cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of optical damage cross-sections and volumes surrounding ion bombardment tracks in GaAs using coherent acoustic phonon spectroscopy

We report the results of coherent acoustic phonon spectroscopy analysis of band-edge optical modification of GaAs irradiated with 400 keV Ne++ for doses between 1011–1013 cm−2. We relate this optical modification to the structural damage density as predicted by simulation and verified by ion channeling analysis. Crystal damage is observed to cause optical modification that reduces the amplitude of the optoacoustic signal. The depth-dependent nature of the optoacoustic measurement allows us to determine optical damage cross-sections along the ion track, which are found to vary as a function of position along the track. Unexpectedly, we find that this optical modification is primarily dependent on the structural damage density and insensitive to the specific defect configuration along the ion track, suggesting that a simple model of defect density along the track is sufficient to characterize the observed optical changes. The extent of optical modification is strongly probe frequency-dependent as the frequency is detuned from the GaAs band edge. As determined from the experimental measurements, the spatial extent of optical modification exceeds the spatial extent of the structural disorder by an order of magnitude.
Monazite occurrence, chemistry, and chronology in the granitoid rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia: An electron microprobe study

In-situ electron-microprobe dating of monazite holds the promise of being an effective technique for obtaining chronologic data. Our research focuses on I- and S-type granitoids of the Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia, whose petrology and zircon chronology have been thoroughly characterized. This study documents the textural relationships, morphology, zoning, and ages of monazite in these granitoid rocks. The I-type granitoids that lack monazite usually contain other mineral phases enriched in rare earth elements, such as allanite, titanite, and bastnasite. Only silica-rich, highly evolved I-type granitoids contain monazite. This preference in I-type rocks for phases other than monazite to host the REE and Th limit the applicability of monazite dating for this group of igneous rocks. On the other hand, monazite is ubiquitous in S-type rocks, both as interstitial and included grains. High-resolution X-ray maps of individual monazites reveal complex patterns of chemical zoning. Weighted averages of multiple analyses for individual chemical domains show small but systematic differences in age. These weighted averages of the chemical domains are considered the best estimate of the age of the monazite. Monazites from 8 different S-type samples range in age from 405 to 759 Ma, with the majority being 490 Ma and older. These are premagmatic ages for these granitoids, which have crystallization ages of 400 to 430 Ma. These premagmatic ages are similar to Cambro-Ordovician ages obtained from inherited zircon cores in the same granitoids, indicating that monazite can survive anatexis in peraluminous rocks. Thus, monazite dating in peraluminous rocks may illuminate characteristics (composition and age) of source rocks and anatectic processes.
Out of the Cupboard: kids, domestic violence, and schools

Abstract Drawing from two large‐scale ethnographic investigations in which we interview poor and working‐class white girls and women living in post‐industrial cities in the Northeastern US, we argue that violence of all sorts is deeply embedded inside poor and working‐class white communities, domestic violence in particular. The date reveal that children experience, witness and learn the rhythms by which their mothers, siblings and, perhaps, they are beaten. While in the US we have produced an enormous legal infrastructure of mandatory reporting, in the event of suspicion of child abuse, we have — as educators — defaulted to the law and not engaged a fully developed educational project through which to respond to the problem. Although deeply contested, a public space that is accessible to poor and working‐class youth and where abuse in the home may be discussed and analyzed may be schools, yet many educators do not deal with this issue at all.
Thermal conduction effects associated with temperature measurements in proximity to radiofrequency electrodes and microwave antennas.

Abstract The smearing effects due to thermal conduction along various, nonenergized, interstitial devices were quantified in a flow cell-thermal step gradient. An insulated cylindrical flow cell with a high (ca 45°C, 1.12 cm W., 1.6 cm o.d.) temperature region surrounded by a low (ca 37°C) temperature region was used to compare temperature profiles measured with a thermocouple sensor inside a Stanford radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia/brachytherapy catheter, a BSD instrumented microwave (MW) antenna (i.e., thermistor integrated into a dipole antenna) and a Dartmouth MW antenna with a juxtaposed optical sensor. Two parameters were used to quantify the thermal smearing of each interstitial device in the flow cell: (a) the maximum temperature difference (MTD) and (b) the full- width-half-maximum (FWHM) of the high temperature region. The “true” temperature maximum (45.4°C) and distribution (FWHM = 1.65 ± 0.06 cm) were measured with an optical sensor. These data indicate that the BSD instrumented MW antenna significantly smeared the true temperature profile (MTD = 2.7°C, FWHM = 2.1 cm), as did the Dartmouth MW antenna (MTD = 1.5°C, FWHM = 1.7 cm). The Stanford RF catheter, when insulated, resulted in minimal smearing (MTD = 0.3°C, FWHM = 1.9 cm). Moreover, when the insulation was removed so the RF electrode was exposed to the thermal step gradient, smearing was again minimal (MTD = 0.3°C, FWHM = 1.9 cm).
Marital Conflict Management Skills, Parenting Style, and Early‐onset Conduct Problems: Processes and Pathways

