cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia.

Abstract Background The corpus callosum has been hypothesized to play an important role in neurobiological models of schizophrenia. Diffusion tensor imaging studies have provided evidence for a disruption in corpus callosum morphology in schizophrenia, but the regional distribution of abnormalities is not well known. Methods We conducted 2 meta-analyses investigating the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia, respectively, based on published diffusion tensor imaging studies that employed a region-of-interest approach. Seven studies investigating the genu and splenium involving a total of 202 patients with schizophrenia and 213 healthy volunteers were included. Results The meta-analysis of the genu yielded an effect size of 0.223 and was not statistically significant. The second meta-analysis investigating the splenium yielded a modest effect size of 0.527 (p = 0.001), indicating that patients had lower fractional anisotropy in this region compared to healthy volunteers. Studies that included fewer men had a larger effect size for the splenium. Discussion These findings implicate an abnormality involving the splenium of the corpus callosum in the neurobiology of schizophrenia as inferred by diffusion tensor imaging. A defect in the splenium could contribute to abnormalities in posterior interhemispheric connectivity in patients, including regions of the heteromodal association cortex.
Do Standards of Proof Affect Decision Making in Child Protection Investigations

Every state investigates child maltreatment reports. Some states use a lower standard of proof of “some credible evidence” (or similar terms) to substantiate cases after investigation. Other state legislatures prescribe a higher standard of “preponderance” of the evidence. Legislatures use these terms of art as a matter of policy to control the risk of false-positive errors. A lower rate of substantiation should follow from a higher standard of proof. There was no statistically significant difference in the percent of substantiated and the percent of unsubstantiated cases in the two groups of states. If state policy to reduce the false-positive error rate is to be effective, something more is required than simply manipulating the verbal formula in legislation.
Stratified whole genome linkage analysis of Chiari type I malformation implicates known Klippel-Feil syndrome genes as putative disease candidates.

Chiari Type I Malformation (CMI) is characterized by displacement of the cerebellar tonsils below the base of the skull, resulting in significant neurologic morbidity. Although multiple lines of evidence support a genetic contribution to disease, no genes have been identified. We therefore conducted the largest whole genome linkage screen to date using 367 individuals from 66 families with at least two individuals presenting with nonsyndromic CMI with or without syringomyelia. Initial findings across all 66 families showed minimal evidence for linkage due to suspected genetic heterogeneity. In order to improve power to localize susceptibility genes, stratified linkage analyses were performed using clinical criteria to differentiate families based on etiologic factors. Families were stratified on the presence or absence of clinical features associated with connective tissue disorders (CTDs) since CMI and CTDs frequently co-occur and it has been proposed that CMI patients with CTDs represent a distinct class of patients with a different underlying disease mechanism. Stratified linkage analyses resulted in a marked increase in evidence of linkage to multiple genomic regions consistent with reduced genetic heterogeneity. Of particular interest were two regions (Chr8, Max LOD = 3.04; Chr12, Max LOD = 2.09) identified within the subset of “CTD-negative” families, both of which harbor growth differentiation factors (GDF6, GDF3) implicated in the development of Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS). Interestingly, roughly 3–5% of CMI patients are diagnosed with KFS. In order to investigate the possibility that CMI and KFS are allelic, GDF3 and GDF6 were sequenced leading to the identification of a previously known KFS missense mutation and potential regulatory variants in GDF6. This study has demonstrated the value of reducing genetic heterogeneity by clinical stratification implicating several convincing biological candidates and further supporting the hypothesis that multiple, distinct mechanisms are responsible for CMI.
Tres vértices del triángulo de las Competencias Didácticas: Teoría, Metodología y Método

This article is about the relationship among the theory; methodology and method to take into account when we want to study the complex construct of the human competences and in specific the professional competences of the teachers in the classroom. The concept of the didactic competences requires to be solved with scientific accuracy among other factors the relationship among these concepts like three faces of a triangle in permanent and dynamic connections.
Endoscopy education in general surgery residencies: meeting the new RRC requirements.

Background The Residency Review Committee (RRC) for General Surgery recently increased the number of endoscopy cases required from 29 to 85. We sought to evaluate how programs were meeting these guidelines and what adaptations were occurring. Methods Surveys were sent by regular mail and e-mail to program directors at accredited general surgery residencies. Results Eighty-one of 250 surveys were returned (24%); 52% were university based; 100% of respondents were compliant with the old requirement, while 90% were compliant with the new RRC levels; 52% utilized a dedicated rotation and commonly in the private practices settings (75%). Virtually every program reported use of endoscopy suites (98%) or operating rooms (85%); fewer (64%) reported endoscopies in ICUs; 29% of programs had at least half of endoscopies taught by non-surgeons. The mean number of endoscopies performed was 160 (range 55–450), which exceeded the mean number of endoscopies (90) program directors believed were needed to gain privileges. The most commonly identified barriers to increasing endoscopy experience were work hour restrictions (38%) and referral patterns (42%). Conclusions Most programs responding to our survey are already compliant with the new RRC requirement. Much of this teaching occurs by non-surgeons and commonly away from the dominant teaching hospital. Future changes in endoscopy requirements should consider the impact of increasing nonsurgical teaching time. It seems likely that non-responding programs have even lower numbers than those responding and may have an even higher barrier to successfully increasing endoscopy education by surgeons.
Photodesorption of CO from Si(100)-2 × 1: wavelength and intensity dependence

