cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vestibulospinal Control of Reflex and Voluntary Head Movement

Secondary canal-related vestibulospinal neurons respond to an externally applied movement of the head in the form of a firing rate modulation that encodes the angular velocity of the movement, and reflects in large part the input "head velocity in space" signal carried by the semicircular canal afferents. In addition to the head velocity signal, the vestibulospinal neurons can carry a more processed signal that includes eye position or eye velocity, or both (see Boyle on ref. list). To understand the control signals used by the central vestibular pathways in the generation of reflex head stabilization, such as the vestibulocollic reflex (VCR), and the maintenance of head posture, it is essential to record directly from identified vestibulospinal neurons projecting to the cervical spinal segments in the alert animal. The present report discusses two key features of the primate vestibulospinal system. First, the termination morphology of vestibulospinal axons in the cervical segments of the spinal cord is described to lay the structural basis of vestibulospinal control of head/neck posture and movement. And second, the head movement signal content carried by the same class of secondary vestibulospinal neurons during the actual execution of the VCR and during self-generated, or active, rapid head movements is presented.
An efficient curvilinear non‐hydrostatic model for simulating surface water waves

An efficient curvilinear non-hydrostatic free surface model is developed to simulate surface water waves in horizontally curved boundaries. The generalized curvilinear governing equations are solved by a fractional step method on a rectangular transformed domain. Of importance is to employ a higher order (either quadratic or cubic spline function) integral method for the top-layer non-hydrostatic pressure under a staggered grid framework. Model accuracy and efficiency, in terms of required vertical layers, are critically examined on a linear progressive wave case. The model is then applied to simulate waves propagating in a canal with variable widths, cnoidal wave runup around a circular cylinder, and three-dimensional wave transformation in a circular channel. Overall the results show that the curvilinear non-hydrostatic model using a few, e.g. 2―4, vertical layers is capable of simulating wave dispersion, diffraction, and reflection due to curved sidewalls.
Steroid 21-hydroxylase activity by fibroblasts during the cell cycle.

Abstract Synchronized cultures of murine fibroblasts are demonstrated to be capable of 21-hydroxylating progesterone. This activity is most readily demonstrable during the “S” phase of the cell cycle. In mammals the capacity for this specific hydroxylation has heretofore only been shown by steroidogenic cells.
Interactive effects of fungicide programs and nitrogen management on potato yield and quality

The use of azoxystrobin (Quadris) for early blight control often results in potato vines remaining greener later in the growing season. This observation has lead to the suggestion that nitrogen (N) fertilizer could be applied at lower rates when azoxystrobin is used in a fungicide program since high N rates are sometimes used to help manage early blight. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of azoxystrobin for control of early blight under various N fertility management regimes and to determine if azoxystrobin affected plant N fertilizer requirements. Plots were established in 1999 and 2000 at Becker, MN, on a Hubbard loamy sand as a complete factorial, split-plot arrangement using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Fungicide treatments were used as the whole plot factor and included an untreated control, chlorothalonil, and azoxystrobin rotated with chlorothalonil. Fertility treatments were used as the sub-plot factor and included N applied at three levels (170, 250, and 340 kg ha−1) and two timings (all prehilling or pre- and post-hilling). Early blight was problematic in 1999 and both early and late blight were severe in 2000. Significant interactions were observed between fungicide and fertility treatments for disease control. Control of diseases with fungicides was generally more effective at higher N rates regardless of N application timing. When azoxystrobin was used in the fungicide program, N rate was not as critical in managing foliar disease. In 1999, an interaction was not observed between N rate and fungicide treatment for yield. Yields increased with increasing N rate regardless of fungicide program. However, a significant interaction did occur between N rate and fungicide treatment in 2000 where yields decreased linearly in the control with increasing N rate, increased linearly with N rate using chlorothalonil, and did not respond significantly to N rate using azoxystrobin/chlorothalonil. Results of this study indicate that interactions between the incidence of early/late blight disease and N requirement for potato may depend on the rate of vine death and conditions affecting tuber maturity. At equivalent N rates, post-hilling N tended to depress yield regardless of fungicide program, suggesting that under the conditions of this study late season N is not an effective practice for managing foliar diseases such as early or late blight.
Must the College Language Club Be a Bore

