cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failed Invasion of a Southeastern Blackwater Stream by Bluegills: Implications for Conservation of Native Communities

Abstract I studied three sites in an undisturbed, third-order Blackwater stream in the central Savannah River drainage of South Carolina for 2 years before and 3 years after the accidental introduction of bluegills Lepomis macrochirus. Although large numbers invaded the stream, the species declined over the next 3 years and will likely disappear soon. The bluegills had no measurable effect on the numbers of species or individuals of the stream's indigenous fish fauna. Nearby in the same drainage, bluegills successfully colonized an impounded cooling reservoir and a downstream swamp, but they did not become established in the high-flow stream below the reservoir. Unsuccessful colonization of the two flowing-water systems indicates the importance of impoundments to successful colonization by many nonnative fishes. These data, together with examples from arid-zone streams of the American Southwest, illustrate that unimpeded flow in lotic habitats may protect against successful invasion by some introduced fis...
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy: A Form of Psychotherapy for Patients With Cancer

Caring for patients with cancer involves addressing their myriad physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Although many cancer treatments focus on physical or psychological needs, few treatments specifically target the basic need for meaning and spiritual well-being in this population. This article describes the creation and evolution of a new psychotherapy devoted to these needs, a therapy termed "meaning-centered psychotherapy.” In this article, a detailed description of meaning-centered psychotherapy is provided. An explanation of the current research findings related to this treatment are also offered, with information about the various group and individual treatments as well as the new expansions for use with cancer survivors or nursing staff. Overall, meaning-centered psychotherapy shows promise for enhancing meaning and spiritual well-being among patients with cancer and offers exciting possibilities for future research in other areas.
On the Use of the Atomic Force Microscope to Monitor Physical Degradation of Polymeric Coating Surfaces

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to monitor changes in surface features of an acrylic melamine coating that was exposed to a variety of conditions. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and high relative humidity caused general roughening of the surface and the formation of pits. Further, the damage of the coating surface was much more substantial for exposure to high relative humidity compared to exposure to dry environments. This difference in degradation rates correlated with measurements of chemical degradation determined using infrared spectra that were acquired along with the AFM images.
Largemouth Bass Predation on Stocked Striped Bass in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Abstract First-year survival of striped bass Morone saxatilis stocked into lakes and reservoirs is often poor, but causes of mortality have not been determined. We quantified losses of stocked, age-0 striped bass to predation by largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, where first-year striped bass survival averages 25% and the largemouth bass is the principal littoral piscivore. To examine their diet composition and abundance, largemouth bass were sampled throughout the month following the stocking of striped bass in two coves in 1994 and one cove in 1995. We used a bioenergetics model to extrapolate total prey consumption over the month and the numerical contribution of striped bass to the largemouth bass diet. Only 14 striped bass were recovered in 1,147 largemouth bass stomachs over the 2 years. Percentage losses of striped bass to largemouth bass predation were 0.1% in each cove in 1994 and 3.0% in the single cove in 1995. Predation may have been constrained by the smal...
Hybrid kinetic-MHD simulations in general geometry

Abstract We present a hybrid kinetic-MHD model consisting of 3 species, the bulk fluid ions and electrons, and a kinetic minority hot particle species. The 3 species equations are derived from moments of the Vlasov Equation and then reduced using the usual hot particle assumption of n h ⪡ n 0 , β h ∼ β 0 to formulate the hybrid kinetic MHD model. The 3 species equations reproduce the usual MHD equations with the addition of a hot particle pressure in the momentum equation. In the limit n h →0, the MHD equations are recovered. These model equations are implemented and examined in the NIMROD code [C.R. Sovinec, et al., Nonline magnetohydrodynamic simulations using higher-order finite elements, JCP submitted for publication] which solves three dimensional magnetohydrodynamic initial-value problems using the finite element method (FEM). The finite elements allow the representation of highly shaped geometries, but the particle-in-cell (PIC) method is complicated by the irregular grid. The associated complications are a nontrivial shape function, a more complex search algorithm, parallelization. We present our implementation of PIC in a FEM simulation and some preliminary results and performance measurements.
Is insulin resistance linked to hypertension

SUMMARY 1. The volume of work reporting insulin resistance in multiple forms of chronic hypertension has generated tremendous interest in whether this abnormality is an important factor in causing hypertension. Insulin resistance, however, is an imprecise term used interchangeably to describe widely disparate types of impairment in insulin action throughout the body and the type of insulin resistance has major ramifications regarding its potential for inducing long-term increases in blood pressure (BP). 2. Hepatic insulin resistance (impaired insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose output) is the primary cause of fasting hyperinsulinaemia and is a cardinal feature of obesity hypertension. Evidence from chronic insulin infusion studies in rats suggests hyperinsulinaemia can increase BP under some conditions; however, conflicting evidence in humans and dogs leaves in question whether hyperinsulinaemia is a factor in hypertension induced by obesity. 3. Peripheral insulin resistance (impaired insulin-mediated glucose uptake, primarily of an acute glucose load in skeletal muscle) also present in obesity hypertension, but now reported in lean essential hypertension as well, is linked most notably to impaired insulin-mediated skeletal muscle vasodilation. This derangement has also been proposed as a mechanism through which insulin resistance can cause hypertension. 4. The present review will discuss the lack of experimental or theoretical support for that hypothesis and will suggest that a direct link between insulin resistance and BP control may not be the best way to envision a role for insulin resistance in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Trends in antidepressant overdoses

