cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phonological neighborhood effects in aphasic speech errors: spontaneous and structured contexts.

The current study investigates the influence of phonological neighborhoods on the accuracy of speech production in aphasia by examining errors produced in both spontaneous and structured speech tasks. Characteristics of the phonological neighborhoods of spontaneously produced aphasic errors are compared to the neighborhood characteristics of correctly produced targets in a picture description task. Accuracy of picture naming is also examined with reference to the phonological neighborhood characteristics of the stimuli. Results show that frequency of occurrence and neighborhood density play a facilitative role in speech production, replicating findings from recent studies with normal subjects. It is argued that the results are most parsimoniously explained within an interactive activation framework of lexical access.
Differentiation of astrocytes in the cerebellar cortex and the pyramidal tracts of the newborn rat. An immunofluorescence study with antibodies to a protein specific to astrocytes

Abstract The differentiation of fibrous astrocytes in the cerebellar cortex and pyramidal tracts of the newborn rat has been studied by immunofluorescence with antibodies to a protein specific to astrocytes, the glial fibrillary acidic protein. In the 4-day-old rat strongly fluorescent astrocytic processes attached to the glia limitans and crossing the external granular and molecular layer first make their appearance. These processes acquired the shape and distribution of Bergmann fibers in the adult cerebellum at the end of the second week of life, when neurons are still migrating inward from the external granular layer. In the pyramidal tracts fluorescent astrocytes were first observed on the ninth postnatal day at the time of ‘myelination gliosis’. Fluorescence steadily increased in the subsequent course of development. In 1-month-old animals the astrocytic framework of the pyramidal tracts had reached its adult appearance.
Critical currents in frustrated two-dimensional Josephson arrays

Using the peak in dynamic resistance versus current to indicate the intrinsic critical current {ital I}{sub {ital c}0}, the magnetic-field dependence of {ital I}{sub {ital c}0} in two-dimensional Josephson junction arrays has been inferred from differential resistance measurements at finite voltages. This peak is particularly clear when a magnetic-field-induced vortex superlattice is strongly commensurate with the underlying lattice. At weakly commensurate fields, {ital dV}/{ital dI} rises sharply at approximately 10% of the zero-field {ital I}{sub {ital c}0}, in qualitative agreement with the prediction of Lobb {ital et} {ital al}. (Phys. Rev. B 27, 150 (1983)) for the pinning of isolated vortices. New exact calculations of the critical current are presented for the cases of {ital f}=1/2 and 1/3 ({ital f} is the average number of flux quanta per cell of the array), which agree well with our experimental measurements. Implications of these exact results for the effect of boundary conditions in computer simulations on small arrays are also noted.
Gas Lasers For Holography

The ideas of holography, or wavefront reconstruction, preceded by some thirteen years the development of the laser. It is thus clear that lasers are not necessary for holography, and we should discuss why they are even helpful. Because holography is basically an interferometric process, the need for coherent radiation is clear; the laser represents a source of coherent radiation. Let us begin with a brief discussion of coherence in general, and the coherence properties of gas lasers in particular.© (1968) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Limited protective role of V-PYRRO/NO against cholestasis produced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate in mice.

Abstract O 2 -vinyl 1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (V-PYRRO/NO) is a liver-selective nitric oxide donor that has been shown to protect against hepatotoxic effects of endotoxin, acetaminophen and cadmium. This study examined the effects of V-PYRRO/NO on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Mice were given V-PYRRO/NO via osmotic pumps (5.4 mg/ml; 0.5 μl/h) starting 24 h before receiving a hepatotoxic dose of ANIT (150 mg/kg in olive oil, i.g.), and continuing for additional 48 h (3-day pumps). V-PYRRO/NO administration partially ameliorated ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, markers of liver cell death, and by improved liver pathology. However, V-PYRRO/NO had no effect on ANIT-induced cholestasis, as ANIT-increased serum bilirubin levels and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity were not ameliorated. Microarray and real time RT-PCR analysis revealed that ANIT intoxication altered expression of various genes, including genes encoding metabolic enzymes, transporter proteins, acute phase proteins, inflammation- and, apoptosis-related genes, as well as other genes related to liver injury. V-PYRRO/NO treatment attenuated ANIT-induced elevations in certain inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes, but had no effect on ANIT-induced disturbance on the expression of genes related to metabolism, transport, and acute phase proteins. Thus, the liver-selective NO donor, V-PYRRO/NO, was partially protective against ANIT-induced liver injury, without affecting ANIT-induced cholestasis and cholestasis-related gene expression.
An improved classical mapping method for homogeneous electron gases at finite temperature

We introduce a modified classical mapping method to predict the exchange-correlation free energy and the structure of homogeneous electron gases (HEG) at finite temperature. With the classical map temperature parameterized on the basis of the quantum Monte Carlo simulation data for the correlation energy and exact results at high and low temperature limits, the new theoretical procedure greatly improves the classical mapping method for correlating the energetic properties HEG over a broad range of thermodynamic conditions. Improvement can also be identified in predicting the long-range components of the spin-averaged pair correlation functions.
Biomechanical comparison of a fully threaded, variable pitch screw and a partially threaded lag screw for internal fixation of Type II dens fractures.