Abstract The adsorption of CO on Si(100)-2 × 1 has been studied and characterized by temperature programmed desorption spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Furthermore, the relative CO photo-induced desorption yield has been measured as a function of photo intensity and wavelength, from the visible to the near-UV. The results suggest that a substrate mediated mechanism involving photogenerated carriers is responsible for the photodesorption.
Diode laser spectrum of the v9 fundamental band of jet-cooled CH2F2

Abstract With strong absorptions suitable for CO 2 laser optical pumping in the 9–10 μm region of the spectrum, methylene fluoride, CH 2 F 2 , has received much attention as an important far-infrared (FIR) laser medium. However, the high density of lines along with Coriolis and other perturbations have made it difficult to obtain a spectroscopic assignment for those energy levels responsible for FIR laser action. Utilizing a seeded, pulsed-jet expansion, we are able to obtain effective rotational and vibrational temperatures of approximately 5 and 50 K, respectively, and thereby significantly simplify the spectrum in the region of the v 9 band origin at 1090 cm −1 . Assignments are straightforward in the rotationally cold spectrum and the effects of perturbation would be clearly obvious.
Synchronization-Free Parallel Implementation of Factored-Implicit and Explicit Techniques

This work is motivated by the desire to assess the adaptability of alternating direction implicit and explicit finite difference techniques, used in computationl fluid dynamics, to parallelization on tightly-coupled, shared-memory parallel computers. The aim of the work is to achieve synchronization-free parallel implementations by the introduction and use of load balancing and processor routing schemes. Two representative and popular finite difference techniques, the implicit Beam and Warming and the explicit MacCormack techniques, are parallelized and tested on a 20-processor computer. Several parallel implementations of increasing complexity are investigated in the context of the simple heat and the more computationally intensive curvilinear grid mapping equations. In attaining near-theoretical speedups, the need for processor synchronization has to be eliminated completely. To achieve a synchronization-free parallel implementation, three stratagems are introduced and evaluated. First, each finite diff...
Ethical dilemmas in epilepsy and driving.

In states that do not have mandatory physician reporting of seizures, clinicians face the ethical dilemma of whether or not to breach confidentiality of poorly controlled patients who continue to drive. In making this deliberation, one should consider both the probability and magnitude of harm posed by continued driving of an individual patient. When probability and harm are low or when probability is high but harm is low, there is generally no moral obligation to breach confidentiality, and it would be wrong to do so. The most difficult situation is when probability of harm is low but magnitude of harm is high. Judgments to breach confidentiality in these situations should also include assessment of risks and benefits to the patient and to society by taking such action. Ultimately, each patient must be judged individually.
The Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Genome-wide scanning has revealed at least seven inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility loci and one confirmed susceptibility gene, NOD2/CARD15. Within the first susceptibility locus, IBD1, three NOD/CARD15 alleles confer decreased immune responsiveness to intraluminal microbes. These alleles are associated with ileal involvement and an earlier age of onset. The IBD2 locus is associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) susceptibility. Within the IBD3 locus, HLA DRB1*0103 is associated with colonic Crohn's disease, UC pancolitis, and an earlier requirement for surgery in UC patients. Both IBD4 and -5 are associated with CD. IBD5 is associated with earlier onset CD. IBD5, IBD6, IBD7, and DLG5 interact with the NOD2/CARD15 mutations. Although significant progress has been made, researchers have just begun to unravel these complex genetic relationships. Further studies of the genetics of IBD will bring us closer to understanding the etiology of these diseases and will lead to more effective treatment of our patients.
Aerosol Effects on Cirrus through Ice Nucleation in the Community Atmosphere Model CAM5 with a Statistical Cirrus Scheme

A statistical cirrus scheme that tracks ice saturation ratio in the clear-sky and cloudy portion of a grid box separately has been implemented into the Community Atmosphere Model CAM5 to provide a consistent treatment of ice nucleation and cloud formation. Simulated ice supersaturation and ice crystal number concentrations strongly depend on the number concentrations of heterogeneous ice nuclei (IN), subgrid temperature formulas, and the number concentration of sulfate particles participating in homogeneous freezing, while simulated ice water content is insensitive to these perturbations. Allowing 1–10% of dust particles to serve as heterogeneous IN is found to produce ice supersaturation in better agreement with observations. Introducing a subgrid temperature perturbation based on long-term aircraft observations produces a better hemispheric contrast in ice supersaturation compared to observations. Heterogeneous IN from dust particles alter the net radiative fluxes at the top of atmosphere (TOA) (−0.24 to −1.59 W m−2) with a significant clear-sky longwave component (0.01 to −0.55 W m−2). Different cirrus treatments significantly perturb the net TOA anthropogenic aerosol forcing from −1.21 W m−2 to −1.54 W m−2, with a standard deviation of 0.10 W m−2. Aerosol effects on cirrus exert an even larger impact on the atmospheric component of the radiative fluxes (2 or 3 times the changes in the TOA radiative fluxes) and therefore through the fast atmosphere response on the hydrological cycle. This points to the urgent need to quantify aerosol effects on cirrus through ice nucleation and how these further affect the hydrological cycle.
Accelerating CyberShake Calculations on the XE6/XK7 Platform of Blue Waters

