cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Streamlined bridge inspection system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and machine learning

Abstract Recently, the rapid development of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has made collecting images of bridge conditions trivial. Measuring the damage extent, growth, and location from the collected big image set, however, can be cumbersome. This paper proposes a streamlined bridge inspection system that offers advanced data analytics tools to automatically: (1) identify type, extent, growth, and 3D location of defects using computer vision techniques; (2) generate a 3D point-cloud model and segment structural elements using human-in-the-loop machine learning; and (3) establish a georeferenced element-wise as-built bridge information model to document and visualize damage information. This system allows bridge managers to better leverage UAV technologies in bridge inspection and conveniently monitor the health of a bridge through quantifying and visualizing the progression of damage for each structural element. The efficacy of the system is demonstrated using two bridges.
The relationship of needs assessed at entry into out-of-home care to children and youth’s later emotional and behavioral problems in care

Abstract Screening children who are entering out-of-home care is widely implemented but not thoroughly studied. This study examines whether emotional and behavioral needs identified by an Integrated Assessment (IA) at entry predict needs and services while in care. Data from the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) measure completed in the IA were combined with data from a point-in-time study of the well-being of children in out-of-home care. Logistic regression analyses found that having a need identified at entry predicted having a similar need and receiving mental health services during out-of-home care (p
Industrial air pollution and self-reported respiratory and irritant health effects on adjacent residents: a case study of Islamabad Industrial Estate (IEI)

Human health deterioration due to industrial air emissions is gaining global attention. These health impacts are coupled mainly with chronic and acute health issues that are persistent in residents in close proximity to the industrial estates. Similarly, the inhabitants of Islamabad Industrial Estate (IEI) are exposed to intense industrial pollutants that have caused respiratory and irritant health issues. This cross-sectional study has compared two groups on deploying 378 close-ended questionnaires at the household level, after adjusting the potential confounders. The groups were framed as per their distance from IEI as ‘Band I’ - residence ≤ 650 m and ‘Band II’ - residence ≥ 650–1300 m. The distances were calculated from the respondent’s residence to the outer digitized boundary (perimeter of IEI), whereas the perimeter was digitized using Google Earth and imported into a Geographical Information System. The results of multiple logistic regression for odds ratios confirmed significant increase in chronic respiratory problems (chronic bronchitis OR 1.93 (1.05–3.55), phlegm OR 2.5 (1.4–4.5), dyspnoea OR 2.18 (0.3–1.81)) and acute irritation issues (eye irritation OR 2.59 (1.63–3.90), throat irritation OR 1.782 (0.876–2.725)) in case of Band I. The same diseases were found in Band II but in less severity; however, their existence remained life-threatening for the locality. The study calls for preventive measures by the local residents, health safety measures by the federal government and relocation of populace to safe areas/sectors.
Adaptive stimulation of macropinocytosis overcomes aspartate limitation in cancer cells under hypoxia

Stress-adaptive mechanisms enable tumor cells to overcome metabolic constraints in nutrient and oxygen poor tumors. Aspartate is an endogenous metabolic limitation under hypoxic conditions, but the nature of the adaptive mechanisms that contribute to aspartate availability and hypoxic tumor growth are poorly understood. Here, using a combination of metabolomics and CRISPR-based genetic screens, we identify GOT2-catalyzed mitochondrial aspartate synthesis as an essential metabolic dependency for the proliferation of pancreatic tumor cells under hypoxic culture conditions. In contrast, GOT2-catalyzed aspartate synthesis is dispensable for pancreatic tumor formation in vivo. The dependence of pancreatic tumor cells on aspartate synthesis is bypassed in part by a hypoxia-induced potentiation of extracellular protein scavenging via macropinocytosis. This effect is mutant KRas-dependent, and is mediated by hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1A) and its canonical target carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA9) through the cooption of the bicarbonate-macropinocytosis signaling axis. Our findings reveal high plasticity of aspartate metabolism and define an adaptive regulatory role for macropinocytosis by which mutant KRas tumors can overcome nutrient deprivation under hypoxic conditions.
The Frequency of Serum Neural Autoantibodies in Suspected Autoimmune Epilepsy (P6.284)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and age distribution of five serum neuronal autoantibodies to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA), the voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC), leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1), contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2), and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) antigens in specimens sent to a clinical laboratory for an evaluation of autoimmune epilepsy (AE). BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that a substantial proportion of epilepsy cases, especially those with a poor response to antiepileptic drugs (AED), have an autoimmune basis characterized by the presence of serum neural autoantibodies to the VGKC complex including LGI1 and CASPR2. Early recognition of AE and initiation of immunotherapy may improve patient outcomes. DESIGN/METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, radioimmunoassays, and immunofluorescence antibody assays were used to detect serum autoantibodies to NMDA receptor, VGKC, LGI1, CASPR2, and GAD65 in specimens (n=77) analyzed for AE at a clinical diagnostic laboratory. The frequencies of these autoantibodies were calculated using de-identified test results. RESULTS: Autoantibodies were identified in 12[percnt] of the population (n=9), but only in specimens from adults (n=59) and not children (n=18). The majority were directed against LGI1 (n=5), followed by GAD65 (n=2), NMDA receptor (n=1), and CASPR2 (n=1). VGKC antibody was borderline in cases positive for CASPR2 and LGI1 antibodies (n=3). Two cases were VGKC antibody negative but LGI1 antibody positive. One case was borderline for VGKC antibody but negative for all other markers. CONCLUSIONS: The frequencies and distributions of autoantibodies differ from previously published studies by the high frequency of autoantibodies to LGI1 and GAD65 and the lack of findings in children. These results suggest that antibodies to the VGKC complex, especially LGI1, are a common cause of AE in adults. Study Supported by: Quest Diagnostics Disclosure: Dr. Sansoucy has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Jaremko has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Burnham has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Mourneau has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Goldberger has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Patel has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Wang has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Suer has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Batish has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Higgins has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics.
Auction algorithms for generalized nonlinear network flow problems