Study design Stiffness and load to failure were studied in a human cadaver model of Type II odontoid fractures stabilized with either a single partially threaded lag screw and washer or a headless fully threaded variable pitch screw. Objective To determine whether a headless fully threaded variable pitch screw provides biomechanically superior fixation of Type II odontoid fractures in comparison with a partially threaded, cannulated lag screw and washer. Summary of background data Surgical treatment of Anderson and D'Alonzo Type II odontoid fractures is often performed using a partially threaded cannulated screw and washer. Reported clinical failure rates of this construct are as high as 20%. This technique requires perforation of the cortex of the tip of the dens, placing the brainstem and vertebrobasilar circulation at risk. A headless fully threaded variable pitch screw has not been described for this application. Methods A transverse osteotomy was created at the base of the dens in 16 human cadaver C2 specimens and stabilized using either a headless fully threaded variable pitch screw or a partially threaded cannulated lag screw and washer. Specimens were loaded to failure under a static, posteriorly directed force applied to the surface of the dens. Stiffness and load to failure were measured and the mode of failure for each specimen was determined. Results Stiffness and load to failure were greater for the headless, fully threaded variable pitch screw compared with the partially threaded lag screw and washer. The mode of failure for all specimens was via anterior screw cut-out at the C2 vertebral body. Conclusion A headless, fully threaded variable pitch screw was biomechanically favorable in comparison with a partially threaded lag screw and washer in this cadaver model of Type II dens fractures. The mode of failure at the C2 vertebral body may have important implications for further improvements in construct strength.
The Geometry of Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke: A Walking Tour in London

directions so that others may follow in your tracks. L ondon contains a wealth of architectural styles and buildings from many periods; for those interested in architecture it is a wonderful place to explore on foot. After the Great Fire of 1666 destroyed most of the old walled city of London, Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke were appointed to the group charged with rebuilding London. Wren and Hooke, both founding members of the Royal Society, began a lifelong friendship and pattern of collaboration during their student days at Oxford. Until the Great Fire, they were best known for their work in mathematics, physics, and astronomy. Wren was at one time the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford. As longtime Curator of Experiments for the Royal Society, Hooke had ‘‘to furnish them every day, on which they met, with three or four considerable experiments.’’ However, although the massive effort to rebuild London was led by both men, Wren’s enduring reputation is as an architect and Hooke’s is as a scientist. In the mid-seventeenth century, Inigo Jones brought the notion of ‘‘classical architecture’’ with all of its columns, domes, and Palladian windows to England. Many of these design elements had been rejected in the past as too ‘‘Catholic’’ for Henry VIII’s ‘‘protestant’’ England. But after the Great Fire, Wren and Hooke popularized this very geometric design style, using it in royal, public, and private buildings, as well as in places of worship. Wren has been credited with designing St. Paul’s Cathedral and more than fifty parish churches that were rebuilt in the City of London. Current scholarship indicates that the parish churches were most likely designed by Wren, Hooke, and others who worked under them. It is a difficult matter to determine attributions for most of the churches. Some hints can be found in parish vestry minutes and others in Hooke’s diaries (he was an avid diarist). It is clear from Hooke’s diaries that for decades he and Wren met nearly daily to discuss both architectural and scientific matters, which suggests that the design process was collaborative, with details executed by their apprentices. We know, from diaries, writings, and library lists, that Wren and Hooke had access to the canon of classical architectural texts of their day. These books by Alberti, Vitruvius, and Palladio all advocate geometry, proportion, and symmetry as the basis of architectural design. When seeking connections between Wren’s mathematics and architecture, many authors point to the strong use of geometry in his buildings. Derek Whiteside says of Wren, ‘‘Perhaps his greatest mathematical gift was his visual sensitivity and feeling for form which are obvious in his architectural designs and scientific sketches.’’ Wren himself states in Tract I: Geometrical Figures are naturally more beautiful than other irregular; in this all consent as to a Law of Nature. Of Please send all submissions to Mathematical Tourist Editor, Dirk Huylebrouck, Aartshertogstraat 42, 8400 Oostende, Belgium e-mail: huylebrouck@gmail.com
Sufficient conditions for nonnegativity of the second variation in singular and nonsingular control problems

