cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethnic Differences in Fertility and Sex Ratios at Birth in China: Evidence from Xinjiang

This study uses data from the 1990 Census of China for Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to examine phenomena that, to date, have been examined primarily at the national level: fertility and sex ratios at birth of women who already have at least one surviving child. Comparing data for Uighurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and Han, it finds enormous differences in fertility between the nationalities in the presence of high levels of fertility control. Also, for all four nationalities the extent of fertility control is dependent on the sex of surviving children. Women who had no previous sons, or who had many daughters, were likely to continue to try to have children even at ages and parities past which they would normally have stopped childbearing. Finally, disproportionately feminine sex ratios at birth are found for couples who have had several sons and no daughters. Hence, researchers interested in the question of unusual sex ratios at birth in China need to account for ‘missing boys’ as well as ‘missing girls’.
Method for analysis of dopamine sulfate isomers by high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Conjugated dopamine occurs in the tissues and fluids of many species, and much of this is thought to occur as dopamine sulfate. This paper describes the development and use of a method utilizing reversed-phase paired-ion high performance liquid chromatography to separate and quantitate each of the two naturally occurring dopamine sulfate isomers. Use of the method permitted demonstration of dopamine-3-0-sulfate in human urine from drug-free control subjects. It was found that this compound accounted for 73.1 ± 27% of the total daily conjugated dopamine excretion in the four subjects studied.
An Integrated WebGIS Framework for Volunteered Geographic Information and Social Media in Soil and Water Conservation

Volunteered geographic information and social networking in a WebGIS has the potential to increase public participation in soil and water conservation, promote environmental awareness and change, and provide timely data that may be otherwise unavailable to policymakers in soil and water conservation management. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop a framework for combining current technologies, computing advances, data sources, and social media; and (2) develop and test an online web mapping interface. The mapping interface integrates Microsoft Silverlight, Bing Maps, ArcGIS Server, Google Picasa Web Albums Data API, RSS, Google Analytics, and Facebook to create a rich user experience. The website allows the public to upload photos and attributes of their own subdivisions or sites they have identified and explore other submissions. The website was made available to the public in early February 2011 at http://www.AbandonedDevelopments.com and evaluated for its potential long-term success in a pilot study.
Toxic effect of lithium in mouse brain.

The effect of lithium ion on glucose oxidation in the cerebrum and cerebellum of mice was measured in vitro by the conversion of isotopic glucose into /sup 14/CO/sub 2//mg wet weight. Glucose utilization is unaffected by lowest lithium dosage but is inhibited by high lithium concentrations (197-295 mM). Chronic administration of lithium to adult mice decreased the DNA content of the cerebrum and cerebellum at concentrations of 80 and 108 mM. The DNA content of selected postnatal stages of cerebrum and cerebellum was measured starting on Day 1 or 2. This served as another parameter to evaluate glucose oxidation studies at these ages. On the basis of wet weight, both brain parts of neonates of ages 1 and 10 days were approximately one-half that of the adult counterparts. On the basis of DNA content, the cerebrum enhanced its glucose utilization twofold from Day 1 to Day 10 and tripled its utilization from Day 10 to Day 20. The glucose utilization by cerebrum at Day 20 is similar to adult values. In contrast, glucose oxidation in the cerebellum remained relatively constant throughout the postnatal growth. The relative susceptibility of the two brain parts is discussed.
StimSync: open-source hardware for behavioral and MRI experiments.

Abstract Background Many neuroscience experiments rely on presenting stimuli and measuring participants’ responses to these events. Often computer screens, speakers and keyboards are sufficient. However, these devices are not appropriate for some situations. For example, some studies present tactile or olfactory stimuli or brain stimulation. Likewise, keyboard buttons are not appropriate for use with vocal responses, small animals or individuals with motor impairments. New method We describe StimSync, which simulates USB keyboard inputs, allowing use with most experimental software. StimSync can measure button presses, optical signals from magnetic resonance imaging systems, changes in ambient light (e.g. synchronizing intracranial electrography), and auditory events (a voice key). In addition to the USB keyboard mode (necessarily millisecond precision), StimSync can also be set to provide higher precision timing. This feature can be used to validate timing, ensuring event synchronization (e.g. auditory events, visual events, brain stimulation). In addition to recording inputs, StimSync provides seven digital outputs for controlling external devices. Finally, StimSync can record analog inputs; we illustrate how this can be used to evaluate the rise time for computer displays. Results We observed outputs with a mean latency of 2.1 ms (sd = 0.17 ms) and USB inputs with a mean latency of 2 ms (sd = 0.54 ms). Comparison with existing method(s) StimSync statistically outperforms two professional solutions and numerically outperforms other devices described in the literature. Conclusions StimSync ( http://www.mccauslandcenter.sc.edu/CRNL/tools/stimsync ) provides an open-source solution for controlling and validating neuroscience experiments. In addition to sharing the design, we have produced a batch of devices to demonstrate the market for professional implementations.
The constrictor knot is the best ligature.