This study examined whether the link between marital conflict management style and child conduct problems with peers and parents is direct or mediated by mothers' and fathers' parenting style (critical parenting and low emotional responsivity). One hundred and twenty children, aged 4 to 7 years, were observed interacting in our laboratory playroom solving a problem with their best friend as well as at home with their parents. In addition, all the children's parents were observed in our laboratory trying to solve two family problems as well as at home interacting under more natural conditions with each other and with their children. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing marital problem solving as well as reports of their children's behavior problems. Results indicated that a negative marital conflict management style had direct links with children's conduct problems. In addition, the linkage between negative marital conflict management and children's interactions with parents and peers was found to be mediated by both mothers' and fathers' critical parenting and low emotional responsivity, thereby supporting the indirect as well as the direct model of negative family interactions. The findings are discussed in relation to the implications for treatment.
Mitotic CDC2 kinase is negatively regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in mouse fibroblast cell free extracts

CDC2 kinase activity was decreased by up to 75% when mitotic cell free extracts from mouse fibroblasts were incubated with cAMP and ATP. This effect was blocked by PKI, the heat stable inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). An acidic, heat stable protein from G1 cells, consistent with inhibitor-1 of protein phosphatase 1, mimicked the effect of cAMP, but was not antagonized by PKI. Okadaic acid, another inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1, also downregulated CD2 activity, and the effect was independent of both cAMP and PKI. The evidence suggests that PKA exerts its effect by activating inhibitor-1 by phosphorylation, and that the next step in the regulatory pathway requires the inactivation of one or more protein phosphatase 1 isoenzymes. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis suggested that the size and/or charge density of the CDC2 kinase complex was changed when the activity was downregulated by cAMP or G1 extracts.
Automated, Long-Distance Microtubule Tracking in Gliding Assays

Microtubules are microscopic tubular structures involved in a number of biological functions, such as cell division, intracellular transport, and mechanosensation. For particular functions, such as mechanosensation in C. elegans, microtubule diameter, or equivalently protofilament number, is tightly regulated. It is tempting to link microtubule diameter to microtubule bending rigidity, and hence to mechanosensation. However, even the link between microtubule diameter and rigidity remains unclear. Two particular challenges in measuring microtubule flexural rigidity as a function of diameter are the intrinsic heterogeneity in microtubule structures in in vitro preparations, and the intrinsic heterogeneity in microtubule rigidities measured for identically prepared microtubules.In order to address these heterogeneities, we simultaneously determine microtubule diameter and rigidity for single microtubules using statistical properties gathered from a microtubule gliding assay. In this poster, we report a technique we have developed to improve the precision of these measurements. The technique combines a microscope, integrated piezo-elements to control the sample stage, and software to automatically track a single microtubule and reposition the stage with nanometer precision to keep the microtubule centered within the field of view. We have been able to effectively double the field-of-view in each direction (from 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers), resulting in substantially longer microtubule gliding trajectories while maintaining a tracking precision on the order of 10 nm over the entire microtubule trajectory.
Propulsion system optimization for Advanced Manned Launch System vehicles

The results of using a computerized preliminary design system to integrate next-generation propulsion system concepts with reference vehicle concepts from the Advanced Manned Launch System (AMLS) study are presented. The major trade study presented is an analysis of the effect of using a single fuel for both stages of twostage AMLS reference vehicles as opposed to using a separate fuel for the boosters. Other trade studies presented examine the effect of varying relevant engine parameters in an attempt to optimize the reference engines for use with the AMLS launch vehicles. In each propulsion trade discussed, special attention is given to the major vehicle performance and operational issues involved.
Surface Profiling By Electro-Optical Phase Measurements

In fabricating and testing of mirror surfaces for X-ray optics profile measurements with a height resolution of the order of one A are required. This measurement accuracy is not provided by conventional interferometric test methods applied in the optical industry. Very powerfull instruments, however, are ac-interferometers which have been developed in recent years. AC-interferometers are capable of detecting height differences with a precision approaching one A. The first part of this paper gives a survey of various ac-interferometers. Their main concepts and limitations will be discussed. In the second part a newly developed ac-technique will be presented. A step height measuring microscope built on this principle will be described. With a response time of 1 msec, this instrument is capable of detecting height differences smaller than 10 A. This very practical measurement tool is primarily used to measure topographies of machined etched or sputtered surfaces. Application to slope mapping of spherical surfaces is feasible. Results of various measurements are presented.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Autoreceptor Regulation of Glutamate and Aspartate Release from Slices of the Hippocampal CA1 Area