Sufficient conditions for nonnegativity of the second variation in singular and nonsingular control problems are presented; these conditions are in the form of equalities and differential inequalities. Control problem examples illustrate the use of the new conditions. The relationships of the new conditions to existing necessary conditions of optimality for singular and nonsingular problems are discussed. When applied to nonsingular control problems, it is shown that the conditions are sufficient to ensure the boundedness of the solution of the well-known matrix Riccati differential equation.
Axial thermal gradient microbore liquid chromatography by flow programming

A novel thermal gradient technique that combines flow and temperature programming has been developed for high-performance microbore liquid chromatography (μLC). Axial thermal gradient μLC (AxTG-μLC) modulates column temperature and changes analyte retention by introducing heated solvent into the column. The column, at ambient temperature, acts as a heat sink. Flow programming the mobile phase increases the rate of heat provided to the column and raises the average column temperature with time. For example, when introducing heated eluent at 100 o °C into a 1 mm×5cm reversed-phase column made of PEEK, the average column temperature is 40 o Cat 25 μL/min and 87 o C at 400 μL/min
A Multiwinter Analysis of Channeled Flow through a Prominent Gap along the Northern California Coast during CALJET and PACJET

Abstract Experimental observations from coastal and island wind profilers, aircraft, and other sensors deployed during the California Land-falling Jets Experiment of 1997/98 and the Pacific Land-falling Jets Experiment of 2000/01–2003/04 were combined with observations from operational networks to document the regular occurrence and characteristic structure of shallow (∼400–500 m deep), cold airstreams flowing westward through California’s Petaluma Gap from the Central Valley to the coast during the winter months. The Petaluma Gap, which is the only major air shed outlet from the Central Valley, is ∼35–50 km wide and has walls extending, at most, a modest 600–900 m above the valley floor. Based on this geometry, together with winter meteorological conditions typical of the region (e.g., cold air pooled in the Central Valley and approaching extratropical cyclones), this gap is predisposed to generating westward-directed ageostrophic flows driven by along-gap pressure differences. Two case studies and a fiv...
Stress Fields in a Continuous Fiber Composite With a Variable Interphase Under Thermo-Mechanical Loadings

Stress fields in a continuous fiber composite with a variable interphase subjected to thermomechanical loadings are studied by using a four concentric circular cylinders model. An exact closed form solution is obtained for the stress field in the interphase in a series form using Frobenius method in a certain case. Numerical results are presented for FP fiber/Al 6061 composite with interphase, and carbon fiber/Al 6061 composite with interphase. It is found that the variableness of the thermoelastic constants in the interphase has significant effects on the stress distributions in the interphase. Therefore, this will, in turn, affect the initiation of cracks in the interphase.
A comparative study of limited-angle cone-beam reconstruction methods for breast tomosynthesis

Digital tomosynthesis mammography (DTM) is a promising new modality for breast cancer detection. In DTM, projection-view images are acquired at a limited number of angles over a limited angular range and the imaged volume is reconstructed from the two-dimensional projections, thus providing three-dimensional structural information of the breast tissue. In this work, we investigated three representative reconstruction methods for this limited-angle cone-beam tomographic problem, including the backprojection (BP) method, the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) and the maximum likelihood method with the convex algorithm (ML-convex). The SART and ML-convex methods were both initialized with BP results to achieve efficient reconstruction. A second generation GE prototype tomosynthesis mammography system with a stationary digital detector was used for image acquisition. Projection-view images were acquired from 21 angles in 3 degrees increments over a +/- 30 degrees angular range. We used an American College of Radiology phantom and designed three additional phantoms to evaluate the image quality and reconstruction artifacts. In addition to visual comparison of the reconstructed images of different phantom sets, we employed the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), a line profile of features, an artifact spread function (ASF), a relative noise power spectrum (NPS), and a line object spread function (LOSF) to quantitatively evaluate the reconstruction results. It was found that for the phantoms with homogeneous background, the BP method resulted in less noisy tomosynthesized images and higher CNR values for masses than the SART and ML-convex methods. However, the two iterative methods provided greater contrast enhancement for both masses and calcification, sharper LOSF, and reduced interplane blurring and artifacts with better ASF behaviors for masses. For a contrast-detail phantom with heterogeneous tissue-mimicking background, the BP method had strong blurring artifacts along the x-ray source motion direction that obscured the contrast-detail objects, while the other two methods can remove the superimposed breast structures and significantly improve object conspicuity. With a properly selected relaxation parameter, the SART method with one iteration can provide tomosynthesized images comparable to those obtained from the ML-convex method with seven iterations, when BP results were used as initialization for both methods.
Threshold selection using Renyi's entropy

Image segmentation is an important and fundamental task in many digital image processing systems. Image segmentation by thresholding is the simplest technique and involves the basic assumption that objects and background in the digital image have distinct gray-level distributions. In this paper, we present a general technique for thresholding of digital images based on Renyi's entropy. Our method includes two of the previously proposed well known global thresholding methods. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by using examples from the real-world and synthetic images.
Nutrient dynamics in streams and the role of J-NABS