CyberShake is a computational platform developed by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) that explicitly incorporates earthquake rupture time histories and deterministic wave propagation effects into seismic hazard calculations through the use of 3D waveform simulations. Using CyberShake, SCEC has created the first physics-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) models of the Los Angeles region from suites of simulations comprising ~108 seismograms. The current models are, however, limited to low seismic frequencies (≤ 0.5 Hz). To increase the maximum simulated frequency to above 1 Hz and produce a California state-wide model, we have transformed SCEC Anelastic Wave Propagation code (AWP-ODC) to include strain Green's tensor (SGT) calculations to accelerate CyberShake calculations. This tensor-valued wave field code has both CPU and GPU components in place for flexibility on different architectures. We have demonstrated the performance and scalability of this solver optimized for the heterogeneous Blue Waters system at NCSA. The high performance of the wave propagation computation, coupled with CPU/GPU co-scheduling capabilities of our workflow-managed systems, make a statewide hazard model a goal reachable with existing supercomputers.
Synthetic Lethal Interaction of the Mitochondrial Phosphatidylethanolamine and Cardiolipin Biosynthetic Pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria contain enzymes required for synthesis of the phospholipids cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), which are enriched in mitochondrial membranes. Previous studies indicated that PE may compensate for the lack of CL, and vice versa. These data suggest that PE and CL have overlapping functions and that the absence of both lipids may be lethal. To address this hypothesis, we determined whether the crd1Δ mutant, which lacks CL, was viable in genetic backgrounds in which PE synthesis was genetically blocked. Deletion of the mitochondrial PE pathway gene PSD1 was synthetically lethal with the crd1Δ mutant, whereas deletion of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum pathway genes PSD2 and DPL1 did not result in synthetic lethality. A 20-fold reduction in phosphatidylcholine did not affect the growth of crd1Δ cells. Supplementation with ethanolamine, which led to increased PE synthesis, or with propanolamine, which led to synthesis of the novel phospholipid phosphatidylpropanolamine, failed to rescue the synthetic lethality of the crd1Δpsd1Δ cells. These results suggest that mitochondrial biosynthesis of PE is essential for the viability of yeast mutants lacking CL.
Conformer-specific characterization of nonnative protein states using hydrogen exchange and top-down mass spectrometry

Characterization of structure and dynamics of nonnative protein states is important for understanding molecular mechanisms of processes as diverse as folding, binding, aggregation, and enzyme catalysis to name just a few; however, selectively probing local minima within rugged energy landscapes remains a problem. Mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) offers a unique advantage of being able to make a distinction among multiple protein conformers that coexist in solution; however, detailed structural interrogation of such states previously remained out of reach of HDX MS. In this work, we exploited the aforementioned unique feature of HDX MS in combination with the ability of MS to isolate narrow populations of protein ions to characterize individual protein conformers coexisting in solution in equilibrium. Subsequent fragmentation of the protein ions using electron-capture dissociation allowed us to allocate the deuterium distribution along the protein backbone, yielding a backbone-amide protection map for the selected conformer unaffected by contributions from other protein states present in solution. The method was tested with the small regulatory protein ubiquitin (Ub), which is known to form nonnative intermediate states under a variety of mildly denaturing conditions. Protection maps of these intermediate states obtained at residuelevel resolution provide clear evidence that they are very similar to the so-called A-state of Ub that is formed in solutions with low pH and high alcohol. Method validation was carried out by comparing the backbone-amide protection map of native Ub with those deduced from high-resolution NMR measurements.
India and the Proliferation Security Initiative: A US Perspective

Abstract The article considers why New Delhi has shied away from full participation in the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative despite compelling national interests in improving Indian maritime forces and cooperating with the United States at sea. Some factors examined are polarized domestic politics, Indians' ambivalence about non-proliferation arrangements that formerly targeted them, and New Delhi's desire for regional primacy. Until Indian leaders come to believe that the benefits of PSI participation outweigh its drawbacks, they will continue to hold the initiative at arm's length.
One-pot synthesis of elastin-like polypeptide hydrogels with grafted VEGF-mimetic peptides