Slices of hippocampal area CA1 were employed to test the hypothesis that the release of glutamate and aspartate is regulated by the activation of excitatory amino acid autoreceptors. In the absence of added Mg2+, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonists depressed the release of glutamate, aspartate, and gamma-aminobutyrate evoked by 50 mM K+. Conversely, the agonist NMDA selectively enhanced the release of aspartate. The latter action was observed, however, only when the K+ stimulus was reduced to 30 mM. Actions of the competitive antagonists 3-[(+/- )-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-l-phosphonic acid (CPP) and D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-AP5) differed, in that the addition of either 1.2 mM Mg2+ or 0.1 microM tetrodotoxin to the superfusion medium abolished the depressant effect of CPP without diminishing the effect of D-AP5. These results suggest that the activation of NMDA receptors by endogenous glutamate and aspartate enhances the subsequent release of these amino acids. The cellular mechanism may involve Ca2+ influx through presynaptic NMDA receptor channels or liberation of a diffusible neuromodulator linked to the activation of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. (RS)-alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid, a selective quisqualate receptor agonist, and kainate, an agonist active at both kainate and quisqualate receptors, selectively depressed the K(+)-evoked release of aspartate. Conversely, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, an antagonist active at both quisqualate and kainate receptors, selectively enhanced aspartate release. These results suggest that glutamate can negatively modulate the release of aspartate by activating autoreceptors of the quisqualate, and possibly also of the kainate, type. Thus, the activation of excitatory amino acid receptors has both presynaptic and postsynaptic effects.
Inhibition of modulation of thymus-leukemia antigens by concanavalin A

Abstract When incubated at 37 °C in medium containing antibodies specific for thymus-leukemia (TL) antigens, viable cells bearing these antigens become resistant to the cytolytic effects of guinea pig complement, a process termed antigenic modulation. Antibody-induced membrane redistribution of the TL antigens, detected by indirect immunofluorescence, occurs with a similar pace. When high concentrations of concanavalin A (Con A) were included with antibodies in the incubation medium, TL antigenic modulation as well as antigen patching and capping were markedly inhibited, similar to effects of Con A on membrane immunoglobulin redistribution with murine spleen cells. Colchicine antagonized the inhibition by Con A suggesting the involvement of microtubules. In parallel experiments high concentrations of Con A failed to alter the quantity of TL antigen expression or its rate of change with time during incubation in cognate antisera. These results support the hypotheses that (a) generalized alterations in membrane receptor mobility may be induced by ligand binding to the cell membrane, and (b) under certain conditions stable interactions occur between normally independent cell surface antigens.
Mutation probe of gene structure in E. coli: suppressor mutations in the seven-tRNA operon.

Cells defective in uracil-DNA glycosylase (ung:: Tn10) were used in two ways to reveal differences in select point mutations (GC to AT transitions) within the seven-tRNA operon of E. coli. The mutations were indicated as de novo or converted glutamine tRNA suppressor mutations in the genes glnU and/or glnV: (1) the kinetics of photoenzymatic monomerization of pyrimidine dimers quantitated by ung-dependent UV mutagenesis indicated more rapid repair of dimers at sites for converted suppressor mutation than of dimers at sites for de novo suppressor mutation, and (2) spontaneous deamination of cytosine was considerably more frequent at sites for converted suppressor mutation than at sites for de novo suppressor mutation. To explain these results we suggest the physical structure of the DNA in vivo is different at different sites in the seven-tRNA operon. The non-transcribed strand including specifically the anticodon region of the site for converted suppressor mutation may frequently be looped out in a single strand so that a T=C dimer is more accessible to DNA photolyase or a free cytosine residue of non-irradiated DNA is in an aqueous environment conducive to deamination. In addition, we analysed the spontaneous de novo suppressor mutation data to determine an estimate for the in vivo rate of cytosine deamination in double strand DNA of 3.2×1013/sec.
Polystyrylboronic acid as a reusable polymeric support for oligosaccharide synthesis

Abstract Polystyrylboronic acid is an attractive polymeric support for oligosaccharide synthesis that can easily be prepared in high loading capacity and re-used after a synthetic sequence. Saccharides were loaded by heating in pyridine and released by treatment with a mixture of acetone and water. NIS/TMSOTf mediated glycosidations of thioglycosides gave a quantitative formation of disaccharides.
Deaths of teenagers as passengers in motor vehicles

Teenagers far exceed all other ages in fatalities per capita both as drivers and as passengers in motor vehicles. Most studies of vehicle crashes involving teenagers focus on teenage drivers, despite the fact that the numbers of teenage deaths as passengers and as drivers are about equal. In 1978, 63% of all fatally injured teenage passengers sustained their injuries in vehicles driven by teenage drivers: 72% of the passengers fatally injured in vehicles driven by teenage drivers were teenagers. Half of the teenage passenger deaths occurred in nighttime crashes. Possible ways to reduce the crash deaths of teenagers are discussed. These include restricting the driving of teenagers; prohibiting teenage drivers from transporting teenage passengers; greater implementation of crash packaging technologies; cleaning up highway and roadside hazards, and laws requiring seat belt use by teenagers.
MiniMax equilibrium of networked differential games