Nutrient dynamics in streams has been an important topic of research since the 1960s. Here we review this topic and the significant role played by J-NABS in its development. We limit this review almost exclusively to studies of N and P because these elements have been shown to limit productivity in streams. We use the expression nutrient dynamics for studies that included some measures of biological processes occurring within streams. Prior to the 1970s, instream biological processes were little studied, but through 1985 conceptual advances were made, and 4 types of studies made important contributions to our understanding of instream processes: 1) evidence of increased plant production and decomposition in response to nutrient addition, 2) studies showing a downstream decrease in nutrient concentrations, 3) studies using radioisotopes, and 4) budget studies. Beginning with the first paper printed in its first issue, J-NABS has been the outlet for key papers advancing our understanding of rates and controls of nutrient dynamics in streams. In the first few years, an important review and a conceptual model for conducting experiments to study nutrient dynamics in streams were published in J-NABS. In the 1990s, J-NABS published a number of papers on nutrient recycling within algal communities, the role of the hyporheic zone, the role of spawning fish, and the coupling of data from field 15 N additions and a N-cycling model to provide a synoptic view of N dynamics in streams. Since 2000, J-NABS has published influential studies on nutrient criteria for streams, rates of and controls on nitrification and denitrification, uptake of stream nutrients by riparian vegetation, and nutrient dynamics in urban streams. Nutrient dynamics will certainly continue to be an important topic in J-NABS. Topics needing further study include techniques for studying nutrient dynamics, nutrient dynamics in larger streams and rivers, the ultimate fate of nutrients taken up by plants and microbes in streams, ecological stoichiometry, the effects of climate change, and the role of streams and rivers in nutrient transformation and retention at the landscape scale.
Analysis of uterine contraction signals

In the United States there is a 27% of increase in premature birth over the past 20 years. The lack of an effective method for differentiating true labor from false labor causes unwanted hospital stays and treatment which could be avoided if there is a better understanding of the uterus dynamics. Studies show that labor progress correlates with electrical activities of the uterus. There must be a pattern in the contractions itself or in their coordination which can reveal the difference between uterine contractions that lead to delivery and the ones that do not. To understand the low level activities of uterus, first we analyzed magnetic recordings from the maternal abdomen which were acquired from Squid Array for Reproductive Assessment (SARA) system at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Neural networks were used for classifying those recordings into two groups. The first group of classes has signals that include contraction and the second group of signals has the ones that do not include contractions. Wavelet transforms were used for feature extraction of the signal.
Adult height and prevalence of coronary artery calcium: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study.

Background— Adult height has been hypothesized to be inversely associated with coronary heart disease; however, studies have produced conflicting results. We sought to examine the relationship between adult height and the prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC), a direct measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and surrogate marker of coronary heart disease. Methods and Results— We evaluated the relationship between adult height and CAC in 2703 participants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study who underwent cardiac computed tomography. We used generalized estimating equations to calculate the prevalence odds ratios for the presence of CAC (CAC>0) across sex-specific quartiles of height. The mean age of the sample was 54.8 years, and 60.2% of participants were female. There was an inverse association between adult height and CAC. After adjusting for age, race, field center, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, diabetes mellitus, diabetic medications, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid-lowering medications, and income, individuals in the tallest quartile had 30% lower odds of having prevalent CAC. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the presence of CAC across consecutive sex-specific quartiles of height were 1.0 (reference), 1.15 (0.86–1.53), 0.95 (0.73–1.22), and 0.70 (0.53–0.93), and P for trend <0.01. There was no evidence of effect modification for the relationship between adult height and CAC by age or socioeconomic status. Conclusions— The results of our study suggest an inverse, independent association between adult height and CAC.
Uniaxial Crystal Optics

Detailed knowledge of the optics of uniaxial crystals is required for their identification. One must be able to identify the vibration directions in a uniaxial grain and to relate the optical directions to the crystallo-graphic directions. The uniaxial indicatrix, a device that summarizes the values of the refractive indices and the orientation of the associated vibration directions for all directions in a uniaxial crystal, is described in this chapter.
An inequality for spin-s XY ferromagnets

Abstract It is proved that correlation functions for a general spin 1 2 XY ferromagnet are bounded above by correlation functions for a corresponding Ising ferromagnet.
Growth hormone induces c-fos and c-jun expression in cells with varying requirements for differentiation.