IT is altogether probable that some readers of the Modern Language Journal will question the utility of another article on the foreign language club. Many a teacher will recall the excellent notes which have appeared in the past, and will consider the bibliography in Professor Jameson's admirable work "Le Cercle Frangais" (Heath) a source of sufficient material. And it is also likely that many college teachers will say that their time is so fully taken up that there is little opportunity for extra-curricular activities. The writer believes, however, that such a decision might well be given further thought. In these changing times, when modern foreign languages are again definitely on the defensive, the teacher should consider the use of every device which will aid in maintaining an interest in his department. We have found here at this boys' college of six hundred and fifty students that Le Cercle Franqais offers one of the most fruitful opportunities for endeavor. An active club will require the expenditure of much time and energy on the part of the faculty sponsors, but the rewards may be great. Too often the college language club is a bore to all connected therewith. The writer has surveyed many, looking for new ideas, usually finding that membership means little more than annual dues, one's name in the college annual, and attendance at a few meetings addressed by faculty members or visiting speakers. There is too often little opportunity for the student to use the spoken language, or to take part in activities which really appeal to him. It is in the hope of offering a few suggestions to club sponsors that the following remarks, relative to a club which travelled the road of trial and error, finally to emerge as a wide-awake, respect-commanding organization, are offered. With the reader's indulgence let me outline the history of Le Cercle Franqais of this college from the time when it was useless, "another honorary fraternity," to the present. We would not presume to hold this society up as a model. It is possible, nevertheless, that some of the things which have worked here may be tried with profit elsewhere. Some ten years ago a group of French students requested the present sponsors to help resurrect an inactive group. The first meetings were marked with enthusiasm: a constitution was drawn up, officers elected, the meetings were passable. The best were those addressed by native speakers from the Alliance Franqaise or from the faculties of neighboring institutions. But there was too much work done by the faculty, too little part taken by the boys. Interest quickly waned and the club was again near death. Hoping that better results would be obtained, we decided to let the students run
Drosophila melanogaster Germline Transformation

P transposable elements as well as five other transposable elements can be used to efficiently transform Drosophila melanogaster. The P element in particular has facilitated the isolation of genes and the determination of gene and promoter function in this important genetic model organism. Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; transformation; P transposable element
Use of learning contracts in an office-based primary care clerkship.

Objectives This paper describes implementation of the learner-centred learning goal within the primary care clerkship at a Midwestern, United States medical school. Design The learner-centred learning goal exercise was developed to tailor students' educational activities to their personal level of development and to enhance their commitment to life-long learning in medicine. In the learner-centred learning goal exercise, each student records three specific learning goals early in the primary care clerkship. Students record the methods by which they will pursue and document achievement of each goal. Attainment of the learner-centred learning goal is evaluated based on an oral presentation at the end of the clerkship. We compiled presented learning goals along with the corresponding grade. Students' ratings of the learner-centred learning goal exercise were also compiled. Evaluations and ratings were made on a 1–5 Likert scale, where 1 is the best rating and 5 is worst. Setting Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, USA. Subjects One hundred and seventy-seven third- and fourth-year medical students who presented learner-centred learning goals between 1 July 1995 and 30 June 1996. Results Students rated pursuing their individual learning goals more worthwhile than most clerkship lectures but less worthwhile than the office experience. Several learning goals were chosen by a disproportionate number of students, potentially indicative of some perceived deficiencies elsewhere in the curriculum. Third-year students ranked the learner-centred learning goal exercise more favourably than fourth-year students (2·14 vs. 2·51, P = 0·03). Conclusions The learner-centred learning goal exercise is a feasible and well-received method within our primary care clerkship. Further study is required to determine whether the exercise promotes independent learning after formal medical school education is completed.
The molecular mechanisms underlying the proinflammatory actions of thiazolidinediones in human macrophages.

It is hypothesized that the antiinflammatory actions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) may explain the protective effect of these receptors in diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and other inflammatory diseases. However, emerging evidence for proinflammatory activities of activated PPARs is concerning in light of new studies that associate PPAR modulators with an increased incidence of both cardiovascular events in humans and the sporadic formation of tumors in rodents. In an attempt to define the role of each PPAR subtype in inflammation, we made the unexpected observation that human PPARδ is a positive regulator of inflammatory responses in both monocytes and macrophages. Notably, TNFα-stimulated cells administered PPARδ agonists express and secrete elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. Most surprising, however, was the finding that thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and other known PPARγ ligands display different degrees of proinflammatory activities in a PPARγ- and PPARα-independent ma...
Repulsive 1 / r 3 interaction

Analytic solutions of the Schr\"odinger equation are presented for a repulsive ${1/r}^{3}$ potential. They lead to an in-depth understanding of scattering by a pure repulsive ${1/r}^{3}$ interaction including exact cross sections and phase shifts. Scattering by any potential which is asymptotically a repulsive ${1/r}^{3}$ is also discussed.
Improving 3D surface measurement accuracy on metallic surfaces