BACKGROUND: Debate continues about antidepressants and suicide. However, there are few recent nation-wide data about antidepressant overdoses. The purpose of this study was to describe United States trends from 1983 through 2003 in antidepressant overdoses as well as trends in health care utilization and mortality. METHODS: Data were obtained from the American Association of Poison Control Centers' (AAPPC) Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS), the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) of emergency departments, and the National Hospital Discharge Survey(NHDS). RESULTS: Antidepressant overdose reports rose dramatically in the United States (from 0.61 per 10 000 population in 1983 to 3.26 per 10 000 population in 2003) chiefly due to the rise in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) ingestion. However, fatalities per antidepressant overdose report declined from 73 per 10 000 reported ingestions to 32 per 10 000 ingestions. Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdoses had higher rates of hospitalization (78.7 vs. 64.7% hospitalized) and much higher fatality rates than did SSRI overdose reports (0.73 vs. 0.14% mortality). If the 55 977 SSRI overdoses in 2003 had represented TCA overdoses, then (other things being equal) approximately 410 fatalities would have been expected but only 106 people died. Emergency department visits associated with antidepressant overdose increased along with all emergency department visits. Hospitalization associated with antidepressant overdose increased in the early 1980s but then reached a plateau while overall hospitalizations declined. CONCLUSIONS: The dramatic rise in United States antidepressant overdoses has not been reflected in antidepressant overdose fatalities nor in hospitalizations. If the marked increase in antidepressant overdoses in the United States had involved TCAs rather than SSRIs, then there would have been roughly 300 excess deaths annually. Language: en
Phenomenology of a quark mass matrix from six-dimensions and its implication for the strong CP problem

Abstract A model of quark mass matrices from six dimensions, which is nearly democratic in nature and which is previously constructed by two of us (PQH and MS), is studied in detail in this manuscript. We found that not only it fits all the six quark masses as well as the CKM matrix but also that there exists a region in the allowed parameter space of the model where the constraint on the parameter θ of the strong CP problem is satisfied. This region itself puts a constraint on the CKM Parameters ρ and η . As such, through our analysis, there appears to be a deep connection between strong and weak CP in this model.
The use of otolith shape analysis for ageing juvenile red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

Morphological changes in otolith shape with age, of young (<age 3) red snapper were examined through shape analysis and tested as an objective method for age determination. Otoliths from two collections of juvenile fish (hatchery and wild) were used in the study. First, shape analysis was applied to a series of known-age otoliths from hatchery-reared age 0, 1 and 2 fish. Multidimensional scaling and non-parametric analysis of similarities showed significant shape differences among the three age classes of fish. Discriminant function analysis and cross-validation classification showed 65.6% correct age classification based on shape variables alone, and 86.7% correct age classification with inclusion of otolith weight in the discriminant function (n = 90). Subsequently, the method was applied to otoliths from a series of age 0, 1 and 2 wild caught red snapper. Otoliths from wild fish showed a similar age classification success rate of 68.9% based on shape variables alone and 86.7% correct age classification with the inclusion of otolith weight in the discriminant function (n = 90). Ageing of juvenile red snapper through otolith increment counts has been difficult in past studies and this study provides an alternative, objective method of otolith shape analysis for ageing young fish of this species.
On measuring asymmetry and the reliability of the skewness measure

Abstract The reliability of the skewness measure, ξ = μ3/σ3, is examined. It is shown that the measure ξ may not correctly indicate the degree of asymmetry of a probability density, f(x), in some cases. An asymmetry measure η = ∫+∞−∞∣f(μ+x) - f(μ - x)∣dx is proposed that quantifies the degree of asymmetry more accurately than ξ. The application and effectiveness of η are demonstrated with examples.
Model-based design of optimal neurostimulation in the NHP hippocampus for enhancing behavioral task performance

A general model-based methodology is presented for the optimal design of stimulation patterns in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of non-human primates (NHP) that seeks to enhance performance in a Delayed-Match-to-Sample task. The methodology follows a hierarchical Volterra-type modeling approach that expresses the probability of a correct behavioral outcome in terms of multi-convolutional modules involving "Triggering Likelihood Functions" (TLFs), which represent the interactions among multiple neuronal spikes as they impact the outcome. This TLF-based model is estimated from experimental spike-train data recorded in the CA1 region of the hippocampus with multi-electrode arrays. The model can be used to compute the likelihood of a correct outcome for any given set of spike-train data of CA1 multi-neuron activity. This enables the design of the optimal stimulation pattern through a computational search procedure under proper constraints on mean firing rates. We present results of the TLF-based model obtained from experimental NHP data and initial experimental validation of the designed optimal stimulation pattern.
Policy Update: Why Government policies in Brazil provide little support for its ethanol industry

FOB: Free on board.It is very common to hear commentators arguing that Brazil supports its ethanol production (as in the USA and the EU). For example, Brazil has a 20% import tariff on ethanol. Bra...
Resonance Raman investigation of the effects of copper binding to iron-mesoporphyrin.histidine-rich glycoprotein complexes.