GH is one of the major factors required for the differentiation of 3T3-F442A preadipocyte fibroblasts into adipocytes. An early event following the addition of GH to 3T3-F442A preadipocytes is induction of the expression of c-fos and c-jun. Although c-fos and c-jun expression has been observed in conjunction with growth factor-stimulated differentiation in several cell types, it is not clear whether protooncogene expression and differentiation are necessarily related. In this study the relationship between the induction of these protooncogenes and differentiation was evaluated by taking advantage of several cell lines that are related to 3T3-F442A cells but have varying GH requirements for differentiation. Adipose differentiation in the adipogenic cell lines 3T3-L1 and 3T3-GI-16 is known to be GH independent, requiring insulin or insulin-like growth factor-I. In both 3T3-L1 and 3T3-GI-16 preadipocytes, GH, nevertheless, induced the expression of mRNA for both protooncogenes. GH (2.2 nM) was more effective...
Link access blocking in very large multi-media networks

This paper is concerned with performance models and approximations for very large, multi-media networks. Blocking is the traditional performance measure in circuit-switched networks, and will remain as such in multi-rate circuit-switched networks. It is also considered a likely performance measure candidate for resource management and dimensioning in broadband fast packet-switched networks, operated under virtual circuit mode.To gain some insight into network-wide blocking phenomena, we study in this paper the basic building block of any network, a single link. Multi-media traffic calls with Poisson arrivals, arbitrarily distributed service times, and different bandwidth requirements (in number of circuits), are offered to a system (link) of finite capacity. A call is rejected when the sharing policy doesn't allow it to be accommodated by the system.Under complete sharing policy, an aggregate state describing the number of occupied circuits is shown to exhibit a product form solution in steady state, when the capacity and traffic intensities become very large asymptotically. This structural property leads to the main result of this paper, an approximation which reduces the computation of the blocking probabilities for the different classes of traffic to the evaluation of a single Erlang formula and the determination of the root of a monotonous polynomial function.We provide comparison curves of the exact blocking probabilities and the approximations for some examples with 3 classes of traffic.
Financial Control in the Transition from Classical Socialism to a Market Economy

The transition from socialism to capitalism poses severe problems of financial management that have yet to be resolved in principle, let alone in practice. One unfortunate consequence is continual financial turmoil as socialist economies of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe attempt reform. Inflation, either open or repressed, first accompanies and then undermines attempts to decentralize decision-making. To dampen inflation and prevent economic chaos, even reform governments may be provoked to reintervene by seizing the financial assets of enterprises, reinstituting price controls, or commandeering outputs through state orders and similar devices. But why should the transition from central planning to a market economy be inflationary? Understanding the system of financial control in the preexisting regime of "classical" socialism is the key to understanding what might go wrong in the transition. Under classical socialism, all the means of production —industrial and agricultural—are state-owned. Output targets, input levels, wages and prices are all set by a Stalinist system of central planning. Accordingly, I shall first identify: 1) how domestic fiscal and monetary processes interact with, and complement, central planning in the classical socialist economy; and then discuss 2) why this mechanism for securing domestic financial control and avoiding inflation under classical socialism tends to break down when decentralization begins and central planning is weakened. The discussion will then turn to: 3) how, in a more deliberate transition, domestic tax and monetary arrangements might be managed to keep the average price level stable as the market prices of individual goods and services become free to fluctuate. After sufficient domestic financial control is secured,
The crystallization of amorphous germanium films

Abstract Germanium thin films were prepared in an amorphous form by vacuum deposition onto room temperature fused silica substrates. The amorphous—crystalline transition was studied as a function of time and temperature by measuring the optical transmission near 0.65 μm, where the absorption constant is most sensitive to the phase transformation. At a fixed temperature, the time for half the volume of the sample to become crystallized was found to be consistent with the relation tc = τ exp(E0/kT), with an activation energy E0 = 2.96 eV.
Genetic alterations and DNA repair in human carcinogenesis

A causal association between genetic alterations and cancer is supported by extensive experimental and epidemiological data. Mutational inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes are associated with the development of a wide range of cancers. The link between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis is particularly evident for cancers induced by chemical exposures, which, in some cases, lead to characteristic patterns of mutations. These "genotoxic," direct-acting carcinogens form covalent adducts with DNA, which cause mutations during DNA replication. The link between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis is also supported by the observation that DNA repair defects are associated with an increased cancer risk. Normally, DNA repair mechanisms serve to suppress mutagenesis by correcting DNA damage before it can lead to heritable mutations. It has been postulated that mutagenesis plays a role in both the initiation phase and the progression phase of carcinogenesis, and that an essential step in the carcinogenic process is the development of a mutator state in which the normal cellular processes that suppress mutagenesis become compromised. Given the link between mutations and cancer, attempts have been made to use the mutational profile of cancer cells as an indicator of the causative agent. While this may be a valid approach in some cases, it is complicated by the role of endogenous processes in promoting mutagenesis. In addition, many important carcinogenic agents may enhance mutagenesis indirectly through suppression of DNA repair functions or stimulation of inappropriate cell proliferation. Epigenetic phenomena may also suppress gene expression without causing overt changes in DNA sequence.
Numerical analysis of laser induced inelastic collisions