3D surface measurement of machine parts is challenging with the increasing demands for micron level measurement accuracy and speed. Optical Metrology based techniques using stereovision face unique challenges in feature extraction due to the complexity of the machine parts and surface finish. For complicated parts, structured laser light is projected on the surface to generate unique or reference features for stereo reconstruction. The induced laser light on the surface is scattered due varies surface phenomena (light scattering, multiple reflections). These scattered and diffused laser lines induce new features on surface, which misguides the surface reconstruction. While targeting micron level accuracy, sub-pixel feature extraction is also effected by the speckle noise, biasing due to sampling, shape etc. In this paper, we propose new method of improving the accuracy of 3D surface reconstruction on metallic shining surfaces. The proposed template based guidance approach with tangent based feature extraction improves the accuracy of detection in the effected regions by 30%.
Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: Survival for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma has improved with the use of multidrug chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy. This study was performed to determine survival in a cohort of patients treated on one of three multidrug treatment protocols for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma and to identify factors that place patients at risk for treatment failure. METHODS: Pertinent prognostic variables including age, sex, subsite of origin, resectability, and TNM stage were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier methods with comparisons between variables performed using the Prentice-Wilcoxon test statistic. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival was 74% (95% confidence interval 64% to 84%). Local failure accounted for the cause of death in 10 patients, and 8 died of disseminated disease. On univariate analysis, each variable contributing to the TNM staging system was significant in determining survival; invasiveness (P = 0.01), size (P = 0.02), nodal metastases (P <0.01), and distant disease (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Survival has improved for head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma treated with multimodality therapy. Patients with advanced-stage disease are at greatest risk for treatment failure and require the most aggressive therapy.
Computed tomography and spinal dysraphism: Clinical and phantom studies

Two cases illustrating the value of CT in the assessment of spinal dysraphic tissue are presented. In one case, the configuration and origins of two osseous diastematomyelic spurs were shown well; in the second case, the CT recognition of a sacral lipoma led to air myelographic confirmation of the tumor and tethered cord. CT phantom studies indicated that dysraphic tissues, such as fat, cartilage, and fibrous tissue, are better identified and quantitated in the spinal canal when surrounded by air. Varying degrees of image degradation occur with water (simulating CSF) or metrizamide.
Activity of enzymes in rhizosphere and non rhizosphere soils amended with sludge

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the activity of enzymes in sludge-amended rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil. Sewage sludge was applied at the rate of 0, 40, 80 and 120t ha−1. The selected soil was Enon sandy loam (fine, mixed, thermic ultic Hapludalfs). Ransom soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr]. cultivar was used to stimulate rhizosphere treatments. Dehydrogenase, urease and phosphatase activities were measured before planting (BP) and 40 days after planting in rhizosphere (R) and non-rhizosphere (NR) sludge-amended soils. Results suggest higher activity for R soils than BP and NR soils. The root effect on dehydrogenase, urease and phosphatase ranged from 1.05 to 1.42, 1.2 to 3.06 and 0.94 to 1.23 μ g−1 soil, respectively. Dehydrogenase activity was significantly (P <0.01) inhibited in all samples and ranged from 9 to 59%. This inhibition (P < 0.05) was related to heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Fe and Mn) concentrations in the samples. Increasing concentrations of sludge reduced urease activity in BP (20–73%) and NR soils (38–40%) but increased urease activity (16–43%) was observed in R soils.
Psychiatric consultation: a survey and review of utilization.

Abstract Regardless of what has been written of the need for evaluation of the psychiatric consultation service in the general hospital, there is a dearth of such studies.1 In a 400-bed university-affiliated general hospital, we have recently increased the staffing and scope of consultation service. In a period of 2 mo, two and one-half staff positions were added. Here was a point at which to take stock of prior performance and future course. One evaluative approach herein involves a survey of recipients of the consultation service, staff physicians of the hospital. We were also interested in the relationship between the findings of such a survey instrument and the actual clinical practice. To that end, we used our service records to explore the following possible associations: Would concurrent use of consultation services by various subgroups within the staff reflect survey support and approval? How would survey respondents' declared profile of reasons to request consultation compare with actual practice?
Effects of pentazocine and tripelennamine on analgesia

The analgesic effects of pentazocine and tripelennamine, alone and in combination, were assessed in rats with a hot plate apparatus. In Experiment 1, the combination of tripelennamine with chronic pentazocine produced analgesia at doses which were not analgesic when the drugs were given alone. This combination also reestablished analgesia in subjects made tolerant to pentazocine's effects. In Experiment 2, development of tolerance to the analgesic effects of pentazocine was delayed by addition of tripelennamine. These data may contribute to a rationale for the current popularity of combined pentazocine and tripelennamine abuse.
Role of the [4.2.2] bicyclic unit in bicyclomycin: Synthesis, structure, chemical, biochemical, and biological properties