IntroductionAn ideal ligature should tighten readily and remain tight. Ligature failure can be a critical complication of invasive procedures in human and veterinary surgical practice. Previous studies have tested various knots but not the constrictor knot. MethodsA new test bench was employed to compare six ligatures using four suture materials. As tension in a ligature is not readily measured, the study employed a surrogate measurement: the force required to slide a ligature along a rod. Benchmark values tested each suture material wrapped around the rod to establish the ratio between this force and the ligature tension for each material. Each ligature was tested first during tightening and then again afterwards. The benchmark ratios were employed to calculate the tensions to evaluate which ligature and which suture material retained tension best. ResultsThe model provided consistent linear relationships between the tension in the suture and the force required to pull the ligature along the rod. The con...
Normalizing transformations for dead-time-modified Poisson counting distributions

Approximate normalizing transformations are derived for Poisson counting systems affected by nonparalyzable and paralyzable dead time. In the nonparalyzable case the transformation takes the form of a simple inverse hyperbolic function whereas in the paralyzable case it is an inverse trigonometric function. The results are expected to find use in neural counting, photon counting, and nuclear counting, as well as in queuing theory.
Qualitative variations: the sources of divergent qualitative methodological approaches

Epistemological differences between positivists and interpretivists and methodological divisions between quantitative and qualitative scholars elide very important divisions within qualitative methods based on ontology. These differences can lead qualitative methodologists to make conflicting prescriptions and embrace incompatible standards. Though divergent standards may divide qualitative methodologists, what unite them are similar tools.
The effects of mating stimulation on c-Fos immunoreactivity in the female hamster medial amygdala are region and context dependent

During mating in hamsters, both tactile and nontactile sensory stimulation experienced by the female affect sexual behavior and progestational neuroendocrine reflexes. To test the interactions of these types of mating stimulation, c-Fos immunohistochemistry measured brain cellular activity during sexual behavior under conditions that included combinations of tactile and nontactile mating stimulation. Test groups received: (1) mating stimulation from a male, females being either fully mated or mated while wearing a vaginal mask, or (2) experimenter applied manual vaginocervical stimulation (VCS)-with or without males present, or (3) handling similar to VCS but without insertions-with or without males present. Numbers of c-Fos immunoreactive cells were counted in specific subdivisions of the posterior medial amygdala (MeP) and ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). The medial amygdala dorsal and ventral subdivisions responded differentially to components of mating stimulation. The posterodorsal Me (MePD) cellular activation was greatest during mating conditions that included VCS and/or males present. However, the posteroventral Me (MePV) was sensitive to male exposure and not to VCS. Also, MePV and VMH shell responses mirrored each other, both being primarily sensitive to male exposure. In separate tests, manual VCS induced pseudopregnancy, though the procedure was most effective with additional nontactile stimulation from males present. In summary, contextual cues provided by nontactile male stimulation enhance the effect of vaginocervical and other tactile stimulation on reproductive processes. Furthermore, c-Fos expression in the female hamster medial amygdala is region and context dependent.
Global Sensitivity Analysis of a Large Agent-Based Model of Spatial Opinion Exchange: A Heterogeneous Multi-GPU Acceleration Approach

Sensitivity analysis is an important step in agent-based modeling of complex adaptive spatial systems to evaluate the contribution of influential variables to model response. Sensitivity analysis of agent-based models is computationally demanding, however, and this analysis tends to be intractable for large agent-based modeling. This computational challenge greatly limits our ability to investigate complex spatial dynamics using large agent-based models. The objective of this study is to gain insight into this computational issue by focusing on the sensitivity analysis of large agent-based modeling of spatial opinion exchange, accelerated using multiple graphics processing units (GPUs). We present a heterogeneous parallel computing approach based on nested parallelism for the global sensitivity analysis of the model. The agent-based opinion model is parallelized using many-core GPUs for the simulation of a large number of spatially aware and interacting agents. These agents exchange opinions for developin...
A glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with eubacterial features in the amitochondriate eukaryote, Trichomonas vaginalis

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), localized in the cytosol of Trichomonas vaginalis, was partially purified. The enzyme is specific for NAD+ and is similar in most of its catalytic properties to glycolytic GAPDHs from other organisms. Its sensitivity to koningic acid is similar to levels observed in GAPDHs from eubacteria and two orders of magnitude lower than those observed for eukaryotic GAPDHs. The complete amino acid sequence of T. vaginalis GAPDH was derived from the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein and the deduced sequence of a cDNA clone. It showed great similarity to other eubacterial and eukaryotic GAPDH sequences. The sequence of the S-loop displayed a eubacterial signature. The overall sequence was more similar to eubacterial sequences than to cytosolic and glycosomal eukaryotic sequences. In phylogenetic trees obtained with distance matrix and parsimony methods T. vaginalis GAPDH clustered with its eubacterial homologs. GAPDHs of other amitochondriate protists, belonging to early branches of the eukaryotic lineage (Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica—Smith M.W. and Doolittle R.F., unpublished data in GenBank), showed typical eukaryotic signatures and clustered with other eukaryotic sequences, indicating that T. vaginalis GAPDH occupies an anomalous position, possibly due to horizontal gene transfer from a eubacterium.
Knowledge for Theory and Practice