Network flow is an area of optimization theory concerned with optimization over networks with a range of applicability in fields such as computer networks, manufacturing, finance, scheduling and routing, telecommunications, and transportation. In both linear and nonlinear networks, a family of primal-dual algorithms based on "approximate" Complementary Slackness (e-CS) is among the fastest in centralized and distributed environments. These include the auction algorithm for the linear assignment/transportation problems, & relaxation and Auction/Sequential Shortest Path (ASSP) for the min-cost flow and max-flow problems. Within this family, the auction algorithm is particularly fast, as it uses "second best" information, as compared to using the more generic e-relaxation for linear assignment/transportation. Inspired by the success of auction algorithms, we extend them to two important classes of nonlinear network flow problems. We start with the nonlinear Resource Allocation Problem (RAP). This problem consists of optimally assigning N divisible resources to M competing missions/tasks each with its own utility function. This simple yet powerful framework has found applications in diverse fields such as finance, economics, logistics, sensor and wireless networks. RAP is an instance of generalized network (networks with arc gains) flow problem but it has significant special structure analogous to the assignment/transportation problem. We develop a class of auction algorithms for RAP: a finite-time auction algorithm for both synchronous and asynchronous environments followed by a combination of forward and reverse auction with e-scaling to achieve pseudo polynomial complexity for any non-increasing generalized convex utilities including non-continuous and/or non-differentiable functions. These techniques are then generalized to handle shipping costs on allocations. Lastly, we demonstrate how these techniques can be used for solving a dynamic RAP where nodes may appear or disappear over time. In later part of the thesis, we consider the convex nonlinear min-cost flow problem. Although e-relaxation and ASSP are among the fastest available techniques here, we illustrate how nonlinear costs, as opposed to linear, introduce a significant bottleneck on the progress that these algorithms make per iteration. We then extend the core idea of the auction algorithm, use of second best to make aggressive steps, to overcome this bottleneck and hence develop a faster version of e-relaxation. This new algorithm shares the same theoretical complexity as the original but outperforms it in our numerical experiments based on random test problem suites.
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Epidemiology is the study of patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in a population. It provides critical support for public health by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive medicine.Epidemiology has helped develop methodology used in clinical research and public health studies. Major areas of epidemiological study include disease etiology, disease break, disease surveillance, and comparison of treatment effects such as in clinical trials.
Two-Dimensional Toroidal Geometry Neutral Atom Transport and Material Erosion Rates in the TEXTOR and TFTR Tokamaks

The power deposition and wall material erosion rates due to charge-exchange neutral atoms resulting from a recycling source at limiters in the TEXTOR and Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor tokamaks are reported. The analysis is carried out using a recently developed finite element, two-dimensional toroidal geometry diffusion theory, neutral atom transport theory, and the computer code FENAT. The power deposition and material erosion are highest at the limiter. The first wall suffers very little erosion except for the portion near the limiter.
Benefits and Costs From Sulfur Dioxide Trading: A Distributional Analysis

Prior to the passage of Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), there had been a lively debate involving Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and academics, about the need for reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions due to the problem of acid rain. In addition to domestic pressure, Canada was putting political pressure on the United States to decrease acid rain. Just after the passage of the CAAA the United States and Canada signed the Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, aimed at controlling transboundary acid rain. How damaging is acid rain? The National Acid Rain Precipitation Assessment Program found that acid rain causes minor damage to crops and modest damage to aquatic life in acidified lakes and streams. Burtraw et al. (1998) estimate the expected environmental damages from acid rain on recreational activities, residential visibility, and morbidity to be about $13 per capita in 1990.
The Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge in Contemporary Mexico in El cultivo del maize en Yojovi by Javier Castellanos