This paper studies the dynamics of (dipole-dipole) laser induced collision processes. Coupled equations are numerically integrated, first over time, and then over impact parameter. Transition probability and collision cross section are given as a function of the detuning from the R = \infty frequency of the separated atoms, and of the incident laser power density. Numerical results are compared with approximate formulae for collision cross section at line center and in the wing.
Broad DNA repair responses in neural injury are associated with activation of the IL-6 pathway in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The importance of DNA repair in the pathogenic mechanism of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is still poorly understood. Here, we report that a broad range of responses by DNA repair proteins plays a critical role in the regulation of inflammatory response in rabbits fed with cholesterol-rich diet, a model system for AD. We found accumulation of oxodG DNA adduct in the brain of rabbits fed with cholesterol-enriched diets compared to control diets, which subsequently induced a broad range of DNA repair protein activities. Also, the hippocampus was identified as the primary site of oxidative DNA damage and elevated OGG1 activity. In addition, a physical interaction between XPB and OGG1 may account for a potential mechanism involving these DNA repair responses. DNA repair proteins also impact activation of various signaling cascades, including Src in response to cholesterol oxidation. Furthermore, OGG1 deficient mice showed no IL-6 activation as seen in wt mice but a drastic increase of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Thus, OGG1 may be associated with cytokine production induced by high cholesterol levels, impacting neurodegeneration. Together, our studies suggest that critical DNA repair proteins are associated with development of AD, and may serve as potential targets for the treatment of AD.
Synthesis of D-(-)-[1,7-13C2]shikimic acid

The chemical synthesis of 99% enriched D(-)-[1,7-13C2]shikimic acid from [1,2-13C2]acetate in 25% overall yield is described. A two-carbon phosphonate synthon was prepared from [1,2-13C2]acetate and used in the shikimate synthesis of Fleet and coworkers.
Reverse spillover of hydrogen on carbon-based nanomaterials: evidence of recombination using isotopic exchange

The hydrogen spillover phenomenon at ambient temperature is of interest in the development of adsorbents for storage applications. The mechanism of hydrogen spillover is studied using equilibrium dosing of the deuterium hydride molecule. Temperature programmed desorption spectra for both primary and secondary spillover materials, with the deuterium peak appearing first, have supported partitioning of the desorption behavior into reverse spillover and recombination directly from the atomic receptor. Desorption kinetics are faster relative to adsorption for hydrogen and deuterium on all carbon-based adsorbents in the study. Diffusion time constants are computed using a surface diffusion model based on Fick’s second law. Kinetic data are studied for pressures from atmospheric to 100 atm and equilibrium adsorbed amounts to 5.5 mmol/g. Values follow an inverse relationship with amount and are 2 orders of magnitude higher (10−4 s−1) than those reported for nitrogen physisorption on carbon adsorbents. Adsorption...
Macroscopic anatomy of the ringed seal [Pusa (Phoca) hispida] lower respiratory system.

The microscopic anatomy of the ringed seal lung exhibits unique features and many features similar to those described in other seal species. Unique features include: Trachealis muscle predominately oriented longitudinally; Large veins within the tracheal wall supported by elastic fibers; Goblet cells and pseudostratified epithelium lining the duct system of bronchial glands of the segmental bronchi; Lamina propria of the segmental bronchus heavily invested with elastic fibers clustered into dense longitudinal bundles; and Capillaries and venules covered with squamous epithelium protruding into bronchiolar lumina. Common features include: Cartilage support of the bronchial tree extending distally into respiratory bronchioles; Smooth muscle enhancements in the distal airways producing sphincter like formations; and Lungs extensively supported with interstitial tissue, which divide lungs into lobules.
Study of Solid State Drives performance in PROOF distributed analysis system

Solid State Drives (SSD) is a promising storage technology for High Energy Physics parallel analysis farms. Its combination of low random access time and relatively high read speed is very well suited for situations where multiple jobs concurrently access data located on the same drive. It also has lower energy consumption and higher vibration tolerance than Hard Disk Drive (HDD) which makes it an attractive choice in many applications raging from personal laptops to large analysis farms. The Parallel ROOT Facility - PROOF is a distributed analysis system which allows to exploit inherent event level parallelism of high energy physics data. PROOF is especially efficient together with distributed local storage systems like Xrootd, when data are distributed over computing nodes. In such an architecture the local disk subsystem I/O performance becomes a critical factor, especially when computing nodes use multi-core CPUs. We will discuss our experience with SSDs in PROOF environment. We will compare performance of HDD with SSD in I/O intensive analysis scenarios. In particular we will discuss PROOF system performance scaling with a number of simultaneously running analysis jobs.
Panoptes: scalable low-power video sensor networking technologies