We examine three related ways in which the gap between theory and practice has been framed. One approach views it as a knowledge transfer problem, a second argues that theory and practice represent distinct kinds of knowledge, and a third incorporates a strategy of arbitrage--leading to the view that the gap is a knowledge production problem. We propose a method of engaged scholarship for addressing the knowledge production problem, arguing that engaged scholarship not only enhances the relevance of research for practice but also contributes significantly to advancing research knowledge in a given domain.
Sequence-stratigraphic significance of Miocene to Pliocene glauconite-rich layers, on- and offshore of the US Mid-Atlantic margin

Glauconite is generally agreed to be a reliable indicator of low sedimentation rate, but little systematic work has been done to specify the role of glauconite in a sequence-stratigraphic framework. Ocean Drilling Program Leg 174A recovered a good record of late Tertiary sediments along the shelf edge of the New Jersey US Atlantic margin, and glauconite was present in many intervals of the cores, sometimes in vertical proximity to sequence boundaries. Leg 174A glauconite was analyzed with binocular microscope, XRD and SEM to determine the percent of potassium and degree of maturity in order to relate occurrence to depositional environment. Seismic data were used to locate sequence boundaries, and percent glauconite was visually estimated. Glauconite samples from Site 1073 were found to have formed within a lowstand systems tract (LST), and as part of a distal condensed section (CS) within a transgressive systems tract (TST). These results are comparable to those from nearby Site 903 of Leg 150, which indicate a similar depositional setting for glauconite. Glauconites at shelf Sites 1071 and 1072 likely formed in the TST as well. Onshore, glauconite occurs mainly in transgressive systems tracts. The Miocene appears to be the upper limit of glauconite formation onshore. As the magnitude of sea-level change decreased, present onshore locations became too nearshore to maintain sediment-free environments, and the zone of glauconite deposition moved seaward. The same process did not occur offshore until the Plio–Pleistocene. Low subsidence-rate margins such as the US Atlantic are subject more to the variations of sea-level than to changes in sediment supply, tectonics, or other factors influencing their depositional patterns. Although glauconite occurrence is widespread in the stratigraphic record, this study demonstrates that for low subsidence-rate margins, primary deposition of glauconite is largely restricted to the TST.
Inequality in quality : Addressing socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic disparities in health care

Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in health care quality have been extensively documented. Recently, the elimination of disparities in health care has become the focus of a national initiative. Yet, there is little effort to monitor and address disparities in health care through organizational quality improvement. After reviewing literature on disparities in health care, we discuss the limitations in existing quality assessment for identifying and addressing these disparities. We propose 5 principles to address these disparities through modifications in quality performance measures: disparities represent a significant quality problem; current data collection efforts are inadequate to identify and address disparities; clinical performance measures should be stratified by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position for public reporting; population-wide monitoring should incorporate adjustment for race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position; and strategies to adjust payment for race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position should be considered to reflect the known effects of both on morbidity. JAMA. 2000;283:2579-2584
Analysis of an acoustic pacemaker in Strecker's chorus frog,Pseudacris streckeri (Anura: Hylidae)

1. In breeding assemblages ofPseudacris streckeri the mating call of one individual often occurs immediately after that of another. Calling by one male then becomes entrained to that of another even though their intrinsic call periods are different. The mechanism underlying entrainment was analysed by presenting acoustic stimuli to isolated males in the laboratory. 2. When trains of acoustic stimuli at various rates were presented, males could entrain to stimuli with periods up to 60 msec (18%) shorter and 50 msec (15%) longer than their intrinsic call periods (Fig. 3). This range of periods corresponds to that found in natural populations (Table 1). 3. Each call-period consisted of three phases: (1) refractory phase—between beginning of period and up to 80 msec before next call; (2) excitatory phase— between end of refractory phase and beginning of call activation phase; (3) call activation phase—last 5–30 msec of call period. An acoustic stimulus presented during the excitatory phase normally evoked a call 30 msec after the end of the stimulus, thus shortening the period by up to 50 msec. Stimuli occurring during the refractory or call activation phases did not evoke calls. 4. Since call periods can be lengthened by up to 50 msec, there must be a lengthened refractory or excitatory phase in the cycle following an acoustic stimulus; this is supported by the fact that the first free-run period following an evoked call is longer than the average call period (Fig. 6). Lengthening probably occurs in the excitatory phase. 5. The call activation phase probably represents neural transmission time between sound arriving at the ear and the resulting evoked call. 6. The acoustic system ofP. streckeri is discussed in terms of a central pacemaker with initiates each call and whose activity is modified in a predictable fashion by appropriate auditory input.
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS IN THE TESTIS OF THE RAT UNDER EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS WHICH IMPAIR SPERM ATOGENESIS12