Surveillance systems based on wireless sensor network technology have been shown to successfully detect, classify and track evaders over a large area. State information collected via the sensor network also enables these systems to actuate mobile agents so as to achieve surveillance goals, such as target capture and asset protection. But satisfying these goals is complicated by the fact that the track information in a sensor network is routed to mobile agents through multihop wireless communication links and is thus subject to message delays and losses. Stabilization must also be considered in designing pursuer strategies so as to deal with state corruption as well as suboptimal evader strategies.In this article, we formulate optimal pursuit control strategies in the presence of network effects, assuming that target track information has been established locally in the sensor network. We adapt ideas from the theory of differential games to networked games—including ones involving nonperiodic track updates, message losses and message delays—to derive optimal strategies, bounds on the information requirements, and scaling properties of these bounds. We show the inherent stabilization features of our pursuit strategies, both in terms of implementation as well as the strategies themselves.
Nuclear fuel pellet inspection using artificial neural networks

Abstract Nuclear fuel must be of high quality before being placed into service in a reactor. Fuel vendors currently use manual inspection for quality control of fabricated nuclear fuel pellets. In order to reduce workers' exposure to radiation and increase the inspection accuracy and speed, the feasibility of automation of fuel pellet inspection using artificial neural networks (ANNs) is studied in this paper. Three kinds of neural network architectures are examined for evaluation of the ANN performance in proper classification of good versus bad pellets. Two supervised neural networks, backpropagation and fuzzy ARTMAP, and one unsupervised neural network called ART2-A are applied. The results indicate that a supervised ANN with adequate training can achieve a high success rate in classification of fuel pellets.
The dilemmas of parents of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a better understanding of parents' experiences as their children with congenital heart disease mature through adolescence and young adulthood. DESIGN: A qualitative pilot study. SETTING: The physician practices of the pediatric cardiology service of a large university medical center. SUBJECTS: Eight parents of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease. INTERVENTION: Each parent was separately interviewed with use of a semistructured interview guide. RESULTS: Our study has identified seven themes—the dilemmas of normality, disclosure dilemmas, the challenge of uncertainty, illness management dilemmas and strategies, social integration versus social isolation, the impact of illness on the family, and coping—with which parents have struggled throughout their adolescent's and young adult's life. It was not possible to determine whether the experiences described by these parents are unique. CONCLUSIONS: Parents experience distress, as outlined in the seven themes. They need assistance to determine what is “normal” for their child and how to monitor their child's health and safety. Further research is needed to develop specific interventions.
Sjogren's syndrome: clinical spectrum and current diagnostic controversies.

Although we have had a useful and internationally agreed-upon definition of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) for more than 30 years, we have not yet agreed upon criteria for diagnosing it. Understanding the clinical spectrum of SS and the various tests used to diagnose its components provides a basis for discussing controversies about diagnostic criteria. A review of the clinical features of SS and their diagnostic tests is followed by assessments of seven sets of diagnostic criteria and a proposal for future criteria. The various existing criteria use different combinations of clinical features and tests, which results in populations of different sizes and homogeneities being given the diagnosis of SS. Some criteria propose alternative tests in diagnosing components of SS, while others do not. Internationally accepted diagnostic criteria for SS that are as disease-specific as possible are needed for us to learn the epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis of this clinically and scientifically important disease.
Design of a dysarthria classifier using global statistics of speech features

Dysarthria is a neurological disorder in which the speech production system is impaired. There are five main types of dysarthrias depending on the location of the lesion in the nervous system. There is evidence suggesting a relationship between the location of the lesion and the resulting speech characteristics. This paper describes a non-intrusive classifier to identify the dysarthria type in a person using global statistics, e.g., mean, variance, etc., of speech features. A tree-based classifier was developed using multiple low-level maximum likelihood classifiers as inputs. An error of 10.5% was achieved in the classification of three types of dysarthrias.
Current Trends in Migraine Prophylaxis

A variety of drugs from diverse pharmacological classes are in use for migraine prevention. Traditionally, they have been discovered by serendipity. Examples include β-adrenergic blockers, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin receptor antagonists. The mechanisms of action of migraine preventive drugs are multiple but it is postulated that they converge on two targets: (1) inhibition of cortical excitation; (2) restoring nociceptive dysmodulation. The antiepileptic drugs (e.g., topiramate, valproate, gabapentin), calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, and inhibitors of cortical spreading depression are some examples of drugs that reduce neuronal hyperexcitability. On the other hand, modulators of the serotonergic and adrenergic systems and cholinergic enhancing drugs may restore descending nociceptive inhibition and play a role in migraine prevention. To date, Level 1 evidence and clinical experience favor the use of the antidepressant amitriptyline, the anticonvulsants divalproex and topiramate, and the β-adrenergic blockers propranolol, timolol and metoprolol as first line migraine preventive drugs. The evidence for others (e.g., verapamil) is not as strong. Migraine preventive drugs have varying degrees of adverse effects, some of which could be limiting, and their efficacy should balanced with their risks of adverse effects, patients' expectations and desires, and compliance. It is hoped that future migraine preventive drugs target migraine mechanisms more specifically, which could well enhance the therapeutic index.
Glycohemoglobin levels relate to the response of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase to insulin/glucose in obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus☆

Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (ATLPL) is responsible for the provision of lipoprotein-derived fatty acids to adipocytes for storage as triglycerides. Fasting ATLPL has been shown to be decreased in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), an insulin-resistant state. Medically uncomplicated obesity, another state of relative insulin resistance, is associated with decreased stimulation of the enzyme in response to metabolic stimuli. It was therefore hypothesized that the increased insulin resistance of NIDDM would result in an even greater defect in the response of ATLPL to insulin/glucose. Gluteal adipose tissue biopsies were performed in 13 premenopausal obese women with NIDDM, before and after 6 hours of intravenous insulin and glucose. Metabolic data from these studies were then compared with those obtained from 26 nondiabetic obese women of similar age, weight, and fasting insulin concentration (obese controls [OBC]). As expected, fasting gluteal ATLPL activity was lower in the NIDDM group than in OBC (3.7 +/- 0.9 v 11.1 +/- 1.6 nmol free fatty acids [FFA]/min/10(6) cells, P = .0003). The change in ATLPL activity (delta ATLPL) in response to a 6-hour insulin/glucose infusion was not statistically different between the two groups (2.2 +/- 1.1 v 4.7 +/- 1.2, P = .114). However, in NIDDM subjects there was a strong positive relationship between delta ATLPL and glycohemoglobin (GHb) level (r = .883, P = .0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Measurement of Small Retardations with the Polarizing Microscope

A modification of the Kohler method is described which facilitates the measurement of the small retardations frequently found in minute biological objects.
Cognitive Restructuring as a Relapse Prevention Strategy: Teaching Alcoholics to Talk Back to Beer Ads

Abstract This research addresses the question of whether beer ads contain elements that directly tap into the psychological profile of recovering alcoholics, a special group whose needs have not been addressed by advertisers. The study examines the content of beer advertising for elements associated with problematic modes of experience previously identified for people addicted to alcohol. Results showed that beer ads contained appeals to all of these elements-a finding that suggests the persuasive strategy may be particularly compelling for alcoholics. Counter-strategies are offered that experts can implement in recovery programs to inoculate patients against the appeal of such ads, including teaching alcoholics to cognitively restructure advertising messages.
Parametric Analysis of Single-Phase and Two-Phase Models of a Microfluidic Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

We perform numerical simulations of single-phase and two-phase models of a direct methanol microfluidic fuel cell (μ-DMFC). The focus of this study is on the parametric analysis of a single channel of the system, for specific sets of operating conditions, in order to map the dependence of the cell performance with respect to the geometrical parameters. Different geometries, ranging from 500 μm to 4 mm in width, and 500 μm to 4 cm in length, along with membrane thicknesses from 50 μm to 500 μm, were considered. The mathematical models are given in terms of the Navier-Stokes, the Butler-Volmer and the Maxwell-Stefan equations, along with Darcy’s equation for the flow across the membrane. The difference between the single- and two-phase flow models lies upon the specific constitutive equations used. For each geometry and operating condition, the two-dimensional equations were solved by a finite element method. The conditions of operation include: flow rates and inlet weight fractions of methanol at the anode and oxygen the cathode. The results from this analysis, presented as polarization curves and power densities, indicate that fuel-cell systems with higher flow rates and inlet weight fraction of methanol achieve the best performance. However, when the concentration of methanol exceeds 2M the cell performance is negatively impacted due to crossover. Comparison of the results indicates that the two-phase model has a more restrictive domain for both the geometrical parameters and operating conditions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Testosterone Changes Bladder and Kidney Structure in Juvenile Male Rats

Purpose: Testosterone affects male development, maturation and aging but limited data exist on testosterone effects on the juvenile genitourinary system. We hypothesized that testosterone has bladder and kidney developmental effects, and investigated this in juvenile male rats.Materials and Methods: To examine the testosterone effect 21-day-old prepubertal male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 12 each, including sham orchiectomy as controls, and bilateral orchiectomy with vehicle and bilateral orchiectomy with testosterone. Starting at age 28 days (week 0) testosterone enanthate (5 mg/100 gm) or vehicle was injected weekly. Testosterone was measured at study week 0 before injection, and at weeks 1, 6 and 16. Whole bladders and kidneys were evaluated for androgen receptor, bladder collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio, and renal morphometry and immunohistochemistry.Results: Testosterone was not detectable at week 0 in all groups. It remained undetectable at weeks 1, 6 and 16 in the orchiectomy plus vehi...
On the optimal dissemination of information in social networks