Twelve bicyclomycin derivatives were synthesized to determine the effect of modification of the [4.2.2] bicyclic unit in bicyclomycin (1) on drug function. Few bicyclomycin derivatives have been described in which the [4.2.2] ring system has been modified. The compounds evaluated were divided into two categories: the two N-methyl-modified bicyclomycins (2, 3) and the ten C(6)-substituted bicyclomycins (4−13). Substituents introduced at the C(6) site included alkoxy, thioalkoxy, thiophenoxy, anilino, and hydrogen. A procedure was developed to synthesize select C(6)-substituted bicyclomycins. Bicyclomycin was first converted to bicyclomycin C(2‘),C(3‘)-acetonide (16) and then treated with methanesulfonyl chloride to give in situ the corresponding C(6) mesylate 17. Treatment of 17 with the appropriate nucleophile followed by removal of the C(2‘),C(3‘)-acetonide group gave the desired C(6)-substituted bicyclomycin. The chemical properties of C(6) O-methylbicyclomycin (4) were examined. Treatment of THF−H2O m...
Space and time in the postmodern polity

The argument in this essay is that both space and time are far more complex than a simple sense of how one locates oneself in space, or of how one constructs urgency or delay through discourse. Space‐time structures life, and thus impacts discourse in unseen, unfelt ways. This essay establishes a framework for interrogating space and time through brief explorations of discursive events. The essay argues for a reorientation from logos to nomos in the exploration of space and a reorientation from a linear logic to a cyclical multi‐dimensional perspective in the analysis of time.
Prognostic significance of electrocardiographic persistent ST depression in patients with their first myocardial infarction in the placebo arm of the Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial

The prognostic significance of ST segment depression in patients with their first acute myocardial infarction was investigated in 1444 patients with an acute myocardial infarction, who were randomly assigned to the placebo arm of the Beta-Blocker Heart Attack Trial (BHAT). Patients were divided retrospectively into three groups based on the presence or absence of > or = 1 mm ST segment depression in two contiguous leads of a 12-lead electrocardiogram obtained during the first few days after admission and at the time of randomization, which occurred at 9.7 +/- 3.3 days after the index myocardial infarction. Group 1 included 392 patients with no ST segment depression, group 2 comprised 713 patients with transient ST segment depression in the first few days after admission or at the time of randomization, and group 3 included 339 patients with persistent ST segment depression in the first few days after admission and at the time of randomization. At a median follow-up of 26 months, the mortality rate was 4.9% in group 1, 7.6% in group 2, and 13.6% in group 3. When Cox regression was used to adjust for baseline differences in other variables, the differences between the three groups continued to be highly significant (p = 0.005; 95% confidence intervals [0.6 and 1.4]). We conclude that persistent and transient ST segment depression in patients with their first myocardial infarction are strong predictors of increased long-term mortality when compared to patients without ST segment depression. These findings should be taken into consideration when stratifying patients at risk in the post-myocardial infarction period.
Country-specific and time-specific factors in the demand for international reserves

Abstract This paper allows for country-specific and time-specific factors in the demand for international reserves by applying the error-components model. Forecasts based on the GLS parameter estimates are shown to be superior to those based on the OLS estimates.
Leadership and Power in Fostering a Collaborative Community in a Non-Profit Professional Organization

This article provides an account of first-person action research used for organization development in an all-volunteer professional organization. During a 12-month period, members sought to build a collaborative community out of a formerly defunct group. As part of this project, the group’s leader conducted a self-study by examining his role in exercising power while leading the group in building a collaborative community. Although the goals to collaborate and explore power relations originate in different philosophical perspectives, they were combined with moderate success in this project. An ongoing theoretical analysis of the challenges in using this approach illustrates the complications of combining collaborative approaches with the exploration of power.
Bergmann's rule in larval ant lions: testing the starvation resistance hypothesis

Body size of the ant lion Myrmeleon immaculatus follows Bergmann's rule - an increase in body size towards higher latitudes. The hypothesis that ant lion body size is larger in the north as an adaptation for starvation resistance was tested. 2. In a laboratory experiment testing starvation resistance, survivorship curves differed among 10 ant lion populations for both a starved and a fed treatment. 3. The average number of months survived by each population was correlated positively with latitude for both treatments. Across both treatments and all populations, large individuals survived longer than small individuals; however individuals from high latitudes had higher survivorship, even after factoring out variation due to initial body size. 4. These results suggest that starvation resistance may be an adaptation for coping with reduced prey availability in high latitudes. Starvation resistance may contribute to latitudinal gradients in body size of ant lions and other ectotherms.
Migraine, Epilepsy, Post‐traumatic Syndromes, and Spreading Depression

If it is now thought that vascular mechanisms cannot explain some of the clinical manifestations of migraine, epilepsy and head trauma, is there another mechanism which may unite them? Although unproven, it seems that the spreading depression of Leao may do so
The incidence of shopping cart-related injuries in the United States, 2002--2006.