IN SPITE of the concerted efforts which have been made to clarify the functional position and metabolic significance of nucleic acids very little in the way of established interpretations can be offered. Caspersson (1950) and Brachet (1950) have discussed the significance of nucleic acids in the synthesis of cellular proteins, Claude (1940, 1941, 1942, and 1948) has shown that cytoplasmic pentose nucleic acid (PNA) occurs in combination with phospholipids and Hevesy (1948) and Davidson (1950) have pointed out certain relationships between PNA and the components of the acid-soluble phosphorus (ASP) fraction. It has been reported that fasting and protein-poor diets (Davidson and Waymouth, 1944; Davidson, 1945), ischemia (Drochmans, 1947), adrenccorticotrophic hormone and high carbohydrate diet (Baker, et al., 1948), and hypophysectomy (Geschwind, Li and Evans, 1950) all cause a decrease in pentcse nucleic acid (PNA) but no change in desoxypentose nucleic acid (DNA) in the liver.
Mental models change rapidly with implicitly acquired information about the local environment: a two-tone image study.

The projection of 3-D objects to 2-D images necessitates a loss of information, thus the shape of volumetric objects depicted in images is inherently ambiguous. The results of 3 experiments suggest observers use mental models of the local visual environment to constrain image interpretation. These models change quickly and dramatically to accommodate implicitly acquired information. Observers viewed very high-contrast (2-tone) images of novel volumetric objects. Before priming, novel 2-tone images appeared 2-D. After incidental exposure to similar objects in grayscale or familiar objects in 2-tone, the test images appeared volumetric. Incidental learning appears to alter observers' mental models, thus causing an alteration in image interpretation in the absence of any image change. Highlights were interpreted more accurately than shadows, suggesting shadows play a secondary role in shape recovery.
Evaluation of empirical methods for measuring the uniaxial compressive strength of rock

Abstract Eight sandstones, three limestones, one dolomite, one marble and one syenitic gneiss were tested to evaluate the correlations between the compressive strength values, as determined by the standard uniaxial compression test, and the corresponding results of the point load, the Schmidt hammer, the Los Angeles abrasion, and the slake durability tests. Ten cores of each rock type were used for the uniaxial compression, point load and Schmidt hammer tests, whereas an average of three tests for each rock type was used to determine the Los Angeles abrasion loss and the slake durability indices. Results indicate that strong linear correlations exist between the results of uniaxial compression vs the point load and Schmidt hammer tests, the correlation for the Schmidt hammer being dependent on rock type. The correlation between uniaxial strength and the Los Angeles abrasion loss in non-linear but becomes linear when a log-log scale is used. The slake durability index does not exhibit a significant correlation with the uniaxial strength for the rocks tested. The correlation equations for predicting compressive strength using different methods are presented along with their confidence limits. All empirical tests used, other than the slake durability test, provide reliable estimates of compressive strength, with Schmidt hammer slightly underestimating at higher strength (> 150 MPa).
Development of a Weighted Functional Finger Space

The human hand is a complex biological system that is used every day for a range of applications, from sewing and typing on a cell phone, to brushing teeth, and opening doors. The hand’s ability to adapt to this large range of applications is based upon the human body’s ability to manipulate many degrees of freedom within the hand.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Is Urban Sprawl Good for Minorities

This article investigates the effect of urban sprawl, as measured by employment decentralization, on minority housing consumption gaps since the housing bust. Previous research contends that sprawl contributes to reducing the Black–White housing consumption gap by increasing the supply of land in housing markets and thereby increasing affordability. Antisprawl policies may therefore exacerbate the Black–White housing disparity. This research makes two contributions to the literature. First, the article examines how changes in sprawl may have varying influences on the Black–White housing gap, a previously unexamined facet of this relationship. In the vast majority of metropolitan areas in this sample, sprawl is predicted to exacerbate the Black–White housing gap until sprawl reaches a threshold. Only in a limited number of high-sprawl metropolitan areas does sprawl contribute to reducing the Black–White housing gap. Second, the article examines differences in housing gaps for three distinct minority groups...
An assessment of the accuracy of isochore location techniques for H2O-CO2-NaCl fluids at granulite facies pressure-temperature conditions