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) binds both hemes and metal ions simultaneously with evidence for interaction between the two. This study uses resonance Raman and optical absorption spectroscopies to examine the heme environment of the 1:1 iron-mesoporphyrin.HRG complex in its oxidized, reduced and CO-bound forms in the absence and presence of copper. Significant perturbation of Fe(3+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG is induced by Cu2+ binding to the protein. Specifically, high frequency heme resonance Raman bands indicative of low-spin, six-coordinate iron before Cu2+ binding exhibit monotonic intensity shifts to bands representing high-spin, five-coordinate iron. The latter coordination is in contrast to that found in hemoglobin and myoglobin, and explains the Cu(2+)-induced decrease and broadening of the Fe(3+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG Soret band concomitant with the increase in the high-spin marker band at 620 nm. After dithionite reduction, the Fe(2+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG complex displays high frequency resonance Raman bands characteristic of low-spin heme and no iron-histidine stretch, which together suggest six-coordinate iron. Furthermore, the local heme environment of the complex is not altered by the binding of Cu1+. CO-bound Fe(2+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG exhibits bands in the high and low frequency regions similar to those of other CO-bound heme proteins except that the iron-CO stretch at 505 cm-1 is unusually broad with delta nu approximately 30 cm-1. The dynamics of CO photolysis and rebinding to Fe(2+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG are also distinctive. The net quantum yield for photolysis at 10 ns is low relative to most heme proteins, which may be attributed to very rapid geminate recombination. A similar low net quantum yield and broad iron-CO stretch have so far only been observed in a dimeric cytochrome c' from Chromatium vinosum. Furthermore, the photolytic transient of Fe(2+)-mesoporphyrin.HRG lacks bands corresponding to high-spin, five-coordinate iron as is found in hemoglobin and myoglobin under similar experimental conditions, suggesting iron hexacoordination before CO recombination. These data are consistent with a closely packed distal heme pocket that hinders ligand diffusion into the surrounding solvent.
Effect of parathion on the uptake and metabolism of androgens in rodent sex accessory organs

Abstract The daily oral administration of parathion (1.3, 2.6 or 5.3 mg/kg) had no effect upon the uptake and subsequent metabolism of [ 3 H]testosterone by the mouse prostate gland. These dose schedules also had no effect upon the ability of the prostate gland to biotransform labeled testosterone to its principal radiometabolites. Hepatic microsomes obtained from mice previously treated with parathion failed to reveal any alterations in their capacity to hydroxylate [ 3 H]testosterone. Since the amounts of 6α, 7α and 16α-[ 3 H]hydroxytestosterone were unchanged by parathion treatment, androgen hydroxylase activity was not affected by this organophosphate pesticide. Although these polar radiometabolites remained unchanged by parathion pretreatment, [ 3 H]androstanediol content was enhanced. [ 3 H]Dihydrotestosterone ( 3 H-DHT) and [ 3 H]androstendione formation from [ 3 H]testosterone by hepatic microsomes were not affected by parathion pretreatment. Various in vitro concentrations of parathion (4 × 10 −7 , 4 × 10 −6 or 2 × 10 −5 m ) significantly reduced the formation of 3 H-DHT in the mouse prostate gland, but not in the rat prostate gland. In the rat prostate, [ 3 H]androstendione concentrations, were significantly increased by parathion in vitro.
Performance analysis of AeroRP with ground station advertisements

Data transmission in highly-dynamic airborne networks is challenging, thus domain-specific routing protocols are necessary. AeroRP is one such protocol designed to operate in disruption-tolerant networks. Its multi-modal design enables it to operate in varying mission requirements. In this paper, we discuss the operation of various AeroRP modes and analyse their performance using the ns-3 network simulator. We compare the performance of beacon, beaconless, and ground station (GS) modes of AeroRP. The simulation results show the advantages of having a domain-specific routing protocol and also highlight the importance of ground station advertisements to disseminate geolocation information in discovering routes.
Alterations in the protein synthetic apparatus of cells infected with herpes simplex virus.