Abstract Background Shopping cart-related injuries are an important cause of childhood injury in the United States (US). To date, few studies have investigated the epidemiology and incidence of these injuries. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was utilized to identify shopping cart-related injuries from 2002 to 2006. Injury rates were calculated using the 2006 US population estimates for gender (male and female), age group ( Results The overall injury rate was 37.8 per 100 000 person years (PY). Injury rates did not differ significantly by gender or race. However, injury rates decreased markedly with increasing age and were highest among children Conclusions Shopping carts continue to be an important cause of injuries among children. Directing safety awareness toward those families with children
Creep and recovery behaviour of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the region of small uniaxial deformations

Abstract The creep and recovery behaviour of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been studied in the region of small uniaxial deformations. At deformations as small as 5 × 10−4 the stress-strain behaviour is non-rectilinear and the recovery cannot be described by a theory of fading memory. A new one-dimensional constitutive relation is presented which describes quantitatively the multistep creep and recovery behaviour of this material in the case where the specimens are not mechanically preconditioned. The multistep in strain-stress relaxation behaviour of the UHMWPE has also been investigated for the case in which the second step in strain is approximately half the magnitude of the first step. Calculations of the strain necessary to give the observed stress in a two-step stress-relaxation experiment have been made assuming that the stress-relaxation experiment can be represented by a series of multistep creep experiments where in each step the stress is adjusted so as to maintain a constant deformation. The agreement between the experimental values and the calculated values are very good. The proposed equation, which describes plasto-viscoelastic behaviour, appears to be able to describe quantitatively the creep and recovery behaviour of a wide range of semicrystalline polymers.
Estradiol and the inhibition of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the rhesus monkey

In mammals, gonadal function is controlled by a hypothalamic signal generator that directs the pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the consequent pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone. In female rhesus monkeys, the electrophysiological correlates of GnRH pulse generator activity are abrupt, rhythmic increases in hypothalamic multiunit activity (MUA volleys), which represent the simultaneous increase in firing rate of individual neurons. MUA volleys are arrested by estradiol, either spontaneously at midcycle or after the administration of the steroid. Multiunit recordings, however, provide only a measure of total neuronal activity, leaving the behavior of the individual cells obscure. This study was conducted to determine the mode of action of estradiol at the level of single neurons associated with the GnRH pulse generator. Twenty-three such single units were identified by cluster analysis of multiunit recordings obtained from a total of six electrodes implanted in the mediobasal hypothalamus of three ovariectomized rhesus monkeys, and their activity was monitored before and after estradiol administration. The bursting of all 23 units was arrested within 4 h of estradiol administration although their baseline activity was maintained. The bursts of most units reappeared at the same time as the MUA volleys, the recovery of some was delayed, and one remained inhibited for the duration of the study (43 days). The results indicate that estradiol does not desynchronize the bursting of single units associated with the GnRH pulse generator but that it inhibits this phenomenon. The site and mechanism of action of estradiol in this regard remain to be determined.
Physical chemistry and membrane properties of two phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate isomers.

The most highly charged phospholipids, polyphosphoinositides, are often involved in signaling pathways that originate at cell–cell and cell–matrix contacts, and different isomers of polyphosphoinositides have distinct biological functions that cannot be explained by separate highly specific protein ligand binding sites [Lemmon, Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol., 2008, 9, 99–111]. PtdIns(3,5)P2 is a low abundance phosphoinositide localized to cytoplasmic-facing membrane surfaces, with relatively few known ligands, yet PtdIns(3,5)P2 plays a key role in controlling membrane trafficking events and cellular stress responses that cannot be duplicated by other phosphoinositides [Dove et al., Nature, 1997, 390, 187–192; Michell, FEBS J., 2013, 280, 6281–6294]. Here we show that PtdIns(3,5)P2 is structurally distinct from PtdIns(4,5)P2 and other more common phospholipids, with unique physical chemistry. Using multiscale molecular dynamics techniques on the quantum level, single molecule, and in bilayer settings, we found that the negative charge of PtdIns(3,5)P2 is spread over a larger area, compared to PtdIns(4,5)P2, leading to a decreased ability to bind divalent ions. Additionally, our results match well with experimental data characterizing the cluster forming potential of these isomers in the presence of Ca2+ [Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 3387–3395; van den Bogaart et al., Nature, 2011, 479, 552–555]. Our results demonstrate that the different cellular roles of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,5)P2in vivo are not simply determined by their localization by enzymes that produce or degrade them, but also by their molecular size, ability to chelate ions, and the partial dehydration of those ions, which might affect the ability of PtdIns(3,5)P2 and PtdIns(4,5)P2 to form phosphoinositide-rich clusters in vitro and in vivo.
Gut microbiota and obesity