Abstract Synthetic H 2 O-CO 2 -NaCl fluid inclusions with XCO 2 compositions ranging from 0.10–0.51 and relative salinities ( r-s = wt NaCl ( wt NaCl + wt H 2 O )) of 6 to 23.9 wt% have been produced in spontaneously nucleated forsterite, diopside, and orthopyroxene hosts. Molar volumes of the fluids at the pressure and temperature of formation have been calculated using microthermometric data from the fluid inclusions. These P - V - T data are used to compare the accuracy of published methods of isochore location for H 2 O-CO 2 -NaCl fluids at elevated pressures and temperatures. The results of these analyses show that isochores calculated with the MRK equation of Bowers and Helgeson ( Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta , vol. 47 , 1247–1275, 1983) reproduce the trapping pressures and temperatures well for fluids with XCO 2 ≤ 0.3 and up to 23.9 wt% NaCl. For a fluid with XCO 2 = 0.49 and relative salinity of 15%, however, the agreement is poor. For these fluid compositions, the observed molar volume is larger than that predicted from the MRK equation of Bowers and Helgeson and, if not corrected, will give isochores that are too low in pressure for a given temperature. The ideal geometric mixing model of Brown and Lamb ( Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta , vol. 53 , 1209–1221, 1989) provides less satisfactory results for the fluid compositions studied.
Frequency of skeletal injuries in children with inflicted burns

It is estimated that inflicted burn injuries in physically abused children occur with a prevalence of approximately 6–20%. Identification of burns of a nonaccidental nature is oftentimes difficult. Underlying skeletal injuries in abusive environments are often overshadowed by the acute burn injury. We assessed the prevalence of inflicted burns and the frequency of associated skeletal injuries in a population from a large children′s hospital. From a database of nearly 3,000 children who were assessed for possible abuse from 1997 to 2012, we identified 142 children with burn injuries. We included only those who had undergone skeletal surveys as part of the diagnostic workup. The final diagnosis, based on the burn, was categorized as nonaccidental, accidental or indeterminate by a child abuse pediatrician. We excluded children with no skeletal survey (n = 18), children in whom the final diagnosis could not be found (n = 6), and other conditions misdiagnosed as burn (n = 6). The resulting cohort consisted of 112 children. Of the 112 children with burns, 54 were girls and 58 boys with ages ranging from 1 month to 110 months, mean age of 15 months. Forty-five (40%) were determined to be nonaccidental, 36 (32%) were indeterminate and 31 (28%) accidental. The most common causative mechanism was scalding and the most common location was the perineum and lower extremity in all three diagnostic categories. Skeletal surveys were positive for fractures in 15/45 (33%) of the nonaccidental group; 2/36 (6%) in the indeterminate group, and 0/29 (0%) in the accidental group. Fractures in the nonaccidental group included healing rib fractures in seven, classic metaphyseal lesions in three, healing shaft fractures in six, skull fracture in one and clavicle fracture in two children. Fractures in the indeterminate group included shaft fractures in two, one of which was healing. Intentional burns in children appear to be more common than previously known, occurring in 40% of the children in our series, a greater percentage than has been reported in the literature. In addition, nearly one-third of these children with inflicted burns had associated skeletal injuries, most commonly healing rib fractures. Thus young children with concern for nonaccidental burns should undergo a skeletal survey.
Long-Term Survival after Cardiac Autotransplantation for Sarcoma with Successful Late Redo Cardiac Autotransplantation and Right Pneumonectomy for Recurrent Left Atrial Sarcoma

Primary cardiac malignancy is rare and represents a therapeutic challenge. At the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center we have developed the cardiac autotransplantation procedure - consisting of cardiac explantation, ex vivo tumor resection with cardiac reconstruction, and cardiac reimplantation - for left atrial and intracavitary left ventricular tumors. Here we report a case of successful cardiac autotransplantation for left atrial sarcoma, and successful redo autotransplantation and right pneumonectomy when the malignancy recurred five years after the initial procedure.
A reliable and simple test for determining the relative hydrolytic and thermal stability of polyester ground insulation

The commonly accepted procedures for assessing the relative hydrolytic and/or thermal stability between several polyester (PET) films to be used as ground insulation involves following the changes in either tensile strength or elongation as the film is aged at elevated temperature(s) in sealed tubes or in open air ovens. We describe a test which avoids the hazards involved with sealed tubes as well as the errors induced by inadequate accounting of moisture and the temperature variation which can attend these previously accepted procedures. A variety of failure criteria are also examined in conjunction with this test. It is found that the relative ranking or performance of a film is the same regardless of the failure criteria chosen. Our results convincingly reaffirm the validity of employing intrinsic viscosity as a failure criteria for the differentiation of the relative performance of PET films under hydrolytic and thermal stress. The utility of the procedure is demonstrated by examining the relative functional life of three different polyester films. Two of the films are employed in compressors requiring improved hydrolytic/thermal performance and/or lower extractable residues. The remaining film is characterized as a standard product.
CD4+ Lymphocyte Cell Enumeration for Prediction of Clinical Course of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease: A Review