Abstract The effect of infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) on the rate of protein synthesis, the distribution of ribosomes, and the time required to complete nascent peptides (transit time) in either actively growing or stationary phase Vero cells was examined. It was shown that the rate of protein synthesis per polysomal ribosome decreased continuously throughout the early portion of the infection cycle. This occurred despite an increase in the accumulation of ribosomes in polysome-like structures that accompanies the onset of synthesis of HSV-specified proteins. Transit-time measurements demonstrated that the rate of polypeptide elongation was not altered after infection. These data are discussed in light of a model that suggests that polysome-like structures are present but not functioning (or functioning very poorly) in HSV infected-cells.
Scaling Vo2 Peak in Obese and Non-obese Girls

OBJECTIVE The conventional ratio method (milliliters O(2) per mass) typically is used to express VO(2) peak. The goal of the current study was to compare VO(2) peak of obese girls with normal-weight girls by ratio and allometric scaling methods. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES We compared VO(2) peak by ratio and allometric methods in 46 obese and 47 normal-weight girls. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure VO(2) peak during either treadmill running or walking. Regression analysis was used to determine coefficients for mass and stature for each group with ANOVA used to compare data between groups. RESULTS The obese girls were taller and had higher values of body fatness (p < or = 0.05). Absolute VO(2) peak (liters per minute) was similar between groups; however VO(2) peak relative to mass was 50% lower (p < or = 0.05) in the obese girls. When VO(2) peak (milliliters per minute per kilogram) and mass were correlated, r = -0.48 was found in the obese group. Allometric scaling of logarithmic transformed stature and mass reduced this to r = -0.002, thus eliminating the bias associated with the ratio method. Adjusting VO(2) peak allometrically scaled for mass, stature, and the combination of mass and stature reduced the difference between groups from 50% (ratio method) to 10% to 11% (p < or = 0.05) with higher values found in the normal-weight girls. DISCUSSION These results demonstrate the bias associated with the ratio method when comparing VO(2) peak in obese girls with VO(2) peak in normal-weight girls. Allometric scaling eliminated the bias and thus may reflect a truer comparative response.
Epidural cortical stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for refractory major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND A significant number of patients with major depressive disorder are unresponsive to conventional therapies. For these patients, neuromodulation approaches are being investigated. OBJECTIVE To determine whether epidural cortical stimulation at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is safe and efficacious for major depressive disorder through a safety and feasibility study. METHODS Twelve patients were recruited in this randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study with a 104-week follow-up period. The main outcome measures were Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-28 (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Global Assessment of Function (GAF), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction (QLES) questionnaire. An electrode was implanted over Brodmann area 9/46 in the left hemisphere. The electrode provided long-term stimulation to this target via its connections to an implanted neurostimulator in the chest. RESULTS During the sham-controlled phase, there was no statistical difference between sham and active stimulation, although a trend toward efficacy was seen with the active stimulation group. In the open-label phase, we observed a significant improvement in outcome scores for the HDRS, MADRS, and GAF but not the QLES (HDRS: df = 7, F = 7.72, P .2; repeated measures ANOVA). With regard to the HDRS, 6 patients had ≥ 40% improvement, 5 patients had ≥ 50% improvement, and 4 subjects achieved remission (HDRS < 10) at some point during the study. CONCLUSION Epidural cortical stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex appears to be a safe and potentially efficacious neuromodulation approach for treatment-refractory major depressive disorder.
Issues with imaging drives containing faulty sectors

In the ideal situation when imaging a hard drive, all sectors are completely and accurately acquired and saved to an image file. In reality, occasionally drives will contain faulty sectors such that the original content of the faulty sector cannot be acquired with typical imaging tools. We report on several experiments using non-commercial imaging tools and their behavior when encountering faulty sectors on a hard drive. Investigators should be aware of some behaviors exhibited by the tools that we examined. For example, some accessible sectors adjacent to a faulty sector may be missed when imaged directly from the ATA interface. In addition, more sectors were missed adjacent to the faulty sector when a drive was imaged over the firewire interface using a write blocker.
Optics And Holography In The IBM Supermarket Scanner

The IBM 3687 Supermarket Scanner is designed to read the familiar UPC bar code appearing on nearly all grocery and many non-grocery items. In the past six years there have been a number of articles explaining the basic concepts involved in reading the UPC code with the scanner. The interested reader is referred to the reference articles (1, 2, 3, 4).
Immunoglobulin isotype concentrations in milk as affected by stage of lactation and parity.

Quarter milk samples were collected during lactation and analyzed for immunoglobulins from 32 first and 16 third lactation Holstein cows that were equally distributed progeny of sires selected for yield or merit. Variance component estimates indicated large variation for cow, quarter within cow, and stage of lactation. All immunoglobulin isotype concentrations were lowest at wk 21. Significant differences between first and third lactation cows were observed for milk immunoglobulin A (.012 and .018 mg/ml) and immunoglobulin M (.074 and .101 mg/ml). Quarters with cell counts above 1 X 10(6) cells/ml had higher concentrations of immunoglobulin G1, (.619 vs. .394 mg/ml) immunoglobulin G2 (.103 vs. .063 mg/ml), immunoglobulin A (.028 vs. .014 mg/ml), and immunoglobulin M (.117 vs. .087 mg/ml). There were no significant differences in immunoglobulin isotype concentrations due to genetic group (yield or merit), suggesting that selection for milk production has no significant effect on immunoglobulin concentration in milk. Degree of parity, however, must be considered when comparing immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M concentrations in milk.
On the possible superfluidity of 6He—Its phase diagram and those of 6He-4He and 6He-3He mixtures