The author applies an ecocritical perspective to the study of Javier Castellanos’ 1988 monograph of Yojovi corn farmers’ testimonies, El cultivo del maiz en Yojovi. The author’s ecocritical lens establishes Yojovi rights to determine food sustainability practices and to determine land resource use. In particular, the author examines the conflicts between Yojovi knowledge of corn varieties and their cultivation and the pressure to alter their practices to adhere to genetically modified corn crop production. She also reveals the conflicts between Yojovi narratives that situate humans within their natural habitats and the Western scientific paradigm’s narratives that tend to separate humans from the natural world.
Samuel meets Amarel: automating value function approximation using global state space analysis

Most work on value function approximation adheres to Samuel's original design: agents learn a task-specific value function using parameter estimation, where the approximation architecture (e.g, polynomials) is specified by a human designer. This paper proposes a novel framework generalizing Samuel's paradigm using a coordinate-free approach to value function approximation. Agents learn both representations and value functions by constructing geometrically customized task-independent basis functions that form an orthonormal set for the Hilbert space of smooth functions on the underlying state space manifold. The approach rests on a technical result showing that the space of smooth functions on a (compact) Riemanian manifold has a discrete spectrum associated with the Laplace-Beltrami operator. In the discrete setting, spectral analysis of the graph Laplacian yields a set of geometrically customized basis functions for approximating and decomposing value functions. The proposed framework generalizes Samuel's value function approximation paradigm by combining it with a formalization of Saul Amarel's paradigm of representation learning through global state space analysis.
The cyclooxygenase theory of aspirin-induced asthma

Aspirin-induced asthma is a distinct clinical syndrome which affects about 10% of adult asthmatics. In these patients aspirin and several other analgesics precipitate asthmatic attacks. The idea that the attacks might result from the specific inhibition of a single enzyme, namely cyclooxygenase, has gained both experimental and clinical support. It stimulated a number of hypotheses on the mechanism of bronchoconstriction. All these hypotheses, here discussed, operate within the framework of the cyclooxygenase theory. Their major assumption is that inhibition of cyclooxygenase triggers specific biochemical reactions which lead to open asthma attacks.
Dopamine Receptor Signaling and Current and Future Antipsychotic Drugs

All currently efficacious antipsychotic drugs have as part of their mechanism the ability to attenuate some or all of the signaling through the dopamine D2 receptor. More recently, the dopamine D1 receptor has been hypothesized to be a promising target for the treatment of negative and/or cognitive aspects of schizophrenia that are not improved by current antipsychotics. Although cAMP has been presumed to be the primary messenger for signaling through the dopamine receptors, the last decade has unveiled a complexity that has provided exciting avenues for the future discovery of antipsychotic drugs (APDs). We review the signaling mechanisms of currently approved APDs at dopamine D2 receptors, and note that aripiprazole is a compound that is clearly differentiated from other approved drugs. Although aripiprazole has been postulated to cause dopamine stabilization due to its partial D2 agonist properties, a body of literature suggests that an alternative mechanism, functional selectivity, is of primary importance. Finally, we review the signaling at dopamine D1 receptors, and the idea that drugs that activate D1 receptors may have use as APDs for improving negative and cognitive symptoms. We address the current state of drug discovery in the D1 area and its relationship to novel signaling mechanisms. Our conclusion is that although the first APD targeting dopamine receptors was discovered more than a half-century ago, recent research advances offer the possibility that novel and/or improved drugs will emerge in the next decade.
Congenital Rubella Infection Control Problem

To the Editor — Zimmerman and Reef’s report regarding congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)1 did not address the challenging infection control issues posed when the diagnosis of CRS is considered. Our recent experience may be instructive for others. In October 2000, a neonate with a patent ductus arteriosus was admitted to a multi-bed room at our hospital. The infant’s mother reported a febrile illness with rash during the 5th week of her pregnancy in Honduras, which she identified as “rubeola.” The infant was managed by cardiology and seen in consultation by hematology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and neurology. Although CRS was mentioned in the differential diagnoses of several physicians, the patient was not isolated until the 7th day of hospitalization. This may in part be because early prenatal records were unavailable and that those involved in the patient’s care did not recognize that “rubeola” is Spanish …
Novel binary linear programming for high performance clock mesh synthesis