Over the last 10 years the appreciation of the full breadth of the spectrum of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has gradually increased; it is now known that AIDS represents merely the end stage of this progressive infectious process. The surrogate marker that most closely correlates with the stage of HIV infection is the CD4+, or T helper, cell count. Because this count is relied on in making important therapeutic decisions, it is of paramount importance that clinicians be cognizant of and fully understand the multiple factors that can influence this parameter: the variability of the count from day to day and from morning to night, the influence of intercurrent viral infections, the influence of drugs. In this AIDS Commentary, Sten H. Vermund and his colleagues at the National Institutes of Health discuss these issues and put the CD4+ cell count into a lucid and practical clinical perspective.
Elementary events of InsP3-induced Ca2+ liberation in Xenopus oocytes: hot spots, puffs and blips

Liberation of sequestered Ca2+ ions in Xenopus oocytes by the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InP3) occurs from functionally discrete sites, which are spaced at intervals of several microns and probably represent clusterings of InsP3 receptor/channels (InsP3R) in the endoplasmic reticulum. As well as requiring InsP3, opening of release channels is regulated by dual positive and negative feedback by cytosolic Ca2+, leading to regenerative Ca2+ transients. Because the sensitivity of this process is determined by [InsP3], the ability of Ca2+ ions diffusing from one location to activate increasingly distant InsP3R is enhanced by increasing [InsP3]. Together with the spatial distribution of receptors, this results in generation of a hierarchy of Ca2+ release events, which may involve individual InsP3R (Ca2+ 'blips'), concerted activation of several receptors within a single release site (Ca2+ 'puffs'), and recruitment of successive sites by Ca2+ diffusing over micron distances to produce propagating Ca2+ waves. Thus, Ca2+ signalling in the oocyte is organized as at least two sizes of elemental 'building blocks'; highly localized Ca2+ transients that arise autonomously and stochastically from discrete sites at low [InsP3], but which become coordinated at higher [InsP3] to produce global Ca2+ responses.
Structure, Function, and Development of Blood Vessels: Lessons for Tissue Engineering

The establishment of blood vessel networks is a matter of life and death for tissues and organisms. Failure to form a functional vascular network causes early death of embryos, and also dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs) contributes to many diseases, including stroke, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, there is a considerable clinical need for alternatives to the autologous vein and artery tissues used for vascular reconstructive surgeries such as lower limb bypass, arteriovenous shunts, and repairs of congenital defects to the pulmonary outflow tract. So far, synthetic materials, particularly in small-diameter applications, have not matched the efficacy of native tissues.
Self-Injurious Behaviors in Corrections: Informal Social Control and Institutional Responses in a State Prison System

Self-injurious behavior among inmates remains a significant problem facing correctional institutions despite a lack of research on the topic. This study employs a content analysis of 352 incidents ...
The role of post-translational modification in the photoregulation of Fe-type nitrile hydratase

The inactive, nitrosyl bound form of Fe-type nitrile hydratase (NHase) contains two active site cysteine residues that are post-translationally modified to sulfenate (SO-) and sulfinate (SO2-) ligands. DFT and INDO/S calculations support the hypothesis that these unusual modifications play a key role in modulating the electronic absorption spectra and photoreactivity of the Fe(III) centre in the enzyme.
Analyzing search engine advertising: firm behavior and cross-selling in electronic markets

The phenomenon of sponsored search advertising is gaining ground as the largest source of revenues for search engines. Firms across different industries have are beginning to adopt this as the primary form of online advertising. This process works on an auction mechanism in which advertisers bid for different keywords, and final rank for a given keyword is allocated by the search engine. But how different are firm's actual bids from their optimal bids? Moreover, what are other ways in which firms can potentially benefit from sponsored search advertising? Based on the model and estimates from prior work [10], we conduct a number of policy simulations in order to investigate to what extent an advertiser can benefit from bidding optimally for its keywords. Further, we build a Hierarchical Bayesian modeling framework to explore the potential for cross-selling or spillovers effects from a given keyword advertisement across multiple product categories, and estimate the model using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Our analysis suggests that advertisers are not bidding optimally with respect to maximizing profits. We conduct a detailed analysis with product level variables to explore the extent of cross-selling opportunities across different categories from a given keyword advertisement. We find that there exists significant potential for cross-selling through search keyword advertisements in that consumers often end up buying products from other categories in addition to the product they were searching for. Latency (the time it takes for consumer to place a purchase order after clicking on the advertisement) and the presence of a brand name in the keyword are associated with consumer spending on product categories that are different from the one they were originally searching for on the Internet.
Mitral annuloplasty ring dehiscence demonstrated by preablation cardiac computed tomographic angiography: Influence on radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation

We present a case that demonstrates mitral valve annuloplasty ring dehiscence discovered on a cardiac computed tomography imaging study performed prior to radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. We describe the relevant imaging findings and the clinical implications this finding has on catheter selection and patient safety during a radiofrequency ablation procedure.
Own Doppler nullification (ODN) in sonars using linear period modulated (LPM) wideband signals

A technique is described for the design of an own-ship Doppler nullification scheme for linear period modulated (LPM) waveforms which reduces the equivalent noise bandwidth in an adaptive manner and thus improves the performance in white noise without degrading the performance in reverberation. An approach to the digital implementation of this technique using overlap-save digital filtering is outlined. The performance gains obtained using this technique and a general LPM waveform design procedure are presented. >
Complement component C1q modulates the phagocytosis of Abeta by microglia.