Video-based sensor networks can provide important visual information in a number of applications including: environmental monitoring, health care, emergency response, and video security. This paper describes the Panoptes video-based sensor networking architecture, including its design, implementation, and performance. We describe a video sensor platform that can deliver high-quality video over 802.11 networks with a power requirement of approximately 5 watts. In addition, we describe the streaming and prioritization mechanisms that we have designed to allow it to survive long-periods of disconnected operation. Finally, we describe a sample application and bitmapping algorithm that we have implemented to show the usefulness of our platform. Our experiments include an in-depth analysis of the bottlenecks within the system as well as power measurements for the various components of the system.
Carbonate deposition, Pyramid Lake subbasin, Nevada: 1. Sequence of formation and elevational distribution of carbonate deposits (Tufas)

Abstract During the late Quarternary, the elevation of terrace cutting and carbonate deposition in the Pyramid Lake subbasin were controlled by constancy of lake level imposed by spill to adjoining subbasins. Sill elevations are 1177–1183 m (Mud Lake Slough Sill), 1207 m (Emerson Pass Sill), and 1265 m (Darwin Pass Sill). Carbonate deposition was favored by: (1) hydrologic closure, (2) proximity to a source of calcium, (3) elevated water temperature, and (4) a solid substrate. The thickness and aspect of tufa are a function oflake-level dynamics. Relatively thin sheets and pendant sheets were deposited during a rising or falling lake. The upper parts of thick reef-form tufas have a horizontal aspect and were deposited in a lake which was stabilized by spill to the Carson Desert subbasin. The lower parts of the reef-form tufas are thinner and their outer surface has a vertical aspect, indicating that the lower part formed in a receding lake. The thickest and most complete sequences of tufa are mounds that border the Pyramid Lake shore. The tops of the tallest mounds reach the elevation of the Darwin Pass Sill and many mounds have been eroded to the elevations of the Mud Lake Slough Sill of the Emerson Pass Sill. The sequence of tufa formation (from oldest to youngest) displayed in these mounds is: (1) a beachrock containing carbonate-cemented volcanic cobbles, (2) broken and eroded old spheroids that contain thinolitic tufa and an outer rind of dense laminated tufa, (3) large cylindrical (tubular) tufas capped by (4) coatings of old dense tufas, and (5) several generations of old branching tufa commonly associated with thin, platy tufas and coatings of thinolitic tufa, (6) young spheroids that contain poorly oriented young thinolitic tufa in the center and several generations of radially oriented young thinolitic tufas near the outer edge, (7) a transitional thinolite-to-branching tufa, (8) two or more layers of young branching tufa, (9) a 0.5-cm-thick layer of fine-grained dolomite, (10) a 2-cm-thick layer of young dense laminated tufa, (11) a 0.1-cm-thick layer of encrusting tufa that was covered by a beach deposit and (12) a 1.0-cm-thick layer of porous encrusting tufa that coated the beach deposit and the sides of tufa mounds. The elevational ranges of the principal varieties of tufa are not related to terrace or spill elevations. It seems likely that the distribution of tufa varieties is related to variation in the thermal structure or chemistry of Lake Lahontan. It is hypothesized that the thinolitic tufa (ikaite) formed in the near freezing hypolimnion and the braching tufa (calcite) formed in the seasonally warmer epiliminion of the lake.
Teaching Courses in Clinical Trial Research Methods

This article describes nine separate elements that are part of any course: 1) the teachers, 2) the students, 3) expectations and attitudes of the teachers, 4) expectations and attitudes of the students, 5) a strategy of how to achieve the expectations, 6) materials to use, 7) types of presentations, 8) organizing the individual sessions, and 9) time and place for the course and each of its sessions. The relationship of each of these elements to a course on clinical-trial research methods is discussed. Approaches to use for designing an overall curriculum for a school, company, or regulatory authority also are discussed. Sixteen separate courses are identified and briefly described. Several methods to enhance the effectiveness of individual lectures or discussions are mentioned. Potential courses, as well as those currently offered, should be periodically evaluated by all institutions that are involved in the area of clinical-trial research methods.
Further evidence for an orientation constancy based upon registration of ocular position.