Immobilization of growth factors to polymeric matrices has been a common strategy in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds to promote tissue regeneration, which requires complex cell signaling events with the surrounding matrix. However, the use of large protein growth factors in polymeric scaffolds is often plagued by immunogenicity, short in vivo half-lives, and reduced bioactivity. To address these concerns, we developed a single-step, cell-compatible strategy to tether small, growth-factor-mimetic peptides into a protein-engineered hydrogel with tunable biomaterial properties. Specifically, we covalently immobilized the QK peptide, an angiogenic peptide mimicking the receptor-binding region of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), within tunable elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogels that include a cell-adhesive RGD sequence. Using a cell-compatible, amine-reactive crosslinker, we conducted a one-pot synthesis to simultaneously encapsulate cells while precisely controlling the QK grafting density (10 nM–100 μM) in the ELP hydrogels without altering other material properties. Fluorescence analysis of fluor-labeled QK peptides demonstrated that the conjugation efficiency to ELP hydrogels was >75% and that covalent immobilization effectively eliminates all QK diffusion. Compared with pristine ELP hydrogels, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation was significantly enhanced on ELP hydrogels immobilized with 10 nM or 1 μM QK. Moreover, upon encapsulation within tethered QK-ELP hydrogels, HUVEC spheroids maintained near 100% viability and demonstrated significantly more three-dimensional outgrowth compared to those supplemented with soluble QK peptide at the same concentration. These results encourage the further development of protein-engineered scaffolds decorated with growth-factor-mimetic peptides to provide long-term biological signals using this versatile, single-step synthesis.
Simultaneous visible and thermal imaging of metals during machining

In order to investigate temperatures reached during orthogonal metal cutting, a novel approach for measuring temperatures at the tool-chip interface has been developed based on high-speed thermography. A thermal infrared camera and a visible camera combined through a dichroic beam splitter form the basis for a synchronized visible and infrared imaging system. Pairing the infrared camera with a higher speed visible camera allows for assessment of thermal images with aberrant chip flow or an obstructed view of the tool/chip interface. This feature facilitates the use of the apparatus in machining environments where machining chips or other debris fly about. The measurement setup also includes a force dynamometer, custom timing circuitry, and a high-speed digital oscilloscope to enable timing of frames together with force measurements so that analysis of the infrared images can be compared against the energy levels measured through the cutting forces. The resulting infrared images were converted to radiance temperatures through comparison to a NIST calibrated blackbody. Emissivity was measured by thermally imaging the machining chips heated to known temperatures. Machining experiments were performed at various cutting speeds and at two different infrared wavelengths. Analysis of these experiments gives insight into the relationships between emissivity, temperature, surface condition, infrared wavelength and motion blur. The analysis shows that using the visible, thermal and force data together is a significant improvement over any of these alone. These insights lead to practical guidance for use of infrared imaging systems to image rapidly moving objects.
The History of the Central Asian Republics – By Peter L. Roudik

In 1991 the dissolution of the Soviet Union brought to the cognizance of a wider public the existence of five newly independent countries that, until that date, were part of the fifteen Soviet Soci...
Chemistry of the diazeniumdiolates. 3. Photoreactivity.

We have found O2-substituted diazeniumdiolates, compounds of structure R2N−N(O)NOR‘ that are under development for various possible pharmaceutical uses, to be rather photosensitive. With R = ethyl and R‘ = methyl, benzyl, or 2-nitrobenzyl, the observed product distributions suggest that two primary pathways are operative. A minor pathway involves the extrusion of nitrous oxide (N2O) with simultaneous generation of R2N• and R‘O•, which may then form amines, aldehydes, and alcohols. The major reaction pathway is an interesting photochemical cleavage of the NN bond to form a nitrosamine (R2NNO) and an oxygen-substituted nitrene (R‘ON). The intermediacy of the O-nitrene was inferred from the production of abundant oxime, via rearrangement of the O-nitrene to a C-nitroso compound (R‘ON → ONR‘), and subsequent tautomerization to the more stable oxime. Involvement of the O-nitrene was confirmed by trapping with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene to form the aziridine and with oxygen to generate the nitrate ester. 2-Nitro sub...
Interleukin-1 beta suppresses apoptosis in rat ovarian follicles by increasing nitric oxide production