We consider social networks which contain agents that spread misinformation and refuse to change their opinion. For a fixed number of information disseminating agents, we formulate an optimization problem to find their optimal location within the network such that the spread of misinformation is countered and public awareness is maximally raised. Once the location of the information disseminators is identified, we examine how to maximize their social influence either by creating new social links or by strengthening their existing links. Our formulation leads to a combinatorial optimization problem that is solved using the alternating direction method of multipliers. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate our theoretical developments.
The Relationship between California Rainfall and ENSO Events

Abstract This paper examines the annual rainfall over California during 11 ENSO events within the period 1950 to 1982. During six of these, unusually wet conditions prevailed throughout California; conditions were near normal during five events; and in one extreme drought occurred statewide. A comparison with the ENSO classification scheme of Fu et al., based on SST patterns in the Pacific, shows an excellent correspondence. Type 1 year with large positive temperature anomalies east of the date line and lasting well into winter, are invariably events that enhance California rainfall. Normal years coincide with Type 2 ENSO events (moderate warming over a broad sector); the dry year is the sole Type 3 year, with weak anomalies confined to the eastern Pacific. This study also shows that the response to ENSO is regionally specific. Although throughout the state most years with extremely wet conditions are ENSO years, the tendency for an ENSO event to increase rainfall is greatest in southern California, where...
Transport and control of Ca2+ by pigeon erythrocytes. II. Evidence against a simple feedback control of cell Ca2+ and evidence for the involvement of more than one pool.

Abstract Pigeon erythrocytes did not behave as expected from simple feedback mechanisms. The pool size for exchangeable cell Ca 2+ was approximately proportional to the A23187-induced apparent 45 Ca 2+ influx (“J(in,app)”) from 0.4 to 14 μmoles/min·l cell water at 184 μM external [Ca 2+ ]. From earlier data, total cell 45 Ca 2+ was approximately proportional to J(in,app) from 10 to 120 μmoles/l·min. Thus there was no influx range where cell 45 Ca 2+ was held approximately constant. External [Ca 2+ ] affected Ca 2+ pool size independently of its effect of J(in,app). Trifluoperazine did not increase cell 45 Ca 2+ with or without A23187. In the presence of A23187, 45 Ca 2+ entered a pool early in the incubation which later became inaccessible to 45 Ca 2+ entry and exit. Lysolecithin addition produced an abrupt rise in cell 45 Ca 2+ , much of which occupied a pool that quickly became inaccessible. The increased 45 Ca 2+ influx induced by lysolecithin dropped quickly and markedly with time. It is hard to explain inaccessible pool(s), especially in the presence of A23187 by membrane-bounded compartments. We suggest that nonexchangeable 45 Ca 2+ might be held by an energy-dependent binding protein(s).
Ancient origin of RNA editing in kinetoplastid protozoa

A rooted phylogenetic tree of the kinetoplastid protozoa has been constructed that, together with a comparative analysis of editing of several genes, leads to the surprising conclusion that extensive or pan-editing with multiple overlapping guide RNAs is more ancient than 5'-editing. The mechanism of editing is still uncertain, but multiple ribonucleoprotein complexes have been identified that contain components of the enzymatic machinery.
HUNGER MOTILITY IN A HYPNOTISED SUBJECT

1. Hypnosis is valuable as an aid in scientific study since it permits the regulation of the number, kind, and intensity of stimuli used. 2. The literature fails to reveal any animal in which the so-called “Animal hypnosis” permits rapport. Therefore, animal studies are of little value in psychophysiology. This phase needs further study. 3. Normal sleep does not diminish the height of the hunger contractions. 4. The process of hypnotising a subject may diminish the strength of the hunger movements, but does not abolish them or change their rhythm. 5. The effect of the suggestion of eating a hypnotic meal depends upon where in the period of contraction the suggestion is made. (a) If the “meal” is suggested during the first two-fifths of the hunger period there is a temporary inhibition of the gastric movements. When the suggestion is stopped the contractions return to normal vigour, and a normal incomplete tetanus ending may occur. (b) If the suggestions are continued into the second two-fifths of the normal hunger period there is a complete cessation of gastric motility which continues to a normal quiescent period. (c) We were unable to inhibit the stomach movements during the period of incomplete tetanus. 6. We were not able to elicit any contractions during a period of quiescence. The authors wish to express thanks to Mr. Harvey L. Frick for his splendid assistance, acting as operator and subject in part of these experiments.
Functional Data Analysis in Brain Imaging Studies

Functional data analysis (FDA) considers the continuity of the curves or functions, and is a topic of increasing interest in the statistics community. FDA is commonly applied to time-series and spatial-series studies. The development of functional brain imaging techniques in recent years made it possible to study the relationship between brain and mind over time. Consequently, an enormous amount of functional data is collected and needs to be analyzed. Functional techniques designed for these data are in strong demand. This paper discusses three statistically challenging problems utilizing FDA techniques in functional brain imaging analysis. These problems are dimension reduction (or feature extraction), spatial classification in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, and the inverse problem in magneto-encephalography studies. The application of FDA to these issues is relatively new but has been shown to be considerably effective. Future efforts can further explore the potential of FDA in functional brain imaging studies.
Genetic manipulation of calcium-handling proteins in cardiac myocytes. II. Mathematical modeling studies.