Clock mesh is popular in high performance VLSI design because it is more robust against variations than clock tree at a cost of higher power consumption. In this paper, we propose novel techniques based on binary linear programming for clock mesh synthesis for the first time in the literature. The proposed approach can explore both regular and irregular mesh configurations, adapting to non-uniform load capacitance distribution. Our synthesis consists of two steps: mesh construction to minimize total capacitance and skew, and balanced sink assignment to improve slew/skew characteristics. We first show that mesh construction can be analytically formulated as binary polynomial programming (a class of nonlinear discrete optimization), then apply a compact linearization technique to transform into binary linear programming, significantly reducing computational overhead. Second, our balanced sink assignment enables a sink to tap the least loaded mesh segment (not the nearest one) with another binary linear programming which reduces both slew and skew. Experiments show that our techniques improve the worst skew and total capacitance by 14% and 15% over the state-of-the-art clock mesh algorithm [19] on ISPD09 benchmarks.
Strong stability of quasi-affine transforms of contraction semigroups and the steady-state riccati equation

This paper studies strong stability of the class of strongly continuous Hilbert space semigroups which are quasi-affine transforms of contraction semigroups. Sufficient conditions for such a semigroup to be approximately strong stable are given. Applications to the stabilizability problem of Hilbert space semigroups, using a feedback involving a solution of the steady-state Riccati equation, are made. Our key tool is the generalization of the LaSalle invariance principle by Hale.
The outcome-prediction strategy in cases denied certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court

We investigate whether the substantial use of the outcome-prediction strategy by Supreme Court justices occurs in the petitions denied certiorari by the Court. We show with a computer simulation that [Caldeira, G.A., Wright, J.R., & Zorn, C.J.W. (1999). Journal of Law, Economics and Organization,15, 549–572], who modeled the missing final votes for denied petitions in order to include them in their study of the use of the outcome-prediction strategy, may have obtained spurious results. Application of the logic of conditional probabilities to the denied petitions suggests that all but those denied by the narrowest of margins are probably considered unacceptable by the justices on non-outcome-oriented grounds, and, therefore, are not subject to use of this strategy. We evaluate the pursuit of the outcome-prediction strategy in petitions that narrowly fail to be granted cert by focusing upon the petitions that are narrowly granted cert and find limited use of the strategy. We conclude that the outcome-prediction strategy probably is little used by the justices in confronting the petitions denied cert and that investigations of the use of this strategy are best confined to those petitions granted cert.
A New Radio-Frequency Electrodeless Discharge Cell for Studying the Emission Spectra of Organic Molecules

A radio-frequency electrodeless discharge cell for studying the emission spectra of organic molecules is described. This medium pressure source is stable and reproducible with and without sampling; it is also self-initiating. Pressure, power, and flow rate studies as well as "gas temperature" measurements were made. Low and medium resolution spectra of aromatic and nonaromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons and chlorinated pesticides are discussed. A qualitative internal wavelength standard is also described.
Effect of indomethacin on bile acid-phospholipid interactions: implication for small intestinal injury induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The injurious effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the small intestine was not appreciated until the widespread use of capsule endoscopy. Animal studies found that NSAID-induced small intestinal injury depends on the ability of these drugs to be secreted into the bile. Because the individual toxicity of amphiphilic bile acids and NSAIDs directly correlates with their interactions with phospholipid membranes, we propose that the presence of both NSAIDs and bile acids alters their individual physicochemical properties and enhances the disruptive effect on cell membranes and overall cytotoxicity. We utilized in vitro gastric AGS and intestinal IEC-6 cells and found that combinations of bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DC), taurodeoxycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, and the NSAID indomethacin (Indo) significantly increased cell plasma membrane permeability and became more cytotoxic than these agents alone. We confirmed this finding by measuring liposome permeability and intramembrane packing in synthetic model membranes exposed to DC, Indo, or combinations of both agents. By measuring physicochemical parameters, such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer and membrane surface charge, we found that Indo associated with phosphatidylcholine and promoted the molecular aggregation of DC and potential formation of larger and isolated bile acid complexes within either biomembranes or bile acid-lipid mixed micelles, which leads to membrane disruption. In this study, we demonstrated increased cytotoxicity of combinations of bile acid and NSAID and provided a molecular mechanism for the observed toxicity. This mechanism potentially contributes to the NSAID-induced injury in the small bowel.
Measures of energy effectiveness of interacting resource processing systems

Abstract A method is proposed to account for energy efficiency and environmental impact of resource-conversion systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of available energy concepts to combine measures of technological efficiency, resource depletion and environmental impact. Net energy methods are extended using available energy to develop new indicators of the effectiveness of new technological processes. A system to extend input-output analysis to interacting multiple chain sectors is introduced.
Thermal conductivity in two-dimensional superconductors: Effect of nonmagnetic impurities

We present a study of the effect of nonmagnetic impurities on the electronic thermal conductivity in a two-dimensional superconductor. We restrict our attention to two types of d-wave order parameters, which are compatible with square-lattice symmetry. The calculation is done in two limiting cases of the quasiparticle impurity scattering, namely, the Born approximation and the unitarity limit. We find that the unitarity-limit result is, qualitatively speaking, closer to available experimental results in cuprate superconductors.
Radiological considerations for bulk shielding calculations of national synchrotron light source-II