A growing body of evidence suggests that intraovarian interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) may play an intermediary role in the ovulatory process. Furthermore, induction of nitric oxide (NO) by IL-1 beta has been reported in a wide variety of tissues. As the majority of ovarian follicles undergo an atretic degeneration process involving apoptotic cell death, we set out to determine whether IL-1 beta rescues follicles from apoptosis and the possible involvement of NO. Preovulatory follicles obtained from PMSG-primed rats were cultured for 24 h in serum-free medium with or without hormone treatments. After culture, follicular apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed by autoradiography of size-fractionated DNA labeled at 3'-ends with [32P]dideoxy-ATP. Follicular NO production was also determined by a colorimetric method. Treatment with IL-1 beta dose-dependently suppressed the spontaneous onset of apoptosis in cultured follicles, but stimulated NO production. In contrast, the addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist eliminated both effects of IL-1 beta, confirming receptor mediation. Follicles treated with sodium nitroprusside, a NO generator or an analog of cGMP, the second messenger for NO, also showed decreased follicle apoptosis. Moreover, the addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a NO synthase inhibitor, reversed both IL-1 beta stimulation of NO production and suppression of apoptosis, suggesting a mediatory role of NO in these IL-1 beta effects. Gonadotropins also prevent follicle apoptosis. Of interest, treatment with hCG stimulated NO production, and the hCG suppression of follicle apoptosis and stimulation of NO production were partially blocked by cotreatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist, indicating the mediation of endogenous IL-1 beta. Treatment with IL-1 beta also stimulated a small increase in the production of cAMP, estrogen, and progesterone. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-1 beta is a survival factor for ovarian follicles, and its action is partially mediated via NO and cGMP generation. Moreover, part of the suppressive action of gonadotropins on follicle apoptosis is mediated by endogenously produced IL-1 beta.
Washington's ‘silent ally’ in World War II? United States policy towards Spain, 1939–1945

This article examines an important aspect of wartime American policy that, although the subject of heated contemporary debate, has received little scholarly attention. It traces shifts in Washington's Spanish policy from a protracted period of appeasement lasting well into 1943, to a course marked by strident verbal opposition to the Franco government. In both phases—sometimes described as ‘realist’ and ‘idealist’—American policy was in fact guided by pragmatic concerns and driven by a mixture of short-term military necessity and by the long-term advance of American influence. Based on an examination of the contemporary domestic debate on Spanish policy, the article also explores the relationship between government policy and the public discourse within which it was framed.
Consciousness in Spinoza’s Philosophy of Mind

Spinoza's philosophy of mind is thought to lack a serious account of consciousness. In this essay I argue that Spinoza's doctrine of ideas of ideas has been wrongly construed, and that once righted it provides the foundation for an account. I then draw out the finer details of Spinoza's account of consciousness, doing my best to defend its plausibility along the way. My view is in response to a proposal by Edwin Curley and the serious objection leveled against it by Margaret Wilson and Jonathan Bennett.
Characteristics of Successful Personal Ads in a BDSM On-Line Community

The bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism (BDSM) community today uses online personal ads as a major way for members to meet. Such communities have designed their on-line experience around the format of the once prevalent newspaper/magazine personals ads and often feature physical descriptions, personal pictures, and special interests listings. This study examines personal profiles posted on an on-line BDSM community, which allows for the examination of the type and content of these ads that may be the impetus for them to be “successful.” As such, this approach goes beyond traditionally studied aspects of personal ads from other mainstream groups (Paul et al. 2010; Rajecki et al. 1991; Strassberg and Holty 2003). This is achieved through an experimental approach of creating profiles to see which attract the most viewers; such an approach is fairly unique, although not completely new (Goode 1996a; Sitton and Blanchard 1995; Strassberg and Holty 2003). Content-analysis is also performed on the viewers ...
P2F-3 Continuous Delay Estimation with Polynomial Splines

Delay estimation is used in ultrasonic imaging to estimate blood flow, determine phase aberration corrections, and to calculate elastographic images. The accuracy of delay estimation methods depends on noise, bandwidth, and delay range. In most cases a sub-sample estimate of the delay is required. Two new delay algorithms that use cubic polynomial splines to continuously represent the delay are introduced. These algorithms are compared to conventional delay estimators and to another spline based method. The proposed algorithms have better performance, in terms of bias and jitter, in a realistic ultrasonic imaging environment
The role of the postaudit in model validation

Abstract Most researchers agree that validation is a demonstration that a model is capable of making accurate predictions at a site-specific field setting. A successful demonstration of validation requires completion of a series of steps that form a modeling protocol. These steps include model design and calibration, and verification of the governing equation, the computer code, and the model itself. The strictest form of validation is to demonstrate that the model can accurately predict the future. This type of validation test has been called a postaudit. Results of five postaudits suggest that it will be difficult and probably impossible to validate groundwater models by means of a postaudit because it is impossible to characterize the field setting in sufficient detail. Attention should instead be focused on good modeling protocol including providing a complete description of model design, a thorough assessment of model calibration, and an uncertainty analysis.
Universal deformation formulas and breaking symmetry

Abstract We show that an algebra with a non-nilpotent Lie group of automorphisms or “symmetries” (e.g., smooth functions on a manifold with such a group of diffeomorphisms) may generally be deformed (in the function case, “quantized”) in such a way that only a proper subgroup of the original group acts. This symmetry breaking is a consequence of the existence of certain “universal deformation formulas” which are elements, independent of the original algebra, in the tensor algebra of the enveloping algebra of the Lie algebra of the group.
Thermodynamic and Thermophysical Properties of Ionic Liquid + Water Systems

