick films melt processed on a variety of substrate materials (e.g., YSZ, MgO, Al 2 O 3 , BaZrO 3 ) revealed a wide variation in the microstructures and properties obtained. The microstructures of melt-processed YBCO films on yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) substrates display a characteristic morphology described to be “spherulitic” or “hub and spoke”. Melt processed films displaying this morphology have been shown to exhibit desirable superconducting properties for potential applications in the electronics and microwave component industries. The nucleation and growth of such microstructures has been investigated and is described, together with methods of manipulating the nucleation sites and further improving the superconducting properties obtained in films.
Contemporary trends in the acid-base status of two acid-sensitive streams in western Maryland.

Recovery of streamwater acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) resulting from declines in regional acid deposition was examined using contemporary (1990-2005) data from two long-term monitoring stations located on the Appalachian Plateau in western Maryland, U.S. Two computational methods were used to estimate daily, monthly, and annual fluxes and discharge-weighted concentrations of ANC, sulfate, nitrate, and base cations over the period of record, and two statistical methods were used to evaluate long-term trends in fluxes and concentrations. The methods used to estimate concentrations, as well as the, statistical techniques, produced very similar results, underlining the robustness of the identified trends. We found clear evidence that streamwater sulfate concentrations have declined at an average rate of about 3 (microns)eq L(exp -1) yr(exp -1) at the two sites due to a 34% reduction in wet atmospheric sulfur deposition. Trends in nitrate concentrations appear to be related to other watershed factors, especially forest disturbance. The best evidence of recovery is based on a doubling of ANC (from 21 to 42 (microns)eq L(exp -1) at the more acid-sensitive site over the 16-year period. A slowing, or possible reversal, in the sulfate, nitrate, and SBC trends is evident in our data and may portend a decline in the rate of--or end to--further recovery.
Association of the Green Stink Bug and the Yeast-Spot Disease Organism of Soybeans. 1. length of Retention, Effect of Molting, Isolation from Feces and Saliva

Acrosternum hilare (Say) was fed a suspension of the yeast-spot disease organism, Nematospora coryli Peglion, in sugar water and on N. coryli -inoculated soybeans in the laboratory to obtain infested insects. The suspension method prove the more reliable, infesting 100% of the specimens, compared with 73% fed on inoculated soybeans. Insects consistently retained N. coryli in their heads for 9o days, and less frequently in their thoraxes and abdomens. Insects lost N. coryli from their heads during moiling, and it was isolated from their feces but not from salivary secretions.
Meteorological considerations in siting photochemical pollutant monitors

Abstract Ozone conducive meteorological conditions are identified based on statistics derived from local meteorological data of 31 eastern U.S. cities in a period of ten summers (1981–1990). A method of using ozone conducive meteorological conditions to construct a wind rose to site photochemical pollutant monitors is presented. The approach used to derive ozone conducive criteria appears to be quite robust, suggesting that the method may be applicable to site photochemical pollutant monitors in other areas of the United States.
Gauge-boson mass shifts for extended Higgs sectors.

We calculate the one-loop radiative corrections to gauge-boson masses in SU(2)/sub L/ x U(1)/sub Y/ electroweak gauge models with an extended Higgs sector in an on-shell renormalization scheme. Current gauge-boson mass measurements restrict certain Higgs-boson masses to lie below the unitarity bound. Future precise measurements of the Z-boson mass can significantly reduce this limit. We also compare our results to previous calculations for the shift in the rho parameter.