Abstract Brookhaven National Laboratory is designing a new electron synchrotron for scientific research using synchrotron radiation. This facility, called the “National Synchrotron Light Source II” (NSLS-II), will provide x-ray radiation of ultra-high brightness and exceptional spatial and energy resolution. It will also provide advanced insertion devices, optics, detectors and robotics, and a suite of scientific instruments designed to maximize the scientific output of the facility. The project scope includes the design, construction, installation, and commissioning of the following accelerators: a 200 MeV linac, a booster synchrotron operating from 200 MeV to 3.0 GeV, and the storage ring which stores a maximum of 500 mA current of electrons at an energy of 3.0 GeV. It is planned to operate the facility primarily in a top-off mode, thereby maintaining the maximum variation in stored beam current to
Embedding Mathematical Dialogue in Parent-Child Shared Book Reading: A Preliminary Investigation.

Research Findings: Shared book reading provides a meaningful context for rich conversations to occur between a child and an adult and offers opportunities for children to be exposed to a range of vocabulary and concepts that often extend beyond their everyday experiences. Few studies have examined parent–child shared book reading as a context for embedding mathematical discussion. The purpose of this study was to examine systematically the effect of training parents to focus on mathematical concepts and vocabulary during shared book reading. Specific research questions were as follows: (a) Did parents increase their use of math talk during shared storybook reading following training? (b) Did parents generalize intervention strategies? And (c) did children increase their use of math talk during shared storybook reading? Results from a yoked multiple-baseline design with 6 dyads indicated variability across the dyads with 2 general patterns. Math talk increased following training for 3 of the dyads, whereas...
Target-dependent structural changes in sensory neurons of aplysia accompany long-term heterosynaptic inhibition

FMRFamide evokes both short-term and long-term inhibition of synapses between mechanosensory and motor neurons in Aplysia. We report here, using dissociated cell culture and low-light epifluorescence video microscopy, that depression lasting 24 hr of sensorimotor synapses evoked by four brief applications of FMRFamide is accompanied by a significant loss of sensory cell varicosities and neurites. These structural changes in the sensory cells require the presence of the target motor cell L7. Because the loss of structures known to contain transmitter release sites correlates significantly with the changes in the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential in L7, our results suggest that the structural changes evoked by FMRFamide reflect a loss of synaptic contacts. Thus, long-term depression parallels long-term facilitation of the sensorimotor synapse produced by serotonin in that both forms of heterosynaptic plasticity involve target-dependent modulation of the number of presynaptic varicosities.
Prediction of gas chromatographic retention indices of alkylbenzenes

Abstract The retention indices (RIs) of a set of alkylbenzenes on a polar gas chromatographic column are predicted directly from their molecular structures. Numerical descriptors are calculated based on the structure of a group of 150 alkylbenzenes. The descriptors are of three types: topological, geometric, and electronic. Statistical methods are employed to find an informative subset of these descriptors that can accurately predict the gas chromatographic RIs. The Automated Data Analysis and Pattern Recognition Toolkit (ADAPT) software system is used to construct a large pool of structurally derived numerical descriptors which are used to build quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRRs). Multiple linear regression analysis and computational neural networks are used to map the descriptors to the RIs.
Inverse problems with partial data in a slab

In this paper we consider several inverse boundary value problems with partial data on an infinite slab. We prove the unique determination results of the coefficients for the Schrodinger equation and the conductivity equation when the corresponding Dirichlet and Neumann data are given either on the different boundary hyperplanes of the slab or on the same single hyperplane.
Measurement of the shear wave speed in a submerged plate

This paper develops an inverse method to estimate, in water, the shear wave speed in an isotropic, thick, elastomeric plate. The submerged plate is mechanically shaken and a scanning laser vibrometer is used to measure normal velocity on one surface. The temporal domain measurements are transformed into the frequency domain using a Fourier transform, then, the spatial domain measurements are transformed into the kx,ky wavevector domain using two Fourier transforms. Once the data is in the wavevector-frequency domain, the propagation wavenumber of each specific wave type can be estimated by fitting a circle to each collection of spectral peaks. Using this measured estimate of the wavenumber corresponding to the propagating wave, the Newton-Raphson gradient method is applied (inserting the estimated wavenumber into to the theoretical dispersion curve equation for wave propagation in a fluid-loaded plate,) hence resulting in an estimate of the shear wave speed. An experiment is included to illustrate the method and statistical properties of the measurement are discussed.
Accumulation and voltammetric measurement of silver at zeolite-containing carbon-paste electrodes