We developed a mathematical model specific to rat ventricular myocytes that includes electrophysiological representation, ionic homeostasis, force production, and sarcomere movement. We used this m...
You’ve Got to Believe: Core Beliefs that Underlie Effective Psychotherapy

A mixture of core beliefs may lay the foundation for effective psychotherapy. Sincere trust in these beliefs may help to promote therapeutic change. The therapist must have faith in the power of words to promote change. Clients usually change in a gradual manner, and the initial plan for therapy can be simplified by focusing on strategies for changing actions and attitudes. Also, therapy can help to improve various aspects of clients’ intimate relationships. However, before attempting to promote therapeutic change, it is important for the therapist to begin by understanding the client’s life situation, current distress, and natural tendencies. Clients benefit from emotional tolerance of stressors by recognizing that many negative life events turn out better than initially expected. A tendency to dwell on past events can perpetuate problems, while it can be more helpful to accept and grow from negative events. Therapists are encouraged to view a client’s emotions as natural reactions, not deviant dysfunctions that need to be blocked or suppressed through medications. In a similar manner, most labels, including many psychiatric diagnoses, pose a danger through societal discrimination and self-stigma. When therapists adopt these core beliefs, they can more effectively help clients move forward, making adaptive psychological changes.
The relative contribution of segments and intonation to the perception of foreign-accented speech

The present study examines the relative impact of segments and intonation on accentedness, comprehensibility, and intelligibility, specifically investigating the separate contribution of segmental and intonational information to perceived foreign accent in Korean-accented English. Two English speakers and two Korean speakers recorded 40 English sentences. The sentences were manipulated by combining segments from one speaker with intonation (fundamental frequency contour and duration) from another speaker. Four versions of each sentence were created: one English control (English segments and English intonation), one Korean control (Korean segments and Korean intonation), and two Korean–English combinations (one with English segments and Korean intonation; the other with Korean segments and English intonation). Forty native English speakers transcribed the sentences for intelligibility and rated their comprehensibility and accentedness. The data show that segments had a significant effect on accentedness, comprehensibility, and intelligibility, but intonation only had an effect on intelligibility. Contrary to previous studies, the present study, separating segments from intonation, suggests that segmental information contributes substantially more to the perception of foreign accentedness than intonation. Native speakers seem to rely mainly on segments when determining foreign accentedness.
Thermohydraulic analysis of ITER central solenoid by a quasi-2D model

The central solenoid of ITER is wound from cable-in-conduit-conductors (CICC) with 2 cooling channels separated by an open spring. The mass flow, momentum, and heat transfer are different in the 2 channels, but are coupled through the spaced spring. A quasi-2D model has been used to analyze the thermohydraulic behavior of 2 channel helium flow in the ITER central solenoid. Unlike other thermohydraulic analytical models, the new model is able to implicitly and dynamically compute the mass, momentum and energy exchange between the 2 channels, and therefore to provide a more detailed picture of the thermohydraulic performance of helium flow in 2-channel CICC. In addition, 3D heat coupling between turns as well as electromagnetic coupling between active and passive eddy currents in structures is both modeled. Results are presented for pulsed field operation during a typical ITER plasma cycle.
An improved force‐restore method for soil temperature prediction

Summary The force-restore method originally developed to enable soil temperature predictions assumes that soil is uniform with depth (i.e. the vertical gradient of thermal diffusivity is zero in soil) and that thermal conduction is the only heat transfer mechanism necessary for prediction of soil temperature. These assumptions hamper the applicability of the force-restore method to many natural soil conditions. The main objective of this study is to revise the force-restore method by extending it to include the possibility of soil heterogeneity with depth (i.e. non-zero vertical gradient of thermal diffusivity in soil) and to include the possible occurrence of convective heat transfer as well as conductive heat transfer in soil. Soil temperatures calculated by the current and the revised force-restore methods for a shallow soil layer were compared with measured soil temperatures at a bare soil site in the China Loess Plateau from 22 to 26 July 2005. Results showed that the revised method improved on the current force-restore method, which overestimated either the diurnal amplitude or the phase shift for the shallow soil layer. These results indicate that the revised force-restore method is more applicable than the current force-restore method for predicting soil temperatures in naturally occurring non-uniform soil. The revised force-restore method has potential application within many land-atmosphere numerical models.
Long-term efficacy of reverse pull headgear therapy.