The properties of pure 6He and 6He-4He and 6He-3He mixtures are studied within the context of the quantum theorem of corresponding states. For pure 6He, it is found that there is a small, but definite, region where it is expected to be superfluid. For the 6He-4He mixture, it is found that there is a “ λ-eutectic” temperature, approximately 1.2 K, below which it is expected that both 6He and 4He will be part of the superfluid at all concentrations. Experiments to observe 6He superfluidity are discussed, and it is concluded that such experiments are feasible, although they may be quite difficult to carry out. Experiments are discussed to use a 6He generator (should it be possible to construct it) as a probe to study various properties of liquid and solid helium.
Religiosity as a Protective Factor against Heavy Episodic Drinking (HED) in Heterosexual, Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Young Adults.

Although religiosity has been shown to be associated with positive outcomes in studies of general population samples, few studies have considered the potential differential effect of religiosity on those who are consolidating gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) identities. Logistic regression analyses using a sample of 13,038 emerging adults from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) revealed main effects for religiosity and a significant religiosity × sexual identity interaction in women. Specifically, religiosity was protective against alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking (HED) in heterosexual women, but not lesbian women. In bisexual women, higher religiosity increased the odds of alcohol use and HED. Among men, religiosity was protective, with no differential effects based on sexual identity. Prevention efforts should consider that individual religiosity may be a risk, rather than protective factor for some young adults.
Discrimination of planar surface slant from texture: human and ideal observers compared

Abstract In order to quantify the ability of the human visual system to use texture information to perceive planar surface orientation, I measured subjects' ability to discriminate planar surface slant (angle away from the fronto-parallel) for a variety of different types of textures and in a number of different viewing conditions. I measured the subjects' discrimination performance as a function of surface slant, field of view size and surface texture structure. I compared the subjects' performance with that of ideal observers derived for each of the available texture cues—texel position, scaling and foreshortening. The results can be summarized by four points: (i) subjects' discrimination performance improves dramatically with increasing surface slant, tracking the performance of the ideal observers; (ii) subjects can integrate texture information over a large range of visual angles; (iii) comparisons between human subjects and ideal observers show that the human observers rely to some degree on foreshortening information; and (iv) similar comparisons show that in using foreshortening information, subjects rely to some extent on a prior assumption of isotropy.
Weights of selected organs and glands from S. C. White Leghorn males bred and reared at three altitudes.

Abstract AN examination of various glands and organs from several strains of White Leghorn males, each bred at a different altitude but hatched and reared at one place, has indicated that strains may change physiologically in adapting to an altitude (Francis and Roberson, 1961). The fact there was a high embryonic mortality may have clouded the results. Buss (1956) first reported a high embryonic mortality between strains during hatching at high elevations. There is little data on physiological changes of chickens kept at various altitudes. Smith et al. (1959) found that poults grew normally, and that chickens could adapt and resume normal production at 3,049 meters (10,000 feet). However, at 3,811 meters (12,500 feet) mortality amounted to 84% the first year and growth was better than that of a comparable group at sea level. Death was attributed to chronic heart insufficiency. Smith et al. (1954), comparing mean relative weights of organs . . .
Neural sensitization model for multiple chemical sensitivity: overview of theory and empirical evidence

This paper summarizes theory and evidence for a neural sensitization model of hyperresponsivity to low-level chemical exposures in multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). MCS is a chronic polysymptomatic condition in which patients report illness from low levels of many different, structurally unrelated environmental chemicals (chemical intolerance, CI). Neural sensitization is the progressive host amplification of a response over time from repeated, intermittent exposures to a stimulus. Drugs, chemicals, endogenous mediators, and exogenous stressors can all initiate sensitization and can exhibit cross-sensitization between different classes of stimuli. The properties of sensitization overlap much of the clinical phenomenology of MCS. Animal studies have demonstrated sensitization to toluene, formaldehyde, and certain pesticides, as well as cross-sensitization, e.g., formaldehyde and cocaine. Controlled human studies in persons with self-reported CI have shown heightened sensitizability in the laboratory to nonspecific experimental factors and to specific chemical exposures. Useful outcome measures include spectral electroencephalography, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma beta-endorphin. Findings implicate, in part, dopaminergic mesolimbic pathways and limbic structures. A convergence of evidence suggests that persons with MCS or with low-level CI may share some characteristics with individuals genetically vulnerable to substance abuse: (a) elevated family histories of alcohol or drug problems; (b) heightened capacity for sensitization of autonomic variables in the laboratory; (c) increased amounts of electroencephalographic alpha activity at rest and under challenge conditions over time. Sensitization is compatible with other models for MCS as well. The neural sensitization model provides a direction for further systematic human and animal research on the physiological bases of MCS and CI.
A search for dynamic radiation from crystals