Excess enthalpy measurements on four ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate, ethyl(tributyl)phosphonium diethylphosphate, and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate) + water mixtures are reported. Heat capacities and densities of seven pure ionic liquids were measured. These measurements of imidazolium- and phosphonium-based ionic liquids are compared to our previous physical property measurements.
Broadband continuous-wave laser

A cw ring dye laser is constructed in which the light is shifted in frequency before being fed back into the gain medium. The active medium is R6G dye pumped by an argon-ion laser. An acousto-optic modulator is used to shift the frequency of the light inside the cavity. A continuous distribution of energy in a 0.75-nm bandwidth is observed in the output beam. No Fabry–Perot frequency structure is observed.
Anti-Human α-Synuclein N-Terminal Peptide Antibody Protects against Dopaminergic Cell Death and Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits in an AAV-α-Synuclein Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

The protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) has a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and immunotherapeutic approaches targeting this molecule have shown promising results. In this study, novel antibodies were generated against specific peptides from full length human α-Syn and evaluated for effectiveness in ameliorating α-Syn-induced cell death and behavioral deficits in an AAV-α-Syn expressing rat model of PD. Fisher 344 rats were injected with rAAV vector into the right substantia nigra (SN), while control rats received an AAV vector expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Beginning one week after injection of the AAV-α-Syn vectors, rats were treated intraperitoneally with either control IgG or antibodies against the N-terminal (AB1), or central region (AB2) of α-Syn. An unbiased stereological estimation of TH+, NeuN+, and OX6 (MHC-II) immunostaining revealed that the α-Syn peptide antibodies (AB1 and AB2) significantly inhibited α-Syn-induced dopaminergic cell (DA) and NeuN+ cell loss (one-way ANOVA (F (3, 30) = 5.8, p = 0.002 and (F (3, 29) = 7.92, p = 0.002 respectively), as well as decreasing the number of activated microglia in the ipsilateral SN (one-way ANOVA F = 14.09; p = 0.0003). Antibody treated animals also had lower levels of α-Syn in the ipsilateral SN (one-way ANOVA F (7, 37) = 9.786; p = 0.0001) and demonstrated a partial intermediate improvement of the behavioral deficits. Our data suggest that, in particular, an α-Syn peptide antibody against the N-terminal region of the protein can protect against DA neuron loss and, to some extent behavioral deficits. As such, these results may be a potential therapeutic strategy for halting the progression of PD.
Gill-derived glands in glandulocaudine fishes (teleostei: Characidae: Glandulocaudinae).

The Glandulocaudinae is a subfamily of neotropical characid fishes from Central and South America. A unifying feature of the subfamily is the caudal gland, found almost exclusively in males. The gland consists of tissue on the base of the caudal fin covered in part by hypertrophied scales. Scale movement as the caudal fin is flexed appears to facilitate the release of chemical compounds from the glandular tissue. We describe here a different structure, found in the gill cavity of mature males in 12 of 17 glandulocaudine genera examined. Termed a gill gland, it develops as a male secondary sex character and appears morphologically suited to release chemical signals. The gland forms by the growth of tissue over and around 4–13 anterior gill filaments on the first gill arch, forming chambers with ventral openings. Within the gland chambers, gill secondary lamellae usually shorten and may disappear. When secondary lamellae persist, simple columnar epithelial cells develop between them. In the absence of secondary lamellae, the gland chambers are lined with a simple cuboidal or columnar epithelium. Gland size and the degree of gill modification vary among species. Gill glands appear absent in five glandulocaudine genera, suggesting character reversals based on current phylogenetic hypotheses and systematic classification. Gill gland morphology suggests that this structure releases chemical compounds into the gill current. The presence of gill glands only in mature males suggests a function in reproduction and/or male aggression. Together with studies of the caudal gland, this research suggests that chemical signals may play important roles in glandulocaudine reproduction. J. Morphol. 253:187–195, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Population Screening for Barrett Esophagus: A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of unsedated transnasal endoscopy (uTNE) and video capsule endoscopy (VCE) as alternatives to sedated endoscopy (sEGD) as screening tools for Barrett esophagus (BE) and to obtain preliminary estimates of participation rates for sEGD, uTNE, and VCE when used for community BE screening in a population cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS From February 1, 2009, to May 31, 2010, patients from Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were older than 50 years and had no history of known BE were randomized (stratified by age, sex, reflux symptoms noted in a validated questionnaire) into 3 groups for esophageal evaluation with sEGD, uTNE, or VCE. Participation rates and safety profiles were estimated. RESULTS We contacted 127 patients to recruit 20 for each procedure arm (60 total). The probability of participation was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26%-51%) for sEGD, 50% (95% CI, 35%-65%) for uTNE, and 59% (95% CI, 42%-74%) for VCE. Both uTNE and VCE were well tolerated without adverse effects. BE was identified in 3 patients and esophagitis in 8. CONCLUSION Unsedated techniques may be acceptable, feasible, and safe alternatives to sEGD to screen for BE in the community. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00943280
ISLAMIC MODERNISM IN SOUTH ASIA: A REASSESSMENT