Abstract Objective: To add to the data for long-term reverse pull headgear (RPHG) outcomes and further explore possible variables that could be predictors of long-term failure. Materials and Methods: Cephalometric radiographs of 41 Class III malocclusion children treated with RPHG (face mask) were evaluated before and immediately after treatment; at 5 years posttreatment; and, for 18 patients, at 10 years posttreatment. Patients were assigned to success or failure groups according to positive or negative overjet at the longest available recall. Results: Seventy-five percent of the patients maintained positive overjet, whereas 25% outgrew the correction. In a stepwise discriminant analysis, a large mandible and vertical positioning of the maxilla and mandible so that mandibular growth would be projected more horizontally were the major indicators of unfavorable later mandibular growth. Patients who experienced downward-backward rotation of the mandible during RPHG treatment were more likely to be categoriz...
GM-CSF expands dendritic cells and their progenitors in mouse liver.

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) are rare but ubiquitous antigen-presenting cells situated in lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs throughout the body. The study of DCs located in the liver has been restricted by their relative scarcity and the difficulty of their isolation. Because granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a critical growth factor for DCs in vitro , we postulated that it would expand hepatic DCs in vivo . We found that adenoviral-mediated GM-CSF overexpression in normal mice increased the number of liver DCs 400-fold to more than 100 million cells. GM-CSF–recruited DCs were CD11c + DEC205 − and had high expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD54, and CD80 but low CD40 and CD86 staining. Further maturation occurred after overnight culture. In addition to CD11c + DEC205 − DCs, a population of CD11c − DEC205 low/− cells resembling DC progenitors described previously in normal mice was expanded as serum GM-CSF levels increased. GM-CSF–recruited CD11c + DEC205 − DCs and CD11c − DEC205 low/− cells had different functional capabilities. CD11c + DEC205 − DCs captured far more protein antigen in vivo , produced higher amounts of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and induced greater allogeneic and antigen-specific T-cell stimulation. A proportion of CD11c − DEC205 low/− cells differentiated into CD11c + cells and gained T-cell stimulatory ability when cultured in the presence of GM-CSF. In conclusion, our findings show that GM-CSF can profoundly influence recruitment and development of DCs in murine liver. (H EPATOLOGY 2003;37:641-652.)
Guest Editor's Concluding Remarks―Advances in Usage of ANN, Discussion of an Unsolved Problem, and Some Differences between Papers Written by Engineers and by Physicians

I take this opportunity to discuss a few things that I have learned from being Guest Editor of this special issue of Sensors devoted to Neural Networks and Sensors. The advancement in artificial neural network (ANN) technology is very impressive. The wide variety of fields in which this technology applies in the form of practical applications to clearly identifiable real problems demonstrates that ANNs are being routinely used to solve non-trivial problems. I mention that because A. K. Dewdney wrote in 1997 that while ANNs have been used to solve a few toy problems, he was surprised that anyone takes them seriously as general problem-solving tools [1]. The ANN applications reported by Yu Liu
What causes partial F1 hybrid viability? Incomplete penetrance versus genetic variation.

Background. Interspecific hybrid crosses often produce offspring with reduced but non-zero survivorship. In this paper we ask why such partial inviability occurs. This partial inviability could arise from incomplete penetrance of lethal Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities (DMIs) shared by all members of a hybrid cross. Alternatively, siblings may differ with respect to the presence or number of DMIs, leading to genotype-dependent variation in viability and hence non-Mendelian segregation of parental alleles in surviving F1 hybrids. Methodology/Principal Findings. We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to test for segregation distortion in one hybrid cross between green and longear sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus and L. megalotis). Hybrids showed partial viability, and twice as much segregation distortion (36.8%) of AFLPs as an intraspecific control cross (18.8%). Incomplete penetrance of DMIs, which should cause genotype-independent mortality, is insufficient to explain the observed segregation distortion. Conclusions/Significance. We conclude that F1 hybrid sunfish are polymorphic for DMIs, either due to sex-linked DMI loci (causing Haldane’s Rule), or polymorphic autosomal DMI loci. Because few AFLP markers were sex-linked (2%), the most parsimonious conclusion is that parents may have been heterozygous for loci causing hybrid inviability.
A Trust-Based Multiagent System

Cooperative agent systems often do not account for sneaky agents who are willing to cooperate when the stakes are low and take selfish, greedy actions when the rewards rise. Trust modeling often focuses on identifying the appropriate trust level for the other agents in the environment and then using these levels to determine how to interact with each agent. Adding trust to an interactive partially observable Markov decision process (I-POMDP) allows trust levels to be continuously monitored and corrected enabling agents to make better decisions. The addition of trust modeling increases the decision process calculations, and solves more complex trust problems that are representative of the human world. The modified I-POMDP reward function and belief models can be used to accurately track the trust levels of agents with hidden agendas. Testing demonstrates that agents quickly identify the hidden trust levels to mitigate the impact of a deceitful agent.