Abstract A search for dynamic radiation from mica, LiF and NaI has been made at electron energies from 2.7 to 11.5 GeV/c. No evidence of dynamic radiation has been found.
Antisympathetic and hemodynamic property of a dual L/N-type Ca2+ channel blocker cilnidipine in rats

Abstract The in vivo antisympathetic property of a dual L/N-type Ca2+ channel blocker cilnidipine compared with that of typical N-type Ca2+ channel blockers has never been clarified. We investigated the effects of the drug on a sympathetic nerve-mediated vascular response and vasodilating action in rats in comparison with those of an N-type Ca2+ channel blocker ω-conotoxin MVIIA. In pithed rats, ω-conotoxin MVIIA preferentially suppressed the sympathetic nerve stimulation-induced pressor response, whereas cilnidipine suppressed the pressor response induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation and angiotensin II. In anesthetized rats, cilnidipine or ω-conotoxin MVIIA decreased mean blood pressure, while heart rate was decreased by ω-conotoxin MVIIA, but slightly increased by cilnidipine. These results suggest that cilnidipine can affect sympathetic N-type Ca2+ channels in addition to vascular L-type Ca2+ channels in antihypertensive doses in the rat in vivo. The antisympathetic activity of cilnidipine is not excessive for an antihypertensive drug in comparison with that of ω-conotoxin MVIIA.
Neuronal structural protein polymorphism and concussion in college athletes.

Objective: To examine the association between a neuronal structural protein polymorphism and the frequency and severity of concussions in college athletes.Methods: Forty-eight athletes with previous self-reported history of a concussion were matched with 48 controls that did not report a history of concussion. Each group was genotyped for neurofilament heavy (NEFH) polymorphism rs#165602 in this retrospective case-control study.Results: There was no significant association (χ2 = 0.487, p = 0.485) between carrying the NEFH rare allele and a history of one or more concussions due to small effect sizes. A Fisher's exact test revealed no significant association (p = 1.00, ϕ = −0.03) between the presence of NEFH rare allele and a history of multiple concussions. The independent t-tests revealed no significant differences in duration of signs and symptoms (t = 1.41, p = 0.17, d = 0.48) or return to play (t = 0.23, p = 0.82, d = 0.08) between NEFH rare allele carrier and non-carriers.Conclusions: Among college a...
Genotypic and Epidemiologic Trends of Norovirus Outbreaks in the United States, 2009 to 2013

Noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis in the United States. From September 2009 through August 2013, 3,960 norovirus outbreaks were reported to CaliciNet. Of the 2,895 outbreaks with a known transmission route, person-to-person and food-borne transmissions were reported for 2,425 (83.7%) and 465 (16.1%) of the outbreaks, respectively. A total of 2,475 outbreaks (62.5%) occurred in long-term care facilities (LTCF), 389 (9.8%) in restaurants, and 227 (5.7%) in schools. A total of 435 outbreaks (11%) were typed as genogroup I (GI) and 3,525 (89%) as GII noroviruses. GII.4 viruses caused 2,853 (72%) of all outbreaks, of which 94% typed as either GII.4 New Orleans or GII.4 Sydney. In addition, three non-GII.4 viruses, i.e., GII.12, GII.1, and GI.6, caused 528 (13%) of all outbreaks. Several non-GII.4 genotypes (GI.3, GI.6, GI.7, GII.3, GII.6, and GII.12) were significantly more associated with food-borne transmission (odds ratio, 1.9 to 7.1; P < 0.05). Patients in LTCF and people ≥65 years of age were at higher risk for GII.4 infections than those in other settings and with other genotypes (P < 0.05). Phylogeographic analysis identified three major dispersions from two geographic locations that were responsible for the GI.6 outbreaks from 2011 to 2013. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the cyclic emergence of new (non-GII.4) norovirus strains, and several genotypes are more often associated with food-borne outbreaks. These surveillance data can be used to improve viral food-borne surveillance and to help guide studies to develop and evaluate targeted prevention methods such as norovirus vaccines, antivirals, and environmental decontamination methods.
Real-time foveated multiresolution system for low-bandwidth video communication

ABSTRACT Foveated imaging exploits the fact that the spatial resolution of the human visual system decreases dramatically away from the point of gaze. Because of this fact, large bandwidth savings are obtained by matching the resolution of the transmitted image to the fall-off in resolution of the human visual system. We have developed a foveated multiresolutionpyramid (FMP) video coder/decoder which runs in real-time on a general purpose computer (i.e., a Pentium with theWindows 95/NT OS). The current system uses a foveated multiresolution pyramid to code each image into 5 or 6 regions ofvarying resolution. The user-controlled foveation point is obtained from a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or an eyelracker).Spatial edge artifacts between the regions created by the foveation are eliminated by raised-cosine blending across levels of thepyramid, and by "foveation point interpolation" within levels of the pyramid. Each level of the pyramid is then motioncompensated, multiresolution pyramid coded, and thresholdedlquantized based upon human contrast sensitivity as a functionof spatial frequency and retinal eccentricity. The final lossless coding includes zero-tree coding. Optimal use of foveatedimaging requires eye tracking; however, there are many useful applications which do not require eye tracking.Key words: foveation, foveated imaging, multiresolution pyramid, video, motion compensation, zero-tree coding, humanvision, eye tracking, video compression
Pattern tracking and 3-D motion reconstruction of a rigid body from a 2-D image sequence