Silver-sensitive chemically modified electrodes are constructed by incorporating zeolites into a conventional carbon-paste mixture. Ion-exchange preconcentration is followed by medium-exchange to an electrolyte solution where the surface-bound silver is measured. The silver response is evaluated with respect to preconcentration time, electrode composition, silver concentration, pH, “cleaning” solution, possible interferences and other variables. Short preconcentration times permit convenient measurements down to the sub-mg l−1 concentration level. The surface is renewed by placing the electrode in a sodium carbonate solution. For six accumulation/measurement/renewal cycles with a 1 mg l−1 sample, the relative standard deviation was 3.9%. Similar measurements of mercury are also illustrated.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) inhibits recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BMD EPC) to ischemic hindlimb muscles but not to ischemic skin wounds

METHODS: Six chimeric FVB mice were created by bone marrow ablation/reconstitution using Tie 2-lacZ bone marrow such that BMD EPC are easily tracked by b-galactosidase expression. Femoral artery excision and 4mm hindlimb punch biopsy-wounding were performed in all mice. Three mice underwent 4 daily HBO treatments and three remained at normoxia. At day 4, hindlimb muscles, the excisional biopsy, and the surgical incisional wound were harvested and analyzed for b-galactosidase cells, to quantify BMD EPC (in 10 random HPF/serial crossections). 15 additional FVB with femoral excision/wounding underwent 8-daily HBOtreatments (N 8) versus no treatment (N 7) and wound closure assessed.
Human T4+ T-lymphocyte clones specific for the B fragment of tetanus toxin

Two T4+ cloned T-lymphocyte lines specific for a papain digest product of tetanus toxin are functionally characterized. The two clones were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated in vitro by tetanus toxoid, expanded with IL-2, and cloned in soft agar. Both clones could be induced to undergo blastogenesis with tetanus toxoid, tetanus toxin, and the B fragment but not the C fragment of tetanus toxin. In addition, both clones caused cytolysis of plastic adherent cell targets cocultured for 18 hr with either tetanus or the B fragment. Antigen specific proliferation and cytolytic activity were MHC-class I restricted.
Employment of Western Hemisphere undocumented aliens: Is there a negative fiscal impact on the United States?

Abstract This paper presents estimates of the income of undocumented Western Hemisphere aliens working in the continental United States. It is estimated that annual earnings of undocumented Western Hemisphere aliens were approximately $7 billion during the 1980s. Although the unreported income of undocumented Western Hemisphere aliens was significant, $3.7 billion per year, it does not appear to have resulted in a significant tax loss. The tax loss is estimated to be about $85 million per year during the early 1980s, increasing to slightly less than $190 million per year in the latter part of the 1980s.
Considerations in the Treatment of the Adult Blind Patient.

This paper contends that blindness is not a single clinical determinant, but, rather, that there are two groups of blind people for whom the treatment considerations are quite different. For those congenitally blind, lack of vision can cause developmental difficulties, e.g., impairments in human attachment, object permanence, and self-representation. For those who later acquire blindness, the premorbid psychodynamics and object relationships are most important in understanding the person's reactions to his/her disability. Two adult cases are presented to illustrate these phenomena in the context of psychotherapy.
Effect of hydrogen on fracture of U-notched bend specimens of spheroidized AISI 1095 steel

The effect of hydrogen on fracture was studied in U-notch bend specimens of 1095 steel with three different notch acuities. The hydrogen was introduced by cathodic charging through the notch surfaces. Both precharging and dynamic charging effects on void initiation and growth, crack initiation and fracture were investigated. In prechargea specimens voids were initiated at lower strains and the void population increased more rapidly than in the uncharged case. The role of hydrogen is to promote plastic instability along characteristic slip lines and therefore accelerate void formation. In the dynamically charged specimens, cracks initiated at lower strains than for the other cases and propagated rapidly without accompanying void formation. The results are compared to those for the uncharged case and to previous theoretical and experimental results.
Atrial L-Type Ca2+ Currents and Human Atrial Fibrillation

Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by decreased atrial contractility, shortened action potential duration, and decreased accommodation of action potential duration to changes in activation rate. Studies on experimental animal models of AF implicate a reduction in L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) density in these changes. To evaluate the effect of AF on human I(Ca), we compared I(Ca) in atrial myocytes isolated from 42 patients in normal sinus rhythm at the time of cardiac surgery with that of 11 chronic AF patients. I(Ca) was significantly reduced in the myocytes of patients with chronic AF (mean -3.35+/-0.5 pA/pF versus -9.13+/-1. 0 pA/pF in the controls), with no difference between groups in the voltage dependence of activation or steady-state inactivation. Although I(Ca) was lower in myocytes from the chronic AF patients, their response to maximal beta-adrenergic stimulation was not impaired. Postoperative AF frequently follows cardiac surgery. Half of the patients in the control group (19/38) of this study experienced postoperative AF. Whereas chronic AF is characterized by reduced atrial I(Ca), the patients with the greatest I(Ca) had an increased incidence of postoperative AF, independent of patient age or diagnosis. This observation is consistent with the concept that calcium overload may be an important factor in the initiation of AF. The reduction in functional I(Ca) density in myocytes from the atria of chronic AF patients may thus be an adaptive response to the arrhythmia-induced calcium overload.
Autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Although dysfunction of motor control is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), nonmotor symptoms, such as those related to autonomic dysfunction, are common and potentially disabling manifestations of the disease. Such nonmotor features are not often formally assessed and may be frequently misdiagnosed, so the true prevalence of these abnormalities remains poorly defined [1–3]. It has been estimated that over the course of PD more than 90% of patients experience symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, which can have a negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and may increase the risk of adverse events [4]. Understanding the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and PD is difficult because these symptoms may be the result of other conditions (such as multiple system atrophy [MSA]), the aging process itself, or pharmacotherapy for PD. Identification of these symptoms and early implementation of treatment can make a major difference in patient QOL and can reduce the risk for symptom-associated morbidity.
Aqua ions-graphene interfacial and confinement behavior: insights from isobaric-isothermal molecular dynamics.

We carry out a systematic microstructural characterization of the solid–fluid interface (SFI) of water and simple metal chloride aqueous solutions in contact with a free-standing plate or with two such plates separated by an interplate distance 0 ≤ h (A) ≤ 30 at ambient conditions via isothermal–isobaric molecular dynamics. With this characterization, we target the interrogation of the system in search for answers to fundamental questions regarding the structure of the “external” and “internal” (confined) SFIs, the effect of the differential hydration behavior among species, and its link to species expulsion from confinement. For water at ambient conditions, we found that the structure of the “external” SFIs is independent of the interplate distance h in the range 0 ≤ h (A) ≤ 30, that is, the absence of wall-mediated correlation effects between “external” and “internal” SFIs, and that for h < 9 A the slit-pores dewet. Moreover, we observed a selective expulsion of ions caused by the differential hydration...
Saccadic disorders caused by cooling the superior colliculus or the frontal eye field, or from combined lesions of both structures

We used reversible cold lesions to explore the oculomotor consequences of separate and combined dysfunction of the superior colliculus (SC) and the frontal eye field (FEF). Two monkeys were trained to fixate visual targets. In one we measured visually driven saccades while cooling the right SC, first alone, then in combination with bilateral FEF ablation. Two cryodes in the other subject permitted measurement of eye movements during cooling of either the right FEF or the right SC, or both structures together. Cooling FEF mainly caused a neglect. Raising the cryode temperature slightly alleviated the neglect and uncovered a subtle saccadic deficit. It consisted of a slight reduction in saccadic amplitude and increase in saccadic reaction time. Cooling the SC alone lengthened saccadic reaction time and reduced saccadic amplitude more dramatically, causing the monkeys' initial saccade to miss the target. Some correction occurred but a targeting error persisted to the end of the trial. Combined lesions of FEF and SC greatly increased reaction times, reduced saccadic amplitude, and caused large and persistent targeting errors. The changes in saccadic amplitude and the targeting errors were a function of the monkey's eye position. Combined lesions also truncated the ocular range of the monkeys.
Project for fundamental criminologic research in Puerto rico

Beginning with a discussion of major American approaches to research into the etiology of delinquency, the author criticizes certain unilateral theories. He describes the main features ofUnraveling Juvenile Delinquency, a major work by his wife and himself, and summarizes its chief findings. These demonstrate the great variety of etiologic patterns and the childhood roots of typical delinquency. The author calls for a Comparative Criminology, pointing out that only through replication of a basic research in regions and cultures differing from those in which the original investigation was made can there be hope of turning Criminology into something approaching a true science. He then discusses the Glueck Social Prediction Table and its validations. He concludes with hints regarding the prevention of delinquency.
An Interview Forum on Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery with Lynn Wiley and Tom Delaney.

Abstract The Virginia Boucher-OCLC Distinguished ILL Librarian Award is the most prestigiouscommendation given to practitioners in the field. The following questions about ILL were posed to the two most recent recipients of the Boucher Award: Tom Delaney (2002), Coordinator of Interlibrary Loan Services at Colorado State University and Lynn Wiley (2001), Information Resource Retrieval Center Coordinator at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Questions were written by Douglas Hasty, a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Access Services.
Oxidative addition of RCOI to [AsPh4][Rh(CO)2I2]. Synthesis of [AsPh4][RCORh(CO)2I3] (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr)☆

Abstract Reaction of [AsPh4][Rh(CO)2I2] (1) with RCOI yields complexes [AsPh4]2 [RCORh(CO)I3]2 (2,R Me; 3 R  Et; 4 R  n-Pr; 5 R  i-Pr). The 13CO Scrambling process for complexes [AsPh4][RCORh(13CO)(S)I3] (R  Me,Et; S  CD3CN) along with the skeleton isomerization of [AsPh4]RCORh(CO)(S)I3] (R  n-Pr, i-Pr) was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Rates of CO insertion into the RhC bond in [AsPh4][RRh(CO)3I3] (R  Me, n-Pr, i-Pr) were determined. Thermolysis of [AsPh4] [MeCORh(CO)(CD3CN)I3] (6) in CD3CN gives methyl iodide in contrast to [AsPh4] give only propene as the organic fragment.
Chromosomal location of human genes encoding major heat-shock protein HSP70.