Intestinal epithelium, mucosal immune system, and bacterial flora represent a morpho-functional system on dynamic balance responsible for the intestinal metabolic and trophic functions, and the regulation of mucosal and systemic host’s immunity. Obesity is a pathological condition affecting a growing number of people especially in the Western countries resulting from the failure of the organism’s energetic balance based on the perfect equality of income, waste, and storage. Recent evidences explain the mechanisms for the microbial regulation of the host’s metabolism both in health and disease. In particular, animal studies have explained how quali-/quantitative changes in microflora composition are able to affect the absorption of the nutrients and the energy distribution. Antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics are the instruments utilized in the current clinical practice to modulate the intestinal bacterial flora in man both in health and pathologic conditions with promising preliminary results on prevention and therapy of obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Maximum-Likelihood Estimation of the Parameters of Gamma and Weibull Populations from Complete and from Censored Samples

Iterative procedures are given for joint maximum-likelihood estimation, from complete and censored samples, of the three parameters of Gamma and of Weibull populations. For each of these populations, the likelihood function is written down, and the three maximum-likelihood equations are obtained. In each case, simultaneous solution of these three equations would yield joint maximum-likelihood estimators for the three parameters. The iterative procedures proposed to solve the equations are applicable to the most general case, in which all three parameters are unknown, and also to special cases in which any one or any two of the parameters are known. Numerical examples are worked out in which the parameters are estimated from the first m failure times in simulated life tests of n items (m ≤ n), using data drawn from Gamma and Weibull populations, each with two different values of the shape parameter.
High numerical aperture: imaging implications for chemically amplified photoresists

We have extended the recent work on high numerical aperture (NA) effects in novolac photoresists to investigate the influences of s- and p-polarization at Brewster's angle on the final developable image of a chemically amplified (CA) resist. Using our interferometric lithography tool, resist films (Shipley UVII-HS) were exposed using either s- or p-polarization at both Brewster's angle (146 nm pitch), and at a small angle of incidence (400 nm pitch), where polarization effects are considered negligible. Cleaved and decorated samples were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which provides a measure of the spatial distribution of energy deposition in the film convolved with the image transformation that occurs during PEB. The experimental images were compared to simulated latent images using a PEB model that mimics UVII-HS behavior and a more simplified model, a blurred acid image. Our results indicate that the degraded aerial image contrast at high NA caused by the absence of an antireflection coating (ARC) leads to complex developable images. This degraded contrast can increase line-edge roughness, and affect critical dimension variation. This work reveals the need to understand the details of resist response to high NA aerial images to predict structures, and the importance of a well-designed ARC to maintain control over image formation.
Dietary factors affecting uterine weights of immature CD-1 mice used in uterotrophic bioassays

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary factors in natural ingredient and purified diets on uterine weights of immature CD-1 mice used in uterotrophic bioassays. Factors evaluated included body weight gain, dietary phytoestrogen content, total metabolizable energy, and percent crude fiber. Fifteen to 147 mice per group, housed 5 per cage, were randomly assigned to each of the 20 test diets. The test diets were fed for 7 days to 15-day old immature female CD-1 mice and their body weight gain and uterine weights were determined. Analysis of covariance procedures were used to evaluate differences in uterine weights, after adjusting for body weight and time-related trends. Fisher's least significant difference test was used to compare adjusted uterine weights and weight gains among the test diets. Additionally, multiple linear regression procedures were used to identify those characteristics of the rodent diet that were most predictive of the adjusted uterine weights. Total metabolizable energy was significantly ( P P
Analysis of variance for repeated measures designs: Two approaches.

Discusses the relationship between 2 basic models for analysis of variance for repeated measures: the “traditional” model, which involves the assumptions of equal correlations between all variables both within and between S groups, and a less restrictive model based on a multivariate analysis of variance technique which is considered as an alternative to the traditional model. Suggestions are made for efficient computer programing for the traditional model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)
Molecular weight of ethyl cellulose by dielectric dispersion of solutions in solvents of low dielectric constants

The critical frequencies for ethyl cellulose solutions were determined by a “differential” bridge method in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and toluene. Correlations between the critical frequency and degree of polymerization were found to be similar to those previously reported. Intrinsic viscosity data for ethyl cellulose in four solvents of low dielectric constant are also included.
Hypoxic brain injury: Evaluation by single photon emission computed tomography

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-labeled hexamethylpropylene-amine oxime (HMPAO) was used to evaluate cerebral blood flow in 6 patients with hypoxic brain injury (HBI). The SPECT scans were compared with electroencephalograms (EEGs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or computer tomography (CT) scans. The findings on SPECT scans in all 6 patients supported the clinical impression of HBI. SPECT showed decreased perfusion in regions of the brain including the hippocampus, cerebellum white matter, rostral brain stem, the cortex, and occiput. MRI, CT, and EEG provided information that was often not representative of HBI. It was believed that SPECT provided more useful information in the identification of HBI. SPECT imaging with 99mTc HMPAO appears to be a valuable adjunct for evaluation and clinical diagnosis of HBI patients.
Methodology for Alerting-System Performance Evaluation