This paper presents an integrated method to identify an object pattern from an image, and track its movement over a sequence of images. The sequence of images comes from a single perspective video source, which is capturing data from a precalibrated scene. This information is used to reconstruct the scene in three-dimension (3-D) within a virtual environment where a user can interact and manipulate the system. The steps that are performed include the following: i) Identify an object pattern from a two-dimensional perspective video source. The user outlines the region of interest (ROI) in the initial frame; the procedure builds a refined mask of the dominant object within the ROI using the morphological watershed algorithm. ii) The object pattern is tracked between frames using object matching within the mask provided by the previous and next frame, computing the motion parameters. iii) The identified object pattern is matched with a library of shapes to identify a corresponding 3-D object. iv) A virtual environment is created to reconstruct the scene in 3-D using the 3-D object and the motion parameters. This method can be applied to real-life application problems, such as traffic management and material flow congestion analysis.
Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography for Simultaneous Assessment of Function and Perfusion in Real Time: A Technique Comes of Age

Contrast agents are now widely used in stress echocardiography (SE) to improve visualization of the endocardial border, improve confidence in wall motion assessment, and reduce the number of uninterpretable images. The use of contrast agents in SE has also been shown to improve accuracy of wall motion assessment for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with unenhanced SE images.1 Contrast stress echocardiography has been shown to impact positively on downstream costs.2 The ability of contrast agents, which contain microbubbles that mimic red blood cell rheology, to enable visualization of myocardial perfusion resulted in rapid development of both microbubble and equipment technology that allowed the use of contrast echocardiography for the detection of myocardial perfusion in clinical cardiology.3 Numerous single and multicenter studies have proved that myocardial contrast perfusion stress echocardiography is now a clinical tool for the detection of CAD.4 The ability of myocardial contrast SE to assess function and perfusion simultaneously makes it a unique technique for the assessment of CAD. Article see p 1217 The study by Gaibazzi et al5 in this issue of Circulation adds to the growing literature of the prognostic value of perfusion and function assessed simultaneously …
Leadership views on corporate chaplains: business, sociocultural, and spiritual justifications

Spirituality in the workplace continues to garner growing scholarly and popular attention as evidenced by increased interdisciplinary scholarship, media reports, corporate interest, and employee activity. Workplace chaplaincy, an expression of the faith at work movement has received attention from media and practitioners; however, there remains a dearth of scholarly research. This paper, part of a wider study on workplace chaplaincy, fills that scholarly void by explicating the business reasoning, sociocultural explanations, and spiritual imperatives behind organizational leaders’ decisions to incorporate workplace chaplains into their employee benefit programs. Through interviews with CEOs and C-Suite leaders, this study found that workplace chaplains offer a unique kind of care for employees’ otherwise unmet in other benefit programs, and appears to contribute positively to organizational commitment, employee well-being, reduced operational costs, reduced turnover/increased retention, and an overall pos...
Interconnect noise analysis for megabit DRAMs

Analytical noise modeling of the bit line coupling analysis for various DRAM architectures has been developed. Intrabit and interbit line coupling for true folded, interdigitated, and twisted architectures are analyzed. Analytical equations for the noise-to-signal ratio are derived based on the charge conservation and the current continuity equations. The time-dependent differential equations for twisted architectures are presented. The analytical expressions provide insight into the charge redistribution when the word lines turn on. The topology for array noise extraction in SPICE circuit simulation is presented. SPICE simulations are found to be in good agreement with the analytical results. >
An accessory marker derived from chromosome 20 and its co-existence with a mosaic trisomy 20 cell line

We report a 16-month-old boy with delayed psychomotor development, dysmorphic features, and failure to thrive. He had a mosaic karyotype detected prenatally: mos 46,XY/47,XY, +r(20)/47,XY, +20. After birth, the abnormal cell lines were confirmed in a number of tissues. The small ring chromosome was identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization as derived from chromosome 20. We compared our patient with previously reported cases of mosaic trisomy 20 detected prenatally and associated with an abnormal phenotype. In an attempt to characterize an r(20) syndrome, we also compared our case with two similar reports in the literature.
Optoelectronic transmitters for medical ultrasound transducers