The HSP70 family of heat-shock proteins constitutes the major proteins synthesized in response to elevated temperatures and other forms of stress. In eukaryotes members of the HSP70 family also include a protein similar if not identical to bovine brain uncoating ATPase and glucose-regulated proteins. An intriguing relation has been established between expression of heat-shock proteins and transformation in mammalian cells. Elevated levels of HSP70 are found in some transformed cell lines, and viral and cellular gene products that are capable of transforming cells in vitro can also stimulate transcription of HSP70genes. To determine the organization of this complex multigene family in the human genome, we used complementary approaches: Southern analysis and protein gels of Chinese hamster-human somatic cell hybrids, and in situ hybridization to human chromosomes. We demonstrate that functional genes encoding HSP70 proteins map to human chromosomes 6, 14, 21, and at least one other chromosome.
Information architecture for social media: a case study on building an event backchannel with Twitter

This paper presents a case study on creating a backchannel through Twitter for the live event, featuring the Secretary of the US Navy, hosted by the School of Government. The project, which ultimately was successful in creating social media buzz for the lecture, was a new approach for the School of Government in how it markets its events. The study discusses the tools and processes used in the backchannel’s creation and development. This paper was written because the author discovered a gap in existing literature on creating backchannels. It outlines how the adaptation of best practices from the general population’s use of Twitter in creating a backchannel for an educational event. While this study focuses specifically on the promotion of a live event, the concepts and principles discussed here also are applicable to instructors interested in providing their students with an environment for differentiated learning and informal communication.
Hippocampectomy attenuates the reduction of operant rate produced by d-amphetamine

Hippocampal ablations in rats were found to significantly attenuate the response-decreasing effect of d-amphetamine observed when control animals perform on the fixed ratio (FR) component of a multiple FR, extinction (EXT) schedule under the drug’s influence but had no effect on the ability of the drug to facilitate responding on the EXT component. Separate experiments indicated that hippocampal ablation neither increased nor decreased the ability of amphetamine to produce anorexia, stereotypy, or increases in locomotion. The data from these experiments are interpreted to indicate that the hippocampus is one structure involved specifically in the ability of amphetamine to lower response rate on an FR schedule and that the hippocampus may be part of the neural substrate of the phenomenon of “rate dependency,” which is one predictor of the behavioral action of amphetamine. These data may be interpreted within a theoretical framework that ascribes to the hippocampus a function in altering behavior when either the internal or the external environment changes.
Cranial bone graft to reconstruct the mandibular condyle in Macaca mulatta

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cranial bone grafts to reconstruct the mandibular condyle in a nonhuman primate model. Materials and Methods: The right mandibular condyle was resected in eight female, adult, nongrowing monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and the mandible was reconstructed with autogenous, full-thickness cranial bone harvested from the frontal area of the skull and stabilized with rigid fixation. Joint function, facial symmetry, and occlusion were evaluated preoperatively and over the course of 1 year postoperatively. The height of the bone graft was measured intraoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Results: Seven monkeys survived for 1 year. The animals' weights were stable postoperatively. There were no statistically significant changes in maximal incisal opening or lateral excursion, as well as no statistically significant changes in facial symmetry or occlusion. On average, the total decrease in height of the graft was 0.7 ± 0.9 mm (P = .07). Conclusion: After reconstruction of the mandibular condyle in Macaca mulatta, full-thickness cranial bone grafts provided a functional joint that resisted resorption. Cranial bone may therefore provide a suitable alternative to other autologous or alloplastic graft materials for reconstruction of the human mandibular condyle in nongrowing patients.
153 CARDIAC OUTPUT IN INFANTS OF INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC MOTHERS

Transient hypertrophic subaortic stenosis due to interventricular septal hypertrophy is an important cause of morbidity in the infant of the diabetic mother (IDM). The purpose of this study was to quantitate left ventricular outflow obstruction through estimation of cardiac output (CO) by pulsed Doppler ultrasound. We evaluated 42 IDMs (White class B, C, D) and compared them to 2 control groups, one comparable in BW and the other similar in GA. Septal hypertrophy was found in 18/42 (43%) of the IDMs. Morbidity increased with advancing septal thickness. Hyaline membrane disease was not present in any of the patients.