In four experiments Ss were exposed to wedge prisms or maintained an asymmetrical eye and head posture in order to induce a shift in the apparent direction of gaze. Systematic changes in the apparent orientation of a line target were obtained as inferred from an assumed algorithm relating optical input and registered direction of gaze.
Tectonics and hydrocarbon systems of the East Gobi basin, Mongolia

Mapping in the East Gobi basin, supplemented by seismic data, reveals a structural and burial history for basins adjacent to the Zuunbayan and Tsagaan Els oil fields. The tectonic framework was combined with available well and outcrop data to model the timing and magnitude of hydrocarbon generation.Five structural episodes are recognized: (1) pre-Jurassic northeast-directed shortening that formed the tectonic fabric; (2) Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous rifting along northeast trends that formed the subbasins of the East Gobi basin; (3) late Early Cretaceous north-south shortening and inversion on existing normal faults; shortening caused left-lateral and reverse displacements on northeast-trending faults; (4) middle Cretaceous uplift and erosion, followed by (5) east-west shortening and right-lateral movement on northeast faults. Folds formed by inversion over Middle JurassicEarly Cretaceous normal faults.Modeling suggests that the bituminous member of the Zuunbayan Formation should be mature over large parts of the Unegt and Zuunbayan subbasins. Oil migrated from mature source areas toward several traps, including the Zuunbayan and Tsagaan Els fields. Modeling suggests that early oil (104110 Ma) was generated in the Zuunbayan and Tsagaan Els area because of deep burial during the Cretaceous. Although generation began in the Early Cretaceous, peak generation in the Unegt subbasin occurred between 100 and 90 Ma. Generation continued at a decreasing rate up to the present day. Kerogen maturity (and oil field production) suggests that oil is the most likely product. Scoping calculations of hydrocarbon volumes generated indicate that the Unegt basin may have generated as much as 86 billion BOE.
The Influence of Silicon on the Components of Resistance to Gray Leaf Spot in St. Augustinegrass

ABSTRACT Soil fertilization with silicon (Si) has been shown to reduce the severity of gray leaf spot, caused by Magnaporthe grisea, in St. Augustinegrass. However, to understand how Si reduces gray leaf spot, it is necessary to study the effects of Si on the components of host resistance. In a greenhouse, six rates (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 t ha−1) of calcium silicate were evaluated for their ability to affect the components of resistance to gray leaf spot in the susceptible (‘Floratam’) and resistant (‘FX-10’) St. Augustinegrass cultivars. Components of resistance assessed were incubation period, latent period, lesion number, lesion area, daily rate of lesion expansion, and number of conidia per lesion. Percent leaf area diseased, a result of the components of resistance, was also evaluated. In this study, the only component of resistance affected by Si was lesion number. Silicon application significantly reduced the number of lesions 26 to 61% when compared to the untreated control in the susceptible cu...
Oral/manual motor reaction times and delayed auditory feedback disturbances among normally speaking females

Abstract Research has indicated that stuttering and nonstuttering groups can be differentiated on the basis of certain motor reaction time variables. This study evaluated the manual and oral reaction times to a 1000 Hz stimulus tone in 39 normally speaking college females. Speech disfluencies of the subjects (Ss) were identified by a four-judge panel and correlated with reaction time scores. Although no significant correlations were obtained, it was observed that Ss with faster oral and manual reaction times tended to have more disfluencies under delayed auditory feedback.
The effect of treatment with antipsychotic drugs on brain N-acetylaspartate measures in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract Background: The specific intracellular effects of antipsychotic drugs are largely unknown. Studies in animals have suggested that antipsychotics modify the expression of various intraneuronal proteins, but no analogous in vivo data in humans are available. The objective of the present study was to assess whether antipsychotics modify N -acetylaspartate (an intraneuronal marker of neuronal functional integrity) measures in brains of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to study 23 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV diagnosis) using a within-subject design. Patients were studied twice: once while on a stable regimen of antipsychotic drug treatment (for at least 4 weeks) and once while off medication for at least 2 weeks. Several cortical and subcortical regions were assessed, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the hippocampal area. Results: Analysis of variance showed that, while on antipsychotics, patients had significantly higher N -acetylaspartate measures in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ( p = .002). No other region showed any significant effect of treatment. Conclusions: These results indicate that antipsychotic drugs increase N -acetylaspartate measures selectively in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that these drugs modify in a regionally specific manner the function of a population of cortical neurons. N -Acetylaspartate measures may provide a useful tool to further investigate the effects of antipsychotics at the intracellular level.
Co-Twin Control Study of Relationships Among Combat Exposure, Combat-Related PTSD, and Other Mental Disorders

The well-documented association between combat-related PTSD (C-PTSD) and other mental disorders may be an artifact of shared familial vulnerability. This study uses a co-twin control design to examine whether the association between C-PTSD and other mental disorders persists after adjusting for shared familial vulnerability. Data were from male monozygotic twin pairs in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that combat exposure, adjusted for C-PTSD, was significantly associated with increased risk for alcohol and cannabis dependence and that C-PTSD mediated the association between combat exposure and both major depression and tobacco dependence. We conclude C-PTSD comorbidity persists after controlling for shared vulnerability. Combat exposure is directly and indirectly, through C-PTSD, associated with increased risk for other mental disorders.