A probabilistic-analysis methodology is described that provides quantitative measures of alerting-system performance, including the probabilities of a false alarm and missed detection. As part of the approach, the alerting decision is recast as a signal-detection problem, and system operating-characteristic curves are introduced to describe the tradeoffs between alerting-threshold placement and system performance. The methodology fills the need for a means to determine appropriate alerting thresholds and to quantify the potential benefits that are possible through changes in the design of the system. Because the methodology is developed in a generalized manner, it can be used in a variety of vehicle, transportation-system, and process-control applications. The methodology is demonstrated through an example application to the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). Recent changes in TCAS alerting thresholds are shown to reduce the probability of a false alarm in situations known to produce frequent nuisance alerts in actual operations. Nomenclature A, N, T = probabilistic-state trajectories E = event of encountering a hazard fx (x) = probability density function for the random variable x h = estimated relative altitude h = estimated relative-altitude rate / = incident event ^maif - probability of alerting-system malfunction P(x) = probability of event ;c PT(X) = probability of event x evaluated along trajectory T r = estimated relative range r = estimated relative-range rate
Serotonin Transporter Genotype Moderates the Link between Children's Reports of Overprotective Parenting and Their Behavioral Inhibition.

The goal of the current study was to examine environmental and genetic correlates of children’s levels of behavioral inhibition (BI). Participants were 100 mother child pairs drawn from the community who were part of a larger study of the intergenerational transmission of depression. Results indicated that higher levels of maternal overprotection, as reported by the child, were associated with elevations in BI among children carrying two copies of the lower expressing 5-HTTLPR alleles (S or LG), but not among those carrying only one copy or those homozygous for the LA allele. In addition, this interaction was specific for the social component of BI, not the nonsocial component. This relation was maintained even after statistically controlling for children’s and mother’s psychopathology. Together, these findings add to emerging research demonstrating that G × E interactions predict variation in BI during childhood.
RAPID CONVERGENCE TECHNIQUES FOR MARKOV DECISION PROCESSES

When a person is working with large scale Markov Decision Processes, he normally uses the policy iteration approach developed by Howard [1] and modified by White [3]. White's modification makes use of the method of successive approximations. Computational experience has shown that for many processes, the rate of convergence of the successive approximation is very slow. In this paper, techniques for speeding convergence are discussed. Numerical examples and computational experience which show the relative merits of the various approaches are presented.
Optimal Control Based Vertical Trajectory Determination for Continuous Descent Arrival Procedures

Continuous descent arrival (CDA) procedures provide time and fuel savings, and reduce the noise impact of aircraft operations near airports. To date, these procedures have been designed to limit the performance envelopes to achieve trajectory commonality. In this paper, the performance bounds of CDA procedure via multiphase optimal vertical trajectory generation problems with respect to two performance indices—flight time and fuel consumption—have been investigated. The optimal CDA vertical profile is first divided into two segments: the cruise segment before the top of descent (TOD) and the descent segment from the TOD. Then, the second segment is further subdivided based on flap setting and speed constraints. Finally, the resulting multiphase optimal control problem is solved using a pseudospectral method. Two different types of aircraft, B737-500 (light) and B767-400 (heavy), are used in a numerical study, and the optimal CDA trajectories of the two types are compared with a typical vertical navigation...
Federal Credit Agencies and the Structure of Money Markets, Interest Rates and the Availability of Capital

I. Introduction, 421. — II. The influence of federal agencies on the "costs" of lending, 421. — III. Agency influences on the availability of capital and rate patterns, 428. — IV. Conclusions, 443.
Ionic Current Basis of Electrocardiographic Waveforms A Model Study

Body surface electrocardiograms and electrograms recorded from the surfaces of the heart are the basis for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac electrophysiological disorders and arrhythmias. Given recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of arrhythmia, it is important to relate these electrocardiographic waveforms to cellular electrophysiological processes. This modeling study establishes the following principles: (1) voltage gradients created by heterogeneities of the slow-delayed rectifier (I(Ks)) and transient outward (I(to)) potassium current inscribe the T wave and J wave, respectively; T-wave polarity and width are strongly influenced by the degree of intercellular coupling through gap-junctions. (2) Changes in [K+]o modulate the T wave through their effect on the rapid-delayed rectifier, I(Kr). (3) Alterations of I(Ks), I(Kr), and I(Na) (fast sodium current) in long-QT syndrome (LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3, respectively) are reflected in characteristic QT-interval and T-wave changes; LQT1 prolongs QT without widening the T wave. (4) Accelerated inactivation of I(Na) on the background of large epicardial I(to) results in ST elevation (Brugada phenotype) that reflects the degree of severity. (5) Activation of the ATP-sensitive potassium current, I(K(ATP)), is sufficient to cause ST elevation during acute ischemia. These principles provide a mechanistic cellular basis for interpretation of electrocardiographic waveforms.
Element Abundances in Stellar Coronae