Aujourd'hui, il ne fait plus de doute que le revivalisme islamique constitue une reponse vraiment moderne a l'evolution du monde (et non pas une reaction contre la modernite). Pourtant, on est frappe par le faible nombre de porte-parole du modernisme en Asie du Sud aujourd'hui. Le modernisme s'est dissipe. Fazlur Rahman ou Ghulam Ahmad Parwez n'ont pas eu de successeurs. L'influence modernisme dans le gouvernement et les institutions judiciaires s'est erodee. L'A. propose une explication de la force ancienne du modernisme islamique en Asie et de son declin a l'heure actuelle
Distribution and abundance of Dissodactylus mellitae Rathbun (Pinnotheridae) on Mellita quinquiesperforata (Leske) (Echinodermata)

The distribution and abundance of a symbiotic crab, Dissodactylus mellitae Rathbun, were determined by monthly collections of its sand dollar host Mellita quinquiesperforata (Leske). Infestation of sand dollars varied from 36 to 96% and mean burden of crabs per sand dollar ranged from 0.4 to 2.7 (burden ranged from zero to eight). Both percent infestation and mean burden increased in the summer during juvenile recruitment, decreased in early fall, and remained steady throughout the winter. Three size classes of crabs were tested for randomness of their dispersion on sand dollars. Although analysis of all size classes together suggested that the choice of a host by D. mellitae is independent of the number of crabs already present, analysis of separate size classes revealed that D. mellitae is dispersed differently at different sizes. While juveniles showed gregarious settlement and young adults tended toward a solitary existence, mature adults exhibited random dispersion. Although the dispersion of the number of mature crabs was random, the distribution by sex was not. Of those adults living in groups of two, significantly more lived with a member of the opposite sex than would be expected in a random distribution. The possibility exists that the overall analysis of distribution may mask distributions which change with age. It is hypothesized that for D. mellitae changes in dispersion from uniform young adults to a nonrandom distribution of male-female pairs can best be explained by frequent movements between hosts.
Synthetic peptide of the sequence 632-642 on myosin subfragment 1 inhibits actomyosin ATPase activity.

Abstract A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence 632–642 (S632–642) on the myosin subfragment 1 (S-1) heavy chain and spanning the 50 20 kDa junction of S-1 binds to actin in the presence and absence of S-1. The binding of 1.0 mole of peptide per actin causes almost complete inhibition of actomyosin ATPase activity and only partial inhibition of S-1 binding to actin. The binding of S632–642 to the N-terminal segment of actin is supported by competitive carbodiimide cross-linking of S-1 and S632–642 to actin and the catalytic properties of cross-linked acto-S-1 and actin-peptide complexes. These results show that the sequence 632–642 on S-1 is an autonomous binding site for actin and confirm the catalytic importance of its interactions with the N-terminal segment of actin.
Resolution and accuracy in two dimensional echocardiography.

Abstract The resolution and accuracy of commercially available two dimensional echocardiographic systems were tested by Imaging two types of in vitro test objects. One consisted of a series of fine parallel threads spaced at known intervals and the other was a tissue phantom in which a series of holes of known size had been cut. The echocardiographic systems tested included a mechanical single element sector scanner, a three element rotary sector scanner and a phased array system. Azlmuthal resolution, lateral resolution and accuracy of horizontal distance measurements were assessed at depths of 2 and 6 cm. For each system, azimuthal resolution was better than lateral resolution, especially when assessed with use of the parallel threads. When the tissue phantom was imaged, the best resolution (2 mm in azimuthal and lateral directions) was obtained with the highest frequency transducer tested (3.5 MHz). The apparent size of a tissue defect was sensitive to gain settings, especially at a depth of 2 cm with lower frequency transducers; at a depth of 6 cm, echographic measurements of defect size were accurate to within 2.5 mm. Recent applications of two dimensional echocardiography require resolution near the apparent limits of current equipment. It Is recommended that the highest frequency transducer and lowest possible gain settings be used in these situations.
Measurements of the Nuclear Gamma Rays in Muonic Atoms of Several Deformed Nuclei

The energy shifts of the nuclear gamma rays from the first rotational states of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{150}$, ${\mathrm{Sm}}^{152}$, ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{154}$, ${\mathrm{Er}}^{166}$, ${\mathrm{W}}^{182}$, ${\mathrm{W}}^{184}$, and ${\mathrm{W}}^{186}$ due to the presence of a muon in a $1s$ state have been measured. The shifts are related to changes in the nuclear mean-square charge radius, and are compared with M\"ossbauer isomer-effect measurements.
A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Optimizing Highway Alignments