Recent studies showing that microglia internalize the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) suggest that these cells have the potential for clearing Abeta deposits in Alzheimer's disease, and mechanisms that regulate the removal of Abeta may therefore be of clinical interest. Previous studies from this laboratory showing that C1q enhances phagocytosis of cellular targets by rat microglia prompted the current investigations characterizing the effects of C1q on microglial phagocytosis of Abeta. Microglia were shown to phagocytose Abeta1-42, in agreement with observations of other investigators. Uptake of Abeta1-42 was observed for concentrations of 5-50 microM, and phagocytosis of peptides containing (14)C or fluorescein (FM) labels was not affected by the interaction of microglia with C1q-coated surfaces. However, inclusion of C1q (125 nM-1.4 microM) in solutions of 50 microM Abeta1-42 inhibited the uptake of (14)C-Abeta1-42 and FM-Abeta1-42, suggesting that C1q blocks the interaction of Abeta with microglia. Uptake of Abeta was partially blocked by the scavenger receptor ligands polyinosinic acid and maleylated BSA. Inhibition of Abeta uptake by C1q may contribute to the accumulation of fibrillar, C1q-containing plaques that occurs in parallel with disease progression. These data suggest that mechanisms which interfere with the binding of C1q to Abeta may be of therapeutic value both through inhibition of the inflammatory events resulting from complement activation and via altered access of Abeta sites necessary for ingestion by microglia.
Scalable Algorithms For Distributed Statistical Inference

The classical framework on distributed inference considers a set of nodes taking measurements and a fusion center making the final decision on the underlying phenomenon, without dealing with the issue of transporting the measurements to the fusion center. Such an approach introduces significant overhead in communication. Communicating all the raw data for inference is not scalable: in this case, the pernode average energy consumption and the total bandwidth requirement become unbounded as the network grows. We design scalable algorithms for two scenarios with guarantees for inference whose communication requirements and complexity are bounded even as the network grows. This is achieved through distributed computation of a sufficient statistic, which results in reduction of data dimensionality while ensuring no loss in inference accuracy at the fusion center. The first scenario deals with multihop routing and fusion of spatially correlated measurements, incorporated through a Markov random field model. The second scenario deals with design of medium-access control (MAC) with the aim of computing a sufficient statistic for inference over a multiple access channel.
Measuring Expressed Emotion: An Evaluation of the Shortcuts

The construct of expressed emotion (EE) is a highly reliable and valid predictor of poor clinical outcomes in patients with major psychopathology. Patients are at early risk for relapse if they live with family members who are classified as high in EE. Conventionally, EE is assessed with the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI), a semistructured interview that is conducted with the patient’s key relatives. Unfortunately, training in the CFI is difficult to obtain. The CFI is also time-consuming to administer and labor intensive to rate. In this article, the authors discuss alternative ways of assessing EE. They also evaluate the predictive validity of these measures and make recommendations for researchers and clinicians interested in using these assessments.
Remote Laser-Based Ultrasonic Inspection of Weld Joints for High Volume Industrial Applications

The ability for manufacturers to implement economic techniques for process control and quality assurance can significantly contribute to their competitiveness in the world market. Consequently, many manufacturers would like to determine the quality of their products by conducting the appropriate quantitative tests at suitable stages during production. In addition, an in-line capability for real-time intelligent process-control is desirable. Many of the weld joints produced today are inspected off-line using destructive sectioning and visual examination. Due to the limited number of parts available for this type of testing, the process control is statistical in nature and 100% certification is impossible. Furthermore, visual inspection cannot directly or accurately measure many important material parameters of the weld and the parent material. A better solution to the problem would be a real-time, nondestructive, noncontact technique for weld joint inspection and feedback control of the welder.
Stability of thick film piezoresistors under large pressure cycles at elevated temperature

The resistance change of ruthenium based metal-insulator-metal (MIM) thick film resistors with hydrostatic pressure exhibits excellent linearity, no hysteresis, a small temperature dependency, and an order of magnitude greater sensitivity than the longitudinal mode. The effect of long-term 10/sup 6/ hydrostatic pressure cycles (0 to /spl sim/21 MPa) at 135/spl deg/C on response linearity, sensitivity (span), and the resistance at zero pressure R/sub 0/ (offset) have been established for a commercial MIM composition. No change in linearity, sensitivity, and offset was observed up to 10/sup 4/ cycles. After 10/sup 6/ cycles the offset and sensitivity changed by less than 1% and 0.5%, respectively. Other parameters remained unchanged. The results are analyzed in terms of conduction models of this system.
Dynamic Vehicle Routing for Translating Demands: Stability Analysis and Receding-Horizon Policies