About two years ago, the intrigue of the solar “FIP Effect”—that coronal abundances of elements with a low FIP (≲ 10 eV; e.g Fe, Mg, Si, Ca) are observed to be enhanced relative to those of high FIP elements (≳ 10 eV; e.g. O, Ne, S; see e.g. the review by Meyer 1993)—prompted us to study stellar coronal abundances based on new EUV spectra obtained with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE). Our results to-date indicate that some stars appear to show a solar-like FIP Effect, whereas others do not (Drake et al. 1995abc; Laming et al. 1995ab). These results are summarised in Fig. 1. Also in Fig. 1 is a column labelled “MAD”—metal abundance deficient. Recent analyses of both ASCA and EUVE spectra of RS CVn’s, algol binaries and active single stars have found their coronae to be surprisingly metal deficient with respect to the Sun—by factors of 2–3 to as much as 10 (Singh, S.A.Drake & White 1995 and references therein; Stern et al. 1995; Schmitt et al. 1995). Are the coronae of these stars depleted in metals relative to their photospheres? Optical work indicates that the RS CVn photospheres are also metal poor (e. g. Randich et al. 1994 and references therein). However, the RS CVn’s and Algols are in general relatively young 2–3 Gyr and < 1 Gyr, respectively), and not expected to be metal poor; are the photospheric lines in-filled by chromospheric activity? The photospheric abundances warrant further investigation.
Hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis and renal failure secondary to calcium bicarbonate intake for osteoporosis prevention - 'modern' milk alkali syndrome: a case report

We report a case of a patient presenting with a triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis and renal failure secondary to calcium bicarbonate intake for osteoporosis prevention. It is the classical presentation of the "modern" milk alkali syndrome that presents several characteristics distinguishing it from the "old" syndrome described secondary to peptic ulcer disease treatment. Milk alkali syndrome affects middle-aged female patients taking over-the-counter calcium carbonate. Clinically, these patients present in an acute hypercalcemia crisis, responding rapidly to hydration. The phosphorus level is normal to low. Bisphosphonate should be used cautiously due to the risk of symptomatic hypocalcemia.
Effect of whey protein isolate on intracellular glutathione and oxidant-induced cell death in human prostate epithelial cells

Cysteine is the rate-limiting amino acid for synthesis of the ubiquitous antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Bovine whey proteins are rich in cystine, the disulfide form of the amino acid cysteine. The objective of this study was to determine whether enzymatically hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (WPI) could increase intracellular GSH concentrations and protect against oxidant-induced cell death in a human prostate epithelial cell line (designated RWPE-1). Treatment of RWPE-1 cells with hydrolyzed WPI (500 microg/ml) significantly increased intracellular GSH by 64%, compared with control cells receiving no hydrolyzed WPI (P<0.05). A similar increase in GSH was observed with N-acetylcysteine (500 microM), a cysteine-donating compound known to elevate intracellular GSH. In contrast, treatment with hydrolyzed sodium caseinate (500 microg/ml), a cystine-poor protein source, did not significantly elevate intracellular GSH. Hydrolyzed WPI (500 microg/ml) significantly protected RWPE-1 cells from oxidant-induced cell death, compared with controls receiving no WPI (P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that WPI can increase GSH synthesis and protect against oxidant-induced cell death in human prostate cells.
Low-loss silicon carbide optical waveguides for silicon-based optoelectronic devices

A SiC-on-SiO/sub 2/ waveguide structure is proposed and analyzed. The analysis shows that the planar SiC waveguide has low loss and good beam confinement in the guiding core for the fundamental mode at 1.3 mu m and 0.7 mu m. In addition, such a waveguide displays strong mode discrimination (>20 dB) between the fundamental and the higher-order modes. Single-mode SiC/SiO/sub 2/ rib waveguides with large dimensions are also analyzed. The waveguides are single-moded even if the waveguide dimensions are large as long as the rib width-height ratio is appropriate. In addition, such large-dimension rib waveguides should exhibit low loss due to the large SiC-layer thickness and can be used for waveguiding either over the communication wavelength range 1.3-1.6 mu m or the silicon light source at 0.7 mu m. Furthermore, electrooptic modulators can potentially be fabricated with SiC-on-SiO/sub 2/ waveguide structures compactly. Such modulators should offer potential candidates for high-speed electrooptic modulation for silicon-based optoelectronic devices. >