Optoelectronics and fiber optics can be used to miniaturize and improve the flexibility of the transducer cable and transducer handle of medical diagnostic ultrasound scanners. The reduction in size has gained importance as 2-D array transducers with up to 1000 independent channels become accepted to improve diagnostic ultrasound images. The authors describe the analysis, design, fabrication and testing of a prototype silicon photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS). The monolithic silicon PCSS was used in combination with an infrared semiconductor diode laser with a fiber optic "pigtail" to shock excite and burst excite a 2-D array transducer element resonant at 2.5 MHz. Optically controlled voltage, current, and ultrasound pulses are compared to those from conventional electronic shock excitation and narrow band Doppler pulses. The optically triggered ultrasound pulse for single shock excitation produced 30 V spikes at the 2-D array element with a fall time of 200 nsec and a rise time of 2 /spl mu/sec with a peak current through the transducer element of 34 mA. An optically produced burst of eight pulses at a frequency of 2.5 MHz produced 11 V spikes at the transducer with a fall time under 100 nsec and a rise time of approximately 300 nsec. The peak current per pulse was 25 mA through the transducer element. These results show the feasibility of applying optoelectronic technology to replace conventional electronic transmitter technology. >
Phospholipase A2 Stimulation by Methyl Mercury in Neuron Culture

In primary prelabeled cultures of cerebellar granule cells, methyl mercury (MeHg) induced a concentration- and time-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid. MeHg-induced [3H]arachidonate release was partially dependent on the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. MeHg at 10-20 microM also stimulated basal 45Ca2+ uptake after 20 min of incubation at 37 degrees C, and at 10 microM inhibited K+ depolarization-stimulated uptake. MeHg stimulated [3H]arachidonate uptake, but had no effect on the rate of phospholipid reacylation. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activation preceded cytotoxicity, but at higher concentrations of MeHg such dissociation was not evident. Inhibition of MeHg-induced PLA2 activation by 100 microM mepacrine failed to modify cytotoxicity. MeHg-induced lipoperoxidation, measured as the production of thiobarbituric acid-reacting products, was inhibited by alpha-tocopherol without inhibition of [3H]arachidonate release. The absence of alpha-tocopherol inhibition of MeHg-induced arachidonate release precludes a causal role for lipoperoxide-induced PLA2 activation in this system. Moreover, MeHg induced an increased susceptibility of unilamellar vesicles to exogenous PLA2 in the presence of low Ca2+ concentrations without evidence of lipid peroxidation. [3H]Arachidonate incorporation into granule neuron phospholipids was analyzed by isocratic HPLC analysis. Relatively high proportional incorporation was found in the combined phosphatidylcholine fractions and phosphatidylinositol. With MeHg, an increase in the relative specific activity of incorporation was found in the phosphatidylinositol fraction, indicating a preferential turnover in this phospholipid species in the presence of MeHg.
Toroidal Free Oscillations of the Laterally Heterogeneous Earth

Summary The splitting of the eigenfrequencies of the Earth due to lateral heterogeneities is studied by means of the theory of perturbation of the degenerate eigenfrequencies of the spherically symmetric average earth. The eigen-functions numl(r) associated with a degenerate frequency lead asymptotically (for large l) to surface waves propagating along great circle paths determined by l and m. The lateral heterogeneities couple these eigenfunctions and produce a complicated interference pattern on the surface of the Earth. The perturbation expansion leads, to first order, to a matrix eigenvalue problem for a Hermitian matrix. The elements of the matrix express the coupling between different eigenvectors of the degenerate problem. We expand the lateral heterogeneities in a series of spherical harmonics (δρts(r) Yts(θ, φ), δμts(r) Yts(θ, φ)). Every term in this expansion couples the eigenfunctions selectively. These selection rules can all be deduced from a simple vector diagram. If there is no strong coupling with overtones or spheroidal-toroidal coupling, the odd terms in the spherical harmonics expansion of the heterogeneities do not affect the eigenfrequencies. For instance, there would be no splitting if the Earth had a continental hemisphere and an oceanic hemisphere. Also, terms such that s > 2l do not affect the eigenfrequencies of modes of order l.
Human vascular endothelium heterogeneity. A comparative study of cerebral and peripheral cultured vascular endothelial cells.

Background and Purpose Hormones, neurotransmitters, and autacoids play a key role in the regulation of vascular tone as a result of their interaction with the endothelium. The aim of this study was to compare selected properties of three human endothelial cell lines isolated from cerebral pial arteries (PEC) and two peripheral vessels, the superficial temporal (SEC) and omental (OEC) arteries. Methods Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and receptor protein expression were measured in characterized primary cultures of human endothelial cells. Results All cell lines labeled positively for factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. Growth rate and constitutive release of endothelin-1, expressed as a function of protein, were both significantly lower in cerebral cells (PEC) than in endothelial cells derived from peripheral vessels. Basal [Ca2+]i measured with the fluorescent calcium indicator fura 2-AM (2 μmol/L) did not differ in either of the three cell lines. Although PEC responded to endothelin-1 (0.1 μmol/L) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (1 μmol/L) by a twofold to threefold increase in [Ca2+]i, OEC were unresponsive to these peptides. Moreover, the calcium response to α-thrombin (10 nmol/L) was greater in cerebral (PEC) than in peripheral (SEC, OEC) endothelial cells, while bradykinin (100 nmol/L) increased [Ca2+]i to a similar level in all three cell types. Conclusions This study demonstrates that endothelial cells from different sites of the vasculature exhibit different growth rates and vary in their response to agonists.