We introduce a problem in which demands arrive stochastically on a line segment, and upon arrival, move with a fixed velocity perpendicular to the segment. We design a receding horizon service policy for a vehicle with speed greater than that of the demands, based on the translational minimum Hamiltonian path (TMHP). We consider Poisson demand arrivals, uniformly distributed along the segment. For a fixed segment width and fixed vehicle speed, the problem is governed by two parameters; the demand speed and the arrival rate. We establish a necessary condition on the arrival rate in terms of the demand speed for the existence of any stabilizing policy. We derive a sufficient condition on the arrival rate in terms of the demand speed that ensures stability of the TMHP-based policy. When the demand speed tends to the vehicle speed, every stabilizing policy must service the demands in the first-come-first-served (FCFS) order; and the TMHP-based policy becomes equivalent to the FCFS policy which minimizes the expected time before a demand is serviced. When the demand speed tends to zero, the sufficient condition on the arrival rate for stability of the TMHP-based policy is within a constant factor of the necessary condition for stability of any policy. Finally, when the arrival rate tends to zero for a fixed demand speed, the TMHP-based policy becomes equivalent to the FCFS policy which minimizes the expected time before a demand is serviced. We numerically validate our analysis and empirically characterize the region in the parameter space for which the TMHP-based policy is stable.
Systematic Ground Motion and Macro-Alignment for Linear Colliders

Future colliders with their {micro}m-range operational tolerances still need to be classically aligned to the 50 - 100 {micro}m range, and kept there, over the km range. This requirement will not be a show-stopper, but not be trivial either. 50 {micro}m ground movements over a betatron wavelength is a the range where systematic long term motions can prevent efficient operation.
Tunable-cavity QED with phase qubits

We describe a tunable-cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) architecture with an rf SQUID phase qubit inductively coupled to a single-mode, resonant cavity with a tunable frequency that allows for both microwave readout of tunneling and dispersive measurements of the qubit. Dispersive measurement is well characterized by a three-level model, strongly dependent on qubit anharmonicity, qubit-cavity coupling, and detuning. A tunable-cavity frequency provides a way to strongly vary both the qubit-cavity detuning and coupling strength, which can reduce Purcell losses, cavity-induced dephasing of the qubit, and residual bus coupling for a system with multiple qubits. With our qubit-cavity system, we show that dynamic control over the cavity frequency enables one to avoid Purcell losses during coherent qubit evolutions and optimize state readout during qubit measurements. The maximum qubit decay time ${T}_{1}=1.5\phantom{\rule{0.222222em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}$s is found to be limited by surface dielectric losses from a design geometry similar to planar transmon qubits.
Fission products: sites for the elimination of cesium-137 in relation to those of potassium-42 in the nephrons of dogs.

Abstract In view of the environmental toxicologic importance of 137 Cs and its close physicochemical relationships to potassium, the simultaneous renal clearances of 137 Cs and 42 K were studied in anesthetized female dogs by free-flow and stop-flow urine techniques during mannitol diuresis. The renal clearance of 137 Cs (C CS ) was equal to creatinine clearance (C CR ). Net secretion of 137 Cs could be demonstrated during experimental conditions when the net secretion of 42 K did not occur. Both 137 Cs and 42 K were net reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, and net secreted in the distal tubule. There were no significant differences in their clearance ratios (C K /C CR ,C CS /C CR ) in the proximal tubule. There were distinct secretory peaks for both 42 K and 137 Cs in the distal tubule. The secretory peak of 137 Cs was at a site proximal to that of 42 K. C CS /C CR was significantly higher than C K /C CR at the peak. The number of distal tubular stop-flow samples in which net secretion of 137 Cs was observed were more numerous than those in which net secretion of 42 K was observed. The 137 Cs that was secreted contained 2 components: 1 component was secreted at the 137 Cs peak at which net secretion of 42 K did not occur; the second component was secreted at the potassium secretory peak.
Relative redundancy: a more stringent performance guarantee for universal compression

Standard redundancy measures the excess number of bits needed to compress sequences of a given length. Instead, we consider relative redundancy that measures the excess number of bits for sequences of a given minimum description length. Low relative redundancy implies that number of bits needed to compress any sequence is essentially the lowest possible. We show that low relative redundancy implies low standard redundancy, that while block relative redundancy resembles block standard redundancy, sequential relative redundancy is twice its counterpart, and that common algorithms achieving standard redundancy have unbounded relative redundancy.