We develop a multi-objective approach to optimize 3-dimensional (3D) highway alignments using a genetic algorithm. Multi-objective genetic algorithms have been very popular for handling trade-offs among various objectives. The concept of Pareto optimally has been introduced in works and multi-objective genetic algorithms have been developed for this purpose. What we have found is that every problem is unique and there is no black box approach to implement multi-objective genetic algorithms in all problems. We implement the Pareto-optimality concept to develop a multi-objective genetic algorithm for the 3D highway alignment optimization problem on which we have worked for the last 10 years. We apply the multi-objective optimization approach to an example problem on which we had previously worked. The results suggest that the multi-objective approach has great promise for obtaining the best trade-off among various objectives to reach an optimal solution
Long-life hollow cathode laser

The construction and operation of hollow cathode He-Cd lasers are described, where sputter protection of the cathode is achieved by a cadmium film coverage. Laser operation for 1000 hours without power degradation has been demonstrated.
Muscarinic receptors modulate N-, P-, and L-type Ca2+ currents in rat striatal neurons through parallel pathways

Muscarinic modulation of calcium currents was studied in acutely isolated striatal neurons from the adult rat using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Muscarinic agonists reduced calcium currents through two distinct signaling pathways. One pathway depended upon PTX-sensitive G-proteins and targeted N- and P-type currents. The other pathway depended upon PTX-insensitive G-proteins and was rendered inactive by high intracellular concentrations of BAPTA and targeted L-type currents. The modulation of N- and P-type currents was relieved by strong depolarizing prepulses, whereas the modulation of L-type currents was not. These findings support the proposition that parallel signaling pathways exist between muscarinic receptors and calcium channels.
The Monsoon Rainband over China and Relationships with the Eurasian Circulation

Abstract Yearly variations in the observed initial and final dates of heavy, persistent monsoon rainband precipitation across China are quantified. The development of a semiobjective analysis that identifies these values also makes it possible to calculate annual rainband duration and total rainfall. Relationships between total rainband precipitation and the Eurasian circulation are then determined. This research is designed such that observed rainband characteristics can be used in future investigations to evaluate GCM simulations. Normalized daily precipitation time series are analyzed between 1951 and 1990 for 85 observation stations to develop criteria that describe general rainband characteristics throughout China. Rainfall is defined to be “heavy” if the daily value at a given location is greater than 1.5% of the annual mean total. Heavy precipitation is then shown to be “persistent” and is thus identified with the rainband when the 1.5% threshold is exceeded at least 6 times in a 25-day period. Fin...
Improving lifetime data gathering and distortion for mobile sensing networks

In this paper we consider improving the quantity and quality of data collected and sent to a sink over the lifetime of a network of mobile sensors. The positions of the sensors and the routing strategy chosen are the variables in our problem. The original problem is a multi-objective non-convex optimization problem and we believe it to be tough to solve. The approach taken in this paper is to break down the original problem into sub-problems and develop an iterative scheme to optimize both the quantities. We propose three sub-problems. First, we optimize the way (obtain flows) the data is sent to the sink for a fixed placement of the nodes by solving a linear program (work on this has already been done in the past by others). Once flows have been obtained, they are kept constant and the nodes are then moved in a way such that the lifetime is further improved, keeping the maximum distortion error less than or equal to what it is for the initial node placement. Then for the new node distribution with a better lifetime, we decrease the maximum distortion error keeping the lifetime greater than or equal as compared to the starting configuration. Centralized and decentralized iterative schemes are presented using these subproblems that monotonically improve the lifetime data gathering and reduce maximum distortion error at each step.
Activity‐Based Pricing in a Monopoly

In this article, I study the interaction between cost accounting systems and pricing decisions in a setting where a monopolist sells a base product and related support services to customers whose preference for support services is known only to them. I consider two pricing mechanisms—activity-based pricing (ABP) and traditional pricing—and two cost-accounting systems—activity-based costing (ABC) and traditional costing, for support services. Under traditional pricing, only the base product is priced, whereas support services are provided free because detailed cost-driver volume information on the consumption of support services by each customer is unavailable. Under ABP, customers pay based on the quantities consumed of both the base product and the support services because detailed cost-driver volume information is available for each customer. Likewise, under traditional costing for support services the firm makes pricing decisions on cost signals that are noisier than they are under ABC. I compare the equilibrium quantities of the base product and support services sold, the information rent paid to the customers, and the expected profits of the monopolist under all four combinations of cost-driver volume and cost-driver rate information. I show that ABP helps reduce control problems, such as moral hazard and adverse selection problems, for the supplier and increases the supplier's ability to engage in price discrimination. I show that firms are more likely to adopt ABP when their customer base is more diverse, their customer support costs are more uncertain, their costing system has lower measurement error, and the variable costs of providing customer support are higher. Firms adopt ABC when their cost-driver rates for support services under traditional costing are noisier measures of actual costs relative to their cost-driver rates under ABC and when the actual costs of support services are inherently uncertain. I also show that cost-driver rate information and cost-driver volume information for support services are complements. Although the prior literature views ABC and activity-based management (ABM) as facilitating better decision making, I show that ABC and ABP (a form of ABM) are useful tools for addressing control problems in supply chains.